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Snapshots: Jets, Kings, Coyotes

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On November 17, the Winnipeg Jets will be honoring two of the greatest players in franchise history (or at least, Jets history, both this iteration and the previous one). Teemu Selanne and Teppo Numminen will be inducted into the Jets Hall of Fame, joining Bobby Hull, Ulf Nilsson, Anders Hedberg, Dale Hawerchuk, Ab McDonald, Lars-Erik Sjoberg, Randy Carlyle, and Thomas Steen.

It wouldn’t be right to do it against any other team than the Anaheim Ducks, where Selanne went from incredible youngster to NHL legend. In just 231 games for the Jets, Selanne scored 147 goals, including 76 in his rookie season, a record that has yet to be broken (and is 23 ahead of second place, Mike Bossy). Numminen meanwhile played 547 games for the Jets and continued on with the organization after it moved to Phoenix, playing a total of 1,098 with that franchise. The steady-as-she-goes defenseman was one of the most consistent two-way players in his era, racking up 637 points in 1,372 career games.

  • The Los Angeles Kings have added Andy Johnson to their scouting staff, according to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald. He comes from the Sioux City Musketeers, where he served as general manager for the last three seasons. The Musketeers won the Clark Cup as champions of the USHL this season and have produced plenty of NHL talents including Jake Guentzel, and Max Pacioretty.
  • While there has been positive momentum toward a new arena in Tempe for the Arizona Coyotes, nothing is finalized to this point. Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports details the next step, which includes a presentation to the city council on Thursday that will detail progress made on outstanding issues. Morgan suggests this could be the “home stretch” for the negotiation, while examining those potential issues.

Jared Wright Commits To University Of Denver

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The University of Denver is getting another interesting prospect for the upcoming season, as Los Angeles Kings draft pick Jared Wright has committed to the program. Wright will leave the Omaha Lancers of the USHL after just one season, and start his college career, where he can continue to develop at one of the top hockey development programs in the country.

The Pioneers won last year’s National Championship and have a shot at repeating (especially if John Bucigross of ESPN is to be believed). Wright, 19, was picked in the sixth round by the Kings after going undrafted in his first year of eligibility, and had 34 points in 59 games for Omaha last season. An excellent skater, the 6’1″ winger’s style is well-suited to college hockey, and heading to Denver is likely the best chance he has of playing NHL games down the road.

Los Angeles meanwhile will have to wait and watch his development patiently, with the deadline to sign him now way down the road. Wright is joining a team loaded with other NHL draft picks, including quite a few second-round selections that will draw most of the focus. The college route has turned into one of the best paths a late-round player can take, giving them ample time to develop at their own pace against fully-grown opponents.

Arizona Coyotes Sign Lukas Klok

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You’ve heard of Ronald Knot, get ready for Lukas Klok. The Arizona Coyotes have picked up their second 27-year-old Czech defenseman of the offseason, bringing in Klok from Nizhnekamsk in the KHL on a one-year, two-way entry-level deal, per CapFriendly. It has a cap hit of $845K, which includes an NHL salary of $750K, $105K in performance bonuses, $95K in signing bonuses, and a minors salary of $82.5K.

Klok is actually a solid under-the-radar candidate to make the Coyotes this fall. He had a strong season in the KHL, notching 31 points in 44 games. He also had three points in four games for Czechia at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Both Klok and Knot, a previous Arizona signing this offseason, played for the same team in Russia and were both on the Czech Olympic squad.

Klok was never drafted, but he does have 29 games of experience in North America. He played 29 games with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms back in 2013-14, registering three points.

Colorado Avalanche Sign Josh Jacobs, Spencer Smallman

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As the reigning Stanley Cup Champions worked on bringing back two key players in Valeri Nichushkin and Josh Manson, they also brought in two depth pieces in that of forward Spencer Smallman and defenseman Joshua Jacobs, the team announced. Smallman’s contract runs for two years, while Jacobs’ is just for one. The Jacobs contract is a two-way deal, worth $750K at the NHL level and $265K in the minors, says PuckPedia. Smallman’s contract is worth $750K in the NHL this season, rising to $775K next season, according to PuckPedia. In the minors, the contract will pay Smallman $350K this season and $400K next season, but does guarantee him $400K this season regardless.

A fifth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015, Smallman has spent his professional career between the ECHL and AHL levels in the Hurricanes’ system. This season, the 25-year-old had 27 points, 10 goals and 17 assists, in 65 games for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Prior to his pro career, Smallman spent five years as a member of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL, his best and final season coming in 2016-17, where he notched 30 goals and 49 assists in 60 games.

Once a top prospect in the New Jersey Devils organization, Jacobs hasn’t lived up to the expectations set for him after he was drafted 41st overall in 2014. Quite the opposite of Smallman, Jacobs made his way through three leagues before turning professional, starting with two seasons in the USHL as a member of the Indiana Ice before heading to college at Michigan State University for a season, finishing his amateur career with a season in the OHL as a member of the Sarnia Sting. Since then, Jacobs has spent most of his career playing in the AHL with the Devils, making a couple of appearances in the NHL with New Jersey. 2021-22 was Jacobs’ first season outside of the Devils organization, as he played for the Chicago Wolves, an affiliate of the Hurricanes.

Prospect Notes: Lamb, Ruscheinski, Hubner

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It has been a discouraging offseason for the University of Minnesota. The program reached the Frozen Four this year, but somehow has been bleeding assets since the end of the season. Chaz Lucius (WPG) turned pro suddenly and unexpectedly, brother Cruz Lucius (2022) decommitted, and Tristan Broz (PIT), Ben Brinkman (DAL), and Grant Cruikshank all transferred out. The Gophers need reinforcements and have turned to a 2023 recruit for help. The Rink Live reports that New York Rangers prospect Brody Lamb has fast-forwarded his development plan to enroll at Minnesota this fall instead of next fall. The 18-year-old forward, who was drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round in 2021, had planned to return to the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers for another season, but was willing to help out his college team sooner than expected. Lamb’s second-half surge helped to convince Minnesota that he was ready for the NCAA; Lamb finished his first full junior season with 41 points in 62 games. While he could use another year of junior and likely would have been a top-line forward for Green Bay in 2022-23, he will instead slot into a bottom-six role with the Gophers. Minnesota and New York alike hope this change is only positive for the young forward’s development.

  • After three years, former Montreal Canadiens prospect Kieran Ruscheisnki has finally found an NCAA home. The 2019 seventh-round pick announced that he has committed to none other than the newest addition to Division I hockey, Lindenwood University. The Habs took a shot on Ruscheinski as a raw defensive prospect due to size that you can’t teach; the 21-year-old stands 6’6″ and weighs in at 210 pounds, which will likely still go up under a collegiate strength and conditioning program. In three seasons with the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Gorillas, Ruscheisnki has not made many strides offensively, but has continued to improve his defensive game as he develops into a stay-at-home style of blue liner. Though these defensive types are rarely stars, Ruscheinski being a former NHL pick will be massive news at Lindenwood. The Lions now have an NHL draft pick on their team in their inaugural season, something that many far more established teams in Division I cannot say in most years.
  • 2022 NHL Draft-eligible defenseman Niklas Hubner is on the move. The German prospect’s current team, the DEL’s ERC Ingolstadt, has revealed that Hubner is not expected to be back next season as he plans to make the jump to North America. Hubner is not NCAA-eligible, having played professionally this season, but should be the target of CHL teams in the Import Draft. He made a strong case for himself to be selected in both drafts this season; Hubner recorded 27 points in 28 games for Ingolstadt’s U-20 team. He essentially forced the team’s hand, as Hubner was recalled to the top DEL squad due to that performance, playing in ten games and recording a point. Hubner also suited up for Germany at the U-18 World Juniors and his play this season could put him on the radar for the U-20 team at the rescheduled WJC this summer. Hubner may be a bit of a project pick with so little experience outside of Germany, but with good size and clear scoring ability the defenseman is at least an interesting project to undertake.

Michael Hage Headed To USHL

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The USHL’s Chicago Steel landed a top CHL prospect when they signed a tender agreement with Macklin Celebrini earlier this month, and now they’ve done it again. Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald reports that Michael Hage has also signed a tender with the Steel, and will pass on the chance to play in the OHL.

Hage, 16, was expected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming OHL draft after his incredible performance at the 2022 OHL Cup, a tournament for the best U16 teams from Ontario and the United States. The young forward registered seven goals and 16 points for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, only trailing Michael Misa–the latest player to be granted exceptional status into the CHL–in both categories.

While Misa is a top prospect for the 2025 draft, Hage is eligible for the 2024 event and figures to be a potential first-round selection at this point. While there’s still lots of time for that to change, joining the powerhouse Steel program should certainly help his development. It also means that Hage will retain his NCAA eligibility, perhaps leading to an opportunity to play college hockey in the future–something that disappears when a player suits up in the OHL.

At any rate, Hage will still likely be selected at some point in the OHL draft later this week and a team will hold his rights to try and convince him down the road. Fans in Chicago will be lucky enough to see him as he takes the next steps toward NHL relevance.

Snapshots: Kravtsov, Wallmark, Celebrini

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The New York Rangers are primed for a legitimate Stanley Cup run, but it appears as though their malcontent prospect will not be joining them. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that instead of joining the Rangers for the playoff run, Vitali Kravtsov will begin his offseason training regimen in Russia, with the plan of arriving in New York well ahead of training camp.

Kravtsov, who requested a trade and basically forced his way back to the KHL for this entire season rather than play in the minor leagues, was eliminated from the KHL playoffs this week when Traktor Chelyabinsk fell to Metallurg Magnitogorsk. The 22-year-old forward is a restricted free agent this summer and would need a new contract if he’s to play in New York next season.

  • Earlier this month, both Lucas Wallmark and Joakim Nordstrom terminated their contracts in the KHL because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their agent, Claes Elefalk, told SVT Sport that the two left “substantial amounts” on the table by terminating contracts that would have originally kept them in Russia until May 2023. The pair of Swedes are obviously well known to NHL fans, who watched Wallmark play nearly 200 games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks, and Nordstrom play nearly 500 with the Blackhawks, Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames, before leaving for the KHL last summer. Both are now unrestricted free agents.
  • Though he was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Macklin Celebrini ended up being drafted first overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the most recent WHL U.S. Prospect Draft, after playing parts of two seasons at the powerhouse Shattuck St. Mary’s prep academy in Minnesota. Celebrini put up incredible numbers this year for the program, scoring 50 goals and 117 points in just 52 games. Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, it appears as though that pick was wasted (at least for now). Celebrini–a top prospect for the 2024 draft–has signed a tender agreement with the Chicago Steel of the USHL for the 2022-23 season. He will take the place of Chicago’s first-round pick in next month’s USHL draft, and will continue his development at another powerhouse program with the Steel.

Prospect Notes: Misa, Savoie, Struble, Busdeker

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Is another “exceptional” player arriving early to the OHL? Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reports that Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation are currently considering an application for Exceptional Player Status for 15-year-old forward Michael Misa. Those players granted Exceptional Status are allowed to join a CHL league a year early due to their generational talent. Previous OHL exceptions include John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, and presumptive 2022 first overall pick Shane Wright. While Exceptional Status was clearly the proper decision in most of these cases, Day was a considerable error and has caused decision makers to tread more carefully in recent years. As a result. Marek notes that the applications for Misa and two others were expected to be declined. However, Misa’s recent efforts at the OHL Cup for his Mississauga Senators U-16 team have pushed the envelope. Misa recorded 10 goals and 20 points in seven games during the tournament en route to a championship and MVP honors, looking like a player ready to take his talents to the top junior level. A decision from Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation is expected soon, with the OHL Draft coming up on April 29. If granted Exceptional Status, Misa would be the favorite to go first overall in the draft. If he is denied, Misa is expected to play in the USHL next season. Either way, the promising prospect is already a name to keep an eye on for the 2025 NHL Draft.

  • Marek also reports that newly-anointed NCAA champ Carter Savoie is also eager to move to the next level. Although only a sophomore with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, Savoie is expected to turn pro and sign with the Edmonton Oilers. A fourth-round pick in 2020, Savoie performed well with Denver last year but took his game to new heights this season, jumping out to an early scoring lead in the NCAA and ending the season with 23 goals and 45 points in 39 games. A key cog for the National Champion Pioneers, Savoie will hope to play a similar role in Edmonton before too long. The Oilers are always in need of affordable scoring and Savoie could play that part perfectly on his entry-level contract if he can make a quick transition to the pro game.
  • One player who will not be leaving school early is Northeastern defenseman and Montreal Canadiens prospect Jayden Struble. When the Habs selected Struble in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft directly out of the prep school level, he was expected to be more of a long-term project. Instead, Struble went directly to Northeastern the following year and developed into a capable two-way defenseman. However, it seems that the two sides disagree one whether he is pro ready just yet. Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman reports that Struble is expected to return to the Huskies next season for his senior year rather than turn pro. It does not seem as though this is related to Struble not wanting to play for the Canadiens, though he will be able to elect free agency after next season if he so chooses.
  • Rockford IceHogs forward D.J. Busdeker has signed a one-year extension, the AHL club announced. It’s a nice move for the team, as Busdeker has been a reliable presence this season in just his second pro campaign. Busdeker leads the IceHogs in games played and is among the top scorers in points and assists. However, it begs the question of when or if Busdeker might earn an NHL contract from the Chicago Blackhawks. Just 22 and translating his ability well from the OHL, where he was also a consistent scoring threat for the Saginaw Spirit.

 

Snapshots: Michigan, Meyers, Penguins, McCarron

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7:14 pm: Denver University forward, and Edmonton Oilers draft choice, Carter Savoie, came up big, scoring the overtime winner for Denver to defeat Michigan and send Denver to the men’s college hockey championship on Saturday, with Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota playing tonight for the other spot in the final. With the conclusion of Michigan’s season, attention will now turn to Michigan’s core of future NHL talent to see if and when they sign their first professional contracts.

6:55 pm: According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, seven or eight Michigan University players are expected to turn pro after their NCAA season comes to an end (link). Most notable among them are Sabres’ number one overall draft choice in 2021, Owen Power; the second overall selection in 2021 and the first draft pick in Seattle Kraken history, Matty Beniers; and the fifth overall choice in 2021 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Kent Johnson. Another premier name on the highly-talented Michigan team, Luke Hughes, who was selected fourth overall in 2021 by the New Jersey Devils, is not expected to turn pro and will return to Michigan next year. The NCAA men’s hockey championship game is scheduled for Saturday night at 8:00 pm ET.

  • Another player expected to turn pro is forward Ben Meyers, says Kaplan. The 23-year-old Meyers, who went undrafted, has been a standout for Minnesota, scoring 39 goals to go with 56 assists in 101 games with Minnesota over three seasons. Prior to Minnesota, Meyers spent parts of three seasons with the Fargo Force of the USHL.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with an array of non-COVID illnesses and will miss several pieces tonight, including captain Sidney Crosby, in their game against the New York Rangers. The Penguins announced they will be missing Crosby, John Marino, and Radim Zohorna for the game. The team has not confirmed if any of the players are expected to be out beyond tonight’s game. The Penguins next play Saturday afternoon at home against the Washington Capitals.
  • Michael McCarron will be out of the lineup for at least a couple of weeks, as the Nashville Predators announced the forward is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old has split time between the NHL and AHL this season for Nashville, providing seven goals and seven assists in 46 games at the NHL level, using his 6’6″ frame to provide a physical presence for Nashville. There is no firm time-table yet for McCarron’s return, but the Predators will hope to get him back in time for the playoffs, if the Predators qualify, where his play style will be quite helpful in winning tough playoff-style games.

Minor Transactions: 04/02/22

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The NHL Trade Deadline has passed, but key transactions continue to occur. The college free agent market is still going strong with NCAA standouts landing NHL and AHL contracts, while many leagues in Europe are already deep into the postseason with eliminated teams signing extensions and conversely allowing some notable names to become free agents. So while it may seem like the deadline puts an end to all important transactions until the offseason, there are still plenty of “minor” moves worth paying attention to:

  • The Boston Bruins have been busy in the college free agent market, signing Boston College captain Marc McLaughlin to an entry-level contract (he scored in his NHL debut on Thursday), as well as Western Michigan goaltender Brandon Bussi and inking Ohio State defenseman Grant Gabriele to an AHL contract. They are back at it again, announcing a one-year AHL contract for 2022-23 and interim PTO for Omaha forward Joseph Abate. Abate, 23, is leaving college a year early to pursue his pro career. A defensive specialist, Abate only produced 32 points in 85 NCAA games but plays a physical checking game, excelled at the faceoff dot this season, and brings deceptive speed. A project for the Bruins, Abate will be groomed in Providence to potentially play a fourth line role down the road. Interestingly, Abate played junior hockey with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms with fellow Bruins prospects Curtis Hall, Trevor Kuntar, and Riley Duran. 
  • The Vegas Golden Knights have dipped into the college free agent pool, as their Silver counterparts in AHL Henderson announced a PTO and 2022-23 AHL contract for North Dakota forward Connor Ford. A highly sought-after graduate transfer out of Bowling Green, where he played with fellow Knights prospect Brandon Kruse, Ford joined the Fighting Hawks this season and continued to produce. An incredibly consistent scorer through five NCAA season, the 24-year-old Ford appears to have the mature game that will translate to the pros. Ford finished second in scoring for North Dakota behind only Riese Gaber. Vegas certainly won’t mind if signing Ford help to convince the undrafted sophomore sensation Gaber to turn pro and sign with the Knights this year or even down the road.
  • Another NCAA addition is arriving in Lehigh Valley, as the Philadelphia Flyers’ affiliate announced a PTO and 2022-23 AHL contract with Notre Dame captain Adam Karashik. Karashik, 24, actually played in his first season with the Fighting Irish this season as a graduate transfer, but was named captain based on his veteran leadership and experience and the ability he displayed in four years at UConn. Karashik had always played a sound defensive game on the blue line, but took his offensive game to new heights this season with 16 points, matching his previous three seasons combined. A two-way, right-handed defenseman with a well-developed game, Karashik is a nice piece for the Flyers’ pipeline.
  • Moving overseas, NHL veteran Joakim Ryan isn’t rushing back to the NHL after a year away in Sweden. Instead, the 28-year-old has signed a one-year extension with the SHL’s Malmo Redhawks, the team announced. While Ryan was on an NHL contract for all six of his first pro seasons, including playing 41+ NHL games twice, his value had tailed off before he departed for his native Sweden this past offseason. While he could likely still find a depth role in the NHL, no one will blame him for sticking with Malmo for another year after he emerged as a star for the team in 2021-22. Ryan recorded 31 points in 52 games, second on the team and a top-five mark among SHL defensemen.

More to come…

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