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Snapshots: Blues, Lightning, Coyotes

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Settling with Alexey Toropchenko today gave the St. Louis Blues come salary cap flexibility, says CapFriendly. Much like the Philadelphia Flyers did with Anthony DeAngelo, settling with Toropchenko, the Blues’ last remaining player who had filed for arbitration, opens a second buyout window for the team, which will open in three days and last for 48 hours. The rules for this unique buyout are limited, though – a player must have been on their reserve list at the trade deadline and must carry a cap hit of at least $4MM.

The Blues are cap-compliant but barely – CapFriendly projects them with roughly $290K in space with a full 23-player roster. They’ve expressed a clear desire to move out one of their aging top-four defensemen via trade, but nothing’s manifested yet, and it’s becoming less and less likely as the offseason trods on. It’s entirely possible general manager Doug Armstrong could choose to execute a buyout for someone like Nick Leddy, who’s struggled during his time in St. Louis and carries a $4MM cap hit through 2026. It would be a hefty buyout, running through 2028-29, but it wouldn’t carry a cap penalty of more than $2MM in any of the six seasons – it might be appealing.

More from around the NHL this weekend:

  • The Tampa Bay Lightning are also granted a second buyout window after settling with forward Tanner Jeannot before arbitration. The team has cut costs wherever possible, but they still have less than $1MM in cap space, even taking into account Brent Seabrook’s long-term injured reserve relief. Unfortunately for them, there are no possible candidates here – all of their players carrying a cap hit of $4MM are core parts of the team and won’t be considered for a buyout. General manager Julien BriseBois is prepping for another long season of cap management on a day-to-day basis.
  • PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan today offered updates on a pair of Arizona Coyotes RFA forwards – Jan Jenik and Jack McBain. Morgan notes that Jenik’s deadline to accept his qualifying offer passed yesterday, meaning the team now has to negotiate a new deal with him to return to the desert. The 22-year-old was a 2018 third-round pick and notched 23 points in 30 games with the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners last season. Morgan also notes that there hasn’t been any progress between the Coyotes and McBain on a new contract with his arbitration hearing looming at the end of the month, although they still have about two weeks to come to a deal before the hearing.

St. Louis Blues Settle With Alexey Toropchenko

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The St. Louis Blues have settled on a new contract with forward Alexey Toropchenko before his arbitration hearing next Thursday, the team announced this morning. His new deal will keep him in St. Louis for two more seasons and carry a cap hit of $1.25MM, earning him $2.5MM in total.

Toropchenko was St. Louis’ last unsigned restricted free agent. It’s a good thing they don’t have more off-season business to handle, as CapFriendly listed the Blues with just $810K in projected cap space before Toropchenko signed.

However, that figure assumes a roster of 14 forwards and eight defensemen, one player over the 23-person roster limit. They’ll get cap-compliant by assigning someone to the minors or trading one of their multiple defenders rumored to be on the trade block.

For Toropchenko, this is a nice pay bump after the 24-year-old winger made the league-minimum salary on a two-way deal last season. Drafted 113th overall in 2017, Toropchenko set career highs across the board in 2022-23, recording ten goals, nine assists, 19 points, and a +6 rating in 69 games played.

Head coach Craig Berube primarily utilized Toropchenko in a fourth-line role last year, and he’s likely to do so again. The Blues bolstered their forward corps over the last few months of 2022-23 with the additions of Kasperi Kapanen and Jakub Vrana, and they also acquired Kevin Hayes from the Philadelphia Flyers via trade last month, mainly filling up their top nine.

Toropchenko did post strong defensive metrics in that limited role, and he uses his 6-foot-3 frame to his advantage when forechecking. While it’s unlikely he’ll ever reach a top-six role, there’s a lot to like about his game in his limited role.

He’ll be a restricted free agent once again when his new contract expires in 2025, although he’ll be just one year away from unrestricted free agency.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first to report the new contract.

St. Louis Blues Sign Dalibor Dvorsky

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2023 top-ten pick Dalibor Dvorsky has another major career milestone under his belt just a few weeks after the draft: his first NHL contract. The St. Louis Blues signed their tenth-overall selection to a three-year entry-level contract today, per a team release.

The team did not disclose contract details. However, it’s important to note his signing doesn’t mean he’ll be playing in North America next season – as expected; he’ll be loaned back to SHL club IK Oskarshamn to honor the first year of a two-year deal he signed with them before the draft, reports Bally Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland.

CapFriendly also confirms Dvorsky is eligible for an entry-level slide twice, given his signing age of 18, meaning a full-time loan to the SHL this season would kick the beginning of his ELC to 2024-25 (or later, if he plays less than ten NHL games again in 2024-25).

It’s likely Dvorsky is ready for some NHL looks after an additional year of development in Europe, though, and this upcoming year should likely be Dvorsky’s last in the Swedish professional circuit. The Slovak national spent most of his development from 2016 onwards playing in Sweden, where he registered 14 points in 38 games playing in the second-tier pros for HockeyAllsvenskan club AIK last season.

His draft stock varied a bit throughout the season, as his Allsvenskan production didn’t quite live up to the tantalizing flashes he showed when playing against his own peer group in Swedish juniors and internationally. Still, few Blues fans should complain about landing him at tenth overall, and today’s signing could very well begin a long tenure in St. Louis as a top-nine fixture.

Thomas Greiss Announces Retirement From NHL

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Veteran goaltender Thomas Greiss has officially announced his retirement from the NHL after a 14-season career, per the league. The 37-year-old, who last played for the St. Louis Blues and was an unrestricted free agent, ends his career as one of Germany’s most accomplished goaltenders.

During the 2022-23 season, Greiss appeared in just 21 games for the St. Louis Blues in a backup role, finishing with a 7-10-0 record, a 3.64 goals-against average, a .896 save percentage, and one shutout. However, as offers for the upcoming season failed to entice him, Greiss said he ultimately decided to hang up his skates and embark on new ventures outside the sport.

After being drafted in the third round (94th overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2004 NHL Draft, Greiss embarked on a journey that saw him suit up for six teams throughout his career. In 368 regular-season games, including stints with the Blues, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, and Sharks, he accumulated a record of 162-130-37. Greiss posted solid numbers across the board with a 2.77 GAA, a .911 save percentage, and 16 shutouts.

His most notable tenure came with the New York Islanders, where he enjoyed his best statistical seasons. From 2015 to 2020, he compiled a regular-season record of 101-60-17, accompanied by a 2.70 GAA, a .915 save percentage, and ten shutouts. In the playoffs, Greiss wasn’t a member of some recent teams that made it into the Conference Finals, but he did post quite strong numbers on the island in the postseason – recording a 7-8 record, a 2.41 GAA, a .921 save percentage, and one shutout. He did notably play a pivotal part in the Islanders’ first playoff series victory since 1993, helping the team secure a six-game triumph against the Florida Panthers in the 2016 Eastern Conference First Round.

The 2019 Jennings Trophy winner sits only behind Washington Capitals legend Olaf Kolzig among tenure-related statistical categories for German goalies in the NHL. While Kolzig represented Germany internationally, he was actually born in South Africa – making Greiss the first Germany-born goalie to surpass the 100-game milestone. Leading his fellow countrymen in games played, he ranks second only to Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken in GAA, save percentage, and shutouts. Internationally, Greiss also represented Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and Germany at the 2006 Turin Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, also playing three seasons with the DEL’s Kolner Haie before coming to the NHL with San Jose.

It’s worth noting, however, that Greiss was banned from representing Germany internationally in 2021 after social media activity that put into doubt “his attitude towards [the national team’s] values.”

It was fair to wonder whether Greiss would play at least another season at home if no NHL offers came, as the national team ban didn’t bar him from competing professionally in the DEL, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. His departure from St. Louis has officially left the door open for youngster Joel Hofer to take a full-time backup spot behind Jordan Binnington next season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Oskar Sundqvist Signs With St. Louis Blues

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10:44 a.m.: The Blues confirmed Sundqvist’s signing, announcing a one-year, one-way deal for the veteran forward.

10:36 a.m.: Forward Oskar Sundqvist is poised to make his return to the St. Louis Blues, signing a one-year deal worth $775K, as reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest.

Sundqvist was a key contributor to the Blues’ lineup during their run to the 2019 Stanley Cup, posting four goals and five assists in 25 games while averaging over 16 minutes a game – easily the highest usage of his career. A skilled but gritty and defensively inclined forward, he’s played for the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild since the Blues traded him (along with Jake Walman) to Detroit in March of 2022.

Now 29, Sundqvist missed most of his last full season in St. Louis (2020-21) with a knee injury that limited him to 28 out of 56 games in the COVID-shortened season. He had broken out for solid offensive contributions in a middle-six role before that point, though, posting 54 points in 131 games across the two seasons before the injury.

Sundqvist posted his first double-digit goal total since the knee injury last season, scoring ten goals in 67 combined games with Detroit and Minnesota. A lower-body injury limited him to just one playoff appearance for the Wild, but he did score a goal in 12:43 of action during the Wild’s Game 2 loss to the Dallas Stars in the First Round.

His versatility allows head coach Craig Berube to deploy him at both wing and center, something that could help him lock down a spot in the lineup. He’ll likely be competing with fourth-line minutes next season with other depth players such as Alexey Toropchenko, Nathan Walker, Nikita Alexandrov, and Sammy Blais.

It’s also a financially prudent addition for the Blues at a league-minimum cap hit, as they now have just $1.59MM in projected cap space for next season, per CapFriendly. They still need to accommodate a new contract for Toropchenko, a restricted free agent who filed for salary arbitration earlier this month.

Dalibor Dvorsky Will Honor First Year Of SHL Contract

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  • Bally Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland confirms that 2023 tenth overall selection Dalibor Dvorsky will return to Sweden for 2023-24, honoring the first season of a two-year commitment he signed with SHL club IK Oskarshamn earlier this summer. Dvorsky is technically eligible for AHL play this season under the NHL’s transfer agreement with Swedish leagues, given he was a first-round pick, but he (and the Blues) believe a year of experience against the top level of Swedish competition is the right choice for his development. Dvorsky did play pro hockey in Sweden last year, but it was with second-division club AIK – part of the HockeyAllsvenskan league, not the SHL.

St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Hugh McGing

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The St. Louis Blues have announced the re-signing of forward Hugh McGing to a one-year, two-way contract. The restricted free agent will earn an NHL salary of $775K and an AHL salary of $140K in 2023-24 before becoming an RFA again next summer.

McGing, 24, was initially drafted by the Blues in the fifth round, 138th overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft. Last season, McGing played a significant role for the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, suiting up for 71 regular-season games and recording 17 goals and 22 assists, totaling 39 points.

McGing’s strong performance in the AHL earned him a late-season call-up to the Blues’ NHL roster, and he made his NHL debut against the Dallas Stars on April 12, recording zeroes across the board in just 9:37 of ice time.

A rather tenacious and physical presence on the ice with a decent shot, McGing has now played 161 regular-season AHL games across three pro seasons with the Blues, amassing a total of 77 points, consisting of 34 goals and 43 assists. He finished fourth on the Thunderbirds in penalty minutes last season with 66.

Before signing his entry-level contract with the Blues, McGing played collegiate hockey for the Western Michigan Broncos, from where he was drafted after his DY+2 season thanks to solid production. In his 2019-20 senior campaign, he served as the team captain and was recognized as a First Team All-American his senior season, leading the team with 35 points, tallying 13 goals and 22 assists in the COVID-shortened season.

His new contract comes in slightly below the qualifying offer of $787.5K the Blues issued him last month. Next summer, he’ll be due a qualifying offer of $813,750 per CapFriendly.

Forward Alexey Toropchenko, who elected salary arbitration yesterday, is the Blues’ last remaining unsigned RFA.

St. Louis Blues Sign Four Players

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The St. Louis Blues have signed four players, according to a team announcement. They are: forward Mackenzie MacEachern (two years, one-way), defenders Joshua Jacobs and Wyatt Kalynuk (one year, two-way), and netminder Malcolm Subban. (one year, two-way)

MacEachern’s AAV on his deal is a league-minimum $775K, and one would assume it’s a similar arrangement for the other three though there is no confirmation at this time as the team did not release the financial terms of the moves.

MacEachern is the most experienced of the group with 119 career NHL appearances, all coming in his first stint with St. Louis.  However, the 29-year-old spent last season in Carolina’s system on a two-way deal.  While he only saw AHL action during the regular season (collecting 30 points in 37 games), MacEachern was brought up by the Hurricanes for the playoffs and got into eight games, picking up a goal and an assist.

Jacobs, meanwhile, last saw NHL action back in 2019-20 with New Jersey and has just three appearances at the top level under his belt.  However, he has been a capable AHL blueliner for several years now with over 300 games played at that level.  Last season, he had ten points and 18 penalty minutes while suiting up for Colorado’s AHL affiliate.

As for Kalynuk, he looked like he could be a part of Chicago’s future when he put up nine points in 21 games back in 2020-21 but has been limited to just five NHL games since then.  Last season, the 26-year-old spent time with AHL affiliates for the Rangers and Canucks, combining to put up 18 points in 61 games.

Subban is set to take over as the new third-string option for St. Louis with Joel Hofer set to serve as Jordan Binnington’s backup next season.  The 29-year-old didn’t see an NHL action last season for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.  Instead, he was the starter at AHL Rochester, putting up a 2.94 GAA and a .903 SV% in 39 games while also playing in 14 playoff contests.

All four players are set to serve as depth options for St. Louis next season with MacEachern, Kalynuk, and Subban projected to be among the top recall options when someone at their respective positions is injured.

St. Louis Blues Sign Tyler Tucker

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The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Tyler Tucker to a two-year, one-way contract with a cap hit of $800K, the team announced today.

Tucker, a 23-year-old hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, was originally selected by the Blues in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft but has already far exceeded his draft billing. Last season, he made his defensive, physical presence felt in a 26-game callup with the Blues and, as a result, is a very strong candidate to make the team out of camp next fall.

He contributed four points in those 26 games for St. Louis, posting rather strong advanced defensive metrics in the process. He’s the furthest thing from flashy, but there are much worse options for a young, budding shutdown defender at the bottom of your lineup.

That’s not to say he will never put up points. He did have some offensive success in the minors, especially this season, playing 41 regular-season games for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds and tallying 21 points (three goals, 18 assists).

He’ll be fighting for an everyday spot in the lineup, especially if the Blues are able to clear out one of their defenders via trade. He’s able to play both the left and right sides.

St. Louis Blues Acquire Kevin Hayes

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The wait is over, and it’s a bit of a letdown. The long-winded trade between the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues is complete, and center Kevin Hayes will be heading to the Blues for a 2024 sixth-round pick, the teams announced.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports the Flyers, as expected, will be retaining half of Hayes’ salary for the life of his contract. For the next three seasons, both the Flyers and Blues will be on the hook for $3.57MM in cap space for Hayes.

Fans of both teams were expecting a much larger deal to come through, but with Blues defenseman Torey Krug reportedly opting not to waive his no-trade clause, the additional pieces in the trade, expected to be Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim and one of St. Louis’ late first-round picks in this week’s draft, were removed.

While most would agree Hayes was overpaid on his deal, earning him more than $7MM, a 50 percent discount is an extremely appealing acquisition for the retooling Blues. He’s still a capable middle-six center, and his acquisition will alleviate Pavel Buchnevich, allowing him to return to his natural spot on the wing after shifting to center at the end of 2022-23.

St. Louis will be Hayes’ fourth team in his nine-year, 634-game NHL career. He’s had consistent offensive production throughout his career, routinely scoring between 40 and 55 points (at least in full seasons), but he was given far too lofty expectations when he signed in Philadelphia.

The messaging is clear here from the Flyers’ side: a rebuild is here, and it’s massive. Opting to retain a decent chunk of change on Hayes for three seasons – with essentially no compensation – signals they don’t anticipate spending to the cap ceiling anytime soon.

While moving on from Hayes doesn’t free up cap space that the Flyers need to use, it does free up some needed roster spots down the middle of the ice. Both Morgan Frost and Noah Cates are in line for more ice time after strong campaigns in 2022-23, and with Sean Couturier slated to return to play next season, Hayes could have pushed one (or both) of Cates and Frost into a bottom-six role.

Hayes’ 54 points in 81 games last season would have ranked fifth on the Blues. He’ll likely slot into a third-line center spot there behind Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn, although he could overtake Schenn on the depth chart if things go well.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes was first to report the trade.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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