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Tampa Bay Lightning Sign Amir Miftakhov To Entry-Level Deal

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The Tampa Bay Lightning signed goaltending prospect Hugo Alnefelt Saturday and now have added another netminder to their stable of prospects as the team announced they have inked Amir Miftakhov to an entry-level contract.

Despite being a Lightning’s sixth-round pick from the 2020 draft, it looks as if Tampa Bay intends to fast-track Miftakhov as it is believed that he will come to North America and likely compete with Alnefelt next year in the AHL.

While being drafted a year later than the 19-year-old Alnefelt, Miftakhov is actually a year older than him. The 21-year-old was passed over in the draft twice before finally being selected by Tampa Bay last year. One likely reason for not being drafted immediately was his size as Miftakhov is just 6-foot, 172 pounds, quite small for a netminder.

Regardless of his size, he has fared quite well in three seasons with Bars Kazan of the VHL and this year got an opportunity with seven games in the KHL where he posted a 2.25 GAA and a .917 save percentage. He also was the starting goaltender at the 2020 World Junior Championships in which he led Team Russia to a silver medal.

Carolina Signs Goaltenders Pyotr Kochetkov, Eetu Makiniemi

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Saturday: The Hurricanes have now confirmed the signings, adding that each young keeper has inked a two-year entry-level contract. The two contracts are financially identical except for one detail: Kochetkov’s deal will carry and $842.5K NHL salary in both seasons, as well as an $185K signing bonus and a $70K AHL salary, while Makiniemi’s is structured the same but includes a raise to $892.5K in the second year. This makes the AAV on Makiniemi’s contract $867.5K.

Perhaps the more important update comes from the KHL’s Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, who have announced a one-year extension with Kochetkov. This presumably means that the young keeper will spend the first season of his entry-level deal on loan to the KHL. Makiniemi is still expected to make the jump to North America for next season, which could give him an edge in the competition to determine which prospect keeper is the first in line for NHL starts.

Friday: There is about to be a total overhaul in the Carolina net. With Hurricanes goaltenders Petr Mrazek, James Reimer, and Antoine Bibeau all slated for unrestricted free agency this summer, the team is set to sign two talented prospects to join Alex Nedeljkovic in goal. Salary resources CapFriendly and PuckPedia are each reporting that young goalies Pyotr Kochetkov and Eetu Makiniemi have agreed to terms on entry-level contracts with Carolina. The duo are likely slated for the AHL for a season or two, but could challenge for NHL opportunities before too long.

Kochetkov, 21, was a highly-touted overage netminder in the 2019 NHL Draft, selected early in the second round by the ’Canes. After years of dominating the junior and minor league ranks in Russia, as well impressing on the international stage at the 2019 World Juniors, Kochetkov finally found some success at the top level in the KHL this season. Splitting his season between Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Vityaz Podolsk, Kochetkov was a serviceable backup with a sub-2.70 GAA for both teams and a .931 save percentage in the regular season and postseason for Torpedo. Looking to take the next step in his development, Kochetkov appears ready for the AHL and hopes that he can follow a recent influx of elite young Russian netminders and find success in his move to North America.

Makiniemi, 22, was a fourth-round puck by Carolina back in 2017. After years spent in the junior ranks in Finland, Makiniemi finally found a starting role in the Liiiga late last season. He was stellar in seven games down the stretch for Ilves, recording a .936 save percentage and 1.53 GAA. That was enough to earn him the top job for the team this year and while his numbers regressed somewhat, they did so in 34 games plus a playoff run. Having finally honed his ability at the pro level, Makiniemi also seems ready for the AHL. He may begin next season as the backup to Kochetkov, but is a legitimate threat to outplay his counterpart.

 

Minor Transactions: 04/28/21

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The playoff chase is heating up in the NHL, but elsewhere most leagues are winding down. The KHL season came to an end today with Avangard Omsk hoisting their first Gagarin Cup. The SHL, the Swiss NLA, and the German DEL are all down to just four teams apiece following the conclusion of their quarterfinal playoff rounds, while the Finnish Liiga is halfway through their quarterfinals with just six teams still alive. Even the AHL season is coming to a close, with no Calder Cup up for grabs and the regular season schedule over for some North Division teams and ending early next month for all others. As the leagues come to a close and players turn toward the future, it can cause some notable ripples in the NHL market. Here are some of those minor, but meaningful moves:

  • After a dozen pro seasons, former NHL defenseman Victor Bartley has called it a career. The 33-year-old made the announcement in the most subtle way possible, changing his personal Twitter account to description to “retired professional hockey player” following the conclusion of his brief season with Unia Oswiecim in Poland. Bartley has spent the past four season in Europe, two with the KHL’s Kunlund Red Star and another with the SHL’s Orebrok HK. However, he spent the previous six seasons under contract in the NHL. Bartley spent parts of five seasons with the Nashville Predators, including skating in 50 games with the team in 2013-14. He also spent time with the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild, totaling 121 NHL games between the three clubs.
  • The Boston Bruins won’t be reuniting with Linus Arnesson next season. The 26-year-old defenseman, a 2013 second-round pick, recently became a free agent at the conclusion of his SHL season. A solid stay-at-home defender who played well in a few AHL seasons, there was some belief that Arnesson might look at an NHL return following several strong seasons overseas. However, he has decided to stay at home in Sweden rather than try his luck again in North America, at least for one more year. Djurgardens IF, the program that Arnesson played his developmental hockey with, has welcomed their product home on a one-year deal, the team announced. Perhaps Arnesson will try to re-connect with the Bruins next summer, but his value seemingly decreases with each passing year.
  • The Ottawa Senators are hoping that they can finally bring over one of their own second-round picks, 2017 selection Marcus Davidsson. The 22-year-old two-way forward has had somewhat of an up-and-down stretch over the past few years in the Swedish ranks, with 2020-21 as more of a low point, but was once a highly-regarded prospect and has shown flashes of NHL ability. Davidsson finished the season on a strong note though, joining Sodertalje SK of the Allsvenskan for 14 games and recording 8 points and a +5 rating along the way. However, the team announced today that Davidsson will not be remaining with Sodertalje moving forward. This frees Davidsson up to make the jump to North America if he chooses, perhaps getting back on his development track with some time in the AHL for the Senators. Ottawa risks never getting anything out of the high pick if he remains in Sweden and keeps bouncing around and not taking the next step forward in his career.
  • EHC Munich wrapped up their DEL season recently and today confirmed the departures of a number of player. The list reads as a who’s who of former NHLers, including Derek Roy, Chris Bourque, Andrew Ebbett, and Keith Aulie. None of the four are realistic candidates to return to the NHL at this late point in their respective careers, but could still be off to make a difference elsewhere in Europe and potentially to guide current and future NHL prospects.

Tennessee State Considering Adding Division I Hockey

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As the growth of college hockey continues, you never know where the next Division I team may pop up. Just in the past few years, programs have sprouted at Arizona State University and Long Island University, with new additions coming soon at Minnesota’s University of St. Thomas and Missouri’s Lindenwood University and conversations being had the University of Illinois and the U.S. Naval Academy as well. However, the latest school to enter the scene is still quite a surprise.

According to a report from Michael Gallagher of the Nashville Post, Tennessee State University is “considering a feasibility study in bringing hockey to campus.” A historically black university, HBCU for short, located south of the Mason-Dixon line, at first it may not seem like Tennessee State would be a fit for NCAA hockey. However, Tennessee State is located within Nashville city limits and the home of the Predators has become quite the hockey city in recent years. With the game growing in geography and diversity in the United States, Tennessee State may actually be perfectly situated to take advantage of the avid hockey culture that has developed in Nashville in order to recruit some non-traditional, but talented prospects.

Similar logic led to Lindenwood’s move to Division I. The longtime ACHA powerhouse is located in St. Louis, which itself transformed into a major hockey city over the past few decades and began producing incredible homegrown talent, many of whom were the children of former St. Louis Blues. Tennessee State may see the grassroots hockey scene in Nashville booming and are looking to get into the mix sooner rather than later, possibly even forming a similar connection to the Predators. Lindenwood will also serve as a natural rival, both in geography and experience, while Alabama-Huntsville, the original southern hockey school, will be their closest competitor. Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News notes that Miami-Ohio will also be a similar distance to Tennessee State as Lindenwood.

While the Tigers are still a ways away from confirming the formation of a Division I hockey program – Illinois has proven how long these “studies” can take – the prospect of college hockey continue to expand into new corners of the U.S. and further spreading the reach of the game is exciting. As is the potential impact that it could have on the diversity of the game. There is plenty to like about the addition of Tennessee State to the NCAA hockey ranks down the road.

Avangard Omsk Wins Gagarin Cup

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The Gagarin Cup has been awarded to Avangard Omsk for the first time in franchise history, defeating CSKA 1-0 in the deciding game six. While the championship obviously doesn’t have a direct impact on the NHL, it signals the end of the KHL season for several interesting prospects that could end up in North America shortly.

Klim Kostin, the 21-year-old St. Louis Blues prospect who just lifted the trophy, is expected to come over and rejoin his NHL team as soon as possible, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Kostin is already under contract with the Blues and was just on loan to the KHL.

Max Shalunov is a different story, as he would need to sign a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Originally drafted way back in 2011, the 28-year-old Shalunov’s draft rights never did expire because he never signed an NHL contract. The KHL and NHL do not have an official transfer agreement, so KHL draft rights are held indefinitely. The veteran winger has been a strong performer for years in Russia and could be a nice addition to the Blackhawks organization if they can get him to finally sign.

Yegor Chinakhov, the youngest of the three most notable players involved in the final, was just selected 21st overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. A decision will now be made by the 20-year-old forward whether to sign his entry-level deal or stay in Russia a while longer.

The win was also an impressive achievement for Bob Hartley, who now has a Gagarin Cup, a Stanley Cup, a Calder Cup, an NLA title, a QMJHL championship, and a CJHL championship as a head coach. Quite the resume for the veteran coach, who was last in the NHL during the 2015-16 season with the Calgary Flames.

Roby Jarventie Signs With Ottawa Senators

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The Ottawa Senators continue to add talented prospects to the organization, this time signing Roby Jarventie to a three-year entry-level contract. CapFriendly reports that the contract carries a $925K cap hit for all three seasons and does not have any performance bonuses.  The deal will begin in the 2021-22 season, though since Jarventie is still just 18, it could slide forward again depending on where he spends next year. For the remainder of this season, Jarventie will join the Belleville Senators on an amateur tryout following the required quarantine period.

Senators’ GM Pierre Dorion released a statement on his newest prospect:

We’re pleased to get Roby under contract at such an early stage of his development. He has already demonstrated good promise as a goal scorer while using what is both a good shot and good hockey sense. He’s competitive and has a knack for getting to the net. Acclimatizing to the North American game for the remainder of this season should prove valuable for him.

Jarventie was selected 33rd overall at the 2020 draft, but because of the three first-round picks the Senators had, will join the organization with a little less fanfare than usual for such a high second-round pick. Doubting his upside is a mistake though, as the 6’2″ winger played very well in his first full season in Liiga, Finland’s highest tier. In 48 games for Ilves Tampere, Jarventie recorded 14 goals and 25 points.

Using his big frame to protect the puck, Jarventie can create offense off the cycle instead of being rush-dependant, something that will come in handy at the next level. Transitioning to the speed of the North American game may be difficult at first, but the Senators obviously believe he’s ready to test himself against AHL opponents already. Whether he stays with Belleville next season or returns to Finland isn’t clear, but it is unlikely he challenges for a roster spot in Ottawa during 2021-22.

Dallas Stars Sign Jacob Peterson

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The Dallas Stars have signed another one of their prospects, this time inking Jacob Peterson to a two-year entry-level contract. Peterson spent this season with Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League and could have become an unrestricted free agent if not signed by June 1.

Just 21 until later this summer, Peterson scored 14 goals and 33 points in 46 this season, breaking out offensively after flashing his potential the last two years. The fifth-round pick from 2017 has already outshone his draft position and will now get a chance to test himself at the professional level in North America. Per CapFriendly, the deal begins next season and carries a cap hit of $842.5K.  Peterson will likely need some time in the minor leagues to get acclimated before pushing for an NHL opportunity.

If Peterson can hit, the 2017 draft is starting to look like one of legend for the Stars. It started with Miro Heiskanen at the top of the draft, but the team also added future starter Jake Oettinger at 26 and potential Calder Trophy candidate Jason Robertson at 39. Even Dylan Ferguson, the Stars’ seventh-round pick that year has made his NHL debut, though that came in a time of desperation for the Vegas Golden Knights while the young goaltender was still in junior hockey.

Earlier this year, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic ranked Peterson as the Stars’ 11th-best prospect, noting that though he is polished and has some “interesting qualities,” he may top out as a very good minor league player for the organization. It’s up to him now to prove that incorrect.

Quinton Byfield Recalled To Taxi Squad

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Though they made a valiant effort this season, the Los Angeles Kings have fallen out of the playoff race in the West Division once again. The team has gone 3-7 in their last ten and now sit seven points behind the Arizona Coyotes with the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues in between. With that in mind, it’s time to give some playing time and experience to their young prospects, most notably Quinton Byfield.

The second-overall pick has been recalled to the NHL taxi squad for the first time this season. He is coming up from the Ontario Reign along with Lias Andersson, while Boko Imama has been reassigned back to the AHL.

Despite being just 18 and not usually eligible to play in the AHL, Byfield has been able to spend the entire season honing his craft at the professional level with the Reign thanks to the OHL’s shutdown. That gave the 6’4″ center a chance to get his feet wet at the minor league level without as much pressure, and he responded with eight goals and 20 points in 30 games. While that’s not putting him on any leaderboards, Byfield’s long-term development is the important thing here and he has shown steps already.

He scored just one goal through his first 15 games for Ontario but then went on an impressive five-game scoring streak in late March. While there is still inconsistency in his play, a chance to taste the NHL at the end of this season will only help him down the road.

For those Kings fans worried about burning the first year of his entry-level contract, Byfield would need to play in more than seven NHL games down the stretch to have it kick in for 2021-22.

Luke Hughes To Resume Skating Next Month

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For teams already out of playoff contention (and even some that may still be holding on), the 2021 Entry Draft is the next beacon of shining light in the darkness that has been this season. It offers a chance to add talent and excitement to the organization, to continue or kickstart a rebuild, or to supplement an underperforming lineup. Owen Power, the 6’5″ University of Michigan defender was the consensus top choice in Bob McKenzie’s mid-season rankings for TSN, but there’s a familiar hockey name just a few spots down.

Luke Hughes, the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes was ranked fifth in McKenzie’s list, which is compiled by polling active scouts around the league. Unfortunately, Hughes won’t be able to show what he can do at the upcoming U18 World Championships as he suffered a lacerated tendon in his foot during a game in March for the U.S. National Team Development Program. He needed surgery to repair it, a tough break for a player looking to impress as many scouts as possible ahead of his draft.

Sometimes prospects that suffer late-season injuries end up sliding considerably on draft day, but that isn’t expected to happen with the 17-year-old defenseman. Hughes will begin skating next month according to Mike Morreale of NHL.com, and the director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr believes he has already played in enough games this season to prove he should be a top selection.

Coincidentally, Hughes is planning on joining Power at Michigan next season (should the latter stay for a sophomore year), following his brother Quinn who played two seasons of college hockey for the Wolverines before bursting onto the NHL scene in 2019. Unlike Quinn though, Luke isn’t just an undersized puck-carrier. The younger Hughes already stands 6’2″ and seems to keep growing every time he steps on the ice, with a frame that looks like it will fill out to make him an imposing physical presence as well as an elite skater like his brothers. While his offensive upside may not be quite as high as his brother, teams should be excited about getting a chance to add him near the top of June’s draft and feel comfortable that he’ll be healthy enough to have a full offseason of training.

New York Rangers Agree To Terms With Karl Henriksson

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April 21: The Rangers have officially announced the deal.

April 20: Another night, another signing by the New York Rangers, who continue to look ahead to next year despite still chasing down a playoff spot in the East Division this year. This time, they have come to terms with a top prospect to his entry-level contract. CapFriendly reports that the Rangers are set to sign forward Karl Henriksson to a three-year ECL, beginning in 2021-22, that carries an AAV of $870K. The breakdown of the contract is as follows:

2021-22: $750K base salary + 92.5K signing bonus + $82.5K games played bonus
2022-23: $750K base salary + 92.5K signing bonus + $82.5K games played bonus
2023-24: $832.5K base salary + 92.5K signing bonus

Henriksson, 20, was the Rangers’ second-round pick in 2019 out of the SHL’s Frolunda HC. A 200-foot center with great vision and play-making ability, Henriksson has continued to impress even in limited minutes as Sweden’s top level. He also was a late exclusion from Sweden’s World Juniors roster this year due to COVID-19 protocols. Regardless, New York has seen enough to ink the young pivot and see what he can do in North America.

Henriksson is yet another promising young prospect for the Rangers, but could be one of the more important names in the system due to his position. While the Blueshirts have lucked into elite prospect wingers in Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere over the past two seasons and have tremendous youthful talent on the blue line and in goal, but center is the one critical area of need. Henriksson perhaps represents New York’s best hope of finding a top-six center internally among their current prospects. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a young player who will be making his first trip to North America, but they hope that the Swedish standout can answer the call.

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