Rutger McGroarty Commits To Michigan
Will the sun ever set on the Michigan empire? Technically the Wolverines have yet to actually win anything, but the No. 1-ranked team in the country is the heavy favorite to take the NCAA title this year and keep adding pieces that should make them of one if not the top contender for another year or two. The latest is forward Rutger McGroarty of the U.S. National Team Development Program, a consensus first-round pick and potential top-ten selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. College Hockey News’ Mike McMahon reports that McGroarty has verbally committed to Michigan and is expected to be part of their 2023 freshman class.
McGroarty, 17, has made his development intentions clear and just in time, with the National Letter of Intent signing period opening in just a few weeks. McGroarty was believed be considering a number of options – and not just within the college route – but it is hard to turn down an opportunity with Michigan right now. The Wolverines are the most talented team on paper bar none in the college ranks right now. Owen Power (BUF, No. 1 overall in 2021), Matthew Beniers (SEA, No. 2 overall in 2021), Luke Hughes (NJD, No. 4 overall in 2021), Kent Johnson (CLB, No. 5 overall in 2021), Mackie Samoskevich (FLA, No. 24 overall in 2021), Brendan Brisson (VGK, No. 29 overall in 2020), Johnny Beecher (BOS, No. 30 overall in 2019) and Thomas Bordeleau (SJS, No. 38 overall in 2020) highlight a roster chock full of NHL talent, which also includes Erik Portillo (BUF) and Dylan Duke (TBL). While some of these players will depart after this season, especially if the Wolverines take home in the NCAA crown, reinforcements are on the way. 2023 top prospect Adam Fantilli is set to arrive in 2022 alongside McGroarty’s USNTDP teammate and fellow projected first-rounder Frank Nazar. In 2023, McGroarty is expected to be joined by another current teammate and potential 2022 top pick Seamus Casey and two current U-17 standouts and 2023 hopefuls Charlie Cerrato and Trey Augustine. At this rate, several other elite prospects are likely to call Ann Arbor home soon too. It’s an embarrassment of riches in Michigan right now but McGroarty should be one of the best of the next wave.
The hype around McGroarty is well-founded as the skilled center brings a balanced attack with both goal-scoring and play-making ability. He already has four goals and ten points in eight games for the U-18 team this season after scoring at better than a point-per-game pace in 35 contests with the U-17 group last year. McGroarty also boasts 200+ lb. size already as well and has another year to continue bulking up before tackling the college level. A comparable player to recent USNTDP star and top pick Alex Turcotte, McGroarty could rise up draft boards this season to become a household name by draft day.
Brandon Saad Ruled Out With COVID
Another COVID Protocol case has popped up in the NHL, this time in St. Louis. The Blues have announced that forward Brandon Saad will be unavailable on Saturday due to COVID Protocol. Saad, as well as the entire Blues roster, is vaccinated. With Saad sidelined and Pavel Buchnevich suspended, the Blues will be without their two major off-season additions for their home opener against the L.A. Kings.
The Blues have not revealed the cause of Saad’s entry into the COVID Protocol. However, the fact that he has already been ruled out of a game that is 48 hours away would imply that he has tested positive. This is the third positive test among a prominent player today alone, as Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele and Pittsburgh’s Jeff Carter have also been sidelined by COVID. It’s a sobering reminder that the pandemic is still a factor in the NHL this season.
As for Saad, the Blue’s newest addition is off to a hot start with a goal and an assist in his first three games. The talented forward has averaged 24 goals per 82 games over his career and was expected to help make up for the loss of Jaden Schwartz this summer. For the time being though, St. Louis will have to make do without him.
Injury Notes: Richardson, Hardman, Kase
The Calgary Flames have activated Brad Richardson off injured reserve in time for tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, while moving Glenn Gawdin to the AHL. Richardson will be making his season debut for the Flames after signing a one-year, $800K deal with the team in the offseason.
Remember, the 36-year-old Richardson is another one of Darryl Sutter‘s former Los Angeles Kings and was with the team in 2012 when they won the Stanley Cup. The Flames haven’t been able to put Sutter’s defensive style into practice just yet, allowing eight goals through the first two games.
- Mike Hardman, who suffered a head laceration in Tuesday’s Chicago Blackhawks game when taking a hit from Matt Martin, is also now in the concussion protocol. He won’t play tonight for the Blackhawks when the team takes on the Vancouver Canucks.
- When Ondrej Kase misses practice, speculation immediately goes to the worst possible situation, given his long history of major injuries in the NHL. When he was absent yesterday for the Toronto Maple Leafs, many assumed he’d suffered another ailment that would keep him out of the lineup. Perhaps not, as Kase was back at practice today for the Maple Leafs and appears to be ready to go when they battle the San Jose Sharks tomorrow night.
Mark Scheifele Added To COVID Protocol
4:20pm: Johnston reports that Scheifele produced another positive test today and will not be eligible for the Jets this evening. He is still in the COVID protocol.
9:35am: The Winnipeg Jets may not have had the widespread issue that was feared yesterday, but they didn’t come out of their COVID testing unscathed. Mark Scheifele has been added to the protocol, joining captain Blake Wheeler. Scheifele could be unavailable for tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
As a reminder, inclusion in the protocol does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the COVID Protocol Related Absences list–which actually won’t be released for the first time until tomorrow–are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol.
The Jets are in freefall right now, with losses in each of their first three games and now two of their most important forwards on the shelf. Top prospect Cole Perfetti was loaned to the AHL yesterday, but the team doesn’t have enough forwards to dress this evening without making additional recalls. Winnipeg takes on the Ducks in their home opener to try and get things back on track.
It’s not clear yet how long Scheifele will be out, but Chris Johnston of TSN sheds some light on his specific testing situation. He tested positive for coronavirus yesterday morning, is asymptomatic, and has since tested negative. If he produces another negative test, he could play tonight, but his results won’t be known until later today.
Extension Notes: Fox, Hughes, Bergevin, Desharnais
The New York Rangers are the focus of many right now as they try to turn the corner from rebuilding to a contender, and a huge part of that success will be the continued star play of reigning Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic writes in his latest that a Fox extension should be the entire focus of the Rangers front office right now, lest they put themselves in a trickier situation next summer. LeBrun writes that the Rangers and Fox’s agent Matt Keator have had “very preliminary talks.”
- LeBrun also touches on Jack Hughes, whose camp has also had preliminary talks with the New Jersey Devils on an extension. The young forward suffered a dislocated shoulder and will be out indefinitely for the Devils, but that doesn’t mean he’s any less a key part of their future. The first-overall pick from 2019 had 31 points in 56 games last season and appeared to be taking another step forward this time around, with three points in the game and a half he was able to finish. The scribe believes the Devils will try to sign Hughes to a long-term deal, as they did previously with captain Nico Hischier.
- Meanwhile, Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin told reporters yesterday that in a perfect world he would be back with the team next season, but that talks are still put off until the end of the season. He confirmed he still has total control over hockey decisions, despite his contract expiring at the end of this season. Arpon Basu of The Athletic examined his comments and suggests that the ball is now squarely in owner Geoff Molson‘s court after Bergevin spoke publicly and made his desire to stay clear.
- Remember David Desharnais? Well, he’s got an extension of his own, this time with HC Fribourg-Gotteron in Switzerland, where he’s played the last few years. Desharnais signed a new one-year extension that keeps him there through the 2022-23 season, allowing him to continue being a key part of a professional team a little longer. The 35-year-old forward scored 282 points in a 524-game NHL career before taking his talents overseas and has been excellent in Switzerland, racking up 94 points in 113 games.
Jarnkrok Activated; Barre-Boulet Placed On Waivers
The Seattle Kraken have placed Alex Barre-Boulet on waivers today, as Calle Jarnkrok returns from the COVID protocol. Barre-Boulet was claimed off waivers earlier this season from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After two games for the Kraken, Barre-Boulet finds himself once again available to the entire league. Should the Lightning place the only claim on him, he can be assigned directly to their minor league affiliate. If he is unclaimed, the Kraken can stash the young forward with the Charlotte Checkers, where he would be a welcome addition. In 148 career AHL games, Barre-Boulet has registered 139 points, showing just how dangerous he can be offensively in the right situation. The undrafted forward even registered an assist for the Kraken despite playing fewer than ten minutes in each of the two contests.
His placement on waivers is because Jarnkrok has been activated from the COVID protocol after spending the last two weeks unavailable to the Kraken. Seattle’s selection from the Nashville Predators looked in the preseason like he would play a key role for the Kraken, and indeed was practicing on the first line today according to Marisa Ingemi of the Seattle Times. His return, along with the recent appearance of Yanni Gourde, should give the team some additional firepower as they look to make a splash on home ice. After a five-game road trip to open the year, their finally heading home for a match against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
Glenn Gawdin Clears Waivers
Oct 21: Gawdin has cleared waivers and can be assigned to the minor leagues.
Oct 20: The Calgary Flames have placed depth forward Glenn Gawdin on waivers, according to Chris Johnston of TSN. Gawdin played just over ten minutes in Calgary’s overtime loss earlier this week.
With Brad Richardson approaching a return to the lineup, a roster spot was needed on the Flames and Gawdin is the odd man out. He’ll likely be sent to the minor leagues should he clear, though that perhaps isn’t a guarantee.
In nine career NHL games the 24-year-old Gawdin is still yet to score a goal, but his minor league performance is at least a little intriguing. In 2019-20 he recorded 16 goals and 47 points in 53 games, and really put himself on the map for the Flames as a depth option that could be used higher up in the lineup if necessary.
Just like Nic Petan yesterday though, depth forwards like this are available every few days on waivers. The most likely outcome is that Gawdin clears, is sent down, and has to wait for his next opportunity with the Flames.
AHL Shuffle: 10/21/21
After a quiet night yesterday, the NHL is back in action with a slate of ten matchups this evening. With so many games on tap, there will be plenty of movement between the minor leagues, and we’ll keep track of all of it right here.
Atlantic Division
- The Florida Panthers continue to make near-daily transactions, this time bringing Chase Priskie back up from the AHL. The Panthers will play the Colorado Avalanche at home tonight after winning each of their first three games. Despite moving some pieces in and out of the lineup, Florida has allowed just six goals against in those games.
Metropolitan Division
- The Philadelphia Flyers have sent Nick Seeler back to the AHL for the time being, after Rasmus Ristolainen made his debut for the team last night. The depth defenseman could be back with the team for their upcoming road trip, but on days he’s not going to play, he might as well stay in the AHL and pause his waiver clock. Remember, players who have cleared will have to go through the process again after ten games or 30 days on the NHL roster.
Central Division
- After Mark Scheifele was put in the COVID protocol and Cole Perfetti sent down yesterday, the Winnipeg Jets have recalled Dominic Toninato to help them fill out a lineup tonight. If Scheifele is unable to clear the protocol by game time, the team appears to be preparing to go with just 11 forwards and seven defensemen. That would have Toninato and Riley Nash as the extras that rotate in, though things could change in the coming hours.
Pacific Division
- The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled Daniil Miromanov, who has been a real standout in the Henderson Silver Knights’ first two games. The 24-year-old defenseman has two goals and four points in those games, after spending most of last season in the KHL. The undrafted Miromanov was signed to an entry-level deal in March.
This page will be updated throughout the day
Mike Smith Placed On Injured Reserve
The Edmonton Oilers will be without starter Mike Smith for a little while, as he deals with a lower-body injury. Smith has been moved to injured reserve, while Stuart Skinner has been recalled to take his place on the active roster.
Smith, 39, was removed from Tuesday’s game partway through the second period after allowing four goals on 15 shots and replaced by Mikko Koskinen, who backstopped the Oilers to a comeback victory. It will likely be Koskinen that gets the lion’s share of the work with Smith out, but Skinner is a more than capable backup at this point who showed in the preseason that he actually may be ready to take the next step. The 22-year-old netminder posted a .914 save percentage for the Bakersfield Condors last season and has picked up right where he left off, stopping 53 of 56 shots against in his first two minor league appearances this year.
Still, this is exactly the kind of thing that many Oilers fans worried about when the team decided to bring back Smith. The veteran netminder signed a new two-year contract that carries a $2.2MM cap hit, but now already finds himself on the shelf nursing an injury. With Koskinen’s extremely inconsistent past, the Oilers could be in trouble if Smith has an injury-riddled campaign and can’t carry the load.
He’ll have to miss a minimum of seven days now, meaning it’ll be Koskinen and Skinner splitting the upcoming back to back in Arizona and Vegas. Luckily enough, the Oilers only play once between this Friday and next Saturday, meaning Smith may not end up missing many scheduled starts. That is assuming of course that he returns rather quickly, something that is not a guarantee at this point.
Cole Perfetti Assigned To AHL
Usually, when a 19-year-old CHL prospect is knocked out of the NHL lineup, his team is forced to send back to junior for the whole year or just hold him as an extra. Both are sometimes detrimental for his development, so for years, teams have wished for an AHL exemption when it comes to elite prospects. This year, that exemption exists for a handful of players who spent at least 20 games at the AHL level last season.
Today, the Winnipeg Jets and Cole Perfetti will take advantage of it, as the young forward has been assigned to the Manitoba Moose. Perfetti played in 32 games with Manitoba last season when the OHL campaign was canceled and actually did quite well. Despite being younger than almost every one of his opponents, the 2020 first-round pick racked up 26 points in 32 games for the Moose. Now he’ll get the chance to build on that performance and continue his professional career, instead of returning to the OHL where he had already proved his dominance.
Perfetti made the Jets out of camp but was a healthy scratch on Tuesday night as the Jets decided to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Minnesota Wild. One thing to remember when it comes to this decision is that while Perfetti has an exemption and can play in the AHL, his contract status is no different than any other 19-year-old prospect. That is, if he plays in eight more games this season he would burn the first year of his entry-level deal. If not–even if he’s playing in the AHL–that deal will slide forward a year and not expire until 2025.
Another added bonus of sending him to the AHL instead of the OHL? Perfetti can be recalled at any point should he show enough to earn a full-time NHL spot, or if the team has injuries that need to be covered. With the team potentially bracing for more positive COVID-19 results, he could even be up within a few days. The Moose are on the road in Laval tonight, but will return home to Manitoba for a four-game homestand that starts on Friday night. If Perfetti’s to continue developing into the player the Jets projected at 10th overall, he needs to play.