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Jonne Tammela, Filip Pyrochta Clear Unconditional Waivers

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Saturday: Both Pyrochta and Tammela have cleared waivers, per CapFriendly (Twitter links), paving the way for them to be released.

Friday: Two players find themselves on unconditional waivers today according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. The Nashville Predators have placed Filip Pyrochta and the Tampa Bay Lightning have placed Jonne Tammela on waivers, indicating that contract terminations are coming for both players.

Pyrochta, 22, was signed by the Predators in 2018 out of the Czech Republic but failed to even contribute much even with their AHL affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals this season. Splitting his time between Milwaukee and Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL, Pyrochta recorded 13 points in 51 games and failed to earn a call-up to the NHL. He will likely be headed back overseas to continue what was a solid start to his professional career back home.

Tammela, 21, meanwhile was actually a fourth-round pick of the Lightning in 2015, but hasn’t played a ton even in the minor leagues. Suiting up just 51 times for the Syracuse Crunch over parts of three seasons, he found almost no offensive success and recorded just 11 points. He did however play quite well for the Orlando Solar Bears this season, but spending the year in the ECHL likely isn’t what the Finnish forward was hoping for. He too had a strong start to his career in Europe, and could return there to continue his development.

Both players had just a single year remaining on their entry-level contracts, but will sacrifice those deals in order to get some more freedom to play where they have a bigger role. The terminations will also free up a contract slot for both clubs.

Pittsburgh Penguins Extend Chad Ruhwedel

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The Pittsburgh Penguins may have a logjam on the blue line as it is, but that won’t stop GM Jim Rutherford from keeping one of his favorite players around. The Penguins have announced a new two-year, one-way deal with defenseman Chad Ruhwedel. The contract carries a minimum $700K AAV.

Ruhwedel, 29, arrived in Pittsburgh in 2016 as a free agent and took on a surprisingly large role for the Penguins as a primary depth option in the regular season and postseason en route to a Stanley Cup title. He played even more last year, skating in a career-high 44 games and starting in the playoffs. However, his career trend went in the opposite direction this season, as Ruhwedel spent almost the whole season in the press box, playing in just 18 games with Pittsburgh and five with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Even in a reduced role, Rutherford and head coach Mike Sullivan were consistent in their praise for Ruhwedel as a reliable depth player and positive locker room influence. In the team’s release detailing the new contract, Rutherford said the following of his extended defender:

Chad has exemplified what it means to be a team player the past two years. His work ethic and conditioning have allowed him to jump into the lineup at a moment’s notice, which is vital to a team’s success.

Ruhwedel was unlikely to land anything other than a minimum contract on the free agent market, so it makes sense that he chooses to return to Pittsburgh where he is comfortable and where he has found success. More likely than not, Ruhwedel will have to clear waivers at some point this season, as the Penguins are well-stocked on the back end. Barring a trade, Ruhwedel joins Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin, Justin Schultz, Olli Maatta, Erik Gudbranson, and Jack Johnson on one-way contracts, with Marcus Pettersson and Juuso Riikola in need of a new contracts as restricted free agents. The renewal of Ruhwedal does improve the odds that a defenseman is dealt out of Pittsburgh, though.

Snapshots: Rathgeb, Novak, Korencik

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After Yannick Rathgeb cleared waivers and had his contract terminated by the New York Islanders last week, it was only a matter of time before he we was back in Europe. Unsurprisingly, Rathgeb has opted to return home to his native Switzerland, signing in the NLA. EHC Biel-Bienne has announced a three-year contract with the 23-year-old defenseman, who they hope can get back to his dominant ways. Prior to joining the Islanders last season, Rathgeb had spent the three years prior with the NLA’s HC Fribourg-Gotteron, where he amassed 89 points over 133 games. While he was unable to perform at that same level in North America – nine points in 32 games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers – there’s no reason to think Rathgeb won’t again be a dynamic defender in the NLA. The smooth-skating blue liner joins a Biel-Bienne team that is a perennial contender and includes former NHLers like Jonas Hiller, Damien Brunner, and Anssi Salmela. 

  • Tommy Novak would undoubtedly rather be under contract with the Nashville Predators, but he’s content to sign a prove-it deal with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals instead. The Admirals announced today that the University of Minnesota product had signed a one-year contract to remain with the team after wrapping up his season in Milwaukee on a tryout deal. Novak was a third-round pick of the Predators back in 2015 and spent the last four seasons as a starter for the Gophers. However, while Novak has flashed the skill and smarts to excel at the pro level, he was inconsistent in college and needs time to round out his game in the minors. Committing to the Predators’ affiliate is a good way to stay under the umbrella of the organization and work toward a potential entry-level contract down the road.
  • The University of Massachusetts – Lowell landed a nice commitment today in Slovakian standout Marek Korencik. Hockey Portal reports that Korencik will make the jump from the Sweden to the NCAA next season, joining the River Hawks. The 19-year-old defenseman had a breakout season, recording 20 points for Lulea HF in the junior-level SuperElit while also contributing three points in five games for Team Slovakia at the World Juniors. His efforts even earned Korencik an appearance with Lulea’s SHL team and he likely would have seen more action at the top pro level next year had he stayed in Sweden. However, the move to the college game is likely a better developmental move for the 6’3″, 200-lb. rearguard and the commitment to North American hockey could endear him to scouts in his final go-round in the NHL Draft. Even if Korencik is again passed over, he still represents a great addition for Lowell, who will look to get back to the NCAA Tournament next season behind some improved defensive play.

Juuso Ikonen Clears Unconditional Waivers

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Saturday: Ikonen has cleared waivers, Kuc reports.

Friday: The Washington Capitals have placed Juuso Ikonen on unconditional waivers according to Chris Kuc of The Athletic, likely for the purpose of a contract termination. Ikonen had one year remaining on his entry-level deal, but didn’t find much success at the AHL level this season.

Ikonen, 24, was signed as an undrafted free agent out of the SHL in 2018 after several years of solid play in Europe. The Finnish forward had suited up twice at the World Juniors and shown enough offensive upside to make the Capitals believe he could contribute in North America, but after registering just 14 points in 54 games for the Hershey Bears he’ll be allowed to return home.

International signings like these are often lottery tickets for teams dealing with cap trouble like Washington, hoping they can get a depth player at bargain bin rates. They haven’t worked out for the Capitals of late though, with Ikonen joining Maximillian Kammerer as terminated players this spring.

Arizona Coyotes To Terminate Contract Of Jens Looke

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Saturday: Looke has cleared waivers, paving the way for his deal to officially be terminated, Morgan reports.

Friday: The Arizona Coyotes have terminated Jens Looke’s contract according to Craig Morgan of The Athletic. Looke actually had one year left on his entry-level deal, but had recently signed with Timra IK in the SHL. In order to do that, the Coyotes have agreed to terminate the deal and placed him on unconditional waivers.

Looke, 22, was actually a third-round pick of the Coyotes back in 2015 but hasn’t shown enough over the last two seasons to be part of Arizona’s plans going forward. The talented playmaking winger couldn’t find a fit with the Tucson Roadrunners, recording just 32 points over 120 games in the AHL the past two seasons. He’ll return to Sweden to continue his development, and may actually end up being a name we hear down the road in regards to a potential return.

With the termination the Coyotes will lose the rights to Looke, making him an unrestricted free agent. His departure will open up a contract slot for them, but is a disappointing end after investing the 83rd pick in him just a few years ago.

Yannick Rathgeb Placed On Unconditional Waivers

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The New York Islanders have placed Yannick Rathgeb on unconditional waivers according to CapFriendly. Rathgeb will see his contract terminated, making him an unrestricted free agent and able to return to Switzerland if he so chooses.

Rathgeb, 23, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Islanders in April of 2018, but obviously failed to find a fit in the organization. The Swiss defenseman was undrafted after playing two seasons in the OHL, but had been dominating the NLA for a few years when he finally got the contract. He played just 32 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season, recording nine points in the process.

It isn’t ideal for the Islanders to lose a player with the upside of Rathgeb, but his desire to return home makes sense if he isn’t going to get a shot at the NHL. It also allows him to continue to develop overseas and perhaps attempt a North American comeback down the road. The smooth skating defenseman had 89 points in 133 games during the three seasons prior to his signing with the Islanders, production that won’t be overlooked if it continues.

Washington Capitals Not Likely To Bring Back Devante Smith-Pelly

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Although the Washington Capitals have their affairs in order with most of their impact players after an early-round exit in the playoffs this year, the franchise still has a number of smaller contracts that it will have to deal with in the coming months. The contracts of restricted free agents Jakub Vrana and Andre Burakovsky and unrestricted free agents Carl Hagelin and Brett Connolly need to be dealt with, among others.

One contract the Capitals aren’t likely to deal with this summer is unrestricted free agent Devante Smith-Pelly, who likely will not be returning to Washington next season, according to NBC Sports J.J. Regan. While there was speculation that the team might consider bringing back one of the team’s key players in their Stanley Cup Championship run last season under the right conditions, Regan notes that changed after comments from general manager Brian MacLellan. “Internally we had a couple of issues we had to work through,” MacLellan said of Smith-Pelly, which was not exactly a vote of confidence.

Many have claimed that those “issues” stemmed from conditioning issues and they are likely the reason that the Capitals intend to move on from Smith-Pelly. The big winger struggled this season after scoring seven playoff goals last spring, including several timely ones. Even though Smith-Pelly had more lucrative offers last summer, he opted to sign a one-year, $1MM deal to remain with the Capitals. However, the season didn’t go as planned as he tallied just eight points in 54 games before the team placed him on waivers, sending him to the AHL. He was recalled after T.J. Oshie was injured in the playoffs, but played sparingly. Regan asked Smith-Pelly about his conditioning, which he flatly denied, but did admit he was forced to change his off-season workout plans due to the shortened break:

The summer was different for a lot of guys. I mean, very short. Guys are hurt going into the summer so obviously you don’t have the same routine as you’ve had in years past to get ready. I guess that just affected me more than some other guys. You try to get your footing and stuff happens.

With the team right up against the salary cap and key decisions to make about Burakovsky, Vrana, Hagelin, and Connolly, as well as defensive veteran Brooks Orpik, the team does need several cheap contracts on the book, but it looks like they might be ready to look elsewhere for that talent.

Washington Capitals Place Maximilian Kammerer On Unconditional Waivers

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The Washington Capitals have placed Maximilian Kammerer on unconditional waivers, according to Chris Kuc of The Athletic. Kammerer was signed to a three-year entry-level deal last spring, but will likely see his contract terminated if he clears waivers. If that happens, Kammerer would be an unrestricted free agent and able to return to Germany.

Kammerer, 22, had 13 points in 33 games for the Hershey Bears this season but has yet to suit up for them in the playoffs. The Bears are set to start their second round against the Charlotte Checkers on Friday, but are apparently ready to cut ties with the German forward.

For many international free agents that believe they can compete in the NHL, waiting around in the minor leagues just doesn’t work out. It’s not clear what exactly happened between the Capitals and Kammerer, but it appears as though he is no longer in their plans.

Jesse Gabrielle Placed On Unconditional Waivers

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Wednesday: Gabrielle has cleared waivers.

Tuesday: The Boston Bruins have placed forward Jesse Gabrielle on unconditional waivers according to CapFriendly, for the purpose of a contract termination. Gabrielle’s season ended early after suffering another concussion in March, his third head injury since training camp. The 21-year old had another year left on his entry-level contract, but he will become an unrestricted free agent instead.

Gabrielle, 21, played this entire season in the ECHL and was even loaned to the Wichita Thunder—affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers—partway through the year. It seems as though the relationship between him and the Bruins has frayed at some point, and he’ll now need to find another opportunity if he wants to continue his hockey career.

The Bruins meanwhile will save a contract spot for next season and no longer have to pay his minor league salary. Originally selected in the fourth round, the team will just have to move on from the missed opportunity and look elsewhere for contributions. This is just another unfortunate outcome from what has turned out to be a frustrating 2015 draft class for the Bruins. The team had six picks in the first two rounds and ten total, but only have Jake Debrusk and Brandon Carlo to show for it as full-time NHL players.

Andrew Agozzino Placed On Waivers

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The Colorado Avalanche have placed Andrew Agozzino on waivers, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Agozzino is eligible for the AHL playoffs since he was sent down on February 25th, and could give some help to the Colorado Eagles over the last few days of their season.

Agozzino, 28, has played more games in the NHL this season than the rest of his career combined, suiting up 11 times for the Avalanche. The undrafted forward has been among the most productive scoring threats in the AHL for years, routinely scoring at least 20 goals and 50 points on whichever affiliate the Avalanche had at the time. Unfortunately that work hasn’t resulted in a ton of playing time at the highest level, but will be a welcome addition to the Eagles down the stretch.

On the final year of his current contract there is little reason for any other team to claim Agozzino, as he will be an unrestricted free agent in a few months. It seems likely that the Avalanche will try to re-sign him to some sort of deal to play at the minor leagues, though perhaps he believes he could get a better opportunity elsewhere. His current deal is actually quite lucrative for a two-way contract, as Agozzino is owed $300K even while in the minor leagues.

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