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Ed Van Impe Passes Away

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Former NHL defenseman Ed Van Impe, who played in the league from 1966 to 1977, has passed away at age 84, according to a statement from the Flyers.

Undrafted, Van Impe spent six years playing minor professional hockey with the WHL-Sr.’s Calgary Stampeders and the AHL’s Buffalo Bisons before earning his first NHL contract with the Blackhawks (then the Black Hawks) at age 26. The hard-hitting 5’10”, 205-lb lefty impressed as a rookie, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting in the final season of the Original Six era with an 8-11–19 scoring line, a +29 rating, and a team-leading 111 PIMs in 61 games.

Van Impe was drafted by the Flyers in the expansion draft the following offseason, marking the beginning of where he spent the vast majority of his career. The Saskatchewan native appeared in 620 regular-season games for the Flyers over the next nine seasons, posting 19 goals, 107 assists, 126 points, and a +68 rating with 891 PIMs. He was part of the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975, posting seven points and a +18 rating in 34 games across the two championship runs.

A three-time All-Star Game participant, Van Impe spent the final season and a half of his NHL career with the cross-state rival Penguins following a 1976 trade deadline deal. He finished his NHL career with 27 goals, 126 assists, 153 points, and a +99 rating in 703 games. Even today, he’s still fourth on the Flyers’ all-time list of games played among defensemen.

All of us at PHR send our condolences to Van Impe’s friends and family and the Flyers organization.

Hockey Canada Names Coaching Staff For 2025 IIHF World Championship

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Hockey Canada has named its coaching staff for the 2025 IIHF World Championship, per a Hockey Canada release.

With two weeks to go until heading to Sweden for the tournament, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason has been tabbed as the leader for Team Canada after serving as an assistant coach at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. The 60-year-old just finished his first season in Columbus after spending six seasons as an assistant and head coach of the Minnesota Wild. Evason appeared in 803 career games in the NHL, scoring 372 points and securing 1,002 career penalty minutes.

Joining Evason is his assistant coach in Columbus Steve McCarthy, who is set to make his international coaching debut. McCarthy had a solid run as a player in the NHL, suiting up in more than 300 games for the Blackhawks, Canucks, and Thrashers. He has been an assistant coach in the league for four seasons and also spent five years as an assistant in the AHL. Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette will also take on an assistant role, giving Evason a fellow coach with head coaching experience to rely on. Brunette had a lengthy NHL career, appearing in 1,000 games and scoring 733 career points.

Fellow NHL head coach Ryan Huska (Calgary Flames) will also join the staff, bringing additional leadership and insight to the bench. The 49-year-old appeared in one career NHL game with the Blackhawks. Before joining the Flames, he served as head coach of their AHL affiliates for four years and spent 12 years before that as an assistant coach in the AHL. Rounding out the coaching staff, Calgary’s James Emery will serve as the team’s director of performance analysis.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, who also currently serves as Hockey Canada’s general manager, said of the coaching staff:

“Dean, Andrew, Ryan and Steve are excellent NHL coaches that bring many years of professional experience and leadership, and we are thrilled that they will lead Team Canada at the 2025 world championship,” Dubas said. “Our coaching staff will also be supported by an elite support staff that has many years of NHL experience, as well as experience at several world championships and Olympics, and we know our entire staff will create an environment for our players to succeed and wear the Maple Leaf with pride in Stockholm and Herning.”

Western Injury Notes: Lyubushkin, Heiskanen, Dorofeyev

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Stars coach Pete DeBoer shared positive updates on the status of Ilya Lyubushkin, per Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News.

DeBoer noted that Lyubushkin’s absence at practice today was simply a maintenance day and that the veteran will be good to go for Thursday’s pivot Game Six matchup against the Avalanche. Lyubushkin contributed an assist and two blocked shots in the Stars’ 6-2 Game Five victory, which game them a 3-2 series lead. The 30-year-old has averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time per game during the series, so his availability moving forward is welcomed news for Dallas.

Other injury news from around the Western Conference:

  • DeBoer also provided an update on Miro Heiskanen, noting that the defender is getting closer to a return and will continue traveling with the club. Heiskanen is considered on a day-to-day recovery timeline after already returning to the ice for practice. The all-star rejoined practice on April 19 for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in January.
  • Vegas Golden Knights Forward Pavel Dorofeyev (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for tomorrow’s Game Six matchup against the Minnesota Wild, per an NHL release. Coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters today that the team will monitor how Dorofeyev feels in the morning, as the team did not skate today. If Dorofeyev can’t go, Cassidy discussed the team having a few options to replace him in the lineup, including Victor Olofsson, who played the first three games of the series. Dorofeyev made a significant impact this season, emerging as one of the league’s breakout stars. He burst onto the scene with an impressive offensive performance, finding the back of the net 35 times and surpassing all of his previous career highs by a wide margin. His return to the lineup will be a key factor to the team’s success in this series and beyond.

Hurricanes Sign Taylor Hall To Three-Year Extension

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5:50 p.m.: According to PuckPedia, Hall’s new extension breaks down as follows:

  • Year 1: $3.5MM salary, full no-movement clause
  • Year 2: $3.425MM salary, full no-movement clause
  • Year 3: $2.575MM salary, full no-movement clause*

* If Hall scores less than 35 points in 2026-27, the full no-movement clause in 2027-28 will convert to a 10-team modified no-trade clause. 

9:02 a.m.: Taylor Hall has agreed to a three-year, $9.5MM extension with the Hurricanes, according to a team announcement. The deal carries a cap hit of $3.167MM and will carry the veteran left-winger through the 2027-28 campaign.

“Taylor has proven to be an outstanding fit for our team, and we are thrilled that he is excited to make Raleigh his home for another three seasons,” general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. “He’s been a solid veteran presence in the locker room and a difference maker on the ice.”

Hall has fit well in Carolina since the team acquired him from the Blackhawks in January’s blockbuster three-way deal with the Avalanche. While the 2010 first overall pick isn’t the MVP threat he was in his prime, he’s settled in as a capable middle-six scorer in his twilight years. He scored 9-9–18 in 31 regular-season games after arriving in Raleigh-Durham, a 24-goal, 48-point pace over an 82-game schedule.

While a three-year term may carry some risk for a player who’ll be 36 years old upon expiry, it’s a cost-effective commitment that maintains the Hurricanes’ immense salary cap flexibility next season. Hall’s extension still leaves them with $32.06MM in projected cap space for 2025-26 with just five roster spots to fill, per PuckPedia. With no notable restricted free agents to re-sign, this is a highly team-friendly deal to allow Carolina to retain a reliable middle-six scorer and go big-game hunting in earnest over the summer.

It’s no surprise to see Hall prioritize term over money in extension talks. He’s been traded twice in the past three seasons after signing a four-year, $24MM contract with the Bruins in 2021. After potting 61 points in 81 games for Boston in the first year of the deal, his most since his Hart Trophy campaign with the Devils in 2017-18, he managed 36 points in 61 contests in 2022-23 and was traded to Chicago in a cap-clearing move the following summer. Knee surgery then limited Hall to just 10 appearances for the Hawks in 2023-24 before scoring 24 points in 46 games for Chicago this season, before the move to the Hurricanes.

While he takes a 47% pay cut per year, Hall avoids his first trip to unrestricted free agency in five years the morning after Carolina became the first team to advance to the second round with a come-from-behind double overtime win over the Devils in Game 5. The 6’1″, 210-lb forward had a goal and two assists with a minus-one rating in the series while averaging 15:56 per game.

For the organization, retaining their top pending UFA forward well in advance of the market opening is an important development after seeing their scoring depth gutted by free-agent departures last summer. This time around, Tulsky won’t face the same fate while also having nearly unprecedented flexibility among playoff contenders to add to his roster on the open market.

It’s a deal the Canes and Hall have been working on essentially since his acquisition. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports Network both said in February that they were discussing an extension.

Image courtesy of David Kirouac-Imagn Images.

Phil Roberto Passes Away

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In a sad announcement, the St. Louis Blues revealed that former player Phil Roberto has passed away at the age of 76.

Roberto began his professional playing career with the Montreal Canadiens on December 17, 1969. Despite tallying only one assist in eight games during the 1969-70 season, Roberto increased his offense the following season, scoring 14 goals and 21 points in 39 games. He added another assist in 15 postseason contests as the Canadiens captured the Stanley Cup against the Chicago Black Hawks.

Without much information on the type of transaction, Roberto was moved from Montreal to the Blues organization partway through the 1971-72 season. St. Louis is where he’d have the most individual success of his career, scoring 33 goals and 71 points in 148 games in parts of four seasons.

The Niagara Falls, Ontario native joined the Detroit Red Wings partway through the 1974-75 season, and scored 14 goals and 48 points in 83 games with the second Original Six organization of his career. Roberto left the Red Wings in the 1975-76 season and began playing for three different teams that were briefly part of the NHL.

From halfway through the 1975-76 season to 1977, Roberto played for the Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies, and Cleveland Barons. He joined the WHA’s Birmingham Bulls in 1977-78, ending his NHL career with 75 goals and 106 assists in 385 regular-season games.

PHR sends our condolences to Roberto’s family, friends, colleagues, and former teammates.

Los Angeles Kings Recall Six Black Aces

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As they look to stave off elimination in Game 6, the Los Angeles Kings announced several recalls. According to the announcement, forwards Andre Lee, Francesco Pinelli, Jack Studnicka, Taylor Ward, defenseman Caleb Jones, and netminder Pheonix Copley have been recalled as black aces.

Pinelli is the only player of the group who hasn’t debuted in the NHL yet. Although he has mild NHL experience, Studnicka did not play with the Kings during the regular season.

The remaining four all enjoyed limited playing time with Los Angeles this year. Lee appeared in the most contests, scoring one goal and two assists in 19 games while averaging 9:10 of ice time per game.

Los Angeles likely recalled players solely based on their past NHL experience. They did not promote any of the Reign’s top four point scorers (although Jeff Malott is already on the team) or the top five players with the best +/- ratings.

Still, it’s unlikely any of the six call-ups will play in Game 6 for the Kings. Entering their first elimination game of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Tanner Jeannot remains the only injured member on the roster. Without any meaningful injury updates after Game 5, it’s unlikely any of today’s recalls will suit up for the Kings.

Coaching Notes: Cooper, Tocchet, Brind’Amour

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Over the last few years, several NHL teams have seen head coaches come and go, and that won’t change this summer. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t made a head coaching change since the 2012-13 season, when they promoted Jon Cooper from their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post states that reality could change relatively soon. Brooks believes it’s odd that Cooper only signed a one-year extension through the 2025-26 season, and a source close to the situation thinks he’s headed out west to take over the Utah Hockey Club, owned by close friend Ryan Smith.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Cooper depart from the Lightning organization in a few years. He’s won two Stanley Cups (while coaching in four) and has become the franchise’s all-time winningest coach. Additionally, after their last Final appearance in 2022, the Lightning have been eliminated in back-to-back opening-round series, and they’re in danger of doing so for a third consecutive season, meaning Cooper’s message may be becoming stale in the locker room.

Other coaching notes:

  • Rick Tocchet’s departure from the Vancouver Canucks had nothing to do with their recent extension offer. Tocchet’s agent, Steve Mountain, said (via Rick Dhaliwal of The Athletic), “They stepped up, made the decision hard, you can not say the Canucks did not extend themselves.” Mountain’s comments imply that the Canucks were prepared to make Tocchet one of the league’s highest-paid coaches, and they may be willing to extend a similar offer to one of their favorite coaching candidates this summer.
  • The Carolina Hurricanes became the first team in the 2024-25 Stanley Cup playoffs to win a series, setting history behind the bench. The NHL’s Coaching Association announced that last night’s victory made Rod Brind’Amour the first coach in NHL history to win at least one postseason series through his first seven years of tenure. Unfortunately, that success hasn’t carried into Round Two too often as Brind’Amour has only seen two Conference Finals as a head coach, this year’s postseason notwithstanding.

Sami Niku Signs Two-Year Deal In Switzerland

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An NHL comeback for free agent defenseman Sami Niku isn’t in the cards, at least for now. He’s signed a two-year deal to remain in Switzerland with National League club Lausanne HC, the club announced.

The 6’1″ lefty was a seventh-round pick of the Jets in 2015, but his hype quickly exceeded his draft pedigree. He came over to North America in 2017 following a pair of strong post-draft seasons with Liiga’s JYP in his native Finland. Niku crashed onto the scene in the minors with the Manitoba Moose, earning AHL Defenseman of the Year and First All-Star honors with a 16-goal, 54-point showing in 76 appearances. He also scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game that year.

Niku’s development stalled out almost immediately, though. He remained on the Jets’ roster for the vast majority of the next three years as a No. 7/8 option but never secured a full-time role amid occasional AHL stints. Niku and the Jets mutually terminated his contract shortly before the 2021-22 season. He caught on with the Canadiens a few days later, but after being buried in AHL Laval for most of the year, wasn’t extended a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent.

The 28-year-old has played in Europe ever since. He first rejoined JYP and, after a strong initial showing in 2022-23, erupted to lead Liiga defensemen with 37 assists and 49 points in 53 games with JYP and Ilves in 2023-24.

Niku jumped to Switzerland last year with EHC Kloten. He had a successful run with a 5-25–30 scoring line and plus-five rating in 52 games, but his stay with the club won’t extend past this season. His offensive performance overseas may warrant another look in NHL minutes, but time is running out for him to make a meaningful return since he’ll be 30 when his deal with Lausanne expires.

Lausanne, coming off back-to-back losses in the National League final, also has former NHLers Dominik Kahun, Janne Kuokkanen, and Antti Suomela on their roster for next season.

Lightning Recall Maxwell Crozier

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The Lightning announced they’ve recalled defenseman Maxwell Crozier from AHL Syracuse ahead of tonight’s must-win Game 5 against the Panthers.

While a single-player recall is eye-popping this time of year, especially after captain Victor Hedman briefly left Monday’s Game 4 loss for repairs, Tampa doesn’t anticipate having any injuries that require inserting Crozier into the lineup. Head coach Jon Cooper said Hedman’s (and banged-up center Anthony Cirelli’s) health “is status quo,” and they’re both in tonight as they try to avoid losing to Florida in five games in the first round in back-to-back years (via the team’s Benjamin Pierce).

Instead, Crozier’s inclusion on the roster comes as simple insurance with Syracuse on the brink of elimination in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Tampa has dressed seven defensemen for the majority of the series, leaving them without any press box options.

The 25-year-old got just five games of NHL action this season, averaging 16:41 per game with six blocks and 11 hits across a January call-up. In the slim chance he’s needed, it wouldn’t be his first Stanley Cup rodeo. The Calgary native drew into three of the Lightning’s five contests against the Panthers last year, posting a minus-one rating in bottom-pairing minutes.

A pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Crozier finished second among Syracuse defensemen in scoring and fourth overall on the team this season with a 9-25–34 line in 52 games. His +16 rating led the team. A 2019 fourth-round pick, he’s posted good numbers from the get-go in Syracuse after turning pro out of Providence College in 2023 and has likely worked his way into consideration for an opening night roster spot in Tampa next fall if he re-signs.

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