Winnipeg Jets Sign Laurent Brossoit
The Winnipeg Jets needed to add some goaltending depth after the trade of Steve Mason, and have found it in Laurent Brossoit. Darren Dreger of TSN reports the former Edmonton Oilers goaltender has signed a one-year one-way $650K contract with the Jets. Brossoit will have to battle Eric Comrie for the right to back up Connor Hellebuyck next season.
Brossoit, 25, reached free agent status through Group VI eligibility this summer after failing to appear in enough games with the Edmonton Oilers. He did get into 28 games over his career in Edmonton, but since only 23 of them were of 30 minutes or greater, didn’t meet the threshold to stay under team control. That’s Winnipeg’s gain, as they needed to add to their goaltending group after Mason’s exit and Michael Hutchinson‘s decision to head for Florida in free agency.
The young goaltender hasn’t shown much in the NHL, but does have good numbers in the minor leagues. Whether he’ll be asked to start for the Manitoba Moose or sit on the end of the bench in the NHL most nights isn’t clear, but he’s ready to do both. If Brossoit does land the Jets backup job, he’ll have to be well prepared. Connor Hellebuyck has faced injury before, and is coming off a season with a huge workload thanks to Mason’s inconsistency and injury trouble.
Free Agent Focus: Edmonton Oilers
Free agency is now a little less than a month away from opening up and there are quite a few prominent players set to hit the open market while many teams have key restricted free agents to re-sign. Here is a breakdown of Edmonton’s free agent situation.
Key Restricted Free Agents: F Ryan Strome – When GM Peter Chiarelli and the Oilers decided last summer that Jordan Eberle had to be moved out because of his high-priced contract, the eventual return was the underperforming but talented Strome. The team enjoyed a $3.5MM cap cut, while hoping that the 24-year old forward could find his footing in Edmonton. After all, Strome was a fifth-overall pick who had scored 17 goals and 50 points in 2014-15, and could perhaps be relied upon as a long-term option down the middle.
Now, after another disappointing season where Strome’s below average skating was exposed on a team that lacked speed, and he struggled to maintain any kind of offensive consistency at center or the wing, there’s some uncertainty about where his future lies. As a restricted free agent, he doesn’t have a great case for a substantial raise over the $2.5MM cap hit he carried each of the last two seasons. After scoring just 34 points in 82 games—an even worse pace than his final year in New York—it’s not clear if he’s part of the problem or can still be part of the solution in Edmonton. He certainly won’t cost as much as Eberle’s $6MM cap hit in 2018-19, but neither side may look for a contract that stretches far beyond next season.
D Darnell Nurse – Perhaps the biggest problem in Edmonton this year was that several of their defensemen took substantial steps backwards, but one can’t really say that about Nurse. The 23-year old set career highs in games played, minutes played, goals, assists, points, +/-, penalty minutes, shots, hits and blocks, essentially leading the entire Oilers defense corps in nearly every category. He followed that with a big role on Canada’s IIHF World Championship team, and looks ready to blossom into the player Edmonton was hoping for when they selected him seventh-overall in 2013.
Still, it’s not clear exactly how long a contract the Oilers can afford to give their young defenseman. With so much money tied up in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the team has to be careful how they spend the rest of their cap. Nearly $20MM of the remaining funds are already committed to Andrej Sekera, Oscar Klefbom, Kris Russell and Adam Larsson for the next three seasons, meaning any deal buying out unrestricted free agent years for Nurse is likely too expensive to take on right now. That still leaves plenty of room for a short-term deal, but he’s the one heading into negotiations in a position of leverage after a career year.
Other RFAs: F Anton Slepyshev, F Iiro Pakarinen, F Drake Caggiula, D Matt Benning, F Braden Christoffer, D Ben Betker, F Patrick Russell, F Kyle Platzer
Key Unrestricted Free Agent: F Mike Cammalleri – A few seasons ago, the idea of Cammalleri walking in free agency might be a big story. Now, the veteran forward is just hoping for another contract. Cammalleri came to the Oilers in a midseason swap with the Los Angeles Kings, and found some of his old offensive juice for the team. With 22 points in 51 games he was relatively effective, and cost them very little in terms of salary. That could be a reason to bring him back on another incentive-laden contract, but there are likely bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks, as the team prepares for the draft and negotiates with the above listed RFAs.
Cammalleri will turn 36 in just a few days, and isn’t by any means a necessary piece for the Oilers to bring back. After agreeing to a $1MM contract with $200K in performance bonuses last season, he may be even less expensive if they decide his experience is worth the money and roster spot in 2018-19.
Other UFAs: D Yohann Auvitu, G Laurent Brossoit, F Brian Ferlin, D Mark Fayne, D Dillon Simpson, D Joey LaLeggia, F Grayson Downing
Projected Cap Space: It’s never a good thing when a team that missed the playoffs doesn’t have a lot of cap space, but that’s the situation the Oilers find themselves in. With just around $15MM in projected cap space for next season depending on where the upper limit lands, they won’t have a ton of space to find upgrades after re-signing their restricted free agents. That, and the lack of success despite another fantastic season from McDavid, is a reason why Edmonton is linked to nearly every rumored player on the market at one point or another.
There have been rumors in the past about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins potentially being available as the team looks to clear money, but after finding a home alongside McDavid on the top line he likely is now off limits. If the team could find a taker for Milan Lucic or one of their aging defensemen they likely would jump on the opportunity, but it won’t be easy. Chiarelli and his staff also need to prepare for their upcoming goaltending conundrum, as Cam Talbot and the newly signed Mikko Koskinen are unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2019.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Edmonton Oilers Frontrunners To Sign KHL’s Mikko Koskinen
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Bob Stauffer of 630 CHED each have linked the Edmonton Oilers with being the frontrunners to sign KHL goaltender Mikko Koskinen as the team’s backup to starter Cam Talbot. Koskinen, who has been playing with the KHL for the past six seasons, made his intentions known a couple of weeks ago that he’d like to take his talents back to the NHL.
The 29-year-old, who was a second-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2009, came overseas and played two games in the ECHL, 41 games in the AHL and four games with the Islanders, but struggled and eventually opted to return to Finland. In 31 games for SKA St. Petersburg, the goaltender posted a 1.89 GAA and a .905 save percentage.
Koskinen could be a good fit with Edmonton, assuming Talbot can rebound after a tough season. The starter went from a 2.39 GAA in 2016-17 and dropped to a 3.02 GAA this year. One key factor is the amount of games the veteran has played. Talbot has appeared in 153 games in two years if you include the 2017 playoffs. If Talbot can return to form, Koskinen could be a solid backup option where the team struggled last year. Laurent Brossoit started the year as the backup, but lost his job when he posted a 3.24 GAA. The team then traded for veteran Al Montoya, who didn’t fare much better with a 2.94 GAA in nine appearances. Montoya is the only backup who is under contract for next year at $1.06MM.
The Edmonton Journal’s David Staples writes that a backup goalie is essential to a team’s success and compares the potential signing to that of Anders Nilsson, who also struggled after being drafted by the Islanders and went overseas before signing with Edmonton. However, Nilsson struggled as a backup as well and was traded away later that same season. However, Koskinen has six years in the KHL under his belt and would be a far more likely option to be successful as a backup with the Oilers.
Friedman reported the news on Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada.
Minor Transactions: 3/25/18
There have already been a couple early moves today as the league prepares for the second-to-last week of the regular season. Expect more to come as injuries and college additions continue to shift roster makeup. Others will be made to specifically prepare for key match-ups, such as major playoff position battles today between the Penguins and Flyers and Predators and Jets. Keep track of all the action here:
- The Ottawa Senators have recalled forward Ben Sexton from their AHL affiliate in Belleville, marking the first big-league call-up for the 26-year-old. Sexton was a leader and top scorer as a college player at Clarkson University from 2010 to 2014, but the Boston Bruins, who had drafted him in the seventh round in 2009, moved on after just two disappointing minor league campaigns. Ever since, Sexton has been much more productive in the AHL and has finally earned his first NHL shot in his first season with the Senators after posting 10 goals and 21 points in 28 games so far in 2017-18.
- Victor Ejdsell is also making his first trip to the NHL, not long after making his North American pro debut. The Chicago Blackhawks have announced Ejdsell’s promotion this morning and the 22-year-old Swedish forward could be in the lineup in short order, seeing as it was an emergency recall. Ejdsell was acquired by Chicago in the Ryan Hartman trade last month and only joined the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs last week. Ejdsell recorded 34 points in 50 games in the Swedish Hockey League this season before making the jump and notched an assist in his first AHL game.
- With backup Al Montoya suffering through a minor ailment, the Edmonton Oilers announced they are recalling Laurent Brossoit on an emergency basis. The 25-year-old goaltender and one-time back-up this year has struggled in the NHL, posting a 3.22 GAA and a .886 save percentage in 13 games this year. He’s fared slightly better with the Bakersfield Condors with a 2.72 and a .912 save percentage in 22 games. The Oilers also announced they have sent forward Brad Malone to Bakersfield. Malone had been recalled Friday, but did not play Saturday.
- The St. Louis Blues’ Samuel Blais has been up and down quite a bit in the past couple of days. The 21-year-old winger was called up Friday on an emergency basis and sent back down that night. He was recalled Saturday on an emergency basis and was assigned back to the San Antonio Rampage this morning, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He did not play in either Friday’s or Saturday’s games. The Blues have also assigned emergency fill-in Ville Husso to the San Antonio Rampage, according to NHL.com’s Lou Korac. The move suggests that Blues backup Carter Hutton, who has been out with a neck injury since Mar. 3, is ready to return to the team.
Minor Transactions: 02/21/18
After a busy night in the NHL, the league has just three games on tap for today. Instead, teams might use their time off to cement their status for the trade deadline and make inquiries around the league. All the minor moves we’ll keep track of right here. Refresh the page throughout the day to make sure you stay up to date on all the comings and goings.
- Tucker Poolman has been sent back to the minor leagues by the Winnipeg Jets, after being scratched again last night. It’s been eight straight games in the press box for Poolman, who will get a chance to play again with the Manitoba Moose.
- In addition to claiming and assigning Gabriel Dumont, the Tampa Bay Lightning have sent Matthew Peca to the Syracuse Crunch. Peca has scored five points in 10 games for the Lightning, and is scheduled to become a Group VI free agent this summer.
- After being acquired yesterday, the San Jose Sharks have recalled Eric Fehr from the minor leagues, sending Rudolfs Balcers back down in his place. Fehr could get into the lineup as a fourth-line player in the coming days, after an impressive performance for the San Diego Gulls through the first part of the season.
- The Anaheim Ducks have recalled Reto Berra under emergency conditions while John Gibson deals with his latest injury. Ryan Miller will start for now, and will need him to help them towards the playoffs like Jonathan Bernier did a year ago.
- Speaking of goaltenders, the Edmonton Oilers have returned Laurent Brossoit to the minor leagues as Al Montoya is set to get back on the bench. Montoya needs to play just three more games for the Oilers to force them into sending a fourth-round pick to Montreal instead of a fifth.
- Ryan Sproul is on his way back to the minor leagues after getting into four games with the club. Sproul has a point in each of his last two games, but will need to wait for his next chance to get into the lineup.
- The New Jersey Devils have returned Nick Lappin to the AHL as several players approach a return to the ice. Lappin has played in just six games with New Jersey this season, but is leading the Binghamton Devils in goals with 17.
- After Carey Price took a shot to the head last night, the Montreal Canadiens have recalled Charlie Lindgren under emergency conditions. With him comes Noah Juulsen under a regular recall, ready to make his NHL debut after battling injury this season. Juulsen was called “very close” to NHL ready in September by his GM, before breaking his foot in training camp.
Minor Transactions: 2/17/18
As is always the case, Saturday is shaping up to be a busy day around the league with 22 teams in action. Accordingly, there should be several roster moves made which we’ll keep tabs on here.
- The Flames announced that they have recalled winger Morgan Klimchuk from AHL Stockton. The 2013 first-round pick has not yet seen any NHL action in his career (the only first-rounder from that draft in that situation) but sits tied for second on the Heat in goals this season with 13 in 44 games. To make room for Klimchuk on the roster, Calgary has transferred winger Marek Hrivik to injured reserve.
- The Hurricanes have returned forward Patrick Brown to Charlotte of the AHL, per a team release. He had been recalled on Tuesday but did not get into either of Carolina’s games since then. The 25-year-old has 20 points (6-14-20) in 44 contests with the Checkers this season. Lucas Wallmark will now get another shot at the next level, as the Hurricanes have recalled the rookie forward. Wallmark looked good in a short stint in Raleigh earlier this season and has continued his strong play in the AHL. With the ‘Canes pushing for a playoff spot, Wallmark’s addition could be a nice boost for the team.
- Edmonton announced (Twitter link) that they have recalled goaltender Laurent Brossoit from Bakersfield (AHL) on an emergency basis. The move was necessary after Al Montoya left practice early on Friday after taking a shot up high. To make room for him on the roster, the Oilers sent defenseman Keegan Lowe back to Bakersfield.
- The Canucks have sent Reid Boucher back down to the Utica Comets, the team announced. Boucher has played in only eight NHL games this season, recording just two points. His days as a promising prospect appear to be over.
- New Jersey has recalled Blake Pietila from the AHL’s Binghamton Devils, beat writer Andrew Gross reports. Pietila will join the team tonight in Tampa as they face the Lightning. Whether or not he makes his 2017-18 debut remains to be seen though.
- The Avalanche have sent A.J. Greer back to the San Antonio Rampage, as the 2015 second-rounder continues to struggle to find a role at the NHL level. Greer has just four points in 22 big-league games.
Complete List Of Potential Group VI Unrestricted Free Agents
Back in November, we took a look at some of the potential Group VI free agents that could hit unrestricted free agency early this offseason. Of that group, Josh Leivo was extended and Stefan Noesen eclipsed the number of games played needed to stay with the New Jersey Devils organization. Now, CapFriendly has compiled a complete list of players still at risk of becoming free agents early, including how many games they need. To refresh your memory on how a player qualifies for Group VI free agency, they must meet three requirements:
- The player is 25 years or older (as of June 30th of the calendar year the contract is expiring).
- The player has completed 3 or more professional seasons – qualified by 11 or more professional games (for an 18/19 year old player), or 1 or more professional games (for a player aged 20 or older). This can include NHL, minor league, and European professional league seasons played while under an SPC.
- The player has played less than 80 NHL games, or 28 NHL games of 30 minutes or greater for a goaltender.
The entire list of players at risk can be found below, but make sure you check out CapFriendly for more detailed information on how they could avoid the designation this summer.
*Indicates that the player could still play in enough games this season to become ineligible for Group VI free agency
Minor Transactions: 02/01/18
It’s February, the most exciting month of the year for many hockey fans. Over the next few weeks, clubs will make decisions that will help or haunt them for years to come. The trade deadline this season falls on February 26th, and should have some interesting names on the move. Until then, we’ll continue to focus on the minor moves around the league, cataloging today’s right here.
- With Cam Talbot sick and unable to play tonight, the Edmonton Oilers have recalled Laurent Brossoit from the minor leagues. Brossoit will be familiar to NHL fans that watched him try to hold down the fort for the Oilers when Talbot was out earlier this season. The 24-year old will join Al Montoya in the crease for the team until Talbot is cleared to return.
- Semyon Varlamov has been activated from injured reserve, meaning Andrew Hammond‘s services are no longer required in Colorado. The Avalanche have sent Hammond back down, though it will be to the Belleville Senators where he’s played for most of the year.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs will be sending Nikita Soshnikov to the minor leagues on a conditioning loan, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. Soshnikov’s name has popped up in trade rumors recently just due to his situation in Toronto, where Kasperi Kapanen, Matt Martin and Josh Leivo are also vying for the 12th forward role.
Laurent Brossoit And Frank Corrado Clear Waivers
Sunday — Friedman reports that both Brossoit and Corrado have cleared waivers. Broissoit has been assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, while Corrado is headed for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Saturday — A pair of players are on the wire today as the Oilers have placed goalie Laurent Brossoit on waivers while the Penguins have done the same with defenseman Frank Corrado, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link).
Brossoit’s placement comes as no surprise on the heels of their acquisition of Al Montoya from Montreal earlier in the week. Montoya is now ready to be activated off of injured reserve with his concussion symptoms now gone so Brossoit became the odd man out.
This season, the 24-year-old netminder has posted a 3.22 GAA and a .886 SV% in 13 appearances, numbers that are well below the league average. However, he had fared better as of late, allowing two or fewer goals in three of his last four starts.
As for Corrado, he has been up-and-down with Pittsburgh this season but has seen limited action. In five games with the big club, he has averaged just 11:30 in ice time while being held off the scoresheet. He has been more productive with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, putting up nine points in 19 games. Although he already cleared waivers once this season, Corrado has spent more than 30 days on the NHL roster since then which requires him to pass through once again.
Edmonton Oilers Activate Cam Talbot
The Edmonton Oilers are in danger of dropping out of the playoff race completely, but they’ll get some help a little sooner than expected. Goaltender Cam Talbot has been activated from injured reserve, and could be back in the lineup tomorrow afternoon. Nick Ellis, who’d been backing up Laurent Brossoit in Talbot’s absence, was sent back to the minor leagues.
The Oilers are a frustrating team to watch at the moment, dominating possession but still unable to string many wins together. The team sits second-last in the Western Conference, and nine points out of a playoff spot after 32 games.
Unfortunately, even before his injury Talbot hadn’t been playing quite up to his standards. The Oilers need him to get back to his career .920 save percentage if they’re to get on any kind of a roll, not the .903 mark he posted through 22 games this season. With Connor McDavid back to dominating the league after dealing with flu-like symptoms earlier in the year, the team is at a crossroads. Get back to the Stanley Cup contender many believed you to be, or fall into the pit of mediocrity once again.