Snapshots: Vegas, Vesey, Yandle
After being previously reported that Night Hawks would be the name of the new Las Vegas franchise, Ken Boehlke of The Sin Bin now reports that name is actually a back-up plan for a different moniker. Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks will be happy to hear it, as many felt the name encroached on their own. The team is still expected to have Night somewhere in the nickname, but is presumably still being vetted by the NHL.
- All day Jimmy Vesey rumors have been running rampant, with a several teams all being crowned the favorites at different instances. Peter Fish, Vesey’s agent, put and end to the speculation, saying that a handful of teams are still involved and that all the rumors of favorites are false. Another member of the Vesey camp, Peter Donatelli, said that the group had only met once yesterday to discuss the options, and that a decision is not likely going to come down today. Earlier today we wrote about why Vesey’s free agency has been such a hot-button issue this summer.
- Keith Yandle is down in Florida already training for his debut with his new team, and George Richards of the Miami Herald caught up with him today. Yandle was looking for the most possible years on the free agent market, a big part of why he signed with Florida after they traded for his rights. The team offered him a seven-year deal, giving him some stability for his foreseeable future. Yandle mentioned how it’s not just him coming down early this summer, after a wonderful season last year from the Panthers: “I can’t wait to meet everyone and get things started. Guys are coming in early so you get to meet guys before training camp even starts. We’ll go out to lunch and dinner; it’s a lot of fun.”
Snapshots: Roy, Vesey, Oilers
When Patrick Roy suddenly resigned as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche last week the hockey world, along with GM Joe Sakic, was stunned to say the least. While Sakic said all the right things, and refused to throw his former teammate under the bus, Terry Frei from the Denver Post writes that it was how their relationship had developed that caused Roy to exit so abruptly.
In the piece, Frei writes that though Roy had a big impact on personnel and development decisions in his first three years, as someone holding a vice-president of hockey operations should, he’d been slowly edged out as Sakic gained more confidence and experience on the job. To quote Frei: “Did he quit on the Avs? Sure, he did. As coach. Because he thought he had been fired as a VP.”
The Avalanche are still looking for someone to fill the head coaching role, and as Frei reports, Sakic has indicated that none of the current assistant coaches are being considered. We profiled five candidates here who may find their phones ringing at some point, though many are already under contract with another team, if in a lesser role.
- The Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes continued today, with the final team meetings taking place. Multiple reports have current players attending the meetings in order to sway his decision, with John Tavares being one of the biggest names confirmed (via James Mirtle). Though the Islanders may still be seen as outsiders, a promised role next to Tavares is definitely something any player would have to consider, and with P.A. Parenteau currently penciled in, it wouldn’t take much to offer it. Other teams are obviously offering similar things, with Jonathan Toews (link) and Auston Matthews (link) both in Boston to meet the Harvard grad.
- In his latest column, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal posits that the Oilers will never be successful while they keep trotting out a few weak-links, despite the obvious top-end talent on the roster. In analyzing the roster, Staples references Chris Anderson and David Salley’s book “The Numbers Game: Why Everything You Know About Soccer Is Wrong“, and applies their “O-ring player” idea to some recent Oilers like Anton Lander, Mark Fayne and Mark Letestu. While a team can’t have NHL stars in every roster spot, it’s these weak-links that are holding the team back from ever capitalizing on their young stars’ success.
Snapshots: Alzner, Vermette, Girgensons
After undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in June, Karl Alzner reports (via Tarik El-Bashir of NBC) that everything is going according to plan and he should be ready when training camp opens. Because the hernia came alongside a groin injury, Alzner is not quite ready to write himself a clean bill of health:
I was working out after the first week [following the procedure], which was fast. The hernia is going to be fine. The only thing is the groin; I’m still waiting for that to be 100-percent.
Alzner is currently the active NHL leader in consecutive regular season games played, with 458 (also a Captials’ record) after only missing playoff games last season. He’ll look to continue that streak as a big part of the Captials defense.
- The Anaheim Ducks added a veteran forward today when they signed Antoine Vermette to a two-year contract, bringing in the recently bought-out center for $1.75MM per season. The Ducks released some of his thoughts on the matter today in a series of tweets, with Vermette discussing their rough play-style: “You play the Ducks, you know you’re in for a tough game. They’re skilled and big. I’m glad to be on their side.” Another tweet from Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register had Vermette saying that he didn’t expect the buyout, and that “at no point” did Arizona bring it up with him.
- It seems as though almost half the teams in the NHL have now been linked to Jimmy Vesey prior to him becoming a free agent at midnight tonight. While once again reporting that Buffalo is still in the hunt, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News gives us an interesting tidbit at the end of his latest column. Harrington thinks it’s possible that the team would move Zemgus Girgensons if they were to be able to sign Vesey. Girgensons is currently a restricted free agent, and is coming off a down year in which he only scored 18 points. The former 14th-overall pick had a much better year in 2014-15 though, when he scored 15 goals and 30 points in just 61 games, leading some to believe he could be a key piece going forward for any rebuilding club.
Snapshots: MacArthur, Scheifele, Staal
After missing most of last season due to concussion troubles, Ottawa left winger Clarke MacArthur is completely healthy, GM Pierre Dorion told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
MacArthur was expected to be a keg cog for the Senators last season, fresh off signing a five year, $23.25MM contract (a $4.65MM AAV). However, recurring symptoms prevented him from playing in all but four games last year, where he was held pointless while averaging just 10:52 per night. Dorion expects that a healthy MacArthur will bring a lot more balance to Ottawa’s lineup.
“He’s the piece we missed the most last year. We missed his on-ice presence, we missed his off-ice presence. Having a healthy Clarke MacArthur from Day 1 — who could have played last year he had clearance from the doctors —will be a big thing for us. It solidifies our top six and it solidifies our top nine…”
In his previous two seasons with the Senators, MacArthur was a key contributor in their top six, picking up 40 goals and 51 assists in 141 games. It’s likely that he will reprise his role inside the top six, potentially alongside newcomer Derick Brassard.
[Related: Senators’ Depth Chart]
More tidbits from around the hockey world:
- Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele will be under a lot more pressure in 2016-17, notes Pro Hockey Talk’s Cam Tucker. Not only has Scheifele made considerable improvements in each season, which has vaulted him into the discussion to be their top center, he’s also beginning the first season of a new eight year, $49MM contract he signed last month. On top of that, he’s also expected to be in the discussion to replace Andrew Ladd (who signed with the Islanders) as the Jets’ new captain. Scheifele has largely been under the radar in his NHL career but that’s likely to change next season.
- Many expected that the Wild would have to trade one of their young defensemen this offseason to bring in a core top six center. Instead, GM Chuck Fletcher opted to go for more of a short-term fix with the addition of Eric Staal, a decision that was largely made to keep their blueline corps intact, writes Dan Myers of NHL.com. Staal is expected to start next season alongside Zach Parise who played a part in recruiting the 31 year old to Minnesota.
Snapshots: Cullen, Roloson, Buffalo’s Blueline
Free agent center Matt Cullen is still a couple of weeks away from deciding where he plays next season, tweets Bill West of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. West reports that the Penguins as well as three other teams remain in the mix for the 39 year old. While the other three teams weren’t identified, Minnesota has been linked to Cullen at times this offseason; he spent three years with the Wild from 2010-11 to 2012-13.
Cullen had somewhat of a resurgent season in 2015-16, picking up 16 goals and 16 assists while playing in all 82 games. His goal total was his best since 2009-10 while he also won an impressive 55.7% of his faceoffs. Cullen also played a regular role for the Penguins in their playoff run, collecting six points in 24 postseason contests while averaging just shy of 14 minutes per game in ice time. Those are solid numbers for a bottom six forward so it’s not surprising that there are multiple suitors for his services despite the fact he will turn 40 in November.
More news and notes from around the league:
- Former NHL netminder Dwayne Roloson has resigned as Anaheim’s goalie consultant, reports NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley. It’s believed that Roloson was looking to step into more of a part-time role. Woodley notes that AHL goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj is likely to be promoted to Roloson’s vacated position. Eric Stephens of the OC Register adds that Roloson could stay with Anaheim in a limited capacity. Roloson had a 14 year NHL career playing in 606 games and retired in 2012 at the age of 42.
- The Sabres had to recall a defenseman due to injury just once last season but Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald suggests Buffalo shouldn’t be counting on that type of health again next year and instead should be looking to shore up their depth at that position. A glance at their depth chart shows that they have a quality top six but they are lacking in depth options with much in the way of notable NHL experience. Fortunately for the Sabres, there are usually a plethora of these types of players available via the waiver wire in training camp if they don’t add anyone else in free agency.
Snapshots: Kings, Whitney, Lockout
Adam Gretz wrote a piece today on Pro Hockey Talk that opines Dustin Brown has endured one of the biggest falls-from-grace in the NHL, and is now under huge pressure to perform for the Los Angeles Kings this season. Brown was once a feared power forward in the league, capable on any shift of contributing with a bone-crushing hit or a beautiful goal. Now, he’s a bottom-sixer who, while still contributing positively to the Kings’ dominant possession game, is vastly under-performing his contract that sits at a $5.875MM AAV. Brown was stripped of the captaincy, which will now belong to Anze Kopitar, the Kings’ superstar centerman.
- Former NHL star Ray Whitney is at the Olympics for the first time in his career, but it’s not as a hockey player. The 22-year veteran is caddying for Canadian golfer Graham DeLaet, who shot a -3 in his first round at the tournament. DeLaet was one of the first through the course this morning, and spoke about his caddy: “He’s a great player in his own right. I think it’ll be great to have Ray there, he was telling me he thinks he’d be on four olympic (hockey) teams if he’d been born in any other country.” It’s true, Whitney was a great player; his 1064 points rank him 64th all-time, while his 385 goals put him just outside the top-100.
- Hannah Stuart of Today’s Slapshot penned an article examining just what might trigger the next NHL lockout. She argues that by signing contracts that protect them from a work-stoppage – those that have exorbitantly large signing bonuses – they’ve essentially ensured that a stoppage will eventually happen, if only to correct this loophole. Both sides (the NHL and NHLPA) can choose to opt out of the current CBA in September of 2019.
Snapshots: Gagner, Saunders Tributes, Arbitration History
Sam Gagner‘s contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets is right on the money reports the Columbus Post Dispatch’s Michael Arace. Gagner, Arace writes, is a player with a perception who does not live up to his given abilities. He also says it’s not entirely fair. Coming in at cap friendly one-year, $650K deal, Arace notes that it’s a chance for Gagner to prove who he really is as a hockey player at a very low cost. Gagner believes that his “best hockey is ahead of him,” and at the price of $650K, Arace writes that the deal is “one of the best deals (Blue Jackets general manager) Jarmo Kekalainen has made.” Further, Arace indicates that Gagner worked his way back from a demotion and hung on to play meaningful playoff hockey for the Flyers. The low risk, high reward for Gagner seems to serve a purpose for both the Jackets and Gagner.
In other NHL news:
- Scores of hockey reporters, and analysts paid their respects to the late John Saunders, who passed away earlier today at the age of 61. Saunders was known as one of the most down to earth professionals in the business of sports. Mike Tirico gave a long tribute to his former colleague while Scott Van Pelt tweeted a very heartfelt, and emotional response to the shocking news. Linda Cohn, a longtime ESPN anchor, and hardcore hockey fan, called Saunders “a friend” while Steve Levy tweeted that Saunders was “the most generous, charitable, caring person I knew.” Finally, ESPN included a long tribute to Saunders’ work and personality.
- Sean McIndoe includes a very interesting piece on the history of arbitration in the NHL. While cases went to arbitration this season, none were solved by an arbitrator, instead being concluded by contract extensions between the team and player. McIndoe writes about the infamous ruling–back in the “older days” of the NHL, that involved Scott Stevens and Brendan Shanahan. McIndoe explains the previous RFA rules, where if restricted free agents were targeted, both teams would offer what they felt was proper compensation for the targeted RFA–in the way of players. As history would have it, the Devils requested then Blues captain Scott Stevens, who at the time, was already considered a premier NHL defenseman. Of course, it was granted by the arbitrator, and all hell broke loose. McIndoe goes on to tell some other great stories that include hall of fame bound Eric Lindros.
Snapshots: Saunders, Schedule, Spaling
The hockey world mourns today as it was reported earlier that broadcasting titan John Saunders passed away at the age of 61. Saunders had worked for ESPN for nearly 30 years, and was one the biggest influences on hockey broadcasting in the United States. An all-star defenseman growing up in Montreal, Saunders went on to play at Western Michigan University from 1974-76. Saunders was a founding board member of the Jimmy V Foundation, a charity that has raised over $90MM for cancer research.
Many fans in the United States and across the world would not have understood, or appreciated hockey without John Saunders, and here at PHR we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family.
- The NHL released its preseason schedule today, and among the notable games are two that will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the home of the upcoming expansion franchise. The Los Angeles Kings will play back-to-back nights against the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche on October 7-8th to give the fans there a taste of what is to come. Also opening its doors for the first time will be the Edmonton Oilers’ new home, as the team will play the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on September 26th.
- Nick Spaling‘s deal with Geneve-Servette was announced today, making him the latest in the line of players heading to Switzerland. The deal is different than any given in the NHL, reports Stephen Whyno as the two sides have agreed to a one-year pact with an option for 2017-18, much like an MLB deal. This adds a new wrinkle to players looking for contracts outside the NHL, as European leagues are getting more creative in their contract structure. Spaling will be reunited with former line-mate and veteran NHLer Mike Santorelli, who signed a deal last month with the club.
Snapshots: Weber, Fleury, Forbort
Prized off-season acquisition Shea Weber is in Montreal to get acquainted with his new city. Weber took part in a workout, photoshoot, and on-ice session in his new jersey, which includes an “A” sewn on the front. In a feature on Habs TV, Weber told his new fans that he feels very fortunate to be a part of a tight-knit family. He called Montreal the Mecca of hockey, adding it gives him “chills” to be a member of the Canadiens. Weber told Habs TV that “three or four people came up to me [in the airport] and welcomed me to Montreal”.
Here’s some other news from around the NHL:
- After Matt Murray backstopped the Penguins to their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history, Marc-Andre Fleury is in tough to win back his old job, despite posting career-best numbers. However, as Jared Clinton of The Hockey News writes, it may be impossible for Fleury to regain the starting role thanks to his age, injury history, and next summer’s expansion draft. Because Fleury has a no-trade clause, he has to be protected. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the Penguins keep Fleury and allow Murray to be selected by Las Vegas.
- According to LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort will be healthy for training camp after undergoing surgery in late June. The 15th overall pick in 2010 needs to have a big camp to make the Kings, as he’s one of six defenseman who will be battling for three NHL jobs this fall. Forbort is waiver-eligible, so if the club wants to assign him to their AHL affiliate Ontario, he’ll need to clear waivers first. Forbort appeared in 14 games with the big club last year, scoring a goal and adding 2 assists.
Snapshots: KHL Brawl, Jets, Weber
The hockey world saw one of the most egregious on-ice attacks today, when noted goon Damir Ryspayev of Barys Astana attacked almost the entire Kunlun Red Star squad. After sucker-punching Tomas Marcinko from behind and knocking the Red Star forward out, Ryspayev proceeded to attack any red jersey in sight, even going after players on the bench. The game was suspended after just three minutes, and Marcinko was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Ryspayev is a 21-year old who has three points in his professional hockey career (stretching back to 2011-12). During that time, he’s racked up more than 500 PIM, and was suspended just a few months ago for five games following a similar incident. According to Aivis Kalnins, he has been suspended for the remainder of the pre-season, and the KHL will hold a disciplinary hearing to determine if anything further will be handed down.
- The Winnipeg Jets have hired Todd Woodcroft as an assistant coach today, joining Paul Maurice’s staff for the 2016-17 season. A former video coach of both the Washington Capitals and Team Canada, Woodcroft has spent the past three seasons with the Calgary Flames as their scouting director. Woodcroft will likely not be behind the bench, as Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun reports he’ll be the eye-in-the-sky during games. His brother, Jay, is an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers, meaning that the sibling rivalry will live on even after his cross-prairie move to the Jets.
- Jason Brough of NBC Sports writes about the need to keep Sergei Bobrovsky healthy for this season, stating that it’s been a focus of GM Jarmo Kekalainen this summer. The Blue Jackets have hired on Nelson Ayotte to “bridge the gap between the medical staff and the staff of strength and conditioning coach Kevin Collins“. One of Ayotte’s biggest tasks will be keeping the Jackets’ prized goaltender on the ice, as Bobrovsky is owed $21.2MM over the next three years.
- While the Montreal Canadiens have been derided for their recent move of P.K. Subban for Shea Weber, one current player is excited about his new teammate. In a recent article in the Montreal Gazette by Steve Ewen, Brendan Gallagher compares the media’s opinion with those of other NHL players: “You get two different perspectives. You get the perspective of people who don’t have to play against Shea Weber and what they understand, and you get the perspective of players from the Western Conference who tell you how happy they are to see Shea Weber leave the conference.” It’s true, those criticizing the Canadiens have no idea what it’s like to go into the corner against Weber, or try to block one of his booming slapshots, but he’ll have to prove that his declining possession numbers are an aberration and not a trend, as he’s under contract for a very long time in Montreal.