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Joseph Cramarossa

Minnesota Wild Sign Joseph Cramarossa, Dakota Mermis

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The Minnesota Wild are strengthening their depth, adding a pair of experienced minor leaguers. The team has announced that they have signed forward Joseph Cramarossa and defenseman Dakota Mermis to one-year, two-way contracts. Both players will make the minimum $700K at the NHL level; Mermis will get $250K in the AHL while Cramarossa gets $160K.

Mermis, 26, has the better chance of the two of making an impact on the NHL roster after playing in ten games with the New Jersey Devils this season. A productive, puck-moving defenseman, Mermis has shown an ability to contribute offensively even as a spot starter. Although the Wild have a solid top-six locked in, Mermis should compete for a roster spot as an extra defender.

Cramarossa, 27, has not played in the NHL for a few years, but is a dependable two-way AHL forward. He also is not afraid to play a physical game. Cramarossa won’t likely play a significant role for Minnesota, but could be a fourth-line option in the event of injury and should help with the defensive development of forward prospects down in Iowa.

Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks Complete Minor Trade

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Graham Knott from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joseph Cramarossa. Knott will be assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins immediately, while Cramarossa is headed to the Rockford IceHogs.

This move doesn’t look like it will have much of an impact at the NHL level, given that Knott has spent this season in the ECHL and Cramarossa hasn’t sniffed the NHL since the 2016-17 season. The pair of minor league forwards will get fresh starts in new organizations to try and keep their careers moving forward.

Pittsburgh does get the younger player, as Knott is still just 22. Selected in the second round of the 2015 draft he hasn’t been able to produce much at the minor league level and will likely go unqualified this summer at the expiry of his entry-level contract. Cramarossa meanwhile is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and is just minor league depth at this point.

Waivers: 09/23/19

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With AHL training camps getting underway, many players will be put on waivers over the next several days. We’ll keep track of all of them right here:

Buffalo Sabres

F Jean-Sebastien Dea

Calgary Flames

F Byron Froese
F Justin Kirkland
F Buddy Robinson
F Rinat Valiev
D Andrew Nielsen

Carolina Hurricanes

F Brian Gibbons
D Kyle Wood
D Alex Lintuniemi
D Roland McKeown
D Fredrik Claesson

Colorado Avalanche

D Anton Lindholm
D Mark Alt

Columbus Blue Jackets

F Zac Dalpe
F Markus Hannikainen
F Ryan MacInnis
D Adam Clendening

Los Angeles Kings

F Martin Frk

Minnesota Wild

F Kyle Rau
D Matt Bartkowski
F Luke Johnson

Pittsburgh Penguins

F Andrew Agozzino
F Joseph Blandisi
F Joseph Cramarossa
F Thomas Di Pauli
F Ryan Haggerty
D Kevin Czuczman
D David Warsofsky

San Jose Sharks

D Trevor Carrick
G Antoine Bibeau

Training Camp Cuts: 09/23/19

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Like always, we’ll keep track of all the training camp cuts right here. Keep checking back to see the updated list:

Anaheim Ducks (per team release)

F Alex Dostie (to San Diego, AHL)
F Brent Gates Jr. (to San Diego, AHL)
F Luke Gazdic (to San Diego, AHL)
F Johno May (to San Diego, AHL)
F Antoine Morand (to San Diego, AHL)
F Conor Riley (to San Diego, AHL)
F Deven Sideroff (to San Diego, AHL)
F Corey Tropp (to San Diego, AHL)
D Dawson Davidson (to San Diego, AHL)
D Scott Moldenhauer (to San Diego, AHL)
D Steven Ruggiero (to San Diego, AHL)
G Roman Durny (to San Diego, AHL)
G Olle Eriksson Ek (to San Diego, AHL)
F Chase Wouters (to Saskatoon, WHL)
D Matthew Hill (to Barrie, OHL)
G Lukas Dostal (to Ilves, Liiga)

Arizona Coyotes (per team release)

F Beau Bennett (to Tucson, AHL)
F Andy Miele (to Tucson, AHL)
D Dysin Mayo (to Tucson, AHL)
D Robbie Russo (to Tucson, AHL)

Calgary Flames (per team release)

F Byron Froese (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Justin Kirkland (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Buddy Robinson (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Rinat Valiev (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
D Andrew Nielsen (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Glenn Gawdin (to Stockton, AHL)
F Ryan Lomberg (to Stockton, AHL)
F Luke Philp (to Stockton, AHL)
F Matthew Phillips (to Stockton, AHL)
F Martin Pospisil (to Stockton, AHL)
F Adam Ruzicka (to Stockton, AHL)
F Eetu Tuulola (to Stockton, AHL)
D Robert Hamilton (to Stockton, AHL)
D Zac Leslie (to Stockton, AHL)
D Corey Schueneman (to Stockton, AHL)
D Alexander Yelesin (to Stockton, AHL)
G Tyler Parsons (to Stockton, AHL)
G Artyom Zagidulin (to Stockton, AHL)
F Jacob Pelletier (to Moncton, QMJHL)
D Alexandre Grenier (released from PTO)

Chicago Blackhawks (per team release)

F Jacob Nilsson (to Rockford, AHL)
F Philip Holm (to Rockford, AHL)

Columbus Blue Jackets (per team release)

F Zac Dalpe (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Markus Hannikainen (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Ryan MacInnis (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
D Adam Clendening (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
D Doyle Somerby (to Cleveland, AHL)
G Veini Vevilainen (to Cleveland, AHL)

Florida Panthers (per team release)

D Ethan Prow (to Springfield, AHL)
D Thomas Schemitsch (to Springfield, AHL)
G Philippe Desrosiers (to Springfield, AHL)

Nashville Predators (per team release)

F Colin Blackwell (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Laurent Dauphin (to Milwaukee, AHL)
F Anthony Richard (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Alexandre Carrier (to Milwaukee, AHL)
D Matt Donovan (to Milwaukee, AHL)
G Troy Grosenick (to Milwaukee, AHL)

New York Rangers (per team release)

F Connor Brickley (to Hartford, AHL)
F Timothy Gettinger (to Hartford, AHL)
F Nick Jones (to Hartford, AHL)
F Dawson Leedahl (to Hartford, AHL)
D Sean Day (to Hartford, AHL)

Pittsburgh Penguins (per team release)

F Andrew Agozzino (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Joseph Blandisi (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Joseph Cramarossa (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Thomas Di Pauli (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Ryan Haggerty (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
D Kevin Czuczman (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
D David Warsofsky (placed on waivers before AHL assignment)
F Justin Almeida (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Anthony Angello (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Kasper Bjorkqvist (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Sam Lafferty (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jake Lucchini (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Sam Miletic (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Oula Palve (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Niclas Almari (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Emil Larmi (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Nathan Legare (to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
F Samuel Poulin (to Sherbrooke, QMJHL)

San Jose Sharks (per team release)

F Joakim Blichfield (to San Jose, AHL)
F Ivan Chekhovich (to San Jose, AHL)
F Sasha Chmelevski (to San Jose, AHL)
D Nick DeSimone (to San Jose, AHL)
F Noah Gregor (to San Jose, AHL)
D Thomas Gregoire (to San Jose, AHL)
F Artem Ivanyuzhenkov (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jayden Halbgewachs (to San Jose, AHL)
F Joel Kellman (to San Jose, AHL)
D Nikolai Knyzhov (to San Jose, AHL)
G Joseph Korenar (to San Jose, AHL)
F Ivan Kosorenkov (to San Jose, AHL)
F Tristan Langan (to San Jose, AHL)
F Maxim Letunov (to San Jose, AHL)
D Keaton Middleton (to San Jose, AHL)
F Jeremy Roy (to San Jose, AHL)
G Zach Sawchenko (to San Jose, AHL)
G Andrew Shortridge (to San Jose, AHL)
F Marcus Vela (to San Jose, AHL)san
F Jeffrey Viel (to San Jose, AHL)
F Evan Weinger (to San Jose, AHL)
F Vladislav Kotkov (to Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
D Tony Sund (to TPS, Liiga)

Vancouver Canucks (per team release)

F Reid Boucher (to Utica, AHL)
F Francis Perron (to Utica, AHL)
D Ashton Sautner (to Utica, AHL)
G Zane McIntyre (to Utica, AHL)

Pittsburgh Penguins Extend Joseph Cramarossa

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Saturday: The Penguins have confirmed the contract.

Friday: The Pittsburgh Penguins have reached a one-year extension with Joseph Cramarossa, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. The two-way contract is worth $700K at the NHL level. Cramarossa was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Now 26, Cramarossa hasn’t played in the NHL since 2016-17 when he split time between the Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks. Originally a third-round pick, the former OHL forward has taken on a depth role in the minor leagues with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and will serve as injury insurance next season. In 56 games with the AHL Penguins this season he had 16 points, but racked up 116 penalty minutes.

Changes are coming for the Penguins this summer after a frustrating first-round exit, but some of their depth forwards will likely be re-signed to contracts like this. The team still has Adam Johnson, Joseph Blandisi, Zach Aston-Reese and Teddy Blueger as pending restricted free agent forwards, all four of which are eligible for arbitration.

Mike McKenna, Joseph Cramarossa On Waivers

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Thursday: Both McKenna and Cramarossa have cleared waivers.

Wednesday: After recalling and activating Brian Elliott yesterday, the Philadelphia Flyers found themselves with four goaltenders on their active roster. Today they went about changing that, by placing Mike McKenna on waivers. The Pittsburgh Penguins have also placed Joseph Cramarossa on waivers, meaning they’ve signed him to an NHL contract for the rest of the year. Cramarossa had been playing with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an AHL contract, meaning he couldn’t have been recalled if the team wanted to have him help in Pittsburgh.

It’s been another tough year for McKenna, who by the time he retires might go down as the most well-traveled goaltender in the history of the NHL. The 35-year old has been part of three organizations just this season, suiting up for the Flyers, Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks (not to mention their minor league affiliates). After being selected in the sixth round in 2002, McKenna has failed to gain any real traction in the NHL and still has just 35 games to his name. Still, he may be on to another team once again as he provides reliable minor league service wherever he goes.

Cramarossa meanwhile is just 26 but hasn’t played a game in the NHL since 2016-17 when he suited up 59 times for the Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. He has just nine points in 32 games for the AHL Penguins, but is a physical bottom-six presence that could be used as an injury replacement if necessary. The two-way contract carries an average annual value of $650K in the NHL.

Penguins, Flames Complete Minor League Trade

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The Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames have completed a minor league trade, with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward Colin Smith heading to Stockton in exchange for Joseph Cramarossa. Both players are on AHL contracts this season, though do come with some NHL experience.

Smith, 24, was selected in the seventh round by the Colorado Avalanche, and despite some huge totals in junior hockey has had trouble progressing through the minor league ranks. Though at times he’s shown an offensive capability in the AHL, he was given just a single NHL game in Colorado before bouncing around the last few seasons. The undersized forward has 18 points in 35 games for WBS this year.

Cramarossa, 25, comes with quite a bit more NHL experience. He suited up for 49 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season, before being claimed off waivers by the Canucks and getting into another 10 games. A third-round pick in 2011, he’s known for his high-energy game and ability to engage physically.

Snapshots: Islanders, Lipanov, Cramarossa

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The Oak View Group submitted their proposal for a new arena at Belmont Park, Elmont today, with the intention of housing the New York Islanders there once completed. Several other proposals are expected to be submitted, including one from New York City FC, the city’s Major League Soccer team.

John Shannon of Sportsnet reports that the Islanders’ ownership group was in Detroit to tour the new Red Wings arena, as they continue to try to work out where the team will play in the future. We aren’t expected to get a ruling on which is the successful bid for several months.

  • The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Alexei Lipanov to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year old forward was selected in the third round of the most recent draft, and is now playing with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. Last year in the Russian junior and minor leagues, Lipanov scored 11 points in 32 games but captained the Russian U18 World Junior team to a bronze medal.
  • Joseph Cramarossa was released from his PTO this week with the Calgary Flames, but signed an AHL deal today with the Stockton Heat to continue his professional career. Cramarossa is still just 24 and was selected in the third round in 2011, but has yet to catch on full-time around the NHL. He’ll try to rebuild some of that value in the AHL this year, and prove that he can add more than just a checking role.

West Notes: Vegas, Brodzinski, Janmark

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The Vegas Golden Knights are primed to use every dollar allowed under the salary cap, and they’ll be willing to do so in various different ways. As Dan Marrazza of NHL.com writes, the team will look at examples like last summer’s Pavel Datsyuk deal as ways to use their cap space to gather assets as quickly as possible. Remember, the Arizona Coyotes acquired Datsyuk’s cap-hit that had no salary attached to it, in order to move up in the draft and select Jakob Chychrun 16th overall. Bill Foley, owner of the Golden Knights, explained it this way:

Cap space is valuable, and there will be people willing to give us good assets to take certain contracts, because they have cap issues. There are teams that have cap stress, there re teams that have expansion stress, there are teams that have both. We’re here willing to talk to all these clubs.

Indeed, Vegas would be wise to take a book from the Coyotes asset collection strategies of the past couple of season, but they can go even further. With Foley willing to pay up to the cap, it doesn’t have to be just dead cap-hits that they acquire for assets, but real salary that is hurting teams. That opens up all 30 franchises as potential customers at the Golden Knights cap-space saloon, hoping to clear out some room to go after the big fishes on this year’s market.

  • Jon Rosen of NHL.com tells us that we shouldn’t be surprised if a Jonny Brodzinski call-up is announced tomorrow. The 23-year old winger has been lighting it up at the AHL level where he has 47 points in 56 games this season. Armed with a shot that can score from anywhere in the offensive zone, Brodzinski has been a pure goal-scoring threat at every level without possessing any other standout skill. His ability to be in the right spot at the right time has always followed him, which will now be tested at the NHL level. With the Kings now eight points back of a playoff spot and still struggling to score goals, there isn’t much risk in seeing what Brodzinski can do.
  • The Vancouver Canucks will be without Jayson Megna or Joseph Cramarossa for the rest of their current road trip after both missed practice today. Cramarossa is having trouble walking after blocking a shot in last night’s game, while Megna is dealing with an upper-body injury. The Canucks face off against the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets before heading home at the end of the month.
  • Mark Stepneski of NHL.com relays that though Mattias Janmark was on the ice at practice today, he won’t play for the rest of the season. The young forward had surgery in September to fix a congenital knee condition that has been affecting him since he was a teenager. After scoring 29 points in his rookie season, the Stars were hoping for a big sophomore performance—one that never even got started. He says he’ll be ready for camp next fall.

Deadline Day Waiver Update

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One player is headed to a new team today, and not via trade. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Vancouver Canucks have claimed forward Joseph Cramarossa off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Cramarossa was one of seven players placed on the waiver wire yesterday, but Friedman reports that Eric Fehr (PIT), Marc-Andre Bergeron (CBJ), Jyrki Jokipakka (CAL),  Mike Weber (MIN), Chris DiDomenico (OTT), and Gabriel Dumont (TB) have all cleared today.

Cramarossa, 24, had finally developed into an NHL-caliber player this season in Anaheim, after earning skating in his first pro game earlier this season. The rookie winger has been a mainstay on the Ducks’ fourth line, skating in 49 games and recording ten points, while playing a physical two-way game. He’ll now bring that aggressive, high-energy style to Vancouver. A third-round pick of the Ducks in 2011, it may have taken Cramarossa a while to get to the NHL, but the Canucks can now capitalize on years of development in Anaheim by bringing an NHL-ready checking line forward into the fold.

Cramarossa will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, so expect the stretch run to be a tryout for an extension in Vancouver.

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