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Max Veronneau

San Jose Sharks Sign Max Veronneau

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The San Jose Sharks have signed Max Veronneau to a one-year contract, bringing him back to North America after two seasons overseas. The financial details were not released by the team but Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group reports that the two-way deal has an NHL salary of $750K. PuckPedia provides even more details, confirming that the deal is for 2022-23 and includes a minor league guarantee of $400K.

Shin Larsson, the Sharks supervisor of European scouting, released a statement on the deal:

Max had a great season this year in Europe, leading the Swedish Hockey League in goals and being named the SHL’s Most Valuable Player. He has produced at every level offensively and previously was an ECAC Champion with Princeton. We look forward to him joining our organization.

Veronneau, 26, certainly did have a great season in the SHL. In 51 games he scored 34 goals and 60 points, showing just why he was so coveted out of Princeton University in 2019. At that time, he was one of the top undrafted free agent targets for several NHL teams and ended up signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. After two frustratingly inconsistent years, which included a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs just weeks before professional sports shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Veronneau was left unqualified and became an unrestricted free agent once again.

After spending last season with Oskarshamn IK in the SHL, this year he moved to Leksands where he dominated the league in almost every offensive category. His return represents an interesting lottery ticket for the Sharks, and at the very worst a strong contributor for the San Jose Barracuda.

Max Veronneau Staying In Sweden

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When Max Veronneau’s career at Princeton came to an end, there were more than 25 NHL teams trying to sign the undrafted free agent. He ended up inking a two-year entry-level deal with his hometown Ottawa Senators and entered their lineup almost immediately. At the end of the 2018-19 season, he played in 12 NHL games, recording four points.

Unfortunately, that was the highlight of his professional career so far. The next season Veronneau would find himself stuck in the minor leagues and then eventually traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he would play just three games for the Toronto Marlies before the COVID crisis shut down the AHL. At the end of the season, the Maple Leafs decided not to extend him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent once again.

He ended up going to Sweden to play for IK Oskarshamn, where he got back to the scoring ways he had been so used to in his college career. Though 25 SHL games, the 25-year-old forward recorded 12 goals and 18 points. Now, with a decision to make on where to take his career, Veronneau will stay in Sweden for a while longer. He has signed a two-year deal with Leksands IF that will keep him in the SHL through the 2022-23 season.

Connected at various times to teams like the Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, and Los Angeles Kings, Veronneau’s decision to sign in Ottawa has certainly sent his career in an interesting direction. He’ll be a player to watch when he hits free agency again in two years, though perhaps just as a depth player if he decides to bring his talents back to North America.

Minor Transactions: 12/21/20

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The countdown has begun to the start of the NHL season and as expected there is no shortage of moves being made in response. Combine a slew of recalls from loans with the usual moves from the junior, collegiate, and European levels and there was plenty going on across the hockey world on Monday:

  • The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Pius Suter from Switzerland’s ZSC Lions, the club announced. Suter was signed as a free agent by the Blackhawks this summer after a career year in the NLA. The Swiss forward stayed home when the NHL season was delayed but is finally ready to make his move to Chicago to show that he has what it takes to play in the NHL. The Blackhawks also recalled Swiss prospect Philipp Kurashev from the NLA’s HC Lugano. Kurashev played well in his first AHL season, but Chicago hopes the dynamic forward can take another step forward this year.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled a recent free agent addition of their own in Radim Zohorna. The big power forward had returned to his Czech club, BK Mlada Boleslav, while awaiting the NHL season but will now report to Penguins camp, the team announced. Zohorna faces an uphill battle to crack the NHL roster but the Penguins are excited to see what he can do in the AHL.
  • After returning to his former KHL club Dinamo Minsk on loan, Yegor Sharangovich has been recalled by the New Jersey Devils, the team announced. The young forward has played well in the AHL over the past two seasons, but took his game to a new level during his brief stay in Belarus. The Devils hope that is the game that will show up in training camp and at whichever level Sharangovich ends up this season.
  • Goaltender Jacob Ingham’s stint in the ECHL didn’t last long, as the league’s transactions indicate that he has been recalled by the Los Angeles Kings after two games with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Ingham didn’t exactly impress in the minors either, but he is still a top prospect who will look to impress in training camp and win the top role in the AHL this season.
  • Forward Max Veronneau will not be among the second wave of NHL free agent signings. After just one season in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs, the Princeton product has signed in Sweden. The SHL’s IK Oskarshamn has announced a one-year deal with the skilled forward, who seemingly feels he has a better chance of impressing future NHL suitors overseas than with a season in the AHL.
  • QMJHL standout Nathan Legare, a prospect of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is on the move. On the first day that the QMJHL has re-opened trading, Baie-Comeau Drakkar has traded their captain and last season’s leading scorer to the Val-d’Or Foreurs. It’s a hefty return for the prized prospect: a future first-, third-, and a trio of fourth-round picks, as well as rookie forward Justin Sullivan. 
  • The fallout of the Ivy League’s cancelled winter season extends beyond just this year. Ivy League schools do not use graduate student-athletes, meaning current seniors missing their seasons cannot use their fifth and final year of NCAA eligibility at their current schools. UMass has reaped the benefits with a pair of additions today, as Cornell’s Cam Donaldson and Dartmouth’s Matthew Baker have committed to transferring to Amherst next year, reports Jeff Cox of the New England Hockey Journal.

Maple Leafs Acquire Max Veronneau

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The Maple Leafs have swung their second trade of the day as they have acquired winger Max Veronneau from Ottawa in exchange for center Aaron Luchuk and a conditional 2021 sixth-round pick.  Both teams have confirmed the deal.  TSN’s Frank Seravalli adds (Twitter link) that the pick will be transferred to the Senators if Veronneau plays in ten NHL games this season or Toronto re-signs him this summer.

Veronneau was one of the most sought after players in last year’s college free agent market after a strong college career at Princeton but ultimately signed with his hometown team.  He played in a dozen games with Ottawa down the stretch that year, recording two goals and two assists but has spent the entirety of the season with AHL Belleville, recording just five goals and five assists in 33 games.  Ottawa had made him available earlier this month.  He’ll require a qualifying offer of just over $874K this summer.

As for Luchuk, he returns to the organization that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent out of the OHL.  However, his scoring prowess with Windsor and Barrie has failed to carry over to the pros and he has spent the bulk of his time this season with ECHL Newfoundland where he is averaging over a point per game.  His inclusion is likely almost solely for matching contracts (teams can carry a maximum of 50).  He’s a restricted free agent this offseason as well and at this point, is a strong non-tender candidate.

Moments after this trade was announced, their AHL affiliates announced a swap of players under AHL contracts as well that is likely part of this trade with the Marlies acquiring defenseman Trent Bourque from the Senators for winger Darren Archibald.  Bourque has spent most of the season with ECHL Brampton while Archibald, a veteran of 55 NHL games and more than 400 AHL contests, has a dozen points in 34 AHL contests this season.

Senators Notes: Borowiecki, Veronneau, Ryan

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The Senators have been believed to be talking to some of their pending unrestricted free agents about the possibility of signing a contract extension before the February 24th trade deadline.  It appears that veteran Mark Borowiecki will soon be sitting down for his talks as TSN’s Darren Dreger reports in the latest Insider Trading (video link) that discussions with the 30-year-old are expected to occur in the near future.  Borowiecki has spent the entirety of his NHL career with the Sens, spanning parts of nine seasons.  He’s in the midst of a career year with 18 points in 53 games while averaging 17:56 per night, nearly three minutes more than his career average.  That should have him in line for a raise on his current $1.2MM price tag and while the veteran has indicated his preference to stay in Ottawa, he may have to take a little less than he could get on the open market to stay there.  Unfortunately for both him and the team, he is expected to be out for a little while following an injury sustained last night, notes Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas (Twitter link) which could also impact his odds of being dealt.

More from Ottawa:

  • While there are plenty of veterans available, at least one of Ottawa’s prospects can be had. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his latest 31 Thoughts column that winger Max Veronneau is available.  The 24-year-old signed with the Sens in college free agency last season out of Princeton and held his own with four points in a dozen games.  However, he has been quieter in the minors this year with just five goals and five assists in 33 contests but teams that had interest in him a year ago could certainly still be interested now.  He hasn’t played in a month but could return to action with Belleville as soon as tonight.
  • Winger Bobby Ryan is still likely a couple of weeks away from returning, notes TSN’s Brett Wallace (Twitter link). He left the team back in November to enter into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program but resumed skating back on February 5th.  With that timeline, he will be returning after the roster size limit will have been lifted.  Prior to stepping away, he had played a sparing role, suiting up in 16 games while recording a goal and three assists.  If Ottawa moves some players out as expected though, there could be an opportunity for more playing time down the stretch.

What Your Team Is Thankful For: Ottawa Senators

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As the holiday season is upon us, PHR will continue its look at what teams are thankful for as we get closer to the halfway point. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We’ll examine what’s gone well in the early going and what could improve as the season rolls on for the Ottawa Senators.

What are the Senators most thankful for?

Before the season even started, almost everyone throughout hockey predicated that the Ottawa Senators would finish dead last and have yet another embarrassing season after they finished in 31st place last year with just 64 points, not even close to 30th place.

However, with new head coach D.J. Smith, the team has not been a last place team. Granted the young, rebuilding squad is hardly in a playoff position, but the team has proven that they aren’t a laughing stock anymore as the team is starting to regain respectability and is proving that they are no longer they easy victory they have been in the past. The team is currently in a tie for 26th place in the league with a 16-18-4 overall record and their 36 points is a far cry from the last-place Red Wings, who have just 21 points.

Who are the Senators most thankful for?

The team has gotten a large chunk of their offense from two players who they weren’t expecting to get it from. Anthony Duclair, who was playing for his fifth team already at the young age of 24 and was written off just a season ago by Columbus head coach John Tortorella as someone who can’t play hockey, has been a surprise as the forward looks to have figured things out, having scored 21 goals and 30 points in 38 games. Duclair always had potential as a third-round pick back in 2013 and had a 20-goal season with Arizona during his second NHL season, but fell out of favor and failed to re-establish himself the last few years until now.

The team also has seen center Jean-Gabriel Pageau take another step in his development. Used mainly as a third-line center the last few years, the 27-year-old Pageau has taken on a bigger role this year, having already potted 18 goals and 28 points. He is just one goal away from tying his career high.

What would the Senators be even more thankful for?

The team is loaded with prospects and young talent, but the team has gotten little production so far from them. Several top prospects have played with Ottawa, but few have made any impact. Erik Brannstrom, who was the key piece in the Mark Stone trade, has struggled in 28 games and currently is working on his game in Belleville. Several others, including Logan Brown, Filip Chlapik, J.C. Beaudin, Jonathan Davidsson, Vitaly Abramov, Maxime Lajoie, Max Veronneau and Drake Batherson, have been given opportunities, but none has been able to cement a spot into the team’s permanent rotation yet. The team also has a number of young players thriving in Belleville, including Josh Norris, Rudolfs Balcers and Alex Formenton. If the team can get one or two of those players to step up and establish themselves as top-line players, they would be in a much better state.

What should be on the Senators’ Holiday Wish List?

Goaltending.

While many have been pleased with the play of Anders Nilsson in net for Ottawa, his numbers still haven’t been that impressive for a starting goaltender. The netminder has a 9-9-2 record with a 3.18 GAA and a .908 save percentage, which might work for a backup, but what the Senators really need is to find a starting netminder who can help take the team to that next level. Whether the team could find a trade partner soon or wait to try to pry a goaltender off the free-agent market, the team must find an answer to this problem sooner than later.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor Transactions: 11/28/19

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Happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers, who will have to go almost hockey-less today. With the NFL taking over the airwaves, just one NHL game is scheduled. That one takes place in Montreal, where the Canadiens will welcome back P.K. Subban as a New Jersey Devil. Still, teams are likely to make several moves today and we’ll keep track of all of them right here.

  • The Ottawa Senators have returned Max Veronneau to the minor leagues. where he can continue his development in his first year of professional hockey. The Princeton grad has six points in 14 games for the Belleville Senators this season.
  • Sheldon Dries and A.J. Greer have been recalled by the Colorado Avalanche, after Andre Burakovsky left last night’s game with an upper-body injury. The Avalanche are expected to get Mikko Rantanen back on Saturday night, but may need the extra body tomorrow.
  • After Jimmy Howard was injured in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calvin Pickard has been recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. Jonathan Bernier had an admirable performance after taking the net ill, but Pickard may be needed to hold the fort until he gets better.

Minor Transactions: 11/18/19

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Just two games grace the NHL schedule as teams continue to get a little rest after a busy Saturday, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t hockey chatter going on all across North America. As we head into the second quarter of the season coaches are already feeling their seat get a little warmer, while pending free agents should start becoming available for trade. As the hockey world continues to turn, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves right here.

  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled Max Veronneau, the young forward that signed out of Princeton at the end of last season. The 23-year old suited up for 12 games down the stretch for Ottawa but is getting his first chance of this season.
  • Brendan Gaunce and Urho Vaakanainen have both been recalled by the Boston Bruins after the team sent three players (including Vaakanainen) down yesterday. After an incredible start the Bruins have looked mortal lately, going just 5-2-3 in their last ten games.
  • The New Jersey Devils have recalled Louis Domingue, giving them three goaltenders on the roster for the moment. That’s a curious development and one that will make the waiver announcements today something to watch. Cory Schneider has struggled mightily this season, with an .852 save percentage through six appearances.
  • The Edmonton Oilers have sent Joel Persson to the minor leagues, giving them just six defensemen on the active roster for the time being. That should soon be fixed by the return of Adam Larsson, who will be activated off long-term injured reserve.
  • Steven Santini and Mathieu Olivier have been recalled by the Nashville Predators, adding some more youth to their group as they prepare to face the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow night. Olivier was an undrafted free agent signing out of the QMJHL and has seven points in 17 games for the Milwaukee Admirals this season.

Atlantic Notes: Point, Senators Prospects, Olofsson

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With the Tampa Bay Lightning preparing for another run to challenge for a Stanley Cup, one of the team’s top players remains unsigned in Brayden Point, who continues to sit out with a number of top restricted free agent forwards, including Toronto’s Mitch Marner, Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen, Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk, Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor. Several defensemen, including Boston’s Charlie McAvoy and Columbus’ Zach Werenski.

However, there has been no end in sight for any of these players and there remains no timeline as all of these players are waiting for the first one to sign and set the market, according to Tampa Bay Times’ Diana Nearhos. Most expect that the first domino to fall will be Marner with everyone signing contracts just underneath him. However, that could change if one of the others opts to sign first. Point’s deal will be an interesting one on a team that already has quite a few top-paid players, but Point, who tallied 41 goals and 92 points.

“It’s a unique marketplace,” said agent Gerry Johannson, who counts Point among his clients. “Everyone is waiting for some clarity.”

So far only two key restricted free agents have signed, both in peculiar circumstances. Jacob Trouba forced a trade to the New York Rangers before finally signing, while Carolina matched Montreal’s offer sheet to Sebastian Aho in early July. In the meantime, the wait continues.

Atlantic Notes: Senators, Dahlin, Alzner

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The Ottawa Senators are very much a brand new team entering the 2019-20 season. Gone are the likes of Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel, Cody Ceci, and Zack Smith. New to the team are names like Artem Anisimov, Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey, and Connor Brown, while prospects like Erik Brannstrom, Drake Batherson, Josh Norris, and Max Veronneau are set to push for regular roles. On top of all of the roster turnover, the team also has a new head coach in D.J. Smith. Given these considerable changes, Smith’s comments to Sportsnet’s Wayne Scanlan comes as little surprise. First and foremost, Smith tells Scanlan that the Senators will not name a captain in the coming season. The team did not have a captain last season following the departure of Erik Karlsson and now has even fewer tenured veterans. He did say that there will be veteran members, old and new, who he will rely on to play leadership roles in the locker room, but simply feels that the team must wait for a captain to naturally emerge. It also may not necessarily be one of the established veterans, as Smith notes that he will make a “conscious effort” to share ice time and responsibility evenly between the older players and many young players pushing for an opportunity. More than anything, Smith states that he hopes to change the culture in Ottawa, instilling a sense of belief and confidence in the new additions, young players, and perhaps even some of those long-time Senators who have survived a couple of difficult seasons. Based on Smith’s comments, it seems that the Senators will be a very new team indeed in many ways this coming season.

  • A young leader is developing for one of the Senators’ divisional rivals, the Buffalo Sabres. Phenom Rasmus Dahlin, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 and a Calder Trophy finalist last season, is not afraid to speak his mind and knew what he was doing when he made some bold predictions to the Associated Press’ John Wawrow. “We’re going to be a winning team and be in the playoffs,” Dahlin told Wawrow, “I’m putting more pressure on myself… I think everyone is putting more pressure on ourselves now, and we’re ready to go… I feel more prepared. I feel more mature. Like that one year of experience, I know what’s coming this season. I feel more comfortable in my position… we’re going to get something good going on here.” It’s a strong statement from Dahlin and one that will surprise many. The Sabres have not made the playoffs since 2011 and finished 13th in the Eastern Conference this past season after a late-season collapse. The team arguably plays in the toughest division in the game as well, as Atlantic powerhouses Tampa Bay, Boston, and Toronto will almost certainly claim the top three seeds in the division, leaving Buffalo to fight for one of two wild card spots. Yet, the Sabres have to be happy that their 18-year-old centerpiece is bold enough to put those playoff expectations on his shoulders and will look to follow him back to postseason glory this season, no matter how tough the road may be.
  • Montreal Canadiens defenseman Karl Alzner would like to be part of his team’s playoff push next season as well. Unfortunately, Alzner’s poor play left him relegated to the AHL for all but nine games last season. After spending the summer working out with teammates Carey Price and Shea Weber, Alzner tells TVA’s Louis-André Larivière that he feels he is ready to once again be a regular contributor and hopes he is given a fair shot to compete for such a role in the team’s upcoming training camp. While Alzner stated that he does not want to waste years of his career, whether or not he has an NHL role is ultimately up to him. His own play and taxing $4.625MM cap hit are why he spent last season with the Laval Rocket and he must prove that he is worth keeping on the roster. Alzner revealed that he did not formally request a trade last season, but that he will likely do so if he is cut from Canadiens camp this fall. However, there may not be much of a market for his services and likely even less interest in promising him a regular role at the NHL level.

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