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Kings, Kenny Connors Agree To Entry-Level Contract

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April 3: Los Angeles announced the deal this morning. It begins next season.

April 2: The Kings have agreed to a two-year entry-level contract with forward Kenny Connors, John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor reports. The 22-year-old pivot turns pro following his junior season with UMass. It’s unclear whether the deal begins immediately or next season, but it’s likely the latter.

Connors isn’t a free-agent pickup. Los Angeles selected him in the fourth round (No. 103 overall) of the 2022 draft from the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. The Glen Mills, Pennsylvania native jumped to NCAA play with the Minutemen following his selection, putting together a 9-17–26 scoring line in 32 games in his freshman season to earn Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors. He also suited up for the United States at the 2023 World Juniors, scoring a pair of goals in seven games and winning a bronze medal.

The 6’2″, 207-lb center hasn’t seen an increase in point production over his last two seasons, though. He was limited to 7-15–22 in 37 games in his sophomore season, a stark drop from 0.81 to 0.59 points per game. He got things back on track somewhat this year with a 10-goal, 29-point showing in 40 games, but his 0.73 points per game still didn’t eclipse his freshman effort.

Nonetheless, Connors will close the book on his collegiate career. He’ll likely get a lengthy look with AHL Ontario before getting a crack at making his NHL debut. He’s the No. 12 prospect in the Kings’ system, per Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. That’s second in what’s a paper-thin pool of centers in L.A. behind 2021 second-rounder Francesco Pinelli. He “plays a well-rounded two-way game built upon hard work, a drive to be involved, decent skating, applying pressure and then making quick decisions and reads with the puck to generate offense and sustain offensive-zone time,” Wheeler writes. “I’m not sure if he has true NHL skill, pace or upside, but some believe he might become a bottom-six option or good AHL depth and I could see that.”

Regardless of when Connors’ deal begins, it gives the Kings 32 deals on the books for the 2025-26 campaign, 19 of which are forwards.

Predators Recall Ozzy Wiesblatt

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The Predators announced this morning that they’ve recalled right-winger Ozzy Wiesblatt from AHL Milwaukee. It’s his fourth recall of the season and his first since last month’s trade deadline. It’s only the second recall Nashville has made out of four allowed since March 7.

Wiesblatt, 23, has been in Milwaukee for most of the season. The former Sharks first-rounder has enjoyed something of a breakout season in Milwaukee, scoring 14-23–37 in 61 games with a plus-nine rating that all stands as the best of his professional career. That’s earned him a few looks in Nashville’s lineup throughout the year, posting an assist and a plus-two rating in four games. He’s averaged 11:03 per contest and has graded out well defensively, controlling 57% of expected goals despite starting 84% of his even-strength shifts in the defensive zone.

As the Predators wrap up a highly disappointing regular season and have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for quite some time, they’re hoping Wiesblatt can continue to play well in limited minutes down the stretch and potentially grab a job on next fall’s opening night roster. They acquired him from San Jose last summer and sent the signing rights to Egor Afanasyev, who opted to return home to Russia, the other way. While his entry-level contract was set to expire this year, he signed a two-year, two-way extension with Nashville back in November to keep him off this summer’s restricted free agent market.

Wiesblatt could slot into the lineup tonight against the Stars after Nashville dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen for its last two games with Jonathan Marchessault and Colton Sissons sidelined. He’ll likely do so on a line with Kieffer Bellows and Fedor Svechkov, the team’s Brooks Bratten reports. That means 2023 first-rounder Matthew Wood will have to wait a little longer to make his NHL debut after signing with the club last weekend.

Panthers Sign Anton Lundmark To Entry-Level Deal

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The Panthers announced this morning that they’ve signed forward Anton Lundmark to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2025-26 campaign. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lundmark, 24 later this month, joins the Florida organization after spending the entirety of his professional career in his native Sweden. The right-shot winger has just one season of top-level experience under his belt, though. He’s worked his way up from the third-tier HockeyEttan through the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan en route to making his Swedish Hockey League debut last season with Timrå IK. In his lone season with the club, Lundmark posted 5-4–9 in 49 games with a plus-two rating and, remarkably, no penalty minutes.

His contract with Timrå runs through 2025-26, but there’s evidently an NHL out-clause built in to allow him to sign with the Panthers. Florida could also opt to loan him back to Timrå partway through the season if he’s not a legitimate NHL option or isn’t receiving much of an opportunity on assignment to AHL Charlotte.

Both those outcomes seem realistic. On paper, Lundmark doesn’t have much upside. While he has good size (6’4″, 192 lbs) and is regarded as an intelligent two-way forward, his lack of offensive production against top-flight European talent is a red flag for his ability to adjust to even a meaningful AHL role next season. He’s not much of a factor physically, either.

Lundmark will report to the Panthers’ training camp in the fall and attempt to prove that wrong and make himself a call-up option. He’ll be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2026.

Boston Bruins Sign Dalton Bancroft To Entry-Level Contract

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The Boston Bruins have tapped into the collegiate free-agent market. Boston announced they’ve signed forward Dalton Bancroft to a one-year entry-level contract starting in the 2025-26 NHL season and that he’ll finish the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign on an ATO with their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.

Bancroft recently finished his junior campaign with the Cornell University Big Red hockey program. The 6’3″, 207 lbs winger finished his collegiate career with 36 goals and 79 points in 103 games, helping Cornell to its most successful three-year run in program history.

Cornell won back-to-back ECAC Hockey Conference championships, first beating St. Lawrence University in 2023-24 and then defeating Clarkson University in 2024-25. In the national tournament, Bancroft helped Cornell reach the Regional Final in three consecutive campaigns, this year usurping the heavily favored Michigan State University in their first game of the tournament.

Fortunately, Bancroft will have more meaningful hockey to play. The AHL’s Providence Bruins have already qualified for a spot in the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, and Bancfort will be allowed the opportunity to test his NHL readiness down the stretch.

He likely couldn’t have found a better situation for his playstyle, either. It’s difficult to place Bancroft into an archetype as a two-way forward, power forward, etc, because he excels in a unique aspect. He can play physically, move the puck well, play soundly defensively, and chip in for goals when needed. The best way to articulate Bancroft’s value is calling him a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

Still, he should fit in nicely for AHL Providence down the stretch. The team has one of the best goal differentials in the AHL due to their intelligent playstyle, and Bancroft should benefit from this down the stretch in his first taste of professional hockey.

Pittsburgh Penguins Recall Joona Koppanen

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With little to no expectation of qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins again have the opportunity to try a few pieces in preparation for next year’s roster. Depth forward Joona Koppanen will get another chance for an informal tryout on the NHL roster as he’s been recalled by the Penguins.

Koppanen was reassigned to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins only a few days ago in a corresponding move to bring Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty to the NHL roster. The Tampere, Finland native no longer carries any fervor as a prospect in Pittsburgh’s developmental pipeline, but he could represent an interesting option for the team’s bottom six next season.

Unfortunately, Koppanen has never received an extended look at the NHL level. Dating back to his time in the Boston Bruins organization, Koppanen has only played in 14 games in the sport’s highest league, tallying one goal and one assist while averaging 11:13 of ice time.

Still, he’s been nothing if not consistent at the AHL level. His two best years in the AHL came during his last two with Boston, scoring 23 goals and 65 points in 126 contests with a +28 rating. Koppanen proved he could be counted upon for modest secondary scoring and showed a keen ability to care for the puck in the defensive zone.

Due to a handful of call-ups during his time with Pittsburgh, he hasn’t reached the point totals he had with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. Still, he’s managed 13 goals and 43 points in 113 games as an AHL Penguin, with a +2 rating.

With less than 10 games remaining on their schedule for the 2024-25 season, it can’t hurt the Penguins to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Koppanen is eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency this summer, and Pittsburgh could use the last portion of the regular season to determine if he’s worth retaining for next year.

Blues Assign Dalibor Dvorsky To AHL

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Dalibor Dvorsky’s first NHL stint was a short-lived one.  After being recalled for the first time a little more than a week ago, the Blues announced that the center has been sent back to AHL Springfield.

Dvorsky was the tenth overall pick back in 2023 and even though he’s just 19, he is eligible to play full-time in the minors this year since he wasn’t drafted out of the CHL.  He’s done well this season with the Thunderbirds, collecting 20 goals and 23 assists in 57 games, ranking him in the top ten in points for a player considering that he’s still junior-eligible.  Dvorsky got into one game with St. Louis while on recall but was held off the scoresheet in 10:40 of playing time.

With Jimmy Snuggerud signing and jumping right into the lineup, the Blues clearly feel that Dvorsky would be best served getting regular minutes in the minors over sporadically playing at the NHL level, a decision that certainly makes sense from a development perspective.

His assignment also helps the Blues duck a little more below the $88MM spending threshold which is notable in the sense that it allows them to bank a bit more cap space to apply against their achieved bonuses, an amount that already has reached $1.725MM thanks to Ryan Suter meeting his games played targets.  Any dollar that they can save in cap space now is a dollar less of a carry-over penalty they’ll face next season, so keeping Dvorsky up to sit him would also have served little value on that front.

Panthers Recall Jaycob Megna, Reassign Tobias Bjornfot

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The Florida Panthers have swapped depth defensemen on the roster, assigning Tobias Bjornfot to the minor league and recalling Jaycob Megna per the AHL Transactions Log. Bjornfot will return to the minors after appearing in Florida’s last six games. He manageed no scoring, two penalty minutes, and a minus-five in the appearances.

Bjornfot is now up to no scoring and a minus-three through 14 NHL appearances this season. He’s had a bit better footing in the minor leagues, where he’s potted 16 points, 22 penalty minutes, and a plus-one in 43 games. Bjornfot has developed into more-and-more of a stay-at-home defenseman as his professional career progresses, though his lack of offense at the top flight has made him hard to routinely trust.

With a three-game road trip on the horizon, Florida will opt to instead reward Megna with the first call-up of his season. He’s matched Bjornfot’s AHL scoring, with 16 points in 64 games of his own. Megna adds to that 23 penalty minutes and a strong plus-26, which ranks second on the Charlotte Checkers. The six-foot-six defender appeared in 44 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season – recording two assists, 22 penalty minutes, and a minus-15. He’s totaled 27 points in 185 career games in the NHL, and 114 points in 434 games in the AHL. Megna could be in store to step immediately into the NHL roster on this recall, headed for the third-line left-defender role that Bjornfot previously occupied.

Golden Knights Sign Jackson Hallum To Two-Year Deal

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The Vegas Golden Knights have finally put pen to paper with 2020 third-round draft pick Jackson Hallum, signing the forward to a two-year, entry-level contract. Vegas was set to lose Hallum’s rights this summer if they left him unsigned. There has so far been no indication on if Hallum’s deal will begin immediately, and see him join Vegas’ active roster, or if it will begin next season while he finishes this year in the minor leagues.

Hallum joins the Vegas organization after spending the last three seasons at the University of Michigan. He scored eight goals and 17 points in 36 games of his junior season, matching his point totals in 39 games of his freshman season. Hallum split the two seasons with a sophomore year season that was ended by a knee-to-knee hit after he scored eight points in his first nine games of the season. He had a slow return from the lower-body injury this season, but found his stride at the turn of the year with nine points in eight games in January. Unfortunately Hallum couldn’t hang onto his hot scoring, with just two points in Michigan’s final nine games of the season.

Hallum is a well-rounded playmaker who performed well as the second or third forward in on Michigan’s forecheck. He’s a smart passer who gets into open space, though his low scoring speaks to the need for a bit more creativity. Hallum often fills a role on the wing, and has posted a negative faceoff win percentage over his collegiate career. Fans can likely expect Hallum to soon head to the minor leagues, where he’ll look to make better use of his playmaking tools now a full season removed from injury.

Flames Sign Aydar Suniev To Three-Year Contract

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The Calgary Flames have made official the reports that 2023 third-round draft pick Aydar Suniev signed a three-year, entry-level contract per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960. The deal was first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Suniev will turn pro after completing his sophomore season at the University of Massachusetts. News of his signing comes just minutes after news that Suniev’s teammate Cole O’Hara has signed his entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators.

Suniev scored 20 goals and 38 points in 35 games this season. It was a strong continuation of his collegiate scoring after he potted 12 goals and 35 points in 36 games last season. Suniev ranked second on the UMass Minutemen in scoring this season, only behind O’Hara’s 51 points. While Suniev posted modest scoring last year, his climb up the leaderboards this year has been impressive – coming on the back of growing confidence on the puck. He’s seemed to take a hardy stride forward in his ability to work the puck into the middle of the ice, effectively rounding out his ability as a puck-hog on the perimeter.

Suniev was a part of a strong Flames draft class in 2023. With this deal, he could become the second member of that class to make their NHL debut, with Steinberg adding that Suniev’s deal should mirror that of former collegiate star and current Flame Matthew Coronato. Coronato played in one NHL game at the end of the 2022-23 season, after wrapping up his sophomore year at Harvard University.

Calgary has eight games remaining in their 2024-25 campaign, and currently sit four games back from the second Western Conference Wild Card with one game in hand. That’s treacherous ground to award an undersized winger his NHL debut, though Calgary could use Suniev’s strong puckhandling and speedy motor as a spark plug as they attempt one final push for the postseason. If they want to stay careful, the Flames could also assign Suniev to the minor leagues, and avoid burning the first year of his contract on an abbreviated stint in the 2024-25 NHL season.

Predators Sign Cole O’Hara To Two-Year Contract

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The Nashville Predators have signed forward Cole O’Hara to a two-year, entry-level contract set to begin in the 2025-26 season. He will spend the rest of this season on a try-out with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. O’Hara’s third college season came to an end on March 29th, after his University of Massachusetts Minutemen lost to the Western Michigan Broncos in the national tournament.

O’Hara broke out in a big way this season. He scored a UMass-leading 22 goals and 51 points in just 40 games. That was more than he scored in his first two collegiate seasons – 17 points as a freshman, and 18 as a sophomore – combined. Many of those points came from O’Hara’s knack for controlling the puck from low-to-high – getting it on his stick below the goal-line and deking through defenders to find time and space at the tops of the circles. He excelled at getting the puck through traffic, and was helped along by the strong physical presence of Lucas Mercuri in front of the net.

The Predators drafted O’Hara in the fourth-round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He scored 25 goals and 73 points in 58 games in the USHL in his draft year – again on the back of a strong ability to work around the offensive-zone with the puck. O’Hara led the Tri-City Storm in scoring that season, ahead of a roster that featured Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Gavin Brindley and Seattle Kraken prospect Lleyton Roed. O’Hara will now join his former teammates in the AHL. He’ll be looking to hang on to his strong puck-handling while his slight frame adjusts to the pro ranks.

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