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West Notes: Tarasenko, Canucks UFAs, Coyotes Black Aces

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Many may have forgotten already, but when the NHL 24-team tournament hits the ice later this summer, the St. Louis Blues would be doing everything it can to defend their Stanley Cup title and try to win a second straight. That might have been somewhat more challenging for the Blues who played much of the season without star scorer Vladimir Tarasenko who underwent shoulder surgery on Oct. 29.

While he was close to coming back before the NHL season was suspended from COVID-19, there was no guarantee how ready Tarasenko would be for the upcoming playoffs. However, with the delay of the playoffs due to the pandemic, Tarasenko should be more than ready to help the Blues this summer, according to head coach Craig Berube on The Athletic’s We Went Blues podcast with Jeremy Rutherford (subscription required).

“He’s good,” said Berube. “Before we stopped, he was ready to come back the next week and play, so, he did a great job of getting himself back. He did a great job with his rehab, along with the training staff, and he kept himself in great shape. He actually came back in better shape than he came to camp (in September) … He’s been on the ice and doing things right now, so he’s ready to go.”

A healthy Tarasenko would be a huge boost to the team’s playoff chances. The team was faring quite well without him though as they have the second-best record in the league and sit at the top of the Western Conference with a 42-29-10 record. The 28-year-old Tarasenko appeared in just 10 games before being injured, posting three goals and 10 points. He was given a five month timetable, which should make him more than prepared to take on a major role whenever play resumes.

AHL All-Star Game Makes Several Roster Changes

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Sunday: More changes are being made, even on the morning of the event. Toronto Marlies teamates Timothy Liljegren and Jeremy Bracco have been added to the North Division squad, the AHL announced. The duo will replace Bellevile Senators forward Drake Batherson, who was recalled by Ottawa, and Utica Comets forward Reid Boucher, who is unavailable due to an injury suffered this weekend.

Saturday: The AHL announced another change to the AHL All-Star roster as Belleville Senators forward Alex Formenton will replace teammate Josh Norris for the North Division.

Wednesday: The league has made another adjustment, selecting Cameron Gaunce from the Syracuse Crunch to replace Lawrence Pilut of the Rochester Americans. Pilut’s absence likely means he’ll be re-joining the Buffalo Sabres after the break.

Tuesday: The AHL All-Star Game is also just around the corner, but thanks to some midseason call-ups the rosters will have to change. Today the minor league announced five swaps for their upcoming event in Ontario, California. Vinni Lettieri (Hartford), Josh Norris (Belleville), Adam Clendening (Cleveland), Alex Nedeljkovic (Charlotte) and Vitek Vanacek (Hershey) have all been added to the game, while Nathan Gerbe (Cleveland), Michael Sgarbossa (Hershey), Rasmus Sandin (Toronto), Chris Driedger (Springfield) and Igor Shesterkin (Hartford) will all no longer be attending.

The full rosters are now as follows:

Atlantic Division:

Andrew Agozzino, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Sebastian Aho, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Jake Bean, Charlotte Checkers
Paul Carey, Providence Bruins
Morgan Frost, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Joey Keane, Hartford Wolf Pack
Vinni Lettieri, Hartford Wolf Pack
Matt Moulson, Hershey Bears (Captain)
Alex Nedeljkovic, Charlotte Checkers
Jack Studnicka, Providence Bruins
Owen Tippett, Springfield Thunderbirds
Vitek Vanacek, Hershey Bears

North Division:

Joey Anderson, Binghamton Devils
Rudolfs Balcers, Belleville Senators
Alex Barre-Boulet, Syracuse Crunch
Drake Batherson, Belleville Senators
Reid Boucher, Utica Comets
Adam Clendening, Cleveland Monsters
Charles Hudon, Laval Rocket
Jonas Johansson, Rochester Americans
Kasimir Kaskisuo, Toronto Marlies
Josh Norris, Belleville Senators
Lawrence Pilut, Rochester Americans
Brogan Rafferty, Utica Comets

Central Division:

Alexandre Carrier, Milwaukee Admirals
Lucas Elvenes, Chicago Wolves
Matthew Ford, Grand Rapids Griffins (Captain)
Jansen Harkins, Manitoba Moose
Connor Ingram, Milwaukee Admirals
Kevin Lankinen, Rockford IceHogs
Joel L’Esperance, Texas Stars
Gerald Mayhew, Iowa Wild
Brennan Menell, Iowa Wild
Derrick Pouliot, San Antonio Rampage
Chris Terry, Grand Rapids Griffins
Yakov Trenin, Milwaukee Admirals

Pacific Division:

Tyler Benson, Bakersfield Condors
Joachim Blichfeld, San Jose Barracuda
Brayden Burke, Tucson Roadrunners
Kyle Capobianco, Tucson Roadrunners
Kale Clague, Ontario Reign
Martin Frk, Ontario Reign
Glenn Gawdin, Stockton Heat
Lane Pederson, Tucson Roadrunners
Calvin Petersen, Ontario Reign
Anthony Stolarz, San Diego Gulls
T.J. Tynan, Colorado Eagles
Chris Wideman, San Diego Gulls

Coyotes Notes: Hall Extension, Burke, Soderstrom

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Taylor Hall stated in his conference call with the media this afternoon that he was excited to be joining the Arizona Coyotes and would be open to an extension with the team prior to July 1st. Of course, no one would’ve expected any less from the blockbuster acquisition. In reality, there is likely some work to be done before Hall would agree to a long-term deal in the desert. In fact, he stated outright that he and Coyotes GM John Chayka have a mutual understanding that they will let things play out before beginning contract talks. First and foremost, the team’s playoff pursuit will play a major role in how Hall enjoys his time with the team this season and how he views their Stanley Cup odds moving forward. Hall mentioned several times in his call that he was looking forward to the prospect of getting back to the playoffs and was excited by the jump from the basement-dwelling Devils to the Pacific-leading Coyotes. The star winger has played in just five postseason games in his NHL career and joining a club that looks destined not only to make the playoffs, but potentially even win a round, could be enough to hook Hall in to a longer stay. However, how Arizona makes the playoffs will matter as well. While the ’Yotes have held their own so far this season, if Hall feels like he had to carry the team into the playoffs as he did the 2017-18 Devils, he could look to move elsewhere to a more balanced roster. For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski says that the vibe he got from Hall on the conference call was that Arizona was not going to be a long-term stay, but Wyshynski acknowledges that there is still plenty of time for him to change his mind. “It’s always nice to feel wanted,” Hall stated, which is a sentiment that will likely only grow as Hall finds his place on an upstart Coyotes franchise that, like himself, is lacking in playoff experience and excited at the potential of this season, especially after swinging this deal.

  • CapFriendly was quick to point out after the Hall trade was consummated that, even with New Jersey retaining 50% of his salary, the team was over the salary cap ceiling as currently constituted. The team resolved that situation shortly thereafter, announcing that forward Brayden Burke has been reassigned to the AHL’s Tuscon Roadrunners. Burke, 22, had been on a tear in the minors with 24 points in 24 games to open the season. He had only just earned his first NHL call-up on Friday and had yet to make his Coyotes debut. But when a star like Taylor Hall is available, plans change and Burke will have to wait to show what he can do at the top level.
  • With many not so impressed by the return the Devils received for Hall, several sources have stated that the Coyotes top prospects, Barrett Hayton and Victor Soderstrom, were never even on the table. Soderstrom, the team’s 2019 first-round pick, is likely even more untouchable after today’s trade. Having dealt Pierre-Olivier Joseph to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Phil Kessel trade and now Kevin Bahl to New Jersey, the team’s defensive pipeline has lost two of its biggest names. Soderstrom and Filip Westerlund now sit atop a list that otherwise counts long-term collegiate projects as its top talent. In all likelihood, Arizona will not be looking to make a major deal including prospects of Soderstrom’s caliber any time soon, but you can be sure that the young Swedish defender isn’t going anywhere regardless.

 

Minor Transactions: 12/13/19

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After a busy Thursday only two games are on the NHL schedule for this evening, but both bring about some intrigue. The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights battle over wild card seeding, while the Colorado Avalanche get an up close viewing of the top trade deadline prize when Taylor Hall and the New Jersey Devils come to town. As teams prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves.

  • The Arizona Coyotes recalled Brayden Burke last night for the first time in his short professional career. The 22-year old was an undrafted free agent signing in 2018 by the Coyotes and has put it all together this season, scoring 24 points in 24 games for the Tucson Roadrunners.
  • Joseph Blandisi has been returned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, which bodes well for Evgeni Malkin’s status going into the weekend. Malkin missed last night’s contest with an illness, but the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to grind out a 1-0 win anyway.
  • The St. Louis Blues have sent Austin Poganski back to the AHL, after Oskar Sundqvist made his triumphant return last night. With Alex Steen and Zach Sanford also getting healthier, the Blues don’t have enough room to keep the waiver-exempt Poganski around.
  • Madison Bowey has been recalled by the Detroit Red Wings after Jonathan Ericsson suffered an injury last night. Bowey cleared waivers recently and was sent to the minor leagues, where he had played in just one game.
  • After Eric Staal was deemed healthy enough to play last night, the Minnesota Wild have sent Gerald Mayhew back to the AHL. Mayhew is still one of the minor league’s most dangerous goal scorers, with 14 in 22 games this season for the Iowa Wild.
  • Matthew Phillips has been returned to the Stockton Heat of the AHL without getting into an NHL game. The 21-year old forward has taken a huge jump in his development this season and is a real option for the Calgary Flames moving forward.
  • Guillaume Brisebois has been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks, as they send Jalen Chatfield back down. Chatfield has yet to make his NHL debut and has just one point in 18 games for the Utica Comets.
  • Nico Hischier has been activated off injured reserve by the New Jersey Devils, meaning Colton White is on his way back to the AHL. White hasn’t played in a game with the team this season, but did earn some NHL pay during his latest week in the league.
  • Ryan Poehling is back. The Montreal Canadiens have completed a transaction with the young forward for the third consecutive day, this time recalling him from the minor leagues.
  • With Trevor Moore approaching a return for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team has sent Nic Petan to the minors. Petan has already cleared waivers earlier this season, and though he was being used regularly under new head coach Sheldon Keefe, he’ll be the odd man out.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings Dominating Juniors

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Given that each team generally has seven chances to makes a pick in the NHL Draft each year resulting in, until recently, 210 selections, and now 217 moving forward, the bulk of top players in the league come through the draft process. However, no matter the level – Canadian juniors, American juniors and the NCAA, and Europe – there are always players that slip through the crack. Sometimes those particular players don’t slip too far. Case in point: take a look at some of the top players in the CHL this season. A significant proportion of 2017-18’s most valuable players in the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL are not just undrafted, but have also already signed with an NHL team.

In the Ontario League, Aaron Luchuk is the poster boy for the year of undrafted signings. The 20-year-old Barrie Colts center signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators back in December. He’s rewarded them for taking a gamble on him by leading the league with 105 points thus far, including a league-leading 45 goals. This has been a major step up in his production of 60 points in 68 games in 2016-17. The 5’10” forward’s next step will be trying his hand at the AHL next season. Not far behind Luchuk is Sam Miletic, a fellow 20-year-old forward playing for the Niagara Ice Dogs. Miletic is fifth in the OHL with 86 points and also brings a good defensive sense to his game. Miletic signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in September after recording 55 points in 65 games with the London Knights last season; Miletic had 54 points in just 35 games with London prior to being traded mid-season. Undrafted netminders are also making a splash in the OHL. The Detroit Red Wings signed 19-year-old Kaden Fulcher back in October and the Hamilton Bulldogs goalie has since been a top goalie in the league, currently fourth in goals against average and seventh in save percentage among starters. Boston Bruins prospect Kyle Keyser is right there with him, as the Oshawa Generals keeper is sixth in save percentage and seventh in goals against average among starters.

The Western League is littered with undrafted free agent signings among its top scorers. The Moose Jaw Warriors’ Brayden Burke has joined that group, having just signed with the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Burke, 21, is tied for second in league scoring with 113 points in just 61 games, a pace of nearly two points per game this season. Burke is undersized at 5’10”, 165 lbs., but has done well for himself in the WHL, which is traditionally a heavier league, and will soon turn his sights on the pros. Also in the top ten in scoring are another Penguin, Jordy Bellerive, and the Colorado Avalanche’s Ty Lewis. Both forwards signed prior to the season and have each taken a big step in 2017-18, currently tied for eighth with 89 points. Bellerive, who is only 18, jumped on the opportunity to sign with the defending Cup champs after being passed over in the draft, and the Lethbridge Hurricanes center is now making the Penguins just as excited about the deal. Lewis, 20, has stepped into the top scorer role for the Brandon Wheat Kings left behind by Nolan Patrick and has excelled. Cameron Hebig of the Regina Pats is next in line with 88 points on the year, after signing with the Edmonton Oilers. The WHL also features an impressive undrafted goalie of their own in Cole Kehler, a 20-year-old for the Portland Winterhawks who inked a deal with the Los Angeles Kings in December as well. Kehler has a big frame and a quick glove, which has helped him maintain the best goals against average and fourth-best save percentage among goalies with at least 40 appearances this year.

While the Quebec League doesn’t count as many exciting undrafted prospects among its best, it does feature two consistent torrid scorers who, until recently, had been ignored due to their small stature. Alex Barre-Boulet joined the pro-bound on March 1st, when the Tampa Bay Lightning signed him to an entry-level deal. Barre-Boulet, 20, may stand only 5’10”, 165 lbs., but he is enjoying his third-straight 80+ point campaign. In fact, he is far beyond that in 2017-18, with a league leading 109 points that dwarfs the next-best scorer by 15 points. The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada star has at least earned a shot at the NHL. So too has Maxime Fourtier, the Halifax Mooseheads captain who has at least 70 points the past three years. Fourtier is slightly bigger that Barre-Boulet and has clearly focused on rounding out his game this season, after signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in November.

The 2017-18 season shows that the draft is not the end of the line. These standouts make up only a fraction of the talented undrafted players skating in the CHL, some of whom are soon to be signed, and an even smaller fraction of undrafted players across the globe. Talent is always there to discover, even if it doesn’t fully manifest by the age of 18, and these players are proof. Expect to see many of them at the NHL level some time in the not-to-distant future.

Coyotes Sign Brayden Burke To An Entry-Level Contract

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The Coyotes have put pen to paper with one of the top scorers in the Western Hockey League, announcing that they have signed forward Brayden Burke to a three-year, entry-level contract.  Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 21-year-old went unclaimed through three NHL Entry Drafts but it hasn’t been for a lack of scoring.  Heading into this season, Burke had amassed an impressive 219 points in 177 games but it still wasn’t enough to get him signed.  However, he has taken his play to another level entirely this season, scoring 31 goals while adding 81 assists in just 59 contests; his 112 points rank second in the league.

What likely hurt Burke’s draft stock is his smallish stature as he stands just 5’10 and 170 pounds.  As much as smaller players have made their mark more and more frequently in recent years, some like Burke still fall through the cracks.  He will finish up his season with Moose Jaw (where he is currently battling a lower-body injury) and will likely begin his professional career next year at the minor league level with AHL Tucson.

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