Central Notes: Moore, Chisholm, Khusnutdinov, Zhigalov
It has been a successful freshman campaign for Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore. The 19th overall pick last June is averaging just shy of a point-per-game this season through 26 appearances with the University of Minnesota, leading some to wonder if he might be a one-and-done player. However, Scott Powers of The Athletic notes (subscription link) that Chicago is expecting the 19-year-old to remain with the Golden Gophers and return for his sophomore season instead of turning pro at the end of the college campaign like Frank Nazar is expected to do. The Blackhawks have plenty of time to work out a contract with Moore when the time is right; they hold his exclusive rights through August 15, 2027.
More from the Central:
- Multiple teams are believed to have placed a claim on defenseman Declan Chisholm, report Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic (subscription link). The blueliner landed with the Wild yesterday since they had the highest priority of the claiming teams. With several teams placing a claim, it’s a bit surprising that Winnipeg was unable to move Chisholm for an asset before it came to waiving him as they likely would have reasonably suspected he was going to be claimed off the wire. Chisholm has played just twice this season and will have to wait at least a week to play for his new team with Minnesota off until February 7th.
- Still with the Wild, Russo relays in that same column that prospect Marat Khusnutdinov could sign with the team after his KHL season ends and burn the first year of that contract in 2023-24. The 21-year-old was a second-round pick in 2020 (37th overall) and has seen his production taper off in Russia this year. After putting up 41 points a year ago, Khusnutdinov has just 16 in 45 games with less than a month left in the regular season.
- Avalanche goaltending prospect Ivan Zhigalov is looking for a new place to play as USHL Tri-City announced that they’ve released him from their roster. The 20-year-old was the final pick of the 2022 draft, going 225th overall after a 42-game stint in the QMJHL. Last year, Zhigalov cleared waivers in that league and moved to the OHL. He cleared waivers there back in September and caught on with Tri-City but has played in just nine games so far this season, posting a 3.59 GAA with a .884 SV%. Colorado has until June 1st to sign Zhigalov or lose his rights.
Central Notes: Jets, Zhigalov, Bichsel
The futures of Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele with the Jets has been a source of speculation all summer with no extensions in place as they enter the final year of their contracts. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff told Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription link) that he plans to meet with both players once training camp gets underway to continue talks on a new deal. After trading Pierre-Luc Dubois and buying out Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg’s roster looks a bit weaker on paper heading into the season but having Hellebuyck and Scheifele around would certainly help their chances of making the playoffs. At this point, they’re expected to be on the roster when the regular season starts whether or not an extension is in place.
Elsewhere in the Central:
- Avalanche prospect Ivan Zhigalov was supposed to play in Belarus this season but the deal ultimately fell through. However, it appears as if he has found a new place to play as McKeen’s Brock Otten reports (Twitter link) that the netminder will suit up for USHL Tri-City in 2023-24. The 20-year-old was the final pick of the 2022 draft (225th overall) and spent last season with OHL Kingston where he posted a 3.59 GAA with a .889 SV% in 45 games. The Avs have until June 1st to sign Zhigalov to an entry-level deal.
- Stars prospect Lian Bichsel underwent ankle surgery back in the spring but he has been cleared to return as the team posted on Twitter that the blueliner skated in Dallas for the first time on Friday. The 19-year-old was the 18th pick last year and spent last season in Leksands’ system, playing in 42 games at the SHL level. There was a report back in August that suggested Bichsel won’t go back there for the upcoming season if he doesn’t land a roster spot with Dallas but instead, he’ll go to Rogle, another SHL squad.