Pacific Notes: Ferland, Boucher, Elvenes
The notable recall of Sven Baertschi on Friday morning was made possible by the placement of fellow veteran forward Micheal Ferland on injured reserve. At the time, the team did not state why Ferland was sidelined, but have since updated the situation. Head coach Travis Green revealed that Ferland has been placed in the NHL’s concussion protocol. The team gave no timeline for his return to action, quite possibly because Ferland’s history of head injuries could be complicating his condition. The Province’s Patrick Johnson believes that Ferland suffered the concussion at the hands of Kyle Clifford, as the two fought in Wednesday night’s match-up between the Canucks and Los Angeles Kings. Toward the end of the fight, Clifford hit Ferland with several hard rights, and the Vancouver winger seems somewhat dazed and hesitant to retaliate. Now enduring the third documented concussion of his pro career, Ferland has opted not to change the style of his game despite the health risks, as Johnson writes that he told the Vancouver media he had “zero concerns” about his concussion history when he arrived as a free agent this off-season. Now, both the player and team just have to hope that this latest concussion didn’t inflict lasting damage that could keep him out long-term.
- With Baertschi now back in Vancouver, the next man up for the Canucks in the event of another injury up front would very likely be Reid Boucher. Boucher has been named the AHL’s Player of the Month of October after recording ten goals and 13 points in eight games with the Utica Comets. Now in his fourth season with the Canucks organization, the 26-year-old forward saw his NHL games played drop from 38 in 2016-17 to 20 in 2017-18 to just one game last season. His minor league production held constant during that time too at or above a point-per-game pace. The difference so far this season though is the goal totals. While Boucher, once considered a top NHL prospect, has always had a nose for the net, ten goals and eight games is another level of scoring production. A forward with NHL experience enjoying a hot streak in the goal department is a nice asset for the Canucks, and Boucher has earned another shot at an NHL role if an opportunity arises in Vancouver.
- The AHL’s Rookie of the Month comes from the rival Vegas Golden Knights. Swedish import Lucas Elvenes took home the honor with 15 points in his first ten games with the Chicago Wolves. The 2017 fifth-round pick continues to exceed expectations and, as The Athletic’s Jesse Granger writes, he is quickly becoming a prized prospect for Vegas. Elvenes, 20, was held scoreless in a dozen games in the top-level Swedish Hockey League in his draft year. The next year, he surprisingly jumped up to 16 points in 28 games and then last year took on a regular role in the SHL for Rogle BK. Now in North America, he has already surpassed his goal total from last year with four tallies to go along with eleven assists. Granger notes that there were signs of this sudden offensive development at Golden Knights training camp, but now it is on full display in the AHL. While he doubts Elvenes gets a shot at the NHL right away this season, Granger believes that Elvenes could be just what the Knights need in an otherwise barren pipeline of young prospect talent at forward.
Sven Baertschi Recalled By Vancouver Canucks
After being a surprise demotion at the end of training camp, Sven Baertschi is on his way back to the NHL. Rick Dhaliwal of TSN reports that Baertschi has been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks, but had a delayed flight making his status for tonight’s game in Anaheim unclear. Micheal Ferland has been placed on injured reserve to make room.
The 27-year old Baertschi has been riddled with injuries the last several years, but always produced at a high level whenever in the lineup for the Canucks. In fact, he has 56 goals over his last 216 games, a 21-goal full-season pace.
Vancouver has been on a heater to start the season and now sit at 8-3-1 through their first 12 games, good enough for second place in the Pacific Division. While it’s not clear exactly where Baertschi will fit in the lineup at this point, being able to recall a player with that much NHL success is a luxury.
Pittsburgh Penguins Expected To Extend Marcus Pettersson
As always, Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet has plenty of interesting hockey nuggets spanning the entire league. Most important to Pittsburgh Penguins fans however might be the fact that an extension with Marcus Pettersson is “all but done.” Pettersson, because he signed a one-year deal last month, isn’t techincally able to sign an extension until January 1st, but the two sides can still agree to terms.
The 23-year old defenseman has had a very strong start to the season, continuing the play he showed after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks last year. Stepping into a bigger role for Pittsburgh he is now averaging close to 19 minutes a night on the season and trails only Kris Letang and Justin Schultz in terms of points from Penguins defensemen.
Snatched out of Anaheim in exchange for Daniel Sprong—who cleared waivers at the beginning of the month and is playing in the minor leagues—Pettersson looks like an absolute steal by GM Jim Rutherford. He’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the year and will be arbitration eligible for the first time, but is starting to look like a core piece for the team.
Interestingly, Friedman also writes that the Penguins are going to add another piece at some point. The team recently rid themselves of Erik Gudbranson—another addition that didn’t work out quite as well as Pettersson—and now actually have a little bit of flexibility in terms of their cap structure. While defense may be a target, Pettersson has worked his way into their plans for the future and should have a new contract in a few months.
Pacific Notes: Haas, Simek, Motte, Roy, Prokhorkin
Several people were a little surprised that the Edmonton Oilers chose to recall forward Gaetan Haas from the Bakersfield Condors after two games when fourth-line winger Josh Archibald went down with a broken foot. Haas was sent down to work on his game on North American rinks, but the team felt they needed to recall him after two games and one assist.
Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins writes that many in the organization were fearful that Haas would choose to return to Europe if he was expected to stay in the AHL for much longer, however, which could be the reason for the recall. The scribe wonders whether prospect Kailer Yamamoto might have been a better choice as the 21-year-old can kill penalties and serve on the fourth line, but that decision has been put on hold.
- The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz reports that San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek has returned to San Jose. The blueliner has sat out all season as he recovers from a leg injury he sustained last season. According to Kurz, Simek is expected to begin a conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL, a good sign that he is close to returning and adding some much needed defensive depth. Simek played 41 games for the Sharks last season, scoring a goal and nine points.
- Sportsnet’s Brendan Batchelor writes that Vancouver Canucks forward Tyler Motte is expected to miss at least a week, possibly two, after he suffered a lower-body injury against the Washington Capitals on Friday while blocking a shot. The 24-year-old Motte has played a key role on the team’s bottom-six and has just one assist over six games. While many people felt that Loui Eriksson might be recalled, the team already recalled Adam Gaudette to cover the loss.
- David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that center Nicolas Roy will make his Vegas’ debut tonight when the Golden Knights face off against the Anaheim Ducks. Roy came over as part of a package that sent winger Erik Haula to Carolina. The 6-foot-4 Roy was expected to be developed into a fourth-line option for Vegas. He is expected to take over as the team’s fourth-line center, while Tomas Nosek, who has filled that role will move to the third line.
- Fox Sports’ Jon Rosen reports that the Los Angeles Kings will have their own debut as KHL winger Nikolai Prokhorkin is expected to make his debut tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old winger signed with the Kings out of the KHL after a 20-goal season there, but failed to make the team out of training camp. He has appeared in four games with the AHL’s Ontario Reign, picking up two assists. However, the team is hoping he can add some offense to the struggling Kings squad.
Western Notes: Blackhawks, Hayton, Canucks, Greenway
The next 10 days are critical ones for the Chicago Blackhawks who have not started off the season the way they intended. The team made a number of moves this offseason to restock the team in order to be competitive while they still have Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews in their prime. Instead, the team has started the season in last place in the Central Division with a 2-5-2 record through nine games.
While general manager Stan Bowman has made it clear that there won’t be a shake-up like last season when the team fired head coach Joel Quenneville, could there be other changes? The Athletic’s Scott Powers (subscription required) wonders what President John McDonough might do if things continue to head south this season. Last season, McDonough approved the Quenneville firing, but kept every other department in tact with the idea that the rest of the organization can fix the problems.
However, if the team continues to struggle, McDonough might approve significant changes. Would that include firing new head coach Jeremy Colliton? Firing Bowman? It’s too early to tell, but continued losing could bring about quite a bit of change down the road.
- The Arizona Coyotes have taken quite a bit of criticism for their lack of playing time they have given to 19-year-old Barrett Hayton, who has appeared in just three of the team’s first 10 games this season, according to The Athletic’s Craig Morgan (subscription required). The 2018 first-rounder was held back last season at the start of the year before Arizona returned him to his junior team as Hayton watched the team for the first week of the season. However, assistant general manager Steve Sullivan suggests this is different. “We’re one bad game or one injury away from him getting into the lineup so I feel like everyone thinking it’s not great for his development is a little premature,” Sullivan said. “We’re three weeks into the regular season so it’s not the end of the world.”
- While the emergence of J.T. Miller on the Vancouver Canucks top line has been a boon for the team, The Athletic’s Harman Dayal (subscription required) writes that has left quite a hole on the team’s second line which has struggled outside of the play of center Bo Horvat. The current linemates of Horvat have been Micheal Ferland and Jake Virtanen have created mixed results as the team needs more offense from them. The team’s third line has proven to be impressive on the defensive end, but the scribe doubts that the current second line lasts long-term.
- Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway remains in concussion protocol after taking a hit Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, according to Rachel Blount of the StarTribune. Greenway did not play Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings and remains day-to-day. While Greenway has been held off the scoreboard in nine games this season, he does have five assists and is working his way into becoming a solid top-six option down the road.
Minor Transactions: 10/27/19
The Heritage Classic was a snowy affair that ended in an overtime win for the Jets over the Flames, while the Stanley Cup re-match was an unexpectedly lopsided shutout for the Bruins over the Blues. Both Boston and St. Louis are back in action for an unusually busy Sunday this early in the NHL season. The six-game slate begins at 2:00pm local time in Edmonton, as the Oilers host the visiting Panthers, and ends later tonight with the Ducks facing the Golden Knights in a battle of 7-5 Pacific Division rivals. As a dozen teams stay occupied with action throughout the day, follow along with the moves made in anticipation of and response to those contests, as well as other clubs preparing for the week ahead:
- After demoting him just yesterday, the Buffalo Sabres have announced that defenseman Will Borgen has been promoted. This was likely a matter of ice time for Borgen, given how quickly the 22-year-old rearguard was reassigned and then recalled after last night’s games. Borgen has yet to play in the NHL this season and was passed over again Friday night, as John Gilmour made his season debut on the Buffalo blue line. Instead, Borgen returned to Rochester and suited up for the Americans. Borgen has also been held without a point in eight AHL games, so the Sabres need to find a way to jump-start the St. Cloud State product’s season.
- A familiar name is back in action, as the AHL’s Belleville Senators have signed defenseman Frank Corrado to a professional tryout offer. Corrado, 26, has played in 76 NHL games over his six-year pro career with the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins. However, he has not played in a game at the top level since 2017-18, spending all of last season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Unsuccessful in landing a two-way contract in the off-season, Corrado now seems determined to simply prove that he still has value in North America on a PTO with Belleville. Frequently the “next man up” in his pro career, Corrado failed to ever fully take advantage of his NHL opportunities, but remains and experienced and capable depth option. He could prove himself to the Senators organization and land a contract before too long.
- After beginning the season on the injured reserve, Anaheim Ducks prospect keeper Angus Redmond is finally healthy and has been loaned to the ECHL’s Allen Americans. This is a big year for Redmond, who is in the final season of his entry-level contract. The 24-year-old gave up on his NCAA career after just one stellar season at Michigan Tech by signing with the Ducks, but has largely failed to impress in the two years since. It has not been any help that Anaheim does not have an ECHL affiliate, meaning Redmond has bounced around the ECHL in his pro career, with Allen being his sixth different team. Redmond would like some consistency, which could come with a promotion to the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, and is in luck as Anthony Stolarz and Kevin Boyle are both off to a rocky start. However, he’ll first have to prove he is healthy and at the top of his game at the “AA” level. If Redmond cannot earn some AHL starts this year, and perform well in those appearances, this could very well be his final season on an NHL contract.
- The Minnesota Wild announced they have returned goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen to the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Kahkonen was recalled on an emergency basis on Wednesday, but never made an appearance in the game and any hope for his NHL debut will have to wait. Kahkonen has struggled in four game with the Iowa Wild despite posting four wins. He also has a .886 save percentage in those games as well.
- The Ottawa Senators announced they have recalled Filip Chlapik from the Belleville Senators of the AHL. The 22-year-old has already appeared in one game for Ottawa this season as he has one assist in that game. The former second-round pick in 2015, Chlapik has shown potential, but hasn’t been able to do that in the NHL. He scored 16 goals and 18 assists last year in 57 games with Belleville and has one goal in six games this season so far.
- One day after being recalled by the Nashville Predators, the team announced they have assigned forward Anthony Richard to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. Richard did get a chance to play in his first NHL game of the season Saturday, but only played 4:10, although he got two shots off in that time. Richard has played seven games in Milwaukee and has a goal and an assist.
- The Vancouver Canucks announced they have recalled center Adam Gaudette from the Utica Comets of the AHL. Gaudette surprised several when he made the team out of training camp after an impressive preseason. However, he rarely played, appearing in just three games and tallying one assist. He was assigned to Utica Thursday, but scored a goal Saturday night for the Comets. Gaudette played 56 games for Vancouver last season.
Adam Gaudette Sent To AHL
The Vancouver Canucks have sent forward Adam Gaudette to the minor leagues, deciding that it is more important to get him into some game action. Gaudette hasn’t played in almost two weeks, suiting up just three times so far for the Canucks this season.
The 23-year old was a fifth-round pick in 2015, but quickly became one of Vancouver’s top prospects after dominating collegiate competition while at Northeastern University. Gaudette scored 112 points in 116 games over three seasons, culminating in a Hobey Baker award as the nation’s top college player in 2018. Since then he has played in 64 games for the Canucks, though they haven’t gone quite as well.
After impressing again in training camp this season Gaudette was given a chance to play early on, but he struggled and was quickly moved out of the lineup. If he is ever to become the legitimate middle-six NHL forward that the Canucks believe he can be, sitting in the press box every night isn’t going to get him there.
Gaudette will join a Utica Comets team that is off to a 5-0 start this season, led by Reid Boucher‘s eight goals and a stifling defensive core. The team will only become that much more dangerous with him in the lineup, especially after he proved he could dominate at the AHL level last season with 11 points in 14 games.
Minor Transactions: 10/23/19
It’s a quiet night in the NHL with just two games on the schedule, meaning all eyes will be on the four teams taking the ice. While the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings kick things off, the focus will largely be on Sidney Crosby‘s Pittsburgh Penguins trying to take down the Tampa Bay Lightning. As teams prepare for that action, we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have assigned Nicolas Hague back to the minor leagues, ending his run in the NHL for now. The 20-year old defenseman has two assists in seven games with the Golden Knights so far, but played just over 13 minutes against the Senators last week and then was a healthy scratch the past three contests.
- The Vancouver Canucks have sent Ashton Sautner back to the minor leagues, after he failed to get into a single game with the team. Sautner has 22 NHL contests under his belt, but is still just a depth option for the Canucks at this point.
- After Devan Dubnyk suffered a minor injury, the Minnesota Wild have recalled Kaapo Kahkonen from the minor leagues. Kahkonen is expected to back up Alex Stalock tomorrow night according to Michael Russo of The Athletic. To make room, the team has moved Kevin Fiala to injured reserve while he deals with his lower-body injury.
- So much for Anders Bjork‘s NHL stint, at least for now. The Boston Bruins have sent Bjork back to the minor leagues today after making his debut for the team last night. The Bruins don’t play again until Saturday, meaning they can bank some cap space.
Snapshots: Stecher, Rantanen, AHL Suspensions
The Vancouver Canucks are sitting at 5-3 through the early part of the season thanks to the strong play of some of their young players, but are still fifth in what is shaping up to be an extremely tough Pacific Division. With the improved roster, one player that has lost some of his ice time is Troy Stecher. He was the topic of discussion on TSN radio today because of a “rumbling” that host Jason Brough had heard about potential trade talks. Insider Bob McKenzie gave his take on the situation:
The same little rumble that you’ve heard, I think everybody has kind of heard it and [are] trying to figure out how much significance to attach to it. But the reality is that if [Tyler] Myers and [Chris] Tanev are both going to be healthy and play ahead of him, then probably you’re right. Then he’s probably not going to love third-pair minutes, and maybe he’s an asset that’s more valuable than that, though not on the Canucks.
McKenzie noted that if Stecher does become available there would likely be lots of teams interested, but was quick to explain how there might be an issue with how the Canucks would value him compared to what the offers may be. Through the first three years of his NHL career, Stecher has averaged close to 20 minutes a game for the Canucks, but has logged under 14 in six of eight games this season.
- Colorado Avalanche fans will have to hold their collective breath for one more day as the team will not issue an update on Mikko Rantanen‘s injury until Wednesday according to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post. The star forward’s foot got caught on the ice last night and twisted his left leg awkwardly, taking him immediately out of the game. Rantanen was off to another blistering start to his season with 12 points in his first nine games (including one in the eight minutes he managed last night), and hopefully won’t be out long-term with this injury.
- The AHL has suspended several players for incidents over the last few days. Michael McCarron has been given a two-game ban for interference and Givani Smith has been suspended one game for clipping, while A.J. Greer and Jarred Tinordi have been given six and three games respectively for what happened on Saturday. Greer left the penalty box to fight Tinordi after already participating in a fight, meaning he actually earned himself three game misconducts and 40 penalty minutes all at once.
Evening Notes: Turris, Bruins’ Forwards, Gaudette
Despite rumors earlier in the week that the Nashville Predators would be willing to move center Kyle Turris in a trade, but his contract (five years at $6MM AAV) will be a major stumbling block for the team, writes the Hockey News’ Lyle Richardson.
After an impressive performance at the World Championships, the Predators were hoping that Turris would have a bounce-back season after a seven-goal, 23-point performance last year. Unfortunately, when Nashville added center Matt Duchene in free agency, it moved all the centers down in the order with Nick Bonino taking the No. 3 center role and Turris sliding down to the fourth line.
The only positive point is that Turris is faring well this season despite the limited minutes as he has two goals and five points in seven games, which could make him a tradeable commodity, assuming Nashville might be willing to retain some salary.
- NBC Sports’ Joe Haggerty writes that the Boston Bruins need to be aggressive with their struggles beyond the first line. Boston top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak have been terrific. However, no forward outside of fourth-liner Sean Kuraly have more than one point so far this season. While head coach Bruce Cassidy said he will rely on his players to find their games, the scribe writes that it might be time to trade for some cheap top-six options, including Edmonton’s Jesse Puljujarvi and New York Islanders’ Joshua Ho-Sang with the idea of buying low and letting them develop in top roles.
- The Province’s Ben Kuzma writes that the Vancouver Canucks might need to make a decision on what they intend to do with center Adam Gaudette. The 23-year-old impressed head coach Travis Green in training camp, which earned him a spot on the team. However, after only appearing in three games so far this season, the scribe wonders whether the team might have to decide on a what role to give to the young center. The team could move him permanently to the third line and slide Brandon Sutter to the wing, or maybe it would be better off giving him top-line minutes with the Utica Comets of the AHL.