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Moritz Seider Loaned To DEL

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August 7: The Red Wings have made it official, announcing that Seider and Zadina have been loaned overseas. Seider is headed to Mannheim, while Zadina will join HC Ocelari Trinec for now. Both players should be back for training camp in North America at some point in November.

August 3: The Detroit Red Wings have a handful of exciting prospects in the minor leagues, but with the uncertainty surrounding the 2020-21 AHL season, they will need to find places to play for the next six months. Reports have already surfaced about Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina who could be headed to the Czech Republic to get into some game action, and now Moritz Seider is also headed overseas.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that Seider will be loaned to Adler Mannheim of the German DEL, though the Red Wings retain the ability to recall him at any time. Seider played for Mannheim before being selected sixth overall in 2019, but spent this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.

There are few defensive prospects in the game that generate as much excitement as Seider, who was an immediate hit in Grand Rapids and has shown off his ability on the international stage. The 6’4″ right-handed shot is an all-situations defender that recorded 22 points in 49 games during his rookie season in the AHL. He is expected to challenge for a role on Detroit’s blueline before long, meaning he’ll likely be back in time to participate in NHL training camps in November.

Kasper Kotkansalo, another Red Wings draft pick, will also be headed overseas for the 2020-21 season. The third-round pick from 2017 has decided to leave Boston University and join Assat of the Finnish Liiga to continue his development. Kotkansalo, 21, had 25 points in 112 games for BU.

Overseas Notes: Swedish U20, Stutzle, Kozun

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Sweden will hold a training camp for World Junior hopefuls later this month and today published a roster for the event. That group includes top 2020 draft prospects Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond who both could be selected in the first ten picks. Outside of that dynamic duo, however, there are several other interesting names that could be relatively high picks.

With events like the World Junior Summer Showcase and Hlinka-Gretzky tournament canceled, the scouting season for NHL teams will be much different.

  • Tim Stutzle, another top prospect for the upcoming draft, spoke with Craig Button and J.D. Burke for the new Elite Prospects podcast. The German forward spoke about learning a lot from former NHLer Ben Smith, and touched on his insatiable drive to win (or perhaps hatred of losing). Stutzle took home the DEL Rookie of the Year award this season after scoring 34 points in 41 games and is the top-ranked international skater according to NHL Central Scouting.
  • Brandon Kozun will remain in the KHL, this time signing a contract with Dynamo Minsk for the 2020-21 season. The 30-year old forward played just 20 games in the NHL before leaving for the KHL in 2015 but has had a ton of success overseas. An Olympic bronze medal with Team Canada in 2018 and three All-Star games has been the reward for Kozun, who had 22 points in 47 games this season.

Minor Transactions: 08/05/20

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With six NHL playoff games a day suddenly on the docket, summer days are now filled with hockey. Yet, the qualifying round and round robin games are not the only news-makers in the hockey world. Here are some minor moves from across several levels, including an NHL loan, a pair of AHL extensions, and some NCAA commitments:

  • With the delayed start to the season among North American leagues, there has been a rash of overseas loans among NHL prospects in recent weeks. Florida Panthers prospect Rodrigo Abols has now also joined that list. Abols, a late 2016 pick out of Latvia, is set to return to the SHL’s Orebro HK to begin next season, the team announced. Abols played in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds this season, but previously played with Orebro for the two seasons prior. He will return to Sweden on a short-term loan for now that expires in mid-November, allowing for the young forward to compete in training camp and in the AHL if the Panthers so desire, but it would also not be a surprise to see the project player stay in the SHL for the year.
  • The Ontario Reign, AHL affiliate of the L.A. Kings, have announced one-year extensions for forwards Blaine Byron and Jacob Doty. Byron, a former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and a University of Maine standout, has been a force in the AHL through three pro seasons. Byron has recorded 72 points in 136 games, including a career-high 34 in 53 games this season. Acquired by Ontario from Springfield mid-season, Byron was one of the Reign’s best players down the stretch and could be in for a big 2020-21 season. Doty, a 27-year-old journeyman, made his return to the AHL this season but recorded just one point in 18 games for Ontario. However, he provides experience and work ethic for the young farm team.
  • Harvard University has made headlines lately for losing players, both current and committed, due to the Ivy League’s ban on fall sports this year. However, they got some good news today in the form of a commitment from twin brothers with a well-known last name. Marek and Daniel Hejduk, the sons of career Colorado Avalanche star and Stanley Cup champ Milan Hejduk, each announced on Twitter today that they have committed to play at Harvard. While the 16-year-olds are still at least two seasons away from joining the Crimson, Marek is already slated to join the U.S. National Team Development Program next year and Daniel could follow. The pair seem likely to have some NHL Draft prospects by the time they are ready to move to the NCAA.
  • As for another brother duo headed to the college ranks, 16-year-old defenseman Seamus Powell announced on Instagram that he will follow his brother Eamon Powell to Boston College. Eamon, a USNTDP graduate who is set to join the Eagles this coming season, is a 2020 NHL Draft prospect expected to be selected in the second or third round in November. Seamus, a comparable small, offensive defenseman, will join the USNTDP this coming season and will be draft eligible in 2022, when he is also expected to enroll at BC.

Nico Gross To Play In Switzerland

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He didn’t sign his entry-level contract, but Nico Gross will still be playing professional hockey this season. The New York Rangers draft pick is headed to Switzerland to play for EV Sug of the NLA following a successful OHL career.

The 20-year old Gross was selected 101st overall in 2018 by the Rangers, but since he was coming out of the CHL they owned his exclusive rights for just two years. In June, those rights expired without the team signing him, giving him a chance to re-enter the draft whenever it is held this fall.

In the meantime, a return to Switzerland makes plenty of sense for a player that is still one of the top Swiss-born prospects in the world, especially given the uncertainty of the 2020-21 AHL season.

A member of the Swiss World Junior squad on three different occasions, Gross was a strong two-way presence for the Oshawa Generals, even wearing an “A” as an alternate captain this season. He recorded 33 points in 53 games, and while that may not put him on an NHL track he’s still a name to keep an eye on moving forward.

Washington Capitals Loan Damien Riat, Tobias Geisser To NLA

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The Washington Capitals have found some playing time for a pair of prospects, loaning Damien Riat and Tobias Geisser to the NLA for the 2020-21 season. Riat will play for Geneve-Servette HC, while Geiser will suit up for EV Zug. Both players will continue in Switzerland until NHL training camps open, likely sometime in November.

It’s not like these two will be unfamiliar with the league, as both played in the NLA this season and in the past. Riat spent 2019-20 with Biel HC, scoring 22 points in 36 games, but played three seasons with Geneve-Servette between 2015-2018. The fourth-round pick will have to wait to come over to North America after signing his two-year entry-level contract in March.

Geisser meanwhile has a little different of a story. The 21-year old signed his entry-level deal in 2018 and played the entire 2018-19 season with the Hershey Bears. That’s where he started 2019-20 as well, but he ended up loaned back to Switzerland (EV Zug in particular) after just seven games. Geisser has just a single point in 54 career AHL games, but has always been known more for his play in the defensive end.

Kirill Maksimov Assigned To KHL

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The Edmonton Oilers continue to find places for their minor league prospects to play for the next several months, this time assigning Kirill Maksimov to CSKA Moscow in the KHL.

Maksimov, 21, played in 53 games for the Bakersfield Condors this season, registering 13 points in limited minutes. Interestingly enough, though Maksimov was born in Russia he has played in North America since he was a young teenager, first in the GTHL and then the OHL. The fifth-round pick has plenty of offensive skill but found himself relatively low on the depth chart as a rookie.

That may be a trend, given how talented the CSKA squad normally is. A KHL powerhouse almost every season, they may be losing top names like Kirill Kaprizov and Mikhail Grigorenko, but still have loads of skill that Maksimov will have to compete with for playing time.

Like many other prospects, Maksimov will likely get a chance to return for NHL training camp in November, but getting him back on the ice and into game action is obviously the most important goal here.

Jack Drury Leaving Harvard, Signs In Sweden

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Like Morgan Barron earlier today, who is leaving Cornell to sign with the New York Rangers and start his professional career, other NCAA players will have to find different ways to continue their hockey careers after several schools canceled the upcoming season. One of those players is Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Jack Drury—son of Ted Drury and nephew of Chris Drury—who is off to Sweden to play with the Vaxjo Lakers of the SHL for 2020-21.

The 20-year old Drury was the 42nd overall pick in 2018 and had an outstanding (albeit shortened) season this year for Harvard, scoring 39 points in 28 games. He also participated in the World Juniors for the second year in a row, representing the United States and scoring two points in five games. The young center has impressive offensive upside, plus the same responsible two-way play that his uncle was known for (Chris received Selke Trophy votes on five occasions).

Heading to Sweden will give Drury a chance to continue playing and is going to be an interesting option for many prospects affected by the current hockey climate. It could potentially mean a flood of college-aged players signing professional contracts, or perhaps deciding to return to the CHL should that league get underway on schedule. For many, professional hockey in Sweden might be too difficult, the opportunities too few. But in Drury’s case, he was likely ready for a bigger challenge after having his way with the NCAA on so many nights this season.

For Carolina, they’ll retain his draft rights for now and do not need to sign him to an entry-level contract immediately. Seeing how he does against professionals may actually give them a better idea of his readiness when the 2021-22 season comes around.

Winnipeg Jets Loan Arvid Holm To SHL

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The Winnipeg Jets will allow one of their prospects to return to Sweden for the 2020-21 season, loaning Arvid Holm to Farjestad BK of the SHL. Holm signed his entry-level contract last month but will spend at least the first year outside of the Jets organization.

Holm, 21, was a sixth-round pick in 2017 but has been quickly climbing the list of goaltending prospects around the NHL. The 6’4″ netminder posted a .914 save percentage this year in his first full season in the SHL, along with a 20-10-0 record and 2.27 goals-against average.

The Jets have their net locked up long-term with Connor Hellebuyck, so they can afford to slowly bring along their young goaltenders in the best development situations. With the 2020-21 AHL season still uncertain, sending Holm to Sweden is likely the best way to get him playing time and move him towards his potential ceiling.

Nils Hoglander Loaned To SHL

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After wowing the hockey world with his incredible skill, Nils Hoglander didn’t have to wait around long to sign his first NHL contract this spring. The Vancouver Canucks signed Hoglander to a three-year entry-level contract in April, with the intention of bringing him to training camp for the 2020-21 season. Unfortunately, that training camp will now be delayed, meaning Hoglander would be waiting around for months during his most important development period. To solve that problem, he has been loaned to Rogle in the SHL where he will compete until the NHL training camp opens in mid-November.

Hoglander, 19, was a second-round pick in 2019 by the Canucks, but quickly started to generate hype thanks to his highlight-reel lacrosse-style goals in both the World Juniors and Swedish league play. The 5’9″ forward has incredible skill with the puck and finished with 16 points in 41 games for Rogle last season. While that number doesn’t jump off the page, it’s important to remember he was just an 18-year old playing against professionals at the highest level in Sweden.

Whether he can bring the same sort of jaw-dropping talent to Vancouver isn’t clear, but getting him skating and training is obviously a priority. These types of loans will be common as teams try to keep their prospects on a strong development path. Obviously, Hoglander also doesn’t have an NHL roster spot locked up when the 2020-21 season comes back, meaning they’ll have to make another decision on where he will play. His entry-level deal includes a European Assignment Clause, meaning he could force his way back to Sweden if sent to (or left in) the minors at a certain point.

Detroit’s Filip Zadina May Begin Season In Czech Republic

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The Detroit Red Wings played their last game, which ended up being their season finale, back on March 10. Rookie forward Filip Zadina last suited up for the team on February 1. Even if the NHL’s makeshift schedule for the 2020 postseason and off-season play out exactly according to plan, neither the Red Wings nor Zadina are likely to play another competitive game until December. As a result, it should come as no surprise that there are whispers that Zadina could begin the season elsewhere this fall given the delayed starts of the NHL and AHL. The possible destination for the top prospect should not shock anyone either.

HC Ocelari Trinec of the Czech Extraliga all but confirmed that talks are ongoing with Zadina and Detroit earlier today, responding to a tweet that alleged that both Zadina and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman were interested in getting the young forward started early in his native Czech Republic. The club stated that they too are “currently discussing the arrival” of Zadina (translation). The fit makes plenty of sense; Ocelari is a top team in the Extraliga and calls Zadina’s own father, Marek Zadina, an assistant coach. Zadina would have the comforts of home and a familiar face on the bench while also competing on a strong roster in a talented league alongside the likes of fellow prospects Milos Roman and Nick Malik.

While a number of young players, particularly those on the seven non-playoff teams, may discuss starting their seasons early overseas, Zadina could use it more than most. The 2018 No. 6 overall pick has yet to break out in the pros as expected and a jump-start against weaker competition in the Czech Republic could be the kickstart needed. Additionally, Zadina was limited to just 49 games overall this season between Detroit and the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins and could simply use some more time on the ice. Getting his legs under him and up to speed early could give Zadina an advantage entering the 2020-21 season that might lead to his much-anticipated emergence as a top option for the Red Wings.

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