Blue Jackets Recall David Jiricek, Send Down Jake Christiansen
For the fifth time this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled top prospect David Jiricek; this time by way of an emergency loan. In a corresponding roster move earlier in the day, the team has loaned defenseman Jake Christiansen to their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.
It will be the second time in the last few weeks that Columbus has recalled Jiricek on an emergency loan, with the last coming on March 22nd. Infamously, Jiricek was called up too late for the Blue Jackets away game against the Colorado Avalanche on the 22nd, causing him to miss that game. The next day, Columbus returned Jiricek too late to the Monsters, causing him to miss an entire weekend’s worth of games for no apparent reason.
Nevertheless, Jiricek was still able to suit up in 36 games for the Blue Jackets earlier in the year, scoring one goal and nine points overall. At the AHL level, Jiricek has registered 27 games for Cleveland, scoring seven goals and 17 points.
In his lengthy stretch in Columbus this year, the team used him mostly as a bottom-pairing option, as he averaged under 15 minutes of ice time per night. Even though his production in the NHL has not been up to par compared to his AHL production, there is still every reason to believe that Jiricek has the makings of a legit top-pairing defenseman with enough opportunity.
Christiansen, on the other hand, has been far more productive for the Monsters this season in an established role. In 54 games, Christiansen has scored a solid 13 goals from the blue while also tallying 27 assists, as well.
Hurricanes Sign Scott Morrow To Entry-Level Contract
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed top prospect Scott Morrow to a three-year, entry-level contract (Twitter link). The deal is set to begin immediately, with Morrow able to earn an $807.5K cap hit at the NHL level this season. He also has the potential to earn upwards of $277.5K in signing bonuses across the course of the deal. Morrow was set to become a free agent in August, if the Hurricanes didn’t sign him, after being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Morrow has emerged as a top collegiate defenseman over the last three seasons, spending each season with the University of Massachusetts. Playing on the blue-line, Morrow has managed 94 points in 109 games. He earned a Hobey Baker Award nomination this season and a Hockey East All-Rookie Team nod in 2022. Morrow is at his best with the puck on his stick, capable of embarrassing opponents with flashy puckmoves and great finesse-skating. He rotates around the offensive zone seamlessly, showing a great understanding of how to find and exploit openings in the defense. Skeptics have called his off-puck play into question since his draft year – and while his collegiate play hasn’t fully put those worries to rest, Morrow has proven his high-tempo offense is effective enough to mitigate any other concerns. His all-out offense matches up well with how Carolina has utilized players like Brent Burns and Brady Skjei. Morrow could get a chance to test that match soon, with his first pro deal set to start immediately and placing Morrow on Carolina’s NHL roster.
Rangers, Kalle Väisänen Agree To Entry-Level Contract
The New York Rangers have signed 2021 fourth-round draft pick Kalle Väisänen to a three-year, entry-level contract (Twitter link). Väisänen moves to the Rangers after spending the last three seasons in the Liiga, Finland’s top league, playing for TPS’ top club after growing through their youth program. He becomes the second Rangers prospect to sign his first NHL deal on Tuesday, alongside defenseman Victor Mancini.
In signing Väisänen, New York is adding yet another big-frame to an increasingly growing roster. The Finnish winger stands at 6-foot-5, 200-pounds and knows how to use it, showing a strong skating ability for his size and not shying away from physical play. He’s proven effective in the gritty areas of the ice, capable of winning battles in the low slot or corners. But Väisänen has yet to find his scoring groove at the top level, with just 24 points across 137 Liiga games. He’s proven a bit more effective when facing his peers, scoring 50 points in 45 games in Finland’s U20 league. He also managed four points in 12 World Junior Championship games, across two tournaments with Finland.
While Väisänen can certainly play physically, he’s not much of a bruiser, with his most penalized season coming in 2018-19 when a 16-year-old Väisänen managed 38 penalty minutes in 17 U16 games. That’s far from the track record of his new peers – including Matt Rempe, who already has 54 penalty minutes through his first 13 NHL games. But the Rangers have shown they know how to develop big-frames into heavy-hitting pros through players like Rempe, Adam Edstrom, and Brandon Scanlin. They’ll begin another project with Väisänen now set to join North American pros next season.
College Hockey Notes: Salminen, Graf, Sergeyev
New Jersey Devils forward prospect Samu Salminen is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now (Web link). Salminen has spent the last two seasons at the University of Connecticut, joining the school after six years in Jokerit’s youth program. Salminen has scored 17 points in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, playing in 27 games last year and 35 this year. He’s managed the scoring while serving in UConn’s middle six, averaging just under 15 minutes of ice time this season.
The Devils drafted Salminen in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, after a strong year with Jokerit’s U20 club. He’s praised as a smooth-moving playmaker, with the ability to fill his role in the middle lane of the ice, making an impact from slot to slot. And while he’s continued to show strong puck skills at UConn, Salminen could improve how he works into dangerous areas of the ice. He’ll look to build those skills as he adjusts to a new offense.
Salminen was originally committed to the University of Denver, swapping his commitment just a couple of months before his debut with UConn after reportedly facing challenges with Denver’s admissions. No schools have been linked to Salminen now that he’s returned to the open market, but it’s hard not to think previous connections could drive a move out West.
Other notes out of the NCAA:
- The Boston Bruins are reportedly not in on prolific winger Collin Graf, says NHL.com’s Mark Divver (Twitter link). Graf is now on the open market after a strong collegiate career, managing 130 points across 112 collegiate games. The Bruins are always popular names in NCAA free agency – already signing Drew Bavaro, Ryan Bischel, Riley Duran, and Jaxon Nelson this Spring. But they’ll stray away from leading-scorer Graf, who is receiving plenty of interest from the rest of the league – with Divver adding that Graf has narrowed his list to six teams. He’s expected to sign in the coming days.
- Top Calgary Flames goalie prospect Arsenii Sergeyev has entered the transfer portal and quickly decided on a new school – confirming a move from UConn to Pennsylvania State University through a social media post (Twitter link). Sergeyev will hope to step into Penn State’s starting role, after splitting starts in both of his seasons with UConn. He’s been fantastic in his underclassmen starts, managing 19 wins and a .913 save percentage in 35 appearances. It’s a continuation of Sergeyev’s strong USHL career, where he posted 30 wins and a .913 save percentage in 43 games. The Flames drafted Sergeyev in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft. His early return has been incredibly positive, though Calgary will hold their breath as he moves to a highly competitive Big Ten conference.
Panthers, Cooper Black Agree To Terms On Entry-Level Deal
The Panthers have agreed to terms with undrafted free agent goaltender Cooper Black on a two-year, entry-level contract beginning next season, GM Bill Zito announced Tuesday. His ELC boasts the maximum allowable base salary ($855K) and signing bonus ($95K), carrying a cap hit of $950K, per PuckPedia. He’ll earn a minor-league salary of $80K.
Black, 22, is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign with Dartmouth College. In 30 appearances, he recorded a .910 SV%, 2.58 GAA and two shutouts with a 13-8-8 record after winning only five games in 30 showings last season. He guided the Big Green to a fourth-place finish in conference play, sweeping their ECAC quarterfinal series against Union before losing 6-3 to the eventual champion Cornell in the semifinal. That earned him a nomination for the Ken Dryden ECAC Goaltender of the Year award, his second significant collegiate honor. He was named to the ECAC’s All-Rookie Team last season after playing in all 30 games as a freshman.
The Michigan native is listed as 6’8″ and 240 lbs, which would make him the tallest goalie in NHL history if he ever cracks the majors. Zito did not confirm if Black will finish this season on a tryout with AHL Charlotte, as is the norm for future contracts signed with time remaining in the season.
Black becomes the fifth goaltender under team control for 2024-25, joining Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight, as well as minor-league options Evan Cormier (pending RFA) and Mack Guzda (10.2(c)). Guzda has missed most of this season with injuries but could be in line for the starting role with Charlotte if the Panthers feel Knight is ready for full-time NHL action again next season. Knight, a 2019 first-round pick, is in the first season of a three-year, $13.5MM extension that still costs Florida $3.35MM against the cap when buried in the minors. He’s rebounded well in the minors after a slow start, posting a .905 SV% in 42 games on the year.
The Panthers likely won’t have Black occupy anything larger than an AHL backup role next season, although logging increased playing time as a starter for ECHL Florida is also an option. He’ll be an RFA in 2026 when his ELC expires.
Bruins Sign Jaxon Nelson To Entry-Level Deal
The Bruins have signed top college free agent center Jaxon Nelson to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2024-25 season, per a team announcement. He will finish this season on an ATO with AHL Providence.
Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal reported yesterday that Boston was in on Nelson. According to Jess Myers of The Rink Live, the Penguins and Red Wings were finalists for his services.
Nelson, 24, finished his five-year run at the University of Minnesota last weekend when Boston University bounced them in the regional finals of the NCAA tournament. As one of the team’s captains this season, Nelson broke out for a career-high 19 goals and 31 points in 39 games. Interest in him on the open market spiked over the last few weeks, as he closed out the season with a ridiculous 11 goals and two assists for 13 points in his final eight games. In 169 games with the Golden Gophers, the Minnesota native scored 42 goals and 47 assists for 89 points, with 69 PIMs and a +22 rating.
A bulky, physical center, Nelson is among the most NHL-ready players available on this year’s undrafted free-agent market. He’s a polished product after five years in school, and he has ideal size down the middle at 6’4″ and 220 lbs. Bruins GM Don Sweeney cited Nelson’s “leadership qualities as captain of a very successful collegiate program” as one of the more significant reasons they pursued him.
The Bruins will hope he can challenge for a roster spot next fall. They’ll have some turnover in their bottom six, with Danton Heinen, Pat Maroon, and James van Riemsdyk headed for unrestricted free agency. Nelson cracking the squad at his $870K cap hit would provide a cost-effective plug and allow Sweeney to pursue more impactful targets on the open market. He’ll be waivers exempt until he reaches 60 career NHL games or spends two seasons under contract. Upon the end of his deal in the summer of 2025, he’ll be an RFA.
Wild’s Liam Ohgren To Finish Season In AHL
Top Wild forward prospect Liam Öhgren has arrived in North America and will be assigned to finish the season with AHL Iowa in the coming days, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Öhgren, 20, was the 19th overall selection in the 2022 draft and is a consensus top-three prospect in the Minnesota system alongside netminder Jesper Wallstedt and Russian winger Danila Yurov. He signed his entry-level contract shortly after being drafted but has been loaned out to the Swedish pro circuit in back-to-back seasons, sliding the start of the deal to 2024-25.
This season was Öhgren’s first playing full-time in the top-level Swedish Hockey League, although injuries limited him to 26 games with Färjestad BK. His season came to an end last week after they were swept in the SHL quarterfinals by Rögle. The gifted sniper put his talents on full display, scoring 12 goals and 19 points, ranking second on the team in goals per game. He was one of the most explosive scorers in junior hockey during his draft season, lighting the lamp 33 times in 30 games with Djůrgardens’ U-20 club.
In all likelihood, the Stockholm native has played his last game in Sweden. He’ll likely start next season with Iowa to become more acclimated to the North American game, especially after missing such a large chunk of 2023-24, but he is a sure bet to at least see a handful of NHL contests. He’s unlikely to see any postseason action with Iowa to close out this year, as they’re seven points out of a playoff spot in the AHL’s Central Division with eight games remaining. His ELC will expire in 2027.
Devils Reassign Santeri Hatakka
The Devils announced Monday afternoon that the team has assigned blue-liner Santeri Hatakka to AHL Utica, indicating that Jonas Siegenthaler could be ready to return Tuesday after missing over two weeks with a concussion.
The move brings an end to Hatakka’s fourth recall of the season. Picked up from the Sharks in last year’s Timo Meier trade, Hatakka has provided New Jersey with some solid minutes when called upon to fill depth roles due to a rash of injuries on defense. The quick-footed left-shot defender has a solid 49.8 CF% at even strength, 1.9% better than his teammates without him, and two assists in 12 games this season. However, he hasn’t controlled possession quality despite some favorable offensive usage, logging a -1.7 expected rating.
Even with Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton unavailable, Hatakka’s role had dwindled over the past few days. He played just over five minutes in his last appearance on March 24 and was scratched in three of New Jersey’s last four games.
Hatakka had been on the NHL roster since March 13, when he was recalled under emergency conditions. On March 18, he was papered down to Utica for a brief period, and six days later, his emergency recall was converted into a standard one. That transaction burned the second of four allotted post-trade deadline standard recalls.
Barring further injuries, Hatakka will likely finish out the year in Utica. There, he has four goals, 13 assists and 17 points in 41 games with a +1 rating. He’ll provide reinforcements to a Utica team that’s three points out of a playoff spot in the AHL’s North Division, trailing Laval with two games in hand. He’s in the final season of his entry-level contract and will need a new deal before July to avoid reaching restricted free agency.
Pacific Notes: Hertl, Danault, Kulak, Ceci, Fleury
Top trade deadline pickup Tomáš Hertl took a major step toward making his Golden Knights debut Monday, practicing with the team in a non-contact jersey for the first time. The 30-year-old is on long-term injured reserve but is eligible to come off at any time. He had been on standard IR since being acquired from the Sharks on March 8 but was moved to LTIR last week to afford Vegas the cap space necessary to recall goaltender Jiří Patera from the minors with Adin Hill injured. With Patera returned to Henderson as of last night, the Golden Knights have enough cap space to activate Hertl’s $6.75MM cap hit whenever he’s ready to go. He’s expected to suit up for Vegas before the regular season draws to a close. The 11-year vet underwent knee surgery after representing San Jose at the 2024 All-Star Game and hasn’t played since late January. He remains week-to-week, but skating today is a strong indication he’ll be upgraded to day-to-day in the near future.
Other updates from the Pacific Division:
- Kings center Phillip Danault will be a game-time decision with his upper-body injury ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Jets, interim head coach Jim Hiller told reporters (via Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press). Danault, 31, missed Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Flames with the injury. The 2011 first-round pick is well on his way to earning Selke Trophy votes for the sixth straight season, although he’s yet to be a nominee. He has 17 goals and 42 points in 72 games this season, in line with his production since joining the Kings on a six-year, $33MM deal in 2021. His +14.5 expected rating this season is the second-highest of his career, and his 56.1 CF% at even strength is fifth among qualified Kings skaters despite receiving difficult defensive minutes. If Danault cannot play, 24-year-old Akil Thomas is expected to make his NHL debut after being recalled yesterday.
- Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak is expected to suit up Monday against the Blues, while Cody Ceci sits due to illness, per NHL.com. Kulak’s status for tonight’s game was uncertain after taking a puck to the head during his first shift against the Ducks on Saturday, ending his game prematurely. The 30-year-old has been decent in bottom-pairing usage for the Oilers this season, scoring three goals and adding 10 assists in 72 games. His ice time has dipped to 15:09 per game, the lowest of his Oilers tenure, but he’s controlled possession well with a +10.3 expected rating and a 52.9 CF% at even strength in his relatively easy minutes.
- The Kraken brought defenseman Cale Fleury back up from AHL Coachella Valley after sending him down yesterday, per a team announcement. Fleury has been summoned multiple times over the past few weeks for injury insurance while star blue-liner Vince Dunn remains sidelined with an upper-body injury. He hasn’t seen any game action, though, serving as a healthy scratch in the two games he’s been rostered for. On the farm, the 25-year-old has 32 points in 60 games, leading Coachella Valley defensemen. He signed a two-year, $1.6MM contract to remain in the Seattle organization last summer after reaching restricted free agency.
Sharks Assign Filip Bystedt To AHL
The Sharks are bringing Swedish center prospect Filip Bystedt to North America to finish out the 2023-24 campaign, assigning him to AHL San Jose on Monday. San Jose loaned him to Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League for the season after signing him to an entry-level contract last June.
Bystedt, 20, was the Sharks’ lone first-round pick in 2022, going to them at 27th overall after they traded down from 11th in a major pick swap with the Coyotes (Arizona drafted center prospect Conor Geekie with San Jose’s pick). The 6’4″ pivot checks in as the fourth-best prospect in the Sharks’ system in The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s organizational rankings after being crowned SHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23. He was an important secondary fixture on a rather poor Linköping squad last year, notching seven goals and 20 points in 45 games.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t build on that production this year, finishing the SHL campaign with 17 points in 47 games. That’s despite Linköping being a much-improved squad overall, finishing above the .500 mark and making the SHL playoffs for the first time since 2018. He did represent Sweden at the World Juniors for a second straight season, where he notched three goals and an assist in seven games en route to a silver medal.
Bystedt’s European Assignment Clause in his ELC is only for this year, so he’ll likely play a full season in the minors with San Jose next year. Playoff hockey won’t be in the cards for him later this month – the Barracuda are tied for last place in the AHL with 53 points. However, he should factor into a few of San Jose’s eight remaining games and get a taste of playing in the Sharks’ organization. He’s an entry-level slide candidate, meaning that since he won’t see NHL action this year, the beginning of his ELC will defer to next season. As such, he’ll remain signed through 2027, at which point he’ll be an RFA.