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North Notes: Toronto Goalies, Sanderson, Ottawa Injuries, Canucks

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The Maple Leafs have ruled out goaltender Frederik Andersen from the Western leg of their road trip, notes Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.  That means he will miss at least the next three games with head coach Sheldon Keefe indicating that the netminder will be re-evaluated after that.  Andersen continues to deal with the same lower-body issue that sidelined him in late February and resulted in some struggles upon his return which resulted in him missing time again.  That’s not an ideal spot to be in with a starting goalie.

To that end, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted in a segment on WGR 550 (audio link) that Toronto has spoken to Buffalo about Linus Ullmark.  The Sabres netminder is a pending UFA and would certainly be a viable replacement if Andersen was to miss extended time.  Friedman was quick to classify the talks as simply due diligence at this point and with the Maple Leafs having minimal cap space, they’d be hard-pressed to do a deal unless Andersen was to basically be out for the rest of the regular season.

Elsewhere in the East:

  • While the Senators have signed two of their top prospects this week, they won’t be doing the same with Jake Sanderson. The defenseman confirmed to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald that he will return to North Dakota for his sophomore season.  The 18-year-old was the fifth-overall pick back in October and fared quite well with 15 points in 22 games while playing a big role for Team USA at the World Juniors.
  • Still with Ottawa, head coach D.J. Smith indicated in his press briefing today (video link) that winger Micheal Haley is out for the rest of the season due to his groin injury. Meanwhile, while Matt Murray was activated from injured reserve on Thursday, he is still not ready to return.  Colin White, who left Thursday’s game early with an upper-body injury, is listed as day-to-day.
  • Despite the COVID-19 situation for the Canucks, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre that there has been “no consideration” given to shortening Vancouver’s schedule once they’re able to resume play. The league recently extended the regular season to May 11th to provide an extra buffer when Montreal was shut down for a week but given the severity of this outbreak, they may have to miss more than a week which would make playing their full schedule between their return and May 11th next to impossible.

North Notes: Pettersson, White, Anisimov, Harris

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The Canucks have transferred center Elias Pettersson to LTIR, CapFriendly reports (Twitter link).  It has been a tough season for the 22-year-old who had a particularly tough stretch to start the season and is now dealing with an upper-body injury, hardly the type of big season he was looking for heading into restricted free agency for the first time.  The move is largely procedural, however, as he has already missed eight games and wasn’t expected to play on the road trip.  The placement will give Vancouver – who has quietly won seven of the games that Pettersson has missed – some extra short-term salary cap flexibility.  The 24-day aspect of the LTIR rules suggests that Pettersson won’t be able to suit up until after Vancouver’s bye week which would peg March 31st as his possible return date.

More from the North Division:

  • The Senators are hoping to have Colin White available for Monday’s game against Calgary, notes Postmedia’s Ken Warren. The center has had an inconsistent year, struggling early to the point where he was made a healthy scratch but has still managed to put up eight goals and six assists in 28 games.  He missed Wednesday’s game due to an upper-body injury.  Meanwhile, center Artem Anisimov remains listed as day-to-day with an upper-body issue of his own.  He has missed the last four games and while he had been getting frequently shuffled to and from the taxi squad, he now needs to clear waivers upon getting cleared to return if Ottawa intends to continue to do that with him.
  • The Canadiens have made a contract offer to defense prospect Jordan Harris that would see the first year be burned this season, reports Sportsnet’s Eric Engels (Twitter link). The 20-year-old recently wrapped up his junior season with Northeastern and are awaiting the brackets for the Frozen Four tournament to see if their year will continue; no decision on whether to sign or stay in college will be made until the tournament is set on Sunday.  Engels notes that Montreal has offered to burn that first year in the NHL which suggests that they could have plans for him down the stretch.

Minor Transactions: 11/09/19

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The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning squared off in Stockholm, Sweden yesterday in the first of their two NHL Global Series games. Yet, the international event was overshadowed by the result of another game between Atlantic Division opponents later in the day. The Detroit Red Wings, keepers of the league’s worst record, knocked off the Boston Bruins in convincing fashion, bumping them from their position as the league’s best record holder in the process. The pair of contests made for a noteworthy day in the NHL, despite just eight teams taking the ice. Buffalo and Tampa are back it today along with 20 other clubs on a busy Saturday. There will be NHL action spanning about 12 hours from start to finish and early indications are that there will be plenty of minor moves to accompany the action. Keep up with those transactions here:

  • Alex Lintuniemi didn’t engage in contract termination talks with the Carolina Hurricanes without a plan in place. Less than 24 hours after clearing unconditional waivers, the Finnish defenseman has found a new home. The Lahti Pelicans of the Liiga have announced a one-year contract with Lintuniemi. While the 2014 second-round pick never panned out in North America, Lintuniemi and his physical, two-way game will undoubtedly provide a major boost for the Pelicans, one of the weakest teams in Finland’s top league.
  • Mired in an injury-driven slump, the Colorado Avalanche are trying to shake things up to find a way out of their current struggles. The AHL Eagles announced that their parent club has recalled veteran forward Jayson Megna. Megna, 29, has over 100 games of NHL experience, but 58 of them came in one season with the Vancouver Canucks. Otherwise, he has never played in more than a dozen games at the top level in one season. Yet, in his first year with Colorado, he has already played in four games with the Avs through the first month of the season and could be suiting up for this fifth on Saturday. Although, it’s worth noting that he has been held scoreless thus far and could be sent back down after another unproductive appearance.
  • Colin White’s conditioning stint in the minors didn’t last long. The Ottawa Senators sent the Boston College product down to AHL Belleville on Thursday, allowed him to play for the team last night (he recorded two assists), and have now called him back up this morning. White has just two points in eight games so far this season, a far cry from his near 50-point pace from last season, and the Senators hope that he can get going as soon as possible.
  • The Arizona Coyotes announced that they have assigned goaltender Eric Comrie to Tucson of the AHL on a conditioning stint.  Comrie was claimed off waivers at the start of the season with Antti Raanta not available to start the year but has since served as their third-stringer and as a result, he has yet to play so far this season.  Conditioning stints can only last up to two weeks so this won’t clear up the logjam for very long but it will at least give him a chance to work off some of the rust.  Comrie will count against Arizona’s 23-man NHL roster while on this assignment.
  • After carrying just six defensemen following the injury to Josh Manson, the Anaheim Ducks have recalled blueliner Simon Benoit from San Diego of the AHL, reports Elliott Teaford of The Athletic.  Benoit is in his second professional season but the first of his entry-level deal after he signed back in March.  This will be his first stint at the NHL level.
  • CapFriendly reports that the San Jose Sharks have assigned forward Lean Bergmann to the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. The 21-year-0ld forward, who signed out of Germany in the offseason, was recalled on Nov. 4 and played in two games for the Sharks, but he averaged just 7:41 in ATOI over those two games and had a minus-two rating against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. He has one assist in eight games.
  • The New York Islanders announced they have assigned forwards Otto Koivula and Cole Bardreau to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. The 21-year-old Koivula has been up and down the last week, but still has yet to make an appearance for the Islanders. He has two goals and two assists in eight games with Bridgeport. The 26-year-old Bardreau has fared well in his NHL debut this season. He has now appeared in nine games for the Islanders this year with a goal and an assist and 15 hits.

Ottawa Senators Recall Jonathan Davidsson

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The Ottawa Senators are giving another young player his first NHL opportunity, this time recalling Jonathan Davidsson from the minor leagues to play tonight. In other moves, Colin White has been assigned to the Belleville Senators on a conditioning assignment as he continues to recover and is expected to play Friday for the AHL squad. Rudolfs Balcers is also back on the ice, though still wearing a non-contact sweater.

Davidsson, 21, was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets last season as part of the Matt Duchene trade and though he doesn’t have the same hype as some of the other prospects they’ve received recently, he also shouldn’t be overlooked.

A sixth-round pick out of Sweden in 2017, Davidsson exploded in the season after his draft, recording 31 points in 52 games as a full-time player in the SHL. He followed that up with 21 points in 37 games last season for Djurgardens, and is now in his first year of professional hockey in North America.

Despite playing in Sweden last year, Davidsson actually signed his entry-level contract with Columbus in 2018—when he appeared to have a chance of making the NHL with the Blue Jackets—meaning he will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2021 regardless of how much he plays with the Senators. An excellent skater with some sneaky puck skills, he’s another part of the wave of talent Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion is so excited about.

Senators Engaged In Extension Talks With Thomas Chabot

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After signing forward Colin White to a six-year, $28.5MM extension last week, GM Pierre Dorion and the Ottawa Senators have turned their attention to talented young defenseman Thomas Chabot. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Senators have entered talks with Chabot about a new contract. Chabot’s entry-level contract expires after this coming season, but the team likely wants to avoid a difficult negotiation with their young star. However, whileDorion was happy to talk to Garrioch about White, he kept things close to the chest when it came to Chabot:

In the case of Colin White we were able to keep everything very confidential and we were able to get a contract done. We don’t think talking publicly about any contract negotiations, whether it’s Chabot or any pending UFA, does us any good. But we understand the importance of our young core and having them in Ottawa as long as possible… We’re going to keep (Chabot details) quiet, we’ve had discussions and I don’t want think I should say anymore.

The 22-year-old Chabot recorded a whopping 55 points in 70 games in just his second NHL season in 2018-19, including a team-high 41 assists. In total, Chabot has accumulated 80 points through his first 134 NHL games and is considered one of the best young offensive defensemen in the game. With so many departures from Ottawa over the last six months, the pressure will be on Chabot to take on an even bigger role moving forward. With that also comes the opportunity to produce even more offense on a Senators blue line largely devoid of any other established puck-movers.

Whereas White currently is owed more money than any other player on the Ottawa roster, that title will likely be short-lived. With the likes of Charlie McAvoy and Zach Werenski currently sitting unsigned and reportedly eyeing Jacob Trouba’s recent seven-year, $56MM contract as a comparable, Chabot is likely to land in that group as well. Owner Eugene Melnyk has been cautious about committing to large contracts over the last few years, but if he wants to hold on to the new Erik Karlsson, he will have to pay up for Chabot. Fortunately, the team has already begun negotiations, as it could be a long, arduous process.

Ottawa Senators Sign Colin White

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The restricted free agent market might finally be showing some cracks. The Ottawa Senators have signed RFA forward Colin White to a six-year contract. The contract will carry an average annual value of $4.75MM and breaks down as follows:

  • 2019-20: $4.0MM
  • 2020-21: $4.0MM
  • 2021-22: $4.75MM
  • 2022-23: $4.75MM
  • 2023-24: $4.75MM
  • 2024-25: $6.25MM

White, 22, was one of the players ineligible for an offer sheet this summer and will lose just a single year of unrestricted free agency with this deal. At $28.5MM it will however take the title of the largest contract Senators GM Pierre Dorion has ever given out, eclipsing the four-year, $20.75MM deal he signed Mike Hoffman to in 2016 (the Senators would pay out just $9.45MM before trading Hoffman).

The team’s trade history when it comes to expensive players will be the first thing coming to mind for many Senators fans, but there is no doubt that this contract is a step in the right direction for the franchise. White, selected 21st overall in 2015, broke out last season with 14 goals and 41 points in 71 games during his first full NHL season. That production will only likely increase in the coming years as White takes on more and more responsibility for the Senators as their presumptive first-line center.

A $4.75MM cap hit ties White as the second highest paid player on the Ottawa roster, behind only Bobby Ryan and right alongside goaltender Craig Anderson—as long as you don’t count the injured Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik contracts. It means there will be plenty of pressure on the young forward to continue his development as a top-line player and puts a good chunk of the offensive burden squarely upon his shoulders.

With White signed, the team can start to look towards their next big name inching closer to free agency—Thomas Chabot. The 22-year old is heading into the final year of his entry-level contract and is already one of the premier defensemen in the league. If Ottawa is truly committed to retaining their stars and building a competitive roster in the next few years, signing Chabot to a long-term deal is key.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was first to report the two sides were close.

Tampa Bay, Dallas Among Teams Facing Contract Limit Crunch

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The Tampa Bay Lightning are not only up against the NHL’s $81.5MM salary cap upper limit, but also the league’s 50-contract limit. They’re not alone either; in addition to the Bolts, the Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, and Anaheim Ducks each have 48 players already signed to contracts next season as well. Six other teams have 46 or 47 players signed. The closer a club gets to 50, the less roster flexibility they have during the season. When it comes to making trades, claiming players on waivers, or signing college or junior free agents, teams without room can be hamstrung and forced to either pass up on possibilities or make desperation moves to free up roster space. It’s not an ideal situation and could force more than a few teams to make a move or two as the summer wears on.

Tampa Bay is in the worst position of all, as not only do they have just two contract slots available, but they also have two NHL regulars who remain unsigned restricted free agents in need of contracts – Brayden Point and Adam Erne. It’s hard to imagine that the Lightning, who also need to open up considerable cap space, don’t move out a player or two to help clear things up in both regards. One other possible saving grace could be sending 2019 first-round pick Nolan Foote or fellow prospect forward Gabriel Fortier back to their respective junior teams. Even if under contract, 18- and 19-year-old junior players who are still slide-eligible do not count against the 50-contract limit once returned to the junior level. If Foote and/or Fortier don’t crack the Tampa lineup, they would additionally clear up some room. A surefire contender, who also could use some affordable support where they can get it, the Bolts will definitely be a player on the trade and waiver markets this upcoming season, assuming they have the means to do so.

Dallas is in a similarly difficult situation. With just two contract slots available, the Stars need to re-sign (or do something with) defenseman Julius Honka. If the team signs Honka or trades him for another signed player or prospect, they are down to just one open space. Fortunately, unsigned RFA Niklas Hansson is expected to spend the season in Sweden and will not need a contract to become Dallas’ 50th man. Junior forwards Ty Dellandrea and Riley Damiani would also no longer count against the contract limit if sent back to their respective teams, although many in Dallas would like to see Dellandrea push for a spot on the roster.

L.A. has just one unsigned RFA remaining, promising forward Adrian Kempe, so they aren’t in danger to hit 50 at this time. The Kings also have a number of young players under contract who will battle for roster spots, which could force Akil Thomas back to juniors for one more year, removing his contract from the mix. L.A. has been a highly active team on the college free agent market of late and will want some contract room later in the season for potential additions.

Similarly, Ottawa has just Colin White left to sign, so barring further additions are not at risk of hitting 50 contracts. However, the Senators are just narrowly over the league’s salary cap floor, which could prompt them to add another contract so that they don’t have to risk falling below the floor during the year due to a trade. Right now, only Jonathan Gruden is a candidate to go back to junior and remove his contract from limit calculations, so if Ottawa does make another addition, they’ll likely look to make a subtraction or two as well to remain flexible in-season.

The final team at 48 contracts is the Ducks. Fortunately for them, Anaheim has no one left to sign and by all accounts are not looking to make any other moves this off-season. They should be safe, but may look to move a contract just in case the opportunities present themselves to add on during the season.

One team who isn’t at all worried about the contract limit: the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey currently has just 39 players under contract, third least behind Carolina and Winnipeg, but also have just two unsigned RFA’s in need of contracts while the Hurricanes and Jets each have a handful. The Devils project to enter the season with the fewest players under contract, as well the smallest payroll other than Ottawa. That could change though, as the team continues to be included in rumors pertaining to many of the top unsigned UFA’s and top trade targets this summer.

Snapshots: Barrie, Spurgeon, Senators

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The Colorado Avalanche are in the enviable position of having two first-round picks this year despite making the playoffs, and one of those selections is fourth overall. The team very well could be adding top defensive prospect Bowen Byram with that spot, giving them quite the young core on the blue line along with Samuel Girard and Cale Makar. That inevitably would lead to some speculating that the Avalanche will be looking to trade another defenseman, and A.J. Haefele of BSN Denver today tweeted that he believes Tyson Barrie is “in play.”

Haefele doesn’t mention the Byram connection, and perhaps that has nothing to do with it given Barrie plays the right side. With Erik Johnson already entrenched as a leader on the team and signed long-term, Barrie might be the one to go in order to give Makar more minutes on that side and the powerplay. The 27-year old Barrie had another excellent offensive season, recording 14 goals and 59 points in 78 games.

  • The Minnesota Wild have made sweeping changes to the core of their team since GM Paul Fenton took over, but one name they’re looking to keep is Jared Spurgeon. Michael Russo of The Athletic reports that Fenton and agent Eustace King met yesterday to begin talks on an extension, given the defenseman has just a single year remaining on his contract. Spurgeon is one of the game’s premiere two-way defensemen, recording solid offensive numbers while being a reliable shutdown option in his own end. Coming off a career-high 43 points any extension will be an expensive one, and likely include a substantial raise over the $5.19MM cap hit he currently carries.
  • Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that the Ottawa Senators have issued qualifying offers to Cody Ceci, Christian Wolanin, Nick Paul, Colin White and Jack Rodewald, though all were expected. Ceci is still just 25 years old despite having played six seasons in the league, and is one of the more interesting players to watch on the Senators roster. He is a restricted free agent but could potentially settle for a one-year contract through arbitration and walk right into unrestricted free agency next season. His qualifying offer is $4.3MM, already a hefty contract for the Senators to swallow.

Anthony Mantha Suspended At World Championship

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The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has decided that Team Canada forward Anthony Mantha will miss the upcoming quarter-final game at the World Championship. Mantha has been suspended for one game thanks to a check to the head of Colin White in yesterday’s Canada-USA game. Mantha was given a two-minute minor and ten minute misconduct for the incident during the game.

Mantha has been a revelation for Canada head coach Alain Vigneault, and is currently tied for the tournament lead in goals with seven. The Detroit Red Wings forward easily leads Canada with 12 points through seven games, making his absence from a do-or-die game all that more important. The Swiss team went 4-3 through the preliminary round, but have more than enough firepower to upset a team like Canada.

While obviously this is a setback for Mantha, the Red Wings coaching staff has to be pleased with his tournament so far. The big winger has shown he can continue to produce with top players while also setting the tone physically. Mantha is expected to be a mainstay on Detroit’s top line again next season, and provides a perfect physical complement to Dylan Larkin’s speed.

USA Hockey Announces 2019 IIHF World Championship Preliminary Roster

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The IIHF World Championship gets underway in just a few weeks and USA Hockey has announced the first group of players that will be suiting up for them. GM Chris Drury released 17 names that will be taking part, including captain Patrick Kane. The group is an impressive list of NHL stars that could very well bring home the country’s first gold medal at the tournament in nearly 60 years. The roster so far is as follows:

G Thatcher Demko
G Cayden Primeau
G Cory Schneider

D Quinn Hughes
D Alec Martinez
D Brady Skjei
D Ryan Suter

F Alex DeBrincat
F Jack Eichel
F Luke Glendening
F Patrick Kane
F Clayton Keller
F Chris Kreider
F Dylan Larkin
F James van Riemsdyk
F Frank Vatrano
F Colin White

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