Devils’ Miles Wood Suspended Two Games For Boarding
1:01 p.m. — The Department of Player Safety have suspended Wood for two games for boarding Namestnikov.
8:53 a.m. — The Department of Player Safety announced they will hold a hearing today for the New Jersey Devils Miles Wood for his boarding of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov during Saturday’s game. Watch the video here.
Early in the second period, Wood appeared to leave his feet and delivered a hit to Namestnikov from behind, sending his head into the boards. To make matters worse, Tampa Bay teammate Andrej Sustr attempted to come to Namestnikov’s aid, but instead took a punch to the visor and sustained a bloody face.
Wood, who has had no previous suspensions, was given a two-minute minor penalty for boarding. He also received a two-minute minor for roughing for the fight with Sustr, which the Tampa Bay defenseman also received. To make matters worse for Tampa Bay, Wood also scored the game-winning goal.
Erik Johnson Suspended For Two Games
6:19 PM: Johnson has been suspended for two games, the Department of Player Safety announced (video link). He will be eligible to return on December 23rd against Arizona.
2:06 PM: The Department of Player Safety tweeted they will hold a hearing today for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson for his boarding of Tampa Bay’s Vladislav Namestnikov on Saturday. The incident happened late in the second period as Johnson cross-checked Namestnikov, who fell hard into the boards behind the Colorado net. The veteran defenseman received a slashing minor, a boarding major and a game misconduct at the time.
The Lightning have recently gone through this as the team just lost veteran forward Ryan Callahan after crashing into the boards against the Arizona Coyotes. He was placed on injured reserve and could be out for some time.
“Dangerous play,” said Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper. “You just hold your breath on those. Got a little fortunate with Vladdy, obviously didn’t get as fortunate with Callahan.”
Namestnikov returned in the final period and still managed to log 18:05 of ice time Saturday and seems to be OK. The 25-year-old is having a breakout year as he has 13 goals and 15 assists on the team’s top line alongside Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov.
Johnson refused to comment on the hearing, according to Denver Post’s Mike Chambers.
Atlantic Notes: Bertuzzi, Namestnikov, Gauthier
Although he had only a minor role with the Red Wings last season and has waiver exemption remaining, the team expects winger Tyler Bertuzzi to break camp with the big club in October, writes Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. Bertuzzi played in just seven games with Detroit in 2016-17 and averaged just nine minutes per game but played quite well with AHL Grand Rapids in the playoffs where he collected 19 points (9-10-19) in 19 contests.
St. James adds that there are those in the organization who believe the 22-year-old would be best suited to start in the minors once again but both GM Ken Holland and head coach Jeff Blashill are among those who would like to see him start with the Red Wings. The fact that Bertuzzi is on a league minimum contract will certainly help his case considering their current salary cap situation. However, because of that and his waiver exemption, there’s a good chance that Bertuzzi will be forced to go back and forth a lot during the year in an effort to open up a bit of wiggle room during the season.
More from the Atlantic Division:
- Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov has switched agencies as he has joined Gold Star Sports Management according to agent Dan Milstein (Twitter link). He previously had been with Newport. The timing of this is notable as Namestnikov is entering the final year of his bridge contract and will be set to enter restricted free agency with arbitration rights next summer. His qualifying offer will check in just north of $1.93MM.
- Although Frederik Gauthier’s recovery from his hamstring surgery back in May is going well, there remains no firm timetable as to when he could return, notes Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star. He resumed skating for the first time last week. At the time of the surgery, the speculation was that it would be at least six months before he’d be ready to return to game action. When he does recover, the former first round pick will likely be headed for the AHL level once again.
Tampa Bay Notes: Trades, Killorn, Namestnikov
With the Tampa Bay Lightning having loads of offseason questions after not making the playoffs this past year, a lot is up in the air when it comes to their expansion protection plans. Regardless, Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith writes that general manager Steve Yzerman has said that he would like to work out a side deal with the Las Vegas Golden Knights, but said he isn’t sure he can as the Lightning may have too many good assets available.
The scribe writes to not be surprised, however, if the Lightning make a big trade, possibly for a defenseman in the next week before protection rosters must be turned in on Saturday. He mentions both the Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild as likely trade partners as both teams must move a defenseman as well. One suggestion would be to make an agreement with Las Vegas to select a defenseman from another team in the expansion draft and then package them to Tampa Bay in a bigger deal.
- In a mailbag, Smith writes that he expects Tampa Bay to try to move center Alex Killorn before a no-trade clause kicks in. He signed a new seven-year deal last offseason, but a full-trade clause takes effect for the next three years on July 1. Then it goes to a modified no-trade clause for the final three years. Despite scoring a career high in goals (19) during the first year of that seven-year deal, the team may want to take advantage of his value and package him and his $4.45MM contract to solve some cap issues that the team must deal with. If the team doesn’t trade Killorn and he gets exposed for the expansion draft, don’t be shocked if Las Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant might take Killorn, who he coached for Team Canada at the World Championships this year.
- Smith also mentions several players who are possible expansion picks by the Golden Knights, assuming Tampa Bay can’t pull off a side deal with them. Center Vladislav Namestnikov would be an obvious choice, if left unprotected, as well as restricted free agents Slater Koekkoek or Jake Dotchin. Namestnikov is just 24 and has scored 24 goals in the last two seasons. Koekkoek and Dotchin, both 23-year-old defensemen, each have promise. Koekkoek has only played in 41 total games, while Dotchin recorded 11 assists in 35 games in his rookie campaign.
Snapshots: Playoff Format, Sedlak, Lightning
If you’re an Atlantic Division team looking at the current playoff seeding, why would you want to go after the division crown? That’s what Pierre LeBrun wonders in his latest column for TSN. The top Atlantic team will have to face one—most likely the New York Rangers—of the four dominant Metropolitan teams, all of which have more points than the currently leading Montreal Canadiens. That system may need some tweaking argues LeBrun, who suggests going back to the straight divisional playoffs that brewed long-standing rivalries.
For what it’s worth, it doesn’t seem like the GMs have much interest in changing the format, with one telling LeBrun “it’s all cyclical. Some years some divisions are stronger.” It may not even matter, as Montreal has dominated the Rangers this season. With a 3-0 record, they are likely looking forward to a first round matchup.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have activated Lukas Sedlak from injured reserve today, as he has healed completely from the oblique strain that’s kept him out for a month. The 23-year old has 12 points in 55 games this season, his first in the NHL. Never much of an offensive player, Sedlak prides himself on his defensive and faceoff success and the analytics show it. The young centerman has been an elite shot suppressor in his first season, exactly what you want from a fourth-line player.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to Brayden Point to lead their team again tonight as Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette remain out. Byron Froese was recalled earlier today and will figure into a lineup that was already missing Steven Stamkos, Valtteri Filppula and Brian Boyle from the start of the year. Point will have to get by a former teammate in Morgan Rielly, who he played as a 15-year old for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.
Minor Moves: Froese, Hellberg, Lashoff
Yesterday, Byron Froese was sent down by the Tampa Bay Lightning after it appeared they were on the verge of getting one of Tyler Johnson or Vladislav Namestnikov back from their recent injuries. Well not so fast, as the team has recalled Froese again for their matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.
Froese knows Toronto well, as he has spent most of the past three years with the organization before being dealt along with a second-round pick for Brian Boyle just prior to the trade deadline. Froese had been leading the Toronto Marlies in goals with 24, and looks like he’ll get his second chance in the Tampa Bay lineup tonight.
- The New York Rangers have indeed called Magnus Hellberg back up from the AHL on an emergency basis. The goaltender was sent down this week most likely to save some money, as Henrik Lundqvist is out for at least another two weeks. Hellberg has gotten into just one game for the Rangers this season, stopping all four shots he saw in relief. The former second-round pick has posted underwhelming numbers during his time in the AHL, but still has time to grow.
- The Detroit Red Wings have decided to recall Brian Lashoff according to Brendan Savage of MLive. The 26-year old defenseman has a total of 122 games of NHL experience, and gives them a big body on the blue line to insert if they feel it necessary.
Snapshots: Avalanche, Stone, Foligno, Namestnikov
News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- The Colorado Avalanche announced that they’ve recalled defenseman Anton Lindholm from the AHL San Antonio Rampage. The Swedish prospect is playing in his first season outside of Sweden and has 2G and 10A in 59 games. Lindholm was drafted 144th overall in 2014, and with the Avalanche firmly out of a playoff spot, now is the time to see what the team’s prospects have to offer at the NHL level.
- The Calgary Flames received some good news regarding defenseman Michael Stone. Sportsnet Fan 960’s Pat Steinberg reports that Flames GM Brad Treliving told reporters that Stone’s upper-body injury is not going to be as long as it could’ve have been. Stone has excelled in Calgary since being traded from the Arizona Coyotes. He has 1G and 3A in 8 games, outpacing his 1G and 8A through 45 games in Arizona.
- Columbus Blue Jackets forward and captain Nick Foligno will not play tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, reports Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. Foligno is ill and did not practice this morning either. Foligno has 24G and 23A in 65 games this season for the surprising Blue Jackets, who sit just three points out of first place in the NHL. Foligno is not the only prominent Blue Jacket missing tonights game. Defenseman Ryan Murray broke his hand and will miss 4-6 weeks.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning will have forward Vladislav Namestnikov back in the lineup tonight against the New York Rangers, reports Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Namestnikov hurt his leg Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, but escaped serious injury. The Russian first round draft pick has 9G and 15A in 62 games for the Lightning, and will help close the gap on a playoff berth. The team is only three points out of the second wild card slot in the East.
East Notes: Weegar, Namestnikov, Islanders
After Aaron Ekblad was taken out of Saturday’s game for the Florida Panthers, it looks like he’ll be out for at least a while with a concussion. In the meantime, the Panthers are expected to recall MacKenzie Weegar, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald. The 23-year old has developed steadily in the minors since being selected in the seventh round (206th overall) of the 2013 draft. With 12 goals and 29 points this season, Weegar has been Springfield’s “best defenseman overall” according to Eric Joyce, the Panthers’ assistant general manager.
Weegar will likely make his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, as the Panthers try to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Now seven points behind Toronto for the final playoff spot, their current five game losing streak has all but dashed those postseason hopes completely.
- Vladislav Namestnikov was at Lightning practice this morning in a regular jersey according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. One of the three Lightning centermen that were injured last Thursday, it would be huge if he could return so quickly. With Tampa just three points back of the Maple Leafs, this back-to-back against the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators is crucial to their season hopes. Today, the team called up Byron Froese to give them some depth up the middle, but hopefully Namestnikov can still return either tonight or tomorrow.
- Both Tyler Johnson and Cedric Paquette missed the skate entirely, with Smith not convinced Paquette even made the trip to New York. That likely explains why Froese was called up, though it doesn’t bode well for the Lightning.
- Smith also reports that Steven Stamkos again skated before the rest of the team as he continues to work his way back. Wednesday would mark four months since he last appeared in a game, the minimum amount of time he was expected to miss. If the Lightning have any chance of taking and holding a playoff spot, they’ll need their captain back sooner than later.
- The New York Islanders had some friendly faces back at their morning skate, as Alan Quine and Casey Cizikas both stayed on after their pre-skate workout to practice with the team according to Arthur Staple of Newsday. Though they’re both “close, but not ready”, it is definitely a good sign for a team battling for their playoff lives. Cizikas is a very important piece to their lineup, able to move up and down whenever needed. After returning home from their nine-game road trip, the Islanders have a home-and-home with Carolina tonight and tomorrow. They currently sit just a point back of Toronto, and have as good of a chance as anyone to take home that final wildcard position.
Lightning Recall Forward Matthew Peca
The injury-riddled Tampa Bay Lightning recalled center Matthew Peca from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, the team announced this morning. Thursday night, the team lost centers Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette to in-game injuries and Peca will help provide the Lightning with additional depth at the center position.
At this point the injuries to Johnson, Namestnikov, and Paquette appear minor, with the trio each considered day-to-day, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. However, it’s unlikely any of the three will be able to suit up for tonight’s contest against Florida, necessitating the call-up of Peca.
In nine games this season with the Lightning, the 23-year-old Peca has registered two points while posting a -3 plus-minus rating. He has tallied eight goals with 22 assists in 53 appearances for the Crunch. After a strong four-year stretch with Quinnipiac University, Peca joined the Crunch and has scored 17 goals and 77 points in 126 career AHL matches. Peca was originally a seventh-round draft choice by the Lighting in the 2011 entry draft.
Snapshots: Jackals, Lightning, Oilers
The ECHL continues to shrink, as the Elmira Jacksls announced today that they will cease operations at the end of the season. That’s the second team in less than a month to announce they are shutting down, after the Alaska Aces broke the news to their fans a few weeks ago. The Jackals have been around for 17 years, and are currently the affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. They will play out their remaining 14 games but, as they are at the very bottom of the league standings, will be shutting their doors immediately afterwards.
- Tampa Bay looks like it might have avoided certain doom last night when they lost three centermen to injury. The team reports that Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette all are day-to-day with lower-body injuries. All three looked much worse during the game, but each player has been spotted walking around the arena today.
- The Edmonton Oilers will welcome Benoit Pouliot, Kris Russell and Iiro Pakarinen back into the lineup tonight, as they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. None of the three have played yet in March, with Pouliot’s injury taking him back even further than that. As the team fights with the surging Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division, they’ll welcome all the help they can get.
- Sportsnet’s Pat Steinberg is reporting that the Flames will recall Rasmus Andersson before they take on the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow night. The Flames’ second-round pick in 2015, Andersson has impressed during his first taste of professional hockey and has 22 points in 50 AHL games. The Swedish defenseman could step into a spot vacated by Dougie Hamilton or Michael Stone, should either one miss time with their nagging injuries.