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Minor Transactions: 9/26/18

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As some players move from NHL camp to AHL camp or are released from tryouts, it can open up new opportunities for the coming season. Everyone would prefer to land with a big league team, but that simply doesn’t happen. Instead, they embrace their new role and the challenge of getting to the top level. There are still gaps to fill on many teams throughout the minor leagues and Europe. Keep up with all of those moves today right here:

  • The AHL’s Belleville Senators, Ottawa’s affiliate, has inked a pair of veteran minor leaguers. The team announced that goaltender Jake Paterson and forward Francois Beauchemin have earned contracts. Paterson, a former Detroit Red Wings prospect, has played almost exclusively in the ECHL since turning pro three years ago and has struggled in his short AHL stints. Paterson will almost certainly return to the ECHL this year, with recently announced affiliate the Brampton Beast. However, it makes sense for Belleville to add some experienced depth, given that Mike McKenna could see NHL action this year should aging Ottawa starter Craig Anderson get hurt and AHL option Filip Gustavsson is in his first season in North America. Beauchemin, not be confused with newly retired defenseman Francois Beauchemin, had a tough first year at the pro level in 2017-18 but was reliable producer and two-way player for years in the QMJHL. They’ll give him another shot to show he can hack it in the AHL.
  • Emile Poirier is back in the Calgary system, at least temporarily. NHL.com’s Patrick Williams reports that the Flames’ 2013 first-round pick has been invited to camp by their AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat. Poirier was not qualified this off-season after another disappointing campaign in the minors. The talented forward struggled with consistency throughout his entry-level contract and a lack of production convinced the Flames to move on without him. It seems that the Heat are not as willing to let go though. While there are many intriguing veteran names already slotted for roles in Stockton, as well as other camp invites like Logan Shaw and Gilbert Brule, the familiarity that Poirier could bring to team that has seen much changeover could earn him a roster spot. Former University of Denver star goalie Tanner Jaillet and long-time NHL grinder Ryan White were also included on the camp roster for Stockton.
  • Another interesting camp invite is journeyman defenseman Tim Erixon. The AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that they have added Erixon to their camp roster, bringing back a player who excelled on their blue line from 2015 to 2017 on a two-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh. Erixon spent last year on AHL contracts with the Binghamton Devils and Springfield Thunderbirds and was again a productive player. Erixon, 27, is a former first-round pick with ample ability who simply struggled to compete at the NHL level and may never reach that level again, but has proven to be dependable on the AHL stage. It would be no surprise to see him stick with the junior Penguins.
  • The Los Angeles Kings have recalled four recently-demoted players from the AHL’s Ontario Reign camp. The Kings announced that forwards Sheldon Rempal, a free agent addition out of Clarkson University, Drake Rymsha, a first-year pro, Matt Luff and Boko Imama, Reign veterans, have re-joined the team. It seems likely that one or more will suit up for the Kings tonight when L.A. squares off with the Anaheim Ducks.

Riley Sheahan (Lower-Body Injury) Returns To Practice

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Minor Transactions: 9/25/18

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Even as many players lose their shots at an NHL roster spot across the league, via waivers and reassignment, positive moves are being made as well, giving others a second chance or new opportunity ahead of the 2018-19 season. Follow along with some smaller transactions around the hockey world right here:

  • It’s the first NHL call-up of the season and it’s not a minor one, either. The San Jose Sharks have recalled 14 players from San Jose Barracuda’s camp, the team announced. Nine forwards and five defenseman will re-join training camp and, likely the main purpose of the promotion, will take part in the team’s road game against the Calgary Flames tonight. San Jose entered camp initially with very few if any real position battles and likely have their lineup sorted out with the regular season set to open next week. Rather than tire out their veterans with a trip back and forth to Alberta, they’ll let the kids go instead. Regardless, it is a great experience for some of the younger players who were dejected at already being demoted to the AHL.
  • As indicated by his unexpected waiver placement earlier, Ryan Haggerty has signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 25-year-old two-way forward has been a member of the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the past two years and signed an extension to return this season. However, as an invite to NHL camp, Haggerty did enough to earn a bump up to a two-way contract. CapFriendly did some digging after Haggerty was put on waivers and found that the has signed a two-year deal worth an average of $675K at the NHL level. Haggerty is expected to return to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but could be a useful bottom-six depth piece for the Penguins this year.
  • After clearing unconditional waivers yesterday, recently released former Anaheim Duck Julius Nattinen has already found a new home. The young center, a second-round pick in 2015, struggled greatly in the AHL last season, recording just 12 points as a first-year pro. The Athletic’s Eric Stephens reported that Nattinen did not plan to report to the San Diego Gulls again this season, leading to his termination. He will now return home to Finland, as Liiga club JYP has announced a three-year contract with Nattinen. The 21-year-old forward will try to get his career back on track overseas, but likely has burned his bridges in the NHL with a quick exit from the Ducks’ system.

Training Camp Cuts: 9/23/18

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As training camps roll on, teams continue to thin the herd. Yesterday saw twelve different teams make substantial cuts and the same can be expected today. The Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning got things started early this morning, but we’ll keep track of cuts right here throughout the day:

Arizona Coyotes (via team release)

F Brayden Burke (to Tucson, AHL)
F Trevor Cheek (to Tucson, AHL)
F Matteo Gennaro (to Tucson, AHL)
F Adam Helewka (to Tucson, AHL)
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph (to Charlottetown, QMJHL)
G Merrick Madsen (to Tucson, AHL)

Buffalo Sabres (via team Twitter)

F Tyler Randell (to Rochester, AHL)

Dallas Stars (per team release)

F Nick Caamano (to Texas, AHL)
F Tony Calderone (to Texas, AHL)
G Philippe Desrosiers (to Texas, AHL)
D Ben Gleason (to Texas, AHL)
D Shane Hanna (released from PTO)
D Niklas Hansson (to Texas, AHL)
F Samuel Laberge (released from PTO)
F Joel L’Esperance (to Texas, AHL)
F Colin Markison (released from PTO)
D Chris Martenet (to Texas, AHL)
F Adam Mascherin (to Texas, AHL)
F Robbie Payne (released from ATO)
F James Phelan (released from ATO)
G Colton Point (to Texas, AHL)
D Ondrej Vala (to Texas, AHL)

Los Angeles Kings (per team release)

D Alex Lintuniemi (to Ontario, AHL)
F Zack Mitchell (to Ontario, AHL)

Nashville Predators (per team release)

D Frederic Allard (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Alexandre Carrier (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Matt Donovan (released from PTO)
D Jack Dougherty (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Jeremy Gregoire (released from PTO)
F Tanner Jeannot (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Justin Kirkland (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Matt Lane (released from PTO)
D Joonas Lyytinen (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Thomas McCollum (released from PTO)
F Zachary Magwood (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Tyler Moy (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Mathieu Olivier (released from PTO)
F Alex Overhardt (released from PTO)
F Carl Persson (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Emil Pettersson (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Filip Pyrochta (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Anthony Richard (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Miroslav Svoboda (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Yakov Trenin (to Milwaukee, AHL)

New Jersey Devils (per team release & team Twitter)

F Brandon Baddock (to Binghamton, AHL)
F Nathan Bastian (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Jocktan Chainey (to Halifax, QMJHL)
F Brandon Gignac (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Josh Jacobs (to Binghamton, AHL)
G Cam Johnson (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Michael Kapla (to Binghamton, AHL)
G Akira Schmid (to Lethbridge, WHL)
F Yegor Sharangovich (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Colby Sissons (to Binghamton, AHL)
F Blake Speers (to Binghamton, AHL)
D Colton White (to Binghamton, AHL)

New York Islanders (via team Twitter)

D Kyle Burroughs (to Bridgeport, AHL)

Ottawa Senators (per team release)

F Rudolfs Balcers (to Belleville, AHL)
F Drake Batherson (to Belleville, AHL)
F Logan Brown (to Belleville, AHL)
D Andreas Englund (to Belleville, AHL)
D Macoy Erkamps (to Belleville, AHL)
F Gabriel Gagne (to Belleville, AHL)
G Filip Gustavsson (to Belleville, AHL)
G Marcus Hogberg (to Belleville, AHL)
F Joseph Labate (to Belleville, AHL)
F Boston Leier (to Belleville, AHL)
F Aaron Luchuk (to Belleville, AHL)
D Stuart Percy (to Belleville, AHL)
F Jack Rodewald (to Belleville, AHL)
F Ryan Scarfo (to Belleville, AHL)
F Andrew Sturtz (to Belleville, AHL)
F Chase Balisy (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
D Julius Bergman (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
D Erik Burgdoerfer (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
F Nick Paul (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
F Ben Sexton (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
D Patrick Sieloff (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
F Adam Tambellini (waivers, for purpose of Belleville, AHL)
F Jack Skille (released from PTO)

Pittsburgh Penguins (per team release)

F Anthony Angello (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Teddy Blueger (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Joseph Cramarossa (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Thomas Di Pauli (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Stefan Elliott (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)
F Ryan Haggerty (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jimmy Hayes (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)
F Adam Johnson (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Sam Lafferty (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Tobias Lindberg (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)
F Sam Miletic (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G John Muse (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)
D Will O’Neill (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Linus Olund (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Ethan Prow (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)
D Chris Summers (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)
D Jeff Taylor (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Garrett Wilson (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL pending waivers)

San Jose Sharks (per team release)

F Tim Clifton (placed on waivers for purpose of sending to San Jose)
D Nick DeSimone (to San Jose, AHL)
D Cavan Fitzgerald (to San Jose, AHL)
F Noah Gregor (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jayden Halbgewachs (to San Jose, AHL)
F Maxim Letunov (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jake McGrew (to Spokane, WHL)
D Jacob Middleton (to San Jose, AHL)
D Keaton Middleton (to San Jose, AHL)
F Francis Perron (to San Jose, AHL)
F Vincent Praplan (to San Jose, AHL)
F Lukas Radil (to San Jose, AHL)
D Jeremy Roy (to San Jose, AHL)
F Alex True (to San Jose, AHL)
F Manuel Wiederer (to San Jose, AHL)
D Kyle Wood (to San Jose, AHL)

Tampa Bay Lightning (per team release)

F Olivier Archambault (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Alex Barre-Boulet (to Syracuse, AHL)
G Corbin Boes (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Troy Bourke (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Michael Bournival (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Brady Brassart (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Ross Colton (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Cal Foote (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Cameron Gaunce (to Syracuse, AHL)
G Connor Ingram (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Boris Katchouk (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Hubert Labrie (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Alexey Lipanov (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Kevin Lynch (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Dominik Masin (to Syracuse, AHL)
G Eddie Pasquale (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Taylor Raddysh (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Otto Somppi (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Oleg Sosunov (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Matt Spencer (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Jonne Tammela (to Syracuse, AHL)
D Ben Thomas (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Carter Verhaeghe (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Daniel Walcott (to Syracuse, AHL)
F Dennis Yan (to Syracuse, AHL)

Vancouver Canucks (via Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma)

D Guillaume Brisebois (to Utica, AHL)
D Jalen Chatfield (to Utica, AHL)
F Jonathan Dahlen (to Utica, AHL)
F Petrus Palmu (to Utica, AHL)

Vegas Golden Knights (via team release)

D Nic Hague (to Chicago, AHL)
D Keegan Kolesar (to Chicago, AHL)

Thirty-Five Players Placed On Waivers

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After 25 players were placed on waivers Friday and another seven Saturday (all of which cleared), the biggest yet came today with 35 more players being placed on waivers, according to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie.

F Andy Andreoff (Tampa Bay)
F Chase Balisy (Ottawa)
D Julius Bergman (Ottawa)
F Connor Brickley (Nashville)
G Peter Budaj (Los Angeles)
F Michael Bunting (Arizona)
D Erik Burgdoerfer (Ottawa)
F Tim Clifton (San Jose)
F Gabriel Dumont (Tampa Bay)
D Stefan Elliott (Pittsburgh)
F Kurtis Gabriel (New Jersey)
F Tyler Gaudet (Nashville)
D Cameron Gaunce (Tampa Bay)
G Troy Grosenick (Nashville)
F Jimmy Hayes (Pittsburgh)
G Maxime Lagace (Vegas)
F Tobias Lindberg (Pittsburgh)
F Stefan Matteau (Vegas)
G John Muse (Pittsburgh)
G Eddie Pasquale (Tampa Bay)
F Nick Paul (Ottawa)
F Blake Pietila (New Jersey)
F Kevin Porter (Buffalo)
D John Ramage (New Jersey)
D Griffin Reinhart (Vegas)
F Ben Sexton (Ottawa)
D Patrick Sieloff (Ottawa)
D Brian Strait (New Jersey)
D Chris Summers (Pittsburgh)
F Adam Tambellini (Ottawa)
F Eric Tangradi (New Jersey)
D Jarred Tinordi (Nashville)
F T.J. Tynan (Vegas)
F Carter Verhaeghe (Tampa Bay)
F Garrett Wilson (Pittsburgh)

One of the more interesting players put on waivers is Reinhart, the fourth-overall pick back in 2012, who the Golden Knights took a flier on in the expansion draft. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound blueliner has never been able to match his size and skills together to make considerable NHL contributions. It was no different in Vegas, where the now 24-year-old never made an NHL appearance for the Golden Knights. He played 60 games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves where he posted just two goals and 12 points.

Budaj, who has been a solid goaltender in previous year, may be past his prime as the 36-year-old couldn’t make an impact in Tampa Bay or Los Angeles last year, both places where they had backup goaltending issues at one point in the season last year. In eight games with the Lightning last year, he posted a 3.75 GAA and a .876 save percentage.

Other interesting players who saw significant NHL time last season include Andreoff, Brickley, Hayes, Dumont and Lagace.

 

Metropolitan Notes: Riikola, Duclair, Mrazek, Hagg

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are already loaded at the defense position, but the team is finding it harder and harder not to notice Finnish defenseman Juuso Riikola, who has dominated the preseason with his impressive play. The 24-year-old did it again today with a highlight-reel goal (link here) in a 7-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, it isn’t just his offense, a few minutes later Riikola made an impressive defensive play on the other end of the ice.

“His hockey sense jumps out at you,” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a real good puck mover. He can skate. He’s a mobile guy. What’s really surprised me is his willingness to embrace the physical aspect of the game. He’s not afraid to stick his nose in battles, and he’s done a real good job in that regard.”

Jonathan Bombulie of the Tribune Review writes that while it’s hard to imagine Riikola bumping one of the team’s top-six defensemen, his well-rounded game may be having Pittsburgh management consider keeping eight defensemen instead of holding onto 14 forwards.

“We’ll let the training camp play out,” Sullivan said. “But certainly, he’s a guy that has raised eyebrows and he’s going to make decisions for the coaching staff very difficult.”

  • Brian Hedger of NHL.com writes that Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has made it his mission to try to figure out how to harness the speed and skill that winger Anthony Duclair has and how to take those abilities and turn him into a dominant NHL player. Duclair who is already on his fourth team at the age of 23 has struggled since his rookie campaign when he netted 20 goals. Since then, his totals have decreased to five in his sophomore campaign and 11 between two teams last year. “I need to watch,” Tortorella said. “Why is this his fourth team? I need to ask that question. Why? Maybe I can find out by watching and maybe I can help him by watching, to maybe have him stop some habits that made this happen, as far as him bouncing around. This guy here, talking to a couple of his [former] teammates, there’s so much there. I think we have to take a little responsibility to try to get it out of him, but it has to be a two-way street [and] he has to give too. So, we’ll see where it goes.”
  • Michael Smith of NHL.com writes that Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour has been quite impressed with goaltender Petr Mrazek, who has been sharp in two consecutive outings, though he’s only faced 19 shots in 70 minutes so far. Is that enough to choose a starter? “Well, for me it certainly is,” Brind’Amour joked. “For him, I don’t know. He’s looked good from day one, and he looked good again tonight. Just real calm in there. The one goal he had zero chance on. It was a breakdown on our part.”
  • After struggling early in preseason, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg is slowly working his way back “up to speed,” according to NHL.com. Head coach Dave Hakstol has been impressed with the physicality that the 6-foot-2, 204-pounder brings, but has worked Hagg hard on other areas of his game that have been weak, including managing gaps and being more clean with the puck. Hakstol has frequently played Hagg in the preseason, so he can work on those key skills.

Training Camp Cuts: 09/20/18

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Almost 80 players were cut from training camps around the league yesterday, and today will likely be no different. We’ll keep track of all the changes right here, so make sure to refresh or return to this page throughout the day:

Calgary Flames (per team release)

F D’Artagnan Joly (to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
F Milos Roman (to Vancouver, WHL)
F Adam Ruzicka (to Sarnia, OHL)
F Dmitry Zavgorodniy (to Rimouski, QMJHL)
D Jake Christiansen (to Everett, WHL)
D Igor Merezhko (to Lethbridge, WHL)
D Brayden Pachal (to Prince Albert, WHL)
D Merrick Rippon (to Ottawa, OHL)

Edmonton Oilers (per team release)

F Tyler Benson (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Josh Currie (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Joseph Gambardella (to Bakersfield, AHL)
D Caleb Jones (to Bakersfield, AHL)
D William Lagesson (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Patrick Russell (to Bakersfield, AHL)
D Ryan Stanton (to Bakersfield, AHL)
G Dylan Wells (to Bakersfield, AHL)

Philadelphia Flyers (per team release)

F Colin McDonald (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F David Kase (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F German Rubtsov (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Mike Vecchione (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
F Connor Bunnaman (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Zach Palmquist (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Reece Willcox (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D David Drake (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Frank Hora (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D James de Haas (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
D Yegor Zamula (to Calgary, WHL)

Pittsburgh Penguins (per team release)

F Freddie Tiffels (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Troy Josephs (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Dane Birks (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Joe Masonius (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Anthony Peters (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Justin Almeida (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
F Jan Drozg (to Shawinigan, QMJHL)
F Jordy Bellerive (to Lethbridge, WHL)
D Calen Addison (to Lethbridge, WHL)
G Alex D’Orio (to Saint John, QMJHL)
D Antti Palojarvi (to Lukko, Finland)

San Jose Sharks (per team release)

F Matt Fonteyne (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jonathon Martin (to San Jose, AHL)
F Colby McAuley (to San Jose, AHL)
F Filip Sandberg (to San Jose, AHL)
F Alex Schoenborn (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jeffrey Viel (to San Jose, AHL)
F Evan Weinger (to San Jose, AHL)
D Michael Brodzinski (to San Jose, AHL)
D Cody Donaghey (to San Jose, AHL)
D Thomas Gregoire (to San Jose, AHL)
G Josef Korenar (to San Jose, AHL)
F Joachim Blichfeld (to Portland, WHL)
F Ivan Chekhovich (to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
F Vladislav Kotkov (to Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
G Max Paddock (to Regina, WHL)

St. Louis Blues (per Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic)

F Alexei Toropchenko (to Guelph, OHL)

Vancouver Canucks (per team release)

F Carter Bancks (released from tryout, will attend AHL camp)
D Jesse Graham (released from tryout, will attend AHL camp)
D Jagger Dirk (released from tryout, will attend AHL camp)
G Michael DiPietro (to Windsor, OHL)

Derick Brassard Cleared To Return From A Lung Infection

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  • Penguins forward Derick Brassard skated with the team for the first time in training camp today as he works his way back from a lung infection, notes Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He’s hopeful to make his preseason debut this weekend.  Brassard is expected to spend some time on the wing in the exhibition season in an effort to give him more playing time in offensive situations than he would receive if he stayed at his natural position down the middle.  Accordingly, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play in most of their remaining games once he gets the green light to play.

Poll: Who Will Win The Calder Trophy In 2018-19?

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The Athletic’s NHL Draft and prospects guru Scott Wheeler has released the first definitive list of candidates for the Calder Trophy in 2018-19, and the order may surprise some people. Admittedly, the list is in the context of fantasy hockey, but Wheeler’s rankings are true to how he thinks Calder voting will unfold if each rookie hits their stat projections. As such, it’s not this year’s first overall pick, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, at the top of the list, but presumptive top-six center for the Vancouver Canucks, Elias Pettersson. Pettersson will be put in a much better position to rack up points than will Dahlin, the next-best candidate, as potentially one of the three best scoring forwards for the Canucks and traditionally productive forwards have a better shot at the Calder than (relatively) equally productive defensemen.

Coming in at number three is Boston Bruins forward Ryan Donato, who led both the NCAA and Olympics in goals last season and will look to win a top-six role for Boston and continue to find the back of the net at an alarming rate. Playing alongside either Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk is an easy way for Donato to quickly become an elite scorer at the NHL level. The fourth-ranked candidate is second overall pick Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes, who – like Pettersson – will be given an immense amount of responsibility right away as a top-six winger who is arguably already one of the three most skilled forwards on the team. However, Svechnikov is one of three Hurricanes rookies on Wheeler’s list, which could take away from his case. Rounding out the top five is Dahlin’s fellow rookie in Buffalo, center Casey Mittelstadt, who scored at nearly a point-per-game pace in the college ranks and in a brief stint with the Sabres to end the year. Mittelstadt should face favorable match-ups this season with the lines anchored by Jack Eichel and Patrik Berglund drawing considerable attention from the opposition.

Wheeler’s top twenty Calder Trophy candidates are as follows:

  1. C Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
  2. D Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
  3. RW Ryan Donato, Boston Bruins
  4. RW Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes
  5. C Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo Sabres
  6. RW Filip Zadina, Detroit Red Wings
  7. C Dylan Strome, Arizona Coyotes
  8. C Henrik Borgstrom, Florida Panthers
  9. C Martin Necas, Carolina Hurricanes
  10. D Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
  11. RW Dylan Sikura, Chicago Blackhawks
  12. RW Eeli Tolvanen, Nashville Predators
  13. C Filip Chytil, New York Rangers
  14. LW Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
  15. LW Valentin Zykov, Carolina Hurricanes
  16. RW Kailer Yamamoto, Edmonton Oilers
  17. C Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning
  18. LW Kristian Vesalainen, Winnipeg Jets
  19. C Sam Steel, Anaheim Ducks
  20. RW Vitaly Abramov, Columbus Blue Jackets

Honorable Mentions: C Vladislav Kamenev, Colorado Avalanche; LW Jordan Greenway, Minnesota Wild; C Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues; LW Andreas Johnsson, Toronto Maple Leafs; C Michael Rasmussen, Detroit Red Wings; C Lias Andersson, New York Rangers; D Sami Niku, Winnipeg Jets; D Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers; RW Daniel Sprong, Pittsburgh Penguins

What do you think? Who will be the NHL’s Rookie of the Year and take home the Calder Trophy at the end of the season? The favorite? The first overall pick? Another top candidate? Or a name not even mentioned here?

Who Will Win The Calder Trophy In 2018-19?
Pettersson 15.85% (204 votes)
Dahlin 14.37% (185 votes)
Zadina 11.19% (144 votes)
Donato 9.87% (127 votes)
Mittelstadt 6.92% (89 votes)
Heiskanen 6.45% (83 votes)
The Field - comment below 6.14% (79 votes)
Svechnikov 5.75% (74 votes)
Chytil 4.27% (55 votes)
Tkachuk 3.50% (45 votes)
Sikura 2.87% (37 votes)
Vesalainen 2.25% (29 votes)
Strome 1.94% (25 votes)
Yamamoto 1.86% (24 votes)
Tolvanen 1.71% (22 votes)
Steel 1.71% (22 votes)
Cirelli 1.17% (15 votes)
Borgstrom 0.85% (11 votes)
Abramov 0.62% (8 votes)
Necas 0.54% (7 votes)
Zykov 0.16% (2 votes)
Total Votes: 1,287

Metropolitan Notes: Kuznetsov, Shumakov, Domoulin, Sullivan, Stolarz

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Washington Capitals can’t be happier with one of their top players in Evgeny Kuznetsov, who took that next step last year when the won the Stanley Cup, putting up career highs in goals scored and points with 27 goals and 83 points. However, general manager Brian MacLellan feels that he can do even more this year — help out on the penalty kill, according to the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan.

That’s not a role that Kuznetsov has played much of over the course of his career. The 26-year-old has played a grand total of just 11 minutes over the last four years, which averages out to two seconds per game. However, while new head coach Todd Reirden probably won’t make too many changes to the team’s lineup after last year’s success, he has made it clear that he wants to make changes to their penalty kill, which was 15th in the league last year at 80.8 percent. One way to do that would be to inject more speed into it. That’s where Kuznetsov comes in, who could add a new element to their shorthanded line and perhaps improve his own defensive play at the same time.

“It’s a situation where we are going to try any option we can,” Reirden said. “We want to get better in that area, we need to get better in that area, and we’re going to be more aggressive, and if we’re going to be more aggressive then we have to have guys that can skate and think the game at a high level. He’s certainly one of many options we’re considering right now and he certainly seems to be up to the challenge.”

  • The Capitals are without recent signee Sergei Shumakov so far in training camp, according to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. The 26-year-old winger who has spent his entire career in the KHL, signed a one-year, entry-level contract worth $925K. Shumakov posted 17 goals and a career-high 40 points last year for CSKA Moscow. He is expected to arrive from Russia today.
  • Josh Yohe of The Athletic (subscription required) analyzes the play of Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin, who had a breakout season for Pittsburgh and who was arguably the team’s best player in their five-game series against the Washington Capitals in the playoffs last year. Domoulin, who partners with oft-injured Kris Letang, seemed to take off last year. Always a top defender, he even has started to show a little offense as he scored five goals. That may not sound like much, but considering his career-high had previously been one goal, that’s a big improvement. The team hopes he continues to get more involved in the offense this season.
  • In the same article, Yohe reports that head coach Mike Sullivan will miss a few days after the death of his father, George Sullivan. Assistant coach Jacques Martin will take over for Sullivan until he returns.
  • Sam Donnellon of Philly.com examines Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who just two years ago was looked at as a big part of the Flyers future. Fast forward to today and Stolarz is the fifth wheel in a goaltending system that already has too many goaltenders. Assuming things go as expected, the Flyers will be keeping Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth on their big-league club and will send Alex Lyon and top prospect Carter Hart to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. That leaves Stolarz, who missed most of last year after undergoing a second knee surgery. Donnellon writes while injuries are an issue amongst the veteran goalies, the likelihood that Lehigh Valley will institute a three-goalie system is unlikely, especially considering that the team needs to further develop Hart, their goalie of the future.

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