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Samuel Morin Out For Season With Torn ACL

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The bad news just continues for Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Samuel Morin. The team announced tonight that Morin has suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the remainder of the season. Morin has played just 31 professional games since the start of the 2017-18 season. This is the second time he has torn the ACL in his right knee.

Morin, 24, was the 11th overall pick in 2013 and brought basically everything you would ever want in a defenseman. A huge 6’6″ frame that could skate, move the puck and compete physically, Morin won a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Juniors and was a huge part of the Rimouski Oceanic’s QMJHL championship.

When he hit professional hockey, things still went quite well. Through two years in the minor leagues he became a horse for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and looked like he would be a key contributor to the Flyers in the future. Unfortunately, things have completely derailed to the point where it’s now unclear if he’ll ever be healthy enough to play at the highest level.

Minor Transactions: 11/06/19

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Last night was another step in the right direction for three struggling Western Conference teams, as the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild were all victorious in their respective matchups. The same can not be said about the Los Angeles Kings, who are now 5-10 and have trade rumors swirling all about. Just two games are on the schedule tonight, and as teams prepare for that action we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.

  • With Alexandre Texier nearing a return, the Columbus Blue Jackets have sent Markus Hannikainen to the minor leagues. Hannikainen still hasn’t played in a single game for the Blue Jackets this season after suiting up 44 times in 2018-19. The 26-year old is just injury depth at this point.
  • Dominic Toninato has been recalled by the Florida Panthers, after they sent Riley Stillman back yesterday. The Panthers acquired Toninato from the Colorado Avalanche just a few months ago, and this will be his first call-up with the organization.
  • German Rubtsov’s time with the NHL club is over for now, as the Philadelphia Flyers have sent him back to the AHL and recalled Mikhail Vorobyev. In three games Rubtsov was held scoreless and still looks to have some development to do in the minor leagues. The 21-year old has played just 21 AHL games so far after injury robbed him of much of the 2018-19 season.
  • Nicolas Hague and Nicolas Roy are on their way back to the Chicago Wolves, the latest in a series of transactions for the pair of Vegas Golden Knights prospects. The team is using off days to bank some cap space, but could recall one or both down the road.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have sent Ashton Sautner back down, a good sign after he was forced from his only game with an injury. The 25-year old defenseman won’t be a full-time player for the Canucks this season, but is valuable injury depth.
  • Josh Mahura has been assigned to the Anaheim Ducks, another likely cap-saving move that while the team waits for their next game. The Ducks don’t play again until Sunday.
  • Zachary Senyshyn and Cameron Hughes have both been sent back down by the Boston Bruins, who don’t play again until Friday evening. At least one of the young forwards will likely be recalled at that time, but for now the team will save some cap space on the off days.
  • Jayson Megna has been returned to the AHL by the Colorado Avalanche, with T.J. Tynan taking his place on the NHL roster. The 27-year old Tynan has been on fire at the minor league level, scoring 12 points in his first ten games for the Colorado Eagles.
  • The Washington Capitals have returned Liam O’Brien to the minor leagues, giving him a chance at some playing time after sitting on the sidelines the last few days. O’Brien is an important player for the Hershey Bears, but hasn’t suited up for an NHL game since 2017-18.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks announced that defenseman Dennis Gilbert has been re-assigned to the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs. The 23-year-old has split his season between the NHL and AHL, most recently getting some starts in Chicago in place of Brent Seabrook. 

Sean Couturier Playing Through Shoulder Injury

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  • Flyers center Sean Couturier is playing through a shoulder injury, reports Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Head coach Alain Vigneault acknowledged that Philadelphia’s team doctors had asked him to have him not take faceoffs in an effort to help the strain heal.  It’s believed that Couturier will need to avoid taking draws for the better part of another week.  Despite the discomfort, he’s off to another strong start to his season with nine points through 13 games so far.

Metropolitan Notes: Hall, Couturier, Capitals Depth

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Two days after criticizing New Jersey Devils fans after the team was booed during the team’s overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, Taylor Hall scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, put his hand to his ear, turned to the crowd and made a “Let’s hear it” gesture. When asked about it after the team’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers, Hall said there was no ill-will towards New Jersey fans.

“That’s sports,” said Hall on Friday. “I mean, you’re up, you’re down, and that’s just kind of the way the season’s going right now. We play well enough to win and we don’t. So, we’re gonna have to work for our breaks, and no one is feeling sorry for us right now. We know we’re right there. We know this is no time to quit on our game plan or quit on each other. It’s really just about going out there and keep doing the things that we’re doing well and I think wins are going to follow.”

Hall was critical of fans after Wednesday’s games that led many to speculate that Hall may not want to play in New Jersey down the road. The 27-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and so far has resisted signing an extension with the team, which could leave the Devils forced to trade him sooner than later if they can’t get him locked up to a deal.

  • The Courier Post’s David Isaac reports that Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier played hurt on Friday when the Flyers faced off against the New Jersey Devils. The scribe writes that the left-handed Couturier struggled with his left hand or wrist and avoided taking faceoffs Friday, allowing Travis Konecny to take all, but three of the faceoffs when he was bounced from the circle. In the end, Couturier took those three faceoffs, losing them all. It’s not clear when he injured his hand, but it was before Friday’s game. “I’m not feeling 100 percent, but it’s part of a season,” said Couturier. “You got to battle through injuries. I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team win.” Couturier will remain day-to-day for now, although the team lacks quality depth at the center position if he has to miss any time.
  • The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell writes that the Washington Capitals are happier with the team’s forward depth this season as opposed to last season. The team brought in three key depth pieces in Brendan Leipsic, Richard Panik and Garnet Hathaway and with impressive play of Chandler Stephenson, Nic Dowd and Travis Boyd. It has given head coach Todd Rierden an opportunity to move players around much easier and create a climate of competition between bottom-line players. “We are in the middle of the process,” Rierden said. “Not even in the middle, but if you were to look at this to start the season, I think numbers wise you would be happy with where we are at standing-wise.”

 

Nolan Patrick Doesn't Skate Thursday, Listed Once Again As Week-To-Week

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  • While it looked like Flyers center Nolan Patrick was progressing towards a return, GM Chuck Fletcher poured some cold water on the thought he’d be back soon, telling reporters, including Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia, that there’s no change to Patrick’s status and that they hope he continues to improve. The 21-year-old has missed the entire season so far with migraine issues and while he had started skating with the team, he appears to have been backed off for now as he didn’t skate today.

Philadelphia Flyers Recall Three Players

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The Philadelphia Flyers have made several roster moves on Thursday morning, recalling Philippe Myers, German Rubtsov and Carsen Twarynski from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. To make room, the team has loaned Mikhail Vorobyev and Samuel Morin to the AHL, the latter on a conditioning stint. Scott Laughton, who underwent surgery on his right index finger yesterday, was placed on long-term injured reserve. He will be out for three to four weeks.

While Myers got his first look in the NHL last season and Twarynski started this year with the club, it is Rubtsov that will draw the most fanfare. This is the first recall for the 21-year old forward, who was drafted 22nd overall in 2016.

It’s been a long and winding road since that draft, as Rubtsov first stayed in the KHL before leaving to join the Chicoutimi Sagueneens partway through the 2016-17 season. He was on the move again the following year when he was traded from Chicoutimi to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, where he finally found some stability and went on a long QMJHL playoff run. Last season was spent in the minor leagues with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but Rubtsov suffered a shoulder injury after just 14 games and had to sit out the rest of the year.

Now back flying around the rink, the Russian forward has six points in seven games with the Phantoms and is now getting his first chance in the NHL. Even if it is just a short-term recall, it’s good news for his development and future as a Flyer.

Scott Laughton To Miss A Month

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Flyers forward Scott Laughton suffered a broken finger on his right hand during the second period of Saturday’s victory over Columbus, notes NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall.  The injury is expected to keep him out of the lineup for a month.  That duration is long enough to make him eligible for LTIR which is notable considering the team has less than $150K in cap room at the moment.

It’s certainly a tough blow for Philadelphia who has come to rely on the 25-year-old as a key option for their penalty kill; his 1:39 SH ATOI per game is second on the team among their forwards.  He also took a step towards becoming a reliable secondary scorer last season when he posted career bests in goals (12), assists (20), and points (32) although he was off to a bit of a quieter start this year with three assists in nine games.

In the short-term, Tyler Pitlick draws into the lineup although the team could opt to pull someone back up from AHL Lehigh Valley as well and transfer Laughton to LTIR.  Rookie Carson Twarynski was recently sent down and would have to be considered a candidate to be brought back up.  2017 second overall pick Nolan Patrick should also be in the mix once he’s cleared to return from the migraine issues that have held him out all season and considering he has been skating for a few days now, that return may not be too far away.

Nolan Patrick Takes Part In Full Practice

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Flyers center Nolan Patrick is getting closer to a return to the lineup as Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer notes that the youngster participated in practice in full with the team on Wednesday.  However, head coach Alain Vigneault was quick to caution that he’ll need more than a few skates with the team before getting clearance to play after missing the entire season so far with a migraine disorder.  Accordingly, he’s still probably at least a week away from returning although the fact that he has progressed to practices over light morning skates is promising.  Patrick is still exempt from waivers until he plays in his ninth NHL game this season so considering how long he has missed, a stint in the minors to work off some rust is a distinct possibility while it would also allow Philadelphia to bank a bit of much-needed cap space.

Philadelpia Flyers Recall Joel Farabee

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Less than a week after the division rival New York Islanders recalled Oliver Wahlstrom, the Philadelphia Flyers have called up his former teammate, collegiate foe, and fellow 2018 first-round pick, Joel Farabee. The team announced that Farabee, as well as Mikhail Vorobyev, has been promoted, while Carsen Twarynski has been reassigned to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. It is the first career recall for the Flyers’ top forward prospect.

This is the first career recall for Farabee, who like Wahlstrom, played in the NCAA last season before turning pro after just one year. A U.S. National Team Development Program product, Farabee is dynamic forward who can shoot as well as he can pass and defensive instincts to match his offensive instincts. A truly well-rounded player, Farabee was a force at the college level, recording a near-even 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points in 37 games with Boston University. Farabee was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and it was little surprise that he departed for the NHL after his freshman campaign.

So far, the transition to the pro level has been seamless for Farabee. He has four points in four games with the Phantoms and has drawn rave reviews early on in his pro career. Farabee’s mature game and high hockey IQ should help find a fit in the NHL if the Flyers plan to keep him on a long-term basis this season. Philadelphia ranks seventh-worst in the NHL thus far in per game scoring and Farabee could provide a needed boost on the offensive front.

Five Key Stories: 10/14/19 – 10/20/19

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While there was a consistent flow of trade rumors this week, no team pulled the trigger on a big move. That’s not to say there weren’t several additions, as well as subtractions, this week, as a big extension, a free agent signing, a suspension, an injury, and a coaching staff change are the stories of the week:

Hischier Extended Seven Years: The New Jersey Devils may be off to a surprisingly rough start to the season, but young centerpiece Nico Hischier remains a bright spot for the team. A timely source of good news for a disappointed fan base, the Devils announced a seven-year, $50.75MM extension. The new $7.25MM cap hit for the 2017 first overall pick is hardly an overpay so long as the talented center continues to develop. Especially in light of a increasingly higher salary cap ceiling, the new deal could be a bargain for New Jersey, particularly toward the end of the contract.

Panthers Add Boyle: Respected veteran forward Brian Boyle was a surprise omission from this summer’s list of free agent signings, but the Florida Panthers recognized a need in their bottom six and addressed it with a one-year deal for the two-way ace. Boyle actually enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year and has been a highly valuable hired gun late in his career. An affordable addition of experience and ability, Boyle could prove to be a key signing by Florida. The Philadelphia Flyers made a similar addition, signing Chris Stewart to a one-year deal.

Zykov Suspended 20 Games: Young Vegas Golden Knights forward Valentin Zykov will be out of the lineup for some time, as the NHL announced a 20-game suspension as a result of a failed drug test. Zykov reportedly violated the joint Performance Enhancing Substances Program and as a result will sit until late November. While the Golden Knights claim Zykov admitted to taking an illegal substance, the player continues to state that he is unaware of how he failed the drug test.

Hjarlmarsson Out Three Months: Niklas Hjalmarsson’s penchant for shot blocking has cost him, as the Arizona Coyotes defenseman will miss an anticipated three months with a cracked fibula in his left leg. One of the more dependable defensive blue liners in the NHL, Hjalmarsson’s loss is a major blow for the ‘Yotes. The injury has sparked trade rumors in the desert, as Arizona was already off to a shaky start before losing one of their top players. Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares was another big-name injury this week, out two weeks with a broken finger.

Fitzgerald Joins Devils’ Bench: Considered by many to be the most improved team in the league heading into this season, the New Jersey Devils have not gotten off to the start than most expected. Head coach John Hynes is on the hot seat and the organization wants a closer look at the situation in the locker room. Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald will add assistant coach to his list of responsibilities for the time being, joining Hynes’ staff. It could be a sign of things to come for New Jersey if they don’t turn things around soon.

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