Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Senators Rumors

Senators, Karlsson Hoping For October Return

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Erik Karlsson is the key to the Ottawa Senators, and with him still nursing an injury the team may get off to a rough start. Emily Sadler of Sportsnet broke down a Pierre Dorion interview, in which the Senators’ GM talks about a hopeful October return for the team captain.

If Karlsson doesn’t get back into the lineup quickly, the Senators will have to rely on other players to step up into a bigger role. One of the possibilities is Thomas Chabot, who has impressed in camp and looks about as ready as you can be to jump into the NHL. Chabot, one of the premiere prospects in the entire league, plays a different game than Karlsson and is left-handed, but has had a positive impact almost every time he’s touched the ice. The Senators play a very structured defensive system, and if he can familiarize himself quickly he could be an elite possession player right away.

NHL Snapshots: Penguins, Karlsson, Oleksiak, Callahan

at CDT | by 5 Comments

The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins released a statement saying they will attend an invitation from President Trump to come to the White House. No date has been announced.

The Pittsburgh Penguins respect the institution of the Office of the President, and the long tradition of championship teams visiting the White House. We attended White House ceremonies after previous championships – touring the historic building and visiting briefly with Presidents George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama – and have accepted an invitation to attend again this year.

Any agreement or disagreement with a president’s politics, policies or agenda can be expressed in other ways. However, we very much respect the rights of other individuals and groups to express themselves as they see fit.

  • NHL.com’s Chris Stevenson writes that Ottawa Senators’ star Erik Karlsson skated with his teammates Saturday for the first time since having surgery to repair torn tendons in his left foot on June 14. The star defenseman wore a light blue non-contact jersey while skating, but did not participate in drills. “It’s a positive thing, but we don’t want to get too excited. It’s a second step,” Senators coach Guy Boucher said. “It’s a positive thing, but we don’t want to get too excited. It’s a second step.” Karlsson is expected to take a couple of days off to see how his ankle responds. No timetable has been set as the Senators regular season starts on Oct. 5.
  • NHL.com’s Scott Burnside writes that the Dallas Stars are close to identifying their top-four defenseman as the team is leaning towards Marc Methot, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell and Jamie Oleksiak. The scribe writes that Oleksiak has in particular garnered praise from head coach Ken Hitchcock. “This is now 10 days of hockey for Jamie that he’s played outstanding. If he continues at this pace he looks like a guy that can help,” the coach said. “I don’t think you can win in the National Hockey League unless you can lock down your top four guys.”
  • Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith writes that Tampa Bay Ligntning’s Ryan Callahan reported a successful preseason game after playing in his first contest Saturday since Jan. 7. He ended his season after that as a nagging hip injury plagued him to the point that he decided to undergo surgery to correct the problem. The 32-year-old wing only played 8:25, but he said he felt comfortable and felt good playing his physical style 0f game. “I didn’t think about my hip or anything when I was out there,” Callahan said. “It’s a big thing for me to get the first game out of my system, blocking shots, taking some hits, giving some hits. It’s a good step.”

 

Training Camp Cuts: 9/23/17

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The more than fifty cuts made from training camps around the league yesterday was only the beginning. Weekend or not, expect the announcements to keep flooding in, and we’ll keep track of it all right here:

Anaheim Ducks

F Stu Bickel – San Diego (AHL)
F Maxime Comtois – Victoriaville (QMJHL)
F Alex Dostie – San Diego (AHL)
G Olle Eriksson Ek – Farjestad BK (SWE U20)
F Nic Kerdiles – San Diego (AHL)
D Brady Lyle – North Bay (OHL), released from ATO
F Antoine Morand – Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
F Julius Nattinen – San Diego (AHL)
F Kyle Olson – Tri-City (WHL)
F Austin Ortega – San Diego (AHL)
D Turner Ottenbreit – Seattle (WHL), released from ATO
G Angus Redmond – San Diego (AHL)
F Kevin Roy – San Diego (AHL)
F Zach Saar – San Diego (AHL)
F Deven Sideroff – San Diego (AHL)
F Tyler Soy – San Diego (AHL)
D Jeff Schultz – San Diego (AHL)
D Keaton Thompson – San Diego (AHL)

Buffalo Sabres

F Eric Cornel – Rochester (AHL)
F Vaclav Karabacek – Rochester (AHL)
G Jason Kasdorf – Rochester (AHL)
G Jonas Johansson – Rochester (AHL)
D Brycen Martin – Rochester (AHL)
F Steve Moses – Rochester (AHL)
D Casey Nelson – Rochester (AHL)
F Kevin Porter – Rochester (AHL)
F Cliff Pu – London (OHL)
D Devante Stephens – Rochester (AHL)
G Adam Wilcox – Rochester (AHL)

Calgary Flames

F Austin Carroll – Stockton (AHL)
D Josh Healey – Stockton (AHL)
D Oliver Kylington – Stockton (AHL)
F Andrew Mangiapane – Stockton (AHL)
D Adam Ollas Mattsson – Stockton (AHL)
G Tyler Parsons – Stockton (AHL)
D Colby Robak – Stockton (AHL)

Carolina Hurricanes

F Clark Bishop – Charlotte (AHL)
G Callum Booth – Charlotte (AHL)
F Warren Foegele – Charlotte (AHL)
D Tyler Ganly – Charlotte (AHL)
F Gregory Hofmann – HC Lugano (NLA)
D Keenan Kanzig – Charlotte (AHL)
F Steven Lorentz – Charlotte (AHL)
G Alex Nedeljkovic – Charlotte (AHL)
F Andrew Poturalski – Charlotte (AHL)
F Nick Schilkey – Charlotte (AHL)
F Spencer Smallman – Charlotte (AHL)
F Sergey Tolchinsky – Charlotte (AHL)
D Josh Wesley – Charlotte (AHL)

Chicago Blackhawks

D Kyle Baun – Rockford (AHL) (cleared waivers)
G Jeff Glass – Rockford (AHL) (cleared waivers)

Dallas Stars

F Travis Morin – released from PTO, will attend AHL camp
F Greg Rallo – released from PTO, will attend AHL camp

Minnesota Wild

D Zach Palmquist – Iowa (AHL) (cleared waivers)

Montreal Canadiens

D Zach Redmond – Laval (AHL) (cleared waivers)

Nashville Predators

D Frederic Allard – Milwaukee (AHL)
F Derek Army – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Bobby Butler – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Tyler Kelleher – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Justin Kirkland – Milwaukee (AHL)
D Joonas Lyytinen – Milwaukee (AHL)
D T.J. Melancon – Milwaukee (AHL)
F Angelo Miceli – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Trevor Mingoia – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Tyler Moy – Milwaukee (AHL)
D Trevor Murphy – Milwaukee (AHL)
G Matt O’Connor – Milwaukee (AHL)
D Jimmy Oligny – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
G Jake Paterson – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Stephen Perfetto – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
D Rick Pinkston – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Anthony Richard – Milwaukee (AHL)

New York Islanders

D Sebastian Aho – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Casey Bailey – released from PTO
D Kyle Burroughs – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Michael Dal Colle – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Scott Eansor – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F Tanner Fritz – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Ben Holmstrom – released from PTO
F Ross Johnston – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Jeff Kubiak – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
D Kane LaFranchise – Bridgeport (AHL)
G Eamon McAdam – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Kyle Schempp – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Travis St. Denis – released from PTO, will report to AHL camp
F John Stevens – Bridgeport (AHL)
D Devon Toews – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Yannick Turcotte – released from ATO
D Mitchell Vande Sompel – Bridgeport (AHL)
D Parker Wotherspoon – Bridgeport (AHL)

New York Rangers

D Alexei Bereglazov – Hartford (AHL)
G Alexandar Georgiev – Hartford (AHL)
D John Gilmour – Hartford (AHL)
F Ryan Gropp – Hartford (AHL)
G Chris Nell – Hartford (AHL)
D Vince Pedrie – Hartford (AHL)
F Malte Stromwall – Hartford (AHL)
F Adam Tambellini – Hartford (AHL)

Philadelphia Flyers

D Mark Alt – Lehigh Valley (AHL) (cleared waivers)
D T.J. Brennan – Lehigh Valley (AHL) (cleared waivers)
F Greg Carey – Lehigh Valley (AHL) (cleared waivers)
F Corban Knight – Lehigh Valley (AHL) (cleared waivers)
G Alex Lyon – Lehigh Valley (AHL)
D Will O’Neill – Lehigh Valley (AHL) (cleared waivers)
F Phil Varone – Lehigh Valley (AHL) (cleared waivers)

Ottawa Senators

G Chris Driedger – Belleville (AHL)
G Marcus Hogberg – Belleville (AHL)
G Danny Taylor – Belleville (AHL) (cleared waivers)
D Erik Burgdoerfer – Belleville (AHL) (cleared waivers)
D Cody Donaghey – Belleville (AHL)
D Andreas Englund – Belleville (AHL)
D Macoy Erkamps – Belleville (AHL)
D Christian Jaros – Belleville (AHL)
D Patrick Sieloff – Belleville (AHL) (cleared waivers)
F Chris DiDomenico – Belleville (AHL) (cleared waivers)
F Vincent Dunn – Belleville (AHL)
F Gabriel Gagne – Belleville (AHL)
F Nick Paul – Belleville (AHL)
F Francis Perron – Belleville (AHL)
F Ben Sexton – Belleville (AHL) (cleared waivers)
F Kyle Flanagan – released from PTO (Belleville)
D Jordan Murray – released from PTO (Belleville)
F Jack Rodewald – released from PTO (Belleville)
D Charles-David Beaudoin – released from PTO
F Brendan Woods – released from PTO
F Drake Batherson – Cape Breton (QMJHL)
F Parker Kelly – Prince Albert (WHL)

Tampa Bay Lightning

F Shane Conacher – Released from PTO
F Alex Gallant – Syracuse (AHL)
F Kevin Lynch – Released from PTO (Syracuse)
F Otto Somppi – Halifax (QMJHL)
F Carter Verhaeghe – Syracuse (AHL)
D Mat Bodie – Syracuse (AHL)
D Reid McNeil – Released from PTO (Syracuse)
D Matt Spencer – Syracuse (AHL)
G Connor Ingram – Syracuse (AHL)
G Michael Leighton – Syracuse (AHL)

Cody Ceci Has Drawn Plenty Of Trade Interest

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The Senators have received plenty of trade interest over the last few years in defenseman Cody Ceci, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told Sportsnet 960 in Calgary (audio link).  One of those suitors appears to be Colorado who has inquired about Ceci’s availability in a possible Matt Duchene deal but it doesn’t appear that GM Pierre Dorion has any inclination to move him, at least for the time being.  Ceci’s entering the final year of his bridge contract with a $2.8MM cap hit and a $3.35MM salary which will also represent his required qualifying offer next June.   While his offensive numbers dipped in 2016-17, his ice time shot up considerably by nearly four minutes to over 23 per night and if that carries over into this season, he’ll be in line for a significant raise regardless of whether or not his production rebounds.

Montreal Places Zach Redmond On Waivers

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Montreal Canadiens came into camp with quite a few players battling for spots on the blue line after adding Karl Alzner, David Schlemko, and Mark Streit this summer as well as Jordie Benn and Brandon Davidson late last season. With mainstays Shea Weber and Jeff Petry having spots locked in as well, the influx of talent was always going to push someone out. The process of picking their final seven is not yet over, but they have taken the first step, announcing the placement of Zach Redmond on waivers today for the purposes of reassigning him to their new AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.

Redmond, 29, is the first notable player to hit the waiver wire this fall. With 130 NHL games under his belt, including a 59-game, 20-point effort as a top-four regular with the Colorado Avalanche in 2014-15, Redmond has proved himself to be a reliable AHL depth option over the past five seasons. Last season in Montreal, Redmond recorded five assists over 16 games and added another 18 points in 26 AHL games. Redmond largely played the seventh-man role in Montreal, spending the majority of the season with the Canadiens, but watching from the press box. However, his early release from camp likely means that isn’t the plan for 2017-18. If Redmond clear waivers, he could spend much of the season in Laval until injury or poor play strikes the Habs’ defensive corps. If Redmond doesn’t clear waivers (not an overwhelming likelihood but a definite possibility), it will be due to his ability to step in and play competent defense as that valuable dependable extra man.

Redmond is far from alone on waivers today; joining him are several Ottawa Senators – Patrick Sieloff, Erik Burgdoerfer, Chris DiDomenico, Daniel Taylor, and Ben Sexton, several Philadelphia Flyers – Corban Knight, Greg Carey, Phil Varone, Will O’Neill, T.J. Brennan, and Mark Alt, as well as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Chris Casto, Minnesota Wild rearguard Zach Palmquist, New York Rangers forward Adam Chapie, and Chicago Blackhawks Jeff Glass and Kyle Baun.  

Training Camp Cuts: 09/19/17

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

After many teams opened their preseason schedule last night, there will continue to be training camp cuts this week. Teams will be paring down their rosters up to opening night, when they’ll carry just 23 skaters. Here we’ll keep track of all the days cuts.

Calgary Flames

F Brett Findlay – Stockton (AHL)
F Rod Pelley – Stockton (AHL)
F Hunter Smith – Stockton (AHL)
D Kayle Doetzel – Stockton (AHL)
D Oleg Yevenko – Stockton (AHL)
G Mason McDonald – Stockton (AHL)
F Sam Dove-McFalls – Saint John (QMJHL)
F Zach Fischer – Medicine Hat (WHL)
F Glenn Gawdin – Swift Current (WHL)
F Ben Hawerchuk – Barrie (OHL)
F Brad Morrison – Vancouver (WHL)
F Matthew Phillips – Victoria (WHL)
F Mark Rassell – Medicine Hat (WHL)
F Adam Ruzicka – Sarnia (OHL)
D Tyson Helgesen – Spokane (WHL)
G Nick Schneider – Calgary (WHL)
F Joel Lowry – released from PTO, will attend AHL training camp
D Daniel Maggio – released from PTO, will attend AHL training camp
D Dylan Olsen – released from PTO, will attend AHL training camp
D Sam Ruopp – released from PTO, will attend AHL training camp
D Cliff Watson – released from PTO, will attend AHL training camp

Dallas Stars

F Shaw Boomhower – Missisauga (OHL)
F Zach Roberts – Owen Sound (OHL)
F Tomas Soustal – Kelowna (WHL)
F Cole Tymkin – London (OHL)
F Brett Davis – Kootenay (WHL)
F Jason Robertson – Kingston (OHL)
D Ondrej Vala – Kamloops (WHL)

Detroit Red Wings

F Givani Smith – Guelph (OHL)

New Jersey Devils

F Nikita Popugaev – Prince George (WHL)
F Marian Studenic – Hamilton (OHL)
F Nicolas Guay – Drummondville (QMJHL)
D Jocktan Chainey – Halifax (QMJHL)
D Colby Sissons – Swift Current (WHL)
G Evan Cormier – Saginaw (OHL)

New York Rangers

F Robin Kovacs – Hartford (AHL)
F Adam Chapie – Hartford (AHL)
D Brenden Kotyk – Hartford (AHL)
F Tim Gettinger – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
F Ty Ronning – Vancouver (WHL)

Ottawa Senators

F Pius Suter – Zurich (NLA)

Vancouver Canucks

F Kole Lind – Kelowna (WHL)
F Jonah Gadjovich – Owen Sound (OHL)
D Matt Brassard – Oshawa (OHL)
D Cole Candella – Hamilton (OHL)
D Dylan Plouffe – Vancouver (WHL)
G Michael DiPietro – Windsor (OHL)

Vegas Golden Knights

D Scooter Vaughn – released from PTO
D Nikolas Brouillard – released from PTO
F Alex Barre-Boulet – Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
F Ben Jones – Niagara (OHL)
F Patrick Bajkov – Everett (WHL)
F Jayden Halbgewachs – Moose Jaw (WHL)
D Keoni Texeira – Portland (WHL)
D Will Warm – Edmonton (WHL)
G Jiri Patera – Ceder Rapids (USHL)
G Dylan Ferguson – Kamloops (WHL)

Latest On Matt Duchene Trade Front

at CDT | by 2 Comments

While Matt Duchene continues to practice with the Colorado Avalanche and take it “one day at a time” several other teams are pursuing the 26-year old forward. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Senators are one of those teams after Duchene, writing that GM Pierre Dorion “has been aggressive in his pursuit.” The Senators lost Colin White for several weeks last night, who could have been an option in their top-six to start the season; perhaps that will increase their offer ever more, though Garrioch is quick to point out that nothing is close at present.

It’s not clear if the Duchene saga is moving towards an end, but Mike Chambers of the Denver Post was on radio again today saying how players are getting frustrated with the situation. Duchene has been trying to avoid the media as much as possible since reporting to Avalanche camp, issuing only short statements and even changing in a different room. Chambers told Mike Halford and Jason Brough of TSN 1040 that players have expressed some disdain for that decision:

I think his teammates understand that he’s got issues with management and wants a trade. I think his teammates are okay with that, as it is. But I think his teammates cannot handle the fact that Duchene is undressing in another part of the building, so he won’t undress in the locker room where the media has access. I’ve spoken to a couple players—I’m not going to name names—but they think that’s a little off and that’s drawing too much attention to this saga.

While his teammates might not like exactly how he’s dealing with this, that certainly won’t force the hand of Avalanche GM Joe Sakic anymore than it already is. He’s clearly waiting for a deal that satisfies what he believes Duchene is worth, and won’t make a move before he absolutely has to. Garrioch notes that the Avalanche have shown interest in Cody Ceci before, but that the Senators are wary of moving what they believe is a building-block defenseman.

Colin White Suffers Broken Wrist

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Ottawa Senators announced a crushing blow today, revealing that young forward Colin White suffered a broken wrist last night in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and will be out six to eight weeks. Just yesterday we profiled White as one of the players to watch for the Senators this season, as he made the transition from top prospect to NHL player. That plan will have to wait for now, as eight weeks would cause him to miss 16 games.

It’s extremely disappointing for White, who left Boston College this spring to sign with the Senators and start his professional career. He even made it into three games for Ottawa down the stretch, including one playoff matchup. As we examined in their 2017-18 Primer yesterday, the Senators could have trouble scoring enough goals this season but White was a wildcard in that department. If he continued the offensive dominance he showed at the college ranks, he was ready for a full-time role right away with the Senators. With Derick Brassard still working his way back from labrum surgery this summer, there was an opportunity for White to start the year in the top-six.

Now, with Brassard uncertain for the season opener, White guaranteed to miss it and question marks still surrounding Erik Karlsson’s recovery, the Senators will already be limping when the games get under way. They’ll need players like Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone to make even more of an impact this year, and hope Bobby Ryan can recapture some of his previous skill.

Ottawa Senators Sign Parker Kelly To ELC

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Ottawa Senators have added an undrafted forward to their prospect ranks, signing 18-year old Parker Kelly to a three-year entry-level contract. Kelly had taken part in the team’s rookie camp and is still at Senators training camp with the rest of the club.

Kelly has spent the last two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, after being selected in the seventh round of the 2014 bantam draft. That late-round pick paid off this year with a breakout campaign, scoring 43 points in 72 games to finish second on the team in scoring. Just 5’7″, 140-lbs when he entered junior hockey, Kelly is now 5’11” 172-lbs and took off in the second half of the year to push his way onto the NHL Central Scouting list. Still, he wasn’t selected in June but has earned a contract with his play at camp this summer.

While he’s still undersized for the NHL, it hasn’t stopped him from playing a professional-style game. Kelly works hard in the corners and has a quick release when he’s in a prime scoring position. While he may not have the elite upside of some of the players drafted ahead of him, he’ll never let any of them outwork him in pursuit of his goal. Though he’s still in camp, he’ll almost certainly return to the Raiders this year to play in the WHL.

2017-18 Primer: Ottawa Senators

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With the NHL season now less than a month away, it’s time to look at what each team has done this summer and what to watch for in the year to come.  Today, we focus on the Ottawa Senators.

Last Season: 44-28-10 record (98 points), second in Atlantic Division (lost to Pittsburgh in third round)

Remaining Cap Space: $4.81MM per CapFriendly

Key Newcomers: D Johnny Oduya (free agency, Chicago), F Nate Thompson (free agency, Anaheim)

Key Departures: F Chris Kelly (PTO, Edmonton), D Marc Methot (expansion, Vegas), F Chris Neil (free agency, unsigned), F Viktor Stalberg (free agency, Switzerland)

[Related: Pittsburgh Depth Chart From Roster Resource]

"<strongPlayers To Watch: D Thomas Chabot – The next wave of talent is on its way in Ottawa, and it starts with a blue chip defense prospect in Chabot. The 20-year old played one game for the Senators last season but spent most of the year dominating junior opposition and being a key part of Team Canada’s World Junior team. He’s ready to take the next step to the NHL right now, but there is no guarantee he cracks the lineup in game 1.

Ottawa’s system relies on its defensive structure to limit chances for both teams, slowing the game down in the neutral zone and especially forcing it to the left side. After losing Methot, the team had a opening for a left-handed shot to fill some of those minutes. Chabot could have been an option—though he has played both sides throughout his junior career—but the team brought in Oduya to also compete for time and Fredrik Claesson looked like he could take over in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see where Chabot could fit in, and which side they’ll align him on.

F Colin White – The other half of that youth movement is present in young centerman White, who could fill various different roles for this club if given the chance. He’s talented enough to play up in the lineup on the wing right away, but could also be given the keys to the fourth line if the team wants to keep him at his natural position. Ottawa has its three top centers locked in with Derick Brassard, Kyle Turris and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, meaning minutes would be hard to come by for White down the middle.

That means it could even be the AHL for him to really get his professional career started. Coming out of Boston College last spring he suited up for three games in the minors and three games (including one playoff contest) with Ottawa. He’ll be given the chance to impress this preseason, but Zack Smith or Nate Thompson are more well-suited to the fourth line pivot role.

Key Storyline: When Erik Karlsson returns from his lingering injury, the Senators are expected to once again to be a frustratingly effective defensive team. They suffocate rushes in the center ice area and don’t give up their blueline very easily. Even when you do beat that trapping system, the duo of Craig Anderson and Mike Condon provide some solid goaltending and can steal games if given the chance.

The question for the Senators will be can they score enough to get them back to the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup once again. Their top few scoring forwards in Mike Hoffman, Turris and Mark Stone all registered over 20 goals and 50 points last season, but after that their offensive depth falls off a cliff. Brassard was held to just 39 points in his first year with the team, while the high-priced Bobby Ryan scored just 13 goals. While Ryan played to a higher level in the postseason, it will be imperative for him to provide some elite wing play once again if this team is to really compete.

The loss of Clarke MacArthur this training camp—the winger failed his physical and doesn’t have a clear path back to the ice—weakens their scoring depth even further to the point where they may have to rely on Alex Burrows as a top-six option. Burrows of course is a former 30-goal man, but is now 36 years old and hasn’t cracked 35 points in the last five seasons. It may be a struggle at times for the Senators on the powerplay as well, after finishing 24th in the league last season even with the elite play of Karlsson.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top