Dallas Stars Sign Scott Wedgewood
While the Dallas Stars have a big negotiation coming up with starting goalie Jake Oettinger, they won’t have any more negotiating to do to find his backup. The team announced today that they have re-signed goalie Scott Wedgewood to two-year, $1MM AAV deal.
Wedgewood originally came to the Stars as part of a mid-season trade with the Arizona Coyotes, who had claimed him off waivers from the New Jersey Devils. It had been Wedgewood’s second tour of duty with the Coyotes, a far more successful tenure than his first time in the desert. In 2017-18, the Coyotes acquired Wedgewood and he ended up playing 20 NHL games there, going 5-9-4 with an .893 save percentage. This year, Wedgewood flipped the script, posting a strong .911 save percentage on a Coyotes team that finished among the league’s worst teams.
While Wedgewood only played eight games with the Stars, his overall performance in 2021-22 is the primary reason why GM Jim Nill and the Stars can be confident in him as their choice to back up Oettinger. In total this year, Wedgewood started 32 games and had a .910 save percentage, which is especially impressive when you consider that the bulk of his starts came in Arizona. The Stars clearly believe that Wedgewood has what it takes to be a strong backup for their up-and-coming star, and the numbers support them in that belief.
At only 29 years old, Wedgewood still figures to have a long career in front of him. The former top-100 pick at the 2010 draft took his time developing in the minors, starting first in the ECHL before eventually reaching the NHL after three seasons with the AHL’s Albany Devils. While he has bounced around quite a bit so far in his career, as part of three trades and a waiver claim, he seems to have found a home in Dallas.
West Notes: Forsberg, Horvat, Oilers Coaching Staff
Recently, we covered how Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators’ negotiations on a new contract had been difficult, with both sides still “far apart” in terms of what a potential extension would look like. A week later, the situation remains uncertain. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on the status of the negotiations today, clarifying that while the gap between the team and player is said to be less than $1MM per year, there still has not been “a lot of progress” on finalizing a deal. With the eight-year term already agreed upon, that relatively small gap in the negotiation could cause the situation to drag on until potentially even the start of free agency.
With the gap under $1MM, it’ll be extremely interesting to see if Forsberg remains a Predator. He is the team’s all-time leading goal scorer and among their most important players. GM David Poile is a firm negotiator, and the Predators’ reluctance to give n0-trade protection on deals has been well-publicized. So, with that reputation in mind, it’s fair to wonder if Poile will let that six-figure gap be the reason Forsberg departs Nashville. From most fans’ perspectives, it seems like an easy question: the small bump in cost is worth avoiding the trouble of finding a replacement player. But to cement a deal with the long-tenured Poile, who is no stranger to letting important players leave in free agency, perhaps Forsberg will be the one who will need to compromise.
Now, for some other notes from across the NHL’s Western Conference:
- While J.T. Miller has been the name most frequently mentioned in trade rumors, Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat actually has an identical contract situation, as he too will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. But unlike Miller, Horvat probably won’t be on the move anytime soon, hence his absence in the rumor mill. Per Thomas Drance of The Athletic (subscription link), the Canucks are “completely invested” in retaining Horvat beyond the expiry of his current contract. It’s easy to see why, as Horvat is among the team’s most important leaders and is still a highly effective on-ice talent. The 27-year-old pivot crossed the 30-goal plateau last year for the first time in his career and should be in line for a moderate raise from his current $5.5MM cap hit.
- The Edmonton Oilers finalized their coaching situation when they removed the interim tag from coach Jay Woodcroft’s job title. Now, it seems that Woodcroft’s full coaching staff is taking shape. Per Dreger, Oilers assistant Brian Wiseman is “moving on” from the team, while fellow coaches Dave Manson and Glen Gulutzan are expected to stay in Edmonton. Wiseman is a former twelfth-round pick who has been an assistant coach in Edmonton for three seasons. Before then, he was part of the coaching staff at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. While a return to the college ranks is possible, Wiseman will certainly have options, as Dreger reports that he is set to have “strong interest” from a “variety of teams.”
Los Angeles Kings Acquire, Extend Kevin Fiala
June 30: The team has now officially announced the seven-year extension, which will carry a cap hit of $7.875MM. CapFriendly reported yesterday that the contract includes a no-movement clause in years 2-4 and a limited no-trade clause in years 5-7.
June 29: The Los Angeles Kings have acquired the restricted free agent rights to winger Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for their 2022 first-round selection and defense prospect Brock Faber, per The Athletic’s Michael Russo. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report Fiala heading to Southern California.
As confirmed by the league just hours earlier, the Los Angeles selection that the Wild are acquiring will be the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Wild now own picks 19 and 24 in the first round.
It’s important to note an extension between the Kings and Fiala still needs to be worked out, but with the Kings having nearly $20MM in projected cap space this summer per CapFriendly (and Fiala having arbitration rights), the contract itself is an eventuality, with TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting there’s a long-term extension in place. Friedman is reporting a cap hit of $7.9MM, and Johnston is reporting a seven-year term.
It’s hard to think that Fiala won’t become a spectacular fit within the Kings organization. The 25-year-old’s 85 points in 2021-22 would have led the Kings by 18, with Anze Kopitar leading them in scoring with 67 points. It’s also hard to think that Fiala won’t join a line with Kopitar (and likely 2022 All-Star Adrian Kempe) as the Kings’ top unit. Suddenly, with a support group behind them that includes Phillip Danault, Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Iafallo, and up-and-comers like Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev, Los Angeles looks poised to build on last year’s playoff appearance and solidify themselves as real players in the Western Conference. Of note, it’s also a reunion between Fiala and Arvidsson, who both were developed and got their starts with the Nashville Predators.
While it’s no top-five pick like some expected, the Wild get two quality pieces in return for Fiala as well. Faber, a Minnesota native, exploded onto the scene this year as one of the premier two-way defense prospects in the game, notching 14 points in 32 games with the University of Minnesota and getting the call to the United States Olympic team. Just 19 years old, Faber was the 45th overall selection in the 2020 draft by the Kings. The Wild are also likely to receive a high-upside prospect with the 19th overall pick. Some potential selections, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s rankings based on NHL scout surveys, are another Minnesota native in Jimmy Snuggerud (ranked 17th), Czech utility forward Jiri Kulich (ranked 18th), Russian sniper (and cancer survivor) Ivan Miroschnichenko (ranked 19th), sniper and University of Minnesota-Duluth commit Isaac Howard (ranked 20th), or Swedish forwards Liam Ohgren and Noah Ostlund (ranked 21st and 22nd). While none of those likely have the offensive upside of Fiala, combined with the addition of Faber, it seems to be close to fair value at first impression.
Expect this deal to open the floodgates for moves and deals ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft next week.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo was the first to report the full details of the trade.
Dallas Stars Extend Riley Tufte
The Dallas Stars continue to make quick work of some minor deals, this time signing Riley Tufte to a one-year, two-way contract extension. The young forward was set to be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent this summer.
This contract follows similar pacts with Ryan Shea and Joseph Cecconi over the last few days, moves that assured the depth of the organization will continue through next season. Unlike the other two though, Tufte was selected in the first round six years ago and hasn’t quite reached the level that the Stars had hoped for at this point.
Standing 6’6″ with a reach that seems to extend the entire rink, the Minnesota native was a force in college, winning two consecutive national championships with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. There were few players at that level who could knock him off the puck, and he fit in well with a team that was always on top of you, grinding the puck in the corner or laying big hits.
The offense hasn’t really shown up at the professional level though, with just 44 points in 143 AHL games. Tufte made his NHL debut this year and scored one goal in ten games, though it is still unclear where exactly he fits into the long-term plan.
Because of his age, he will actually qualify for Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer, should he fail to play in 70 games this season. While there’s certainly a chance he locks down a bottom-six role and plays that many, it’s no guarantee. One thing helping him out is that in order to send him to the minor leagues, Tufte would now need to clear waivers. His size and draft pedigree would likely be of interest to some teams, meaning the Stars might be forced to keep him in the NHL or risk losing him for nothing.
Tampa Bay Lightning Considering Ryan McDonagh Trade
After barely missing out on their third consecutive Stanley Cup championship, the Tampa Bay Lightning may be forced to do some drastic reshuffling of the core. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the team is working with Ryan McDonagh to find out if there is a fit somewhere else in the league. McDonagh has a full no-trade clause and can essentially decide where he plays at this point.
Friedman notes that the team wants to retain both Nick Paul and Ondrej Palat (among others) who are set to become unrestricted free agents. Moving McDonagh would essentially be a cap move, given the $6.75MM hit he carries through 2025-26.
It’s shocking news, given how good McDonagh has been for Tampa Bay since arriving in 2018. Acquired from the New York Rangers along with J.T. Miller for a package that revolved around Brett Howden, Libor Hajek, and draft picks, it was a move that was critical in building the squad that won two years later. McDonagh has averaged nearly 22 minutes a night with the Lightning, eating up the toughest defensive assignments to allow Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, and others to contribute more at the offensive end of the rink.
Now 33, with nearly 1,000 tough, physical games under his belt, it might be prudent for the Lightning to get out from under McDonagh’s contract before it becomes an issue. He is signed longer than any other defenseman on the roster and yet is several years older than most. Despite his continued strong play, and the fact that he is “hugely popular” in the locker room according to Friedman, the Lightning need to make a change somewhere if they’re going to keep Palat and Paul.
The team already projects to be over the cap for next season, though Brent Seabrook‘s contract will provide a little bit of long-term injured reserve wiggle room. Jan Rutta, a depth defenseman that has been useful over the last few years, and Riley Nash, who stepped into the lineup in Brayden Point‘s absence this postseason, are also both scheduled to become UFAs.
There have been other players jettisoned from the Lightning over the years. Miller, Tyler Johnson, and Yanni Gourde left with money still on their contracts. Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow couldn’t be re-signed because of higher bidders on the market. Still, none of those moves seem as important as a McDonagh move would be, given how integral he has been to the defense over the last several years. His absence would leave a gaping hole on the second pairing, one that the team doesn’t appear to have an internal candidate for.
Perhaps a player like Cal Foote could step into an increased role, but a McDonagh move could leave the Lightning looking outside the organization for an answer. A cheaper answer, it would be, and likely one that isn’t quite as effective as the veteran–at least for the time being.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Coaching Notes: Engel-Natzke, Nasreddine, Jets
The Washington Capitals have made history with the promotion of Emily Engel-Natzke to video coordinator, making her the first woman to hold a full-time coaching role in the NHL. Engel-Natzke served as the video coach of the Hershey Bears for the past two seasons. General manager Brian MacLellan released a statement:
We are extremely pleased to name Emily as our new video coordinator. Emily’s work ethic, skill set, and passion were displayed in her tenure with the Hershey Bears, and we feel she is ready and deserving of this opportunity. She will be a tremendous asset to our coaching staff.
Prior to working with the Bears, Engel-Natzke served as video coordinator for the University of Wisconsin (men’s and women’s teams), and USA Hockey. More from around the coaching world:
- Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports is reporting that Alain Nasredding will be joining the Dallas Stars as an assistant coach. He leaves the New Jersey Devils after seven seasons, including the 2019-20 campaign when he stepped in as interim head coach for a time. The Stars will have a brand new look behind the bench after hiring former New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer earlier this month. Interestingly enough, Nasreddine only joined the Devils the season after DeBoer was fired as head coach, meaning this will be the first time they work together on an NHL bench.
- The Winnipeg Jets are down to five candidates for their own head coaching position, according to Kevin Weekes of ESPN. Scott Arniel, Rick Tocchet, Jim Montgomery, Jeff Blashill, and Pascal Vincent are the finalists according to Weekes, though Andrew Brunette has also been linked previously. Montgomery, a top candidate for several jobs, also has been listed as a finalist for the Boston Bruins job, though there have been no official announcements yet from either team.
Ottawa Senators Promote Trent Mann; Hire Ryan Bowness
After losing assistant general manager Peter MacTavish to the agent world earlier this month, and parting ways with Pierre McGuire, the Ottawa Senators had some vacancies in the front office. They’ve filled two of them today, by promoting chief amateur scout Trent Mann and hiring Ryan Bowness. Both men will take on assistant general manager titles, effective tomorrow.
GM Pierre Dorion released the following:
Trent’s promotion and Ryan’s hiring represent two significant additions of our front office staff. On top of the success they have achieved in NHL, both are excellent hockey minds, hard workers and quality leaders. Trent has shown to be one of the top evaluators of amateur talent in the industry and has progressed to become an invaluable resource to the entire organization. Ryan is a critical thinker whose experience will allow him to contribute to a wide variety of areas. His success in professional scouting along with his ability to communicate in detail makes him an ideal complement to our hockey group.
Mann, 48, has been with the team since 2010 and quickly climbed up the organizational chart. In the press release for his promotion, the team indicates that he will still serve in the same scouting role while adding “greater player developmental responsibilities.” A former goaltender, he has been an integral part of the Senators draft decisions over the last several years and will continue to lead their team when they make five selections in the first three rounds next month.
Bowness comes with a surname that many will recognize, as the son of long-time NHL coach Rick Bowness. The 38-year-old executive has been with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the last six years, serving most recently as the director of professional scouting. With his new team, he will serve as general manager of the Belleville Senators while also overseeing “contractual-related items.”
It’s a homecoming of sorts, as his father was the first head coach in Senators franchise history when they came into the NHL in 1992. Ryan Bowness was just nine years old at the time and played minor hockey in the area before moving on to the Brampton Battalion of the OHL.
Toronto Willing To Trade Ilya Mikheyev’s Rights
It never did look like the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to be able to afford Ilya Mikheyev this summer and now they’ve basically made it clear that an extension is off the table. Both Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic are reporting that the Maple Leafs’ front office has made it clear to teams around the league that Mikheyev’s rights are available for trade if they want to try and sign him before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 13.
The 27-year-old winger had a strong season for Toronto, scoring 21 goals in just 53 games including four short-handed tallies. The 6’3″ Mikheyev has blinding speed and a long reach, making him a perfect penalty-killing option that is dangerous on the counterattack. His offensive skill sometimes leaves something to be desired, as Maple Leafs fans will tell you he can’t always finish on his chances but there is still a valuable player to be had this summer.
In fact, a recent report suggested that Mikheyev is looking for somewhere between $4-5MM per season, something that the cap-strapped Maple Leafs just wouldn’t be able to afford. If they can get back an asset–any asset–before he hits the open market in two weeks, it would seem a win for Toronto.
Alternatively, getting Mikheyev before he gets a chance to talk to the whole league might also save a team some cap space, especially if it comes with a long-term deal. The undrafted winger carried a cap hit of just $1.645MM in each of the last two seasons and will be looking to cash in on his strong season.
There has been the suggestion that the Maple Leafs could do the same thing with Jack Campbell, given a similar contractual impasse. The netminder will likely be too expensive for Toronto to retain, meaning getting an asset for him by trading him before free agency might be the best option they have at the moment.
Montreal Canadiens Looking For Additional Top-10 Pick
The Montreal Canadiens already have the first-overall selection in next week’s draft but it appears as though they’re trying to provide even more entertainment for the crowd at the Bell Centre. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that the Canadiens have called every team in the top ten trying to get a second high pick.
Montreal of course already has the 26th pick as well, one that came from the Calgary Flames in the Tyler Toffoli trade. They also have two seconds, three thirds, and three fourths, meaning they’ll be infusing their system with a huge amount of talent either way. Those mid-round picks, which remember include the first choice in each round (33rd, 66th, and 98th), could be leveraged in a deal to move up to the top ten, should they find a taker.
Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher, who sits at No. 5, spoke about the potential of a trade-down scenario yesterday, and while he wouldn’t rule it out, explained how rare it is to move a pick that high. The New Jersey Devils have openly stated that they would consider moving the second-overall, though again it seems they are not actively pursuing it and would need to be blown away by an offer.
The Arizona Coyotes, Seattle Kraken, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Anaheim Ducks are the other teams in the top ten.
Senators Will Not Qualify Adam Gaudette
It wasn’t so long ago that Adam Gaudette was a top prospect, leaving Northeastern University with the Hobey Baker and a ton of NHL momentum. In his second season, he scored 12 goals and 33 points in 59 games, suggesting that he could be a reliable top-six contributor down the road.
Now, just a few years later, he won’t be receiving a qualifying offer from the Ottawa Senators, making him an unrestricted free agent again at age 25. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that the Senators have already told Gaudette of their plan to leave him unqualified.
This is nothing new for the young forward. He failed to receive a qualifying offer last year either, though eventually agreed to a new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for the same amount anyway. The team then put him on waivers in November, leading him to Ottawa, where he played 50 games in the second half of the year.
It doesn’t appear as though a contract is coming from the Senators this time, meaning Gaudette will have to find a new NHL home. With just 25 points since the start of the 2020-21 season (across 98 games and three teams), it’s unclear what exactly he can bring to the table at this point.
For Ottawa, who have plenty of young talents pushing for looks in camp and a tight budget, the risk of salary arbitration was likely too much. Though he hasn’t done much recently, that 33-point season would still likely mean a contract above $1MM through the arbitration process, while his play can be replaced by another candidate for the Senators.