Tom Wilson Suspended Three Games For Illegal Check
The decision is in, and the Department of Player Safety has suspended Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson for three games, following his hit on Zach Aston-Reese last night. Aston-Reese suffered a concussion and broken jaw on the play, while Wilson was not penalized.
In the video from the league explaining the suspension, there were three factors that led to the ban. One was the hit to the head (and that head contact could have been avoided), another was Wilson’s history, while Aston-Reese’s injury also played a role. That last one is particularly interesting as teams don’t often release detailed information about injuries in the postseason so that typically doesn’t come into play.
Wilson has walked a fine line for some of his hits and while he has had quite a few hearings with the league, he hasn’t been banned with regularity. This is his third career suspension (but one of those came in the preseason). This postseason, he has already been under scrutiny a couple of times, one for a hit on Alexander Wennberg of the Blue Jackets and one for a hit on Brian Dumoulin in Game Two of this series.
The Caps lead the best-of-seven matchup two games to one with the next contest set for Thursday night. Wilson will be eligible to return for a potential seventh game of the series if it makes it that far (or will have to miss the opener of the next round if Washington wins the next two).
Washington Capitals Sign Juuso Ikonen To Entry-Level Contract
In a busy day for European free agents, the Washington Capitals have joined the party. The team has announced that they’ve signed Juuso Ikonen to a two-year entry-level contract that begins next season. The deal will carry an average annual value of $925K.
Ikonen is a 23-year old Finnish forward who has spent the last two seasons playing in the SHL. Talented but undersized, he nevertheless put up 26 points in 49 games this season and could be an impact player on the Hershey Bears next season.
That’s if he doesn’t make the Capitals, which, while unlikely is certainly not impossible. Whenever Washington’s season ends, they will head into the summer with several tough decisions to make. With several restricted free agents to sign, and likely less than $15MM in cap space, the team could find itself in a financial crunch quite quickly. That’s because of a certain unrestricted free agent named John Carlson, who the team seems adamant on keeping despite obvious salary structure problems.
If the team does end up splurging to keep Carlson around on what would have to be a massive contract extension, they might need to cut from other places on the roster, essentially opening up playing time for cheap young players like Ikonen. Though he’d have quite a bit of competition, his skill could stand out in camp and earn him a spot.
More likely though is a start in Hershey where the team needs an injection of young talent after a disappointing season. It cost Troy Mann his coaching position, and cold lead to some substantial changes in player personnel.
Washington Capitals Sign Axel Jonsson-Fjallby To Entry-Level Contract
The Washington Capitals are deep in the playoffs, but aren’t sitting on their hands when it comes to adding to the organization. Today the team announced the signing of Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to a three-year entry-level contract that carries a $860K cap hit. CapFriendly has the breakdown of the contract:
- 2018-19: $725K salary, $80K signing bonus
- 2019-20: $775K salary, $85K signing bonus
- 2020-21: $825K salary, $90K signing bonus
The deal is two-way as like with any entry-level deal, and also includes a European Assignment Clause. That means should Jonsson-Fjallby fail to make the Capitals out of camp next season, he could potentially return to Sweden instead of playing in the minor leagues.
Selected in the fifth round in 2016, Jonsson-Fjallby may be best known for his performance in this year’s World Junior tournament. His flowing blonde locks were hard to miss, as he helped Sweden to a silver medal after a heartbreaking loss to Team Canada in the gold medal game. The 6’0″ winger recorded four points in the tournament, but was all around the puck and showed that his potential might be a bit higher than previously expected.
In 42 games in the SHL this season Jonsson-Fjallby recorded 16 points, a fair total for a 19/20 year old in his first full season at the level. Impressively though he added eight more in 11 playoff games as one of Djurgardens most dangerous offensive players. His six goals ranked fourth in postseason scoring, and could point to a higher level of play that he’s unlocked recently. A shoot-first winger, he was known more for his speed and forechecking ability before this year and could fit into various roles in a North American professional team.
Tom Wilson To Have Hearing With Department Of Player Safety
After another incident involving contact to the head, Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals will receive a hearing with the Department of Player Safety. Wilson hit Zach Aston-Reese in last night’s game, causing a concussion and broken jaw for the Pittsburgh Penguins forward.
This is not the first incident involving Wilson during these playoffs to be reviewed by the league, after also colliding with Brian Dumoulin and Alexander Wennberg. Neither of those incidents resulted in supplementary discipline.
In this latest incident, as with the others, there is plenty of debate over whether it deserves a suspension. Wilson does make considerable contact with Aston-Reese’s body, driving through him in a manner which would normally be deemed a legal hit. His right foot however does leave the ice, and substantial contact is made with the shorter player’s head. The injury that resulted, as well as recent events, will also likely be taken into account.
Wilson is known for playing right up to (if not over) the line, but was not penalized on the play. He was however suspended twice during the preseason, once for a late hit on St. Louis Blues prospect Robert Thomas, and once for boarding Samuel Blais.
Eastern Notes: Flyers Defense, Malkin, Korshkov, Primeau
While the Philadelphia Flyers took a major step this year by reaching the playoffs and showing some success in their playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was also quite obvious the team must continue to improve their roster if they want to compete for an Eastern Conference title at some point in the near future. While the team’s stable of forwards looks solid, Philly.com’s Sam Carchidi writes that the team’s defense might be the most important issue on the team.
While the team got some good play from many of their defenders, the team’s lack of depth was critical as players like Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas were exposed as weak links on their defense. Even Shayne Gostisbehere struggled in his playoff series with the Penguins. With Manning not expected back and a reduced role for Gudas likely, finding replacements is critical if it wants to take that next step. The team does expect Samuel Morin to earn a full-time role with the defense, but the team needs more.
With approximately $25MM in cap space, free agency might be the most logical way of filling that need, despite general manager Ron Hextall‘s struggles at signing free agents. However, with players like John Carlsson, Toby Enstrom, Thomas Hickey, Jack Johnson and Ian Cole out there this summer, the team might find what it needs there.
- Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, who missed the first game of their playoff series and is listed as day-to-day for Sunday’s game, had a successful practice Saturday and will decide tomorrow on whether he’s ready to play with his team up one game against the Washington Capitals. “I feel so much better,” said Malkin (via the Penguins). “We’ll see how I feel overnight. If I play, I’m ready to play. If I play, I need to go 100%. The team won two games without me, great team. They played so hard. If I’m in I’ll try to do my best and make us stronger.”
- Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Yegor Korshkov will not come over to North America this summer like some people originally thought. The 21-year-old wing has signed a one-year extension to remain with his KHL team, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, according to The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. “The Leafs were OK with my decision but obviously weren’t glad,” said Korshkov (via Igor Eronko). “My position is I should have a leading role in Lokomotiv to leave the KHL. Who knows, maybe in a year I will reach my goal.” Korshkov did improve his goal and points production this year with Lokomotiv, putting up eight goals and 18 assists, but also played 18 more games this season.
- The Athletic’s Mitch Brown (subscription required) breaks down the Montreal Canadiens prospects and how they fared with 2017 seventh-round pick Cayden Primeau leapfrogging to one of the top of the team’s prospect pick. Taken late in the draft last year after possessing the third-worst save percentage in the USHL, the 18-year-old goaltender rebounded with Northeastern University, putting up the best save percentage by an 18-year-old in NCAA history.
Nathan Walker Recalled From AHL
The Washington Capitals have recalled Nathan Walker from the AHL, though it is unlikely that he’ll get into a game unless several injuries strike. The Capitals are already carrying 16 forwards on their playoff roster, meaning Walker is likely just a “Black Ace” that will practice with the team for the duration of the postseason.
Walker made his NHL debut this season, becoming the first Australian player in NHL history. He ended up playing in seven games for the Capitals, while also spending two games with the Edmonton Oilers between waiver claims. The 24-year old forward scored his first NHL goal and recorded 22 points for the Hershey Bears, but isn’t known only for his offense.
Despite his small stature, Walker is an energy player capable of grinding down defenders with his unending forecheck and using his speed to be responsible at both ends of the rink. Though he didn’t make much of an impact this season, there is a chance he could play a more regular role with Washington next season while they deal with a cap crunch. Signed through next season, he’ll become a Group VI unrestricted free agent in 2019 if he doesn’t play in 71 games.
Washington Capitals Will Not Bring Back AHL Coaching Staff
The Washington Capitals were expected to make sweeping changes if they didn’t perform well in another playoff run, with Barry Trotz‘ coaching staff feeling the heat of perennial postseason disappointment. Those changes have begun in the AHL, as the organization announced it would not renew the contract for Hershey Bears head coach Troy Mann or assistant coach Ryan Murphy.
The Bears failed to reach the postseason this year, finishing last in the Atlantic Division with a 30-37-9 record. Interestingly, that was the team’s first playoff miss under Mann, who assumed head coaching duties in 2014 after previously serving as an assistant with the club. In his previous three seasons the team had progressed to the second round each year, including reaching the Calder Cup Finals in his second year as head coach.
Mann likely won’t be out of work for long, but it will be interesting to see how long it takes the Capitals to replace him. The AHL replacement should be one that can work well with his NHL counterpart, using similar systems and player development. If the team is still entertaining thoughts of removing Trotz from his position behind the bench, his replacement should likely be in place before an AHL coach is hired.
Snapshots: Round Two And World Championships
The NHL is expected to wait on the result of Game Seven tomorrow night between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs before announcing a full schedule for the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, they have at least put an end to the wait on the dates and times of the series openers. No one is more relieved than the Vegas Golden Knights, who have already been inactive for a week after sweeping the Los Angeles Kings. The Knights will host the San Jose Sharks, also fresh off a sweep of the Anaheim Ducks, at 10 PM ET on Thursday, April 26th. The second round will kick off earlier that evening with the third-straight postseason collision between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. With their Metropolitan Division rivals out of the way, that series will get underway in Washington at 7 PM ET on Thursday. Friday night, the 27th, will feature the much-anticipated match-up between the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets, the top two teams in the NHL in the regular season. That series starts in Nashville at 8 PM ET on Friday. Finally, the Tampa Bay Lightning await the winner of Bruins-Maple Leafs and the decision also affects when their second round begins on Saturday, the 28th. If the Bruins win on Wednesday night, they’ll travel to Tampa for a 3 PM ET puck drop, but if the Leafs pull off the comeback and take the series, they’ll take the ice against the Lightning later in the day at 8 PM ET. Stay tuned for more Round Two schedule updates in the next 36 hours or so.
- Meanwhile, the “consolation playoffs”, the IIHF World Championships, will begin in Denmark on May 4th and teams continue to add talent from those NHL teams who have been eliminated from the postseason. Insider Juha Hiitela adds another name to the list, confirming that Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund will suit up for Finland at the tournament. Granlund scored at the highest clip of his career in 2017-18, recording 67 points in 77 games, including a career-high 46 assists. He added another three points in Minnesota’s first round playoff series versus Winnipeg, but the Wild were outmatched by the Jets and fell in five games. Now, Granlund will have a chance to return to the World Championships, where last he scored 12 points in 10 games to lead Finland to a second-place finish.
- However, Hiitela adds that New Jersey Devils top defenseman Sami Vatanen will not be joining Granlund in Denmark. Per Hiitela, Vatanen suffered a concussion in the Devils opening series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This adds some clarity to the recent situation in which Vatanen missed most of Game Four and all of the deciding Game Five with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Just as he was missed by New Jersey, he’ll be missed by Finland at the World Championships. This would have been the first appearance at the tournament for the five-year NHL veteran.
Injury Updates: Bergeron, Wennberg, Oshie
One game after he was inexplicably a late scratch due to a lingering injury, it appears that Boston Bruins star Patrice Bergeron is feeling better. The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa not only reports that Bergeron was a full participant in the team’s morning skate, but that he skated in his regular spot on the first line and first power play unit. Head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media that he anticipates that Bergeron will play in Game Five, as the series returns to Boston with a chance for the Bruins to advance. While Riley Nash filled in admirably for Bergeron, as he has all season, the return of arguably the best defensive forward in hockey history could be the death knell of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- In a crucial Game Five in Washington, the Columbus Blue Jackets are also hoping to get a key center back in the lineup. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline feels there is a “strong indication” that Alexander Wennberg will be back for the Jackets after being knocked out of the first game of the series by Capitals head-hunter Tom Wilson. Portzline adds that head coach John Tortorella will address the media about an hour and half ahead of puck drop and would then confirm Wennberg’s return. Portzline believes that Sonny Milano would be the man to sit if Wennberg is ready to go.
- After missing two of the final three regular season games for the Capitals, it appears T.J. Oshie is still not over his lower-body injury. Oshie has been active and effective in every game of Washington’s first-round series, but the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reports that Oshie has been playing through injury and has been missing practices and morning skates all series long. While head coach Barry Trotz and Oshie’s teammates appreciate his sacrifice, there should be concern that it will catch up to the talented forward. Unfortunately, the Capitals-Blue Jackets series is knotted up at two games apiece and has been extremely competitive, not allowing Oshie any flexibility to sit for a game. If the series runs seven games deep, an extra day of rest seems unlikely as well. If Washington is fortunate enough to advance, Oshie may struggle to keep up his level of play in the next round.
Andre Burakovsky To Miss Rest Of First Round
The Washington Capitals pulled even in their first round series with the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, but announced some bad news this morning. Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post relays news from head coach Barry Trotz, who says Andre Burakovsky will be out for the rest of the series. Burakovsky has missed the last two games and now needs minor surgery to correct his injury. The coach didn’t give a full timetable for his return, just ruled him out for the first round.
Interestingly enough the Capitals have won both games without Burakovsky in the lineup, and look strong enough to continue without him. The 23-year old forward didn’t record a point in the first two games and has been relatively disappointing all season. With just 25 points he failed crack 40 for the fourth consecutive year, a level he was expected to hit with ease at this point in his career. Though he is an excellent possession player, he hasn’t been able to generate shots for himself on a regular basis and now has just 50 goals through 252 regular season games.
Though his $3MM cap hit isn’t unreasonable for the contribution he has made, his next deal will be an extremely interesting negotiation. Burakovsky is set to become a restricted free agent once again in summer of 2019, and the Capitals will be buying out nearly exclusively UFA years on any long-term deal. He’ll have to prove that he can be a better offensive contributor before then, and these playoffs were a huge opportunity for him to step into that role.