Edmonton Oilers Sign Cooper Marody To Entry-Level Contract
The Edmonton Oilers announced they have signed University of Michigan’s Cooper Marody to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers acquired the 21-year-old forward’s rights from the Philadelphia Flyers several weeks ago in exchange for a 2019 third-round pick when rumors began to surface that Marody might not want to sign with the Flyers due to their depth up the middle, according to Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson.
Marody, drafted in the sixth round in 2015 by Philadelphia, had a breakout year this season with the Wolverines as he scored 16 goals and added 35 assists in 40 games and took his team to the Frozen Four, as Michigan lost in the semifinals to Notre Dame.
The prospect is considered to be a smart player with excellent hands, who still needs to work on his skating abilities. However, it is believed he is more ready than most of their center prospects in their system. In three years with Michigan, the center tallied 31 goals and 59 assists in his career.
Atlantic Notes: Bruins, Boucher, Ristolainen, Zetterberg, Bertuzzi
There is just one game remaining on the NHL regular season schedule and the league schedulers picked a good one as the Boston Bruins will host the Florida Panthers today in the lone game. While many people thought the game would have significant meaning for the Panthers (Philadelphia’s victory Saturday officially eliminated Florida from the playoffs), it instead has an effect on Boston.
If the Bruins win, they will jump over the Tampa Bay Lightning as the top seed of the Eastern Conference and get home ice advantage in the first three rounds of the playoffs. A win of any kind would give them a matchup with the New Jersey Devils. A loss will pit the Bruins against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team they have struggled with this year. The only known matchup in the Eastern Conference are the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Let’s face it, we were trying to find our own game and get to where we thought we were at the start of the year, which was definitely a playoff team,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy via NBC Sports Joe Haggerty. “We just didn’t know where we would fit, and the way Tampa got out of the gate, and Toronto for that matter, it was going to be an uphill battle. But here we are. We’re in a position to take it, and that’s a credit to the guys. We’ve worked hard to get here. This wasn’t by accident. We didn’t back in.”
- The Ottawa Senators, who ended up finishing in 30th place this season, must make a decision on their coaching situation. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen writes that Guy Boucher is in a strange situation as he did everything right a year ago at this time and has done little right since. The team’s defense and special teams were atrocious this year and need to get fixed. The question is, will it be Boucher or another coach? Garrioch says that even if Boucher survives, expect changes to the staff as last year is considered unacceptable.
- Jon Vogl of the Buffalo News writes that the Buffalo Sabres need to make sweeping changes to avoid another dismal season next year, but unfortunately, the team has a lot of contracts with term which will be hard to move, so the team will need to be creative in trades. The defense has six players already under contract and few top-four players, citing that Rasmus Ristolainen is considered their No. 1 defenseman and he is no where even close to that. He will have four more years on his contract at $5.4MM AAV and has shown little improvement and isn’t the leader they hoped he would be.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press writes that Detroit Red Wings’ Henrik Zetterberg must decide whether he wants to keep playing. The 38-year-old still has three years left of the 12-year contract he signed in 2009 at $6.083MM AAV, but back then it was assumed players wouldn’t play the entire contract out. He’s logged over 1,000 and if he chooses to retire, the Red Wings would save $6MM in cap space if the team is able to place him on long-term injured reserve. St. James adds, however, that the veteran might want to come back for one more year as he is just 42 points away from reaching 1,000 points.
- St. James also tweets that the Red Wings have decided not to send forward Tyler Bertuzzi to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL for their playoff run. They believe Bertuzzi has done enough at the AHL level and want him to hit the gym and get stronger with a full offseason of workouts.
Blackhawks’ Patrick Sharp To Retire At End Of Season
Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Sharp played in his final home game Friday and is expected to play his final game of his career Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg, ending a lengthy career since 2005 and including 10 years as a integral piece to the Blackhawks, which led to three Stanley Cup championships.
“I think I’ve known what I wanted to do for a long period of time here and it’s never easy, you know?” an emotional Sharp said in the Blackhawks’ dressing room following the loss via Chris Kuk of The Athletic. “But I think I’m just ready to take that next step in my life, and I’m looking forward to it.”
In two stints with Chicago, the 36-year-old Sharp has tallied 249 goals and helped the Blackhawks to Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. After winning the title in 2015, Sharp was then traded to the Dallas Stars where he 28 goals over two seasons. He signed a one-year, $800K contract to return to Chicago. With his skills on decline, the winger played the lowest average minutes of his career since his rookie season, averaging 12:50, scoring 10 goals and 21 points in 69 games.
While Sharp didn’t announce his retirement beforehand, it was quite obvious to anyone who watched Friday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. Sharp played the most minutes of the season, playing 19:03. His parents were in attendance and the veteran started on the team’s top line. He wore his old “A” on his sweater and the team gave him a video tribute during the third period. At the end of the game, Sharp skated to center ice under the spotlight teammates stayed on the bench and tapped their sticks.
On a whole, including two seasons playing for the Philadelphia Flyers who drafted him in the third round back in 2001, Sharp finished his career with 287 goals, 333 assists and 620 points in 939 games. He also was part of Team Canada’s gold medal Olympic team in 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
NHL Announces Potential Tie-Breaker Game For Eastern Playoff Spot
Amazingly, there is a scenario in which over the next few days the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers could end the season tied in every category the NHL uses to determine standings. That’s exactly what the league addressed today when they released the tie-breaker procedures for such a scenario.
For the purposes of the 2017-18 season, the tiebreaking game would be played Tuesday, April 10.
The Philadelphia Flyers (41-26-14, 96 points) currently occupy the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Florida Panthers (42-30-8, 92 points) the only team capable of catching them.
* The Flyers (81 GP) and Panthers (80 GP) are tied in ROW (39). The teams split their season series (after eliminating the odd home game between them). Philadelphia currently is +3 in goal differential for the season, while Florida is -1.
* Therefore, the teams would play a tiebreaking game if Philadelphia loses its final game of the season by two goals exactly (Saturday vs. NYR) and Florida wins its final two contests, both in shootouts (Saturday vs. BUF, Sunday at BOS).
For the potential game, home ice would be determined by an equal odds draw and overtime would be played like it is in the playoffs—that is, 20-minute 5-on-5 sudden death periods until a winner is determined.
Obviously this is an extremely unlikely scenario, but it is definitely one most fans would love to see happen.
AHL Announces First, Second All-Star Teams
After announcing their All-Rookie team earlier this week, the AHL have now given us their choices for the first and second All-Star Teams for 2017-18. These players were voted in by coaches, players and media all across the league.
First All-Star Team:
Goaltender: Garret Sparks, Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Defenseman: Jacob MacDonald, Binghamton Devils (New Jersey Devils)
Defenseman: Sami Niku, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)*
Left Wing: Chris Terry, Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)
Center: Phil Varone, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)
Right Wing: Mason Appleton, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)*
*Niku and Appleton were also named as part of the All-Rookie team.
Second All-Star Team:
Goaltender: Michael Hutchinson, Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets)
Defenseman: T.J. Brennan, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)
Defenseman: Zach Redmond, Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)
Left Wing: Andreas Johnsson, Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Center: Austin Czarnik, Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins)
Right Wing: Ben Smith, Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Of course, much of the fanfare will go to Niku and Appleton who were not only rookies but late-round draft choices. Their appearance on the list is so impressive, especially given the success of the Jets already graduated young core. With a pipeline of talent, Winnipeg should have a wide open window of contention.
Probably the most interesting name though is Hutchinson, as he’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. One has to wonder if he’ll get a crack at an NHL job, given his outstanding minor league season and reliatively successful experience at the highest level. He’s making $1.3MM this season, but could look for a larger opportunity elsewhere while Connor Hellebuyck, Steve Mason and Eric Comrie man the crease in Winnipeg.
Brian Elliott Expected To Play At Least One Game This Week
- Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott was not in uniform for today’s overtime victory over the Bruins but Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post notes that the team is hopeful that he will get into at least one game this week, if not two as he works his way back from abdominal surgery. His return would give them stability between the pipes heading into the postseason as acquisition Petr Mrazek has been inconsistent while veteran Michal Neuvirth is also banged up once again after suffering a lower-body injury back on Wednesday against Colorado.
Snapshots: Kane, Martin, Rasmussen, Rask, Hart
While it’s not a big surprise, the play of San Jose rental Evander Kane has opened some eyes in the NHL. In 15 games with the Sharks, the 26-year-old has put up nine goals and five assists, showing he has the skills to be the star winger that many teams thought he could be despite some mid-season struggles with the Buffalo Sabres.
Despite getting Kane for a reduced price because of the lack of interested teams, don’t expect that to be the case this offseason. While it is believed that the San Jose Sharks will try to re-sign him this summer, The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz (subscription required) writes in a mailbag column that no extension talks have begun and the price should be quite high as many more teams are likely to be in on Kane. In fact, Kurz writes the forward will be looking for both term and salary in this deal and could cost the Sharks as much as seven years at $7MM per season, which he believes will likely happen
- Kurz also mentions in his mailbag feature that it is extremely likely the team will buyout defenseman Paul Martin, who has one more year next season at $4.85MM. The 37-year-old blueliner has slowed down and has only managed to appear in 10 games for the Sharks this year and spent 18 games with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL, the first time he’s ever played in the AHL. A buyout would save the Sharks $2.83MM in cap space for next season, which they might want if they intend to sign a big-named free agent.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press writes that 2017 first-round pick Michael Rasmussen has been playing some of the best hockey of his career in the WHL playoffs. One big difference is that the center has occasionally moved to the wing during recent games due to his excellent chemistry with Carolina Hurricane’s prospect Morgan Geekie. His success at the wing could be a good sign if the 19-year-old prospect hopes to make the Red Wings squad out of training camp. Rasmussen, who has had 31 goals and 59 points (along with five goals and 12 points in four playoff games) for the Tri-City Americans, could be a key rebuilding chip for a struggling Detroit squad.
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News-Observer tweets that Carolina Hurricanes forward Victor Rask, who was declared out for the season almost two weeks ago, had successful surgery on his shoulder and is expected to be ready for training camp next season assuming his rehab goes well. The 25-year-old had 14 goals and 31 points this season.
- The Athletic’s Alexander Appleyard (subscription required) breaks down the amazing success that Philadelphia Flyers prospect goaltender Carter Hart has had this year. Besides the amazing, eye-popping numbers of a 1.60 GAA and a .947 save percentage with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, the 19-year-old has had a such a dominating season that no other goalie’s numbers are even close to Hart. Appleyard continues to break down 106 seasons between the WHL, OHL and the QMJHL combined and can’t find a year in which a prospect had this great of a season in comparison to his peers. Hart is expected to get more seasoning next year in the AHL before he takes over in Philadelphia.
Minor Transactions: 3/31/18
Today’s slate of 12 games carries some serious weight, like most days this late in the season. The two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Florida Panthers regulation loss and their 2016 Cup competitors, the San Jose Sharks, can also get in with a win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Anything less than a regulation win for the Sharks will seal the Pacific Division for the Knights, while a Vegas loss and Winnipeg Jets regulation loss will give the Western Conference title to the Nashville Predators. On the other end of the spectrum, the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas stars are in action today with their tragic numbers down to one. Both teams must win and hope the New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues respectively lose to keep their playoff hopes alive. There is a lot at stake; keep track of how the teams are preparing today right here:
- Michal Neuvirth continues to struggle with his lower-body injuries and will be unable to go against the Boston Bruins tomorrow. As a result, the Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have recalled young Alex Lyon from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms on an emergency basis to serve as Petr Mrazek‘s backup. Lyon has made 11 appearances for Philly in his rookie season as a dependable option to deal with the team’s many goaltending woes.
- Another emergency recall is defenseman Chris Butler, per the St. Louis Blues. After Jordan Schmaltz left the Blues’ game last night with an upper-body injury and did not return, St. Louis needed a replacement and got one by bringing up Butler from the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. Butler has skated in just two NHL games this season, but is enjoying a career year in the minor leagues with 29 points and a +12 rating in 60 games.
- The Edmonton Oilers have also made an emergency recall, adding Keegan Lowe to the blue line from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. Despite multiple call-ups, Lowe has not yet debuted for the Oilers, but could get his chance against the Calgary Flames today.
- The Calgary Flames announced they have recalled defenseman Oliver Kylington from the Stockton Heat of the AHL as an emergency call-up. He has been added as the extra defenseman in case one of their six defenseman are either injured or ill. Kylington, the team’s second-round pick in 2015, has been having a solid year in his third AHL season. He has five goals and 26 assists in 56 games this season. He has played one NHL game in his career, back in the 2015-16 season.
- The Buffalo Sabres have assigned forward Kyle Criscuolo to the Rochester Americans of the AHL. The 25-year-old forward hasn’t played since Mar. 5 with a shoulder injury and now that he is skating, it is believed he will return to Rochester for their AHL playoff run. Criscuolo has played nine games for the Sabres this season, with no points. He has 15 goals in 50 games with the Americans this year.
Minor Transactions: 03/28/18
Tonight’s games are the first time the NHL situation room will have control over goaltender interference reviews, which will undoubtedly come up at some point in the four games on tap. If it does, we’ll get to see the first instance of what should be a more consistent decision-making process. Hopefully, all the kinks will be ironed out before the playoffs start in a few weeks.
As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves around the league heading into tonight’s action. Check back throughout the day for more updates.
- The Ottawa Senators have sent Ben Sexton back to the minor leagues, after playing just eight minutes last night for the club. The 26-year old forward made his NHL debut on Monday, but will have to wait some more for his next chance.
- The Colorado Avalanche have recalled Andrew Hammond, as Semyon Varlamov is dealing with an illness and cannot start tonight. According to Adrian Dater of BSN Denver, Hammond looks like he’ll make his Colorado debut tonight in an important game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Avalanche are one point out of the playoffs after their most recent loss, though will be playing their game in hand over the Anaheim Ducks tonight.
- With the Charlotte Checkers in the midst of a playoff run, the Carolina Hurricanes have sent Warren Foegele and Roland McKeown back to the minor leagues. They could be back up next week, after showing their worth at the NHL level recently.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have activated Michal Neuvirth from injured reserve, which means the end of the run for Alex Lyon for the time being. Neuvirth hasn’t played since February 18th, and is coming back just in time to help the Philadelphia playoff run. Things aren’t locked in for the Flyers just yet, but getting healthy in net can only help.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Felix Sandstrom To Entry-Level Contract
The Philadelphia Flyers have inked another impressive young goaltending prospect, signing Felix Sandstrom to a three-year entry-level contract. Sandstrom dealt with an abdominal injury for much of the season, getting into just 11 games in the SHL. If he’s coming over to North America for 2018-19, the Flyers have some decisions to make on who will get what playing time.
Sandstrom, 21, was selected in the third round in 2015 and is part of a huge pipeline of young goaltenders in the Philadelphia system. He might be best known to North American fans for his performance at the World Juniors last year, when he took home Top Goaltender honors for Sweden. Though his club didn’t win a medal, he was a rock in net putting up a .915 save percentage against top competition, including 38 saves in a loss against Canada in the semifinals.
The man at the other end for that game (well, most of it anyway after replacing Connor Ingram just three shots in) was Carter Hart, a fellow Philadelphia goaltending prospect who could be a teammate of Sandstrom next season in the AHL. Hart dominated the WHL this season but will likely be transitioning to the AHL next season as a 20-year old, to get some fine tuning before hitting the NHL. Hart may be the prize of this pipeline, but Sandstrom isn’t to be overlooked. The Swedish netminder will try to stake his own claim in the system as the goalie of the future, especially with such disarray at the NHL level.