Carey Price Returns To Montreal For Treatment
The Montreal Canadiens aren’t scheduled to play again at home until Wednesday, but Carey Price will be there waiting. The star goaltender has returned to Montreal to receive further treatment for his concussion. On Tuesday, head coach Dominique Ducharme ruled out Price for at least a week, though with concussions the return timeline is always a little hazy.
For the first time since assuming head coaching duties, Ducharme did not announce his lineup decisions to the media ahead of tonight’s game at Calgary, but had said that he hoped to get Cayden Primeau into one of the games against the Flames. Jake Allen played (and lost) yesterday, meaning it would be the obvious time for Primeau’s season debut. The 21-year-old appeared in two NHL games last season but has been limited to just AHL duty this time around. With Price out, he’ll get a chance to show what he can do, even if it is in a limited role behind Allen.
The more important question is whether Price will be healthy for the playoffs, which are just a few weeks away. The team has just ten games remaining after tonight, meaning there isn’t a lot of time for him to make it through this concussion period and then get back up to speed. With Allen already outplaying Price all season, Ducharme is going to have quite the decision on his hands should the Canadiens hold onto the final playoff spot.
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 04/24/21
Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is today’s list:
Calgary – Josh Leivo
Colorado – Joonas Donskoi, Mikko Rantanen
New Jersey – P.K. Subban, Jonas Siegenthaler*
Vegas – TBA
As a reminder, inclusion on this list 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 list is 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
Players removed today: None
As reported earlier today, Siegenthaler has joined Subban in the protocol. The Devils still played this afternoon against the Penguins and are scheduled to take on the Flyers tomorrow evening.
Of note, no more Flames have appeared, suggesting that the team may have contained the spread after Leivo tested positive earlier this week.
*denotes new addition
Snapshots: Cole, Benns, Marlies, Stuart
Wild defenseman Ian Cole has fit in relatively well since he was acquired early in the season from Colorado, providing a veteran physical presence on their third pairing. The pending free agent told Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that he’d like to stick around beyond this season and McLellan notes that his agent and GM Bill Guerin have talked about the possibility of a new deal for the 32-year-old. Cole has a $4.25MM AAV (Minnesota is only responsible for just over 81% of that with Colorado carrying the rest) and while he has held down a regular spot in their lineup, he will likely be facing a pay cut on the open market this summer.
Elsewhere around the league:
- The Benn brothers have changed representation, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger (Twitter link). Jamie Benn (Stars) and Jordie Benn (Jets) will now be represented by CAA’s J.P. Barry and Bayne Pettinger. They had previously been represented by Points West Sports and Entertainment’s Rich Evans. Jamie won’t have to worry about a new contract anytime soon as he has four years left on his current deal that carries a $9.5MM AAV but Jordie is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and has a $2MM price tag this season.
- Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, including Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun (Twitter link), that things are progressing with regard to the Marlies’ COVID-19 situation. Their AHL affiliate last played on April 10th before the team was shut down due to protocols. Keefe also mentioned that there’s no timeline for them to resume playing; their next scheduled game is May 2nd.
- Former NHL defenseman Mark Stuart is set to be named as an assistant coach at Colorado coach, ESPN’s John Buccigross reports (Twitter link). Stuart last played in 2016-17 and has briefly spent time with AHL Manitoba as a team manager and the University of Vermont as a volunteer coach since retiring.
Zack Kassian Listed As Week-To-Week
The Oilers will be without winger Zack Kassian for the next little while as head coach Dave Tippett told reporters, including TSN’s Ryan Rishaug (Twitter link) that the veteran is listed as week-to-week after suffering a lower-body injury early in Wednesday’s game against Montreal.
It has been a tough year for the 30-year-old who also missed time with an upper-body injury sustained in a fight that cost him 17 games. As a result, Kassian has been limited to just 27 appearances this season where he has struggled offensively, notching just two goals and three assists while averaging only 11:51 per night, his lowest ATOI since his rookie season. Of course, he is more well-known for his physicality and he has delivered at that end, ranking third on the team in hits per 60 minutes at 13.68. Having said that, it has not been the year he or Edmonton had hoped for, especially with him being in the first season of a four-year, $12.8MM contract.
Kassian joins Jujhar Khaira (concussion) and Joakim Nygard (undisclosed) as forwards that are injured which means that James Neal, who was recalled on an emergency loan earlier in the week, could stay on the active roster for a little while longer. On the surface, with only 11 healthy forwards on the roster and veterans Tyler Ennis and Kyle Turris being on the taxi squad along with winger Patrick Russell and prospect Ryan McLeod, it would seem that one of those players would be recalled. However, with only $278K in LTIR room remaining, per CapFriendly, they can’t afford to bring anyone else up unless someone else is transferred to LTIR which could force them to dress seven blueliners for the time being.
North Notes: Klefbom, Chabot, Canucks, Lowry
Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom has missed the entire season due to a shoulder injury, one that he recently underwent surgery on. While the surgery went well, the blueliner told reporters, including Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, that there remains no timeline for when he’s able to play next season, if he’s able to return at all:
He said I might play again but there’s always going to be risks and we’ll see where I’m at after the rehab and it’s time to make a decision. We’re going to follow up, many, many times. I’m not giving up on the NHL. I’ve been playing with pain for many games for a long time but when you’re at home in your apartment or house and you can hardly sleep or put your clothes on, it gets mentally tough.
Klefbom had been an anchor on Edmonton’s back end coming into this season, averaging over 23 minutes a night over his six full-time NHL campaigns and carries a below-market cap hit at a $4.16MM AAV. However, given the uncertainty surrounding his ability to return at least at the start of next season, the 27-year-old could be left unprotected in this summer’s Seattle expansion draft, something that Klefbom himself acknowledged could make sense given his situation.
More from the North Division:
- Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot is open to playing at the World Championships, relays Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. Normally, such a statement wouldn’t carry much weight but with the pandemic, there are questions as to how many NHL players will be willing to make the trip to Latvia for the tournament which, as things stand, remains set to start on May 21st.
- As it appears that the Canucks will be looking for a new AHL affiliate, it doesn’t appear as if it will be in their own backyard. Patrick Johnston of the Vancouver Province notes that Vancouver hasn’t held any discussions yet with the operator of the Abbotsford Centre, the arena that used to house Calgary’s farm team when it was in British Columbia. Teams have made more of an effort to get their affiliates closer to their NHL squads in recent years so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them look for a city out West after being in Utica, New York since 2013.
- Jets center Adam Lowry won’t play tonight after taking a hit to the head from Toronto forward Alex Galchenyuk on Thursday night, notes Sportsnet’s Ken Wiebe (Twitter link). Lowry hasn’t been diagnosed with a concussion and the team is holding him out as a precautionary measure. Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice listed the 28-year-old as day-to-day.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 04/24/21
There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:
North Division
- The Jets announced that they’ve assigned Ville Heinola from the taxi squad to AHL Manitoba. The 20-year-old was recalled from Manitoba five weeks ago and has played just once since then which is hardly ideal for a prospect. He’ll get to play more regularly with the Moose for their stretch run.
- The Flames announced the recalls of Byron Froese and Glenn Gawdin to the taxi squad from AHL Stockton. Both veterans have seen limited duty with Calgary this season; Froese has a goal in six games while Gawdin has been held off the scoresheet in his five contests.
East Division
- The Devils have swapped taxi squad goalies, recalling Gilles Senn while sending down Evan Cormier, per the AHL’s transactions log. Both goalies have struggled considerably with AHL Binghamton with Senn posting a save percentage of .897 in 13 games while Cormier has managed a mark of just .879 in his seven appearances.
- The Flyers have brought up Linus Hogberg to the taxi squad while sending Felix Sandstrom back to Lehigh Valley, per the AHL’s transactions log. Hogberg is in his first season in North America and has five points in 18 AHL games while Sandstrom has a save percentage of just .838 this season.
Central Division
West Division
- The Ducks have recalled Hunter Drew and Maxim Golod from AHL San Diego to the taxi squad while sending Benoit-Olivier Groulx back to the Gulls, per the AHL’s transactions log. Drew and Golod have had limited roles in the minors and have been recalled before to get other Anaheim players on the taxi squad some playing time which is likely the case with Groulx here.
- The Kings have recalled Daniel Brickley from AHL Ontario to the taxi squad, per a team announcement. Brickley, a highly sought after college free agent in 2018, has five points in 19 games with the Reign this season and hasn’t seen NHL action since 2018-19. Meanwhile, Lias Andersson was recalled from the taxi squad; the 2017 first-rounder has two goals in 13 games this season with Los Angeles.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
East Notes: Malkin, Siegenthaler, Chara, Capitals
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin returned to practice on Friday with a non-contact jersey as he continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury that’s believed to be a knee issue, notes Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The veteran has been out since mid-March and is currently on LTIR. If he’s able to return between now and the end of the regular season, Pittsburgh will need to clear just over $2.6MM off their books to get cap compliant before he can be activated. Injuries have limited the 34-year-old to just 29 games this season and he hasn’t been as productive as usual with eight goals and 16 assists in those contests.
More from the East Division:
- Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler has been placed in COVID protocol, the team announced (Twitter link). New Jersey acquired the 23-year-old earlier this month and had given him a bigger role as Siegenthaler has averaged 17:10 per game in six contests with the Devils after logging just 13:23 per game in seven matches with Washington. Colton White was recalled to take Siegenthaler’s place in the lineup.
- The Rangers were among the teams that showed considerable interest in Zdeno Chara last offseason, reports Larry Brooks of the New York Post. The 43-year-old was eyed as a mentor to what has become a very young back end with five rearguards aged 23 or younger suiting up against Philadelphia earlier in the week. However, Chara opted to sign with Washington in the hopes of a long playoff run. New York is likely going to have a similar desire to add a veteran for next year as well but they may be better served going after someone that can play a bit higher in the lineup.
- The Capitals will be keeping their AHL coaching staff around for the foreseeable future as the team announced recently that head coach Spencer Carbery, assistant coach Patrick Wellar, and associate goalie coach Alex Westlund have all signed multi-year contract extensions. Carbery is in his third season at the helm with Hershey with the Bears posting a .702 points percentage over that span. Hershey has a 16-5-2 record this season to lead the seven-team North Division in points with 34.
Jets Prospect Logan Neaton Transfers To Miami (Ohio)
There have been more players than usual transferring in college hockey in recent weeks and the Jets have seen a few prospects take that route. The latest is goaltender Logan Neaton who is heading from UMass-Lowell to Miami (Ohio), reports Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News (Twitter link).
The 22-year-old was a fifth-round pick of Winnipeg back in 2019 (144th overall) but he has hardly played since then. After playing three games in his freshman year, he was limited to just three again this year as he served as their third-string option while posting a save percentage of just .855. Now halfway through his college eligibility, a chance to go elsewhere and get more playing time certainly makes sense.
Players that transfer typically have to sit out a season first (with some exceptions) but last week, the NCAA Division I Council passed legislation that, if ratified by the Board of Directors next week, would allow players to transfer once without having to miss a year. That certainly is playing a role in the increased number of players in the transfer portal.
Speaking of that, Neaton is the third Jets college prospect to transfer in recent weeks. Jared Moe, a 2018 sixth-rounder, moved from Minnesota to Wisconsin while Harrison Blaisdell, Winnipeg’s other 2019 fifth-round selection, is currently in the transfer portal after spending his first two years with North Dakota.
Central Notes: Toews, Seguin, Acciari, Hurricanes
While the Blackhawks have been without top center Jonathan Toews all season long due to an illness, it appears as if he should be able to play next season. In a recent video appearance on NBC Sports (video link), TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that while the veteran isn’t expected to return this season, his health continues to improve and as things stand, is expected to be available for the 2021-22 campaign. Toews has two years left on his deal with a $10.5MM AAV and assuming he is back to full health by then, he would almost certainly return to his spot on Chicago’s top line; his vacancy is one that they’ve struggled to fill internally this season.
Elsewhere in the Central:
- Back at the trade deadline, Stars GM Jim Nill was hoping that center Tyler Seguin would be able to return this coming Monday. However, head coach Rick Bowness told reporters, including Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas Morning News, that the target date is just “wishful thinking” at this point. However, it doesn’t sound as if the veteran will be out much longer with Bowness indicating he’s hopeful that Seguin will be able to play sometime later in the week. He has missed the entire season after offseason hip surgery and would undoubtedly be a significant addition to a Dallas team that is four points out of the final playoff spot in the division though they have three games in hand on Nashville.
- Panthers center Noel Acciari will miss his fifth straight game tonight due to an upper-body injury, the team announced (Twitter link). The team is targeting one of their games against Nashville on Monday or Tuesday for him to return. Acciari, who was on the top line recently when Aleksander Barkov missed time, has 11 points in 36 games this season.
- Hurricanes winger Jordan Martinook won’t play today after being injured on Thursday, notes Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed some optimism that the 28-year-old won’t be out of the lineup for long. Meanwhile, while Teuvo Teravainen (concussion) took part in some team drills yesterday, he’s also not expected to suit up. He has played just once in the last two months because of his symptoms.
Artem Anisimov Focused On NHL
It certainly hasn’t been a banner year for Artem Anisimov. The 32-year-old forward has just two goals and eight points in 18 games with the Ottawa Senators. He has cleared waivers twice thanks to a contract that still carries a $4.55MM cap hit and has also dealt with injury. But that contract is coming to an end at the conclusion of this season and Anisimov will become an unrestricted free agent.
Though some speculation has emerged in the recent weeks that the veteran center will return to Russia and play in the KHL, that may be getting a little ahead of the situation. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reached out to Anisimov’s agent Todd Diamond, who denied any report of his client returning to the KHL noting that “his only focus is to continue his career in the NHL.”
Now obviously, that depends on whether an NHL team will actually want to sign Anisimov, and that’s no guarantee after the last few seasons. Even last year he wasn’t a strong performer for Ottawa, recording just 20 points (though 15 of those were goals) in 49 games.
Perhaps that was just a symptom of bad linemates and losing his role in Ottawa was simply because the team wanted to give their younger players more opportunity, but a bounce-back from Anisimov is no guarantee in 2021-22. If a team does sign him, it would likely be for near the league minimum, a salary he could likely eclipse if he did return to the KHL. For now, the focus is on the NHL–we’ll see if it stays there.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images