Atlantic Notes: Boston, Brassard, Stamkos
Yesterday, Boston completed an under-the-radar coaching move, promoting Kevin Dean to head coach with the Providence Bruins. Dean has been part of the Bruins organization for a long time now, including spending the last five seasons as an assistant in Providence.
With his promotion, current NHL bench boss Claude Julien‘s rear-end is now squarely on the hot seat (if it wasn’t already, after missing the playoffs for two straight seasons), and another disappointing year may cause the loyal Dean to make another jump. The 47-year old’s best skill may be his ability to develop young defensemen, and will have a strong group to work with in the AHL this season.
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citzen writes that experience was a big factor in the Senators’ decision to trade for Derick Brassard yesterday. The team had to give up 23-year old Mika Zibanejad to do it, but they feel that the veteran Brassard was worth the loss. With 563 NHL games under his belt, the 28-year old has established himself as a legitimate second-line center in the NHL, capable of playing in both ends of the rink. He and Zibanejad will try to build on 2015-16 with their new clubs, after each scored 50+ points last year.
- Yesterday agent Pat Morris was on TSN 1050 discussing the interview window that Steven Stamkos experienced before ultimately re-signing with Tampa Bay this year, and (via Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot) confirmed that a team could have sponsorship representatives in the meeting with the player to entice him somewhat. When asked if the Canadian Tire CEO was in the Maple Leafs meeting, Morris was a little diplomatic in his answer: “If there were any meetings, and if Canadian Tire was there, Canadian Tire owns Sport Chek, and Steven Stamkos has an existing deal with that company.”
Rangers Trade Derick Brassard To Senators For Mika Zibanejad
The Ottawa Senators announced that they have acquired center Derick Brassard and a 7th round pick in 2018 from the New York Rangers in exchange for center Mika Zibanejad and a 2nd rounder in 2018.
Last season, Brassard played in 80 games with the Rangers, scoring a career high 27 goals and adding 31 assists while averaging a career best 17:53 per game. His 58 points ranked second on the team to winger Mats Zuccarello. He also added four points (1-3-4) in five postseason contests.
The 28 year old Brassard was originally the 6th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus and was dealt to New York in 2013 as part of a package for Marian Gaborik. He has played in a total of 563 career NHL games between the Blue Jackets and Rangers, scoring 127 goals and 216 assists.
As for Zibanejad, he departs the only NHL organization he has ever known after being selected sixth overall back in the 2011 draft. Last season, he posted career highs across the board for the third straight season, recording 21 goals and 31 assists in 81 games. In 281 career contests with the Sens, he has 64 goals and 87 assists.
[Related: Updated Senators and Rangers depth charts.]
The deal represents a shake up for both teams’ top six forward units. In Brassard, the Senators acquire a consistent point producer as he has hit 45 points or more in each of the last three seasons and he is also someone who can play a top line role. Meanwhile with Zibanejad, the Rangers add a considerably younger but not as proven top six forward that also plays more of an all-around game.
TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie adds that this deal had been discussed for several weeks but that a $2MM bonus that Brassard received on July 15th needed to be paid by the Rangers for the Sens to do the deal.
Brassard has three years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5MM. However, his salary drops to $3.5MM in each of the final two seasons (while he is only owed $3MM in 2016-17 after the bonus payment) which is important for a budget-conscious Ottawa team. As for Zibanejad, he has one year left on his bridge deal that he signed last offseason with a cap hit of $2.625MM. He will be owed a qualifying offer of $3.25MM next summer.
New York now has just shy of $7.5MM in cap space according to Cap Friendly with left winger Chris Kreider, center Kevin Hayes, and prospect Marek Hrivik still to re-sign. As for Ottawa, they have just over $12.6MM in space per Cap Friendly with defenseman Cody Ceci and arbitration-bound left winger Mike Hoffman still to re-sign.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Senators Sign Matt Puempel To Two-Way Deal
After splitting the last two seasons between the Ottawa Senators and their AHL affiliate Bighamton Senators, Matt Puempel has re-signed with the team for another year. The left winger and former first-round pick will earn $900K at the NHL level, and just $75K if he stays in the AHL.
Puempel has played 39 games in the NHL over the past two seasons, scoring four goals and six points during that time. The 2011 draft choice has performed well at the AHL level however, including 30 points in just 34 games last season.
The Senators will now turn their attention to their two remaining RFAs, Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci, both important players to get under contract. The team has almost $16MM left under the cap, but will assuredly not spend right to the ceiling.
Minor Transactions: 7/13/16
- The New York Islanders have re-signed Alan Quine to a two-year deal tweets Arthur Staple. Staple reports that it’s a one-way deal with a $612.5K AAV. Andy Graziano reports that the deal is a total of $1.225MM. Quine played in 10 playoff games with the Islanders, notching five points (1-4).
- The Canucks officially announced the signings of goalie Richard Bachman and forward Michael Zalewski. Zalewski was inked to a one-year, $632.5K deal. Bachman signed a one-year, $575K deal. Jason Brough tweets that Bachman may be the goalie Vancouver leaves exposed in next year’s expansion draft.
- The Lightning signed Cory Conacher to a one-year, $575K deal. Conacher will return to the team he last played for in 2012-13 before bouncing around the league. Conacher was traded to the Senators for Ben Bishop in 2013. At the time, it was considered a win for both teams, but would turn out a heist for the Lightning. Conacher played for Bern in the Swiss National League last season, and had 52 points (20-32) in 48 games.
- The Panthers have re-signed F Logan Shaw to a one year, two-way deal according to General Fanager. Shaw played in 53 games with Florida last season, picking up seven points (5-2). He also played in 19 AHL games, collecting 14 points (11-3). Shaw will earn $660K in the NHL and $70K in the AHL.
- Ducks UFA Charlie Sarault has signed a one year deal with Dornbirner EC of the EIHL, the Austrian team announced on their Facebook page. Sarault had 62 points in 67 games with Utah of the ECHL last season.
- Los Angeles has signed Patrick Bjorkstrand to a one year, entry level contract, reports General Fanager. Bjorkstrand, the older brother of Columbus prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand, spent last season with Zagreb of the KHL, scoring 22 points in 57 games. He will have a cap hit of $667K in terms of base salary and a signing bonus and can earn up to $257K in performance bonuses.
Atlantic Notes: Nylander, Ceci, Bruins Prospects
As we head deeper into the summer and with many of the bigger name free agents off the board, teams now are focused primarily on locking up any unsigned RFAs they may have. Additionally, many clubs are kicking off their annual prospect development camps which gives us a look at the next wave of NHL talent and a sneak peek at a handful of youngsters who may have a chance to impact their parent club’s fortunes as soon as this season. Along those lines, here’s the latest out of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division.
- Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News describes the show Sabres’ 2016 first-round pick Alexander Nylander is putting on at the club’s development camp. Nylander, the brother of Toronto Maple Leaf forward William Nylander, was chosen 8th overall in the 2016 entry draft out of Mississauga of the OHL. However, as Harrington notes, unlike most players selected out of the CHL, Nylander is eligible to join the Sabres AHL affiliate in Rochester as opposed to returning to his junior team should he not crack the Buffalo roster out of training camp. This is due to the fact he was not selected in the CHL import draft and was loaned by his Swedish club to Mississauga.
- Harrington’s colleague at The Buffalo News, Jack Goods, writes about Nylander’s World Junior’s linemate, Rasmus Asplund, who was Buffalo’s second-round choice in the 2016 entry draft. Asplund’s development was accelerated by playing against men in the SHL the last couple of years. Like Nylander, Buffalo will have the option of playing him down in Rochester but Asplund himself has said another year in Sweden may be best for his development.
- In a piece for the Ottawa Citizen, Ken Warren looks at the RFA case for D Cody Ceci and opines that recent deals suggest the 22-year-old blueliner is in line for a big payday; particularly if the Senators want him around long term. Teams have been paying big for quality defensemen, both on the UFA market and when retaining their own players, and Ceci certainly should land a sizable deal this summer.
- CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty lists a few of the prospects at development camp who are expected to challenge for regular roles for the Boston Bruins in 2016-2017. Specifically, with the team in need of blueline depth, Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk, will be given a chance to make the team out of training camp. Up front, Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen, are mentioned as “dark horses,” in the push for a roster spot.
- Writing for Bleacher Report, Lyle Richardson lists the 10 worst contracts for the upcoming season. The Atlantic Division placed four players on the list, the largest representation of any of the NHL’s four divisions. F Matt Moulson of the Sabres ranks 10th on Richardson’s list, with G Jimmy Howard (6th) of Detroit and F Ryan Callahan (4th) of Tampa Bay also making the cut. While I think his inclusion on this list might be a tad unfair as he’s still a quality goaltender, the emergence of Petr Mrazek between the Motown pipes has turned Howard into an expensive back-up and the Wings could look to move him ahead of next year’s expansion draft. Topping the list is Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who has five years remaining on a deal that comes with an AAV of $7MM.
Full Salary Arbitration Hearing Schedule
The NHLPA released the full schedule of arbitration hearings today, which will not include Jordan Weal, after he re-signed with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier today. Teams and players can still negotiate up until the hearing, and many will reach agreements before going to arbitration. For more information on the arbitration process, check out part one of our full guide. Here is the full schedule:
PLAYER ELECTED FILINGS
Arizona Coyotes
Michael Stone – August 4, 2016
Colorado Avalanche
Tyson Barrie – July 29, 2016
Mikhail Grigorenko – July 22, 2016
Detroit Red Wings
Danny DeKeyser – July 28, 2016
Minnesota Wild
Jordan Schroeder – July 27, 2016
Nashville Predators
Calle Jarnkrok – August 4, 2016
Petter Granberg – August 3, 2016
New York Rangers
Kevin Hayes – July 27, 2016
Chris Kreider – July 22, 2016
Dylan McIlrath – July 21, 2016
J.T. Miller – August 2, 2016
Ottawa Senators
Mike Hoffman – August 4, 2016
Philadelphia Flyers
Brandon Manning – August 2, 2016
Brayden Schenn – July 25, 2016
St. Louis Blues
Jaden Schwartz – July 20, 2016
Tampa Bay Lightning
Alex Killorn – July 20, 2016
Vladislav Namestnikov – July 29, 2016
Toronto Maple Leafs
Frank Corrado – July 26, 2016
Peter Holland – July 25, 2016
Martin Marincin – August 2, 2016
Washington Capitals
Marcus Johansson – July 20, 2016
CLUB ELECTED FILINGS
Detroit Red Wings
Petr Mrazek – July 27, 2016
Minor Transactions: 07/11/16
Here is where we will keep track of all the minor transactions happening today:
- According to Harvey Fiaklov of the Sun Sentinal, the Florida Panthers have inked Denis Malgin to a three-year entry-level contract, after drafting him in the third round in 2015. The 19-year old played for Zurich last season under new Ottawa Senators assistant coach Marc Crawford. Overshadowed by number one pick Auston Matthews, Malgin put up 17 points in the professional league.
- Thomas Raffl is heading back to Austria, instead of signing with a new team in the NHL. After coming over last season to play in the AHL, the unrestricted free agent has decided to take his talents back to Europe, according to Brennan Klak.
- The Minnesota Wild have announced that they’ve re-signed defenseman Zach Palmquist to a one-year, two-way deal worth $660K at the NHL level. The 25-year old scored 11 points last season in the AHL, his first full professional season.
- Roman Lyubimov, a 24-year old forward from the KHL has agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Flyers on a one-year entry-level contract, according to a team release. Lyubimov has played six seasons already in the KHL, breaking in as an 18-year old in 2010-11.
- The San Jose Barracuda have inked a quartet of players to one-year, AHL contracts. John McCarthy, Jake Marchment, Matt Willows and Jamie Murray all signed with the team according to a press release. Marchment is a name well known to San Jose fans, as he’s the nephew of former player and current development coach Bryan Marchment, a veteran of 926 NHL games.
Snapshots: Matthews; Tavares; Senators
Number one draft pick Auston Matthews remains unsigned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite the rigidity of an entry level contract. As reported by Toronto Star writer Kevin McGran, and touched on by us earlier, the signing delay may stem from Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello’s aversion to contract bonuses. Entry level contracts are fairly straightforward, with base salary capped at $925,000. The wiggle room comes in the form of performance bonuses.
The CBA allows for two types of ELC bonuses, creatively called Individual “A” and “B” bonuses. “A” Bonuses are capped at an aggregate total of $850K, and “B” bonuses are capped at an aggregate total of $2MM. Thus, a player could theoretically earn up to $3.77MM in base salary and bonuses.
For reference, the last two number one picks—Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Florida’s Aaron Ekblad—received the max base salary and bonuses available. Patrik Laine, the number two pick this year, received a full base salary and $2.65MM in potential bonuses while the third pick Pierre-Luc Dubois received a full base salary and $2.5MM in potential bonuses.
Other notes around the league:
- The New York Islanders hope to sign John Tavares to an extension next summer, according to GM Garth Snow. The Islanders captain has two more years left on his deal that pays him $5.5MM a year. GM Snow would want to avoid the controversy and uncertainty that surrounded Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning this summer. Unless Tavares’s play declines significantly, the centerman is in line for a hefty raise.
- Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion spoke to the media today regarding signing Chris Kelly and other future transactions. Dorion is confident that the Sens will get a deal done with RFAs Cody Ceci and Mike Hoffman. Hoffman elected for salary arbitration—his second time in two years—while Ceci is not yet eligible. Dorion also intimated that the Senators will not pursue any more free agents, which corroborates the popular conception that the team operates under a restrictive internal budget.
Senators Sign Chris Kelly To One-Year Deal
Chris Kelly will return to the Ottawa Senators on a one-year, $900K deal. Kelly played for the Senators from 2003-04 until 2010-11 before he was shipped off to Boston.
Last season, Kelly had two goals in 11 games. He was limited to only 11 games after fracturing his femur. Prior to that, Kelly had 28 points (7-21) in 80 games during the 2014-15 Bruins campaign.
Kelly returns to a Senators team seeking a chance at going back to the playoffs after missing in 2015-16. The 900K contract is a bargain for a player, who if healthy, could replicate his 2014-15 efforts with Boston.
Calgary Flames To Hire Cameron, Jerrard As Assistant Coaches
After Dave Cameron was spotted helping out in Flames development camp over the past few days, the team has confirmed that they will hire him as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.
Cameron was the head coach of the Ottawa Senators for a year and a half after taking over from Paul McLean during the 2014-15 season. He was fired from that position after the Senators took a major step back and missed the playoffs, despite a winning record.
A long-time OHL head coach with the St. Michael’s Majors, Cameron is still revered as an excellent bench boss and will join new head coach Glen Gulutzan on what is shaping up to be a good staff.
The team also announced the hiring of Paul Jerrard as another assistant, and both men will join Gulutzan and the returning Martin Gelinas behind the bench for the Flames this season. Jerrard last coached with the Utica Comets, Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, and has experience with the Dallas Stars in the NHL.
Per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet, Cameron will be in charge of the powerplay in Calgary, while Jerrard takes on penalty kill schemes. Ottawa was in the bottom five in powerplay percentage last season, despite having one of the best point men in the league. Perhaps in Calgary Cameron will have better success.