Arizona Coyotes Recall Michael Kesselring
The Arizona Coyotes have recalled defenseman Michael Kesselring from their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. The Coyotes finish their season with a game against the Vancouver Canucks tonight, so Kesselring will have the chance to tack on one last NHL appearance before likely heading back to play for the Roadrunners tomorrow against the San Jose Barracuda.
Kesselring, 23, last played in the NHL in a March 26th loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He registered an assist and just under 16 minutes of ice time in that game, and overall this year has just that one point in eight NHL games. Kesselring has spent most of this season with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, having been acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in the Nick Bjugstad trade.
The Coyotes were likely intrigued by the upside Kesselring might have, as he’s an ever-valuable right-shot defenseman and stands six-foot-four, 190 pounds. Offensively, Kesselring’s had an interesting season as he’s scored 14 goals and 14 assists in 59 games.
It’s not often that you see defensemen scoring the same amount of goals and assists, though it’s worth noting that before this year Kesselring had only scored single-digit goals in each prior season of his prospect career.
The Roadrunners have clinched their playoff spot, so it’s likely that Kesselring heads back there after tonight’s game. Kesselring plays a top-pairing role in Tucson, meaning if the Roadrunners go on any sort of run in the Calder Cup playoffs, it’s likely that he’ll be a major reason why.
Arizona Coyotes Recall Jan Jeník
The Arizona Coyotes have recalled forward Jan Jeník from the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, according to a team tweet Wednesday.
Arizona needed an extra body from the minors after Laurent Dauphin sustained an upper-body injury in Monday night’s game against the Seattle Kraken. Jeník, 22, will suit up for Arizona’s final game of the season, a home matchup Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.
The team’s third-round pick in 2018 has battled through injuries at times in his development, but Jeník has still managed to show offensive promise when healthy for extended periods of time. This season hasn’t been smooth for him, though, with injuries limiting him to 30 games with Tucson, where he’s recorded seven goals and 23 points.
Jeník made one NHL appearance earlier this season, playing just four minutes in a December 17 game against the Buffalo Sabres. The Czech prospect has four goals and an assist in 16 career games with the Coyotes thus far.
A skilled skater who makes intelligent plays, Jeník still has top-six upside as a prospect if he can manage to round out his game in Tucson next season. He may end up limited to a fourth-line role against Vancouver, though, replacing Dauphin’s spot on the roster.
NHL Officially Announces Australia Global Series
After many months of rumors, the NHL confirmed a set of Global Series games for Australia for the 2023-24 season late Tuesday night. The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings are set to play the first-ever NHL games in the Southern Hemisphere in Melbourne, Australia, on September 23 and 24 during the preseason.
Set to take place at Rod Laver Arena, known as the main venue for the Australian Open, the games mark a significant step in the NHL’s mission to increase the sport’s global reach and expand its international strategy. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman offered a statement on the games:
The Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings are two of our League’s rising young teams and among our most innovative and adventurous franchises. We look forward to their two games at Rod Laver Arena and know this history-making visit will thrill our many avid fans in Australia and cause so many more throughout the sports-loving nation to be captivated by our great game.
This will not be the first international trip for either team. The Kings played two preseason games in China in 2017 and have played games in Austria, Germany, England, and Sweden. Meanwhile, Arizona has played one preseason game in Latvia and two regular-season games in Czechia, all in 2010.
The announcement reaffirms the NHL’s fervent approach to international exposure since intercontinental travel became viable after the spikes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Six teams made trips abroad last season, with a total of six Global Series games spanning the preseason and regular season.
College Signing Notes: Farinacci, Lipkin, Johnson
Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports Arizona Coyotes draft pick John Farinacci is unlikely to sign with the team that drafted him. Farinacci is a 22-year-old forward who just finished his senior season with Harvard, scoring five goals and 20 points in 19 games. The Coyotes selected the 6-foot and 185 pound center in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft. He has since played three seasons at Harvard, with one year being wiped out due to Covid restrictions, and he scored 61 points in 79 career college games. With his NCAA career over, Farinacci is eligible to become an NHL free agent on August 15 if he is not signed by the Coyotes and it sounds like he will choose that route.
- On the other hand, Morgan also reports that the Coyotes are interested in getting a deal done with Sam Lipkin. Lipkin was a seventh-round draft pick of the Coyotes in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old forward just finished his first college season, helping Quinnipiac win a national championship by scoring 14 goals and 43 points in 39 games. Lipkin, a skilled 6-foot-3 and 192 pound center has proven to be worthy of more than a seventh-round pick and would be a big addition to the Coyotes prospect pool if they can get a deal done.
- Another possible college signing to keep an eye on is Ryan Johnson. Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports that the Buffalo Sabres and Johnson had a zoom meeting and though things went well during the meeting, nothing official was put in place. Johnson has been a great two-way defender for Minnesota for the past four seasons, putting up four goals and 18 points in 40 games this season while playing a shutdown style and penalty killing role for a defensively sound squad. Johnson was the Sabres first-round pick in 2019 and would be another terrific young player on the Sabres squad if they are able to get a deal done. If not, Johnson has the option to become a free agent in August.
Logan Cooley Won't Decide Future Immediately
Goalie Linus Ullmark did not travel with the Boston Bruins to Philadelphia for their game against the Flyers on Sunday due to a lower-body issue, according to Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery. The Bruins recalled Brandon Bussi from the AHL (along with four others) this morning to serve as the backup to Jeremy Swayman in Ullmark’s absence. Bussi has played in 31 games for the Providence Bruins this season, posting a spectacular 21-5-4 record with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
This is the first time that Ullmark has been held out of the lineup due to injury this season, a good sign for the normally injury-prone netminder. He’s played himself right to the top of Vezina Trophy consideration this season, posting spectacular numbers even given Boston’s solid defense. His 1.89 goals-against average, .938 save percentage, and 39 wins all rank first in the league. While his absence so close to the playoffs beginning is a concern, the team will take every precaution possible with injuries during their few remaining games, given the President’s Trophy is already theirs.
- Logan Cooley, undoubtedly the Arizona Coyotes’ top prospect, is reportedly taking a few days to think over his decision regarding whether to sign his entry-level contract this season, according to Joe Smith of The Athletic. The University of Minnesota freshman standout, unlike now-former teammates Brock Faber and Matthew Knies, has not decided on his immediate future after last night’s loss in the NCAA Men’s Tournament national championship.
- According to Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, it appears unlikely that team captain Gabriel Landeskog will play in any of the team’s four remaining regular season games. Bednar confirmed Sunday that Landeskog has not yet resumed practicing with the team and is unlikely to do so before the end of the regular season. A playoff return hasn’t been ruled out for Landeskog, who will miss all 82 regular season games with a knee injury.
Clayton Keller Third Star Of March
The NHL released its Three Stars for the month of March. Not surprisingly, the First Star of the month was Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. It is the second consecutive month he was named the best player in the NHL and third time this season. McDavid helped the Oilers solidify their playoff standing in March, by putting up an incredible 11 goals and 29 points in 15 games, leading the team to a 12-2-1 record which not only ensures they will make the playoffs, but puts them just two points back of first overall in the Western Conference.
McDavid did have some help in March, with teammate Leon Draisaitl earning Second Star for the month of March. Draisaitl scored 11 goals himself and had 28 points in 15 games, putting him just one point back of McDavid’s incredible pace. The Oilers dynamic duo looks playoff ready with McDavid now leading the NHL in goals, assists and points and Draisaitl sitting second in the league in points and fourth in goals.
While the Oilers stars get plenty of attention, the NHL’s Third Star of March is a bit more underrated. Clayton Keller is putting together a great season for the Arizona Coyotes and is showing no signs of slowing down. The 24-year-old winger piled up 12 goals, which led the league, and 24 points in 16 March contests. He now has 36 goals, 46 assists and 82 points in 76 games this season, ensuring a point-per-game campaign. The Coyotes do not have a lot going for them these days, but Keller is proving to be a star to build around.
- Teuvo Teravainen was ruled out of the Carolina Hurricanes game against the Montreal Canadiens tonight, per a team release. The Finnish winger is a key part of the Hurricanes attack, especially with fellow wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Max Pacioretty out for the season with injury. The team announced that Teravainen is out with an illness, so although this is his second consecutive game missed, it should not turn into a long term absence which is great news for the Hurricanes who are trying to hold off the New Jersey Devils for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
- Matt Wellens of the Duluth News Tribune reports the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs will be keeping some key veterans for next season. UMD did not have its typical dominant season, finishing fifth in the NCHC Conference and failed to advance to the college hockey national playdowns. They have also a few veterans who are moving on, and a couple of underclassmen who chose to sign pro like Wyatt Kaiser or transfer to a different school like Isaac Howard and Luke Mylymok. It is not all bad news for UMD though, as three key veterans have chosen to return for a fifth season. Wingers Luke Loheit and Quinn Olson will be back as will goaltender Matthew Thiessen. Loheit had 19 points in 35 games this season and Olson had 24 points in 37 games which should give the Bulldogs a couple of wingers to lock into the top six next season. Thiessen had a 2.64 GAA and a .905 SV% in 19 games last season.
The Coyotes Return Nathan Smith To AHL
After missing last night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets’ defenseman Josh Morrissey is expected back Sunday according to John Lu of TSN. As the Jets look to hang onto the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference, Morrissey is projected back into the lineup as the team faces off against the New Jersey Devils next.
Playing in the best statistical season of his career, Morrissey is likely to finish top five in Norris voting after this season. With 69 points in 73 games, Morrissey is fourth overall in scoring by a defenseman in the NHL this year. Unfortunately for his team, they have slipped further and further back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
Since the trade deadline, the Jets have gone 7-7-1, holding their spot as the last wild-card team in the West. As the season concludes, the Jets hold a two-point advantage over the Calgary Flames and a three-point lead over the Nashville Predators. The Jets will play both teams this upcoming week, and having Morrissey back in the lineup will help their odds considerably in those matchups.
Other notes:
- The Colorado Avalanche have sent down forward Ben Meyers to their AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles. Bennett Durando of the Denver Post explains that Meyers was initially called up in case of an emergency, but the Avalanche will not need him in the lineup tonight as they take on the Dallas Stars. In 38 games played in the NHL throughout his young career, Meyers has scored two goals total.
- As the Arizona Coyotes continue to move players up and down from the minor leagues, the team has announced that forward Nathan Smith will be returned to their AHL affiliate Tuscon Roadrunners from an emergency loan. Smith has played a majority of this season in the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 14 assists in 58 games for the Roadrunners. In the NHL, unfortunately, he has been unable to find the scoresheet in four games played this season.
- The Colorado Eagles have announced they have signed former 63rd overall pick of the 2019 NHL draft, Matt Stienburg to an AHL tryout contract. Playing four seasons at Cornell University, the forward has scored 20 goals and 26 assists in 73 regular-season collegiate games. Thankfully for Stienburg’s benefit, the Eagles have already clinched a playoff position and will be a valuable asset in helping his team on the quest for the Calder Cup.
Coyotes Notes: Ritchie, Imama, Injuries
PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan reported Monday afternoon that Arizona Coyotes forward Brett Ritchie‘s status for tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers is uncertain for a second straight night due to illness. He will be a game-time decision after missing yesterday’s shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Ritchie has scored two goals and added two assists in eight games since being acquired in a swap with the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old winger is having his best offensive season since he recorded seven goals and 14 points in 71 games with the Dallas Stars in 2017-18.
More from the Coyotes beat today:
- With Ritchie’s availability up in the air, Bokondji Imama is back up with the Coyotes on emergency loan from the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners. Defenseman Michael Kesselring was papered back to the Roadrunners to satisfy the emergency loan requirements. With Josh Brown ready to return to the lineup, this allows the Coyotes to play 12 forwards and six defensemen tonight, no matter what. Imama is still looking for his first point of the year in five games with the Coyotes.
- Also per Morgan, forwards Laurent Dauphin and Zack Kassian will remain out of the lineup with upper-body injuries. Kassian, who has just two goals in 51 games this season, has been absent from the lineup since March 21. Dauphin, who has no points in 16 games since being recalled from Tucson, has been out for three days.
Coyotes Notes: Ritchie, Dauphin, Imama, Smith, Farinacci
Several updates on the Arizona Coyotes have come in today via PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan, news regarding five players. The first bit of information is that trade deadline acquisition Brett Ritchie is returning to the team’s lineup after he missed their game against the Edmonton Oilers with an upper-body injury. Ritchie got off to a hot start in the desert, scoring four points in his first three games, but he was moved off of the team’s top line and received just nine minutes of ice time in Arizona’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, and has not registered a point since his three-point game on March 12th.
Now presumably back to full health or at least a healthier position, he’ll have the chance to re-enter coach Andre Tourigny’s lineup and put a good string of games together as the Coyotes enter the final stretch of their season. The 382-game veteran is on an expiring league-minimum contract and will be hoping that some quality play will earn him another NHL contract in a few months.
- Coyotes forward Laurent Dauphin is injured and out on a day-to-day timeline. Though the 27-year-old is scoreless through 16 NHL games in Arizona this season, he has been a difference-maker for the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, scoring 16 goals and 41 points in 45 games. Like Ritchie, he’s on an expiring league-minimum two-way contract.
- Forward Bokondji Imama is being sent down to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, per Morgan. He replaced Smith in the lineup for the team’s game against Edmonton and skated in just under seven minutes of ice time. He’s been up and down quite a bit from the NHL and AHL recently and has five total NHL games played in 2022-23. In the AHL, he has 13 points and 96 penalty minutes in 43 games.
- To replace Imama on their roster, Arizona is recalling forward Nathan Smith. The former Winnipeg Jets prospect played in 10 NHL games last season after signing from Minnesota State University but hasn’t gotten onto NHL ice this year. He’s scored 11 goals and 25 points for Tucson, and will now be in a position to test his mettle against NHL competition once more.
- Harvard University was defeated by Ohio State University in the first round of the NCAA’s Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, ending their season. With that loss as a backdrop, Morgan reports that it won’t be a surprise to see one of Harvard’s key players, John Farinacci, “sign quickly” with Arizona. The 22-year-old is a 2019 third-round pick who scored 19 points in 18 games this season as Harvard’s captain and would be expected to play a role in Tucson with the hope of developing into an NHL option.
West Notes: Peterson, Vilardi, Imama, Kelemen
After being included in a minor league swap at the trade deadline, Jacob Peterson only managed to play a single game with the Dallas Stars this year. After being shipped to the San Jose Sharks, he has only played for their AHL affiliate San Jose Barracuda, but will now get his first call-up with the organization.
In his second full season in North America, Peterson has fared much better in the minor leagues this year. In 44 games for Dallas’ AHL affiliate Texas Stars, Peterson put up 13 goals and 13 assists. Since being acquired by San Jose, he has suited up in eight games for the Barracuda, scoring a single goal and also putting up five assists.
It is no secret that the Sharks are in full-on tank mode, so players like Peterson should be seeing more time down the stretch. GM Mike Grier will likely be using the rest of the year as a test run to see what they’ll be able to build around going forward in San Jose.
Other notes:
- After crashing into the boards in the third period during the Los Angeles Kings’ route against the Calgary Flames Monday night, forward Gabriel Vilardi did not return for the rest of the game. This morning, Kevin Weekes of ESPN gave an update on his status moving forward, but nothing definitive was given. The Kings do not play again until this Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets, so the hope there is that Vilardi will be ready for that game. In what should be regarded as his breakout season, the young Kings forward has amassed 23 goals and 18 assists through 61 games this year, good for seventh on the team in total scoring.
- Continuing their trend of making an emergency call-up seemingly every day, the Arizona Coyotes have recalled forwards Milos Kelemen and Bokondji Imama from their AHL affiliate Tucson Roadrunners. Both players have managed a handful of games in the NHL this season, Kelemen playing in three, and Imama playing in four. They have both equally been unable to score any points for the Coyotes so far this season.