Minor Transactions: 12/21/22
The NHL’s holiday roster freeze is in place, meaning teams are restricted from trading, waiving, loaning, or otherwise moving their players for the next week. However, that roster freeze doesn’t extend to all foreign and minor leagues, meaning there are still some moves from outside the NHL that are worth tracking. We’ll mark those down here.
- Former San Jose Sharks goalie prospect Alexei Melnichuk signed a one-year, two-way (KHL/VHL) contract with KHL club Avangard Omsk, per a team announcement. Should he get into a game in Omsk, it would be Melnichuk’s third KHL team of the season, having already played for HC Sochi and Traktor Chelyabinsk. Melnichuk, 24, last played in the NHL in 2020-21, getting into three games for the Sharks, and spent time in 2021-22 with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda and ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
- Minor league defenseman Nick Albano has left the Belleville Senators to sign a one-year contract with Vasteras IK, a club in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second tier of Swedish hockey. Albano, 26, is an undrafted product out of UMass Boston that has played the last two seasons as an AHL/ECHL journeyman with five different teams.
- William Rapuzzi, an accomplished veteran scorer of the European pro hockey circuit, has switched clubs. The 32-year-old Alaska native is departing HC Slovan Bratislava, where he has played just three games in the last four months, to sign with EHC Olten in the Swiss League, the second tier of pro hockey in Switzerland. The signing is a major coup for Olten, the current league leaders, as Rapuzzi scored a whopping 55 points in just 38 games the last time he played in the Swiss League.
- The QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads have made a major trade, acquiring Alexandre Doucet from the Val d’Or Foreurs. Doucet is the league’s second-highest scorer, his 53 points in 37 games behind only Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais and his 61 points in 28 games. The move helps Halifax, who are currently third in the QMJHL standings, compete this year, while the tenth-place Foreurs add some draft picks.
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Metropolitan Notes: Backstrom, Andersen, Robidas
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom took another important step back towards returning as NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti reports (Twitter link) that the veteran was in a regular sweater at their morning skate today which means that he has been cleared for contact. Backstrom has yet to play this season after undergoing hip surgery back in June, one that had his availability to play in 2022-23 in question. However, the fact he’s participating in full in team skates suggests that the 35-year-old should be able to return in the somewhat near future. With the holiday break coming next week, it’s likely that Washington will wait to activate him until after that time but it appears that the Caps will have a key player back in the second half of the season.
The Capitals will need to create salary cap space to activate Backstrom once he’s ready but it’s worth noting that Tom Wilson, who has yet to play this year after undergoing knee surgery, is not currently on LTIR. Once Backstrom is ready to return, Washington will move Wilson to LTIR, freeing up a good chunk of the room needed to bring the center back while other roster tweaks will get them into cap compliance.
More from the Metropolitan:
- While Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen participated in practice yesterday, head coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters including Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal that the netminder won’t dress for either game this weekend. The veteran has been out for the last six weeks but with Pyotr Kochetkov thriving right now as their interim starter, the team can afford to be patient with Andersen. However, it’s a contract year for the 33-year-old though so he’s going to want to get back in the lineup sooner than later. He has a 2.72 GAA with a .891 SV% in eight starts so far this season.
- Still with the Hurricanes, prospect Justin Robidas is expected to be traded in the QMJHL from Val-d’Or to Quebec when the trade window opens up tomorrow, notes Carl Tardif of Le Soleil. The 19-year-old was a fifth-round pick back in 2021 (147th overall) in 2021 and is tied for 13th in league scoring with 14 goals and 26 assists in 26 games so far. Carolina has until June 1st of next year to sign him so these next few months with the Remparts will be crucial for Robidas.
Golden Knights Sign Jakub Brabenec To Entry-Level Deal
The Golden Knights have agreed to terms with one of their prospects, announcing the signing of forward Jakub Brabenec to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 19-year-old was a fourth-round pick by Vegas in 2021 (104th overall) after he was able to hold down a somewhat regular role in the Czech Extraliga which is something that typically isn’t the case for draft-eligible players. Brabenec was selected in the first round of the CHL Import Draft back in 2020 and the Golden Knights indicated that their preference was for him to play at the major junior level and that is where he has been since then.
Last season, Brabenec was the QMJHL’s Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players in assists (47) and points (64). He’s on pace for very similar numbers this season as he leads the Charlottetown Islanders with eight goals and 17 assists in 27 games, a pace of 42 assists and 62 points over a full season. Vegas had until June 1st to sign Brabenec but clearly felt they didn’t need to wait that long to make a decision.
Officially, the contract begins this season but since Brabenec is already back in junior, he’s not going to be seeing any NHL action in 2022-23. Accordingly, his deal will be eligible to slide this season and still have three years remaining on it in 2023-24.
Sam Poulin To Take Leave Of Absence
The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that prospect Sam Poulin is taking a leave of absence from the organization due to personal reasons, returning home in the meantime. General manager Ron Hextall released the following:
The Penguins support Sam’s decision to take time away from hockey to focus on himself. As with all of our players, our priority is them as individuals first. We look forward to having him back with the team when he is ready.
Poulin, 21, was the 21st overall selection in 2019 and made his NHL debut this season with the Penguins. In three games, he recorded one assist. His production in the minor leagues has been limited, with just four goals and zero assists in 13 games for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. This is just his second season of professional hockey after starring for the Sherbrooke Phoenix and Val d’Or Foreurs in the QMJHL.
The Penguins have not explained the reasoning behind the leave, and are not expected to do so. It is not clear when he will be able to return to hockey. While the organization supports his decision, it does leave the club with one fewer depth piece to call upon should injuries occur. Hopefully, Poulin will be able to get back on the ice and continue his career as soon as possible.
Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Jordan Dumais
Never a bad day when you can sign the CHL scoring leader. The Columbus Blue Jackets have inked Jordan Dumais to a three-year, entry-level contract. The young forward will stay with the Halifax Mooseheads, where he is dominating in his post-draft year.
Dumais, 18, was picked 96th overall in 2022 after an incredible 109-point season (68 games). He went back to the QMJHL this year and picked up right where he left off, and now has 19 goals and 49 points through his first 22 games.
While his size – Dumais stands just 5’9″ – may have kept him from being a top pick in the draft, it’s hard to play much better than the diminutive winger. If he’s going to make it in the NHL, what better organization to do it with than the one that just signed Johnny Gaudreau.
The contract will be registered right away, but Dumais won’t burn the first season this year. It will slide, and could even slide again next season given he won’t turn 19 until April. He joins a loaded prospect group for the Blue Jackets that could quickly lead to some long-term success in Columbus.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Hockey Canada Names Coaching Staff For 2023 World Juniors
The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship is just around the corner, with Canada once again expected to dominate the tournament with what should be a roster full of future stars. Today, Hockey Canada announced their coaching staff for the championship, headlined by Dennis Williams as their head coach.
Hockey Canada also named Stéphane Julien, Brent Kisio, and Alan Letang as assistant coaches, and Kelly Guard as a goaltending consultant.
Williams sees a promotion from last year’s tournament, where he served as an assistant coach under Dave Cameron. The 43-year-old is a two-time WHL Western Conference Coach of the Year winner with the Everett Silvertips and also served as the head coach for Canada’s “Black” team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2018. He was also an assistant coach at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky U18 tournament.
It’s been quite the coaching ride for Williams, who got his first coaching experience immediately after graduating from Bowling Green University as a graduate assistant in 2002-03. 20 seasons and five leagues later, he gets the call to lead the reigning gold medalists at the top junior tournament in hockey.
Combined success at the World Juniors and as a bench boss in the CHL can often quickly lead to NHL opportunities. It wouldn’t be surprising if Williams found himself on an NHL bench in 2023-24 if Canada can repeat as champions.
Julien, 48, is the head coach of the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix and has held the role for the past seven-and-a-half seasons. He was the head coach for Canada at this year’s edition of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which ended just two months ago. It’s his first time joining the coaching staff for the U20 team.
Kisio and Letang return to the Canadian bench at the U20 tournament as assistants, reprising the roles that they held in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Guard’s only previous national team experience came as the goaltending coach for Canada White at the 2021 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Montreal Canadiens Recall Arber Xhekaj
Though it was already expected, the Montreal Canadiens have officially placed Paul Byron on long-term injured reserve and recalled Arber Xhekaj from the minor leagues. Byron is now out for at least 24 days, though his actual return is still completely indefinite.
The 33-year-old has been crushed by injuries the last several seasons, an unfortunate end to what was a pretty impressive story. Selected in the sixth round in 2007, he was an undersized offensive player from the QMJHL that needed to revamp his game to make it in the NHL. After several years grinding through the minor leagues in the Calgary Flames organization, he found a home and quickly became an NHL regular.
In 2016-17, he reached a career-high with 22 goals and 43 points, becoming a reliable even-strength scoring threat for the Canadiens. Overall, he has 98 goals and 208 points in 521 games. His contract, which carries a $3.4MM cap hit, will expire at the end of the season.
Xhekaj, meanwhile, has been the talk of training camp with the Canadiens. The 21-year-old undrafted defenseman is a mean, physical presence on the ice that seems to have absolutely no fear. The 6’4″ bruiser may not ever be a Norris candidate but with excellent skating ability and NHL size and strength, he quickly became a fan favorite in Montreal.
With the team focused on the future, young players like Xhekaj will get a great opportunity with the Canadiens this season. Byron’s contract gives the team a little more flexibility to work with, at least until he finds a way to get back on the ice.
Tyson Hinds Signs With Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Tyson Hinds to a three-year, entry-level contract, per a team release. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Hinds, selected 76th overall by the Ducks in the 2021 NHL Draft, has been an impressive performer throughout rookie camp and preseason. The team made an extra effort to select him at the draft, trading their 2022 third-round selection to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the pick.
A 2003-born player, Hinds will return to the QMJHL for 2022-23, where he’s spent the last three seasons of his career with three different teams (Shawinigan, Rimouski, Sherbrooke). In 2021-22, split between Rimouski and Sherbrooke, Hinds had 12 goals, 23 assists, and 35 points in 61 games. He added a goal and three assists for four points in 11 playoff games for Sherbrooke.
Training Camp Notes: Stone, Biakabutuka, Mangiapane
Injury troubles plagued the Vegas Golden Knights last season, something they can ill-afford a repeat of in 2022-23. There’s some good news on that front regarding one of their star players, though, as right wing Mark Stone skated in a contact jersey today for the first time during training camp.
The Golden Knights will count on Stone to have a rebound year as their captain, especially with their offensive depth thinning. The 2021 Selke Trophy finalist and 2019 runner-up played in just 37 games due to injury last season, registering nine goals, 21 assists, and 30 points. Hopefully, the serious back injuries that plagued him last season don’t become a long-term issue for the 30-year-old.
- Somewhat of a rarity these days, a player attending camp on an amateur tryout might do well enough to earn a contract within the organization. Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen notes that the Red Wings have been impressed with defenseman Jérémie Biakabutuka, with head coach Derek Lalonde complimenting his skating and compete level. The 20-year-old is set to return to the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders next season but could receive an NHL entry-level contract from Detroit or receive an AHL offer from the Grand Rapids Griffins when his season is over.
- Calgary Flames winger Andrew Mangiapane was a full participant in camp today after missing the first four days of group skates with what the team called a “minor lower-body injury.” He made his return to scrimmages skating on a line with newcomer Nazem Kadri, a role he’s likely to reprise in the regular season as well. Mangiapane is coming off a career-high 35 goals and 55 points.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/24/22
As the preseason begins today, some teams are beginning to immediately trim their rosters as we inch closer to the start of the regular season next month. At this point in time, most cuts will be teams returning players to their junior or European teams as those leagues get their seasons underway. While some players’ training camp stays may just be a day or two, it’s still an invaluable experience for both the player and team to be active in their development.
Calgary Flames (via team release)
F Jack Beck (to Ottawa, OHL)
F Cole Huckins (to Sherbrooke, QMJHL)
D Cole Jordan (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
D Cameron Whynot (to Halifax, QMJHL)
F Evan Boucher (released from ATO, to Halifax, QMJHL)
D Jake Lee (released from ATO, free agent)
D Christoffer Sedoff (released from ATO, to Red Deer, WHL)
F Cooper Walker (released from ATO, to Guelph, OHL)
New York Rangers (via team Tweet)
F Sam Alfano (to Erie, OHL)
F Maxim Barbashev (to Moncton, QMJHL)
F Jayden Grubbe (to Red Deer, QHL)
F Bryce McConnell-Barker (to Soo, OHL)
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