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Pittsburgh Notes: Kessel, Cullen, Schultz, Emrick

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Phil Kessel underwent surgery on his hand today, reported Sportsnet’s John Shannon. The surgery was needed due to an injury Kessel suffered during the Penguins’ first round match-up with the New York Rangers. Kessel played in all 24 playoff games for the Stanley Cup champions, putting up 22 points and a +5 rating. For a player who’s toughness and heart have been questioned throughout his career, it seems as though a serious hand injury was not enough stop him from being arguably the most important player in Pittsburgh’s Cup run.

More from Pittsburgh:

  • GM Jim Rutherford would like to bring back free agents Matt Cullen and Justin Schultz, reports Josh Yohe of DK Pittsburgh Sports. Yohe’s story continues that not only does Rutherford wish they would come back, he actually believes it is possible. As our friends at Roster Resource illustrate, that does not seem to be the case. Not only do the Penguins appear to have a roster that is chock full of NHL contributors without much room for addition, but as currently constituted, Pittsburgh is also over the salary cap limit of $73MM. It would take some creative maneuvering by Rutherford to squeeze in just one of them, nevertheless both. If it was to be just one, the veteran forward Cullen is more likely to take an inexpensive, one-year deal to return to the Penguins, than the young puck-moving defenseman Schultz.
  • The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins announced that they have re-signed forward Sahir Gill. They also announced that they have re-signed veteran defenseman Barry Goers, in a somewhat more surprising move, considering the plethora of two-way contracts that the Pittsburgh Penguins have given out this off-season.
  • Award-winning hockey broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick is switching sports, but just for one night. NBC’s leading NHL play-by-play announcer will jump over to MLB Network to call tonight’s Pittsburgh Pirates-Chicago Cubs game. Emerick, who got his first chance to cover the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is an avid Pirates fan.

East Notes: Bourque, Vesey, Cullen

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After being arrested last month on DUI charges, former Boston Bruin great Ray Bourque will appear in court today try and resolve the charge reports The Denver Post. Bourque, now 55, rear-ended a minivan on June 24th while his blood-alcohol level was 0.249, three times the legal limit. Here is some more news from the Eastern Conference:

  • Kristen Shilton of TSN gives us another snippet in the Jimmy Vesey saga, this time from brother Nolan who is participating in Leafs development camp. “Jimmy’s going to make his own decision. August 15th comes around and he’ll make the best decision for himself.” said Nolan Vesey, before admitting he has thought about the idea of playing with his brother.  Jim Vesey Sr. is also a part of Leafs camp, as the team hired him on as a scout late last year.
  • Despite currently projecting as over next year’s salary cap, Penguins’ GM Jim Rutherford told Josh Yohe of DK Pittsburgh Sports (subscription needed) that he still believes he can fit Matt Cullen and Justin Schultz in, should they decide to return.  The 39-year old Cullen has yet to make up his mind about a potential retirement, and Schultz was recently not tendered a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. We recently included him on our top five remaining options for the blueline.

Metropolitan Notes: Hall, Cullen, Islanders

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While Taylor Hall will be joining a new team in a new conference as a result of his trade to New Jersey on Wednesday, he will at least be reunited with a familiar face in Adam Henrique, writes Chris Ryan of NJ.com.  The two played together, often on the same line with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires from 2007-2010.  Hall and Henrique will likely get to play together again with the Devils on a new look top line next season.

More from the Metropolitan Division:

  • The Penguins are still waiting to hear back whether or not C Matt Cullen will be re-signing them, according to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh hasn’t given him a deadline to make his decision.  Cullen is ranked 38th on our Top 50 UFA list.
  • Ownership of the New York Islanders officially changed hands yesterday as Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky took over from Charles Wang, who retains a minority ownership in the team. Despite the change in team control, the team will not be making any changes behind the bench or in management, writes Arthur Staple of Newsday.  The new owners aren’t wasting any time either as Malkin spoke to Andrew Ladd during his visit on Thursday in the free agent interview period.  Ladd quickly signed with the Isles on Friday, inking a seven year, $38.5MM deal.

Central Notes: Blackhawks, Blues, Stars, Wild

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The Chicago Blackhawks welcomed Brian Campbell back into the fold with a one-year, $2MM deal on Friday. Hawks beat writer Chris Kuc writes that not only does the decision strengthen the Blackhawks top four defensemen, but that it brings back a player who always wanted to return. The signing was lauded by Blackhawk superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and was a move that general manager Stan Bowman made for a defenseman he feels has an “underrated” game. In 2015-16, Campbell was a +31 and registered 31 points (6-25).

  • The St. Louis Blues are grappling with the loss of two major leaders in their locker room writes Jeremy Rutherford. When David Backes signed with Boston and Troy Brouwer headed to Calgary, Rutherford reports that the roster is a far cry from the one that propelled the Blues to a Western Conference Final trip in 2016. The Blues will also have to name a new captain for the first time since 2011, and general manager Doug Armstrong said that the term Backes was looking for served as a pause for his re-signing. On Brouwer, Rutherford writes that Armstrong countered with what he thought was a strong deal, but at the end of the day, the winger decided on Calgary’s offer instead.
  • Yahoo’s Greg Wyshynski writes that Dallas’ signing of defenseman Dan Hamhuis was “genius.” Wyshynski notes that the term and amount (two-year, $3.75MM) is a bargain for a defenseman the Stars wanted to acquire at the trade deadline.  Mike Heika reports that the Stars got the man that is the best fit for their team, and also at a price and term that is very flexible. Heika sees Hamhuis as a natural pairing with Stars youngster John Klingberg for bench boss Lindy Ruff.
  • The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo reports on what the Wild could look like on the ice next season. Russo pencils newly acquired Eric Staal in the middle with Zach Parise at left wing and also indicates that the Wild are talking with free agent Matt Cullen, who is fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Penguins. Russo adds that Cullen’s intrigue with the Wild would be that close friend Staal signed yesterday.

Free Agency Snapshots: Best Remaining Players

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As of 11:30pm, Jason Demers signed a five-year deal with Florida. This article was written prior to that contract being signed. 

A variety of analysts weighed in on who they thought the best remaining free agents were on the unrestricted free agent market. USA Today’s Kevin Allen writes that defensemen Jason Demers, Kyle Quincey, Kris Russell, James Wisniewski and Justin Schultz are all names that should find a new (or possibly the same) home. Allen still believes that Demers was the best free agent defenseman on the market, but that his reported $5MM pricetag may be scaring teams away. Allen also lists forwards Jiri Hudler, Sam Gagner, P.A. Parenteau, and Matt Cullen as other intriguing options. Allen believes that although Hudler has shown a goal scoring knack, his age (32) may be a factor in his inability to land a deal.

  • NHL.com listed their best of the rest, with many mirroring Allen’s list. However, they listed Patrik Elias, Tomas Fleischmann, Roman Polak, Brad Richards, Luke Schenn, Alex Tanguay, and Radim Vrbata as other options. Most intriguing was the inclusion of Elias, who at 40 years of age, is still looking to play. Though they listed Coyotes captain Shane Doan, it was speculated yesterday that he would be returning to the desert, and that a contract was close.
  • Sportsnet’s Luke Fox also had a similar list to the aforementioned,  though he added Brandon Pirri, and Dennis Seidenberg as two additional options. On Pirri, Fox believes that his 29 points along with his young age (25) makes him a smart addition. Fox calls Seidenberg a dependable stay at home defenseman, but one that won’t “wow” any potential suitors.
  • Finally, Greg Wyshynski writes that any team who signs Russell is making a puzzling acquisition. Wyshynski wonders if Russell could get $5MM for blocking shots–and not much more. Last season, Russell had 19 points (4-15) in 62 games with Calgary and Dallas.

Snapshots: Cullen, Brown, Panthers

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Pittsburgh forward and 20-year veteran Matt Cullen announced that he will be back for another season. Elliotte Friedman tweeted that the Penguins hope to keep him. Dave Molinari reports that the Penguins do indeed want to re-sign him and that Cullen, who made $800,000 last season, shouldn’t expect a raise if he returned to Pittsburgh. because of the lack of cap room. Cullen had 32 points (16-16) during the regular season and 6 points (4-2) in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins.

  • The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed forward Patrick Brown to a one-year, $650,000 contract. The 24-year-old Brown is the son of former NHL player Doug Brown.  Brown spent time between the big club and AHL affiliate Charlotte in 2015-16. With the Checkers, Brown had 25 points (13-12) and was fifth in team scoring. During the 14 games with Carolina, Brown had 2 points (1-1).
  • The Florida Panthers have announced the hiring of Leo Luongo as the goalies coach for AHL affiliate Springfield. The 31-year-old was the goaltending coach of HC Lugano in the Swiss League for the past three seasons. He is also the younger brother of current Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo.

Snapshots: Strader, Hutton, Alfredsson, Cullen, Coaching Vacancies

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Some sad news out of Dallas today as the team announced that their play-by-play announcer, Dave Strader, has been diagnosed with cancer.  Strader just completed his first season as the voice of the Stars and has been in play-by-play booths for the last 36 years.  Everyone at PHR sends their best wishes to Dave and his family through this difficult time.

Other news and notes from around the NHL:

  • The re-signing of goalie Marek Mazanec in Nashville earlier today brings forth some doubt as to Carter Hutton’s future with the team. GM David Poile confirmed the two sides are in talks on a new contract but that he feels that “Going to another team will give him a better opportunity to get more games and to probably extend his career” and that “It’s not over yet, but I would say that is probably the way that Carter is leaning”.  Hutton has spent the last three years with the Preds, posting a 33-23-12 record in 75 games with a 2.55 GAA and a .910 SV% and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1st.
  • Former NHLer Daniel Alfredsson has signed a one year extension to stay on as Ottawa’s Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations, a role he first began in this past season. Alfredsson is the Senators’ All-Time scoring leader, collecting 1,108 points over 17 seasons with the team.
  • Pittsburgh center Matt Cullen has yet to decide on his playing future. The 39 year old is an unrestricted free agent on July 1st and played with a broken toe since Game 2 of the Conference Finals.  Cullen was the fifth oldest NHLer to suit up in a game this past season.
  • It appears that one of the two remaining head coaching vacancies is close to being filled as Calgary GM Brad Treliving said in a radio interview this morning that their search would be “coming to a conclusion very quickly”.
  • Following Lake Erie’s AHL title, Columbus will now look to fill their replacement for former Associate Coach Craig Hartsburg. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports that Lake Erie coach Jared Bednar, as well as Darryl Sydor and Brad Shaw, are likely to be interviewed for that position.

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