Lias Andersson Signs Entry-Level Contract
The New York Rangers have inked their newest prize, seventh-overall pick Lias Andersson, to a three-year entry-level contract. The Rangers drafted Andersson with the selection acquired in the Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta trade with the Arizona Coyotes. That was the Rangers’ first first-round pick in many years, and they’re very excited to get him into their system as soon as possible.
In fact, Alain Vigneault told Larry Brooks of the New York Post just a few days ago that Andersson was impressing him and would get “every opportunity” to make the club right away. While that still seems like a long shot, Andersson did play all of last season in the Swedish Hockey League against professionals, and held his own. With 19 points in 42 games, he helped HV71 to an SHL championship and put up the second highest +/- (+21) among forwards on the team. Whatever you think of that statistic, it backs up what is plain to see when watching Andersson; he’ll be an effective two-way player at any level.
Though he wasn’t the most dynamic offensive talent in the draft, he may be one of the surest bets to make an impact at the NHL level. At 6’0″ 200-lbs he’s not physically imposing, but can already hold his own against grown men and is willing to go to all areas of the ice to retrieve pucks and pressure defenders. A natural center, he will hopefully be able to fill that role for the Rangers down the road. After trading Stepan, they’re much weaker down the middle and will be relying on Mika Zibanejad to log big minutes for them in all situations.
Arizona Coyotes Make Front Office Changes
The Arizona Coyotes have named Steve Patterson as the team’s newest President and CEO, while adding President of Hockey Operations to GM John Chayka’s title. Patterson replaces the outgoing Anthony LeBlanc that moved on after selling his share of the team to the now sole-owner Andrew Barroway along with all of the other minority owners. Barroway released a statement along with the announcement:
We are very pleased to name Steve as our new President and CEO. Steve has a wealth of experience and has served as an innovative and successful executive in the NFL, NBA, professional hockey, professional baseball and college athletics for over 30 years. He’s built championship teams and organizations and has managed stadiums, ballparks and arenas across the United States. Most importantly, he previously worked in our market and has the necessary corporate and political relationships to help us secure a long-term home for the Coyotes in the Valley. We’re thrilled to have him join us.
Patterson has worked with the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, University of Texas, Arizona State University and other professional and amateur sports franchises. His experience in finding new stadiums and arenas is paramount to the Coyotes franchise, as they look for a new home and a real solid foundation to keep them in Arizona into the future. That search has been ongoing for years, and is clearly not working in their current situation of playing in Glendale.
Earlier this year, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wrote in a letter that the team “cannot and will not” remain in Glendale much longer, and since then there has been plenty of speculation about a potential relocation. Now with a sole owner and an extremely experienced and competent Patterson on board, the Coyotes seem to be positioned better than they have been in quite some time. That doesn’t mean they are guaranteed to stay in the desert, as it’s still an extremely difficult market to succeed in, but with a clear directive to compete this season—trades for Niklas Hjalmarsson, Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta signal an end of any tear down or tank—and new leadership they will try to force themselves into the market in a way rarely seen since their move from Winnipeg.
That focus on winning will come with a new head coach after the hiring of Rick Tocchet to lead the team, and a clear voice at the top of hockey operations in the 28-year old Chayka. After moving Dave Tippett out, Chayka will continue to try and build a winner through a blend of analytics and heavy scouting presence. With young players like Max Domi, Christian Dvorak and Dylan Strome expected to take another step forward the Coyotes could find themselves crawling out of the basement as soon as this season to compete for a playoff spot.
Pittsburgh Names Mark Recchi As Assistant Coach
If there was any evidence that the Rick Tocchet-to-Arizona talks had been all but done for a while now, it was that the Penguins announced within minutes of the Coyotes’ official announcement that Mark Recchi would be replacing him as one of Mike Sullivan‘s assistant coaches. Recchi had already been working within the organization the past three years, so his hire was internal and clearly an easy decision for owner and former teammate Mario Lemieux and the Penguins.
Although Recchi has no coaching experience, there is little doubt that he will fit in well on the Penguins’ staff. Recchi will take over Tocchet’s exact same duties: working with the forwards and power play units. The recently-named Hockey Hall of Fame inductee knows those two areas as well as anyone. Recchi is a member of two elite NHL clubs, having scored over 500 goals and 1500 points in his career. 200 of those goals also came on the power play. An extremely intelligent and versatile player with 22 seasons of NHL experience, as both a top-line scorer and role player, 198 playoff games and Stanley Cups with three different teams, Recchi is one of the most knowledgeable people in hockey. While he hasn’t spent any time coaching, that’s also due to the fact that he played right up until the age of 42 in 2010-11, walking away after helping the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup. The perks of playing that long is that Recchi can both relate to the Penguins’ aging veterans, having been one himself, as well as their young players, having skated alongside the likes of Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin just over six years ago.
A fun fact about this announcement is that it is not the first time that Tocchet has been traded for Recchi. However, the first time it was Pittsburgh losing Recchi and gaining Tocchet. After leading the Penguins in scoring, and to a title, in 1990-91, young Recchi was traded at the 1992 Trade Deadline to the Philadelphia Flyers alongside Brian Benning and a first-round pick for Tocchet, who was in his prime at the time, Kjell Samuelsson, Ken Wregget, and a third-round pick. Recchi went on to have the better playing career, but we’ll have to wait and see which guy ends up on top in their coaching career. Tocchet certainly has a leg up, already on his second head coaching gig, but if Recchi stands for anything, it’s don’t count out the little guy.
Rick Tocchet Set To Become Next Head Coach Of Arizona Coyotes
UPDATE (7/11): The Coyotes have made it official. Tocchet has signed a multi-year contract to become the 18th head coach in franchise history.
7/6: After Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted a connection between the Arizona Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet this morning, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet now reports that the two sides are working on a four-year deal to bring him in as the next head coach of the team. 
With the team recently moving on from long-time head coach Dave Tippett, they moved quickly to fill the vacancy. Tocchet has strong ties to the Coyotes, having played for them for three years as an assistant captain, and even worked as an assistant coach in the past alongside Wayne Gretzky.
Of course, Tocchet’s time with the the Coyotes was marred by a legal scandal that eventually ended with him pleading guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling. He was sentenced to two years of probation and was banned from hockey for a time.
With that behind him, Tocchet returned to hockey and was eventually installed as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning after a mid-season firing of Barry Melrose. Tocchet would last just one more full season with the team before seeing the door himself, only to have to wait several years before getting another job with the Penguins in 2014.
For the past three seasons he’s worked with Mike Johnston and Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh, winning the Stanley Cup in back to back years. He’ll now get a chance to bring a disappointing team back to grace, and try to help save a franchise that has an uncertain future. The Coyotes, led by now sole-owner Andrew Barroway and 28-year old GM John Chayka, have made clear “win now” moves this summer by bringing in Niklas Hjalmarsson, Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta. Moving on from their old guard, this season represents a chance in philosophy and expectations.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
PHR Mailbag: Duchene, Kessel, Hurricanes, Bruins
We’ve been taking your off-season inquiries over the weekend in the comments and using #PHRMailbag on Twitter. Here are some questions and answers to ponder:
Conorsoxfan: Is Matt Duchene still going to be moved? What about Landeskog? Are the Avs waiting for the right offer or are they holding on to all their assets for now?
We received several questions about Matt Duchene and for good reason. The Avalanche have been speaking with teams since the Trade Deadline about moving the talented forward and Duchene himself is on record as saying that he is open to a move, but months later he is still in Colorado. It seems that GM Joe Sakic has a very specific (and lofty) return in mind and is hesitant to move Duchene without getting exactly what he wants. That return certainly includes a young, proven defenseman, which is not exactly a commodity that most teams are eager to move. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes seem like they have the best chance of meeting Sakic’s demands, as both teams are loaded with young, NHL-ready defenseman. However, the rumor that Colorado rejected a deal for Travis Hamonic that included Duchene makes you wonder if Sakic is searching for a caliber of player that is simply unavailable. It would be best for Duchene, the Avs, and the rest of the NHL trade market if a deal would get done sooner rather than later, but don’t be surprised if Duchene is still a talking point at the next Trade Deadline.
As for Gabriel Landeskog, rumors of his deaparture have definitely been on the back burner this summer after he too was hot topic at the Trade Deadline. Although the Avalanche are coming off a historically bad season, they seem to be playing it safe with their rebuild. They have not sold off all of their veteran pieces, nor have they operated like a team that’s pushing for a playoff spot. Their only major additions this season are a backup goaltender, Jonathan Bernier, and a low risk-high reward gamble, Nail Yakupov. They got potentially the best player in the draft at #4 overall in defenseman Cale Makar, but he is at least two seasons away from seeing NHL ice time. It seems that Sakic is content with keeping his roster intact and slowly adding in younger players and moving out older pieces. That type of status quo strategy would seem to indicate that Colorado isn’t keen on losing its captain unless the return could truly change the course of the franchise. Especially if Duchene does end up traded, don’t expect Landeskog to follow. He’s likely to remain in Colorado for the time being.
@Wings16Canes13: When and will Pittsburgh trade Kessel? Or does another coach have to go first?
It always seems like there’s some controversy surrounding Phil Kessel. This question alludes to rumors coming out of Pittsburgh that the uber-talented winger and head coach Mike Sullivan don’t see eye-to-eye on many things. Moreover, it’s been said that assistant Rick Tocchet acted as go-between for the two these past two seasons, and with Tocchet likely headed to Arizona as the head coach of the Coyotes, the relationship between Kessel and Sullivan could get worse. However, the Pittsburgh Penguins are also back-to-back Stanley Cup champs, with both Kessel and Sullivan playing major roles in each title. Neither is likely to be on the move any time soon, especially not because they dislike each other. It may not be the most comfortable locker room, but the two will learn to live with each other and any struggles for the Penguins in 2017-18 will be attributed to Stanley Cup hangover, not a feuding coach and player. With that said, Kessel has a $6.8MM cap hit for five more years, which could cause cap trouble down the road for the Penguins, while the team has also shown a willingness to move on from head coaches after just a down season or two. Both Kessel and Sullivan could be gone in a few years, but it’s impossible to know which first and when, only that it’s highly unlikely to be this year.
mikedickinson: Hurricanes are loaded on defense and have three kids who can play in the AHL as well. They aren’t trading any of their top 4. Can they trade from their strength to address a weakness (center)? Also, JVR to Raleigh to play with his brother?
The Carolina Hurricanes boast one of the youngest, deepest, and most talented defensive corps in the entire league. All-Star Justin Faulk leads a group that includes 2015 #5 pick Noah Hanifin, 2012 fourth-rounder Jaccob Slavin, 2013 third-rounder Brett Pesce, 2014 #7 pick Haydn Fleury, 2014 second-rounder Roland McKeown, and now the recently-acquired Trevor van Riemsdyk, not to mention dependable depth defender Klas Dahlbeck and 2016-17 AHL surprise Jake Chelios. There’s also 2016 first-rounder Jake Bean to consider as well, though he remains in juniors. That group has one thing in common: none of them are more than 26 years old. When the Hurricanes acquired van Riemsdyk from the Vegas Golden Knights last month, many felt that the move indicated that Faulk, the team’s top right-shot defenseman, would be on the move. After all, the team has been linked to Matt Duchene as well as others as they try to bring their forward depth up to the same level as their defense. However, GM Ron Francis has stated since that he wants to keep his starters together. It also seems unlikely that he’s keen to move talented teenager Bean, leaving promising, but slowly developing players like Fleury, McKeown, and Chelios as his top trade chips from the blue line. None of those players will get a Duchene or similar-caliber player, but don’t be surprised if the ‘Canes use them to add some depth forwards this off-season or along the way next season. If Francis is posturing, then yes any of Faulk, Hanafin, Slavin, or Pesce could be used to bring in a big fish.
As for James van Riemsdyk, it is an interesting development to have his brother in Carolina, an up-and-coming team (like the Maple Leafs) that’s in need of an impact forward. JVR is entering the final year of his contract and it seems unlikely that Toronto will re-sign him, considering the expensive extensions coming down the line for Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. The question then becomes whether or not the Leafs are interested in moving him this off-season and whether the Hurricanes are willing to pay the price for his services this year when they can sign him next summer for free. If the Leafs look to deal him, Fleury or McKeown as the centerpieces likely won’t cut it. The Leafs are on the hunt for a top-pair right-shot to pair with Morgan Rielly and Faulk certainly fits the bill, but that’s a high price to pay for an impending free agent. I think you’re on to something with JVR and TVR teaming up in Carolina, but I think it could come at a lower price toward the Trade Deadline or via free agency next off-season.
mpfallon: Will the bruins make some big offseason moves?
This depends on your definition of “big”. Despite rumors that the Bruins have been looking into acquiring a top-four left-handed defenseman and a top-six winger, GM Don Sweeney has also made it clear that he doesn’t want to acquire players that will block Boston’s talented young prospects. College star Anders Bjork, 2015 first-rounder Jake DeBrusk, Peter Cehlarik, who got a taste of the NHL last year, and possibly even Danton Heinen and Jesse Gabrielle will all compete with Frank Vatrano, Matt Beleskey, and recent signing Kenny Agostino for a top-nine spot on the left side, and Ryan Spooner could join the mix if the B’s prefer rookie Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson at third line center. The left wing battle could spill over to the right side as well, where top forward prospect Zach Senyshyn will also look to make the team. On the blue line, Rob O’Gara, Jakub Zboril, and Jeremy Lauzon will all fight for the final spot on the left side, and the recent signing of Paul Postma could indicate that the team is okay with moving Kevan Miller to the left side to free up a spot for Adam McQuaid to continue to be a starter with Postma as the seventh man.
There is more than enough depth in Boston that the Bruins may make no moves for the rest of the off-season. Odds are that they do something, but likely not anything “big”. A trade for a left-shot defenseman, possibly a Nick Holden or Jonathan Ericsson, or the signing of a stopgap winger, like Drew Stafford, Thomas Vanek, or Alex Chiasson seems possible, but anything bigger could be a long shot. So the short answer to your question is no, they won’t make “big off-season moves”. They could make a small, but significant move or two, but chances are a big trade would come closer to the Trade Deadline after they give the kids a shot first.
Eastern Notes: Liljegren, Bozak, Athanasiou
Toronto’s first round pick Timothy Liljegren has impressed in development camp with his size and skill, working with Stephane Robidas. At a healthy 6’4 and after being projected to go much earlier, some Leafs fans have hoped that they might get a glimpse of the young Swede on the backend. Outside of pre-season, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In all likelihood, it seems Liljegren will be headed back to Sweden or to the Ontario Hockey League, according to his own comments on NHL.com. The Leafs’ defense is particularly deep, so it was always a long-shot to see him crack the squad. Management won’t look to rush him into a roster spot, and that seems a wise decision. Regardless of his very apparent ability, further development at a lower level will only improve his staying power in the NHL.
- As mentioned in an earlier PHR post, the New York Post’s Larry Brooks mentioned Tyler Bozak as a potential target for the Rangers. But it also seems probable he could land elsewhere. Many teams are on the hunt for cheap center help, and with Toronto looking towards their future contract obligations, Bozak seems rather expendable. Pittsburgh is absolutely in need, and he would be a phenomenal fit with Phil Kessel, considering their past chemistry. Another team who is very willing to make moves at the moment is Arizona. They already stole a valuable player in Derek Stepan, but GM John Chayka seems adept in transaction and eager to engage the trade market. Adding Bozak would add some two-way ability and allow other players, such as Christian Dvorak, to slot back into more natural roles. After apparently missing out on the Matt Duchene sweepstakes, Bozak could even be a decent option for 3rd pivot in Nashville. Bozak will draw lots of attention if and/or when he is shopped.
- The Red Wings are not looking to make many moves at the moment, according to Michigan Live’s Ansar Khan. The Tomas Tatar negotiations are apparently not going well. Khan believes the team could look to move him later on, but both parties expect him to play the bulk of the season before that option is considered. Andreas Athanasiou would be another option to move, but again Khan believes the team will see how well it does in battling for a post-season berth before heading in that direction. GM Ken Holland seems to be relatively content with the group he has, and with few off-season moves it could be another rough year in Detroit if certain players don’t make incredible strides.
Vegas Golden Knights Sign Teemu Pulkkinen
After a season that saw Teemu Pulkkinen put on waivers on several occasions and spend time with three different organizations, he has a new home for 2017-18. Pulkkinen, the Vegas Golden Knights’ selection from the Arizona Coyotes in the expansion draft has signed a one-year deal with the club for $700K. He was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, but did not file before yesterday’s deadline. 
An incredible AHL scorer, Pulkkinen has received very little opportunity in the NHL throughout his career. While he possesses a huge shot and scoring instincts that can create offense all by himself, his skating ability has been critiqued at times along with his defensive responsibility. Last year, he scored 36 points in 47 games with the Iowa Wild after being selected off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings, only to be later traded to Arizona.
In the desert, Pulkkinen played just four games while being a healthy scratch several times. Through 83 NHL games in his career, he has 22 points but certainly will get a chance with the Golden Knights who will likely be desperate for goal scoring of any sort. Many of the forwards they chose have limited offensive upside, but Pulkkinen will surely produce at some rate if given the opportunity.
Vegas now has three restricted free agents remaining in Nate Schmidt (who filed for arbitration), Griffen Reinhart and Brendan Leipsic.
Arizona Coyotes Sign Emerson Etem
The Arizona Coyotes are taking a chance on a former top prospect, signing Emerson Etem to a one-year two-way contract. Salary details have not been released, but it would be hard to see Etem earning much more than the league minimum of $650K.
Last season saw Etem placed on waives twice, first by the Vancouver Canucks and later by the Anaheim Ducks (who had selected him the first time). After heading down the minor league, the 25-year old forward suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game and finished the year with just four professional games. For a player who relies on his speed as the driving force behind his production, a knee injury can be devastating.
Selected 29th-overall by the Ducks in 2010, Etem showed off his potential with some huge point totals in the WHL and a solid debut in professional hockey. He was eventually traded to the New York Rangers for Carl Hagelin, but made barely any impact there before moving to Vancouver. That stint went a little better until waivers this year, but in all he has just 46 points in 173 career NHL contests. That’s not good enough for a player who was supposed to be a big time point producer, and he’ll have to show something soon.
Already on a two-way deal, Etem will likely start in the AHL and try to prove that he can still contribute. The Coytes are always looking for cheap production, and what better way that to take a chance on a former top pick.
Ralph Krueger Linked To Arizona Coyotes Coaching Search
In an interesting turn, Frank Seravalli of TSN has heard Ralph Krueger’s name in relation to the Arizona Coyotes’ head coaching search. Krueger had previously said he was offered two NHL jobs that he turned down. Which jobs those were aren’t clear, but there was some rumors linking him to both Vancouver and Buffalo at times.
Krueger is currently serving as Chairman of the Southampton Football Club in England, a job he took after being fired by the Edmonton Oilers. That was his last NHL coaching job, though he did get back behind the bench at last fall’s World Cup for Team Europe. That sparked praise from his players and much speculation about a possible return to the game.
The Coyotes moved on from long-time coach Dave Tippett just before the draft, and immediately started their search for the next leader of their club. After bringing in Niklas Hjalmarsson, Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta, the Coyotes have made a clear effort to climb out of the basement and start competing again. Krueger would be the next step in that evolution, though he comes with many question marks.
Well respected throughout the league, it still would be only his second NHL head coaching gig and he would be returning to a league (and sport) he hasn’t been a part of for several years. It will be interesting to see how far that progresses, if at all.
Arizona Coyotes Sign Michael Latta To One-Year Deal
Eeli Tolvanen, the Nashville Predators’ first-round pick from the recent draft, has signed on with Jokerit of the KHL for the 2017-18 season. The deal also includes an option for 2018-19, and will provide a landing spot for Tolvanen after his earlier issues. The Finnish winger was planning on staying in North America and joining Boston College, but failed to meet their admissions standards and was rejected.
Instead, Tolvanen will play in the KHL for at least a year before deciding where next to spend his professional career. The undersized winger spent two years in the USHL, where he put up 54 points in 52 games last season for the Sioux City Musketeers. Nashville selected him with the 30th-overall pick.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Matthew Peca to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650K at the NHL level. Peca made his NHL debut last season and spent ten games with the Lightning, scoring two points. The undersized forward had another big season with the Syracuse Crunch, and should be expected to spend the majority of 2017-18 in the AHL once again.
- The Arizona Coyotes signed Michael Latta yesterday to a similar one-year, two-way contract. Latta split last year between the Ontario Reign and Rockford IceHogs, scoring 22 points. Traded mid-season for Cameron Schilling, Latta will now try a new organization for the time being. Never able to quite duplicate the offensive prowess he showed for the Guelph Storm before being selected in the third round, Latta is now AHL depth for the Coyotes.
- Montreal has announced several front office changes, hiring Franvis Bouillon as a development coach, and moving Rob Ramage to Director of Player Development. Ramage will be replacing Martin Lapointe, who has been promoted to Director of Player Personnel, while Vincent Riendeau has moved from Assistant General Manager of the AHL team to Director of Goalie Development and pro scout.