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Toronto Marlies Sign Alex Nylander To AHL Contract

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Alexander Nylander and William Nylander will be playing in the same organization for the 2024-25 season but not on the same team. The AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Marlies, announced they have signed the former to a one-year AHL contract for the upcoming season.

The younger Nylander brother was likely hoping for at least a two-way contract headed into this offseason but absent of other information, it’s not apparent any NHL team was willing to use a contract spot for him. Nylander put together one of the better performances of his career this past season but it was not enough to secure a job in the NHL for the time being.

The former eighth-overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft had played the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization before a mid-season swap last year brought him to the Columbus Blue Jackets. With the need for a body in the middle-six of the team’s forward core, Nylander got a solid opportunity for playing time in Columbus.

He started quickly with the team by scoring 10 goals and four assists in only 20 games. Nylander scored another goal over his last three games with the team and ended the season tied for ninth on the team in goal-scoring. Regardless of his production spike with the Blue Jackets, the Marlies will be getting one of the better AHL performers in the league.

Nylander has played 330 AHL games throughout his career split between the Rochester Americans, Rockford IceHogs, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Swedish forward has scored 94 goals and 116 assists in the regular season with another six points in nine playoff contests. My averaging 0.64 points per game in the AHL, the Marlies are adding an effective top-six option to their lineup.

There is always a chance the Maple Leafs could graduate Nylander’s contract during the 2024-25 season and turn it into a two-way deal which may allow the Nylander brothers to play together in the NHL for the first time. However, with better options available to fill in for injured members of the roster, Nylander will likely spend the entire year in AHL Toronto.

Ryan Leonard Hopes To Win Before Joining Washington

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One of the more interesting prospect developments of the summer is the desire from former-eighth overall pick, Ryan Leonard, to forego his entry-level deal with the Washington Capitals to return to Boston College for his sophomore season. Leonard had a fantastic season in 2022-23 with the U.S. National U18 Team leading to him being a top-10 selection in the 2023 NHL Draft.

As a freshman with the Eagles, Leonard proved to be one of the best prospects in the league by scoring 31 goals and 60 points in 41 games played. Flanked by Cutter Gauthier, Gabe Perreault, and Will Smith, the quartet occupied four of the top-six scoring leaders and represented one of the most dominant offenses in the NCAA.

Before it was time to make a run at the National Championship, Leonard joined the United States U20 Team for the 2023-24 IIHF World Junior Championships. Leonard scored three goals and six points in seven games throughout the tournament and helped the United States capture their first gold medal since 2021.

Boston College coasted to the National Championship behind a powerful offense with strong wins over Michigan Tech University, Quinnipiac University, and the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, the offense ran dry in the last game of the season as the University of Denver shut them out to take home the trophy.

In a write-up of day two of the World Junior Summer Showcase, Mike G. Morreale of the NHL writes that Leonard hopes to capture the only trophy that has eluded him up to this point before turning pro. Leonard said, “We have some unfinished business, honestly. Maybe if our game against Denver goes the other way, it could have been a little bit different and I could have played the end of the season with the Capitals. But Washington has been really supportive. They told me whenever I was ready, they’d be grateful and happy. Leaving my team after losing that last game against Denver was just something I couldn’t do”.

Whether or not Leonard can help the Eagles win their first National Championship since 2012, the additional year in the NCAA should be a huge benefit to his development regardless. Leonard was already one of the best players last year as a freshman and should be top-five in the scoring leader conversation once again at the season’s end.

The Capitals still have a Nicklas Backstrom-sized hole down the middle of their top six but will attempt to bridge the gap with a combination of Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois next season. With a legitimate claim of being the team’s future top-line center, Leonard will give Washington one of the better looks down the middle of any team around the league. A combination of Strome, Dubois, Leonard, and Hendrix Lapierre down the middle of the ice will give opposing teams a lot of problems to match up against.

Kings’ Rob Blake Facing Mounting Pressure To Win

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Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes that Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake is under massive pressure to produce playoff success in the upcoming season. The Kings have been ousted in the first round for three consecutive seasons and have yet to win a playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup a decade ago. Blake has been at the helm since April 10th, 2017 and steered the team through a rebuild that has seen the team acquire several good young players but produce mixed results on the ice.

Blake has made some solid moves for Los Angeles, including the acquisitions of Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield, and Phillip Danault. However, he has also had some big misses, particularly the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade (and subsequent extension) from last season.

The Kings will likely need to win at least a round in the playoffs for Blake to remain in his role long-term and given the summer he has had that possibility appears remote. The Kings have traded for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, and forward Tanner Jeannot, while signing veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson and forward Warren Foegele. These moves are unlikely to get the Kings over the hump, meaning they’ll be counting on a lot of internal improvement if they hope to take the next step.

Foegele’s signing is fine, he fills a need for the Kings in their middle-six and could potentially play on the top line in the right circumstances, while Edmundson’s signing is confusing. Los Angeles didn’t necessarily need a player with his skillset and Edmundson’s four-year $15.2MM contract could become a problem if his back problems force him to change his game or keep him out of action.

The Kings have shuffled the furniture and will certainly have a different look next season should they run into Edmonton in the playoffs once again. However, between significant roster subtractions (Dubois, Matt Roy, Viktor Arvidsson), and underwhelming additions, it is possible that this could be Blake’s last season in Los Angeles.

Blue Jackets Sign Kirill Marchenko To Three Year Deal

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed forward Kirill Marchenko to a three-year deal worth a reported $11.55MM (as per team website). The new deal will give the 24-year-old a $3.85MM AAV over the contract’s lifetime and set him up for a nice payday if he blossoms into the player he believes he can become. The former second-round pick in 2018 was set to go to Arbitration later this week on July 31st but will no longer have to travel to Toronto after coming to an agreement.

In his first two NHL seasons, Marchenko has posted 44 goals and 23 assists in 137 games and cemented himself as part of the Blue Jackets young core going forward. His back-to-back 20+ goal seasons put him in rare company in Blue Jackets franchise history as Marchenko became just the second Columbus player ever to record two 20-goal seasons to begin their NHL career.

Marchenko’s rise to regular NHLer happened rather quickly after he started the 2022-23 season in the American Hockey League with the Blue Jackets affiliate the Cleveland Monsters. He tallied 19 points in 16 games and followed it up making his NHL debut in early December 2022. After his call-up, Marchenko went on a tear, setting a Blue Jackets record for most goals by a rookie with 21 in just 59 games.

This past year was a difficult season for the Blue Jackets, but Marchenko established himself by setting career highs in goals with 23 and assists with 19 while dressing in 78 games.

With a three-year deal in his back pocket, Marchenko and the Blue Jackets can turn their focus to next season and take the next steps in their progression. Marchenko has the skill and size to become an NHL power forward, but he will need to show he can produce better results against tougher competition if he wants to become a perennial 30-goal scorer in the NHL.

Central Notes: Avalanche, Predators Goaltending, Chau

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Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now offered a few things the Colorado Avalanche could do before next season starts in October. Unsurprisingly, Rawal asserts that the Avalanche would do well by adding more to the bottom six of their forward core.

Currently, Colorado’s bottom line is projected to be comprised of middling NHL options including Joel Kiviranta, Chris Wagner, and Parker Kelly. The Avalanche need to improve upon this facet of their roster if they have any hopes of contending during the 2024-25 NHL season. The team may have three solid forward lines — but it won’t be enough to compete in a hotly contested Central Division.

The team may be able to fill these roster spots internally with prospects like Nikolai Kovalenko but there are still options to add in free agency. At this point in the offseason, Rawal contends that Colorado could pursue the likes of Steven Lorentz to center the team’s fourth line while filling in the rest of the forward core with internal options.

Other Central notes:

  •  In a group effort, The Athletic ranked (Subscription Required) the Nashville Predators with the best goaltending situation in the National Hockey League. The Predators have one of the best goaltenders in the league in Juuse Saros who has maintained a .917 save percentage in 333 starts. Even after signing Saros to an eight-year, $61.92MM extension, the Predators arguably have one of the best goaltending prospects too. Yaroslav Askarov played 44 games for the organization’s AHL affiliate in Milwaukee this past season while earning a 30-13-1 record with a .911 SV%.
  • The AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, the Springfield Thunderbirds, has made a big addition to the lineup by adding Oliver Chau on an AHL contract for the 2024-25 season (X Link). Chau was an impressive scorer for the ECHL’s Florida Everblades last year after scoring 26 goals and 60 points in 70 games. Outside of regular season success, Chau recorded nine goals and 23 points in 23 postseason contests en route to playoff MVP honors and a Kelly Cup Championship.

Extension Retrospective: Alex Ovechkin

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It’s the third anniversary of the five-year, $47.5MM extension signed by Alex Ovechkin with the Washington Capitals in 2021. On the wrong side of 30 for a professional hockey player, Ovechkin has proven to be an above-average signing on a high-priced deal.

At an average annual value of $9.5MM, Ovechkin has been a point-per-game presence in his chase for Wayne Gretzky’s goal record of 894 goals throughout his career. Since starting his new contract in the 2021-22 NHL season, Ovechkin has scored 123 goals and 230 points in 229 games. Now, sitting just 41 goals behind the record with two years left to go on his current deal, Ovechkin should be able to cross the all-time barrier.

The major question surrounding Ovechkin’s legacy is his ability to win. The goal-scoring legend has one Cup ring under his belt from the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs but has failed to reach beyond that with the Washington Capitals. There has been some speculation that the team is more focused on Ovechkin’s individual metrics than the organization’s desire to win. The Capitals were able to navigate around Ovechkin’s contract this summer with several moves this offseason, which put them in a much more competitive spot than they were a year ago.

Ovechkin’s contract shouldn’t get in the way of any future spending for the Capitals — especially after the team made significant additions this offseason. Washington has made the playoffs in 15 of the last 17 seasons and should be able to help Ovechkin pursue the all-time goal record set by Gretzky and qualify for the playoffs in 2024-25.

Flyers Notes: Kolosov, Petruzzelli, Gahagen

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Flyers goaltender prospect Alexei Kolosov has shown some upside since being selected in the third round back in 2021.  He spent most of last season on loan to Dinamo Minsk of the KHL but made his North American debut late in the year, seemingly paving the way for him to play full-time in the AHL for 2024-25.

However, it appears that this might not be the case.  Tony Androckitis of Inside AHL Hockey reports (Twitter link) that the netminder has informed the team that he will not return to the Phantoms next season.

Kolosov played in 47 KHL games last season, posting a 2.39 GAA along with a .907 SV%.  He then suited up in six playoff contests where he fared a little better with his numbers checking in at 2.21 and .925 respectively although it still resulted in a quick playoff exit, one that allowed him to come to Lehigh Valley.  The 22-year-old got into two games with them, putting up a 3.03 GAA and a .885 SV%.

It’s worth noting that Kolosov has two years left on his entry-level contract which will count against Philadelphia’s contract limit regardless of where he plays.  With Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov set to be the NHL tandem and Kolosov’s reported unwillingness to play in Lehigh Valley, it creates some uncertainty as to where he’ll suit up next season.

If his preference is to return home, the Flyers could loan him back to the KHL but their preference at that point might be a contract termination unless they want to hold his RFA rights after his deal expires in 2026.  Alternatively, if he’s open to remaining in North America with another organization, a trade could be a possibility.

With Kolosov seemingly not being in the picture for the Phantoms for next season, they’ve turned their focus to adding some depth behind veteran Cal Petersen who is set to be the starter as things stand, assuming he clears waivers once again.

To that end, Androckitis reports (Twitter link) that Lehigh Valley is set to sign Keith Petruzzelli to an AHL contract.  The 25-year-old was a third-round pick by Detroit but didn’t sign with them although he eventually landed up with an NHL deal from Toronto.  Petruzzelli spent last season with AHL Toronto, putting up a 3.55 GAA with a .867 SV% in 17 games.

Earlier this month, Androckitis reported (Twitter link) that Lehigh Valley was also set to re-sign Parker Gahagen.  The 31-year-old split last season between the Phantoms and ECHL Reading, posting a 2.59 GAA and a .914 SV% in 18 games with the former and a 2.28 GAA with a .936 SV% in 14 games with the latter.  That deal still hasn’t been finalized but Androckitis noted that the deal is still supposed to be done.

Those moves will shore up Lehigh Valley’s goalie depth heading into training camp but now, the questions about Kolosov’s future with the Flyers will start to pick up.

2024 Salary Arbitration Tracker

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It has been a quieter year on the salary arbitration front across the NHL.  After 23 players filed last summer, just 14 did this time around.  As expected, most have settled so far with a few hearings still pending.  Here’s a rundown of who has settled and who still needs to sign.

Updated 7/30/24, 1:07 p.m.

Contracts Settled

D Jake Christiansen (Blue Jackets) – one year, $775K (two-way agreement)
F Connor Dewar (Maple Leafs) – one year, $1.18MM
F Jack Drury (Hurricanes) – two years, $3.45MM
D Ty Emberson (Sharks) – one year, $950K
G Jet Greaves (Blue Jackets) – two years, $1.625MM (two-way in 2024-25, one-way in 2025-26)
F Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Sabres) – five years, $23.75MM
F Beck Malenstyn (Sabres) – two years, $2.7MM
D J.J. Moser (Lightning) – two years, $6.75MM
F Joe Veleno (Red Wings) – two years, $4.55MM
F Oliver Wahlstrom (Islanders) – one year, $1MM
F Kirill Marchenko (Blue Jackets) – three years, $11.55MM
F Martin Necas (Hurricanes) – two years, $13MM
D Ryan Lindgren (Rangers) – one year, $4.5MM

Contracts Awarded

D Spencer Stastney (Predators) – two years, $1.675MM (two-way in 2024-25, one-way in 2025-26)

Scheduled Hearings

none

A reminder of some of the arbitration rules for the upcoming potential hearings:

  • A player and team can settle on a deal at any point before the hearing starts.
  • Once the hearing has taken place, the arbitration decision must be issued by email within 48 hours.
  • Arbitration awards can only be one or two years in length. (Players who are in their final year of restricted free agency are only entitled to a one-year agreement from an arbitrator.)
  • The team decides on the awarded term as these were all player-elected filings.
  • The team can walk away from the arbitration decision if a contract with an average annual value of more than $4.74MM is awarded.

Worth noting is that teams who have someone file for arbitration will receive a second buyout window three days after their final contract is settled or awarded.  The window lasts for 48 hours and the only eligible players to be bought out in this timeframe are those who have an AAV of $4MM or more and were on that team’s reserve list at the trade deadline back in March.

Snapshots: Okposo, Kuznetsov, Wetsch, Mallory

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Back in May, winger Kyle Okposo indicated that he wasn’t sure if last season would be his final one.  Now three weeks into free agency and his first Stanley Cup title under his belt, the veteran told NHL.com’s Dan Rosen that he still hasn’t decided if he’ll return for an 18th NHL season.  The 36-year-old played in 67 games last season between Buffalo and Florida, collecting 12 goals and 10 assists in 13:21 per night, the second-lowest ATOI of his career.  Playing time was harder to come by in the playoffs as he averaged just 8:33 per contest in 17 appearances.  After playing on a $2.5MM salary last season, Okposo would likely need to take a sizable pay cut if he wants to continue his NHL career in 2024-25.

Elsewhere around the hockey world:

  • Unrestricted free agent Evgeny Kuznetsov is expected to meet with SKA St. Petersburg next week to discuss a possible contract, his agent Shumi Babaev told Sport-Express’ Konstantin Belov. The 32-year-old asked for and was granted a contract termination from Carolina earlier this month but soon had some interest from other NHL teams.  However, at the time of his termination, it was widely anticipated that he’d return home; SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg stated earlier this week that Kuznetsov would definitely be returning to the KHL.
  • Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch has been added to Canada’s roster for the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase, Hockey Canada announced (Twitter link). The winger was a third-round pick last month, going 82nd overall after a quality sophomore year with WHL Calgary, one that saw Wetsch record 25 goals and 25 assists in 67 games before a stint with Canada at the World Under-18s.
  • The Senators announced that they’ve hired Josh Mallory as an assistant video coach. This is the first NHL opportunity for the 27-year-old.  Mallory spent the last three seasons as the video coach and manager of hockey operations with WHL Edmonton.

Red Wings Notes: Sandin Pellikka, Three-Goalie System, Kahn

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One of Detroit’s top prospects is defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka.  The 19-year-old was the 17th overall pick in 2023 and signed his entry-level deal back in May, giving the Red Wings more options with where to assign him for next season.  However, the blueliner indicated that his preference was to remain in Sweden for 2024-25, a plan the team has no issues with according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.  Sandin-Pellikka had a productive showing last season with SHL Skelleftea, recording ten goals and eight assists in 39 games.  He added seven more points in 14 playoff contests while seeing his ice time jump to over 22 minutes a night and if he can stay in that type of role for next season, the decision to stay in that league will likely prove to be the right one.

More from Detroit:

  • Last month, GM Steve Yzerman indicated his preference wasn’t to carry three goalies again next season. However, he then went and added Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell in free agency while Ville Husso and Alex Lyon are still under contract, suggesting they’ll go with three netminders again in 2024-25.  Connor Earegood of The Hockey News highlights one of the drawbacks of that approach as it pertains to roster management, suggesting that the third goalie could cut off an opportunity for one of their younger players to make the roster in training camp.  Assuming their remaining RFAs re-sign, the Red Wings could have all 23 roster spots occupied by returnees, free agent additions, or prospects who are now waiver-eligible.  They still have a few months to potentially open up a spot if they want to create an open roster spot for players to battle for.
  • After spending the last three seasons as Detroit’s Director of Hockey Operations, Aaron Kahn has been promoted to Assistant GM while retaining his previous title as well, relays Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now. He joins Shawn Horcoff and Kris Draper as those with an AGM title.  Detroit is Kahn’s first stop in the NHL after a four-year collegiate career as a goaltender.

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