New York Rangers Announce Full Coaching Staff
The New York Rangers have rounded out their coaching staff, hiring several new names to join Gerard Gallant behind the bench this season. Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly, and Jim Midgley have been hired as assistant coaches with the Rangers, while Steve Smith has been named an assistant coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack.
This group brings plenty of familiarity to the bench, as both Murphy and Kelly have previously worked with Gallant at the NHL level. The latter in fact has been something of his right-hand man, coaching with both the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights, Gallant’s previous two stops. Murphy coached with Gallant’s Columbus Blue Jackets, but isn’t a newcomer to the Rangers organization. He served as head coach of the Wolf Pack and has stepped into roles with New York whenever necessary over the last few years.
Midgley, a newcomer to the NHL, can actually be seen right now at the IIHF Women’s World Championship where he is serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada. The 43-year-old has never held a coaching position in the NHL but did serve as an amateur scout last season for the Philadelphia Flyers. Before that, he was the head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads for a season and even had some time coaching overseas in the DEL.
The Rangers have a new focus this season under new leadership and will be pushing for a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. With newcomers like Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves, and Sammy Blais they should be a much more physical group, making it tough to play against them every night. Whether that results in more wins remains to be seen, but Gallant certainly hasn’t had much trouble in that department recently. The head coach held a .601 winning percentage in his two-plus years in Vegas.
Free Agent Profile: Artem Anisimov
For teams still looking for a competent, veteran depth option at center, Artem Anisimov remains on the open market. The 33-year-old Russian is coming off of a five-year, $22.75MM extension he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the 2015-16 season, which kicked in for the 2016-17 campaign. After his offensive production started to decline in Chicago, though, he was dealt to the Ottawa Senators, where he spent the final two seasons of the deal.
Anisimov looked better during his first season in Ottawa, leading some to believe he still had gas left in the tank. A lot of luck went into his 2018-19 season, though, scoring 15 goals but only five assists for 20 points in 49 games. His production wasn’t helped by the fact that he saw a significant ice-time reduction in Ottawa, playing under 14 minutes a night for the first time since 2009-10.
The Russian center still had a respectable year this season but was often a healthy scratch. While his performance may have not necessarily warranted in on a team as thin as the Senators, the aging veteran didn’t quite mesh with the team’s youth movement and was removed from the lineup in favor of ice time for younger players. His finishing luck didn’t quite hold up this season either, but still was respectable offensively in a limited role.
Despite being most well-known for his time in Chicago, he joined the team just after their last Stanley Cup in 2015. Through 13 seasons, Anisimov has never lifted the Stanley Cup above his head. He still has six years and 43 games of playoff experience, though, including a run to the 2012 Eastern Conference Final with the New York Rangers. He’ll likely attempt what could be his last chance at a championship this year on a one-year deal.
Stats
2020-21: 19 GP, 2-7-9, +1 rating, 2 PIMS, 30 shots, 46.3% CF, 12:02 ATOI
Career: 771 GP, 180-196-376, -17 rating, 214 PIMS, 1,380 shots, 49.7% CF, 15:58 ATOI
Potential Suitors
The market may be thin for a player such as Anisimov at this point. While the fact remains that he prefers to stay in North America, his lack of defensive reliability doesn’t quite line up with what many teams are currently looking for in a fourth-line pivot.
If Anisimov is staying in the league, his role will likely be as a team’s 13th forward and certainly won’t be in the lineup every night. A return to a former team in the Rangers may make some amount of sense. He’ll add an additional veteran presence to a team trying to make a surprise run at a championship this season, and would compete for spots in the lineup with Kevin Rooney, Dryden Hunt, and others. He’d do just fine in a sheltered, not-overworked role with a bolstered squad around him.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could also be in the market for a more offensively-minded center that they can use in certain situations, mainly as an alternative to defensive players David Kampf and Pierre Engvall. It’s another good opportunity for Anisimov to chase a championship, as they return with a strong defense and improved goaltending.
Projected Contract
Anisimov was not among the players included on our Top 50 UFA list, published at the end of July. But after the dust has settled and many players have found homes, Anisimov remains as one of the more sure and consistent options left on the market, which may not be saying much. It’s hard to envision a world where Anisimov would make seven figures on a potential one-year deal, especially considering the lack of games played last season. However, it’s still feasible to predict that Anisimov will have at least one more year in the NHL.
St. Louis Blues Agree To Terms With Zack Bolduc
The St. Louis Blues have agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal for first-round pick Zack Bolduc. The young forward was picked 17th overall in 2021 and is coming off a strong season with the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL.
Bolduc, 18, had 29 points in 27 games this season for Rimouski, following his 30-goal 2019-20 campaign that earned him the QMJHL Rookie of the Year honors. The former linemate of 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, Bolduc is a talented offensive player in his own right who has been compared to players like Sean Monahan in the past. His ability to play the middle of the ice is an important one, as true center prospects are difficult to acquire, especially ones with the upside that Bolduc represents.
That’s not to say he’ll be in the NHL right away. In fact, it seems very likely that the young forward will be back in the QMJHL this season to continue his development with the Oceanic and really try to dominate the league offensively. He’ll also be a candidate for Team Canada at the World Juniors and was recently at the team’s summer camp.
If he does return to junior, Bolduc’s contract will slide forward, meaning the first year of his three-year deal will not be burned in 2021-22. That could actually happen again is 2022-23 should he go back to the QMJHL once again, meaning this contract gives the team plenty of control.
NHL Releases Full Preseason Schedule
The NHL has released the full 2021-22 preseason schedule, which will kick off on Saturday, September 25 between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Seattle Kraken will hit the ice for the first time the next day against the Vancouver Canucks in Spokane, Washington, the first of three WHL stops the expansion franchise will make this preseason.
The full schedule is as follows:
All times Eastern
SATURDAY, SEPT. 25
Montreal at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Minnesota at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 26
Nashville at Florida (split-squad doubleheader), 2 and 6 p.m.
Boston at Washington, 5 p.m.
NY Islanders at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
San Jose (split squad) at Anaheim, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Vancouver vs. Seattle, at Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena), 9 p.m.
San Jose (split squad) at Vegas, 10 p.m.
MONDAY, SEPT. 27
Toronto at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Arizona, 10 p.m.
Calgary vs. Vancouver, at Abbotsford, B.C. (Abbotsford Centre), 10 p.m.
Snapshots: Khovanov, Schwartz, Knight
The Minnesota Wild are expecting Alexander Khovanov back in North America for the 2021-22 season, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic. The 21-year-old forward played in Russia this year on loan from the Wild, suiting up mostly in the VHL where he was once again a dynamic offensive presence.
Selected in the third round in 2018, Khovanov turned into a superstar with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, scoring 32 goals and 99 points in just 51 games during the 2019-20 season. He also helped team Russia to a silver medal at the World Juniors that year, and this season posted 24 points in 30 VHL games. With two years still remaining on his entry-level deal, Khovanov is likely ticketed for the AHL should he spend this year in North America, but his future is still bright in the Minnesota organization.
- Jaden Schwartz endured a poor season on the ice in 2020-21, but he almost didn’t play at all. The new Seattle Kraken forward spoke with Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic and acknowledged that after the sudden passing of his father last year, he considered forfeiting his salary and skipping this season. Now heading into a new chapter in his career, leaving the only team he has ever known in the St. Louis Blues for an expansion club, Schwartz tells Rutherford he feels “fresh again.” The 29-year-old Schwartz signed a five-year, $27.5MM contract with the Kraken on the first day of free agency.
- The U.S. team took home a 3-0 victory over Finland at the IIHF Women’s World Championship last night and there was some history made in the process. Hilary Knight scored her 44th goal in tournament history, tying her with Cammi Granato for the most all-time. The 32-year-old Knight already has eight World Championship gold medals to her name and will almost certainly cement herself as the all-time goals leader at the Worlds over the next few days. Granato meanwhile was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 and is now working as a pro scout for the Kraken.
Minnesota Wild, Kirill Kaprizov Continue To Work Towards Contract
The Minnesota Wild have exactly one restricted free agent to sign, but it’s a big one. Kirill Kaprizov, the reigning Calder Trophy winner and arguably the most exciting player to ever play for the franchise, currently doesn’t have a contract for the 2021-22 season. With everyone else signed the team has an exact number they could work up to but it is still unclear on what kind of deal the two sides will eventually land on.
For the last several weeks, there has been speculation about whether Kaprizov would actually turn down an offer from the Wild entirely and return to the KHL. As Michael Russo of The Athletic tweets, though a contract is not imminent the Wild and Kaprizov’s camp are still talking. CSKA Moscow, his old team in Russia that has been linked to Kaprizov over and over, recently stated publicly that they are not negotiating a return with the young forward.
Discussion between the Wild and their best player is obviously a positive, but it still remains to be seen if they can get Kaprizov signed long-term. The 24-year-old is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season unless he signs a contract beyond that in the meantime. A three-year deal would take him right to the open market, while anything past that would be buying out UFA years. That would undoubtedly make the average annual value higher, though even these next few years will likely be expensive for the Wild as they try to lock up the dynamic forward.
With $13MM in cap space right now, there’s plenty of room to fit in Kaprizov even if he wants to be paid among the league’s elite. The Wild will have to consider the hefty cap penalties they have coming after buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, but also have several big contracts coming off the books after this season. It appears as though things are headed in the right direction, but with no pressure points until training camp opens next month, there’s no real rush in Minnesota.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Jimmy Hayes Passes Away At 31
It has been a tough few months for the hockey world, as again today it mourns the loss of a family member. Jimmy Hayes, who last played in the NHL during the 2017-18 season, has died at the age of 31 according to John Buccigross of ESPN. Matt Porter and John R. Ellement of the Boston Globe report that Hayes was pronounced dead at his Milton home this morning, but a cause of death was not immediately available.
Hayes, the older brother of Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes and member of a far-reaching New England hockey family, was originally selected 60th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008. He played 334 games at the NHL level, recording a career-high of 19 goals and 35 points during the 2014-15 season with the Florida Panthers. He last played during the 2018-19 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL, racking up 30 points in 72 games.
A member of Team USA on several occasions, an NCAA champion with Boston College, and a beloved teammate to many, Hayes will be dearly missed. Everyone at PHR extends our condolences to his wife Kristen, two young sons, and the rest of the Hayes family.
Minor Transactions: 08/23/21
The NHL season has slowed to a crawl, and the next few weeks could be relatively uneventful. That doesn’t mean things have stopped in European and minor leagues though, as those teams continue to fill out their rosters for the upcoming season. As always, we’ll keep track of the notable moves right here:
- Blaine Byron, who has been a strong AHL performer ever since leaving the University of Maine, has taken his talents to Germany for the upcoming season. The 26-year-old had six goals and six goals and 12 points in 17 games for the Ontario Reign last season, but will play 2020-21 for Eisbaren Berin of the DEL.
- Tyler Steenbergen, who was left unqualified by the Los Angeles Kings, has signed with TPS in Finland. Perhaps best known for his gold medal-winning tally at the 2018 World Junior Championship, Steenbergen had just 13 points in 36 games for the Tucson Roadrunners this past season. He was included in a minor league trade between the Arizona Coyotes and Kings in July, but won’t actually suit up for Los Angeles or their minor league affiliate.
This page will be updated throughout the day
Libor Sulak Signs In KHL
After a strong World Championship performance, there was some speculation about whether Libor Sulak would try his hand in North America once again. That can stop now, as the defenseman has signed with Admiral Vladivostok of the KHL for the upcoming season. He’ll be joined by Vojtech Mozik, another former NHL defenseman that Admiral signed today.
Sulak, 27, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings in 2017 and actually managed six games at the NHL level. Most of his time was spent with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and when his deal expired, the Red Wings decided not to issue him a qualifying offer. The Czech defenseman played in Russia and Finland over the last two seasons and recently suited up for his country at the Worlds. He had three goals and four points in the tournament, but won’t be coming back to North America anytime soon.
Mozik, 28, actually has seven games of NHL experience to his name, having played for the New Jersey Devils in 2015-16. He too had some strong success in the minor leagues, this time with the Albany Devils, but left North America in 2017 and hasn’t returned. Mozik has played in Russia, Sweden, and China in the years since while also suiting up for the Czech Republic at the Olympics.
“Mr. Ranger” Rod Gilbert Passes Away At 80
The hockey world mourns the loss of an all-time great as New York Rangers Hall of Famer Rod Gilbert has passed away. The Rangers announced that “Mr. Ranger”, the franchise leader in points, died today at the age of 80. The team released a statement for Gilbert’s family at this time. GM Chris Drury stated the following:
Everyone in the Rangers organization mourns the loss of a true New York icon. Rod’s remarkable talent and zest for life personified this city and endeared him to hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike. Growing up a young Rangers fan, one of the first names I ever heard about was Rod Gilbert – he was synonymous with Rangers hockey. It was an incredible privilege to get to know Rod. His passion and dedication to the Rangers will forever be a source of inspiration for me.”
Gilbert, whose No. 7 hangs in rafters of Madison Square Garden, recorded 406 goals and 1,021 points in 1,065 career NHL games – all with the Rangers. He is the franchise leader in both marks and the only player to every pass the 400-goal and 1000-point threshold for New York. A member of the famed GAG “Goal-A-Game” line with with Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield, Gilbert was an eight-time All-Star and Bill Masterton Award winner.
However, Gilbert truly earned the name “Mr. Ranger” from his involvement with the team well after his playing days. Gilbert was omnipresent at Madison Square Garden in community outreach roles with the Rangers, as well as working with alumni and in many charitable capacities. A beloved and respected member of the Rangers organization and the NHL family at large, Gilbert will be missed.