Colorado Avalanche Sign Ondrej Pavel
March 30th, 4:22 PM: Pavel will join Colorado’s AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles for the remainder of this season. The entry-level contract will be a 2-year deal, ending after the 2024-25 season. Pavel will earn a salary of $950K in the NHL, and a salary of $82.5K in the AHL.
March 30th, 4:18 PM: Shortly after signing top goal-scorer Jason Polin from the Western Michigan University Broncos, the Colorado Avalanche have dipped back into NCAA free agency, signing Ondrej Pavel from the Minnesota State Mavericks. The length and financial information of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but we will update you as that comes in.
With only four picks within the first three rounds of the next three drafts, the Avalanche are looking to fill in their prospect depth through the collegiate level. The 22-year-old forward just finished his third season playing at Minnesota State, scoring a total of 18 goals and 23 assists in 94 regular season games. Most importantly, Pavel helped Minnesota State reach the 2021-22 National Championship, losing to the Denver University Pioneers.
Not only can Pavel generate a fair amount of offense, but he is also coming from a program that prides itself on its play from the defensive side of the puck. This season, Minnesota State’s goals-against average was fourth in the nation at 2.08. Coming from a team that demands solid two-way play from everyone, Pavel could become a valuable piece in Colorado’s bottom six, if not more.
Snapshots: Wisconsin, Sabres, Perunovich, Krys
The Wisconsin Badgers have announced the hiring of new head coach Mike Hastings. Most recently, Hastings had been the head coach of the Minnesota State Mavericks.
Since he took over as head coach during the 2012-13 season, Hastings led Minnesota State to eight appearances in the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament, topping out in a finals appearance against the eventual champion Denver University Pioneers last season. In total, Hastings will leave the state of hockey with a 299-109-25 record. In Wisconsin, he will be replacing the vacancy left by NHL veteran Tony Granato.
Since Granato took over for Wisconsin before the 2016-17 season, the team went 105-129-16, ending up in the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament one time in 2021. As the Big Ten already features top teams such as the University of Michigan Wolverines and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, it appears that Wisconsin is looking to turn the corner and become a competitive team once again.
More from around hockey this afternoon:
- Bill Hoppe, a beat writer for the Buffalo Sabres, gave several updates on some key injuries to the lineup before tomorrow night’s game against the New York Rangers. As top prospect Devon Levi looks to make his NHL debut, Hoppe writes that forwards Tage Thompson and Jordan Greenway, as well as defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could all see their return to the lineup the same night. Currently, the Sabres sit five points back of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games remaining in the regular season.
- Speaking with St.Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube today, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports that St.Louis defenseman Scott Perunovich will finish his season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues AHL affiliate. Since being activated from LTIR on February 20th of this season, Perunovich has scored one goal and 10 assists for the Thunderbirds in 17 games.
- Contributor for the NHL, Mark Divver reports that now-former Brown University captain Luke Krys will be transferring to Providence College for the 2023-24 NCAA season. In his 92 games playing at Brown, Krys scored nine goals and 29 assists, wearing a letter in his final two seasons.
Scott Wedgewood To Start Conditioning Stint In AHL
The Dallas Stars have their eyes set on more than just a playoff appearance. The club has the best goal differential in the Western Conference and hopes to go on a long postseason run, contending for the Stanley Cup. While their hopes rest on the shoulders of star goaltender Jake Oettinger, getting his backup healthy enough to contribute down the stretch is a priority.
Scott Wedgewood hasn’t played since February 18, leaving Oettinger to start nearly every game since, given the lack of NHL-level depth behind the two netminders. Now, Wedgewood appears to be on the brink of a return.
Team reporter Mike Heika reports that the veteran netminder will go on a conditioning stint to the AHL and start for the Texas Stars on Friday. He could be back up with the NHL club as early as next week, allowing Dallas to give Oettinger a couple of nights off before the playoffs begin.
The Stars finish the season with a home-and-home with the St. Louis Blues on consecutive nights, games that could have serious significance depending on how things go from here. They currently sit three points behind the Minnesota Wild for the Central Division lead, and are tied with the Colorado Avalanche for the other two division playoff spots.
Home ice advantage in the first round – or even avoiding a matchup with the defending champs entirely – may come down to how they perform in that back-to-back.
Calle Clang Assigned To San Diego Gulls
The Anaheim Ducks have one young netminder in Lukas Dostal, who looks ready to make an impact, and they’re hoping another isn’t far away. Calle Clang has been reassigned to the San Diego Gulls after his SHL season ended recently, giving him a chance to start his North American pro career over the next few weeks.
Clang, selected 77th overall in the 2020 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, was included in the Rickard Rakell trade last year, coming to Anaheim along with Dominik Simon, Zach Aston-Reese, and a second-round pick that turned into Tristan Luneau.
The 20-year-old netminder struggled through a rather disappointing season this year, posting a .900 save percentage in 25 games for Rogle, but has shown a ton of potential as a young player. He posted a .944 in two World Junior games last year and even saw a bit of SHL playoff action in 2022.
Even if he is still years away, the Ducks can afford to be patient with his development. The team is rebuilding, John Gibson is still signed for several more years, and Dostal is next in line to replace him. Clang can focus on AHL action for the stretch run before he and the Ducks determine his future. Under contract through 2024-25 in Sweden, he’ll likely return to Rogle for more development back home next season.
San Jose Sharks Recall Thomas Bordeleau
The San Jose Sharks, coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, have added more young skill to the lineup. Thomas Bordeleau has been recalled from the minor leagues, just in time to face the Vegas Golden Knights this evening. Andrew Agozzino was reassigned in the meantime.
Golden Knights fans will likely remember the young forward from last year’s stretch run when he scored a beautiful shootout winner, sending Vegas home with just one point. The club would lose each of the next two games in shootouts to barely miss out on a playoff berth.
Bordeleau, 21, was the 38th overall pick in 2020, just before he headed to the University of Michigan to play with a loaded group of young stars. He blossomed into a top prospect at the school, and stepped out of the college ranks in 2022 to high expectations.
After recording five assists in eight games for the Sharks down the stretch, he has spent this year in the minor leagues, rounding out his game while the big club rebuilds. In 64 matches with the Barracuda, he has 22 goals and 41 points.
There seems to be a good chance that Bordeleau will be a regular in the Sharks lineup next season, but for now, he’s still looking for his first NHL goal.
Hobey Baker Award Finalists Announced
The three finalists for this year’s Hobey Baker Award are Adam Fantilli, Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley, according to Steven Ellis of DailyFaceoff.
Fantilli, a freshman at the University of Michigan, is considered a top prospect for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and led all NCAA scorers with 64 points (29G, 35A) in 35 games, finishing seven points ahead of Cooley for the top spot. Fantilli has been able to further cement his status as a likely lottery selection in the draft, and adding the Hobey Baker would only solidify that standing.
Cooley, the No. 3 overall pick by the Arizona Coyotes last summer, had 57 points (20G, 37A) in 37 games for the University of Minnesota. Cooley’s strong showing this season has given the Coyotes more reason to believe they have a potential No. 1 center in their organization. His 14 points in 7 games at the World Junior Championships for the US also showed he has an ability to perform in pressure situations. Cooley might be looking to join the pro ranks if he can claim this year’s Hobey Baker.
Knies, a 2021 second-rounder by the Toronto Maple Leafs, finished tied for 19th in NCAA scoring with 41 points (21G, 20A) in 38 games playing alongside Cooley at Minnesota. Knies, a sophomore, built on a strong freshman campaign that saw him record 15 goals and 18 assists in 33 games. As a member of an organization annually tight with the salary cap, Knies has begun to develop into a player who could make an impact in the NHL while on an entry level contract. It remains to be seen when Knies will decide to turn pro, but winning the Hobey Baker could accelerate that process.
The winner of the Hobey Baker Award will be announced on Friday, April 7.
Avalanche Sign Sam Malinski To Two-Year Pact
The Colorado Avalanche announced the signing of former Cornell University defenseman Sam Malinski to a two-year contract to begin next season, the team announced on Twitter.
Malinski, 24, recently completed his senior season, during which he served as captain, and recorded 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points in 34 games. He is set to join the Colorado Eagles for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout, and will join the team for its AHL playoff run.
Malinski will turn 25 in July, making him ineligible to sign a three-year entry level contract. He joins an Avalanche organization that has a lack of defensive prospects, and will likely need to show out early with the Eagles to climb the organizational depth chart.
As an undrafted free agent out of the NCAA, Malinksi is further along in his development than players who join the pro ranks at a younger age, but being more experienced, he will be expected to try and carve out a meaningful role with the Eagles before being considered for an NHL call up in the coming years.
Injury Notes: Buchnevich, Thomas, Chabot, Cole
The St. Louis Blues will be without top forward Robert Thomas tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks with an upper-body injury, the team announced Wednesday. Thomas scored a goal in the Blues win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, and has had a strong season, with 17 goals and 46 assists for 63 points in 70 games. Thomas is now one of the core pieces up front for the Blues, and is set to begin an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8.125MM, which could soon be a bargain for a player of Thomas’ caliber. Thomas is third on the Blues in points this season.
- Sticking with the Blues, they will also be without winger Pavel Buchnevich tonight against Chicago. The winger will miss the game with an upper-body injury. He had a goal and an assist against Vancouver on Tuesday, and is second on the Blues in scoring with 25 goals and 41 assists for 66 points in 59 games. Buchnevich scored 57 goals in his final three seasons with the New York Rangers, but has 55 goals for the Blues in the past two seasons, making the acquisition look like a boon for the Blues.
- Ottawa Senators defensemen Thomas Chabot will not play tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Chabot played on Monday for the Sens, recording an assist in the 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. As the Sens try to make a late playoff push, losing Chabot on the blueline won’t help matters. He has 11 goals and 30 assists this season in 68 games.
- Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole will return to the lineup as the team hosts the Washington Capitals, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. The veteran defenseman missed Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and returns as the Bolts are set to host the Washington Capitals tonight.
AHL Shuffle: 3/30/23
The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent defenseman Topi Niemela to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, the Marlies announced on Twitter. Niemela finished his season with Karpat of the Liiga, Finland’s top league, earlier this month, and is set to cross the pond to get his first taste of North American pro hockey. Drafted in the third round by Toronto in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Niemela played 58 games for Karpat this season, tallying 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points. It was a dip in production, as he recorded 10 goals and 22 assists in just 48 games in 2021-22. He will join a Marlies squad that has already punched a ticket to the AHL playoffs, and the chance for Niemela to learn while on a playoff run will only be more beneficial. He will likely spend a decent amount of time with the AHL squad before suiting up for the Maple Leafs.
- The Florida Panthers recalled goaltender Mack Guzda from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, according to Chris Johnston of NorthStart Bets. Johnston reported Wednesday that both Alex Lyon and Sergei Bobrovsky both took the morning skate before yesterday’s win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Lyon got the start, stopping 40-of-42 shots in the 3-2 Panthers win. The Panthers are set to take on the Montreal Canadiens tonight. Guzda, 22, has appeared in 26 games with Charlotte this season, posting an .899 save percentage and 2.86 GAA. If Guzda were to get into a game, it would be his NHL debut.
- The Anaheim Ducks have recalled defenseman Andrej Sustr on an emergency loan from the AHL, according to CapFriendly. Sustr, a veteran defenseman of more than 350 NHL games, has spent the entire season in the AHL. He played 39 games with the Iowa Wild, then was flipped to the Ducks in the John Klingberg trade, and has played seven games with the San Diego Gulls. Sustr suited up for the Ducks in both 2018-19 and 2021-22, making this his third stint with the team.
Evening Notes: Saginaw, Gold, Després
Jeff Marek of Sportsnet is reporting that the Saginaw Spirit will host the 2024 Memorial Cup. The four-team tournament will take place outside of Canada for the first time in 26 years. The last time the tournament was hosted in the United States was 1998 when Spokane held the tournament that was eventually won by Portland.
Four other OHL teams were in the bidding for the event, the Kingston Frontenacs, the Niagara IceDogs, and the Soo Greyhounds were all unsuccessful in their attempts to secure the sought after event. With their winning bid now in hand, Saginaw is already planning to make some major renovations to the infrastructure of their building, including a new ceiling, a renovated media suite, as well as new VIP suites.
The 2023 Memorial Cup will take place May 25 to June 4 in Kamloops, B.C.
In other news from around the hockey world:
- The Boston Bruins have announced that Evan Gold will be the new General Manager of the Providence Bruins. Gold is in his eighth season in the Bruins organization and is currently the Assistant General Manager to Don Sweeney. Gold will continue to work closely with Sweeney in the day-to-day operations of the Bruins NHL squad, while simultaneously running the day-to-day operations of the AHL club. Prior to joining Boston in 2015, Gold also spent eight seasons in the Washington Capitals organization as a Hockey Operations Assistant.
- Former Pittsburgh Penguin Simon Després has been released by his Austrian club Villacher SV after just one season. Després was a first round pick of the Penguins back in 2009 and made the jump to the NHL rather quickly in 2011-12. Després battled injuries and inconsistency while he was a Penguin, but it was after he was traded to Anaheim that concussion issues began to emerge, and he was eventually bought out by the Ducks. Després struggled to find his offensive game in Austria scoring just 15 points in 43 games. At just 31 years of age, Després likely has lots of hockey left in him, but he will most likely have to continue playing abroad if he wants to keep his career going.