We’re in the calm before the potential storm when it comes to the March 8th trade deadline. Despite that, there was still some notable news throughout the NHL over the past seven days which is recapped in our key stories.
Kekalainen Fired: After 11 seasons as general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen is no longer with the Blue Jackets after being relieved of his duties. Columbus made five playoff appearances with Kekalainen at the helm but only made it to the second round once back in 2019. But over the last three years, the Blue Jackets haven’t finished higher than sixth in the Metropolitan Division, a streak that is quite certain to be extended to four this season. Between their declining performance and a failed head coaching hire in Mike Babcock who had to leave the team before ever coaching a game, the time was right to make a change. That said, the Blue Jackets have several promising core youngsters so there is certainly some hope for the future.
Kessel Gets A Chance: If Phil Kessel is going to play an 18th NHL season, it might wind up being with the Canucks. The veteran has joined their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford to work out with the team and if things go well, he could eventually join Vancouver in the coming weeks. The NHL’s reigning Ironman, Kessel had 36 points last season for Vegas but wasn’t able to land a guaranteed deal in the preseason or through the first half of the year. However, for what would certainly be low-cost injury insurance, Kessel could be a worthwhile depth pickup for the stretch run if his workouts in the AHL go well.
Five For Rielly: The Department of Player Safety handed down a five-game suspension to Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly for his cross-check on Ottawa forward Ridly Greig following an empty-netter late in last Saturday’s game. The suspension conceivably could have been longer considering the league offered an in-person hearing, allowing for a suspension of six games or longer. An appeal on the ruling was quickly filed and was heard by Commissioner Gary Bettman on Friday whose ruling is expected in the next day or two. As the suspension wasn’t six games or longer, there is no secondary appeal option to a neutral arbitrator. He has already served the first three games and is eligible to return to Toronto’s lineup on Thursday.
Guentzel To LTIR: The Penguins are still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot but getting there just got tougher as it was announced that winger Jake Guentzel has landed on LTIR due to an upper-body injury. The injury isn’t a season-ender but he will be out until around the March 8th trade deadline. The 29-year-old sits second on Pittsburgh in team scoring with 52 points in 50 games, the fourth time in the last five seasons that his scoring average is above the point-per-game mark. A pending unrestricted free agent, it’s also possible that Guentzel will be traded by the deadline if the Penguins are out of the race. If that’s the route they ultimately go, they’ll be hoping the injury won’t impact the offers they’ll receive.
More Injuries: Guentzel’s injury wasn’t the only one of note around the NHL. Sharks forward Tomas Hertl underwent knee surgery and while his season isn’t necessarily over, it looks like he’ll be out for a good chunk of the remainder of the year, costing San Jose its top scorer. In Philadelphia, blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen was a speculative trade candidate but any trade talk is likely on hold now as the veteran is out for a few weeks after having an upper-body procedure. It stands to reason that moving someone with the contract he has (three more years after this season at $5.1MM) may be more of a summer move anyway. Meanwhile, Rangers winger Blake Wheeler’s season has come to an early end due to a lower-body injury. A return in the playoffs hasn’t been ruled out while New York will now be able to add his $800K base salary to its LTIR pool.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
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