Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Mark Scheifele

Snapshots: McDavid, Team North America, Team USA Preview

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Connor McDavid finally knows who his linemates are. The newly minted Team North America captain will center a line with Auston Matthews and Mark Scheifele on his left and right respectively. Team North America coach Todd McLellan, who is also McDavid’s bench boss with the Oilers, finally decided on his the lines after experimenting through the exhibition games. McLellan had this to say:

“We’re still looking for combinations that will give us the best chance to win. Connor, I think, has been getting better. I thought Auston’s been one of our top forwards. Those two complement each other, Auston with his size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and his ability to hold onto the puck, and Connor with his speed.”

A top line that features the future superstars of the NHL provides excitement as the World Cup of Hockey begins tomorrow. North America has been tabbed as a team that could possibly push Canada and Sweden for the title of champions as they feature depth, speed, and scoring prowess. A line of Matthews-McDavid-Scheifele only guarantees that.  TSN’s Ryan Kennedy continues by writing that the North American squad has gelled quickly and quotes Jack Eichel as saying that his teammates are “awesome” with similar interests. Defenseman Ryan Murray explains:

“Everyone has created some chemistry,” Murray said. “You see guys like Morgan Rielly and Aaron Ekblad, who have never played together before, and they look really good as a pair. That’s pretty rewarding to see.”

That chemistry has translated into success and placed Team North America as a much-watch team for many hockey fans. Kennedy writes that the 23 and under squad is looking forward to the challenge of the tournament as it learned some valuable lessons in just two exhibition games.

In other NHL news:

  • Puck Daddy’s Sean Leahy previews Team USA before tournament play begins and a quick take for the Red, White, and Blue is a team strongest in net but weakest up front. Leahy understands the addition of irritant Ryan Kesler but wonders why Justin Abdelkader and Brandon Dubinsky are on the roster in the first place. Though they bring a physical element, goal scoring isn’t expected to come from them. Leahy notes that the United States boasts Patrick Kane, Joe Pavelski, Blake Wheeler and Max Pacioretty, the four Americans to be in the top 50 of goal scorers last season. Yet the obsession with being “tough to play against” may in fact be USA’s undoing. A complete team effort is necessary for the US to win, Leahy writes, but whether that happens is another matter.

Snapshots: Torres, Jokipakka, World Cup

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Raffi Torres will turn 35-years old on October 8th. He hasn’t played an NHL game since April 30th, 2014 (when the Sharks were eliminated from the postseason). He has been suspended five times during his NHL career, the latest lasting 41 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs, after agreeing to acquire his rights in a deadline deal last year, immediately loaned him back to his current AHL team, not wanting any part of him in their organization.

But somehow, he’s earned a professional tryout from the Carolina Hurricanes this fall and will skate to try and snatch a spot on their fourth line. In a piece by Chip Alexander of The News & Observer today, Torres and GM Ron Francis talk about his latest (and possibly last) opportunity in the NHL.

“I know I’ve got to change. I know I say that over and over, but I’ve got to change and I can change,” says Torres when speaking about his suspensions. He admits that what he’s done over his career is wrong, and seems genuinely convinced he could offer something to the Hurricanes this season. Francis, for his part says he has “served his time” and is willing to at least give him a look this fall. If he does make the roster, he’ll be joining his eighth NHL team in 16 years.  Here is more from around the league:

  • Among the news that Sean Monahan is still too injured to participate in the upcoming World Cup, Wes Gilbertson of Postmedia tweeted out another interesting injury tidbit. Jyrki Jokipakka, who underwent hip surgery at the end of the season is now expected to be “good to go” for the tournament. Jokipakka was part of the return for Kris Russell this past year, and was well received in his 18 game Calgary stint. He’ll be suiting up for a Finnish team that is looking like a darkhorse candidate; Patrik Laine recently won tournament MVP at the World Championships, while the goaltending tandem of Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask should be among the best.
  • Staying with the World Cup, Rob Vollman of NHL.com published a piece that says the possibility that the North America team wins the tournament isn’t necessarily a long-shot, due to the usual peak of physical performance around 24. Indeed, the youngster team led by Connor McDavid will have a speed advantage over the rest of the field, and can create offense at an elite level already.  The one thing Vollman mentions as a weakness though, faceoff skill, was weakened today when Monahan withdrew.  The Calgary centerman was clearly the best on the team in the circle, meaning players like Auston Matthews and Mark Scheifele will have to step up in the defensive end.

Jets Notes: Howden, Season Statistical Predictions

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Forward Quinton Howden couldn’t be happier to be playing for his favorite team writes the Winnipeg Free Press’ Jason Bell. Howden, who spent the last three seasons with the Florida Panthers, will have his work cut out for him, but is absolutely thrilled to be back where he grew up rooting for the Jets. The left wing has a lot of competition for one of the final forward spots but it doesn’t dampen the dream of playing for the team he worshipped. On what he brings to the Jets, Howden said:

I’ll bring my speed, that’s my biggest asset. If I can use that to my advantage, hopefully I’ll show what I’ve got.”

The Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen also caught up with Howden and likened him to a “kid-in-candy-store” when it comes to playing for the Jets. Friesen writes that Howden is a player whose potential hasn’t been fully realized and was described as one of the fastest players in the Panthers’ organization. Howden’s “wide-eyed” approach to being a member of the Jets organization may not nail down a spot for him on the roster, but with the speed and enthusiasm, Howden certainly has a chance to make himself well known.

  • The Hockey Writers’ Judson Rempel makes some predictions about who could lead the Jets in statistics come this season and the predictions aren’t surprising. Rempel opines that Mark Scheifele will lead the Jets in goal scoring while Blake Wheeler should pace the team in assists. Rempel also delves into analytics, writing that Mathieu Perreault should lead the team in Corsi% while Dustin Byfuglien will make the long skate to the penalty box more than anyone else.

Snapshots: MacArthur, Scheifele, Staal

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

After missing most of last season due to concussion troubles, Ottawa left winger Clarke MacArthur is completely healthy, GM Pierre Dorion told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

MacArthur was expected to be a keg cog for the Senators last season, fresh off signing a five year, $23.25MM contract (a $4.65MM AAV).  However, recurring symptoms prevented him from playing in all but four games last year, where he was held pointless while averaging just 10:52 per night.  Dorion expects that a healthy MacArthur will bring a lot more balance to Ottawa’s lineup.

“He’s the piece we missed the most last year. We missed his on-ice presence, we missed his off-ice presence. Having a healthy Clarke MacArthur from Day 1 — who could have played last year he had clearance from the doctors —will be a big thing for us. It solidifies our top six and it solidifies our top nine…”

In his previous two seasons with the Senators, MacArthur was a key contributor in their top six, picking up 40 goals and 51 assists in 141 games.  It’s likely that he will reprise his role inside the top six, potentially alongside newcomer Derick Brassard.

[Related: Senators’ Depth Chart]

More tidbits from around the hockey world:

  • Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele will be under a lot more pressure in 2016-17, notes Pro Hockey Talk’s Cam Tucker. Not only has Scheifele made considerable improvements in each season, which has vaulted him into the discussion to be their top center, he’s also beginning the first season of a new eight year, $49MM contract he signed last month.  On top of that, he’s also expected to be in the discussion to replace Andrew Ladd (who signed with the Islanders) as the Jets’ new captain.  Scheifele has largely been under the radar in his NHL career but that’s likely to change next season.
  • Many expected that the Wild would have to trade one of their young defensemen this offseason to bring in a core top six center. Instead, GM Chuck Fletcher opted to go for more of a short-term fix with the addition of Eric Staal, a decision that was largely made to keep their blueline corps intact, writes Dan Myers of NHL.com.   Staal is expected to start next season alongside Zach Parise who played a part in recruiting the 31 year old to Minnesota.

Jets Re-Sign Mark Scheifele To An Eight Year Deal

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Jets and restricted free agent center Mark Scheifele have agreed to terms on a max-term eight year, $49MM deal, the team announced Friday.  The contract carries a cap hit of $6.125MM, making him the highest paid forward on the team and the second highest paid overall, behind defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.  The deal will cover his four remaining RFA years as well as his first four UFA-eligible seasons.  TSN’s Gary Lawless was first to report a deal was close and the exact terms of the contract.

Scheifele is coming off a career year in 2015-16.  He recorded 29 goals and 32 assists in just 71 games, finishing second in team scoring behind only Blake Wheeler.  Scheifele also logged 18:33 per game which was third highest among Winnipeg forwards.

In his career, Scheifele has played parts of five seasons all with the Jets who made him their first ever draft pick upon returning to Winnipeg (7th overall in 2011).  In those 227 games, he has 58 goals and 87 assists while averaging 17:36 per game.

The 23 year old was coming off his entry level contract with Winnipeg and earned just $832K in the last two seasons.  He also was not eligible for salary arbitration.  He received a qualifying offer that was worth just over $874K last month.

This deal locks up one of Winnipeg’s two top six centers.  Their other top six center, Bryan Little, has two years left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.7MM.

With Scheifele signed, the Jets have five remaining restricted free agents to deal with.  Most notably among those is defenseman Jacob Trouba.  With this deal, Winnipeg has just shy of $10.5MM in cap space to re-sign those five, according to Cap Friendly.

The breakdown of the deal is as follows, per General Fanager:

2016-17: $5MM
2017-18: $6.75MM
2018-19: $6.75MM
2019-20: $6.75MM
2020-21: $5.5MM
2021-22: $6.75MM
2022-23: $5.5MM
2023-24: $6MM

Scheifele will also be able to block a trade to ten teams beginning in 2020.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top