Predicting The Next “Bartkowski Deal”
The genius that was the Matt Bartkowski signing should not be understated. By now, the extension for the purpose of Expansion Draft exposure has become commonplace, but what GM Brad Treliving and the Calgary Flames did was unique. They went outside the organization to sign a player to a multi-year deal who fulfilled the criteria of having played in 40 games this season or 70 games over the past two years. Except Bartkowski hadn’t played a single NHL game this season; he had been on a minor league contract with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. What that means is Bartkowski had to have played in over 70 games last season alone, and indeed he had skated in 80 games with the Vancouver Canucks in 2015-16. In fact, Bartkowksi was the only defenseman on the planet who played in over 70 games last season yet was not signed to an NHL contract this season. Therein lies the genius that was the unassuming signing of Bartkowski. The Flames picked up the only player on the market who could automatically fill their need for an exposure-eligible defenseman.
With a reportedly quiet trade market this season, there are bound to be teams facing expansion protection problems after the March 1st Trade Deadline comes and goes, whether it’s on the blue line or up front. Will someone follow in Treliving’s footsteps and scoop up a player who played in 70 or so games last season but remains unsigned as of now? The short answer is probably not.
Looking at the short list of players who meet the games played criteria, it very well could be that Bartkowski stands alone as an unsigned player looking to continue playing hockey, even if that means signing a two-year, two-way contract and likely logging major AHL minutes. Especially on defense, a team like the Carolina Hurricanes is likely out of luck if they want to replicate the Bartkowksi maneuver. The only unsigned player who qualifies for exposure is Matt Carle, who played in 64 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last year and six earlier this year with the Nashville Predators. However, Carle announced his retirement in November when he cleared waivers and was likely going to be moved to the AHL. Carle seems content with collecting buyout checks from the Lightning and almost certainly would have no interest is returning to hockey with a two-year, two-way deal. There are really no other defensemen that even have a reasonable chance of meeting the 40/70 criteria. Bartkowski was essentially it.
Mike Santorelli Retires
Barely two months after leaving the NHL and signing a two year deal with Geneve-Servette in the Swiss league, center Mike Santorelli has announced his retirement, the NLA team announced (link in French). The decision came as a result of injuries as Santorelli was expected to be out long-term. The 30 year old suited in six games for the team before hanging up the skates, picking up a goal and three assists.
Santorelli played in 406 games over an eight year NHL career with Nashville, Florida, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, and Anaheim, scoring 64 goals and 74 assists. His best year came in 2010-11 where he had his lone 20 goal season, tallying 20 goals and 21 assists while playing in all 82 games.
As a result of his retirement, Geneve-Servette now has an import spot open and appear to once again have their eyes on Rangers forward Nathan Gerbe. Back in June, it was reported that he was close to signing with the team; one Swiss paper reports (via Swiss Hockey News) that a deal was actually signed but was dissolved at the time he signed with the Rangers. If that is true, Gerbe could be loaned to them if he is cut by New York and clears waivers. The 5’6 forward had just seven points in 47 games with Carolina last year but had 28 and 31 point campaigns in the last two seasons with the Hurricanes.
The same report suggests Rangers forward Josh Jooris may also be targeted by Geneve-Servette if he were to be cut by New York; his father played for the team back in 1998-99. Jooris suffered a groin injury in his first preseason game and has yet to suit up since which certainly won’t help his chances of cracking their opening night roster.
Minor Transactions: 7/29/16
Here is where we’ll keep track of today’s minor transactions:
- UFA forward Mike Santorelli officially signed with Geneve-Servette of the Swiss NLA, the team announced (link in French). The 30 year old was rumored to be close to a deal earlier this week and inked a two year pact. Last season, Santorelli picked up 18 points in 70 games with Anaheim, down considerably from the 33 point campaign he had in 2014-15. In 406 career NHL games with Nashville, Florida, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, and Anaheim, he collected 64 goals and 74 assists.
- Longtime NHL veteran forward Jochen Hecht announced his retirement today at the age of 39 according to his German League team (link in German). Hecht had spent the last three seasons playing at home after a lengthy NHL career. He suited up in 833 career NHL games (second most all-time among German players) with St. Louis, Edmonton, and Buffalo, picking up 186 goals and 277 assists. His 463 points also ranks second all-time for Germans behind Marco Sturm.
- Edmonton announced that they have re-signed defenseman David Musil to a one year, two-way contract. CHED’s Bob Stauffer adds that the deal pays $600K in the NHL, $75K in the AHL, and has a total guarantee of $85K. Musil had 14 points (3-11-14) in 67 games with Edmonton’s AHL affiliate in Bakersfield last season.
- The Penguins have inked their AHL head coach, Clark Donatelli, to a multi-year extension, reports Mark Divver of the Providence Journal. Donatelli joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton midway through last season with the Baby Penguins collecting a 22-22-5 record under his tenure.
- Detroit RFA right winger Colin Campbell has signed a one year AHL contract with their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, the team announced. This allows the Red Wings to retain his NHL rights but not have them count against their 50 NHL contract limit. Campbell had ten goals and eight assists in 70 games with the Griffins last season.
- UFA right winger Derek Mathers has inked a one year minor league deal with Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley, reports Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post. Mathers was slated to be a restricted free agent this offseason but the Flyers declined to tender him a qualifying offer. He played in 30 games between Philadelphia’s AHL and ECHL affiliates last season, collecting four points and 119 penalty minutes.