Philadelphia Flyers Sign Carsen Twarynski To ELC
The Philadelphia Flyers announced they have signed prospect Carsen Twarynski to a three-year entry-level contract Sunday. The winger was the team’s third-round pick in the 2016 draft.
Twarynski had a breakout year this season with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL after two average seasons the previous two years. After combining to post 37 goals in his previous two seasons combined, the 20-year-old has really stepped up, potting 43 goals this season as well as adding a career-high 27 assists and 81 penalty minutes.
At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, Twarynski is a big winger with both speed and physicality that aids him on the ice. A solid defender and passer, who has improved immensely on the offensive end, he provides the Flyers with yet another solid prospect that they can look forward to seeing in the next few years. He projects as a bottom-six forward at the NHL level, according to The Athletic’s Alexander Appleyard.
Injury Notes: Marchand, Duclair, Vatrano, Klefbom, Smith, Avalanche, Seeler
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand could miss some time — not due to injury — but after another incident in which the forward collided with Chicago Blackhawks winger Anthony Duclair in Saturday’s game. You can see the video here. While on the surface it does look as if Marchand was attempting to avoid Duclair, one has to wonder how the Department of Player Safety will treat the incident after numerous incidents this season. A repeat offender, Marchand served a five-game suspension back in January for concussing New Jersey Devils forward Marcus Johansson.
Marchand was given a two-minute interference penalty on the play, but Duclair was forced to exit the game as he suffered a knee injury. The Blackhawks later announced that he will not return for the rest of the game and Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that he will miss one-to-two weeks.
- Matthew DeFranks of the SunSentinel writes the Florida Panthers have activated forward Frank Vatrano and will make his Panthers debut Saturday night. Vatrano, who was acquired a week before the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins for a third-round pick, will attempt to find his game with the rising Panthers despite missing some time with a high ankle sprain. He is slated to appear on the team’s second line alongside Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau as the team hopes Vatrano could be a valuable addition to their core. After putting up 39 goals in 45 career AHL games, he has struggled in the NHL. With Boston, the 23-year-old had just two goals in 25 games this year and often found himself scratched.
- Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd MacLellan said defenseman Oscar Klefbom will miss the next two games to undergo a “minor procedure.” With rumors that Klefbom was been playing injured for much of the year, the eventual question will be whether the team should shut him down in the near future.
- Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Carp writes that center Reilly Smith was sent back to Las Vegas after he sustained an upper body injury during Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is not playing today and is not expected to be ready for Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Smith is having a career year with 22 goals and 38 assists in his first year with Vegas.
- Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post writes that the team intends to start Jonathan Bernier today after Bernier has missed the past 10 games with a head injury. Starter Semyon Varlamov has struggled recently having allowed 11 goals in the past three games. The scribe also writes that defenseman Erik Johnson skated Friday in a non-contact jersey. He hasn’t played in a game since Feb. 18. There is no timeline for Johnson, according to head coach Jared Bednar. Forward Vladislav Kamenev, who broke his arm in November after being acquired from Nashville, practiced Friday and is likely to be sent to the AHL for a couple of games on a conditioning stint.
- Sarah McLellan of the StarTribune writes that defenseman Nick Seeler, who has been dealing with a right bicep strain and the flu, is improving, but did not travel with the team to Vancouver and would only join the team in Edmonton if there is an injury on defense before then.
Minor Transactions: 03/09/18
Another week down in the NHL and the playoffs are coming quickly. With as few as 14 games remaining for some teams, every single night matters immensely in the playoff race. Tonight, even though there are just four games on the schedule, many eyes will be on the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars. Those two are tied in the standings with 80 points, and are in a dog fight for the last few spots. While we get ready for that, keep track of all the minor moves around the league.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have sent Carl Dahlstrom to the Rockford IceHogs, leaving them with just six defensemen on the roster. There hasn’t been a corresponding move, but one would think someone is on their way back up tomorrow. Dahlstrom has played 11 games for the Blackhawks this season, recording his first three NHL points and showing that he can be a part of the solution going forward. With extensions to Jan Rutta and Erik Gustafsson in recent days, when the first full-time opportunity will come for Dahlstrom isn’t clear.
- The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Brett Lernout from the AHL, bringing up the defenseman once again for a taste of the NHL. The 22-year old Lernout has played six NHL games across the last three seasons, and should get some time down the stretch to show what he can do at the highest level.
- It’s been a month and a half since Travis Sanheim was sent back to the minor leagues, but he’ll finally get another chance with the Philadelphia Flyers. The 21-year old defenseman has been recalled and will be available for tomorrow’s afternoon matchup with the Winnipeg Jets. Sanheim played 35 games with the Flyers before being sent down, registering five points. In 18 AHL contests he recorded 16 points and generally showed that he’s ready for the next level.
- Justin Bailey is on his way back up to Buffalo, after playing seven games in the NHL earlier this year. The 22-year old forward has three points on the season, but could be given an opportunity to prove that he belongs on the Sabres roster to start next year. Bailey is another relatively early draft pick of the Sabres who hasn’t worked out just yet, something that has become all too familiar to the organization lately.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign T.J. Brennan To Two-Year Extension
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed minor league defenseman T.J. Brennan to a two-year contract extension, keeping the offensive dynamo in the organization for the next couple of seasons. The deal is of the two-way variety, and will carry a $675K average annual value in the NHL. The breakdown is as follows:
- 2018-19: $650K in NHL, $450K in AHL
- 2019-20: $700K in NHL, $450K in AHL
Brennan, 28, is arguably the AHL’s best offensive defenseman. A three-time 20-goal scorer, he has 39 points in 48 games this season including only 12 with the man advantage. He is among the best at skating the puck out of his own end, and possesses a booming shot from the point.
In 567 career AHL games, Brennan has 418 points but is still looking for that first Calder Cup. He also doesn’t bring much in terms of NHL upside, as his career has resulted in just 53 games at the highest level. His high-risk offensive nature comes at the expense of some defensive responsibility, something NHL coaches have never been able to trust for very long.
Still, he gives the Flyers another veteran option in the minor leagues to work with their young players and provides some depth should the NHL team face injury. He had been on a two-way deal, and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent again this summer.
Flyers Would Not Include Sanheim In Hoffman Trade
- John Boruk of NBC Sports Philadelphia writes that the Philadelphia Flyers talked to the Ottawa Senators right before the trade deadline about acquiring winger Mike Hoffman. The scribe writes that sources have said the Senators asked for a package that included defenseman Travis Sanheim and a first-round pick as a starting point. While a first-rounder (they have two of them this year) might have been a possibility, Sanheim proved to be the deal-breaker.
Red Wings Notes: Bertuzzi, Frk, Mrazek, Howard, Nielsen
After the Detroit Red Wings traded away winger Tomas Tatar last week at the trade deadline, the team has split his minutes in two directions. Prospect Tyler Bertuzzi has replaced Tatar’s spot in the lineup alongside Andreas Athanasiou and Dylan Larkin, while veteran Martin Frk has taken the departed forward’s power play minutes in hopes of proving worthy of returning to a top line in the future. So far, Bertuzzi has fared well in the two games he’s played in Tatar’s even-strength role, picking up two assists, while averaging more that 14 minutes of ice time. However, don’t expect that to stay that way next year, writes the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James.
While the team does want to get an extended look at Bertuzzi, what it’s really waiting for is next season. Then they will take long looks at winger Evgeny Svechnikov, the team’s first-rounder in 2015, and 2017 first-rounder Michael Rasmussen, who is expected to be the center of the future in Detroit. Rasmussen, is coming off a solid season in the WHL and might be ready to join the Red Wings next season. As for Svechnikov, the hope is that he is ready for a spot in Detroit next season, but has struggled at times in his first year in the AHL.
- St. James also adds that don’t expect too many call-ups this year as the Grand Rapids Griffins are still fighting for a playoff spot in AHL, so players like Svechnikov, Filip Hronek and Matt Puempel might not see a lot of time in Detroit as they are needed in Grand Rapids.
- In the same article, St. James writes that the team will have to also take a long look at backup goalie Jared Coreau, who was recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins after the team traded away Petr Mrazek. She writes that the team has doubts he can be a quality NHL backup and with one year left on Jimmy Howard‘s contract, the team will be hard-pressed to find their future starter in one year. One possibility could be signing Mrazek back again in the offseason. With Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth already signed for next season, it seems unlikely that the Philadelphia Flyers will retain Mrazek, especially when he has a $4MM qualifying offer. Could Detroit make him their future No. 1?
- Craig Custance of The Athletic (subscription required) writes that the team might consider extending Howard’s deal for one more year to give the team more time to find their goalie of the future. However, with the Red Wings looking to get as many picks as possible for their future, it would also make a lot of sense for the team to move him before the draft as team’s wouldn’t mind acquiring a veteran with just one year left on his deal.
- In the same story, Custance also takes a look at the way-too early protected list if there is an expansion draft in 2020 for the Seattle franchise, which seems inevitable. Sadly, the top two players the Red Wings would be forced to protect will be veterans Henrik Zetterberg and Frans Nielsen. The hope is that Zetterberg, who will be 39 by then, will have retired, which would free up a spot, however, Nielsen has a no-movement clause and then, at age 35, should not be on that list. However, the veteran, who would still have two years left on his deal at $5.25MM AAV at that point, is likely going to cost Detroit a quality player down the road.
Hextall Comments On Why Flyers Were Quiet At Deadline
The Flyers were quiet yesterday in terms of activity with their lone move of the day being the waiver claim of Johnny Oduya from Ottawa. GM Ron Hextall told reporters, including Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post, that their position in the standings wasn’t going to dictate how aggressive they were going to be:
Hextall also stated that they were looking into a couple of things but that he wasn’t prepared to overpay for a rental upgrade. Instead, Philly will look inwards for their post-deadline upgrades. Winger Wayne Simmonds is out for another seven-to-ten days while netminder Brian Elliott is expected to return at some point before the postseason as well which should only be a boost for the currently-surging Flyers.
Trade Deadline Recap: Eastern Conference
After a month of lead up, a sprinkling of trades over the last week or so, and a wild deadline day today, NHL teams are done with transactions for the 2017-18 NHL season. Here are the deals that improved contenders in the Eastern Conference:
Deadline Day
Tampa Bay Lightning receive:
D Ryan McDonagh
F J.T. Miller
New York Rangers receive:
F Vladislav Namestnikov
F Brett Howden
D Libor Hajek
2018 first-round pick
Conditional 2019 second-round pick
Columbus Blue Jackets receive:
F Thomas Vanek
Vancouver Canucks receive:
F Tyler Motte
F Jussi Jokinen
Columbus Blue Jackets receive:
D Ian Cole
Ottawa Senators receive:
F Nick Moutrey
2020 third-round pick
New Jersey Devils receive:
F Patrick Maroon
Edmonton Oilers receive:
F J.D. Dudek
2019 third-round pick
New York Islanders receive:
F Chris Wagner
Anaheim Ducks receive:
F Jason Chimera
Boston Bruins receive:
F Tommy Wingels
Chicago Blackhawks receive:
Conditional 2019 fifth-round pick
Pittsburgh Penguins receive:
F Josh Jooris
Carolina Hurricanes receive:
F Greg McKegg
Flyers Claim Johnny Oduya From Senators, Lose Mark Alt To Avalanche
As is often the case on trade deadline day, there have been several waiver claims around the league. Winger Chris Stewart has been claimed by Calgary (first reported by Michael Russo of The Athletic), blueliner Johnny Oduya is on his way to the Flyers (first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman), while defender Mark Alt has been picked up by Colorado (first reported by Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic).
Oduya is no stranger to being moved around the trade deadline day although this is the first time he will do so via a waiver claim. The veteran had been shopped by the Sens prior to him being waived but evidently there were no takers. He has four goals and four assists in 51 games with Ottawa this season but is averaging a career-low 17:12 per night of ice time. It’s worth noting that if Oduya plays in 14 more regular season games, the Flyers will owe him a $250K bonus plus another $250K if they hold onto a playoff position. He also has $250K in bonuses if he finishes in the top-five and top-three in average ice time per game.
Alt has spent the majority of the season while Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley, posting five goals and five assists in 23 games. He also has suited up in eight games with the Flyers, being held off the scoresheet while averaging 13:26 per game. Alt will likely be a depth blueliner for Colorado and will be eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.
Multiple Players Placed On Waivers
With today being the last day to place players on waivers, many teams have placed players on waivers in hopes of adding some roster flexibility for the remainder of the season. According to Bob McKenzie, many players have been placed on waivers, including defensemen Christopher Breen and Paul Postma of the Boston Bruins, forward Jussi Jokinen of the Columbus Blue Jackets, defenseman Cody Goloubef of the Calgary Flames, forward Lance Bouma of the Chicago Blackhawks, forward Chris Stewart of the Minnesota Wild, forwards Alexandre Burrows and Jim O’Brien and defenseman Johnny Oduya of the Ottawa Senators, defenseman Mark Alt and goaltender John Muse of the Philadelphia Flyers and forward Chris Thorburn of the St. Louis Blues.
McKenzie adds that New York Rangers forward cleared waivers today.
Of teams that are still in the playoff race, the New York Islanders will likely get the first shot on many of these players if the team is looking to add more depth after trading for defenseman Brandon Davidson Saturday.
While several of these players are AHL players who aren’t seeing time, there are several veteran players who are affected by the moves. Two of the most obvious are Burrows and Oduya. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch writes that the team failed to find anyone interested in trading for either players, so the hope is a team might be willing to claim them without having to give anything up.
Burrows is one of those the team would like to close the book on. Acquired at the trade deadline a year ago for prized prospect Jonathan Dahlen, the team then made it worse by signing him to a two-year extension, worth $2.5MM per season. While he scored 15 goals between Vancouver and Ottawa last year, Burrows has struggled, having tallied just three goals in 51 games. Oduya was signed in the offseason and the veteran could be a solid candidate to be claimed by a team that needs some defensive depth.
Another player who is likely to be claimed is Stewart, who the Minnesota Wild placed on waivers as the team wants to make room for adding 2016 first-rounder Luke Kunin or if the team signs Boston University star Jordan Greenway. The veteran is an excellent locker room presence, has quite a bit of experience and can score as he has nine goals in 47 games this year. Jokinen who has already been on waivers this year returns to it and could be claimed if a team wants some depth to their forward line. Chicago’s Bouma is another who could be claimed as he has fallen out of the Blackhawks lineup, but provides forward depth that could be useful for a team making a playoff run. He’s played in 53 games this year, totaling three goals, six assists and +1 plus/minus ratio.
Other players like Alt and Postma are likely just heading to the AHL to join their playoff rosters. Alt has played just eight games in Philadelphia, spending most of his season in Lehigh Valley. Postma has been with the Bruins all year and might be heading to the Providence Bruins to help the team with their playoff push. He has appeared in just 12 games all season for Boston.
Both Breen, O’Brien, Muse and Goloubef each signed two-way contracts in the last 24 hours and had to be passed through waivers in order to assign them to their respective NHL teams. O’Brien signed a two-way contract today, while Goloubef signed yesterday. FlamesNation’s Ryan Pike reports that Muse signed a two-way deal today.