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Kailer Yamamoto Assigned To WHL

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The Edmonton Oilers have made the decision to not keep rookie Kailer Yamamoto past the nine-game threshold. The team announced today that they’ve sent their diminutive forward back to the WHL for additional season, thus retaining the first season of his entry-level contract. Yamamoto’s deal will now slide and kick in next season. In his place, the team has recalled Brad Malone from the AHL.

Removing Yamamoto from the mix was likely a tough decision for the Oilers as they continue to struggle this season. Now at 4-8-1 and coming off a decisive 4-0 loss at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings, removing a talented youngster from the forward rotation doesn’t seem prudent. Still, sending Yamamoto back to the WHL where he can receive top line minutes and continue to develop his game is likely the correct move long-term, as he had played sparingly recently and looked over-matched at times. He’ll rejoin a Spokane team that could really use his scoring ability, and try to vault them back into the playoffs.

Mark Spector of Sportsnet expects the Oilers to sign Chris Kelly now that there is another roster spot available, though the recall of Malone obviously fills that spot for now. Kelly has been practicing with the Oilers since appearing on a professional tryout through training camp and could earn a contract like Roman Polak and Brooks Laich have already in Toronto and Los Angeles. Kelly doesn’t provide much in the way of offense, but is an experienced forward who has always been known for his defensive prowess.

Dylan Ferguson Officially Recalled On Emergency Basis

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Amazingly, the Vegas Golden Knights lost another goaltender last night. Oscar Dansk has been moved to injured reserve and the team has recalled Dylan Ferguson from the Kamloops Blazers on an emergency basis. Ferguson was only drafted a few months ago by the Dallas Stars, but dealt to Vegas in a trade for Marc Methot. He signed his entry-level contract in late September, but was sent back to the WHL to continue his development. That development will get a jump start, as he’ll now backup Maxime Lagace in the Vegas net.

While a team is normally not allowed to recall players from their junior clubs after assigning them there, there are extenuating circumstances that allow it. Since the Golden Knights organization literally has no other goaltender under an NHL contract, this certainly qualifies as an emergency situation. The team currently has three goaltenders—Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban and now Dansk—on injured reserve, meaning that Ferguson and Lagace are it for the time being.

It’s never a good time to get down to the fifth goaltender on your depth chart, but now may be the worst. The Golden Knights have just started a six-game road trip to the east coast, which concludes with a back-to-back situation in Toronto and Montreal next week. Dansk has to spend at least seven days on injured reserve and was quickly ruled out of the rest of the trip, meaning there is a legitimate chance that Ferguson gets into a game before returning to junior. Luckily (if you can call it that), the team has just one game in the week following the final game of the road trip.

Riley Sutter Climbing Draft Boards

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2017 may not be over just yet, but it’s no secret that executives and scouts across the NHL are already eyeing the 2018 draft class. Among the early contenders to be worthy of a first round pick is a familiar name: Sutter. The latest in the long line of family royalty is 18-year-old Riley Sutter, a right wing for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips and very likely a top pick this June.

Riley Sutter is the son of Ron Sutter, who likely has him beat in terms of draft position. Ron was the fourth overall pick in 1982 by the Philadelphia Flyers, whom he played with for nine seasons to begin his 1000+ game NHL career. Ron’s twin brother, Riley’s uncle, Rich Sutter was famously selected six slot behind his brother in 1982, tenth overall by the rival Pittsburgh Penguins. Riley’s other uncles include Brian Sutter, the long-time captain of the St. Louis Blues drafted in the second round in 1976, Duane Sutter, the 17th overall pick in 1979, Brent Sutter, the 17th overall pick a year later and arguably the best of the Sutter brothers with over 800 points in his 17-year career (and a former NHL coach to boot), and, of course, the most relevant of the Sutters right now, recently relieved Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who also played 400+ NHL games. Then there’s the next generation of Sutters, Riley’s cousins, highlighted by Vancouver Canucks center and 2007 11th overall pick Brandon Sutter, Brent’s son. Cousins Shaun Sutter, Brett Sutter, Brody Sutter, and Lukas Sutter were all additionally drafted into the NHL, but have not come close to the success of their fathers and uncles or even Brandon. Riley hopes to end the streak of underwhelming Sutter’s once he is drafted this June.

So what does the youngest Sutter bring to the table? The 6’2″, 201-lb. forward has a power forward frame and began to find his scoring touch last season with 39 points, including 20 goals, in 67 games for the Silvertips. Early in 2017-18, that pace has picked up. Sutter has 13 points, again the majority of which are goals, in his first 16 games. A physical game at his age is attractive enough, but the scoring touch and quick skating he has displayed, as well as the undeniable intangibles of being from hockey royalty, have boosted Sutter up draft boards. In the latest rankings from International Scouting Services, Sutter is up all the way to 16th, helped out by his early results (as well as a severe lack of right wings at the top of the class). If he can keep his scoring up, Riley very well could be the latest Sutter to be a first round pick and may even be able to push to become the second highest-drafted family member, behind his own father, if he can crack the top ten in June.

Nikita Popugaev Leaves WHL For KHL

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It’s been a whirlwind twelve months for Nikita Popugaev and likely not in a good way for the career prospects of the New Jersey Devils prospect. The once-highly regarded young forward saw his stock drop prior to the draft and has struggled again to begin this season, leading to a departure from juniors that could have a major impact on his career.

Popugaev, 18, was hoping for 2017 to be a year to remember. Instead, it has been a year to forget. Heading into last season, the 6’6″, 205-lb. Russian import was considered a surefire first round pick. In 2015-16, he impressed in his first junior season, recording 47 points in 70 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors. The first half of 2016-17 was even better; Popugaev had an incredible 51 points in his first 40 games, including a team-leading 22 goals to that point. Yet, the Warriors decided to trade Popugaev to another WHL contender, the Prince George Cougars, in early January. The Cougars would eventually go on to win the WHL’s B.C. Division, but due in little part to the contributions of Popugaev. The young scorer’s production dropped off entirely in Prince George, as he registered only 18 points in 31 games following the trade.

Suddenly, the draft status of the big winger came under serious fire. The initial thought was that Popugaev had the scoring touch and stick skills to be a bona fide NHLer, but also size and strength that made him more pro-ready than many of his peers. However, his struggles with the Cougars exposed Popugaev as a selfish player who preferred trying to beat defenders one-on-one rather than using his new teammates. With a skating game that was still in development and a nonexistent defensive game, the doubts over Popugaev’s offense sent him quickly sliding down draft boards. Popugev ended up as a fourth-round pick of the Devils this June, the 98th overall selection when this time last year some considered him to be a top-15 possibility.

Yet, Popugaev had the chance to bounce back in a full season with Prince George in 2017-18 and prove wrong his critics. Only, through his first thirteen games, Popugaev has only two goals and seven points, accompanied by a -13 rating. Likely fed up with the downward spiral his career has been on since his trade to the Cougars in January, Popugaev decided today that enough was enough. They young Russian has decided to return home, as the KHL announced (link in Russian) that Popugaev has signed with CSKA Moskva. Not only is jumping ship to the KHL generally not a good move for young players, but Popugaev’s willingness to cross the Atlantic at his earliest opportunity to play Canadian junior had lessened some of the concerns regarding the “Russian factor”. Now, he has done exactly what many team fear and has abandoned one of the top developmental pathways in hockey to  instead join the KHL, where he will have much less exposure and will adjust to a different style of game, even in what will likely be few minutes. In fact, Popugaev’s contract specifically allows him to be demoted not one but two levels below the KHL. Not only that, but it is a two-year deal.

In one year, Popugaev has gone from a top scorer in one of the best feeder leagues in North America and a potential NHL asset in short time to an afterthought returning to Russia out of frustration with his role and his draft slot. It’s certainly not the best look for the New Jersey prospect, but hopefully the move helps to get his career back on track.

Keeping An Eye On Entry-Level Slides: An Update

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Two weeks ago we ran an article looking at the young players in the NHL who were also eligible to see their contracts slide by one year. Should they be sent back to their junior or European clubs before playing in 10 NHL games, they would avoid burning the first year of their entry-level contracts.

At the time, none of the players eligible had surpassed that threshold. Today is a different story. Three players have already played their 10th game in the NHL, changing the goalposts somewhat for their respective teams. Now, those clubs must decide whether or not to keep them past the next threshold of 40 games, when they’ll get a year closer to unrestricted free agency. Below, we’ll take an updated look at the entire group.

10+ Games Played

Mikhail Sergachev (TBL)
Victor Mete (MTL)
Alex DeBrincat (CHI)

Each of these three seemed to have a good shot at staying with their respective teams right from the start, but now the most interesting thing to watch will be that 40 game mark. For Sergachev especially it holds quite a bit of value. Due to a condition on the trade that brought him to Tampa Bay, if he fails to play 40 games this season the Montreal Canadiens would have to send a second-round draft pick (Montreal would also receive a sixth-round pick in return). That extra asset could be tantalizing for the Lightning, but with Sergachev’s outstanding start—the young defenseman has 10 points in 11 games—it may not be worth sending him away from the team.

8-9 Games Played

Pierre-Luc Dubois (CBJ)
Nico Hischier (NJD)
Jesper Bratt (NJD)
Nolan Patrick (PHI)

All four of these players seem destined to play past the nine game threshold, with Dubois set to play his tenth game tonight, and Patrick only sitting out due to injury this week. Bratt and Hischier have played in all eight of New Jersey’s games, combining for 13 points. Their strong early play will likely keep them in New Jersey for the year.

Interestingly, Dubois has lasted in the Columbus lineup despite registering just one point all season. He’s not being sent back before tonight’s game, but it will be interesting to see how the season plays out. He’s not struggling with the pace of play, but hasn’t received the opportunity to really show what his offensive ceiling is. Should Columbus face more injuries, Dubois could be thrust into a more important role.

5-7 Games Played

Kailer Yamamoto (EDM)

Yamamoto is one of the most interesting cases, because though he’s played seven games with the club and at times been one of the ice-time leaders beside Connor McDavid, he was scratched last night against the Dallas Stars. As Leon Draisaitl and Drake Caggiula came back, there seemingly wasn’t a spot left for Yamamoto in the top nine.

The diminutive forward has three points through his seven contests, but isn’t a lock to stay past nine games if the Oilers feel he still needs some more development. Though he obviously has the skill to play at this level, if they’re not going to play him every night his path may lie back in the WHL. That would certainly change the fate for the Spokane Chiefs, his junior team, who are currently 8-6-1 on the season.

1-4 Games Played

Owen Tippett (FLA)
Janne Kuokkanen (CAR)
Samuel Girard (NSH)

Tippett finally worked his way into the lineup for Florida, and the early results suggest he could stay there all year. The winger from the Mississauga Steelheads scored his first goal last night, and could find himself getting more ice time as the Panthers try to dig their way out of a rough start. By no means is he guaranteed, but the team has hinted that he would stay in the NHL right away since the start of training camp.

Kuokkanen started off hot for the Hurricanes in limited minutes, but has been relegated to the press box for the team’s last five games. As we wrote in the previous article, the Hurricanes could actually send him to the AHL instead of back to junior, meaning he could bounce up and down this season.

Girard has certainly impressed in the three games he’s played, but none of those have come in the team’s last four. He may be back in the lineup tonight however when the team takes on the Chicago Blackhawks, and if he keeps up his high level of play they may have no choice but to keep him around. Still, it’s always tough for a 19-year old defender to stick in the NHL and especially one that is just 162-lbs. He’ll have to show beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s ready to be a contributor to this team all season.

No Longer On Roster

Logan Brown (OTT)
Filip Chytil (NYR)
Alex Formenton (OTT)
Martin Necas (CAR)

All four made their NHL debuts, but were eventually sent back before breaking the first threshold. Only Chytil remains in the North American professional ranks, currently playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.

Los Angeles Kings Sign Jaret Anderson-Dolan To ELC

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The Los Angeles Kings have seen enough of Jaret Anderson-Dolan to believe he has earned an entry-level contract, signing the second-round pick to a three-year deal today. The 18-year old forward was selected 41st overall at this year’s draft, after dominating the WHL alongside Kailer Yamamoto for the Spokane Chiefs.

Anderson-Dolan shot up draft boards this past season after exploding offensively, going from just 26 points in 2015-16 to 76 in 2016-17. That included 39 goals and a trip to the U18 World Junior Championships as captain of Team Canada. Though he was held scoreless in that tournament, he could get a chance to return to the international stage this year among the U20 group. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll be part of an improved Spokane team that should end the year with a better record that last season’s 27-33-12 final.

For the Kings, the addition of Anderson-Dolan and fellow 2017 draftee Gabe Vilardi will give a boost to a relatively uninspiring prospect system. While the NHL team continues to age and fall further away from their Stanley Cup runs, there will need to be an infusion of youth at some point.

Islanders Sign Kieffer Bellows To Entry-Level Deal

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Kieffer Bellows would have liked to have come out of camp with the New York Islanders with an NHL job, but as he heads to his junior team he’ll take the next best thing: his first NHL contract. The Islanders cut Bellows from camp earlier today, but have announced a few hours later that he signed his entry-level deal before leaving. The contract is the entry level maximum: three years, $925K per year.

The Islanders’ 2016 first-round pick, Bellows has already been an intriguing character for fans to follow. The son of former NHLer Brian Bellows, Kieffer was a standout on the 2015-16 U.S. National Development Team, registering 81 points in 62 games. After being drafted by the Isles, Bellows moved on to Boston University last fall, where he had long since been committed to play college hockey. Yet, in May it was revealed that Bellows would not return to the Terriers this season, instead changing development tracks and moving to Canadian juniors, where the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks held his rights. While many speculated that Bellows move may have to do with the loss of talent at BU – the powerhouse program watched Charlie McAvoy, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, and Clayton Keller leave early – but the counter is that more talented NHL prospects remained than left and the team had reinforcements of several 2017 draft picks and 2018 hopefuls coming in. In the end, it seems that college hockey might have just been a poor fit for Bellows and he felt that he could develop better in the WHL.

All eyes will be on the 19-year-old power forward this season as he adjusts to the major junior game. With his contract signed, it is possible he could see some time with the Islanders in 2017-18, but seeing as they already have several young forwards still being worked into the lineup, it seems more likely that Bellows will use this WHL season as a tryout for next year’s squad.

Snapshots: Pastrnak, Dahlen, Patrick

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David Pastrnak leads a group of intriguing restricted free agents into September with no contract, and it doesn’t sound like much progress has been made between his camp and the Boston Bruins of late. Joe McDonald of the Boston Sports Journal reports that the team hasn’t even gotten a response on their $6MM offer for either six or seven years.

Agent J.P. Barry is set to meet with the Bruins on September 1st, meaning a contract could follow in short order, but there does seem to still be a gap between the two sides. After a huge breakout by Pastrnak last season, handing an $8MM salary out still may be a bit worrisome for the Boston front office.

  • Jonathan Dahlen, the Vancouver Canucks prospect acquired from Ottawa in last season’s Alex Burrows deal, still hasn’t decided on a European team to play for this season, according to Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130. Though Dahlen will be attending the Canucks’ rookie camp in Penticton, it doesn’t seem like he’s destined for the Utica Comets this season after all. Instead, he’ll likely play in the SHL, a step up after dominating Sweden’s second-league last season.
  • In what may be just a bit of bluster from the GM in order to motivate a young player, Ron Hextall of the Flyers told Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer that Nolan Patrick will have to earn his way onto the team and that he’s perfectly fine with sending him back to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. It’s unlikely that Patrick doesn’t crack the squad, but Hextall was clear that they will do whatever they think is right for the long-term development of their prized center. Patrick’s game is arguably more ready for the NHL than fellow top prospect Nico Hischier, and he should be in the opening lineup for the Flyers in game one.

Prospect Notes: Steel, Kerfoot, Amerks

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For all the Anaheim Ducks fans hoping that top prospect Sam Steel impresses enough in training camp to move right into the team’s lineup, you may have to wait another year. Steel was named captain of his WHL Regina Pats today, and while that’s not by any means a guarantee that he’ll head back to junior, his team sure believes so.

Steel was selected 30th overall in the 2016 draft and put up a massive, 131-point season last year for the Pats. The question of his ability to jump right to the NHL has been brought up in nearly every one of our live chats, as Ducks fans hope to have an injection of youth in the forward group sooner than later. If he does return to the WHL, he’ll likely remain the odds-on favorite to lead the league in scoring despite losing teammate (and often linemate) Adam Brooks to the Toronto Marlies.

  • Alex Kerfoot was on Altitude 950 radio today and reiterated his goal of playing in the NHL right away. Noting his competitiveness and hockey sense, the young Harvard grad is ready to take the next step and help the Avalanche turn things around. It’s great to have confidence in yourself, but Colorado fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves while projecting Kerfoot. While the undersized forward definitely comes with some offensive upside, it’s unlikely he sets the world on fire right away. Though he’s already 23, he could take some time to become accustomed to the speed and physicality of the NHL.
  • The Rochester Americans have signed Conor Allen and Sahir Gill to one-year AHL contracts. Allen is a stay at home defenseman who made his NHL debut several seasons ago with the New York Rangers, but has generally been an effective player in the AHL. While he won’t provide a ton of offense, he’ll be a strong addition to a minor league program that is receiving more attention from the Sabres front office. Gill is very familiar with that front office, as he’s coming over from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that were previously under the purview of Jason Botterill in Pittsburgh. Gill has bounced between the ECHL and AHL in previous years, but last season started to establish himself as a solid two-way forward. Previously his game predicated on his offensive talent, but with maturity has come a more stable, reliable game.

Graham Black Leaves Pros For University

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In general, people play college sports before playing professionally. For AHL veteran Graham Black, that isn’t the case. Black was included today as part of the recruiting class for the University of Calgary, CUSN’s Victor Findlay reports. Findlay adds that while Black is ineligible to compete this season, he will be back on the ice in 2018-19 for the Dinos.

The “big surprise” of the class announcement, Black has played in 131 AHL games in the last four years after leaving the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. Black, 24, was a fifth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2012 and looked ready for the next level after scoring 97 points in 69 games for the Broncos in 2013-14. The scoring center signed a three-year ELC with New Jersey in 2014, but his production fell off in the minors. Through two seasons with the AHL’s Albany Devils, Black had just 23 points in 98 games. Last summer, he was shipped alongside Paul Thompson to the Florida Panthers as the meager return for the Devils taking on Marc Savard’s contract in exchange for a second-round pick as well. While Thompson found a home in South Florida, skating in 21 games with the Panthers, Black never got past the bench. He registered eight points in 33 games with the Panthers’ affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and watched several games from the press box.

The Panthers did not tender Black a qualifying offer this off-season, making him an unrestricted free agent, but with so little scoring to show for at the pro level, it seems as though Black made the decision to move on from pro hockey. The Regina native will head back up north, far from Florida, to get an education while still playing hockey, something he could not have done in the United States. Meanwhile, the University of Calgary will have the rare opportunity of having a veteran pro to lead their college squad. It’s a win-win for both parties and a fresh start for Black as he embarks on a unique career path.

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