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Minor Transactions: 12/29/20

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Training camp is just a few days away and things are heating up in the hockey world. With waivers open and rosters being announced, minor transactions will come fast and furious all across the league. We’ll keep track of them right here.

  • Jordan Schmaltz will be attending training camp on a professional tryout with the Arizona Coyotes according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Schmaltz, 27, last played in the NHL during the 2018-19 season, suiting up for 20 games with the St. Louis Blues. The 25th overall pick in 2012, he was never able to really translate his game to the NHL level.
  • Speaking of the Blues, the team has announced that Alexei Toropchenko and Nikita Alexandrov have both been loaned overseas. Toropchenko will stay with Kunlun Red Star in the KHL where he has been playing, scoring eight points in 25 games so far this season. Alexandrov will head to KooKoo in Finland, where he will spend the season at the Liiga level. The Blues’ release notes that both players could be recalled when their European seasons end.
  • Spencer Abbott, who played two games at the NHL level before heading overseas, will continue his playing career in Germany during the upcoming season. The 32-year-old winger has signed in the DEL after spending the last two seasons playing in the SHL.
  • Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Gabriel Fortier has been traded in the QMJHL. The slick forward, in his final season of junior eligibility, has been moved by the Moncton Wildcats to the Shawinigan Cataractes, the team announced. The return is only a conditional pick, as Fortier could join the Lightning or more likely a minor league affiliate this season, in which case Shawinigan would get their pick back. If Tampa opts to return him to juniors though, then the Wildcats would receive at least a 2022 third-round pick but it could grow as high as a 2021 first-rounder depending on production. Fortier is no stranger to change after initially being acquired by Moncton midway through last season, only to finish the year with better than a point-per-game pace, earning the team’s captaincy to begin this year.
  • Defenseman Ty Murchison of the U.S. National Team Development Program has made his college choice. The young blue liner announced his commitment to Arizona State University today, continuing the program’s pipeline from California. The former L.A. Jr. King is a talented two-way defenseman who plays an aggressive style, currently leading the USNTDP U-18’s in penalty minutes. Murchison is expected to be a middle round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft before beginning his NCAA career next year.

NHL Announces Critical Dates, Medical Protocols, Rule Change

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The NHL has officially released the list of critical dates for the upcoming season. Though many of these have been previously reported, they are now locked in place for the league.

December 31: Training camps open for seven non-playoff teams from 2019-20.

January 3: Training camps open for 24 playoff teams from 2019-20.

January 13: 2020-21 regular season begins.

April 12: Trade deadline (3pm ET)

May 8: Last day of regular season.

May 11: Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

July 9: Last possible day of Stanley Cup Final.

July 17: Deadline for expansion protection lists (5pm ET).

July 21: Seattle Kraken expansion draft (8pm ET).

July 23: Round 1 of NHL Entry Draft.

July 24: Rounds 2-7 of NHL Entry Draft.

July 28: Free agent signing period begins (12pm ET)

In addition to the critical dates, the league has issued a rule change for the upcoming season. Rule 83.1, which is the off-side rule, now includes:

A player is on-side when either of his skates are in contact with the blue line, or on his own ide of the line, at the instant the puck completely crosses the leading edge of the blue line. On his own side of the line shall be defined by a “plane” of the blue line which shall extend from the leading edge of the blue line upwards. If a player’s skate has yet to break the “plane” prior to the puck crossing the leading edge, he is deemed to be on-side for the purpose of the off-side rule.

This “in the air” clarification has been speculated on for years and will likely reduce the number of challenges used by coaches.

The league has also released its transition rules and medical protocols, which include some clarification to what happens to a player if he tests positive for COVID-19. In that case, the player will be eligible to be placed on long-term injured reserve.

OHL Will Not Allow Body Checking In 2020-21

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Oct 31: Ontario’s Premier, Doug Ford, tweeted this evening that the provincial government is “engaging” with the OHL to create a safe return to play plan, and specifically notes that he would like to see the league return with body checking. “To date no decisions have been made,” says the Premier.

Oct 30: The Ontario Hockey League had already made a major change to their season in response to the continued spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, delaying the start of the 2020-21 campaign until February and announcing a shortened 40-game schedule. Yet, due to another decision influenced by COVID-19, the league will look very different when it does return in a few months. Sportsnet reports that Ontario’s minister of sport, Lisa MacLeod, has announced that body checking will not be permitted in OHL games this season.

Of course, this is not as straightforward as it may seem. While MacLeod stated that she arrived at this decision based on the spread of COVID-19 in the QMJHL and that she felt “removing purposeful physical contact from the game was a necessary step to preventing the spread.” However, many in the media have already asked if this opinion was really backed up by any evidence or the opinion of any experts in the field. The use of the word “purposeful” also suggests that incidental contact will still be allowed. Or will it? Where will the league draw the line and what will the punishment be? There’s also the major issue of jurisdiction in this case. The OHL includes three American teams – two in Michigan and one in Pennsylvania – who do not have to abide by the health ordinances of Ontario. There is still a question as to whether the border will be open at that time to accommodate those clubs, but if they do participate this year, will body checking be allowed in their home games?

With so many questions still to be answered, it is no surprise that TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the decision is not quite official with so many factor still needing to be discussed. Similarly, the OHL’s stance right now is more or less “no comment”, stating “Until such time as we arrive at an agreed upon Return to Play protocol with the Government of Ontario, the League will have no further comment on the matter of body contact.”

If body checking is completely removed from OHL competition this year, it will make the jobs of NHL Draft hopefuls and NHL scouts even more difficult. Without a 2020 postseason and given the shortened 2020-21 regular season, players will have less opportunity to display their talents for scouts ahead of the 2021 Draft. Now, the Ontario government is asking those players to play a completely different style of hockey in what will already be a small sample size. Without intentional contact, it will be immensely difficult to not only evaluate defensive ability, but also to get a frame of reference for offensive ability. Play will be much faster and much more offensive than normal, with defenseman and forecheckers limited in their ability, goalies exposed by a much more open game, and scoring forwards unable to show that they can produce even with opposing contact. The players hurt the most will be those who haven’t already been identified as elite, surefire first-rounders in next year’s draft. Those lucky few have already been seen by scouts, but the dozens of other OHLers who needed the season to prove they have NHL potential have just had their season length slashed and now their game fundamentally changed.

Arizona Coyotes Renounce Draft Rights Of Mitchell Miller

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October 30: A day later, the University of North Dakota has also decided to drop Miller from their hockey program. In a statement, the school explains that Miller can remain a student at UND if he chooses, but will not be playing hockey.

October 29: The Arizona Coyotes have decided to reconsider their decision to draft Mitchell Miller. Selected 111th overall, Miller was the team’s first pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft after they were without selections in each of the first three rounds. Recently, Mitchell’s 2016 assault conviction for bullying and abusing a Black, developmentally disabled classmate has received widespread attention with reports in The Arizona Republic and The Athletic.

Today, Arizona has decided to renounce the draft rights to Miller. In a statement, Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez explained:

We have decided to renounce the rights to Mitchell Miller, effective immediately. Prior to selecting Mitchell in the NHL Draft, we were aware that a bullying incident took place in 2016. We do not condone this type of behavior but embraced this as a teachable moment to work with Mitchell to make him accountable for his actions and provide him with an opportunity to be a leader on anti-bullying and anti-racism efforts. We have learned more about the entire matter, and more importantly, the impact it has had on Isaiah and the Meyer-Crothers family. What we learned does not align with the core values and vision for our organization and leads to our decision to renounce our draft rights. On behalf of the Arizona Coyotes ownership and our entire organization, I would like to apologize to Isaiah and the Meyer-Crothers family. We are building a model franchise on and off the ice and will do the right thing for Isaiah and the Meyer-Crothers family, our fans and our partners. Mr. Miller is now a free agent and can pursue his dream of becoming an NHL player elsewhere.

Mitchell’s history was well known before the draft. The 18-year-old defenseman, who is a freshman at the University of North Dakota, sent a letter to every team in the league apologizing for the incident, indicating that he regretted it and had changed his ways. As Aaron Portzline reported for The Athletic, however, that letter did not sway every team, with some “feeling unconvinced of his remorse.”

Recently hired GM Bill Armstrong was not allowed to take part in the Coyotes draft this year because of an agreement with his former employer the St. Louis Blues. He originally indicated that the team would be providing a “second chance” for the young defenseman and hoped he would use the new platform to “raise awareness about bullying and discourage this type of behavior.” Armstrong released a new statement today:

I fully support our decision to renounce Mitchell Miller’s draft rights. It was a unique situation for me not being able to participate in this year’s Draft and we were going through a transition with our scouting department. Mitchell is a good hockey player, but we need to do the right thing as an organization and not just as a hockey team. I’d like to apologize to Isaiah and the Meyer-Crothers family for everything they have dealt with the past few months. I wish them all the best in the future.

Miller is now an unrestricted free agent. Though he can sign with any team, currently doing so would make him ineligible to play at North Dakota.

Snapshots: Draft Rankings, Tallon, OHL, Crotty

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While scouting opportunities have been rather limited so far, preparations for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft must go on.  Accordingly, the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau released its Players to Watch list with 341 prospects listed in total.  A total of 31 players were ranked as ‘A’ (first round) grades with the rest checking in at ‘B’ (second or third round) or ‘C’ (fourth round and beyond).

While Alexis Lafreniere was the widely-anticipated top pick heading into last season, there isn’t a consensus number one choice just yet.  Defensemen Owen Power (Michigan, NCAA), Luke Hughes (US NDTP), and Brandt Clarke (Barrie, OHL) along with centers Aatu Raty (Karpat, SM-liiga) and Kent Johnson (Michigan, NCAA) plus winger Dylan Guenther (Edmonton, WHL) are all among those who figure to be within the top-10 with some contending for the top spot.

More from around the hockey world:

  • It appears that former Florida GM Dale Tallon may not be out of a job for long. Rob Rossi of The Athletic reports (subscription link) that the 70-year-old has emerged as a candidate to join the front office in Pittsburgh.  The Penguins made a move yesterday with the firing of Jason Karmanos and it’s possible that they could turn to Tallon to take his place, albeit likely in a role other than assistant GM.
  • The OHL is expected to announce their revised plans to start the 2020-21 season on Wednesday. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports (Twitter link) that the league is now targeting a February 4th start date with training camps beginning on January 25th.  With the regular season needing to be extended well past its usual March finish date, Dreger also notes that a reduced playoff field of eight teams is expected to be announced as well.  This is a significant difference compared to the other major junior leagues as the QMJHL has already started their season (though most divisions have been shut down temporarily) and the WHL is targeting January 8th to get things underway.
  • Cameron Crotty’s professional career was supposed to begin in Arizona’s system but he’ll have a detour in Norway first instead. Sparta Sarpsborg of the Eliteserien announced that they’ve added the defenseman on a loan agreement although he has yet to make it over there so it will be a little while before he debuts.  The 21-year-old opted to turn pro with the Coyotes after spending three years at Boston University where Crotty had 10 goals and 17 over that span.

San Jose Sharks Sign Ozzy Wiesblatt

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One of the best moments of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft was when the San Jose Sharks announced the first-round selection of Ozzy Wiesblatt, signing his name on the broadcast. Wiesblatt’s mother is deaf, making it an emotional moment for all involved. The young forward was doing a different kind of signing today, inking his three-year entry-level contract with the Sharks. San Jose GM Doug Wilson explained just why they picked him 31st overall:

Ozzy brings speed, playmaking, and offense to the lineup, which makes it difficult to play against a talented skater like him. His tenacity for the puck paired with his ability to retain possession and drive the offensive side of the game, along with his character on and off the ice, makes him a valuable player for our organization.

Wiesblatt, 18, has spent the last two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL and scored 70 points in 2019-20. The powerful skater was actually ranked 19th among North American players by NHL Central Scouting but barely made it into the first round when the Sharks took him with the pick they received from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Barclay Goodrow deal.

One of four hockey-playing brothers (Ocean, Orca and Oasiz), and five children total, Wiesblatt’s story is an incredible one. With the prices of high-level hockey ever-increasing, his family was helped along the way by the community. That work has paid off in a big way with a first-round NHL selection and now an entry-level contract.

2020 NHL Entry Draft Results

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It’s been more than three months since the 2020 NHL Entry Draft was originally be scheduled to be held, but the day has finally arrived. Rather than a Friday night and Saturday event held in front of a capacity crowd at an NHL venue, it is instead a Tuesday and Wednesday affair and an entirely virtual format. However, the results will be the same. A new generation of future NHLers will hear their names called, beginning with 31 top prospects tonight and another 186 hopefuls tomorrow. Below are the picks for the ongoing and completed rounds, with updated selections:

Round One

  1. New York Rangers – F Alexis Lafreniere, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  2. Los Angeles Kings – F Quinton Byfield, Sudbury (OHL)
  3. Ottawa Senators (from SJS) – F Tim Stutzle, Manheim (DEL)
  4. Detroit Red Wings – F Lucas Raymond, Frolunda (SHL)
  5. Ottawa Senators – D Jake Sanderson, USNTDP (USHL)
  6. Anaheim Ducks – D Jamie Drysdale, Erie (OHL)
  7. New Jersey Devils – F Alexander Holtz, Djurgardens (SHL)
  8. Buffalo Sabres – F Jack Quinn, Ottawa (OHL)
  9. Minnesota Wild – F Marco Rossi, Ottawa (OHL)
  10. Winnipeg Jets – F Cole Perfetti, Saginaw (OHL)
  11. Nashville Predators – G Yaroslav Askarov, St. Petersburg (KHL)
  12. Florida Panthers – F Anton Lundell, HIFK (Liiga)
  13. Carolina Hurricanes (from TOR) – F Seth Jarvis, Portland (WHL)
  14. Edmonton Oilers – F Dylan Holloway, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA)
  15. Toronto Maple Leafs (from PIT) – F Rodion Amirov, Ufa (KHL)
  16. Montreal Canadiens – D Kaiden Guhle, Prince Albert (WHL)
  17. Chicago Blackhawks – F Lukas Reichel, Berlin (DEL)
  18. New Jersey Devils (from ARI) – F Dawson Mercer, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
  19. New York Rangers (from CGY) – D Braden Schneider, Brandon (WHL)
  20. New Jersey Devils (from VAN via TBL) – D Shakir Mukhamadullin, Ufa (KHL)
  21. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Yegor Chinakhov, Omsk (KHL)
  22. Washington Capitals (from CAR via NYR, CGY) – F Hendrix Lapierre, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
  23. Philadelphia Flyers – F Tyson Foerster, Barrie (OHL)
  24. Calgary Flames (from WSH) – F Connor Zary, Kamloops (WHL)
  25. Colorado Avalanche – D Justin Barron, Halifax (QMJHL)
  26. St. Louis Blues – F Jake Neighbours, Edmonton (WHL)
  27. Anaheim Ducks (from BOS) – F Jacob Perreault, Sarnia (OHL)
  28. Ottawa Senators (from NYI) – F Ridly Greig, Brandon (WHL)
  29. Vegas Golden Knights – F Brendan Brisson, Chicago (USHL)
  30. Dallas Stars – F Mavrik Bourque, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
  31. San Jose Sharks (from TBL) – F Ozzy Wiesblatt, Prince Albert (WHL)

Round Two

32. Detroit Red Wings – D William Wallinder, MODO (Allsvenskan)
33. Ottawa Senators – F Roby Jarventie, Ilves (Liiga)
34. Buffalo Sabres (from SJS) – F J.J. Peterka, Munchen (DEL)
35. Los Angeles Kings – D Helge Grans, Malmo (SHL)
36. Anaheim Ducks – F Sam Colangelo, Chicago (USHL)
37. Minnesota Wild (from NJD via NSH) – F Marat Khusnutdinov, St. Petersburg (KHL)
38. San Jose Sharks (from BUF) – F Thomas Bordeleau, USNTDP (USHL)
39. Minnesota Wild – D Ryan O’Rourke, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
40. Winnipeg Jets – F Daniel Torgersson, Frolunda (SHL)
41. Carolina Hurricanes (from NYR) – F Noel Gunler, Lulea (SHL)
42. Nashville Predators – F Luke Evangelista, London (OHL)
43. Florida Panthers – F Emil Heineman, Leksands (SHL)
44. Ottawa Senators (from TOR) – D Tyler Kleven, USNTDP (USHL)
45. Los Angeles Kings (from EDM via DET) – D Brock Faber, USNTDP (USHL)
46. Chicago Blackhawks (from PIT) – G Drew Commesso, USNTDP (USHL)
47. Montreal Canadiens – F Luke Tuch, USNTDP (USHL)
48. Montreal Canadiens (from CHI) – F Jan Mysak, Hamilton (OHL)
49. Arizona Coyotes – Forfeited
50. Calgary Flames – D Yan Kuznetsov, Univ. of Connecticut (NCAA)
51. Detroit Red Wings (from VAN via LAK) – F Theodor Niederbach, Frolunda (SuperElit)
52. Pittsburgh Penguins (from CLB via OTT) – G Joel Blomqvist, Karpat (Liiga)
53. Carolina Hurricanes – F Vasili Ponomaryov, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
54. Philadelphia Flyers – D Emil Andrae, HV71 (SHL)
55. Detroit Red Wings (from WAS) – F Cross Hanas, Portland (WHL)
56. San Jose Sharks (from COL) – F Tristen Robins, Saskatoon (WHL)
57. Tampa Bay Lightning (from STL via MTL) – F Jack Finley, Spokane (WHL)
58. Boston Bruins – D Mason Lohrei, Green Bay (USHL)
59. Toronto Maple Leafs (from NYI via OTT) – F Roni Hirvonen, Assat (Liiga)
60. New York Rangers (from VGK via LAK) – F Will Cuylle, Windsor (OHL)
61. Ottawa Senators (from DAL) – F Egor Sokolov, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
62. Tampa Bay Lightning – F Gage Goncalves, Everett (WHL)

Round Three

  1. Detroit Red Wings – D Donovan Sebrango, Kitchener (OHL)
  2. Toronto Maple Leafs (from OTT) – D Topi Niemela, Karpat (Liiga)
  3. Minnesota Wild (from SJS via DET) – D Daemon Hunt, Moose Jaw (WHL)
  4. Los Angeles Kings – F Kasper Simontaival, Tappara (Liiga)
  5. Anaheim Ducks – D Ian Moore, St. Mark’s (USHS)
  6. Vegas Golden Knights (from NJD) – D Lukas Cormier, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
  7. Carolina Hurricanes (from BUF) – D Alexander Nikishin, Spartak Moscow (KHL)
  8. Detroit Red Wings (from MIN) – D Eemil Viro, TPS (Liiga)
  9. Ottawa Senators (from WIN) – G Leevi Merilainen, Karpat (U20 Liiga)
  10. Calgary Flames (from NYR) – D Jeremie Poirier, Saint John (QMJHL)
  11. Nashville Predators (from PHI) – D Luke Prokop, Calgary (WHL)
  12. Florida Panthers – F Ty Smilanic, USNTDP (USHL)
  13. Colorado Avalanche (from TOR) – F Jean-Luc Foudy, Windsor (OHL)
  14. San Jose Sharks (from EDM) – F Daniil Gushchin, Muskegon (USHL)
  15. Pittsburgh Penguins – G Calle Clang, Rogle (SuperElit)
  16. Columbus Blue Jackets (from MTL) – D Samuel Knazko, TPS (U20 Liiga)
  17. Chicago Blackhawks – F Landon Slaggert, USNTDP (USHL)
  18. Calgary Flames (from ARI via COL, WSH) – D Jake Boltmann, Edina (USHS)
  19. Chicago Blackhawks (from CGY) – D Wyatt Kaiser, Andover (USHS)
  20. Vancouver Canucks – D Joni Jurmo, JYP (Liiga)
  21. Los Angeles Kings (from CLB via OTT, TOR) – F Alex Laferriere, Des Moines (USHL)
  22. New Jersey Devils (from CAR) – G Nico Daws, Guelph (OHL)
  23. Tampa Bay Lightning (from PHI via SJS) – F Maxim Groshev, Nizhnekamsk (KHL)
  24. St. Louis Blues (from WAS via MTL) – F Dylan Peterson, USNTDP (USHL)
  25. Florida Panthers (from COL) – F Justin Sourdif, Vancouver (WHL)
  26. St. Louis Blues – D Leo Loof, Farjestad (SuperElit)
  27. Boston Bruins – F Trevor Kuntar, Youngstown (USHL)
  28. New York Islanders – F Alexander Ljungkrantz, Brynas (SHL)
  29. Vegas Golden Knights – F Jackson Hallum, St. Thomas (USHS)
  30. New York Rangers (from DAL) – F Oliver Tarnstrom, AIK (Allsvenskan)
  31. Tampa Bay Lightning – D Jack Thompson, Sudbury (OHL)

Round Four

  1. Philadelphia Flyers (from DET via TBL) – F Zayde Wisdom, Kingston (OHL)
  2. Florida Panthers (from OTT) – D Michael Benning, Sherwood Park (AJHL)
  3. Calgary Flames (from SJS via MTL, BUF) – G Daniil Chechelev, Chekhov (MHL)
  4. Detroit Red Wings (from LAK) – F Sam Stange, Sioux City (USHL)
  5. San Jose Sharks (from ANA via MTL) – F Brandon Coe, North Bay (OHL)
  6. New Jersey Devils – F Jaromir Pytlik, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
  7. Edmonton Oilers (from BUF via SJS) – F Carter Savoie,  Sherwood Park (AJHL)
  8. Nashville Predators (from MIN) – D Adam Wilsby, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan)
  9. Montreal Canadiens (from WIN) – F Jack Smith, St. Cloud (USHS)
  10. New York Rangers – G Dylan Garand, Kamloops (WHL)
  11. Anaheim Ducks (from NSH via PHI) – D Thimo Nickl, Drummondville (QMJHL)
  12. Florida Panthers – D Zach Uens, Merrimack College (NCAA)
  13. Toronto Maple Leafs – G Artur Akhtyamov, Kazan (MHL)
  14. Detroit Red Wings (from EDM) – G Jan Bednar, Karlovy Vary (Czech)
  15. Pittsburgh Penguins – F Lukas Svejkovsky, Medicine Hat (WHL)
  16. Montreal Canadiens – F Blake Biondi, Hermantown (USHS)
  17. Chicago Blackhawks – D Michael Krutil, Praha (Czech)
  18. Arizona Coyotes – D Mitchell Miller, Tri-City (USHL)
  19. Los Angeles Kings (from CGY) – G Juho Markkanen, SaiPa (U20 Liiga)
  20. Vancouver Canucks – F Jackson Kunz, Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS)
  21. Columbus Blue Jackets – F Mikael Pyyhtia, TPS (U20 Liiga)
  22. Carolina Hurricanes – F Zion Nybeck, HV71 (SHL)
  23. Tampa Bay Lightning (from PHI) – D Eamon Powell, USNTDP (USHL)
  24. Washington Capitals – F Bogdan Trineyev, Dynamo Moscow (MHL)
  25. Colorado Avalanche – F Colby Ambrosio, Tri-City (USHL)
  26. St. Louis Blues – F Tanner Dickinson, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
  27. New Jersey Devils (from BOS) – D Ethan Edwards, Spruce Grove (AJHL)
  28. New York Islanders – F Alex Jefferies, Gunnery (USHS)
  29. Toronto Maple Leafs (from NYR) – D William Villeneuve, Saint John (QMJHL)
  30. Dallas Stars – F Antonio Stranges, London Knights (OHL)
  31. Montreal Canadiens (from TBL) – F Sean Farrell, Chicago (USHL)

Round Five

  1. Vegas Golden Knights (from DET) – G Jesper Vikman, AIK (SuperElit)
  2. Edmonton Oilers (from OTT via SJS) – F Tyler Tullio, Oshawa (OHL)
  3. New York Rangers (from SJS) – F Evan Vierling, Barrie(OHL)
  4. Los Angeles Kings – F Martin Chromiak, Kingston (OHL)
  5. Anaheim Ducks – F Artyom Galimov, Kazan (KHL)
  6. New Jersey Devils – F Artem Shlaine, Shattuck St. Mary’s (USHS)
  7. Buffalo Sabres –F Matteo Costantini, Buffalo (OJHL)
  8. Detroit Red Wings (from MIN) – D Alex Cotton, Lethbridge (WHL)
  9. Winnipeg Jets – D Anton Johannesson, HV71 (SuperElit)
  10. New York Rangers – F Brett Berard, USNTDP (USHL)
  11. Philadelphia Flyers (from NSH) – F Elliot Desnoyers, Moncton (QMJHL)
  12. Montreal Canadiens (from FLA) – G Jakub Dobes, Omaha (USHL)
  13. Toronto Maple Leafs – F Dmitry Ovchinnikov, Novosibirsk (KHL)
  14. Edmonton Oilers – F Maxim Berezkin, Yaroslavl (KHL)
  15. Colorado Avalanche (from PIT) – F Ryder Rolston, Waterloo (USHL)
  16. Los Angeles Kings (from MTL via CAR) – D Ben Meehan, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
  17. Chicago Blackhawks – D Isaak Phillips, Sudbury (OHL)
  18. Arizona Coyotes – F Carson Bantle, Madison (USHL)
  19. Calgary Flames – F Ryan Francis, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
  20. Vancouver Canucks – D Jacob Truscott, USNTDP (USHL)
  21. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Ole Bjorgvik-Holm, Mississauga (OHL)
  22. Minnesota Wild (from CAR via STL) –F Pavel Novak, Kelowna (WHL)
  23. Tampa Bay Lightning (from PHI) – F Jaydon Dureau, Portland (WHL)
  24. Washington Capitals – F Bear Hughes, Spokane (WHL)
  25. Pittsburgh Penguins (from COL) – F Raivis Ansons, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
  26. St. Louis Blues – D Matthew Kessel, Univ. of Massachusetts (NCAA)
  27. Boston Bruins – D Mason Langenbrunner, Eden Prairie (USHS)
  28. New York Islanders – F William Dufour, Drummondville (QMJHL)
  29. Florida Panthers (from VGK via TOR) – D Kasper Puutio, Everett (WHL)
  30. Dallas Stars – F Daniel Ljungman, Linkoping (SHL)
  31. Ottawa Senators (from TBL) – F Eric Engstrand, Malmo (SHL)

Round Six

  1. Detroit Red Wings – D Kyle Aucoin, Tri-City (USHL)
  2. Tampa Bay Lightning (from OTT) – F Nick Capone, Tri-City (USHL)
  3. Ottawa Senators (from SJS) – F Philippe Daoust, Moncton (QMJHL)
  4. Carolina Hurricanes (from LAK) – F Lucas Mercuri, Salisbury (USHS)
  5. Anaheim Ducks – F Albin Sundsvik, Skelleftea (SHL)
  6. New Jersey Devils – F Benjamin Baumgartner, Davos (NLA)
  7. Dallas Stars (from BUF via CAR, FLA) – F Yevgeni Oksentyuk, Flint (OHL)
  8. St. Louis Blues (from MIN) – G Will Cranley, Ottawa (OHL)
  9. Winnipeg Jets – D Tyrel Bauer, Seattle (WHL)
  10. New York Rangers – F Matt Rempe, Seattle (WHL)
  11. Nashville Predators – D Luke Reid, Chicago (USHL)
  12. Colorado Avalanche (from FLA) – F Nils Aman, Leksands (SHL)
  13. Toronto Maple Leafs – F Veeti Miettinen, Espoo (U20 Liiga)
  14. Edmonton Oilers – F Filip Engaras, Univ. of New Hampshire (NCAA)
  15. Pittsburgh Penguins – F Chase Yoder, USNTDP (USHL)
  16. Montreal Canadiens – F Alexander Gordin, St. Petersberg (KHL)
  17. Chicago Blackhawks – F Chad Yetman, Erie (OHL)
  18. Arizona Coyotes – F Filip Barklund, Orebro (SuperElit)
  19. Calgary Flames – F Rory Kerins, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
  20. Vancouver Canucks – F Dmitry Zlodeyev, Moscow (MHL)
  21. Columbus Blue Jackets – D Samuel Johannesson, Rogle (SHL)
  22. Toronto Maple Leafs (from CAR) – D Axel Rindell, Kukurit (Liiga)
  23. Philadelphia Flyers – F Connor McClennon, Winnipeg (WHL)
  24. Washington Capitals – G Garin Bjorklund, Medicine Hat (WHL)
  25. Toronto Maple Leafs (from COL) – F Joe Miller, Blake (USHS)
  26. Ottawa Senators (from STL) – F Cole Reinhardt, Brandon (WHL)
  27. Boston Bruins – F Riley Duran, Lawrence Academy (USHS)
  28. New York Islanders – D Matias Rajaniemi, Pelicans (Liiga)
  29. Vegas Golden Knights –D Noah Ellis, Des Moines (USHL)
  30. Dallas Stars – G Remi Poirier, Gatineau (QMJHL)
  31. Tampa Bay Lightning – G Amir Miftakhov, Kazan (KHL)

Round Seven

  1. Detroit Red Wings – Kienan Draper, St. Andrew’s (CAHS)
  2. Chicago Blackhawks (from OTT via MTL) – D Louis Crevier, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
  3. Toronto Maple Leafs (from SJS) – D John Fusco, Dexter (USHS)
  4. Los Angeles Kings – F Aatu Jamsen, Pelicans (U20 Liiga)
  5. Vancouver Canucks (from ANA) – D Viktor Persson, Brynas (SuperElit)
  6. Arizona Coyotes (from NJD) – F Elliot Ekefjard, Bjorkloven (Allsvenskan)
  7. Buffalo Sabres – D Albert Lyckasen, Linkoping (SuperElit)
  8. St. Louis Blues (from MIN) – D Noah Beck, Fargo (USHL)
  9. Toronto Maple Leafs (from WIN) – F Wyatt Schingoethe, Waterloo (USHL)
  10. San Jose Sharks (from NYR) – F Alex Young, Canmore (AJHL)
  11. New York Rangers (from NSH) – G Hugo Ollas, Linkoping (SuperElit)
  12. Florida Panthers – F Elliot Ekmark, Linkoping (SuperElit)
  13. Carolina Hurricanes (from TOR) – F Alexander Pashin, Ufa (KHL)
  14. Edmonton Oilers – F Jeremias Lindewall, MODO (SuperElit)
  15. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) – F Adam Raska, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  16. Nashville Predators (from MTL via PHI) – F Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Chicago (USHL) 
  17. Detroit Red Wings (from CHI via STL) – F Chase Bradley, Omaha (USHL)
  18. Arizona Coyotes – F Ben McCartney, Brandon (WHL)
  19. Calgary Flames – D Ilya Solovyov, Saginaw (OHL)
  20. San Jose Sharks (from VAN via NYR) – F Linus Oberg, Orebro (SHL)
  21. Anaheim Ducks (from CLB) – F Ethan Bowen, Chilliwack (BCHL)
  22. Carolina Hurricanes – D Ronan Seeley, Everett (WHL)
  23. Nashville Predators (from PHI) – F Chase McLane, Tri-City (USHL)
  24. San Jose Sharks (from WAS) – F Timofey Spitserov, Culver Academy (USHS)
  25. Washington Capitals (from COL via PIT) – F Oskar Magnusson, Malmo (SHL)
  26. Florida Panthers (from STL via TOR) – G Devon Levi, Carleton Place (CCHL)
  27. Toronto Maple Leafs (from BOS) – F Ryan Tverberg, Toronto (OJHL)
  28. New York Islanders – G Henrik Tikkanen, HIFK (U20 Liiga)
  29. Vegas Golden Knights – F Maxim Marushev, Kazan (KHL)
  30. Buffalo Sabres (from DAL) – F Jakub Konecny, Praha (U20 Czech)
  31. Tampa Bay Lightning – F Declan McDonnell, Kitchener (OHL)

2020 NHL Entry Draft Trades

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Day two of the NHL Entry Draft is underway and there are still plenty of talented players available. The first round only saw a pair of trades but there will certainly be more pick swaps this afternoon. We’ll keep track of all those swaps right here.

To Rangers: 19th overall
To Calgary: 22nd overall, 72nd overall

To Washington: 22nd overall
To Calgary: 24th overall, 80th overall

To Pittsburgh: 52nd overall, John Gruden
To Ottawa: Matt Murray

To Minnesota: Nick Bonino, 37th overall, 70th overall
To Nashville: Luke Kunin, 101st overall

To Buffalo: 34th overall
To San Jose: 38th overall, 100th overall

To Ottawa: 44th overall
To Toronto: 59th overall, 64th overall

To Los Angeles: 45th overall
To Detroit: 51st overall, 97th overall

To Tampa Bay: 57th overall
To Montreal: 124th overall, 2021 second-round pick

To Rangers: 60th overall
To Los Angeles: Lias Andersson

To Minnesota: 65th overall
To Detroit: 70th overall, 132nd overall

To San Jose: 76th overall
To Edmonton: 100th overall, 126th overall

To Philadelphia: 94th overall
To Tampa Bay Lightning: 116th overall, 147th overall

To San Jose: 98th overall
To Montreal: 2021 third-round pick (WSH)

To Rangers: 127th overall
To San Jose: 196th overall, 206th overall

To Vegas: 125th overall
To Detroit: 2022 fourth-round pick

To Philadelphia: 135th overall
To Nashville: 202nd overall, 209th overall

To Toronto: 137th overall
To Florida: 153rd overall, 212th overall

To Colorado: 139th overall
To Pittsburgh: 149th overall, 211th overall

To Los Angeles: 140th overall
To Carolina: 159th overall, 2021 seventh-round pick

To Minnesota: 146th overall
To St. Louis: 163rd overall, 194th overall

To Anaheim: 207th overall
To Columbus: Conditional 7th-round pick in 2021 or 2022

To Capitals: 211th overall
To Penguins: 2021 seventh-round pick

To Blackhawks: 188th overall
To Canadiens 2021 seventh-round pick

To Arizona: 192nd overall
To New Jersey: 2021 seventh-round pick

To Detroit: 203rd overall
To St. Louis: 2021 seventh-round pick

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman To Participate In Draft Remotely

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The Detroit Red Wings are fortunate that the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has a consensus top-three and the team won’t be left scrambling by any surprises when they pick at No. 4 overall. That is because the man in charge, GM Steve Yzerman, won’t actually be in the war room to take control of the situation. Detroit has announced that Yzerman will participate remotely in the draft process as a precaution after coming into contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Luckily, the team reports that Yzerman has tested negative on multiple COVID-19 screenings and is not experiencing any symptoms. However, the team will keep their top executive away from the rest of their front office staff and scouts over both days of the draft. Yzerman will communicate with his staff electronically and will still be able to conduct trade calls with rival GMs.

Detroit should already know who they are taking with the fourth overall pick and will have all night and morning to decide on their second pick, No. 32, the first of the second round on day two. At some point though, Yzerman and company will be on the clock without their selection pre-set and will have to overcome the distance to make a pick. The Red Wings own ten picks in the 2020 draft, including five in Rounds Two and Three tomorrow.

The Potential European Draft Advantage

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These last few months have presented all sorts of twists and turns when it comes to all aspects of the NHL but one area that has been heavily impacted is drafting.  With the seasons worldwide shutting down their 2019-20 campaigns prematurely, the opportunity for draft-eligible players to showcase themselves in playoff and tournament situations was taken away.  As a result, scouts have been forced to turn to video to finalize their rankings.

But there is some early-season activity that could change things.  While most leagues in North America aren’t getting underway (aside from the QMJHL which just kicked off their regular season on Friday), several international leagues have already started and in doing so, they have provided new game film for teams to anxiously evaluate with not much else to do on the scouting front.

For players that are pegged to be taken relatively early in the first round, this presents quite an opportunity.  Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz are Swedish forwards pegged to be top-10 selections while Russia’s Yaroslav Askarov is the top netminder on the board and is also projected to go fairly early.  In Finland, Anton Lundell is a center that’s around the top-10 as well.  (German forward Tim Stutzle is in a battle for the number two spot although crowd restrictions in Germany have delayed the start of their season so he didn’t have a chance to improve his stock.)  It’s a draft class that has a lot of European options at the top to begin with and those players have had an opportunity to cement their status or even move up.

It’s not as if a small amount of time has passed between games.  It was about six months since games were called off and a lot of physical development can happen in that timeframe; have areas of their game improved as well?  Scouts now have new game film to work off of and early signs of improvement would certainly give them a boost.  (Alternatively, a slow start could hurt them as well.)

It isn’t just the top-rated players that will benefit though.  The same advantage exists for prospects that are in the lower tier of the draft as they have had an opportunity to bolster their current stock in the eyes of scouts.  When you get towards the back half of the draft where team lists diverge considerably and teams look to take bigger swings, some more of those may be used on players they’ve at least had a chance to evaluate more recently.

There is already somewhat of an advantage to selecting European players.  Similar to most college players, teams get their rights for four years instead of two if they pick a CHL player while countries that haven’t signed a transfer deal with the NHL such as Russia sees their prospect rights held indefinitely.  Add in this potential benefit of getting a fresh look at these players in the days leading up to the draft and there could be a higher rate of international prospects selected next week as a result.  There have been plenty of twists over the last few months and a different draft landscape seems likely to be another one as a result of this pandemic.

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