Tom Wilson Suspended Four Games
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has come down hard on Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson by handing out his second suspension of the preseason. Wilson will be suspended for four regular season games for boarding St. Louis Blues defenseman Samuel Blais. In their video explanation of the incident, the DoPS puts it this way:
It is important to note that based on Wilson’s angle of approach, at no point is he in a position to deliver a legal body check on Blais. While we understand Wilson’s explanation that he attempted to maneuver around Blais in a way that would enable him to deliver a shoulder-to-shoulder check, he is unsuccessful in this attempt.
The onus is on Wilson to deliver this hit in a legal fashion, minimize the force of the hit, or avoid this hit completely. Instead, having seen nothing but Blais’ numbers for some time, he drives forcefully through Blais’ upper back, driving him forcefully into the boards.
Wilson was suspended on September 23rd for two games for a hit he delivered against St. Louis forward Robert Thomas. Because of the recency of his suspension, he was seen as a repeat offender and thus given a harsher penalty than the previous discipline. Should Wilson get into trouble again the penalties will only increase.
The 23-year old forward spoke to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press earlier today, saying that though physical play is part of his game, he has to “play within the rules.” Because he didn’t, he’ll be out until Friday October 13th when the Capitals take on the New Jersey Devils.
Klim Kostin To Miss 7-10 Days; Kaspick Signs ELC
- Klim Kostin was on track to make the St. Louis Blues team out of camp but has suffered an injury according to Lou Korac of NHL.com. The young forward is set to miss 7-10 days and could start in the AHL to get his legs back under him before making an impact with the team. The Blues are without so many of their forwards to start the year that Kostin and other young players will likely have to play a role earlier than the team had wanted.
- Speaking of the St. Louis Blues and young players, the team has announced an entry-level contract for Tanner Kaspick after spending some time with the club in camp this year. Kaspick is already back playing with his Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, where he has four points in four games. Kaspick was a fourth-round pick of the team in 2016 but has shown that there may be more upside to his game than originally thought. In 49 games with the Wheat Kings last year he registered 45 points, and should be given even more responsibility this season as the new captain.
Training Camp Cuts: 10/02/17
Training camp is over for all the clubs around the NHL, and the season begins on Wednesday. By tomorrow evening, all teams must submit their cap-compliant 23-man roster, meaning there will be several cuts today. We’ll keep track of them all right here, as teams try to slip players through waivers or send them back to junior and European clubs.
Anaheim Ducks
F Giovanni Fiore – San Diego (AHL)
F Kalle Kossila – San Diego (AHL)
F Scott Sabourin – San Diego (AHL)
D Jacob Larsson – San Diego (AHL)
Boston Bruins
F Jordan Szwarz – Providence (AHL)
F Tommy Cross – Providence (AHL)
F Jakub Zboril – Providence (AHL)
F Peter Cehlarik – Providence (AHL)
F Danton Heinen – Providence (AHL)
F Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson – Providence (AHL)
F Teddy Purcell – Released from PTO
G Malcolm Subban – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Calgary Flames
D Rasmus Andersson – Stockton (AHL)
G Jon Gillies – Stockton (AHL)
F Luke Gazdic – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Garnet Hathaway – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Carolina Hurricanes
F Lucas Wallmark – Charlotte (AHL)
F Phillip Di Giuseppe – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Chicago Blachawks
F Vinnie Hinostroza – Rockford (AHL)
F Jordin Tootoo – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Tomas Jurco – Waivers for purpose of assignment
G Jean-Francois Berube – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Colorado Avalanche
F Gabriel Bourque – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Dallas Stars
F Remi Elie – Texas (AHL)
F Roope Hintz – Texas (AHL)
F Jason Dickinson – Texas (AHL)
F Curtis McKenzie – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Patrik Nemeth – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Detroit Red Wings
D Libor Sulak – Lahti (Finland)
F Matt Lorito – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F Ben Street – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Brian Lashoff – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Dylan McIlrath – Grand Rapids (AHL)
F David Booth – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Ryan Sproul – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Los Angeles Kings
F Brooks Laich – Released from PTO
Minnesota Wild
F Luke Kunin – Iowa (AHL)
D Ryan Murphy – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Montreal Canadiens
G Charlie Lindgren – Laval (AHL)
F Andreas Martinsen – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Byron Froese – Waivers for purpose of assignment
New Jersey Devils
F Brian Gibbons – Waivers for purpose of assignment
D Brian Strait – Waivers for purpose of assignment
New York Islanders
F Devon Toews – Bridgeport (AHL)
F Stephen Gionta – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Steve Bernier – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Philadelphia Flyers
F Matt Read – Waivers for purpose of assignment
San Jose Sharks
F Brandon Bollig – Waivers for purpose of assignment
F Brandon Mashinter – Waivers for purpose of assignment
G Troy Grosenick – Waivers for purpose of assignment
St. Louis Blues
F Sammy Blais – San Antonio (AHL)
D Jake Walman – Chicago (AHL)
G Jordan Binnington – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Tampa Bay Lightning
F Cory Conacher – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Toronto Maple Leafs
F Carl Grundstrom – Frolunda (SHL)
F Miro Aaltonen – Toronto (AHL)
F Frederik Gauthier – Toronto (AHL)
F Andreas Johnsson – Toronto (AHL)
F Kasperi Kapanen – Toronto (AHL)
F Tobias Lindberg – Toronto (AHL)
F Trevor Moore – Toronto (AHL)
F Nikita Soshnikov – Toronto (AHL)
F Dmytro Timashov – Toronto (AHL)
F Mason Marchment – Toronto (AHL)
D Travis Dermott – Toronto (AHL)
D Justin Holl – Toronto (AHL)
D Andrew Nielsen – Toronto (AHL)
D Michael Paliotta – Toronto (AHL)
D Rinat Valiev – Toronto (AHL)
G Kasimir Kaskisuo – Toronto (AHL)
F Colin Greening – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
F Chris Mueller – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
F Kerby Rychel – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
F Ben Smith – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
D Vincent LoVerde – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
G Garret Sparks – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Vancouver Canucks
D Andrey Pedan – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Vegas Golden Knights
F Teemu Pulkkinen – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Washington Capitals
F Anthony Peluso – Waivers for purpose of assignment
Winnipeg Jets
F Jack Roslovic – Manitoba (AHL)
F Brendan Lemieux – Manitoba (AHL)
F Michael Spacek – Manitoba (AHL)
F J.C. Lipon – Waivers for purpose of assignment.
Blues Don't Have Much To Offer Jagr
- The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford tweets that he believes the St. Louis Blues are still interested in free agent Jaromir Jagr, but it would have to be at less than $2MM, which he doubts would happen. He adds in a later tweet that Jagr would also have to accept a third-line role and second-line power play spot.
Scottie Upshall Signs With St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues have officially brought back a familiar face while they deal with several injuries, signing Scottie Upshall to a one-year, $800K contract, according to Fox Sports Andy Strickland. Upshall had been in Vancouver Canucks’ camp on a professional tryout, but will return to the Blues to help give them some forward depth. The team is dealing with injuries to Robby Fabbri, Patrik Berglund, Alex Steen and Zach Sanford up front.
Upshall never did quite live up to his sixth-overall draft position, but has nevertheless put together an excellent career. With 696 games under his belt, Upshall has been one of the more consistent bottom-six wingers around the league, providing some physicality and secondary scoring touch. A career-high of 37 points makes his addition far from enough to replace the lost offense from Fabbri, but his experience might be able to help what is suddenly looking like a very young roster. Upshall has always been lauded for his leadership qualities and work ethic.
The Blues will be relying on players like Ivan Barbashev and even perhaps Klim Kostin, but will at least have some more NHL experience on the roster with Upshall. He’ll likely serve as a sort of 13th forward, moving in and out of the lineup whenever needed. Still, he did register 10 goals last year and was one of their key penalty killers. For less than $1MM, it poses almost no risk.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
NHL Snapshots: Girard, Flyers Draft, Rosen, Borgman
The Nashville Predators have some defensive issues to worry about with defender Ryan Ellis out for several more months due to knee surgery. However, one issue the team has is a good one as the play of Samuel Girard has impressed everyone. Suddenly, the issue is whether or not to keep him on their roster to start the season.
Girard, a second-round pick in 2016, is just 19 years old, but the gifted offensive defenseman has worked hard to show that he is ready for the NHL now. And with Ellis’ injury, might there be a place for him? The team has used him heavily in the preseason. He has played in all four games, logging more than 20 minutes in each game. According to Adam Vingan of the Tennessean, Girard is making a strong case to stay. His last game on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets with most of their opening-night starters on the ice, Girard played 24:02, second to Roman Josi.
The team is considering keeping him, knowing full well that if they don’t, he’ll return to his junior team and cannot be recalled until after their season is over. The team could also keep him for nine games without burning his first year of his entry-level deal.
- Sam Carchidi of Philly.com writes that the Philadelphia Flyers could get a big break from the St. Louis Blues if their injuries continue to mount. The Flyers, who acquired the Blues 2017 and 2018 first-round picks from St. Louis for Brayden Schenn. They used that 2017 pick on Morgan Frost and were expecting a late first-rounder in next year’s draft. However, with some of the injuries that St. Louis has suffered, it will be Philadelphia that reaps the benefits if the Blues see a drop in the wins column. If it were to turn into a top-10 pick, the Blues would get the pick back. Carchidi writes that would be unlikely, however, as the Blues are still a solid team, but the injuries could improve the chances that their pick will be an even better one.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun writes that at least one of the two Sweedish defensemen pair of Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman are likely to make the team. Both had key moments in Friday’s preseason game and the two little-known blueliners are starting to make a name for themselves. Rosen, 23, is a gifted skater and passing defenseman, coming over from Sweden for the first time, while Borgman, the 2017 SHL Rookie of the Year, is a more physical defensive player.
Central Notes: Winnik, Upshall, DeBrinicat
The Minnesota Wild have seen enough out of Daniel Winnik, who is on a PTO with the team. He has been informed they don’t need to see him again and now begins the waiting game for the 32-year-old forward, who must wait to see if the Wild will choose him over youngsters Joel Eriksson Ek or Luke Kunin, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo (subscription required).
Winnik, who is looking to play for his eighth NHL team, had a good camp and impressed head coach Bruce Boudreau.
“I pulled him aside and I talked to him and said, ‘Danny, you’ve done great. I know exactly how you play. We just want to look at a couple of the young kids,'” Boudreau said. “So it’s not like he would have to come in here and play great to either make the team or not make the team.”
According to Russo, Kunin has had the better camp so far between the two rookies and the team intends to look at both he and Eriksson Ek more closely in tonight’s preseason game against the Dallas Stars. Kunin, who has been playing center for the team all preseason will be tried at right wing.
As for Winnik, he remains a free agent and could sign with any team, but might have to take a small pay cut if he makes the Wild’s roster as the team is low on cap space.
- The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford tweets that Scottie Upshall passed a physical and was signed to a PTO and is currently practicing with the team. The hope is that a contract can be worked out in the next couple of days. Upshall spent the past two years in St. Louis. The 32-year-old fourth-liner had a solid season a year ago with the Blues, scoring 10 goals and eight assists. He was just released from his PTO with Vancouver and has a good chance to return to his old team with the multitude of injuries to players like Patrik Berglund, Zachary Sanford, Robby Fabbri and Alex Steen.
- The Daily Herald’s John Dietz writes that it looks like Chicago Blackhawks’ Alex DeBrincat might make the team, writing that he had an excellent training camp. “It seems like every time he’s around the puck good things happen,” coach Joel Quenneville said to Blackhawks TV reporter Eric Lear. The Hawks still have many decisions to make, according to Dietz, including whether or not to keep seven or eight defensemen.
Steen's Hand Injury Not Expected To Keep Him Out Much Longer
With the start of the regular season now less than a week away, Matt Duchene remains a member of the Avalanche and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggested to 630 CHED in Edmonton (audio link) that things are currently pretty quiet on the trade front with Colorado. GM Joe Sakic has set a very high asking price and as of yet, no one has been willing to meet it so it appears there’s a good chance that this will drag out into the season. Friedman notes that Columbus remains very interested in Duchene’s services while a trio of Western teams, Edmonton, Anaheim, and Nashville have been in and out of talks at times as well. Duchene has two years left on his contract with a $6MM cap hit but aside from the Ducks, the other three teams all have the cap room to take him on without sending any money the other way.
More from the West:
- Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen are progressing well from their respective offseason shoulder surgeries, head coach Randy Carlyle told Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. Both players have been skating in recent days, albeit in non-contact jerseys. Both rearguards are expected to miss all of October but have set a target to return to Anaheim’s lineup on November 1st.
- While Alex Steen’s hand injury will keep him out for the first week of the regular season, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the issue isn’t expected to keep him out too long beyond that. Steen is going to be counted on to play a big role when he returns, especially with long-term injuries to center Patrik Berglund (out until December) and winger Robby Fabbri, whose season is over before it even started due to a torn ACL.
- The Canucks have not yet decided where to assign defenseman Olli Juolevi. His agent Markus Lehto told Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130 (Twitter link) that a team in Europe could be a possible landing spot. The OHL’s London Knights – where he has spent the past two seasons – seems to remain the likeliest destination for the 19-year-old for now.
Poll: How Should The Blues Deal With Their Injury Woes?
The St. Louis Blues have been ravaged by injury already this preseason, with no fewer than five key players out long term. Robby Fabbri, Patrik Berglund, Zachary Sanford, Alex Steen and Jay Bouwmeester are all out somewhere between weeks and months, and each was supposed to play a big role on the team this year. So, while discussing Fabbri’s season-ending knee injury at a press conference earlier today, GM Doug Armstrong was asked about the possibility of signing free agent Jaromir Jagr.
He’s a great player, certainly someone we’ve talked about internally as with a number of players. We’re going to have to really dig deep into how our style of play is, and what type of players can come in and compliment that style.
Armstrong was clear he wouldn’t rush to a conclusion, but did reiterate that since the plan he set forth on July 1st, he’s lost nearly a third of his penciled-in roster. That would suggest that a move will have to come to get better, even if it is simply bringing in a young player from inside their own organization.
So what do you think the Blues should do? Should they go after a free agent like Jagr to compliment what is left, make a trade to try and shore up the roster, or rely on some of their young guns to fill in until help arrives healthy. Make sure to leave your comments below!
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St. Louis Blues Sign Robert Thomas
Though he was just sent back to the London Knights to compete in the OHL again this year, the St. Louis Blues have signed Robert Thomas to a three-year entry-level contract. Thomas was the team’s first pick in the recent entry draft, selected 20th-overall.
At the beginning of the 2016-17 season, the London Knights were looking for someone to step up in the absence of some of their big names. Mitch Marner, Christian Dvorak and Matthew Tkachuk were all headed to the NHL, leaving a gaping hole for someone to step into. Thomas was one of those who pounced on the opportunity, exploding to 66 points in 66 games as a 17-year old. He became a reliable member of the Knights’ powerplay, and showed off his elite playmaking ability with 50 assists on the year.
While Thomas wasn’t expected to make the NHL for some time, there is reason to believe it may come in relatively short order. In training camp he showed perfectly capable of keeping up with professional players, scoring twice in the preseason and creating several offensive chances. He’s not big, but can handle himself at the OHL level and should fill out even more by the time he has to crack the pro ranks. Though Cliff Pu (Buffalo) will be back in London as well, J.J. Piccinich (Toronto) will not, giving Thomas even more opportunity to contribute offensively. It could be a big year for him, before trying to compete for a spot in training camp again next fall.