Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Wyatt Kalynuk

Andrew Shaw In Concussion Protocol

at CDT | by 9 Comments

The Chicago Blackhawks announced some unfortunate injury news today, noting that Connor Murphy will be out for 10-14 days with a right hip issue and Andrew Shaw is in the concussion protocol. Murphy didn’t play in the team’s last game, but Shaw did, hitting the ice for nearly 15 minutes in their overtime win against the Dallas Stars.

The important thing here is Shaw’s health, given his history of concussions. The bang-and-crash forward has been sidelined by head injuries many times in the past, and head coach Jeremy Colliton (whose playing career was also ended due to concussions) was “visibly distraught” when he updated reporters including Charlie Roumeliotis of NBCS Chicago on Shaw’s status today.

It’s not clear at all what this mean’s for Shaw’s future, but for now, he won’t be in the lineup when the Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets this evening.

The team announced two other transactions: Wyatt Kalynuk has been recalled to the taxi squad from the AHL, while Anton Lindholm has gone the other way, assigned to the Rockford IceHogs.

Chicago Blackhawks Officially Announce Three Signings

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Though news had broke about each of them in recent days, the Chicago Blackhawks have officially announced three signings. Ian Mitchell has signed a three-year entry-level contract, Wyatt Kalynuk has signed a two-year entry-level contract and Pius Suter has signed a one-year entry-level contract. All three deals will start in 2020-21.

Mitchell is the most recognizable name of the bunch after being a second-round pick in 2017 and quickly becoming one of the best defensemen in college hockey. The expectations are sky-high for the 21-year old, who recorded 32 points in 36 games this season for the University of Denver. Mitchell joins a talented defensive crop that is pushing to change the look of the Blackhawks blueline in the coming years.

Kalynuk will also join that group, even if his story is a little different. The 23-year old was a seventh-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017 but decided not to sign with them after three years at the University of Wisconsin. He may be an option for the Blackhawks next season, but doesn’t have quite the same upside found in Mitchell.

Suter meanwhile is coming over from Europe after dominating the Swiss league for years. In 2019-20 he scored 30 goals and 53 points in 50 games for Zurich and took home the NLA MVP. Already 24, he’ll try to follow in the footsteps of Dominik Kubalik, who came to the Blackhawks after several successful years in Europe and is now a finalist for the Calder Trophy. Suter has played against top competition before, suiting up many times for Switzerland on the international stage including at the 2018 Olympics.

Chicago Blackhawks Expected To Sign Wyatt Kalynuk

at CDT | by 10 Comments

The Chicago Blackhawks will be adding another interesting defensive prospect to their organization, as Mark Lazerus of The Athletic (subscription required) reports that they will sign Wyatt Kalynuk to an entry-level contract. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers, Kalynuk became an unrestricted free agent last month after failing to reach an agreement with the team in their exclusive negotiating window. The 23-year old had informed the team that he would not be returning for his senior season at the University of Wisconsin and instead will end up turning pro with the Blackhawks instead.

Kalynuk, a seventh-round pick in 2017, has put up consistent offensive numbers at Wisconsin over his three years of collegiate hockey and now joins a Blackhawks pipeline brimming with defensive prospects. Chicago had already convinced Ian Mitchell earlier this spring to forgo his senior season, signing him to his own entry-level contract.

While Mitchell’s deal will be for three seasons, Kalynuk will be signing just a two-year pact given his age. With reports recently emerging that players can burn the first year of entry-level contracts this summer and no further clarification coming from Lazerus, it is not clear exactly when Wyatt’s will kick in.

The smooth-skating defenseman could potentially be an option for the Blackhawks as soon as 2020-21 given his age and experience, but will not be eligible to play this summer in Chicago’s playoff run.

Flyers’ 2017 Seventh-Round Pick Wyatt Kalynuk Becomes Free Agent

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Flyers’ window of exclusive negotiating rights with prospect Wyatt Kalynuk has passed, making the blueliner a free agent, tweets The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor.

Kalynuk, 23, was selected by Philadelphia in the 7th round of the 2017 draft out of the University of Wisconsin. The southpaw defenseman played the past three seasons with Badgers, totaling 25, 25, and 28 points, respectively. Since the Flyers could not come to a contract agreement with Kalynuk, he’s officially unencumbered, and, as O’Connor notes, he’s ready to see what’s out there. That said, the Flyers are still interested in bringing Kalynuk aboard, and he’s not eliminating them from the running just yet.

In profiling the class of potential free agents from college, major juniors, and Europe, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman listed Kalynuk as the third-best potential option. As such, he should definitely garner some interest on the open market.

At the time of the article’s publication in February, Pronman wrote, “Kalynuk, a seventh-round pick in 2017, looks like he has a chance to be a great value selection if the Flyers can sign him. Kalynuk is different from your usual late round college selection who is usually too slow or too small. Kalynuk has NHL size and speed. He’s a fantastic skater with a high skill level with a game that should translate. The minor quibble in his game is his decision-making can run you the wrong way at times.”

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top