Roster Crunch: Central Division
Previously, we looked at some of the battles for the last few spots among Pacific Division teams, happening to focus mostly on the third pairing on many teams. With the Anaheim Ducks leading the way with their glut of young defenders, we’ll head to the Central Division next where there are a few teams who might be contenders to scoop up one of extra Ducks pieces.
Dallas Stars – It’s not often you see a team lose three of it’s top-four defenders in one offseason, but that’s what happened to the Stars this summer after Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers and Kris Russell all became unrestricted free agents. While Russell has yet to sign, he was probably miscast as the 24-minute-a-night player the Stars used him as down the stretch. They brought in Dan Hamhuis to fill one of the spots, but it’ll be a battle between Jamie Oleksiak, Stephen Johns, Patrik Nemeth, Jordie Benn and Esa Lindell for playing time this year. Because Johns is the only right-handed member of that group, perhaps Julius Honka, a former first-round pick, will make his NHL debut this season as well.
RFA Notes: Leafs, Colborne, Jones
As the deadline to submit qualifying offers for pending restricted free agents came and went yesterday, information on the Maple Leafs was nowhere to be found. The notoriously tight-lipped Lou Lamoirello still hasn’t given an official update on his RFAs, but reports have started to trickle out. According to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, the Maple Leafs have qualified Connor Carrick, Garret Sparks, Peter Holland, Josh Leivo, Martin Marincin and Frank Corrado while not qualifying Stuart Percy, Sam Carrick and Colin Smith.
- According to Darren Dreger of TSN, via Chris Nichols, the Calgary Flames are still confident they’ll sign recently non-qualified center Joe Colborne. After notching 19 goals and 44 points last season, Colborne had a great case for arbitration and was surprising to see among Calgary’s list yesterday. Dreger adds that the new contract will probably fall somewhere between $3.5 and $4MM per season. Colborne has 100 points in 217 games as a Flame since coming over from the Maple Leafs in 2013.
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen tells us that there were no trade offers for Patrick Wiercioch, another non-qualified name coming out of Ottawa yesterday. Wiercioch had played at least 50 games for the Senators for the past three seasons, but saw his point total drop to a career low last season with just five assists. The 25-year old will now look for a job elsewhere as a left-handed, bottom pairing defenceman.
- Dreger also gives us a note on pending RFA and offer sheet candidate Seth Jones and his current negotiation with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Though the team is in dire need of cap relief, the team sees him as a top priority going into the summer. Ian Mendes, also of TSN adds an interesting quote from GM Jarmo Kekalainen: “If someone wants to be silly and make it cost more money, we’ll match it.”
Players Not Receiving Qualifying Offers
Several players will not be receiving qualifying offers by Monday afternoon’s deadline. Here’s a breakdown of those who will be let go that haven’t already been reported:
- The Kings will not issue qualifying offers to G Patrik Bartosak, D Alex Roach, or F Maxim Kitsyn, reports Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider.
- Forwards James Wright and Justin Vaive will not be qualified by the Islanders, Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports. The 26 year old Wright has 146 games of NHL experience between Tampa Bay and Winnipeg.
- The Rangers will not tender qualifying offers to forwards Luke Adam, Chris McCarthy, Josh Nichols, and Michael St. Croix as well as defensemen Michael Kantor and Samuel Noreau according to Newsday’s Steve Zipay.
- Winnipeg has made qualifying offers to all of their restricted free agent with the exception of F Austen Brassard, reports TSN’s Gary Lawless.
- Dallas announced that they did not issue qualifying offers to forwards Emil Molin and Warren Peters as well as D Troy Vance.
- Tampa Bay issued a list of players who received a qualifying offer. Missing from that list is F David Broll which means he will become a UFA on Friday.
- The Canadiens issued qualifying offers to three players. Not getting one were defensemen Mac Bennett, Darren Dietz, and Morgan Ellis plus forwards Michael Bournival and Lucas Lessio.
- St. Louis issued their list of qualifying offers. Not receiving one are forwards Cody Beach, Zack Phillips, Ryan Tesink, and Yannick Veilleux plus defenseman Richard Nedomlel.
- Ottawa also issued their list of QO’s. Defensemen Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Troy Rutkowski, and Patrick Wiercioch, as well as forwards Travis Ewanyk and Michael Keranen did not receive offers. Wiercioch was due a $2.7MM qualifying offer and had just 5 assists in 52 games with the Sens last season.
- The Sharks have given offers to four players, reports CSN’s Kevin Kurz. Those not receiving offers are forwards Chris Crane, Petter Emanuelsson, Jeremy Langlois, and Jeremy Morin as well as G Joel Rumpel.
- The Capitals will not qualify F Michael Latta, reports Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. Mike Vogel of the Caps’ official website adds that D Ryan Stanton and F Caleb Herbert did not receive offers.
- Philadelphia will not issue qualifying offers to forwards Brandon Alderson and Derek Mathers, according to the Courier-Post’s Dave Issac.
- Boston will not qualify forwards Landon Ferraro and Brett Connolly, reports ESPN’s Joe MacDonald.
- Carolina announced that they did not make offers to forwards Zach Boychuk, Anthony Camara, Dane Fox, Carter Sandlak, and Justin Shugg, plus defensemen Danny Biega, Michal Jordan, and Rasmus Rissanen, plus goalie Rasmus Tirronen.
- Columbus did not qualify C Michael Chaput or D Michael Paliotta, reports Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
- Buffalo announced they made offers to 7 players and failed to tender an offer to G Nathan Lieuwen plus forwards Alex Guptill, Colin Jacobs, and Jack Nevins.
- New Jersey did not make offers to defensemen Raman Hrabarenka and Jon Merrill plus forwards Beau Bennett and Devante Smith-Pelly according to The Record’s Andrew Gross. As the Devils recently traded for Bennett, it’s likely they’ll come to terms on a new deal before July 1st at least than his required QO.
- Edmonton announced they didn’t tender an offer to D Adam Clendening, forwards Luke Gazdic and Kale Kelly, plus goalie Niklas Lundstrom.
- Nashville issued four qualifying offers, reports the Tennessean’s Adam Vingan. Not getting offers were forwards Gabriel Bourque and Cody Hodgson.
- Calgary announced they did not tender offers to forwards Kenny Agostino, Bill Arnold, Joe Colborne, Turner Elson, Josh Jooris, Drew Shore, and Bryce Van Brabant plus goalies Joni Ortio and Kevin Poulin.
- The Panthers didn’t give qualifying offers to forwards Greg McKegg, Quinton Howden, and John McFarland plus defenseman Dylan Olsen, reports the Sun Sentinel’s Harvey Fialkov.
- The Ducks announced their list of offers. Not receiving offers were forwards Matt Bailey, Brandon Pirri and Charles Sarault plus defensemen Kevin Gagne and Martin Gernat.
- Colorado cut ties with Sami Aittokallio, Gabriel Beaupre, Trevor Cheek, Dennis Everberg, Joey Hishon, Brandon Gormley, Garret Meurs, Borna Rendulic, and Roman Will, reports BSN Denver’s Cole Hamilton.
- Arizona declined to extend qualifying offers to Kevin Connauton, Jarred Tinordi, Klas Dahlbeck, Sergei Plotnikov, Niklas Treutle, Philip Samuelsson, and Christian Thomas, reports AZSports writer Craig Morgan.
- Canucks sent qualifying offers to all their RFAs except Linden Vey, reports Vancouver Providence’s Ben Kuzma
This will continue to be updated as more information comes in.
Senators Sign Buddy Robinson To 1-Year Deal
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston tweeted that the Senators have signed Buddy Robinson to a 1-year, $750,000 contract. Ottawa also confirmed the deal as a two-way contract.
Robinson played three games at the NHL level last season, notching a goal and an assist. While playing 62 games for AHL affiliate Binghamton, Robinson had 23 points (13-10).
In other Senators news, Johnston reports that the team will be making decisions on RW Alex Chiasson, and D Patrick Wiercioch. Both are restricted free agents and have been the subject of trade talks.