Morning Notes: Giroux, White, Tkachuk
If Philadelphia Flyers fans are wondering where this Claude Giroux has been all season—the captain has points in eight of his last eleven games—they might not be shocked to find out that he’s been playing injured. Marc Narducci of The Inquirer reports that despite telling media members that he was fully healthy prior to the start of the season, he has been anything but 100% this year. The hip that required surgery last spring has bothered him all year, restricting his ability to “try to make plays you used to make.”
Giroux only now is starting to feel like himself, and it’s showing on the score sheet. It might be coming just a little too late though, as the Flyers remain five points back of the Maple Leafs for the final playoff spot, despite having played one more game. There are just eleven contests left for Philadelphia, who sit 33-30-8 on the year.
- Decision day is looming for the Ottawa Senators and prospect Colin White, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen. The first-round pick from 2015 has just finished his sophomore season with Boston College, and is looking to go pro. As Garrioch writes, Ottawa doesn’t want to sign him to an entry-level deal for this season and burn a year over the last few weeks. They’d rather go the more common route of an amateur tryout for the rest of the year, and start his ELC in 2017-18. They’ll likely come to some sort of an agreement soon, as it doesn’t seem like either side is expecting him to head back to BC next season. The 20-year old center had 33 points in 35 games this season, actually a slight step back from his production as a freshman. He is as blue-chip a prospect as the Senators have (right alongside Thomas Chabot), and they will carefully consider their options before agreeing to anything.
- The hockey world was in a buzz this morning over the elbow of Matthew Tkachuk, after the Flames’ rookie sent it hard into the face of Drew Doughty in last night’s game. Doughty would drop to the ice immediately, while no penalty was assessed on the play. Tkachuk will receive a hearing with the league and though he has no official history of supplementary discipline, players around the league have come to expect things like this from him. As Doughty told Jon Rosen of FOX Sports after the game, “he’s a pretty dirty player, that kid. To be a rookie and play like that is a little surprising.”
College Notes: Vegas, Schuldt, Butcher, Flyers
Although many have speculated that the Golden Knights would be highly active in the college free agent market, that isn’t going to be the case, GM George McPhee told ESPN’s Craig Custance (Insider required). The team is focusing at this point on targeting players who they believe have NHL upside in the near-term instead of signing several to fill spots at the minor league level for next season.
Custance adds that one of the players that Vegas has interest in is defenseman Neal Pionk. The Minnesota-Duluth sophomore is expected to have quite a few teams interested in his services should he decide to turn pro. Although he’s undersized at just 5’11, he boasts a powerful shot that could make him a strong power play threat down the road.
Other news and notes from the NCAA:
- While he was likely to draw NHL interest, St. Cloud defenseman Jimmy Schuldt has decided to not go pro and instead return for his junior NCAA season, reports Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News (Twitter link). This isn’t the first time the 21 year old has spurned overtures to sign with an NHL team as he was one of the more sought after blueliners on the market last season. In 36 games with the Huskies this season, Schuldt had eight goals and 11 assists.
- The Avalanche plan to offer a contract to defenseman Will Butcher in the coming days, reports BSNDenver’s Adrian Dater. Colorado drafted the 22 year old back in the fifth round (123rd overall) back in 2013. If he doesn’t come to terms on a contract, he would be eligible for unrestricted free agency in mid-August. This season with the University of Denver, Butcher has six goals and 29 assists in 39 games.
- Flyers GM Ron Hextall landed one of the more notable college free agents last season in goaltender Alex Lyon and told CSN Philly’s Jordan Hall that he’s hopeful that they will be able to add someone in the coming weeks. However, he noted that Philadelphia’s depth of young prospects at all positions could ultimately work against them as players may opt to pursue a spot with an organization that doesn’t have as many youngsters to compete with for a spot.
Injury Updates: Stamkos, Ekblad, Luongo, Fast, Flyers
Lightning center Steven Stamkos participated in his first full practice on Friday as he continues his recovery from a torn meniscus, reports Bryan Burns on the Lightning’s team website. While it’s certainly a positive sign that he’s getting closer to returning to the lineup, there remains no timetable for him to suit up and head coach Jon Cooper was quick to caution that a return isn’t yet imminent. The original estimate was that he’d be back in four-to-six months.
Stamkos was injured back in November 15th so he’s just at the four month mark now and clearly isn’t ready to return just yet. If he is able to get the green light within the next few weeks, he’d be a big boost to a Tampa Bay lineup that is making a late push at the final Wild Card spot in the East. On the season, the captain has nine goals and 11 assists in 17 games.
Other injury notes from around the league:
- The Panthers will be without top blueliner Aaron Ekblad for at least another week, coach/GM Tom Rowe told Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel (Twitter link). The 21 year old suffered a concussion on Saturday against Tampa Bay. Roberto Luongo’s return is still not close as Rowe noted that he will be out longer than Ekblad will. The veteran netminder re-aggravated a lower body issue back on March 2nd against the Flyers and the team has won just once in his absence to fall out of the playoff picture.
- Rangers right winger Jesper Fast will return to the lineup tonight against the Panthers after missing the last seven games with a shoulder injury, notes Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News. He’s expected to play on the third line and will force rookie winger Pavel Buchnevich to the press box for the time being as the team plans to keep Tanner Glass in the lineup. Through 59 games this season, Fast has five goals and 15 assists while logging just under 14 minutes a night in ice time.
- Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning missed his third straight game last night and remains day-to-day with an upper body injury (believed to be a shoulder), GM Ron Hextall told CSN Philly’s Jordan Hall. Recent call-up Jordan Weal returned to the lineup but admitted he’s still not fully recovered from his lower body issue. He took the place of forward Nick Cousins, who missed the game with an upper body problem. Like Manning, he’s classified as day-to-day. Still with Philly, goaltender Steve Mason left last night’s game due to cramping, adds Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post.
Snapshots: USA Hockey, Vecchione, DeMelo
After several members of the US Women’s National Team extended a message to USA Hockey about their boycotting the upcoming World Championships, the national program released its own statement on the subject. Understanding the frustration of the women who are reportedly given just $6000 each for their Olympic training and participation, USA Hockey stated that they have long supported their female athletes.
The support USA Hockey is implementing in order to prepare the Women’s National Team for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games includes a six-month training camp, additional support stipends and incentives for medals that could result in each player receiving nearly $85,000 in cash over the Olympic training and performance period. The sum is in addition to a housing allowance, travel allowances, meal expenses, medical and disability insurance and the infrastructure that includes elite-level support staff to train and prepare the players.
The statement goes on to explain that the organization was “disappointed” in the player’s demands and will continue to keep dialogue open in hopes they’ll play in April. The players shot back at the release, with captain Meghan Duggan telling Bob McKenzie of TSN it was “incredibly dishonest and misleading”. As McKenzie notes, the two sides seem ready for a battle over their compensation leading up to next year’s Olympics.
- After the Pittsburgh Penguins added Zach Aston-Reese yesterday, the Philadelphia Flyers are hoping for some help from the college ranks of their own. Sam Carchidi of The Inquirer opines that the team may have interest in both Spencer Foo and Mike Vecchione of Union College. The team is familiar with the school from the years Shayne Gostisbehere spent there, including one season with Vecchione in 2013-14. The pair of undrafted forwards are among the highest scoring in the NCAA, with 59 and 62 points respectively. If the Flyers want to keep pace with what has been a busy Metropolitan Division—the Capitals also inked a couple of forwards earlier this month—they would do well with Vecchione. The 24-year old senior is considered by some even better than Aston-Reese, and ready to step into the NHL right away. Anyone will have to wait for Union’s season to be over though, as they’re still alive in the ECAC playoffs.
- Kevin Kurz of CSN reports that David Schlemko rejoined his teammates in practice today for the first time in nearly two weeks. The defenseman is getting close to a return, but Dylan DeMelo has used the opportunity to show that he’s ready for an NHL role. DeMelo tells Kurz that getting back into the lineup is “definitely a lot better playing than sitting out for seven weeks. I’m just happy to be back in the lineup and [helping] the team win.” DeMelo had surgery to repair a broken wrist in January and only returned to the lineup on March 5th.
Injury Notes: Calvert, Carrick, Senators
The Columbus Blue Jackets have activated Matt Calvert off injured reserve as they get ready to play the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. After getting word that Ryan Murray will be out for four to six weeks, Calvert’s return should be welcome news in Columbus. The 27-year old winger hasn’t played since February 17th, out with a strained oblique muscle. Though he only has 11 points on the season, Calvert is a big part of the Blue Jackets’ bottom-six and penalty kill.
Following Calvert’s return, the Blue Jackets have sent T.J. Tynan back to the AHL. The diminutive forward had played three games for the team but rarely saw the ice. With less than eight minutes a night, Tynan was being wasted at the NHL level and instead will return to continue his excellent minor league season. With 30 points in 55 games, Tynan ranks second on the Cleveland Monsters in scoring and has shown a consistent ability to find his teammates.
- Connor Carrick was back skating with the Toronto Maple Leafs today, after missing the past eight games. According to James Mirtle of The Athletic, he likely won’t play tomorrow night against Florida but could make his return soon. The Maple Leafs have been flipping between Alexey Marchenko and Martin Marincin in his spot, both of whom have been largely ineffective.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun gives us a report on the injured Senators, with some bad news surrounding Mark Stone. The forward is out on a week-to-week basis with a lower-body injury and will miss at least the next three games. Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan are both close to a return though, which will provide some respite for a bruised and battered top-six. Ryan has been out since February 18th with his second broken finger of the year, and had been given a three to six week timetable.
- George Richards of the Miami Herald confirms what was expected, that both Aaron Ekblad and Denis Malgin will be out for seven to ten days with concussions. As with any concussion, that is a very rough estimate and either or both could last much longer. Not like a healing bone, brain injuries often react differently to different people. For now, Jakub Kindl will draw in tomorrow night against the Maple Leafs.
Philadelphia Flyers Sign Greg Carey To Contract Extension
According to a team release, the Philadelphia Flyers have extended minor league forward Greg Carey. Financial details have not been disclosed. Carey was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Carey is in the midst of his second straight excellent AHL season, scoring 26 goals and 43 points through 57 games. The undrafted forward has matched his output from last year in seven fewer games and is becoming more and more confident at the professional level. Originally signed by the Arizona Coyotes prior to the 2014-15 season, Carey wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer the following summer and played on an AHL contract last year. Last summer he was given a two-way contract worth the league minimum, though hasn’t yet suited up for an NHL game.
Carey never did play in the CHL growing up, instead spending time in the OJHL before heading to St. Lawrence University for four years. Setting several school records and leading the team in scoring all four seasons, he ranks second in the Saints’ history for points scored. A finalist for the Hobey Baker award in 2014—when the trophy was awarded to Johnny Gaudreau—for the Nation’s top player, Carey has worked incredibly hard for everything he’s done in hockey. While he is likely a career AHL forward, don’t be surprised if he’s given a few games in the NHL this season as a reward should the Flyers fall out of playoff contention.
Teammate Reveals T.J. Oshie Was Out With A Concussion
When T.J. Oshie was held out of the last four games with an “upper-body injury”, many believed it to be an aggravation of the shoulder problems he had dealt with earlier this season. Last night in a post-game interview for NHL Tonight (h/t Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post for pointing it out), teammate Justin Williams let it slip that Oshie had suffered a concussion the last time the Capitals had faced the Philadelphia Flyers. This led to some animosity between the two clubs, and Williams fighting with Nick Cousins early in the game.
Oshie is no stranger to head injuries, having suffered a concussion in 2014 that kept him out of the lineup for two weeks. He even once joked that the Columbus goal-cannon almost “gives you a concussion every time, especially if you’ve had concussions in the past.” He’s taken head shots before too, though the time Marco Scandella hit him in 2014 he returned to the game after a period.
The Capitals’ winger returned to action last night against those same Flyers, playing over 19 minutes in his first game back. Obviously over the concussion symptoms, it will be something to watch for the rest of the season as players are often more susceptible after suffering multiple brain injuries. It will also be interesting to see if he immediately returns to his high-level of performance from this season, which has brought about 43 points in 51 games.
This comes at a time when the league is embroiled in a lawsuit surrounding the protection and care of their current and former athletes in regards to head injuries. Rick Westhead of TSN has covered this story from the beginning, with his latest entry surrounding the battle between the league and Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist that was integral in the NFL’s battle with CTE; Omalu’s story was also adapted into the Hollywood film Concussion, released in 2015.
Expansion Draft Issues: Post-Trade Deadline
Last month, we looked at several teams facing some tough situations in regards to the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft and offered potential solutions to how they could address their needs for forwards, defensemen and goalies at the NHL Trade Deadline. With March 1st over and done with, many of those squads have solved their problems with signings or acquisitions.
Calgary Flames
Problem: Defense
Status: Solved
The Flames solved their problem of otherwise having to expose Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, or Dougie Hamilton with the ingenious signing of Matt Bartkowski, the only defenseman on the planet who was both free to acquire and automatically eligible for exposure in the draft. It’s a good thing they signed him too, since they ended up trading away their best fall-back option, young defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka.
Carolina Hurricanes
Problem: Defense
Status: Unsolved
It was a pretty quiet deadline in Raleigh, as the ‘Canes shipped out Ron Hainsey and Viktor Stalberg and then called it a day. What they didn’t do was acquire another body on the blue line to help solve their lack of a defenseman to expose. Carolina is still facing the problem of All-Star Justin Faulk being the only defenseman on the roster currently meeting the criteria for mandated exposure, due to the majority of their defensemen being too young to be eligible altogether. There is no way that Faulk is there for the taking by Vegas, but GM Ron Francis is left with only two choices: extend impending RFA Klas Dahlbeck or extend impending UFA Matt Tennyson and make sure he plays in seven more games this season, as he’s currently short of the 40-game mark.
Atlantic Notes: Leafs’ Struggles, Zetterberg, Bjugstad
The Maple Leafs are in need of a run after a poor showing in California writes the Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. After an 0-2-1 record following their California trip, Koshan calls “frustration and disappointment” the co-passengers on the flight back to Toronto. The Leafs, who face the Red Wings on Tuesday, hardly sound downtrodden, despite sitting a point out of a playoff spot, with the New York Islanders having a game in hand. The Panthers, and Flyers are both nipping at the Leafs’ heels, only behind by a point, and three points respectively. Regardless, head coach Mike Babcock old his team that as it gets more competitive during a playoff chase, it’s important to “play right.”
In other Atlantic Division news:
- The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James reports that the Red Wings still believe they have a chance at sneaking into the playoffs. Though a tall order, St. James writes that Justin Abdelkader, and Darren Helm have both played strong and the return of Gustay Nyquist could bolster a lineup missing Thomas Vanek, and Brendan Smith, who were both offensive threats traded at the deadline. St. James tweeted Friday that bench boss Jeff Blashill believes that Detroit can make the playoffs because of Henrik Zetterberg‘s strong play. St. James explains that Blashill realizes the mountain the Red Wings have to climb in order for that to happen, but he believes that if anyone can will a team into the playoffs, it would be Detroit’s captain.
- Speaking of Vanek, he could be the tonic to Nick Bjugstad‘s struggles writes The Miami Herald’s David Neal. Vanek was acquired at the trade deadline Thursday and will be counted on to provide timely for scoring as he did in Detroit. Bjugstad has mirrored his team’s struggles at home, and the hope is that Bjugstad’s game can be rejuvenated by Vanek. Jonathan Marchessault will flank Bjugstad on the wing with Vanek, and head coach Tom Rowe believes that the trio can account for some much needed scoring.
Snapshots: Konecny, Duclair, Oilers-Red Wings
After missing nine games with an injured knee and ankle, Philadelphia Flyers rookie Travis Konecny will return to the lineup on Saturday night. That’s according to Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly.
It’s an early-than-expected return for Konecny, who was expected to miss 4-6 weeks when he was placed on IR three weeks ago. The rookie has seven goals and 22 points in 51 games so far this season, while averaging almost 15 minutes per night with solid possession numbers. His 22 points were good for fourteenth in rookie scoring when he was injured back in February. He’s now dropped to twentieth, having been passed by fellow Flyers rookie Ivan Provorov among others.
It’s not yet known who Konecny will line up with in Washington this evening. Forward Jordan Weal was called up to replace Konecny, and though he has just one goal in six games, he’s been lining up on the Flyers’ top line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers also added center Valtteri Filppula at the trade deadline, so the forward core looks slightly different than the one Konecny left last month.
- Much-maligned sophomore Anthony Duclair played his first NHL game in six weeks last night. He had been sent to the AHL in mid-January to find his scoring touch, which had been missing all season. Duclair scored 20 goals and 44 points in his rookie year, but has just three goals and nine points in 42 games this season. The main culprit appears to be his shooting percentage, which has gone from 19% down to 5.2%. It’s not as if Duclair lit up the AHL either, with just one goal and eight points in 16 games. However, it appears he’s back with the NHL club for the rest of the season. Sarah McLellan of AZ Central quoted Coyotes bench boss Dave Tippett as saying the rest of this season is Duclair’s chance to “re-establish himself as an NHL player.” The Coyotes clearly want to take a closer look at Duclair before making a decision on him this summer when he’s an RFA.
- It will be a tale of two teams heading in completely different directions when the Detroit Red Wings visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Oilers are comfortably in a playoff spot for the first time in a very long time, and the Red Wings are about to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1989-90. The last time the Oilers finished ahead of the Red Wings was the following year; twelve members of tonight’s Oilers were not yet born. In addition, this will be David Desharnais‘ first appearance in blue and orange since being acquired before the trade deadline, and he’ll line up Anton Slepyshev and Zack Kassian.