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Zach Hyman

Injury Notes: Dumba, Hyman, DeMelo

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It’s not good news leaking out of Minnesota, as Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required) reported last night that Mathew Dumba could be out “anywhere from weeks to months” with a “significant” injury. Russo even goes so far as to suggest that Dumba’s season could be at risk if he needs surgery, a determination that has not been made yet (Update: Dumba will indeed have surgery to correct the upper-body injury and will be out long-term)

Dumba, 24, has been on fire through the first two months of the season, recording 12 goals and 22 points through 32 games. That outstanding start comes on the heels of a career-high 50-point campaign in 2017-18, one that put Dumba on the map as an all-around offensive force from the blue line. Armed with a lethal point shot from the day he entered the league, the seventh-overall pick from 2012 has improved his breakouts and creativity through the neutral zone. Losing him would leave a big hole on the right side for the Wild, who are fighting to stay relevant in the Central Division playoff race.

  • Missed in the Toronto Maple Leafs annihilation of the Florida Panthers last night was the loss of Zach Hyman, ruled out before the game due to an ankle injury suffered earlier this week. The team quietly revealed that Hyman will be out for at least three weeks, leaving the Maple Leafs searching for another forward to fill his spot next to John Tavares and Mitch Marner. Andreas Johnsson was that lucky forward last night, but it’s not clear if the role will be his for the entire three weeks.
  • It won’t be just Matt Duchene that returns for the Ottawa Senators tonight, as Dylan DeMelo has also been activated off injured reserve and will be in the lineup when the team takes on the New Jersey Devils. DeMelo hasn’t played since December 8th, and was just starting to really come into his own for the Senators. After averaging just over 18 minutes a night through his first 20 games for the team, DeMelo had recently seen that number jump to almost 21 and a half per game while holding down added responsibilities. The 25-year old was part of the package received for Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks, and could potentially be a trade deadline target given his extremely inexpensive contract. DeMelo carries just a $900K cap hit through next season.

Zach Hyman Suspended Two Games For Hit On Charlie McAvoy

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5:50: The Department of Player Safety has suspended Hyman for two games for the hit against McAvoy on Saturday. He is expected to miss games in Carolina and then a key divisional matchup against Tampa Bay on Thursday. He will be back in the Maple Leafs’ lineup for Saturday’s game in Florida. Hyman will forfeit $24,193.55 from the suspension.

1:14: The Department of Player Safety announced that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman will have a hearing today for interference on Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy on Saturday.

Hyman was ejected from Saturday’s game against Boston after a blindsiding hit against McAvoy with about 10 minutes left in the game and Toronto trailing 6-2. McAvoy was having a solid night with a plus-four rating in more than 18 minutes of ice time. McAvoy was just in his second game back after returning from a concussion, which had sidelined him for 20 games. McAvoy exited the game to undergo concussion protocol. He did return to the bench in the final minute of the game.

Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy believed Saturday that it deserved a look from the Department of Player Safety.

“I thought it was late. I thought it was unnecessary. If the league takes a look at it – I don’t know if they will or not, usually they do if there’s a major involved. It’s one of those things where you’re at a point in the game, hasn’t been a lot of body checking from the other team and all of a sudden there’s a late unsuspecting one, and it annoys you,” said Cassidy. “Especially when it’s Charlie [McAvoy], who had just came back [from a concussion]. So you’re wondering are they targeting him or not? You don’t know that.”

 

 

 

Leafs Re-Sign Zach Hyman

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Zach Hyman to a four-year contract extension, thereby avoiding arbitration. The cap value is $2.25 AAV, but breaks down in real dollars as $2 MM annually for the next two seasons, and $2.5 MM annually for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Hyman applied for arbitration today, but the parties were able to come to a deal without needed to fully exercise that option.

Hyman is an intriguing piece of Toronto’s impressive young roster. This deal could be a real bargain for Toronto as they try to squeeze other youngsters’ new contracts under the cap in coming off-seasons. Hyman looks to be a consistent 40 point player and for the other assets he brings, this is more than fair value. The 25-year-old is a bit of a late bloomer, just playing his first full NHL season this year, racking up 10 goals and 18 assists through 82 games. Under Mike Babcock, the nuts-and-bolts forward has really developed his overall game. He’s a sparkplug on the ice and is agile on his feet. He also plays bigger than his 6’0 frame, getting in on the forecheck and generally being an annoyance to opposing defensemen.

Hyman has also showed chemistry with standout rookie and probable franchise player Auston Matthews, playing a good portion of the season on his left wing. Hyman tends to do the dirty work in front of the net and in the corners while Matthews finds soft spots in coverage. He is versatile, however, and can slot up and down the lineup as needed. He can play both wings with relative proficiency, as well as center in a pinch. As a third wheel for any of the high-flying offensive threats the team has, he’s a wonderfully useful player. Toronto is likely most happy about the ability to buy out some of his unrestricted years while Hyman is likely grateful for the security. There’s not much to complain about for fans of the team, as Toronto was able to avoid the single or two year deal that would have resulted from the arbitration process.

Of note, this deal currently puts the Toronto Maple Leafs at $3.93 MM over the cap ceiling. Teams are allowed to exceed the cap ceiling in the off-season by 10 percent in the off-season, but must be compliant by the start of the year. The team still also is expected to re-sign RFA Connor Brown, but they will have both Joffrey Lupul and Nathan Horton headed to LTIR once the season begins.

Toronto Notes: Andersen, Matthews

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Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen has “no symptoms” of a concussion, but will sit tonight’s game against Blue Jackets, according to coach Mike Babcock. The goaltender is expected to start Game 1 of the playoffs.

Andersen, who was hit by Pittsburgh’s Tom Sestito who ironically was back for his first game after serving a four-game suspension for a hit against Tobias Enstrom, hit Andersen in a fly-by. Initial belief was he had suffered a concussion. Backup Curtis McElhinney took over in Saturday’s game and is expected to get the start with recent callup Garret Sparks to take backup duties.

Other Toronto notes …

  • When rookie Auston Matthews scored his 40th goal Saturday, an empty netter with three seconds remaining that clinched the Maple Leafs a playoff spot, it put the teenager into rare company. The 19-year-old rookie is now the fourth rookie-teenager in NHL history to score 40 goals. He joins elite company next to Dale Hawerchuk (45 goals at 18 years of age in 1981-82), Mario Lemieux (43 goals at 19 years of age in 1984-85) and Sylvain Turgeon (40 goals at 19 years in 1983-84). Matthews had previously broken the American-born rookie scoring record when he recorded his 39th goal Monday.
  • Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports the Leafs will have nine players play 82 games this year, a testament to their health and one reason for the team’s success this year in reaching the playoffs. Matthews, Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Connor Brown, Leo Komarov, Zach Hyman, Jake Gardiner, Matt Martin, Nikita Zaitsev have played all 81 games so far and are expected to play tonight. William Nylander is only at 80 games.

 

Atlantic Notes: Maple Leafs, Radulov, Schaller

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While it appears that the Maple Leafs are close to finalizing a seven year, $31.5MM extension with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, it doesn’t appear that there are any talks ongoing with other pending restricted free agents, TSN’s Bob McKenzie relayed on a radio appearance with TSN 1050.  Wingers Connor Brown and Zach Hyman are Toronto’s other prominent restricted free agents but McKenzie noted that GM Lou Lamoriello typically has tended to stay away from mid-season extensions so the fact nothing is currently happening there shouldn’t come as a surprise:

“I think historically – I wouldn’t say it’s a hard and fast rule – but historically the GM, Lou, if I remember correctly, doesn’t do a lot of mid-season deals. It’s a little unusual.”

Brown is having himself a nice rookie season with 19 goals (fifth most on the team) and 35 points while playing in all 76 games.  As for Hyman, his point total isn’t as high (28) but has been a strong complementary player in their top six.  Unlike Brown, Hyman is also eligible for arbitration following the season.  The Leafs have the financial flexibility to give each a long-term if they so desire as they have just under $57MM committed to 18 players for next season (a figure that does not include any potential bonus overage from this season).

Other notes from the Atlantic:

  • While there had been some discussion on a potential contract extension earlier this season, no formal offer was presented from the Canadiens to right winger Alexander Radulov, reports Sportsnet’s Eric Engels. Radulov also once again vehemently denied the report from two weeks ago that suggested he was seeking a max-term eight year contract.  The Russian winger has made a strong impression on his one year deal signed back in July and while he may not get eight years, he’s still likely to get a long-term contract in what’s shaping up to be a light free agent market this summer.
  • Not only will the Bruins be without left winger Frank Vatrano for both games this weekend, they will also still be without left winger Tim Schaller for the next two games, notes Anthony Gulizia of the Boston Globe. Schaller had been cleared for contact on Thursday and the belief was that he was close to returning but he didn’t take part in practice today.  Head coach Bruce Cassidy isn’t sure when Schaller will be ready to return.

Rochester Americans Sign Alex Kile To AHL Deal

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The Rochester Americans—and thus the Buffalo Sabres—have signed Alex Kile to an AHL deal for 2017-18, and an amateur tryout for the rest of this season. Kile has spent the last four seasons at the University of Michigan, and was a very interesting name last spring after a huge junior season. He’ll look to try and regain that momentum from last year with a solid professional debut for the Americans.

Serving as the captain for the Michigan Wolverines, Kile had a very lackluster senior year in which he scored just 14 points in 28 games. The 22-year old winger was coming off a 34 point junior season that had scouts around the NHL paying attention, but failed to repeat on his offensive performance. To be fair to Kile the entire Michigan team struggled this season to a 13-19-3 record, and their leading scorer had just 21 points.

Standing 6’0″ 190-lbs, Kile was known for his excellent skating ability and improving shot, but wasn’t able to utilize either much this season after an ankle injury robbed him of three weeks in the middle of the year. The former linemate of both Dylan Larkin and Zach Hyman will now head to the AHL to try and rebuild his value and prove that an NHL future is still a possibility.

Snapshots: Pronger, Goldobin, Aaltonen

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When Chris Pronger was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, it marked the end of an outstanding career. Stanley Cup winner, Hart trophy winner, Norris trophy winner, All-Star. Everything was accomplished, and yet something remained—a contract. Pronger was then, and still is now under a player contract with an NHL team, and though he’ll never play a game for the Arizona Coyotes—who traded for his empty contract just days before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony—he was technically a part of their organization. His deal will expire at the end of this season, and there is now something else on his mind for the future.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN writes in his latest column that though Pronger is happy with his current position at the Department of Player Safety, he’d like a chance to apprentice under an established GM in hopes of one day running a team of his own. Pronger reached out to former rival Steve Yzerman to learn what he could about the Tampa Bay Lightning GM’s path to the front office, which included time under Ken Holland in Detroit. Though he had all the physical tools to make him great in the game, it was his hockey mind that made him a legend. As former teammate Jamie McLennan put it in LeBrun’s piece: “His ability to adapt and learn in any situation is what makes [him] special.” Don’t be surprised to see Pronger’s name pop up in a front office as soon as next season.

  • It wasn’t just a regular flu for Vancouver Canucks forward Nikolay Goldobin. The young player says that he didn’t eat for five days and has lost fifteen pounds while he’s been out. While he is feeling better, he won’t travel to Edmonton with the team when they take on the Oilers tomorrow night. Instead, he’ll hit the practice rink and try to get back to where he was before falling ill. The 21-year old was acquired in exchange for Jannik Hansen at the trade deadline, and scored a single goal in the three games he played for Vancouver before being kept out of the lineup.
  • James Mirtle of the Athletic provides some context for the Maple Leafs newest signing Miro Aaltonen. One source told him that the Finnish forward has a 50-50 shot to play in the NHL, but represents no downside for the team. He’ll be on just a one-year deal, and will play for the Marlies next season if he doesn’t crack the NHL team out of camp. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet adds that Aaltonen is most comfortable on the left wing, an area of need for the Maple Leafs. The team currently only has James van Riemsdyk as a true goal-scoring left winger, with the other three, Zach Hyman, Leo Komarov and Matt Martin, all being better suited to play in the bottom-half of a lineup (despite the fact that Hyman has played on Auston Matthews’ wing all season). Even in the minor leagues Kasperi Kapanen and Brendan Leipsic, the prospects closest to making an NHL impact both play the right side most often.

Atlantic Notes: Hyman, Detroit Goaltending, Marchessault, Franson

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Although his professional career is just getting started, Toronto forward Zach Hyman already has a pretty good fallback plan for life after hockey.  As Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com writes, Hyman spends some of his time away from the rink writing children’s books.  He already has published two while a third is expected to be available in early 2017 and a fourth is already in the works.

While his hockey career is at the forefront right now, Hyman realizes his writing will ultimately last longer than his playing days and he’s appreciative of being able to do both:

“Writing is going to last longer than hockey. You can’t play hockey forever, but [you] definitely can write forever. Just enjoying it; it’s amazing. I get to live the life of a hockey player and also have writing. It’s pretty special. I’m really lucky.”

This is Hyman’s first full NHL season and he has made the most of it so far.  While he has just nine points in 27 games, he has earned the trust of the coaching staff, particularly on the penalty kill as he leads all Toronto forwards in shorthanded ice time per game.

More from the Atlantic:

  • When it comes to providing their goalies with offensive support, the Detroit Red Wings have fared much differently in front of Petr Mrazek than they have in front of Jimmy Howard, notes MLive’s Ansar Khan. Detroit has provided Mrazek with 2.88 goals per game in support but in front of Howard, that number drops by more than half to a paltry 1.27.  As a result, despite a stellar 1.68 GAA and .945 SV%, Howard has won just five of his 12 starts so far this season.
  • Florida winger Jonathan Marchessault returned to practice Monday after missing the last four games with a lower body injury, reports George Richards of the Miami Herald. The 25 year old has been a revelation so far with the Panthers, picking up 19 points (10-9-19) in 25 games.  He skated with Nick Bjugstad and Colton Sceviour, a line that the team envisioned putting together when they signed Marchessault and Sceviour back on July 1st.  He will be a game-time decision tonight against Minnesota.
  • Sabres blueliner Cody Franson is enjoying the extra ice time he’s received as a result of Buffalo’s injuries on their back end, writes Bill Hoppe of the Orleans Times Herald. Franson has had higher workloads with other teams than he has received with the Sabres and noted he’s more comfortable when he plays 18+ minutes per game as doing so allows him to play with more confidence.  As a pending UFA, it’s also an added bonus that he has been able to play more to showcase himself to potential suitors for next season if the Sabres don’t bring him back.

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