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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.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Kent Johnson

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The Blue Jackets have re-signed one of their remaining free agents, announcing today that they’ve inked forward Kent Johnson to a three-year contract.  The deal will carry an AAV of $1.8MM per season.  GM Don Waddell released the following statement:

Kent Johnson is an exciting young player with tremendous upside, and we are happy that he will continue to grow and develop as a Blue Jacket. He is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can be as a player, and we believe he will be a very important part of our hockey club moving forward.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that the deal will pay Johnson $1.6MM next season, $1.8MM in 2025-26, and $2MM in 2026-27.  That $2MM figure will be his required qualifying offer at that time when he will have two years of club control remaining along with salary arbitration eligibility.

The 21-year-old was a first-round pick by Columbus back in 2021, going fifth overall following a very strong freshman year at Michigan that saw him record just over a point per game.  Johnson was even better the following season, notching 37 points in 32 contests, convincing Blue Jackets management that he was ready to turn pro.

Johnson signed late in the 2021-22 campaign, burning the first year of his contract in the process.  He got into nine games with them, recording three assists, a respectable total for someone just making the jump.  He then followed that up with a 16-goal, 40-point effort in 2022-23, making him a popular breakout candidate heading into last season.

Unfortunately for both Johnson and the Blue Jackets, last year was a rough one.  After a slow start, he was demoted to AHL Cleveland where he spent the better part of a month.  Johnson was quite productive in that stretch, notching five goals and ten assists in ten games, earning a recall in late November.  However, production was still hard to come by and he wound up finishing the year with just six goals and ten assists in 42 NHL appearances before a shoulder injury at the end of February ended his year prematurely.

As a result, a bridge agreement made the most sense for both sides as Johnson now has time to prove that last year was an aberration and not a sign of things to come.  He has a new head coach in Dean Evason, giving him a fresh start after struggling under Pascal Vincent last year.

Columbus still has some work to do on the contract front this summer.  Winger Kirill Marchenko’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Wednesday with pre-hearing filings due on Monday if a deal isn’t in place by then.  Meanwhile, Cole Sillinger, picked seven spots after Johnson in 2021, is also a restricted free agent in need of a new contract.  Cap space won’t be an issue in these negotiations as they still have more than $15MM in cap space, per PuckPedia.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Metropolitan Notes: Konecny Contract Details, Daws, Rempe

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Earlier this week, one of the more prominent potential 2025 unrestricted free agents came off the market when the Flyers inked winger Travis Konecny to an eight-year, $70MM contract extension.  The breakdown of the deal wasn’t announced at the time of the signing but PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that it’s as follows:

2025-26: $2MM base salary, $9MM signing bonus
2026-27: $5.25MM salary, $3MM bonus
2027-28: $3.5MM salary, $7.5MM bonus
2028-29: $4.6MM salary, $6MM bonus
2029-30: $4.35MM salary, $5MM bonus
2030-31: $2.1MM salary, $4.5MM bonus
2031-32: $6.6M salary
2032-33: $6.6M salary

The deal also contains a full no-move clause for all eight seasons along with a 14-team no-trade clause in each season.  In this instance, the NMC is protecting against a waiver placement.

More from the Metropolitan:

  • The Devils have three restricted free agents still to sign, one of which is goaltender Nico Daws. His agent, Quartexx’s Paul Capizzano, told Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News that the two sides are getting closer to a resolution on a new deal.  The 23-year-old posted a 3.15 GAA with a .894 SV% in 21 starts with New Jersey last season, numbers were nearly identical to his 25 appearances the year before.  Daws also put up a 2.89 GAA with a .890 SV% in 10 games with AHL Utica.  With Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen in place, Daws will head into next season in a third-string role after Akira Schmid was moved to Vegas at the draft.
  • After having a very limited role when he was in the lineup down the stretch last season, Rangers winger Matt Rempe told reporters including Larry Brooks of the New York Post that he’s hoping to secure a more prominent role for next season, singling out the penalty kill as an area he wants to work on. The 22-year-old averaged just 5:38 in 17 games during the regular season so even becoming a passable option shorthanded could allow him to play more of a regular role as he looks to lock down a full-time roster spot.

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