Evening Notes: Prince, Foote, Levi
Former New York Islanders forward Shane Prince signed an extension today with Spartak Moskva to remain in the KHL for the 2023-24 season. The Rochester, New York native never quite found his scoring touch in the NHL, scoring just 12 goals in 128 games with the Islanders and the Ottawa Senators. However, since joining the KHL he has 57 goals in 220 games. Prince was once thought of as a potential top-9 forward in the Ottawa Senators farm system after he notched 65 points in 72 AHL games in 2014-15, but he was unable to develop a consistent scoring touch in the NHL and found himself out of the league by 2018.
This season Prince has 35 points in 50 games and has found a home as a top-6 forward with Spartak. With his extension the 30-year-old has decided to forgo an opportunity to try and get back to the NHL for the time being. Although given the recent trend in the NHL to go younger, it seemed highly unlikely that the former second round pick would have another crack at a NHL job. Should he continue to show his recent scoring touch, he could find an NHL team calling in the summer of 2024 with an offer of a tryout or a two-way contract.
Some notes from around the NHL:
- The New Jersey Devils announced today that they have recalled forward Nolan Foote from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League. Foote has dressed in 49 AHL games this season scoring 18 goals and 12 assists. He was with the big club for their recent California swing through Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Jose, but played sparingly in his last outing as he saw just 3:08 of ice time. The 22-year-old was a first round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019 but has struggled to find the consistency he displayed in his AHL rookie season where he scored 17 points in 24 games. With his recall, Foote will have another opportunity to show the Devils that he is part of their young core moving forward.
- Fresh off signing Devon Levi to an entry level contract, Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams appears to have decided to keep the young netminder in Buffalo for the time being. The Buffalo News reporter Lance Lysowski quotes Adams as saying “We’ll kind of take it day by day, but we just thought for his development, where we are right now, this was a critical time for him to learn and grow with us and that’s why he’s coming right in.” For the Sabres it makes sense to have the young netminder shadow a veteran like Craig Anderson. Levi has had a rocket like trajectory as he has come from out of nowhere after being drafted in the seventh round and playing CCHL Tier 1 hockey in Ontario for the 2019-20 season. Should he continue on this path he could be the Sabres goaltender of the future.
Arvid Henrikson Signs AHL ATO With San Jose
A new prospect in the San Jose Sharks organization has joined their AHL affiliate but isn’t yet on an NHL contract. Defenseman Arvid Henrikson will suit up with the San Jose Barracuda for the rest of the season on an amateur tryout.
Henrikson was drafted quite some time ago, as the 25-year-old was a seventh-round pick in the 2016 draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He’s stayed on the Habs’ reserve list since then, but the hulking defenseman’s signing rights were transferred to the Sharks as part of the three-team Nick Bonino trade at the deadline two weeks ago.
Henrikson’s stint with the Barracuda is likely his last shot at getting an NHL contract, and it’s unlikely he will convert on his ATO if his college career is any indication. While strictly a defensive defenseman, Henrikson still put up next to no offense in four seasons at Lake Superior State University, recording just a goal and eight assists in 132 games.
Regardless, it’s a chance for San Jose to see what they have in Henrikson, who could at least serve as a reliable defensive stopgap in the minors. If he can’t land an AHL or NHL contract with the Barracuda or Sharks as a result of the tryout, though, Henrikson could head back to Europe after spending the last five seasons in North America.
Snapshots: Crosby, Islanders, Coyotes
Pittsburgh Penguins franchise center Sidney Crosby has moved into sole possession of second place on an impressive list — the number of point-per-game seasons in an NHL career. By reaching 82 points on the year last night, he clinched his 18th straight point-per-game season, moving past Gordie Howe, who had 17. With a point-per-game season next year, he’ll tie Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record with 19.
Those scoring pace statistics are the best way to quantify Crosby’s greatness, given the sheer amount of games he missed due to injury in the early 2010s. While those injuries may limit his place on the main all-time statistics lists, his scoring consistency and ability to adapt his game as the team changes around him should never be overlooked. Crosby’s 83 points in 68 games this season lead the Penguins.
Also from around the league today:
- The New York Islanders announced that forwards Casey Cizikas and Josh Bailey are both currently sick with non-COVID illnesses, potentially impacting their availability for tomorrow’s game against San Jose. New York still has the inside track on a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but still can’t afford to lose many games down the stretch. Health will be a key factor to watch for them, as Cizikas and Bailey are both key veteran presences with experience in important games.
- The Arizona Coyotes assigned forward Bokondji Imama and defenseman Michael Kesselring back to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners today, according to the team. Both have been shuttled up and down frequently since the trade deadline. Expect both players to be recalled back to Arizona tomorrow, as Nick Schmaltz and Josh Brown aren’t expected to be ready for their game against Chicago and remain out with injuries.
East Notes: Capitals, Penguins, Drouin
Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette gave updates today on some of his injured players, noting that defenseman Nick Jensen will be a game-time decision tonight against the St. Louis Blues. He also mentioned that forward Sonny Milano will draw back into the lineup after missing two games with a non-COVID illness.
Jensen has been Washington’s de facto number-one defenseman for much of the season with John Carlson out due to injury, although that title has now been usurped by youngster Rasmus Sandin. The 32-year-old is ailing from an undisclosed injury and also missed three games with an upper-body issue earlier in the month. He has a career-high 24 points in 66 games and recently signed a three-year, $12.15MM extension with Washington.
Milano, a productive early-season pickup for the Caps, is projected to skate on a line with Nicklas Bäckström and Craig Smith in his return.
More notes out of the Eastern Conference today:
- The Pittsburgh Penguins were without their top two right-shot defensemen at practice today, and head coach Mike Sullivan issued updates on both players. Kris Letang had a maintenance day, and Jeff Petry is still being evaluated, leaving last night’s game against the New York Rangers after taking an elbow to the face from winger Tyler Motte. The two veterans are Pittsburgh’s highest-scoring defensemen this season, despite both missing significant time with multiple injuries.
- Montreal Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin was held out from practice today after missing a team meeting this morning, according to head coach Martin St. Louis. As a consequence, St. Louis said he may also opt to scratch Drouin for tomorrow’s game against Tampa, his former team. The 27-year-old forward has one goal and 24 assists in 45 games this year.
Buffalo Sabres Sign Devon Levi
1:42 p.m.: PuckPedia confirms that Levi’s entry-level contract starts immediately, which will make him a restricted free agent in 2025. The contract has a cap hit of $925K and a breakdown as follows:
2022-23: $832.5K salary, $92.5K signing bonus, $80K minors salary
2023-24: $832.5K salary, $92.5K signing bonus, $80K minors salary, $925K Schedule A performance bonus
2024-25: $832.5K salary, $92.5K signing bonus, $80K minors salary, $1MM Schedule A performance bonus
Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News also reports that Levi will not be assigned to Rochester and will immediately be added to the Sabres roster.
1:04 p.m.: Buffalo Sabres fans could get to see their potential goalie of the future in a Sabres uniform relatively soon. The team has signed goalie prospect Devon Levi to a three-year entry-level contract, with financial terms undisclosed.
A 2020 seventh-round pick of the Florida Panthers, Levi was the key prospect sent to Buffalo in return for forward Sam Reinhart. Since the trade, Levi’s numbers have been nothing short of spectacular playing for Northeastern University. In 66 games over two seasons with the school, Levi’s posted a 38-22-6 record, a whopping 16 shutouts, a 1.90 goals-against average, and a .942 save percentage.
It was Levi’s performance for Team Canada at the 2021 World Juniors that first earned him accreditation as a top goalie prospect, though. In seven games, the surprise starter notched three shutouts and a .964 save percentage en route to a gold medal.
At this time, Buffalo has not announced whether Levi will report to Buffalo or the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Given the team is already carrying three goalies at the NHL level, though, Rochester is the likely destination for Levi.
Levi, 21, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 24, now form a capable tandem of young netminders to take over for the admirable but aging Craig Anderson. While it’s rare for a goalie to make the jump directly to the NHL from the college ranks, Levi’s numbers are even rarer. As Buffalo gets closer to playoff contention, Levi is a name to watch as a pivotal piece for the franchise over the next number of years.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported things were “in motion” between Levi and the Sabres soon before the news dropped.
Nashville Predators Assign Joakim Kemell To AHL
One of the Nashville Predators’ best prospects is about to get his first taste of professional hockey in North America. Nashville today assigned 2022 first-round pick Joakim Kemell to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, per a tweet from the team’s affiliate.
Kemell, a right wing, spent the 2022-23 season on loan from Nashville to JYP in Liiga, the organization where he’s spent his entire junior and professional career so far. His offensive production took a step back from his draft year, though, scoring 15 points in 43 games after scoring 23 in 39 last year.
Things deteriorated for Kemell down the stretch, with his scoring growing more inconsistent as his ice time waned. He had a solid start to the campaign, going on a four-game point streak early on, but he couldn’t replicate his success throughout the season.
Now, he gets a chance to regain some confidence and some scoring touch in Milwaukee. He joins other notable Preds prospects, such as goalie Yaroslav Askarov and forward Egor Afanasyev, as the Admirals continue their stretch run.
Injury Notes: O’Reilly, Konecny, Couturier
Toronto Maple Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly, who broke his finger March 4 against the Vancouver Canucks, skated again Friday before Toronto’s optional morning skate, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.
O’Reilly is currently on injured reserve, but is expected to be ready for the playoffs. If he were to return by April 1, he would have eight games left in the schedule to get back up to speed. If able to return for regular season action, he could be close to full health once the playoffs start. Toronto currently sits one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lighting for second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Boston Bruins.
Other injury notes from around the NHL.
- Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny was on the ice wearing a non-contact jersey during practice Friday, according to Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Konecny, who has been out since Feb. 20 with an upper-body injury, may return this season, but Philadelphia is likely to be cautious with his return. Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic reports that coach John Tortorella said he’s not sure if Konecny could return this season. The Flyers are taking into account whether it would be worth Konecny to return this season, as allowing him the time to heal may be the course of action the team decides to take. Konecny has had a strong season, with 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points in 52 games.
- Sticking with the Flyers, another player who took part in the morning skate was center Sean Couturier, who has missed the entire season due to injury. He wore a regular contact jersey during the morning skate, reports Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic. O’Connor also reports that Tortorella said Couturier is closer to a return than Konecny. In what has been a lost season in Philadelphia, Couturier’s return would be more symbolic than anything else. He could benefit from taking the rest of the season than risk re-aggravating the injury playing meaningless games down the stretch. If he were to return, the Flyers would surely bring him along slowly to get him back up to game speed.
Detroit Red Wings Recall Austin Czarnik, Simon Edvinsson
The Detroit Red Wings recalled center Austin Czarnik and defenseman Simon Edvinsson from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins today under emergency conditions, as announced in a team release.
This is Edvinsson’s first recall to the NHL, and it could mean the 2021 sixth-overall pick makes his NHL debut over the weekend. He takes the place of Ben Chiarot on the roster, who is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
The 20-year-old Edvinsson has five goals, 27 points, and a -3 rating with the Griffins this season, his first in North America. Detroit inked him to an entry-level contract at the end of last season after Edvinsson broke into professional hockey full-time with Frölunda HC of the SHL.
Czarnik returns to Detroit after the team returned him to Grand Rapids earlier in the week. The diminutive, versatile forward has two goals and an assist in 15 appearances with the Red Wings this season. He will likely center the fourth line between Adam Erne and Alex Chiasson in tomorrow’s game against Colorado.
While a late-season slide unfortunately took Detroit out of the playoff picture just as the deadline approached, the benefits of selling can be seen here for a young team. Getting Edvinsson into some NHL games down the stretch could go a long way toward creating an NHL-ready player for next season.
Morning Notes: Bruins, Senators, Salary Cap
Over the past couple of seasons, the Boston Bruins haven’t made big trade deadline splashes for rentals. Their two significant acquisitions in 2021 and 2022, Taylor Hall and Hampus Lindholm, signed extensions with the team and remain in Boston today.
In his latest for The Athletic, Fluto Shinzawa explains how that will be a tricky trend to repeat this season with Dmitry Orlov, Garnet Hathaway, and Tyler Bertuzzi. Although general manager Don Sweeney has expressed an interest in re-signing all three, signing an extension with only one would require multiple cap-dump trades. Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort, and Mike Reilly would likely all see their way out of Boston this offseason, with the team likely to fetch far below market value on trades for Grzelcyk and Forbort if backed into a salary cap hole. Per CapFriendly, Boston has just over $10.5MM in projected cap space for 2023-24, not including potential performance bonus penalties carrying over from Patrice Bergeron‘s and David Krejci‘s contracts this season.
Other items dotting the league rumor wire this morning:
- On last night’s edition of TSN’s Insider Trading, Chris Johnston noted that an ownership group led by The Hockey News owner Graeme Roustan, in conjunction with Canadian First Nations groups, has advanced past the first round of bidding to purchase the Ottawa Senators. Johnston reports that the group notably has an interest in developing the land around LeBreton Flats, realizing a long-time hope for a more centrally located arena in Ottawa.
- Also on Insider Trading, Johnston says that the NHLPA is likely dead set against increasing escrow payments next season to accommodate for a larger salary cap increase. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman noted earlier this week that such an exchange would be necessary to increase next year’s salary cap past the projected $1MM bump to an Upper Limit of $83.5MM.
Penguins Injury Notes: Petry, Bonino, Poehling
For the second straight game, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost the services of defenseman Jeff Petry. The 35-year-old played just three shifts in the first period before he exited the game after taking an elbow from Tyler Motte. Petry also exited Tuesday nights 6-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens with an apparent injury. Petry’s injury luck in the last two games has forced the Penguins defense to play shorthanded in back-to-back games, leaning heavily on Kris Letang who himself has dealt with a series of health issues this season.
If Petry is out for any length of time it would be likely that recent healthy scratch Chad Ruhwedel would draw back into the Penguins lineup. The Penguins do have Mark Friedman and Ty Smith stashed in the minors but would need to move Nick Bonino onto LTIR to call up either player. Ty Smith was quite good in limited NHL action earlier this season, however the young defenseman is still week-to-week with a facial fracture.
In other Penguins injury news:
- Seth Rorabaugh is reporting that Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan told tonight’s MSG broadcast that Pittsburgh expects center Nick Bonino to be back by the playoffs. Bonino was re-acquired on trade deadline day by the Penguins to center their fourth line but was only able to dress in a handful of games after spending most of the season with the San Jose Sharks. Jeff Carter has taken Bonino’s spot on the fourth line in recent games but has struggled mightily going -4 in just 8:28 of ice time on Tuesday against Montreal.
- Ryan Poehling did return to action tonight after missing over a month with a lingering upper body injury. The young forward saw duty on the fourth line next to Jeff Carter and Josh Archibald. Poehling’s return could create an interesting situation on the Penguins fourth line should Jeff Carter continue to struggle. Poehling was centering the unit earlier in the season prior to the injury and showed good chemistry with Drew O’Connor and Danton Heinen.