Morning Notes: McDonagh, Ekman-Larsson, Kane
The New York Rangers haven’t encountered this type of season often before, if ever. The team seems to be a bubble team with no true chance of making a deep playoff run or even winning a Stanley Cup. Yet, the team also finds itself with a handful of expiring contracts who could be utilized as key trade chips to refuel their retooling process.
New York Post’s Larry Brooks writes the Rangers need to think about dealing players like Rick Nash, Michael Grabner and Nick Holden and get what they can for them. The scribe believes that general manager Jeff Gorton will have one of the biggest challenges in front of him in a long time as he will have to make a decision on which direction the team should go. Could Nash bring back a first-rounder in next year’s draft and if they can, would it be worth his value anyway? What can they get for Grabner? Should the team go full in and start shopping captain Ryan McDonagh now?
The latter claim, Brooks writes, might make the most sense. The Rangers should be able to bring in a huge haul for McDonagh, who is still in his prime, is locked up until 2019 and is one of the top defensemen in the league. As there are quite a few playoff teams in need of defense, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Rangers could truly change the way the franchise is heading at the trade deadline.
New York wouldn’t be better off without McDonagh, but with long-term deals already having been handed out to Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal and Brendan Smith and the young talent the team has on defense in Brady Skjei, Neal Pionk and Anthony DeAngelo, the team should be able to survive without him if they can get a talented scorer in his place.
- Hidden among yesterday’s stories was TSN’s Bob McKenzie refuting rumors that the Arizona Coyotes are thinking about dealing defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to the Toronto Maple Leafs for William Nylander. McKenzie writes that as of Sunday, there had not been one conversation between the two teams about Ekman-Larsson. He also points out that since most teams do not view Nylander as a center, he wouldn’t bring enough of a return for Ekman-Larsson as just a sniper. However, from what McKenzie can see, the Coyotes are not willing to discuss moving Ekman-Larsson as of now. The Atheltic’s Sean Tierney tweeted today that with general manager John Chayka in charge, it’s hard to see the team trading Ekman-Larsson at all.
- John Vogl of The Buffalo News writes that frustration is hitting in Buffalo as the 5-12-1 Sabres continue to struggle, yet one player is thriving in Evander Kane. Dating back to last year, the 26-year-old wing has scored 40 goals in his last 79 games. He also has 11 points in the last 11 games. Kane added his 12th goal of the season Monday in the team’s 3-2 loss to Columbus. The secret to his success? Shooting the puck. He leads the team with 96 shots on goal this year.
Snapshots: Price, Girard, Kane, Devils
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price has been out with a “minor” lower-body injury since Montreal’s Nov. 2 game against the Minnesota Wild. Two weeks later, Price hasn’t returned to the lineup. Last Tuesday, it was announced that he would sit out two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) as his injury wasn’t healing as suspected. Then he proceeded to sit out of practice Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the team didn’t practice Sunday. That led Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan to suggest that things don’t seem to be adding up in Montreal.
The scribe writes that this no longer seems like a “minor” injury at all and questions whether it ever was. When Cowan asked Canadiens’ coach Claude Julien about whether there was an update on Price’s condition, his response was, “No.”
No one has said what the specific injury is that Price has sustained and the goalie insists that it has nothing to do with the right knee injury in November two years ago that was also held secret for a large chunk of the season. Cowan suggests the lack of information the team has given out can only lead to speculation, suggesting that maybe the team might be looking to trade Price before his eight year, $84MM extension kicks in next year.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post tweets that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard is in the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings, meaning that he officially has entered into Year 1 of his entry-level deal. He played five games for the Nashville Predators, and after being dealt to Colorado in the Matt Duchene trade, has played five games for the Avalanche. He would have had to be returned to his junior team before he played in his 10th game had the team wanted to avoid burning the first year of his entry-level deal.
- The Athletic’s Craig Custance (subscription required) did a Q&A on Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane and the forward was quick to say that he is well aware of the trade speculation that surrounds him and rather than block it out, he just chooses to focus on his on-ice play. “It’s not going to do you any good or help your case or your team. For me, I just embrace it. I enjoy it. It’s something that you have to be aware of,” Kane said.
- Andrew Gross of The Record writes that the New Jersey Devils have shaken up their lines in practice today, which are expected to go into effect in their game Monday against Minnesota Wild. There will be several changes, but Pavel Zacha, who was a healthy scratch for four of the last five games, is expected to move into the top six, while Adam Henrique is expected to move down to the fourth line.
What Your Team Is Thankful For: Buffalo Sabres
As the holiday season approaches, PHR will look at what teams are thankful for this year. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We take a look at what’s gone well in the first month and what could improve as the season rolls on.
What are the Buffalo Sabres most thankful for?
The chance at another high draft pick.
They’re the worst team in the Eastern Conference and many aren’t sure they’ve hit bottom yet. They finally notched a win after an 0-4-1 start, and had a nice 3-2 stretch before going 2-7, with another loss coming at the hands of the Red Wings on Friday. Sabres fans are hunkering down for another long season of losses, but if the younger players grow it at least helps stomach the losing a bit. But to what is one of the most loyal and hardcore fanbases in hockey, the Sabres seem stuck in a perpetual rebuild while the Maple Leafs, who went the same route, are enjoying far more success.
The right numerical combination in April could net the Sabres the first or second overall pick but as the Avalanche learned last Spring, nothing is guaranteed. If anything, it would at least cushion what is looking like another brutal season.
Who are the Sabres most thankful for?
Evander Kane‘s stock continues to rise.
It’s no secret that the phone has been ringing in Buffalo with trade offers for the winger. Kane has been strong this season, being a point-per-game player. The better Kane plays–the more value he has as the trade deadline nears. Teams will be hunting for a goal scorer that could tip the scales in their favor, and Kane, being added to a team with playoff talent, would fit that need perfectly. While he is a UFA at the end of the 2017-18 season, his scoring knack would be too much to pass on for a team desperate for scoring. Should the Sabres continue to struggle, Kane could net valuable picks, top prospect or maybe both.
What would the Sabres be more thankful for?
Goalscoring. And lots more of it.
The slumping Sabres have been hurt by their players not putting the puck in the back of the net. Kyle Okposo was brought into score goals and he only has two (though he did rebound from a scary medical incident last season). Sam Reinhart hasn’t scored as expected. And that brings us to Jack Eichel.
Eichel is second on the team with points (5-11-16) but he is not finding the net, either. Worse, not one defenseman this season has scored a goal, through 19 games (through Friday). 
What should be on the Sabres’ Holiday Wish List?
If the season truly is doomed, fetching draft picks and prospects for impact players seems to be at the top of the list. New general manager Jason Botterill has hands full trying to navigate out of some bad contracts and a lack of depth that has handcuffed the Sabres chances of rebuilding successfully. At 5-10-4, hope of anything besides a last place finish seems far-fetched. Jason Pominville (6-7-13) has been a bright spot and could yield a higher pick, as well as cap relief, should his play continue to be strong. Like Kane, put in the right spot with a team seeking a long playoff run, he could be great depth scoring. At this point, anything on the wish list has an eye on the future.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Evander Kane & Unrestricted Free Agency
Darren Dreger took to the airwaves for WGR 550 in Buffalo for his weekly appearance, and the conversation inevitably turned to Evander Kane. With the trade of Matt Duchene, Kane has jumped to the top of the rumor mill all over again. Dreger reports that last he checked there hasn’t been work on a contract extension between Kane and the Sabres, but that he wouldn’t rule out one being completed before he becomes a free agent this summer. Still, in a frank account of where his market would land should he get to unrestricted free agency, Dreger puts a cap on how long Kane would be signed for.
I’m not saying that there isn’t going to be another team that is going to give Evander Kane seven years. But if there is, I haven’t come across that team yet. I haven’t come across it.
Dreger immediately goes on to admit how well Kane has played this year and that if that play continues all year the skepticism from around the league will disappear.
Heading into the winter months, Kane looks like a lock to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the summer of 2018, despite whatever off-ice baggage he’s had in the past. The simple fact of being a 26-year old free agent is a huge positive for his case, not to mention his 30-goal ability. Kane had 28 last season in just 70 games, and he’s currently on a 49-goal pace for this season. While that’s likely not what he’ll end up with, it’s clear that he’s one of the most dynamic goal scoring wingers in the league.
With all respect given to Dreger, without a major injury or another off-ice incident it seems impossible that Kane wouldn’t be able to secure a seven-year deal. He’d be just 33 when the contract expired, and there are always teams after goal-scoring up front. While seven years is not even necessarily what Kane is looking for, he’ll be one of the most interesting players to watch come July 1.
Because of that interest, the idea of a trade is going to linger. If Buffalo doesn’t turn things around from their early season struggles—and with the current state of their defense it will be difficult—the Sabres will likely be sellers again at this year’s deadline. With their superstar center locked up long-term for huge dollars, the team has to continue to collect young players to surround him. Eichel will jump to $10MM per season next year, and with big contracts already given out to Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo there may not even be room to re-sign Kane, let alone interest from both sides. As every team is learning, you must find success while at least some key players are still on their entry-level contracts in the salary-capped NHL, not after they all hit unrestricted free agency.
Just like interest on the open market, Kane would bring in a solid return if the Sabres were to shop him. While he’s obviously not quite Duchene, if the Sabres were to net even just one blue-chip defense prospect (as opposed to three prospects and three picks) it would be hard to turn down. Again, that’s predicated on the idea that Buffalo doesn’t turn it around and Kane looks like he’s going to re-sign for a reasonable amount, but both things are starting to fade further into the distance as the season progresses.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Poll: Who Will Be The Next Big Trade Target?
In the immediate fallout from the Matt Duchene–Kyle Turris trade, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious candidate for the head of the rumor mill. Duchene and Turris had each taken their turn there over the last few months, and with the Vadim Shipachyov saga about to end there is little left in terms of trade talk.
Still, Frank Seravalli of TSN has updated his “Trade Bait” board which looks at who he believes is most likely to be moved before the deadline. Duchene had been atop the list, meaning Evander Kane of the Buffalo Sabres now leads the group with James Neal of the Vegas Golden Knights just behind him. Both scoring wingers are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and could be huge additions to new teams.
In the most recent Insider Trading on TSN, Darren Dreger even went as far as saying people all around the league “believe [Kane] will be traded.” Dreger points out that there is still a chance for an extension in Buffalo.
Who do you think will be moved next from the list? Is there another big name you expect to be pulling on a new sweater in the near future? Leave your vote and explain where you believe he’ll end up down below.
NHL Notes: Didomenico, Okposo, Neal
While Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has been working the trade lines hard in order to acquire a scoring forward, but the team may have found that forward in their own ranks in Chris Didomenico, writes Don Brennan of The Ottawa Sun. Of course, the scribe writes that its too early to tell whether he would make for a good permanent fill-in with the Senators, but the journeyman showed the team something in Friday night’s shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils.
The 28-year-old forward had a goal and an assist in the loss, but Didomenico came close to changing that outcome. His goal in the final minute of regulation tied the game, helping the Senators get a point in the standings. He was even given the chance to take the first shot in the shootout Friday, although he was stopped by New Jersey’s Keith Kinkaid.
Brennan writes that once Didomenico was a highly-touted prospect whose size and injury history forced him to play overseas for much of his career, but he is playing for a chance to earn a permanent spot in the team’s rotation. He has played with Mike Hoffman on several occasions in his career and has been teamed with him once again. He had three goals and two assists in four games with the Belleville Senators in the AHL before being called up and now has a goal and two assists in four games with Ottawa.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News writes that the team could find itself in hot water if Kyle Okposo doesn’t start showing up. The scribe writes that if Okposo isn’t affected by any lingering concussion affects or having any medication reactions like he did last year, then he needs to take his game up a notch. The 28-year-old signed a seven-year, $42MM contract a year ago and has just two assists in 10 games. If he doesn’t find his offense soon, the team will be stuck with a middling forward, who the team gave the highest-ever free agent contract to and they will be stuck with him for another five years. Toss in the fact that he is untradeable, while Evander Kane is likely to be traded and the situation for the team looks even worse.
- Vegas Golden Knights winger James Neal lost some teeth during the team’s 7-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Friday, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal’s David Schoen. While there is no word on how many teeth the team’s top scorer lost when he took a high-stick from Colorado’s Patrik Nemeth in the first period, it didn’t stop the 30-year-old. He came back to score his seventh goal of the season in the second period and still dove to block a shot in the third period to help preserve the shutout. Neal is not expected to miss any time with the injury.
East Notes: Kane, Sateri, Flyers, O’Gara
Despite a very strong start to the season, TSN’s Darren Dreger suggested during an interview with WGR 550 in Buffalo (audio link) that the Sabres are unlikely to re-sign pending UFA winger Evander Kane. However, it doesn’t appear that GM Jason Botterill is actively shopping him either at this time. Kane has ten points through eight games and keeping up anywhere near close to that pace should set him up well to hit the open market. That said, Dreger noted that even though the 26-year-old could on pace for a career season, he still could be in tough to land a long-term contract given some of the concerns surrounding him that have come up over the years.
Elsewhere around the East:
- The Panthers have recalled goaltender Harri Sateri from Springfield of the AHL, per the AHL’s Transactions page. He will serve as insurance for Roberto Luongo, who left Friday’s game against the Penguins with a hand injury and is questionable for tonight versus Washington. The 27-year-old is off to a rough start this season with a 4.51 GAA and a .859 SV% in a pair of games in the AHL; it’s his first season back in North America since 2013-14 when he was with the Sharks organization.
- Flyers forward Jordan Weal missed his second straight game today due to an upper-body injury. GM Ron Hextall told reporters, including Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link) that he is listed as day-to-day. Weal is off to a strong start in his first full NHL season with a goal and three assists through six games. Also listed as day-to-day is winger Taylor Leier who is dealing with an upper-body issue of his own.
- The Bruins announced that they have recalled defenseman Rob O’Gara from AHL Providence on an emergency basis. He will play tonight if blueliner Kevan Miller, who left practice early yesterday after taking a puck off his knee and is listed as a game-time decision, can’t go. O’Gara has played in three games at the minor league level this season, picking up an assist and also got into three contests with Boston last year.
Sabres Call Up Justin Bailey
The Buffalo Sabres may only be five games into the season, but they are already in a must-win situation with only one point to show for their efforts. Buffalo is tied with Arizona for the worst record in the league at 0-4-1 and for the worst goal differential at -11. It’s also been a top-heavy effort, with 20 of the 28 player points so far coming from just three players: Jack Eichel, Evander Kane, and Jason Pominville. It’s clear that Buffalo needs balance and they need talent if they are to go anywhere in 2017-18.
Looking for that spark, the Sabres have announced this morning that they have recalled young forward Justin Bailey from the AHL’s Rochester Americans. The 22-year-old was a 2013 second-round pick and at 6’4″, 214-lbs., has grown into a physical, power forward. In 40 NHL games over the past two seasons, Bailey has only recorded four points, but down in the minors he has continued to be a proven goal-scorer just as he was in the OHL. With little reason to not play any promising, young players, it appears now could finally be the time for Bailey to stick in Buffalo. The team is in dire need of energy and ability, both of which Bailey has in spades. While Kane and, to some extent, Zemgus Girgensons both play a power forward game, the Sabres lost a ton of physicality in the off-season departures of Marcus Foligno and William Carrier. The top-nine needs another big body who can crash the net and make things happen. If Bailey is ready to step up at the highest level, he is well-suited to fill that role and could develop into a key piece of the Sabres’ 2017-18 campaign.
The down side to Bailey’s promotion is that it is due to the opening of a roster spot. The Sabres have additionally placed defenseman Zach Bogosian on the injured reserve. Bogosian has yet to play this season due to an undisclosed injury suffered in the preseason and doesn’t appear to be returning any time soon. A very capable defenseman who provides a boost to any lineup, Bogosian unfortunately is simply not in the lineup enough. The 26-year-old blue liner has not played more than 65 games in a season since he was a teenager with the Atlanta Thrashers. In 2016-17, he suited up for just 56 games and posted a career-low 11 points. Bailey might be a big help for the Sabres, but they also need a healthy, effective Bogosian if they want to maximize their production this season.
Poll: Will Evander Kane End The Year With Buffalo?
The Buffalo Sabres were blown out by the New Jersey Devils today 6-2, booed off the ice by their home fans. Still, Evander Kane was able to score twice and generally looked like one of the most dangerous players on the ice. While the Sabres may have their fair share of troubles this season, Kane remains one of the most promising power forwards in the league, capable of a 30-goal season at any time.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Sabres then will be where Kane’s future lies. The 26-year old is in his final season before unrestricted free agency, and would enter the market as one of the very top options available. Kane has been involved in trade rumors for nearly his whole Buffalo career, especially last summer before he put up another solid season. In 2016-17, Kane scored 28 goals and showed that he could score in a variety of manners. Teams around the league would pay a hefty ransom for a player like that, even if he does come with some off-ice concerns.
So, what will the Sabres do with him? The new regime, led by GM Jason Botterill could certainly lock him up to a long-term deal and have him ride shotgun with Jack Eichel for the next several years, but his true value could lie on the trade market. If the team is out of the race by the trade deadline, he could command a steep price from a contender looking for a piece to put them over the top. Adding a potential 30-goal forward, who you could possibly get under contract down the stretch would be worth several important pieces and could set up the Sabres for more long-term success. If they’re in the race though, how can they justify trading one of their best offensive weapons?
Below is a poll asking whether you think Kane will finish the season as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. If you vote yes, explain in the comments if you believe he’ll get an extension with the Sabres to stay long-term. If no, tell us where you think he’ll be traded and for what kind of package.
[Mobile users click here to vote!]
Morning Notes: Nash, Maple Leafs, Lightning
Even if John Tavares does re-sign with the New York Islanders, next summer’s free agent crop looks to be much more exciting than this year’s. While in-their-prime forwards like Evander Kane and James van Riemsdyk will likely be the focal point of many rumors, the mid-thirties group will also have some very interesting names. One of those, Rick Nash, was profiled by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, who believes the 33-year old New York Rangers forward can still be among the league’s best.
A two-way game has increased Nash’s value, and though he’ll be 34 by the time July 1st, 2018 rolls around there could be plenty of suitors lined up to add him to the mix. With 416 career goals coming into this season, the 2002 first-overall pick is an interesting name to watch this year.
- The Maple Leafs are apparently working with a straight rotation for at least a couple of positions, as Kristen Shilton of TSN reports that Connor Carrick and Dominic Moore find themselves as the odd men out at the team’s morning skate. Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen will likely be the team’s third pair, while Eric Fehr will draw back in as the fourth-line center. Still left out in the cold is Josh Leivo, who can’t seem to earn himself a full-time role with the Maple Leafs despite scoring 10 points in 13 games last season.
- Among teams carrying eight defenseman early in the season are the Tampa Bay Lightning who, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, could dress seven for tonight’s matchup with the Washington Capitals. With Tampa’s decision to keep Mikhail Sergachev on the roster, they put themselves in somewhat of a roster crunch. Sergachev is the only defenseman on the roster who is waiver-exempt, and the team would not risk Jake Dotchin or Slater Koekkoek by sending them down to the minor leagues.