Snapshots: Carlson, Gibson, Hartman
The Washington Capitals’ status as a conservative seller at the deadline may have surprised fans just a few months ago. A relatively secure Wild Card position in late 2022 has since fallen by the wayside, mainly due to injuries to key players.
Their longest-term absence has been that of defenseman John Carlson, who hasn’t played since December 23 after taking a slapshot to the head in a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Head coach Peter Laviolette had some positive news to share today regarding the All-Star defenseman, who joined Capitals practice today wearing a non-contact jersey. While Washington won’t be making a playoff run this year, barring a miracle, a return to health is positive news for Carlson after such a scary injury. The 33-year-old is under contract until 2026 and had 21 points in 30 games this year before exiting the lineup.
- The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun today speculated on the future of goalie John Gibson with the Anaheim Ducks, whose name has begun to creep into trade speculation over the past months. LeBrun noted that some teams still view the netminder as a difference-maker, especially with the 29-year-old posting a string of elite performances lately. After this season, Gibson still has four years remaining on a contract carrying a $6.4MM cap hit. A move to a contender, especially as Gibson has partial trade protection, likely hinges on the Ducks retaining some salary.
- According to a Twitter announcement, Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman was fined $4,594.59 today by the NHL Department of Player Safety for slashing Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. The figure is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Hartman received a minor penalty on the play, which occurred in the middle of the first period of last night’s 1-0 shootout loss to the Flames.
Tony DeAngelo Suspended Two Games
The Department of Player Safety has given a two-game suspension to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Corey Perry. As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that DeAngelo does not engage with Perry in any way prior to spearing him, choosing to deliver this strike when Perry is not looking at him.
What causes this play to rise to the level of a suspension is the premeditated nature of the foul against an unsuspecting opponent well after the whistle, the area of the body where the spear was delivered, and the force of the blow.
The DoPS notes that DeAngelo has no relevant history in this case, with a previous suspension coming automatically for abuse of an official in 2017. He did receive a five-minute major and game misconduct for the spreading incident last night.
DeAngelo admitted that he was “trying to give [Perry] a little shot” but did not try to hit him in the groin. He’ll miss games against the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins in what has been a tumultuous season for the Flyers.
AHL Shuffle: 03/08/23
The following players were involved in transactions between NHL clubs and their AHL affiliates.
- Defenseman Lawrence Pilut was sent by the Buffalo Sabres to the Rochester Americans as an emergency loan. Pilut has split his season between Rochester and Buffalo, appearing in 17 games for the Sabres with a goal and an assist and suiting up for 30 games with Rochester with 19 points in 30 games.
- Arizona Coyotes forward Bokondji Imama was an emergency send down to the Tucson Roadrunners. Imama, a veteran minor leaguer, has played one game for Arizona this season. He has played in five games over the past two seasons after four seasons playing exclusively in the AHL. He has 12 points in 39 games for Tucson this season.
- The Washington Capitals have loaned Dylan McIlrath to the Hershey Bears of the AHL as an emergency loan. The former top-10 pick in 2010 has played in 72 NHL games with four teams, including six games for Washington this season, his first NHL action since 2019-20. He has one assist in six games for the Capitals this season.
This post will be updated throughout the day.
Flyers’ Tony DeAngelo To Have Hearing For Spearing Corey Perry
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo will have a hearing today for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Corey Perry during Tuesday’s game between the two teams, according to the NHL Player Safety Twitter account.
DeAngelo was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct following the incident, in which DeAngelo skated toward Perry after the puck was frozen by Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, and drove his stick into Perry, according to TSN.
“I was trying to give him a little shot. I wasn’t looking for it to go there,” DeAngelo told reporters. “He tried to slash my stick out of my hands the second beforehand. He talks all game. So, asked him to fight. Doesn’t want to fight. He’ll tell you that he’s asked me to fight for years. I don’t say no. So there’s not much of an argument there.”
DeAngelo is no stranger to controversy, as he has is on his third team in three seasons. He has provided strong play for the lowly Flyers, with 10 goals and 24 assists in 59 games. He is in the first season of a two-year contract with an AAV of $5MM.
Spearing is a penalty that can result in disciplinary action, and DeAngelo’s status for upcoming games will be known following the hearing.
Injury Notes: Merzlikins, Chatfield, Coyotes
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost their starting goaltender after the first period of this evening’s contest with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Per a team release, Elvis Merzlikins would not play the remainder of the game due to an illness. Michael Hutchinson was forced into action with Merzlikins ruled out for the night. Merzlikins did return to the team’s bench early in the second period, which should rule out anything serious. After trading goaltender Joonas Korpisalo at the trade deadline, the Blue Jackets can’t afford to have another netminder unavailable to them.
- The Carolina Hurricanes announced defenseman Jalen Chatfield would not return to the team’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. He suffered an upper-body injury after playing just over seven minutes of action. Chatfield has played 61 games for the Hurricanes this season, scoring five goals and 12 points. The team added some depth on the blue line at the deadline when they acquired Shayne Gostisbehere, and that extra depth could be tested if Chatfield misses any time.
- Per a team release, Arizona Coyotes winger Liam O’Brien is out of the lineup due to illness. The 28-year-old forward has scored one goal and seven points in 38 games for the Coyotes this season. Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports added newcomer Brett Ritchie will have to wait before making his Coyotes debut as he is still dealing with visa issues after being acquired on Mar 3 from the Calgary Flames.
Snaphots: QMJHL Commissioner, Puljujarvi, Silovs
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced its new commissioner earlier today. Mario Cecchini was picked as the new head of the Junior circuit. Cecchini most recently has been serving as the Team President of the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League. He is not expected to take over his new role as QMJHL Commissioner until May 8. Martin Lavallee will serve as interim commissioner until that date.
This news comes just two days after previous commissioner Gilles Courteau abruptly announced he was stepping away from the role. Courteau sat in the commissioner’s chair for 37 years and was planning on retiring in 2024. He announced earlier this week he would be retiring immediately. This announcement was shrouded in questions surrounding an investigation into hazing in the Junior league.
- Per Walt Ruff of NHL.com, Jesse Puljujarvi is finally cleared and eligible to make his debut with the Carolina Hurricanes, a week after they acquired him from the Edmonton Oilers. The Finnish winger was stuck in Canada, awaiting a work visa that would allow him to suit up for the Hurricanes. Puljujarvi joined the team shortly before they took on the Montreal Canadiens, but was not in the lineup.
- Arturs Silovs was sent back down to the AHL by the Vancouver Canucks, per a team release. Silovs was called up yesterday on an emergency loan as Canucks backup goaltender Collin Delia was sick and unavailable to play. Silovs got the start last night, stopping 29 shots and helping the Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in a shootout. The 21 year old now returns to the Abbotsford Canucks but has proven himself capable at the NHL in four starts this season.
West Injury Notes: Dubois, Blackhawks, Simek
Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois missed practice today, but is expected to play tomorrow. John Lu of TSN reported that his absence from practice was just a maintenance day and he will suit up against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Dubois is having a strong season, scoring 24 goals and 55 points in 61 games for the Jets this season. He missed three games before returning to face the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. When he missed practice, it was initially feared he would be out of the lineup yet again, but that is not the case.
The Jets need his presence in their lineup. The team has been struggling lately and has dropped to third in the Central Division standings with the Colorado Avalanche right on their heels. They are 2-6-2 in their past ten games, and will look to get back on track against a divisional rival tomorrow night. Fortunately, it will be with Dubois in the lineup.
- According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Blackhawks will be without a couple of depth players for the foreseeable future. Andreas Englund has a pulled hamstring and will not travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. The team’s next home game is March 14th. Austin Wagner was acquired by the Blackhawks on trade deadline day and the team was aware he had an injury that had become infected. He is meeting with doctors to try and determine a clearer timeline on when he can make his debut with the Blackhawks.
- Radim Simek is listed as week-to-week with a concussion, per Corey Masisak of The Athletic. The 30-year-old defenseman missed nearly two months earlier this season before returning to the San Jose Sharks lineup on February 28th. He has played three games since then, but will be out long term due to the concussion that sidelined him earlier this season.
East Injury Notes: Penguins, Pageau, Sabres
According to a team release, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be without a couple of key wingers. The good news is both absences are likely to be short term. Newly acquired Mikael Granlund, as well as Bryan Rust, will not play tonight when the Penguins face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Granlund was ruled out due to an illness, while Rust is missing the game for personal reasons. Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports added that Rust and his wife are expecting their second child any day now, which could explain his unexpected absence.
The Penguins are facing the league’s worst team in Columbus, but can’t afford to give up any points right now. They are holding on to the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, but have four teams within three points of them. Alex Nylander was called up from the AHL to fill in the void for tonight’s contest.
- New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau remains out of the lineup according to a team release. The Islanders announced the veteran is still day-to-day and will not play tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Pageau has been listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury since he last played on February 11th against the Montreal Canadiens.
- Jourdon LaBarber of NHL.com added some clarity to the Buffalo Sabres injury situation. The team called up Lawrence Pilut earlier today and LaBarber reported it was because Riley Stillman and Mattias Samuelsson remain out of the lineup with injury. Both are listed as day-to-day and will miss a second straight game after sitting out the team’s 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. In good news, LaBarber also mentioned Tyson Jost returns to the lineup tonight after missing last night’s game to nurse an undisclosed injury.
Vancouver Canucks Extend Guillaume Brisebois
The Vancouver Canucks announced today, through a team release, that defenseman Guillaume Brisebois has signed a contract extension. It is a two-year contract with the first year being a two-way deal and the second season being a one-way agreement.
The two-way deal in 2023-24 means Brisebois will earn a different salary if he is sent to the American Hockey League. In 2024-25, he will earn the same salary whether he playing in the NHL or AHL which guarantees an NHL payday for that season. Capfriendly confirmed the deal is worth $775,000 per season. If Brisebois plays in the minor leagues next season, he will earn $375,000.
The 25-year-old defender has split this season between the NHL’s Canucks and the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. He has one point in nine NHL games and one goal and six points in 36 AHL contests. Brisebois will add some depth to the Canucks blue line that saw Luke Schenn and Riley Stillman leave ahead of the trade deadline.
Brisebois was a third-round pick of the Canucks in 2015 and has appeared in 19 career NHL games for them so far in his career. He has also played 241 games in the AHL, taking strides this season to be among the most trusted defensemen in Abbotsford.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Will Zmolek
4:54 p.m.: CapFriendly reports Zmolek’s one-year ELC carries a cap hit of $920K, broken down across a base salary of $825K, a signing bonus of $95K, potential performance bonuses up to $30K, and a minor salary of $82.5K.
9:35 a.m.: College free agent signing season is upon us, as seasons end across the country for the unlucky programs that did not advance in their conference playoffs. Today, the Philadelphia Flyers have gotten in on the action, inking Will Zmolek to a one-year entry-level contract.
The deal will begin in 2023-24, but Zmolek is headed to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL on a tryout contract for the rest of this season.
Coming off an impressive senior season with Bemidji State, Zmolek is a 23-year-old undrafted free agent who brings a little of everything to the table. He’s big, standing 6’4″, 209 lbs, physical, has shown an improved offensive game, and was a locker room leader for the Beavers.
Nominated for this year’s Hobey Baker, Zmolek recorded 21 points in 36 games and led the club in blocked shots. He enters a Philadelphia system that once looked full of defensive prospects but has seen several fail to take the next step. With his age and experience, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Zmolek play NHL minutes next season in a limited, or part-time role.
He’ll turn 24 in April, meaning only a one-year contract was possible. Zmolek will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024.