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Tom Gilbert

Overseas Notes: Gilbert, Koppanen, Camper

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Veteran NHL defenseman Tom Gilbert is on his way to Germany. After 11 seasons in the NHL, opportunities in North America have dried up for the 34-year-old, who will now take his talents across the Atlantic to the Deutsche Liga (DEL). The Nuremberg Ice Tigers, fresh off a strong 2016-17 season and run to the league semifinals, announced a one-year-deal with Gilbert yesterday, which is easily the biggest free agent acquisition in the DEL this off-season. Nuremberg immediately becomes the favorite in the DEL this season, as they already roster four of the league’s leading scorers from 2016-17, including veteran NHLer Steven Reinprecht, and the league’s top goaltender, Andreas Jenike, and will sure up a weak defense that cost them last season by adding Gilbert and his 655 games of NHL experience to the mix. Gilbert is far removed from his early days as a high-scoring blue liner for the Edmonton Oilers, but can still play reliable defense and was thought of as enough of an asset that the Washington Capitals traded for him from the Los Angeles Kings this February as a depth option down the stretch and in the playoffs. Gilbert when on to play very well for the AHL’s Hersey Bears in the latter half of the season, and should be set to dominate lesser competition in the DEL in 2017-18.

  • Despite signing his entry-level deal with the Boston Bruins back in April and putting on a good showing at the team’s development camp recently, Joona Koppanen will honor his contract with Ilves of the Liiga and return to Finland for the 2016-17 season via loan. Koppanen is yet another Don Sweeney draft pick that appears poised to outplay his draft slot. A fifth-round pick of the Bruins in 2016, part of the same draft class as Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic, and Ryan Lindgren, who all exceeded expectations this past year, Koppanen is no different. The 6’5″ Finn stands tall, but skates extremely well for a player of his size. He also has positional versatility and strong hockey intelligence to go along with good scoring ability. Koppanen scored 54 points in 38 games in the Jr. Liiga last year and turned down NCAA offers to pursue his pro dreams sooner. He’ll get that chance with Ilves in 2017-18 and another big season could make him a surprise challenger for a roster spot in Boston come 2018-19.
  • Despite ample overseas offers and rumors of such signings, veteran AHLer Carter Camper has decided to stay stateside. The 29-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Monsters yesterday and will look to continue his long run of AHL domination. An undrafted, undersized forward out of Miami University in 2011, Camper signed on with the Boston Bruins and proceeded to post big numbers with the AHL’s Providence Bruins for three years, even earning a brief call-up to the NHL. Camper was traded away to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014, and has since found one-year, two-way contracts each summer with Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals and, most recently, the New Jersey Devils. This is the first time Camper has had to settle for an AHL deal, as his streak of about or above 50-point AHL seasons has been trending towards 30-points for the past few years. Camper’s days as an NHL prospect are likely over, but don’t be surprised if the diminutive scorer is a Team USA candidate for the 2018 Olympics and back on a two-way NHL contract next season.

Snapshots: Gilbert, Schmaltz, Vrbata

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When Tom Gilbert was traded from Los Angeles to the Washington Capitals just over a week ago, it was a step in the right direction for the veteran defenseman. Gilbert had played just 18 games for the Kings and was clearly not in their plans after sending him through waivers to the AHL. He told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post as much and admitted that coming to Washington was very exciting for him. The Capitals acquired him mostly as injury depth, as he is still playing at the AHL level. But perhaps his coming East will pay off already.

Matt Niskanen was taken out of last night’s game with a lower-body injury, and though it doesn’t seem to be serious it is a sign of how close Gilbert is to having to play a vital role on the best team in the NHL. The Capitals already have just two right-handed defensemen—Niskanen and John Carlson—and use Nate Schmidt on his off-side with Brooks Orpik. If either of Niskanen or Carlson went down it would open a gaping hole on the Caps back end, one that Gilbert would gladly step into. Remember that though it was a long time ago, Gilbert was once a 45 point defenseman, capable of moving the puck with the best of them. It’s nice to have depth.

  • It’s a dream come true for Chicago Blackhawks winger Nick Schmaltz as he plays alongside Jonathan Toews. Schmaltz had three points last night and looks to be finding a nice groove on the wing of the resurgent Toews. In his rookie season Schmaltz has just 14 points in 41 games, but six of those have come in the last five as he’s gotten a nice icetime bump. Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times writes in his latest column that the Blackhawks may have found an answer long-term on the captain’s wing. It doesn’t hurt that both are from the University of North Dakota and have taken a very similar path to the NHL.
  • If you consider Schmaltz a long-term piece on the top line, then how do you fill the other side? Is Richard Panik really the answer beside Toews? Craig Morgan of FanRag Sports has his doubts, and suggests a former Hawk should make his way back to the Windy City. Radim Vrbata is available at the deadline, and with his ridiculously low cap-hit of just $1MM, Chicago could likely afford him for the final part of the season. The veteran winger has 41 points this season and has rebounded well from the worst year of his career.

Capitals Acquire Tom Gilbert From Kings

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It’s not Teddy Purcell or Devin Setoguchi as the first demoted Kings veteran to be shipped out of town, but Tom Gilbert. The Washington Capitals announced that they have acquired the veteran defenseman from Los Angeles for future considerations. Capitals beat reporter Mike Vogel also adds that the Kings will retain 20% of Gilbert’s $1.4MM salary, or $280K, which explains why Washington didn’t just scoop him up on waivers recently. Gilbert is expected to report to the Capitals AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, for the time being.

As recently discussed in our Washington Capitals Deadline Primer, the team needed a veteran defenseman to provide some depth for the stretch run and postseason. The team has few options outside of their top six, but the 34-year-old Gilbert brings eleven years of experience into the mix, and at a relatively cheap cost. Vogel adds that the conditions for the “future considerations” are as follows: if the Capitals advance two or more rounds in the playoffs and Gilbert plays in 50% of their postseason games, then the Kings will receive a 2017 fifth-round pick. Otherwise, there is no return for L.A. Given both the strength of Washington’s top-six on defense and their recent playoff history, the chances of both those conditions being met seems slim.

In 18 games this season, Gilbert had a goal and four assists. He showed much greater offensive pop in his early days in Edmonton in the late 2000’s, but still contributes to score sheet from time to time. More than anything, Gilbert will provide responsible defense if called upon in high-pressure positions for the Capitals.

Cal O’Reilly, Luke Gazdic, And Eric Gelinas Placed On Waivers

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A trio of players are entering their second stints on the waiver wire as center Cal O’Reilly (Buffalo), winger Luke Gazdic (New Jersey), and defenseman Eric Gelinas (Colorado) have all been placed on waivers today, reports Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston (Twitter link).

O’Reilly has played in 11 games with the Sabres this season, recording an assist along with a -6 rating while playing just under eight minutes per game.  He also won 48.5% of his faceoffs, slightly above his career average of 46.6%.  He has fared much better at the minor league level with Rochester, scoring 34 points (8-26-34) in 36 games.  The 30 year old has 144 career games of NHL experience with the Predators, Coyotes, Penguins, and Sabres, recording 49 points (16-33-49).  ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun adds via Twitter that Buffalo is looking for an upgrade at the fourth line center position (which O’Reilly had been occupying) via the trade market.

Gazdic has seen action in ten games with the Devils since being recalled in late December.  The enforcer was held off the scoresheet while recording 12 penalty minutes and 14 hits.  He also has played in 13 games with AHL Albany, picking up a pair of helpers along with 19 penalty minutes.  Andrew Gross of Fire and Ice notes (Twitter link) that it’s not a guarantee that he will be sent back down if he clears.  Assuming he does pass through unclaimed, he could remain with the Devils for 30 days or 10 games without having to go through waivers again.  The 27 year old has played in 146 NHL games in his career (mostly with Edmonton), collecting eight points (5-3-8) along with 206 penalty minutes and 214 hits.

As for Gelinas, he has remained at the NHL level all season despite clearing waivers back on December 1st.  He has suited up in 26 games with the Avalanche this year, recording just a single assist while averaging just under 12 minutes per game, not the type of production they were seeking when they dealt a third round pick  to New Jersey for him at the trade deadline last season.  With a cap hit of $1.575MM, he’s likely to clear.  His spot on the roster will likely go to Mark Barberio, who was claimed off waivers from Montreal earlier today.

Still with the waiver wire, Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert passed through unclaimed, James Mirtle of The Athletic reports via Twitter.  The team announced (Twitter link) that he was assigned to Ontario of the OHL.

Barberio And Gilbert Placed On Waivers

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The Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens are making waiver moves on Wednesday morning. Defensemen Tom Gilbert and Mark Barberio are both on waivers, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Gilbert has five points in 18 games with the Kings so far this season, his first in Los Angeles. He has been in and out of the lineup all season. Gilbert spent the previous two seasons in Montreal, after bouncing around between Minnesota and Florida. He’s perhaps best known for his time in Edmonton, where he developed into a solid top-four defenseman. Gilbert has 223 points in 655 games in the NHL, including a career-high 45-point season with Edmonton in 2008-09, before being traded to the Wild at the 2012 trade deadline for Nick Schultz. Gilbert missed the end of last season with knee-surgery. He’s a bottom-pairing defenseman at this point, and may have to go to the AHL and work his way back to the NHL.

Barberio has four assists in 26 games this season with the Canadiens. This is his second season in Montreal; he had two goals and 10 points in 30 games with the Canadiens last season. Barberio was a free agent signing from the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he had 17 points in 103 games over three seasons. Pierre LeBrun of TSN and ESPN called Barberio a sixth or seventh defenseman who can skate and move the puck; LeBrun wouldn’t be surprised to see a team take a flyer on Barberio. The Canadiens recently acquired defenseman Nikita Nesterov from the Lightning, making Barberio expendable. If he clears, Barberio will be assigned to the St. John’s of the AHL.

In other waiver news, Florida Panthers Dylan McIlrath and Paul Thompson both cleared waivers.

Tom Gilbert Suspended Three Games

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The NHL has suspended Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert for three games for a boarding incident with Anaheim’s Nick Ritchie, the Department of Player Safety announced.  He will be eligible to return to the lineup on November 10th against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens.

The incident occurred in the second period of the Kings’ game against the Ducks on Tuesday night.  No penalty had been originally assessed on the play.  As a result of the suspension, Gilbert will forfeit a little over $23K in salary.  As a non-repeat offender, he loses 3/180 of his pay for the season; had he been a repeat offender, he would have lost 3/82 of his salary, or a little over $50K.

This suspension certainly does little to help the cap woes that Los Angeles is currently experiencing.  The team recalled Kevin Gravel earlier on Thursday but that was to take the place of Brayden McNabb who is currently on injured reserve.  While most teams like to have a seventh blueliner available, the Kings aren’t in a position to bring one up pending any further roster moves as they have just over $360K in cap space at the moment as per Cap Friendly.  They also aren’t afforded the ability to move Gilbert off the active roster while he’s under suspension and Gravel is the only waiver-exempt skater on the roster at the moment.  Accordingly, a thin back end is going to stay that way for the next three games.

Los Angeles Kings Recall Kevin Gravel

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According to Jon Rosen of FOX Sports, the Los Angeles Kings have recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from the AHL to replace Brayden McNabb who was placed on injured reserve this week.

Gravel is a former fifth-round pick who made his NHL debut last season with the Kings, getting into five games. The hulking defenseman has played two successful seasons in the minors since coming out of St. Cloud State, including two long playoff runs. The 24-year old will try to make his mark on the NHL club this time around, and prove that he deserves a longer chance.

For McNabb, it’s rest and rehab as he tries to work back from an upper-body injury suffered Saturday night. The team will try to replace his outstanding possession numbers somehow; Tom Gilbert, first in line to try, will have a disciplinary hearing today over his hit of Nick Ritchie on Tuesday.

Pacific Notes: Oilers, Kings, Canucks

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The Oilers trade for Adam Larsson was not well received in many parts of the hockey world, and TSN’s Travis Yost writes that just getting Larsson was not enough for Taylor Hall. Outside of opining that Larsson might not be as good as the Oilers think, he notes that the Devils were often better with Larsson on the bench. However, Yost also points out that Oilers bench boss Todd McLellan could do wonders for the young d-man by employing a “friendly two-way approach.” Yost provides a number of statistical defenses as to why Larsson may not be as bad as many think, but he concludes by indicating that Hall was more valuable than just a one for one trade for Larsson.

  • The Los Angeles Kings are one of six teams that have been very quiet this offseason writes Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski. Despite signing Teddy Purcell, and Tom Gilbert, Wyshynski notes that the Kings are in need of a left wing after losing Milan Lucic to Edmonton and they have little cap room to spare. Wyshynski wonders if the Kings can move Dustin Brown, who was recently stripped of the captaincy. The cap concerns are troubling since Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson are both due raises after next season.
  • Ben Kuzma writes that Canucks winger Jake Virtanen has to put on his “big boy pants” and plunge into the crowded rink filled with forwards. Kuzma writes how Virtanen has a number of different hurdles to clear, one of which includes impressing new assistant coach Doug Jarvis, who’s in charge of forwards and the power play. Kuzma insists that Virtanen possesses the skills to make an impact on the Canucks roster, but that his maturity last season suffered when his “attention span would waver or his conditioning wasn’t where it should be.” Virtanen had 13 points (7-6) in 55 games.

Kings Ink Tom Gilbert For One Year

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According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Los Angeles Kings have signed free agent defenseman Tom Gilbert to a one-year deal worth $1.4MM.  The deal represents a 50% pay cut from the $2.8MM he earned last year.

Gilbert spent last season with Montreal where he scored just two points in 45 games while averaging 16:52 per game, down nearly three minutes from 2014-15.  He was a healthy scratch at times before suffering a season-ending knee injury just prior to the trade deadline.

In his career, Gilbert has played in 637 games between Edmonton, Minnesota, Florida, and Montreal, collecting 44 goals and 174 assists.  He’ll serve as a third pairing blueliner for the Kings.

Free Agent Focus: Montreal Canadiens

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The Montreal Canadiens got off to a franchise-best 9-0-0 start in 2015-16 but were unable to sustain their success, eventually dropping all the way to 13th in the Eastern Conference.

With most of their team already under contract for next season, GM Marc Bergevin will have to be active in the trade market if he wants to bring in more than just one or two new faces.  Here’s a closer look at the few remaining free agents they have to deal with.

Key Restricted Free Agents: Phillip Danault was the centerpiece of the pre-deadline trade that saw Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann go to Chicago.  The former first round pick didn’t play a big role with the Canadiens after being acquired, averaging just 12:37 per game while picking up five points in 21 games.  Danault is expected to play a bottom six role for the Canadiens next season and should receive a short-term contract.

Winger Daniel Carr was a pleasant surprise last year.  The 24 year old rookie picked up six goals and three assists in 24 games with Montreal after starting the season at AHL St. John’s.  He is due a two-way qualifying offer of $840,000 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL but the team may try to convince him to take a smaller NHL cap hit in exchange for more guaranteed money in the form of a higher AHL salary.

Other RFA’s: F Michael Bournival, D Darren Dietz, D Morgan Ellis, D Joel Hanley, F Lucas Lessio

Key Unrestricted Free Agent: It was a down year for D Tom Gilbert who picked up just one goal and one assist in 45 games before a knee injury ended his season in February.  He’s coming off a $2.8MM contract and will have to take a substantial pay cut to get a contract in free agency.  He should still have some suitors for a third pairing role as mobility and shot blocking are still desired attributes on the open market.

Other UFA’s: D Victor Bartley, F John Scott, G Ben Scrivens

Cap Situation: Montreal has just shy of $64MM committed to 20 players already for next season, according to Cap Friendly.  After re-signing Danault and Carr, they should have enough money to sign one impact player on the free agent market.

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