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San Jose Sharks Sign Kasper Halttunen

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The San Jose Sharks have signed 2023 draft choice Kasper Halttunen to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team said today. CapFriendly reports the deal carries a $940K cap hit with the breakdown as follows:

2023-24: $825K base salary + $95K signing bonus + $30K games played bonus + $82.5K minor salary
2024-25: $855K base salary + $95K signing bonus + $82.5K minor salary
2025-26: $855K base salary + $95K signing bonus + $82.5K minor salary

The hulking Finnish winger already stands at 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, and he went off the board to the Sharks early in the second round with the 36th overall pick. He didn’t necessarily turn many heads in pro play, recording just one assist in limited minutes throughout 27 games with Liiga club HIFK, but he dominated amongst his age group with 24 points in 18 junior games with HIFK and ten points in five games while captaining the national squad at the 2023 IIHF U-18 World Championship.

The appeal with Halttunen lies mostly with his size and his shot – 18 of those 24 points in juniors were goals, and he had six goals in five games at the U-18s. Some skating issues and concerns about his overall hockey sense let him slip to the second round, and he’ll need a long development track before making an NHL impact.

He’s likely to get loaned back to HIFK for the 2023-24 campaign, which will slide the start of his entry-level contract back another season (assuming he plays less than ten NHL games). It’ll be three or four years before we likely see Halttunen in a Sharks jersey on a full-time basis, but when he does, expect one thing if nothing else – shots on goal.

Boston Bruins Sign Jesper Boqvist

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The Boston Bruins have signed forward Jesper Boqvist to a one-year, one-way contract carrying a league-minimum cap hit of $775K, the team announced Wednesday.

Boqvist found himself an unrestricted free agent this summer after the New Jersey Devils opted not to issue him a qualifying offer. He’ll stay within the conference, just a few hours’ drive away from the New York area, on a league-minimum deal.

The contract does come in a few thousand dollars under the qualifying offer he was due from New Jersey, which would’ve carried a value of $917,831 in the NHL. He does secure a one-way agreement, though, something he was likely looking for after playing in 70 games for the Devils last year.

His ten goals, 11 assists, and 21 points weren’t career-highs, however – he had tallied ten goals and 13 assists for 23 points in just 56 games with the Devils the year prior. The 2017 second-round pick is showing he can stick in the NHL full-time as a reliable bottom-six scorer, and the cap-strapped Bruins are more than happy to get his services on a league-minimum deal.

The 24-year-old will maintain his restricted free agent status at the end of next season, meaning he’ll be under team control next offseason. He could slot in as the team’s fourth-line center behind Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, and Morgan Geekie, and he’ll likely be an everyday player for the Bruins as a gigantic chunk was taken out of last season’s elite scoring depth.

Anaheim Ducks Sign Leo Carlsson

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The Anaheim Ducks showed they believe in Leo Carlsson’s potential when they selected him second overall just two weeks ago, and today they’ve affirmed it. He’s signed a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced, although they didn’t disclose financial details.

While Carlsson was considered a lock to go top-five on draft day, few thought he’d go second overall ahead of reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli. The Ducks and general manager Pat Verbeek had made their choice internally, though, believing they were getting a better player in Carlsson. They opted to pass on Fantilli, who the Columbus Blue Jackets were happy to select at third overall.

The second overall selection is by no means a reach for Carlsson, though – he would have been in the discussion for the first overall choice in many past drafts. He was named the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year last season playing for Orebro HK in the SHL, posting strong totals for a draft-eligible talent with ten goals, 15 assists, and 25 points in 44 games.

It’s impressive scoring for an 18-year-old against professional competition, especially when you consider his 25 points rank as the fifth-highest for a draft-eligible player in SHL history, trailing only Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Elias Lindholm, and Nicklas Backstrom. In addition, Carlsson led all SHL players aged 20 and under in points per game, ranking second in goals and third in total points and assists.

The Karlstad product also made history at the 2023 IIHF World Championship as the youngest player ever to score a goal for Sweden at 18 years and 138 days old.

Where Carlsson actually suits up next season remains unclear. His agent said earlier this month that there was no rush to decide where he’d play in 2023-24, and he now has four options with his entry-level contract out of the way: the NHL, AHL, SHL, or a combination. Being a first-round pick, his ELC with Anaheim takes precedence over the contract he’d signed in Sweden next season with Orebro, although Anaheim could still opt to loan him back to Sweden if that’s what Carlsson and the team believes is best for his development. They can also keep him in North America the entire year if they want, as he’s eligible for assignment to the minors with the San Diego Gulls.

Thomas Greiss Announces Retirement From NHL

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Veteran goaltender Thomas Greiss has officially announced his retirement from the NHL after a 14-season career, per the league. The 37-year-old, who last played for the St. Louis Blues and was an unrestricted free agent, ends his career as one of Germany’s most accomplished goaltenders.

During the 2022-23 season, Greiss appeared in just 21 games for the St. Louis Blues in a backup role, finishing with a 7-10-0 record, a 3.64 goals-against average, a .896 save percentage, and one shutout. However, as offers for the upcoming season failed to entice him, Greiss said he ultimately decided to hang up his skates and embark on new ventures outside the sport.

After being drafted in the third round (94th overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2004 NHL Draft, Greiss embarked on a journey that saw him suit up for six teams throughout his career. In 368 regular-season games, including stints with the Blues, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, and Sharks, he accumulated a record of 162-130-37. Greiss posted solid numbers across the board with a 2.77 GAA, a .911 save percentage, and 16 shutouts.

His most notable tenure came with the New York Islanders, where he enjoyed his best statistical seasons. From 2015 to 2020, he compiled a regular-season record of 101-60-17, accompanied by a 2.70 GAA, a .915 save percentage, and ten shutouts. In the playoffs, Greiss wasn’t a member of some recent teams that made it into the Conference Finals, but he did post quite strong numbers on the island in the postseason – recording a 7-8 record, a 2.41 GAA, a .921 save percentage, and one shutout. He did notably play a pivotal part in the Islanders’ first playoff series victory since 1993, helping the team secure a six-game triumph against the Florida Panthers in the 2016 Eastern Conference First Round.

The 2019 Jennings Trophy winner sits only behind Washington Capitals legend Olaf Kolzig among tenure-related statistical categories for German goalies in the NHL. While Kolzig represented Germany internationally, he was actually born in South Africa – making Greiss the first Germany-born goalie to surpass the 100-game milestone. Leading his fellow countrymen in games played, he ranks second only to Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken in GAA, save percentage, and shutouts. Internationally, Greiss also represented Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and Germany at the 2006 Turin Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, also playing three seasons with the DEL’s Kolner Haie before coming to the NHL with San Jose.

It’s worth noting, however, that Greiss was banned from representing Germany internationally in 2021 after social media activity that put into doubt “his attitude towards [the national team’s] values.”

It was fair to wonder whether Greiss would play at least another season at home if no NHL offers came, as the national team ban didn’t bar him from competing professionally in the DEL, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. His departure from St. Louis has officially left the door open for youngster Joel Hofer to take a full-time backup spot behind Jordan Binnington next season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Arizona Coyotes Hire Blaine Forsythe

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The Arizona Coyotes have added longtime Washington Capitals assistant coach Blaine Forsythe to their staff, naming him as an assistant to head coach Andre Tourigny. It’s a multi-year deal for the veteran coach, per the team.

Forsythe, 47, brings quite the track record to the rebuilding Coyotes. He’s served as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, his only NHL coaching home, for the past 14 seasons, making significant contributions to the team’s power play success. His tenure with the Capitals began in the 2006-07 season when he joined as a video coach before taking on the role of amateur scout in 2008-09. However, Forsythe’s true calling was in coaching, and he rejoined the Capitals’ coaching staff in the 2009-10 season, helping the team capture multiple Presidents’ Trophies, division titles, and a Stanley Cup championship in the meantime.

During his time in Washington, the Capitals’ power play boasted a success rate of 21.8% over the years, leading all NHL teams since 2009. He was let go, along with most of Washington’s coaching staff, after the Capitals and former head coach Peter Laviolette agreed to part ways after the end of last season.

Forsythe also worked closely with Washington’s center corps, helping get the best out of players like Evgeny Kuznetsov while in their primes. Now, he’ll work closely with young Coyotes centers like Barrett Hayton and Jack McBain, trying to develop them into long-term top-nine threats.

Oskar Sundqvist Signs With St. Louis Blues

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10:44 a.m.: The Blues confirmed Sundqvist’s signing, announcing a one-year, one-way deal for the veteran forward.

10:36 a.m.: Forward Oskar Sundqvist is poised to make his return to the St. Louis Blues, signing a one-year deal worth $775K, as reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest.

Sundqvist was a key contributor to the Blues’ lineup during their run to the 2019 Stanley Cup, posting four goals and five assists in 25 games while averaging over 16 minutes a game – easily the highest usage of his career. A skilled but gritty and defensively inclined forward, he’s played for the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild since the Blues traded him (along with Jake Walman) to Detroit in March of 2022.

Now 29, Sundqvist missed most of his last full season in St. Louis (2020-21) with a knee injury that limited him to 28 out of 56 games in the COVID-shortened season. He had broken out for solid offensive contributions in a middle-six role before that point, though, posting 54 points in 131 games across the two seasons before the injury.

Sundqvist posted his first double-digit goal total since the knee injury last season, scoring ten goals in 67 combined games with Detroit and Minnesota. A lower-body injury limited him to just one playoff appearance for the Wild, but he did score a goal in 12:43 of action during the Wild’s Game 2 loss to the Dallas Stars in the First Round.

His versatility allows head coach Craig Berube to deploy him at both wing and center, something that could help him lock down a spot in the lineup. He’ll likely be competing with fourth-line minutes next season with other depth players such as Alexey Toropchenko, Nathan Walker, Nikita Alexandrov, and Sammy Blais.

It’s also a financially prudent addition for the Blues at a league-minimum cap hit, as they now have just $1.59MM in projected cap space for next season, per CapFriendly. They still need to accommodate a new contract for Toropchenko, a restricted free agent who filed for salary arbitration earlier this month.

Detroit Red Wings Sign Nate Danielson To Entry-Level Contract

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The Detroit Red Wings became the third team to ink a 2023 top-ten pick today, signing center Nate Danielson to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year-old forward was selected by the Red Wings with the ninth overall pick two weeks ago, becoming the fifth center off the board after Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, and Will Smith comprised the first four picks of the draft. Financial terms haven’t been reported.

Like Bedard, Danielson captained his WHL team during the 2022-23 season. The 6-foot-2, 186-pound center was the life and soul of the Brandon Wheat Kings last year, leading the team in goals (33), assists (45), and points (78) across 68 games while demonstrating a dominant two-way game with a mediocre supporting cast.

The questions around Danielson aren’t around holes in his game. He’s solid in transition, smart in his defensive positioning without the puck, and he’s even rather proficient on the power play, potting 13 goals and 38 points on the man advantage last season. It’s whether or not he can elevate his scoring potential to align with the others picked around him in an incredibly talented 2023 class.

Consistency is certainly the name of his game, posting scoring totals above a point per game in his two pre-draft seasons. While he was one of the oldest players in his class (a late September 2004 birthday), there’s very little risk of a complete bust with a Danielson selection. Ideally, Detroit will let him develop as long as he needs, allowing him to develop the offensive tools he needs to be an everyday top-six producer.

He was one of the more well-rounded centers available in the draft, though, a position that Detroit’s struggled to develop in recent seasons. They’ve plugged their holes down the middle in free agency with players like Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher, and hopefully, their performances give Danielson the runway he needs to develop into the legitimate second-line center they’ve been missing behind captain Dylan Larkin.

AHL Transactions Ledger: 07/12/23

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The AHL remains a hotbed of activity as teams actively maneuver during this bustling offseason. From signing intriguing prospects passed over by NHL teams to adding seasoned veterans, AHL organizations are diligently fortifying their rosters, providing crucial support to their NHL affiliates. Today marks yet another day of action across the league, building upon the flurry of acquisitions witnessed in recent days. Here’s a compilation of all the notable moves that unfolded today as teams shape their squads in preparation for the upcoming season.

  • Forward Gabriel Bourque has reached an agreement with the Laval Rocket, the affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, on a one-year, one-way contract for the 2023-24 season. The 32-year-old, standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 200 pounds, tied for ninth on Laval in scoring last season, notching 14 goals and 17 assists in 66 games. Given his status as the oldest and most experienced skater on the roster, Bourque assumed the role of captain for the Rocket from February 2023 through the Calder Cup playoffs after Montreal recalled then-captain Alex Belzile to finish the season in the NHL. With 413 NHL games and 321 AHL games under his belt in his career, the seasoned winger is set to embark on his third consecutive season with the Rocket after not suiting up during the 2020-21 campaign.
  • The Hartford Wolf Pack, the affiliate of the New York Rangers, has announced the signing of defenseman Seth Barton and forward Drew Worrad to one-year contracts. Both players spent last season in the Detroit Red Wings organization, mainly with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Barton, 23, recorded two goals and three assists in 36 AHL games and two goals and six assists in ten games for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. He shone through in Toledo in the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs, impressing with 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 13 games. Selected 81st overall in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Red Wings, Barton has now amassed 12 career points (three goals, nine assists) in 60 AHL games over the past three seasons.
  • Meanwhile, Worrad, 26, also split his time between the Griffins and the Walleye in the 2022-23 season. In 47 AHL games, he contributed just two goals and two assists but excelled in the ECHL with 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 25 games. Like Barton, Worrad continued to post solid numbers with Toledo in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, amassing five goals and three assists in 13 games.

This page will be updated throughout the day. 

Snapshots: Kane, Tatar, Khusnutdinov

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With winger Patrick Kane recovering from hip resurfacing surgery, he isn’t expected to be signing a contract in the foreseeable future.  When the time does come for him to sign, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski relays that the veteran is expected to ink a one-year deal.  Kane is coming off a bit of a down season by his standards although he still put up 21 goals and 57 points in 2022-23 and was one of the highest-scoring UFAs.  Accordingly, it’s quite possible that he could have landed a multi-year commitment.  Instead, he appears to be looking for a one-year pact, one that could allow him to join a contender but he’ll likely be leaving money on the table to do so as he won’t be eligible for performance bonuses on this deal since it will be his age-34 season.

Elsewhere around the hockey world:

  • Todd Reynolds, the agent for UFA winger Tomas Tatar, told Wyshynski in that same column that there has been strong interest in his client so far, even with teams currently being squeezed by the salary cap. The 32-year-old had to wait a little while to sign in his last trip through free agency in 2021, eventually inking a two-year deal with New Jersey.  He was relatively productive in that stretch, picking up 35 goals and 43 assists in 158 games, showing he can still hold down a top-four role.  Even so, it seems likely that Tatar will have to take a cut on his previous $4.5MM AAV, even if a team is able to clear out a player or two to make room for him on their roster.
  • Wild prospect Marat Khusnutdinov is heading into the final year of his contract in the KHL and he may not be seeing any AHL time once it’s done. Player development director Brad Bombardir told Joe Smith of The Athletic (subscription link) that organizationally, they feel the 20-year-old is ready to step into Minnesota’s lineup at any point from this point.  Khusnutdinov was a second-round pick back in 2020 (37th overall) and has over 100 KHL appearances and 55 points under his belt, showing that he’s capable of producing in the pros.  He could be a candidate to sign late in the season with Minnesota depending on how far they and SKA St. Petersburg go in their respective playoffs should they get there.

Senators Notes: Tarasenko, RFAs, Mann

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Speaking with TSN 1200 today (audio link), Senators GM Pierre Dorion confirmed that he has been in contact with the new agent for free agent winger Vladimir Tarasenko.  The 31-year-old had been a speculative target for Ottawa depending on what they received in the Alex DeBrincat deal.  While Ottawa did pick up winger Dominik Kubalik in that swap, adding Tarasenko would certainly go a longer way toward replacing DeBrincat’s production.  However, with around just $5MM in cap room per CapFriendly, it might be difficult to fit Tarasenko onto their roster without clearing out another player first, something Dorion alluded to.  He also mentioned that if they look to add a forward, they’ll want one with some term on his contract which suggests that they wouldn’t necessarily be looking to add Tarasenko on a one-year pact.

More from Ottawa:

  • Also from Dorion’s interview, he indicated that talks are ongoing with their two remaining unsigned forwards, Shane Pinto and Egor Sokolov. Pinto is coming off a 20-goal season but injuries have limited him to just 99 career NHL appearances so accordingly, a short-term bridge contract seems like the most probable outcome with an AAV that checks in around the $2MM mark.  Meanwhile, Sokolov spent most of last season with AHL Belleville, leading them in scoring with 59 points in 70 games while also picking up his first NHL goal and assist in five contests with the big club.
  • The Senators have parted ways with assistant GM Trent Mann, reports Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. He had been with the organization since 2010 when he joined Ottawa as a part-time scout.  He eventually worked his way up the ladder, taking over as their top amateur scout in 2016 but it appears that running their most recent draft class will be his final task in that role.  Mann’s brother Troy was also let go by the Sens earlier this season as he was relieved of his duties as head coach with Belleville in mid-February.

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