Minor Transactions: 08/18/17
The Ontario Reign signed a pair of AHL veterans today, signing Jamie Devane and Matt Schmalz. The forwards will add a physical presence to the team as they measure in at 6’5″ and 6’6″ respectively. Devane, 26, was a third-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs but only made it to the NHL for a pair of games a few seasons ago, and had 13 points for the Stockton Heat last season.
Schmalz on the other hand spent 2016-17 in the OHL as a 20-year old, even after making his professional debut in the spring of 2016. He played three games for the Reign that year, registering two points, but he wasn’t signed and actually had his rights expire on June 1st. He’s coming off a season in which he scored just 31 points in 63 games and was limited to a bottom-six role on the Owen Sound Attack. Though he’s still just 21 he has a long road in front of him if he’s to ever make an NHL roster.
- The OHL’s Windsor Spitfires have acquired Hunter Carrick, who had been drafted by the Ottawa 67s but never played for them. Carrick, the younger brother of Maple Leafs defenseman Connor Carrick, had been playing for the Oakland Junior Grizzlies. The 17-year old defenseman is eligible for 2018 draft, and will look to try and make an impact for the Spitfires as they come off their Memorial Cup-winning season.
Exclusive Negotiating Rights Of 33 Players Expire
The deadline for signing draft picks has come and gone, and unless more deals come in after the fact, 33 players will see their exclusive negotiating rights expire. With it they will either re-enter the 2017 draft for the final time or become free agents, depending on their age. None of the selections were made any higher than the fourth round, though even that is an unfortunate loss for a team hoping to hit a late-round stud. Below is the full list of players:
Buffalo Sabres
Giorgio Estephan (6th round, 2015)
Gustav Possler (5th round, 2013)
Calgary Flames
Riley Bruce (7th round, 2015)
Chicago Blackhawks
Roy Radke (6th round, 2015)
Colorado Avalanche
Wilhelm Westlund (7th round, 2013)
Updated List Of Expiring Draft Rights
According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets will not sign either of Sam Ruopp or Markus Soberg, their two remaining draft picks whose rights will expire tomorrow. In early April, we examined the list of players closing in on the expiry date thanks to the help of CapFriendly’s list. Here that list is, with the updated contract situations.
Buffalo Sabres
Devante Stephens (5th round, 2015) — Signed, three years, $743K
Giorgio Estephan (6th round, 2015)
Gustav Possler (5th round, 2013)
Calgary Flames
Riley Bruce (7th round, 2015)
Carolina Hurricanes
Steven Lorentz (7th round, 2015) — Signed, three years, $728K
Pacific Notes: Ducks, Robinson, Schmalz
The Anaheim Ducks face one of the tougher challenges when it comes to navigating through the upcoming expansion draft and that fact isn’t lost on GM Bob Murray. He noted to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register that he has already had discussions and made offers to Golden Knights GM George McPhee about what type of sweetener it may take for him to not take the top player they leave exposed:
“There may be ways to do things with George where I can not affect too much. Giving him something he may need. George is a very intelligent man, and I have a pretty good idea what he is going to try to do there. I can obviously help him with that a little bit. “There’s certain players here there’s just no way I can afford to lose them.”
The Ducks have several high quality defenders that are worthy of protection that would undoubtedly draw interest from Vegas if left unprotected. If they want to protect more than the standard three, that would force them to only protect a maximum of four forwards which would likely leave Jakob Silfverberg exposed and he too would surely be of interest to McPhee. Murray certainly realizes the situation he’s in and now, it’s just a matter of trying to figure out what type of side deal it’s going to take to keep their core players intact beyond the expansion draft.
Elsewhere around the Pacific:
- The Sharks have parted ways with director of player development Larry Robinson, reports Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette. The Hall of Fame blueliner had been with San Jose for the past five seasons in a couple of different roles, including associate coach. Though he’s 66, he isn’t looking to retire just yet but wants a job that will allow him to be closer to his home in Florida on a more regular basis. It’s unlikely that he’d return behind the bench but a role similar to the one he had in San Jose where he worked primarily with defensemen would certainly be a possibility.
- The Kings have yet to decide if they will offer a contract to 2015 fifth rounder Matt Schmalz, notes Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider. They have until June 1st to sign the 21 year old winger or they lose his rights. Schmalz doesn’t project to be a big scorer at the professional level but he stands 6’6 and has a nose for the net which could make him an intriguing bottom six forward. Los Angeles has plenty of room on their 50 contract limit to get him signed as they have just 30 players signed so far for next season.