Blues Hire Craig MacTavish
The Blues have made an addition to their coaching staff as the team announced that they’ve hired long-time NHL coach and executive Craig MacTavish as an assistant coach on Craig Berube’s staff. GM Doug Armstrong released the following statement about the hire:
Craig has spent 30 years in our League, serving as a player, coach and general manager. He played in over 1,000 games, has coached in almost 700 and is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion. We are excited to add his experience to our staff.
MacTavish takes the place of Jim Montgomery behind the bench in St. Louis after it was made official earlier today that Montgomery has joined the Bruins as their new head coach.
This will be the 63-year-old’s second stint with the Blues having finished his playing career with St. Louis, playing for them in 1995-96 and 1996-97. While MacTavish has extensive experience as an NHL coach (including eight years as the head coach in Edmonton), he hasn’t worked behind an NHL bench since covering as Edmonton’s interim coach for five games back in the 2014-15 campaign. Since then, MacTavish’s only coaching experience came in the KHL with Yaroslavl where he didn’t make it through the season. MacTavish joins Mike Van Ryn and Steve Ott as assistants on Berube’s staff.
Boston Bruins Hire Jim Montgomery
The Bruins have found their next head coach as they officially announced on Friday that they have hired Jim Montgomery as their new head coach. He takes over for Bruce Cassidy who was fired earlier this offseason. GM Don Sweeney released the following statement about the hire:
Jim has a winning history, and throughout the interview process he conveyed his ability to connect with all types of players while also demanding that his teams play with structure. We are excited for Jim to begin to make his imprint on our team.
This hire is a bit of a surprising one, as the Bruins had been interviewing candidates such as David Quinn and Jay Leach, coaches with deep ties to either Boston hockey or the Bruins organization. Montgomery does not have such deep ties to the Bruins, and the Montreal native did not play in the Boston area during his 122-game NHL career. He did have an extremely successful career at the University of Maine, which is technically within New England, but still, his ties to the area are dwarfed by the other reported finalists.
Montgomery is an intriguing candidate in part because of why he’s in this position in the first place. After an extremely successful tenure at the helm of the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, winning two championships in three years, he left to coach the NCAA’s University of Denver. There, Montgomery won the 2017 NCAA National Championship.
That success at Denver led Montgomery to his first NHL head coaching job, taking the reins of a Dallas Stars franchise that had missed the playoffs the year before. Montgomery’s player-focused, upbeat coaching style immediately connected with the Stars players, and he went 43-32-7 and won a playoff series. The next year, though, Montgomery was fired early in the season for what the team called “unprofessional conduct.” After his firing, Montgomery made his struggles with alcohol abuse public, and began the process of rehabilitation.
His recovery was successful enough for him to earn another chance to coach in the NHL, this time as an assistant on Craig Berube’s St. Louis Blues staff. There, Montgomery coached a powerplay that rocketed to among the league’s best, and it’s on the back of that success that he gets his second chance at being an NHL head coach, now in Boston, where ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports that he has received a three-year deal worth around $2MM annually.
For the Bruins, the hire of Montgomery represents a significant departure from Cassidy’s style of management. Cassidy’s more demanding style reportedly wore on the Bruins’ players and played a role in his firing despite all the success he had. Montgomery’s style is a departure from Cassidy’s, as he is by all reports a highly approachable, player-first bench boss. It remains to be seen if the team’s swap of Cassidy for Montgomery, and the stylistic changes that result from that swap, is ultimately successful. But what we do know now is that this move, at the very least, gives a coach who was once viewed as a rising star the second chance at coaching that he’s worked so hard to earn.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic was the first to report that Montgomery was set to become Boston’s head coach.
Kings Re-Sign Matt Villalta And Frederic Allard
The Kings have agreed to terms on contracts with two of their pending free agents, announcing the re-signings of Matt Villalta and defenseman Frederic Allard to one-year, two-way deals. Villalta will carry an NHL AAV of $787,500 while Allard’s will be $750K. PuckPedia adds (Twitter links) that Villalta’s AHL salary will be $70K and Allard’s will be $115K.
Villalta was a third-round pick of Los Angeles back in 2017 (72nd overall) and has spent his first three professional years exclusively in the minors although he had his first official recall back in the playoffs as one of their Black Aces. This past season, the 23-year-old played in 46 games with AHL Ontario, compiling a 2.98 GAA along with a .903 SV%. The Kings now have three young netminders that will be battling for playing time with the Reign next season as Villalta will join Jacob Ingham and David Hrenak who will play his first professional season in 2022-23.
As for Allard, he was acquired from Nashville at the trade deadline and immediately reported to Ontario. The change of scenery made a considerable difference as after putting up just five points in 36 games with Milwaukee, the 24-year-old picked up ten points in 15 games with the Reign and chipped in three more in five playoff contests, helping to secure himself another NHL contract. Allard has one career NHL appearance under his belt back in March of 2021.
Canucks Hire Mike Yeo And Jeremy Colliton, Flyers Hire Brad Shaw
The Canucks have filled out their coaching staff for next season. The team announced that they have hired Mike Yeo as an assistant coach. He takes over for Brad Shaw who is leaving Vancouver to become an associate coach with the Flyers. Meanwhile, Vancouver has hired Jeremy Colliton as their new head coach with AHL Abbotsford, replacing Trent Cull who has been promoted to an assistant coach in Vancouver. GM Patrik Allvin released the following statement about the moves:
We’re pleased to have solidified our Coaching staff for next season with the promotion of Trent Cull and the additions of Mike Yeo and Jeremy Colliton. These individuals bring a lot of hockey experience and knowledge to the group. We would like to thank Brad Shaw for his contributions to the club and wish him the best of luck in Philadelphia.
Yeo most recently served as the interim head coach of the Flyers after taking over 22 games into this past season when he took over for Alain Vigneault. The 48-year-old also has head coaching experience with Minnesota for parts of five seasons and also spent four years with St. Louis, three of those as head coach so he will give head coach Bruce Boudreau some experience behind the bench. Over Yeo’s head coaching career, his teams have compiled a 263-217-62 record.
Yeo replaces Shaw in what basically amounts to a coaching trade with Shaw taking Yeo’s old spot on Philadelphia’s bench alongside their new head coach John Tortorella. The 58-year-old has no shortage of coaching experience with 17 seasons under his belt, five of those coming with Columbus where he worked with Tortorella so it’s not surprising that Shaw has decided to work with him again.
Colliton was Chicago’s head coach for parts of four seasons but was let go early in 2021-22. He then joined Hockey Canada for some of their international tournaments and briefly served as Canada’s head coach at the Olympics when Claude Julien was injured. This will be the 37-year-old’s second stint running an AHL bench having been in charge of Chicago’s farm team in Rockford for parts of two seasons before getting the job with the Blackhawks. He takes the place of Trent Cull who will get his first NHL coaching opportunity after spending 18 years between the OHL and AHL. He had been with Vancouver’s farm team for each of the last five seasons.
Offseason Checklist: Florida Panthers
With the offseason in full swing, it’s time to examine what each squad will need to accomplish over the coming months. Next up is a look at the Panthers.
In some ways, it was a year of success for Florida. They overcame an early-season coaching change with Andrew Brunette helping to lead the Panthers to the Presidents’ Trophy. However, they were then swept by Tampa Bay in the second round, resulting in GM Bill Zito making another coaching change, bringing in former Jets bench boss Paul Maurice. With that change done, his focus can shift to the roster which will need some work despite finishing first in the regular season.
Add Defensive Help
Back at the trade deadline, Zito opted to prioritize bolstering his back end before getting in on the Claude Giroux sweepstakes. Beyond Aaron Ekblad, most of Florida’s defenders are players that have largely gone under the radar with players like MacKenzie Weegar, Brandon Montour, and Gustav Forsling rounding out their top four. The offensive production they provided was certainly top-notch but Zito wanted a defensive focus.
That led to them paying a fairly high price tag to pick up Ben Chiarot a few days before the trade deadline with an eye on giving them some more grit and a shutdown presence. Then, when Ekblad went down, freeing up some LTIR room which opened up the ability to add Robert Hagg, another physical blueliner.
But both of those players aren’t expected back this summer as they’re likely to move on in free agency unless something changes with their salary cap situation. As a result, the deficiencies that Zito identified still exist. As a result, he will likely be looking to add in at least a shutdown defender that can kill penalties and take some of the defensive pressure off Ekblad.
In an ideal world, that player will also come with some team control. Weegar and Radko Gudas are entering the final year of their contracts with Forsling and Montour up a year later. With a prospect pool that has taken some hits and is missing several high draft picks in the years to come, a bit of longer-term stability defensively would certainly be beneficial.
Huberdeau Extension Talks
As far as picking the ideal timing for a career year, winger Jonathan Huberdeau certainly did just that. The 29-year-old led the NHL in assists this past season with 85 while finishing tied with Johnny Gaudreau for second in the league in points with 115. On July 13th when the new league year starts, Huberdeau will be eligible for a contract extension and he certainly made a strong case for a very pricey one.
Internally, it stands to reason that Zito will try to cap Huberdeau’s price tag at or slightly below the $10MM given to Aleksander Barkov, whose eight-year, $80MM extension signed last year will begin next season. Even in a flat cap environment, two players with an AAV in that range can be manageable.
Meanwhile, Huberdeau’s camp will certainly be keeping an eye on what happens with Gaudreau later this month. The Calgary winger will hit the open market this summer and is only two months older than Gaudreau. Whatever contract he winds up with will serve as a strong comparable, especially if an extension is worked out this summer.
With one year left on his deal, Florida doesn’t have to do an extension as soon as he’s eligible; Barkov’s extension came just before the start of the regular season. From a roster planning standpoint, the sooner a contract gets done, the better which is why Zito will likely push to try to get something done as close to the 13th as possible but this is something that could just as easily drag out into next season as well.
Find A Taker For Bobrovsky
While teams can find a way to make the cap work with two players making $10MM, it’s a lot harder with three. Sergei Bobrovsky also carries a $10MM AAV and if Huberdeau does wind up signing for that amount on his next contract, Florida’s cap situation becomes a whole lot harder to manage. It’s a simple process of elimination as to which one goes. It’s certainly not going to be Barkov and if they re-sign Huberdeau, it’s not to turn around and move him. That leaves Bobrovsky.
The 33-year-old had a bit of a bounce-back year in 2021-22, posting a .913 SV% and a 2.67 GAA in 54 games. Those numbers aren’t elite by any stretch but they were a sizable improvement compared to his first two seasons. Unfortunately for the Panthers, that type of performance isn’t worth $10MM, not even close.
Between this, their cap space situation, and the fact that Spencer Knight is clearly Florida’s goalie of the future, it’s clear that Zito is going to have to retain a sizable chunk of Bobrovsky’s cap hit or take a fairly hefty contract back in order to facilitate a move. They’re also going to have to work with the veteran to find a suitable home as Bobrovsky, who still has four years left on his deal, also has a no-move clause.
It’s possible that Florida can afford to bring Bobrovsky back for next season but it will come at the expense of adding to the back end or a veteran up front. Knight will need to start playing more so while Bobrovsky is someone they could keep around, it doesn’t mean they should. His name is likely to be in trade speculation as a result.
Free Up Cap Space
This one certainly involves Bobrovsky but he won’t be the only trade candidate. As things stand, the Panthers have around $4MM in cap space for four or five players thanks to the new contracts for Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe and a $3MM increase in dead cap on Keith Yandle’s buyout. That’s doable but it would just be depth additions, not impact ones. If they want to add an impact piece or have a shot at re-signing someone like winger Mason Marchment (or Giroux, who will cost considerably more), they need to clear some salary.
Florida will get some short-term cap relief with Anthony Duclair starting the year on LTIR. However, since the winger is expected to return from his Achilles tear, they’ll need to have cap space to activate him midseason. That means they can utilize his LTIR to call up a player or two from the minors and carry a full roster but they won’t be able to spend that on a more prominent replacement.
Winger Patric Hornqvist ($5.3MM) and Gudas ($2.5MM) each have one year left on their contracts and have roles that can be filled by cheaper players so at least one of those two could be on the move to free up some cap flexibility. Hornqvist has an eight-team no-trade clause while Gudas doesn’t have any form of trade protection. Both players have played useful roles for the Panthers but the value of some extra cap space may very well outweigh the benefits of keeping one or both of them in the lineup for next season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. Contract information courtesy of CapFriendly.
Canucks Re-Sign Three Players
The Canucks have reached a contract agreement with three of their pending free agents as they announced deals for defenseman Jack Rathbone (one-way), blueliner Noah Juulsen (two-way), and winger Will Lockwood (two-way). While the financial terms of the contracts weren’t disclosed, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that Rathbone’s two-year deal will carry an $850K AAV while PuckPedia adds (Twitter link) that Lockwood’s is worth $750K in the NHL and $125K in the minors. Meanwhile, CapFriendly reports that Juulsen’s pact is worth $750K in the NHL and $250K in the minors.
Rathbone, 23, was on an expiring contract but technically didn’t qualify for restricted free agency so he had 10.2(c) status which made him ineligible to receive an offer sheet. He had an impressive season with AHL Abbotsford, picking up 10 goals and 30 assists in just 39 games. However, his production didn’t translate to the NHL level as he was held off the scoresheet in nine games with Vancouver while averaging 13:30 per game of ice time. He remains waiver-exempt for next season but he should have a chance to push for a full-time roster spot with the Canucks in training camp.
As for Juulsen, the 25-year-old was set to become a Group Six unrestricted free agent but will instead stick around. Vancouver acquired the rearguard just before the beginning of the season from Florida along with forward Juho Lammikko in exchange for defenseman Olli Juolevi. Juulsen got into eight games with the Canucks (giving him 56 NHL appearances for his career) but spent most of the year with Abbotsford, collecting 16 points in 50 contests. He’ll likely return to the AHL level next season as long as he clears waivers in training camp.
Lockwood, meanwhile, had the most NHL playing time of the three in 2021-22 as the 24-year-old got into 13 contests with Vancouver but was held without a point. He was more successful in the minors with Abbotsford, however, as he picked up nine goals and 16 helpers in 46 games. Lockwood also has a year of waiver exemption remaining and will likely once again start next season in the minors with an eye on playing himself into being one of the first players recalled when injuries arise.
Stars Hire Steve Spott And Alain Nasreddine As Assistant Coaches
Peter DeBoer’s coaching staff in Dallas is starting to take shape. The Stars announced that they’ve hired Steve Spott and Alain Nasreddine as assistant coaches, joining goalie coach Jeff Reese and video coach Kelly Forbes behind the bench.
Spott is no stranger to DeBoer as the two have worked together many times in the past. That includes their days back in the OHL in the late 1990s when Spott was DeBoer’s assistant first with Plymouth and then with Kitchener several years later. Once DeBoer took over behind the bench in San Jose back in 2015, he quickly brought Spott over and the two have been joined at the hip since then through five seasons with the Sharks and the last two with Vegas before the pair were let go earlier this offseason.
As for Nasreddine, he spent the last eight seasons with the Devils, most of the time as an assistant with the exception of 2019-20 when he took over as a midseason replacement for John Hynes. He remained on New Jersey’s staff when Lindy Ruff took over the following season although it was revealed back in May that they would not be renewing his contract.
Between Spott and Nasreddine, Dallas has added 16 seasons of assistant coaching experience to their bench with DeBoer himself having parts of 14 seasons of NHL head coaching experience. The Stars have a veteran-laden roster and will enter 2022-23 with a veteran-laden coaching staff as well.
Kraken Re-Sign Gustav Olofsson
The Kraken have taken care of one of their pending free agents, announcing the re-signing of defenseman Gustav Olofsson to a one-year, two-way deal. PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that the deal pays $750K in the NHL and $275K in the minors, a small raise from the $200K AHL salary he had this past season.
The 27-year-old signed with Seattle as a Group Six UFA last summer after spending the previous three seasons in Montreal’s system. Olofsson was brought in to give the Kraken some recallable depth in case injuries arise although he was never called upon. Instead, he played in 41 games with AHL Charlotte, picking up two goals and seven assists.
Olofsson will need to pass through waivers to return to the minors next season where Seattle’s new AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, will debut. Having cleared on the wire in each of the last four seasons, that should happen once again in training camp. With 59 career NHL appearances under his belt between Montreal and Minnesota, Olofsson will be a useful depth piece once again.
CHL Notes: End-Of-Season Awards, Post-Moratorium Trades
Prior to the conclusion of the Memorial Cup, the CHL announced their end-of-season award winners with several NHL prospects taking home hardware. Those include Stars forward Logan Stankoven who was named Player of the Year after putting up 45 goals and 59 assists in just 59 games with WHL Kamloops. The 47th pick from the 2021 draft also averaged a goal per game in 17 playoff contests. Still just 19, Stankoven won’t be eligible to play in the AHL next season. Meanwhile, Rangers prospect Dylan Garand was named as Goalie of the Year following a strong showing with Kamloops that saw him post a 32-9-3 record in 45 games with a 2.16 GAA and a .925 SV%. The 20-year-old will turn pro next season.
Meanwhile, with the Memorial Cup now completed, a very narrow trade window opened up on Thursday. A few moves of note were made before the window closes later today following the annual Import Draft. Here’s a rundown of those transactions:
- Coyotes goaltender prospect Anson Thornton was traded from OHL Sarnia to Barrie. Arizona signed the 19-year-old as an undrafted free agent in October following a strong showing in rookie camp but he struggled, posting a 4.06 GAA along with an .883 SV% in 26 games with the Sting. Thornton is a year away from being eligible to play in the AHL and his three-year, entry-level contract will slide again next season.
- Blues goalie prospect Will Cranley was dealt from OHL Ottawa to Flint. The 20-year-old had a tough season, his first as a starter, as he had a 3.81 GAA along with an .873 SV% in 41 games with the 67s. Cranley is eligible to turn pro next season and is already signed. He can be returned to junior to play for the Firebirds but will still burn the first year of his contract in that scenario.
- One player that isn’t an NHL prospect just yet (but will be next week) was also on the move as the CHL rights to Brad Lambert were moved from WHL Saskatoon to Seattle. The projected first-round pick isn’t under contract in Finland next season and the fact the Thunderbirds moved four draft picks (only two conditional) to secure his rights suggests that they think they can get him to North America next season. He’d likely secure a significant role there compared to playing in Finland which could be appealing to teams considering drafting him.
Blue Jackets Re-Sign Josh Dunne
The Blue Jackets have taken care of another pending free agent, announcing the signing of center Josh Dunne to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not officially disclosed but Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that Dunne’s NHL salary would be $874,125, suggesting he has accepted the terms of what would have been his qualifying offer. Dunne was set to become a restricted free agent later this month.
The 23-year-old signed with Columbus as an undrafted college free agent out of Clarkson back in 2021, making his NHL debut soon after. Dunne got into six NHL games that season with the Blue Jackets, recording seven shots on goal while averaging just over ten minutes a night of ice time. However, aside from a brief stint on the taxi squad in late December, Dunne didn’t see any time with Columbus this past season. Instead, he got into 29 games with AHL Cleveland, picking up six goals and five assists.
Dunne has one year of waiver exemption remaining so it’s all but certain he’ll return to the Monsters next season with the hopes of a bigger role and a chance to prove himself to be worthy of a recall. GM Jarmo Kekalainen still has plenty of pending restricted free agents to deal with this summer as eight remain, highlighted by winger Patrik Laine and defenseman Adam Boqvist.