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QMJHL To Retire Sidney Crosby’s No. 87 League-Wide

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The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced a major honor for one of the best players in the game last night. Commissioner Gilles Courteau revealed that, beginning with the 2020-21 season, the No. 87 will be retired league-wide out of respect for the “contributions to the QMJHL and to hockey” of one Sidney Crosby.

Crosby, undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the NHL right now and perhaps one of the greatest players of all time, started to make a name for himself in hockey in the QMJHL 15 years ago. The Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia native debuted in 2003-04 with Rimouski Oceanic. While he only played two seasons of junior hockey, Crosby recorded a jaw-dropping 303 points over those two years with Rimouski. Since departing from the league to join the NHL, no QMJHLer has been able to top Crosby’s 168-point sophomore season and only one player has managed to surpass his 135-point debut campaign. Crosby’s time in the QMJHL represented two of the best seasons in the modern era of the league’s history. In fact, he is the only player to earn league MVP honors in back-to-back seasons. Crosby was named the third best player in all of QMJHL history last year, during the league’s 50th Anniversary celebration, behind only Guy LaFleur and mentor and Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux.

Since he left the QMJHL, Crosby has managed to make his unbelievable junior production look like only a minor footnote on his tremendous career. Crosby has been the captain of the Penguins since 2007-08 and has led the team to three Stanley Cup championships in that time. He has averaged 1.3 points per game over his NHL career, including six different 100+ point seasons, totaling 1216 points in 943 games. Crosby is an eight-time All-Star who has won two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Maurice Richard Trophies, and two Conn Smythe Trophies, as well as a total of five gold medals across the Olympics, World Championships, and World Juniors. And he’s still not done. Crosby shows no signs of slowing down and there are surely more accolades to come in his storied career. In selecting a true game-changing talent to honor with a league-wide jersey retirement, the QMJHL could not have done better than to choose Sidney Crosby, whose iconic No. 87 will now be immortalized forever in the league.

Philip Broberg To Play In Sweden

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Even though the Edmonton Oilers have already signed top prospect Philip Broberg to a three-year entry-level contract, don’t expect him to be in training camp come September. The young defenseman has decided to play in Sweden for 2019-20 according to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, who caught up with Broberg at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan. Explaining why he made the decision, Broberg recognizes his current weaknesses and thinks he can address them best overseas playing for Skelleftea in the SHL:

It’s a great organization for developing. I know I’m not good enough to make the NHL team right now, that’s why I’m going to Skelleftea, to play against men every day, to practice against them, to play in probably the third-best league in the world, to get better and come back next year and make the [Oilers].

Selected eighth overall in last month’s draft, Broberg quickly signed his entry-level deal with the Oilers but was never expected to compete for a spot right away. The 18-year old could have gone to the OHL where his rights are owned by the Hamilton Bulldogs, but he’ll instead compete at an even higher level back home. His contract will not kick in for 2019-20 and could even potentially slide forward another year if he fails to make the team in 2020-21.

Not only will the smooth skating defenseman be able to play in the SHL, but it seems likely that we’ll get a chance to see him on the international stage for Sweden at the World Juniors. He competed there last season at the age of 17, but should be given a much greater role on the team this time around. Already standing 6’3″, Broberg is one of the best skating defensemen in the whole draft but still has holes in his decision making and defensive positioning. Those attributes are highly coveted in Swedish coaching, meaning he’ll hopefully be able to develop them while playing with a strong organization in Skelleftea.

Blackhawks Sign Kirby Dach To Entry-Level Contract

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The Chicago Blackhawks surprised many by selecting center Kirby Dach with the third overall pick last month and are ready to see what he can bring to the team. The Blackhawks have announced that Dach has signed a maximum entry-level contract of three years and $925K AAV. The deal may slide in each of the next two seasons if Dach does not play in ten games in either season, potentially keeping him on this contract through 2023-24.

Dach will battle for an NHL spot in camp this fall following a junior season that saw him score 73 points in 62 games. One of the leading scorers of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades, Dach showed tremendous offensive ability for his age and the Blackhawks are banking on those skill and instincts continuing to improve. The decision will come down to whether or not the NHL is the right place for the development to occur at this point.

Working in Dach’s favor is his size. At 6’4″ and 200 lbs., Dach is already playing at a pro size and will be sure to keep filling out his frame while working with Chicago’s staff. Combine his stature with the vision and composure that allows him to use his size down low and in front of the net, and it is very possible that Dach could be ready to make an impact in the NHL already. However, working against Dach is the Blackhawks’ own depth down the middle. Dach is a natural center and Chicago would likely be hesitant to move him from that position just to squeeze him into the lineup. Yet, between Jonathan Toews, Dylan Strome, Artem Anisimov, and several other NHL and AHL options, the team may not feel a need to rush Dach to the NHL stage. With an increased role in Saskatoon and a chance to star for Team Canada at the World Juniors, Dach has a great chance to improve next season without having to play in Chicago.

New Jersey Devils Select Jack Hughes First Overall

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Kaapo Kakko pushed to be selected first in this year’s NHL Entry Draft more than many expected, but in the end the initial presumptive top overall pick claimed the mantle. American center Jack Hughes was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils and GM Ray Shero. This is the second time in three years that the Devils have won the NHL Draft Lottery and selected first overall and the second time they have used the pick on a center, taking Nico Hischier in 2017.

When Hischier was selected, it was a come-from-behind story, as the Swiss pivot passed up long-anticipated top prospect Nolan Patrick for the honor. This year was the opposite story, as Hughes held off a push from Kakko as both players excelled in their respective seasons and on the international stage. Hughes set records for the U.S. National Team Development Program during his 112-point season, while also chipping in a whopping 20 points in seven games at the U-18 World Juniors, four points in four games at the U-20 World Juniors, and holding his own against NHL competition with three points in seven games at the recent World Championships.

At the end of the day, centers hold a premium over wingers and Hughes in particular is a special talent at the position. His skating, evasiveness, puck possession, and play-making are all elite for his age and he will likely grow into a perennial All-Star given his ability to control pace and create offense. The Devils are in great shape down the middle with Hughes and Hischier in the fold for a long time to come.

Snapshots: Bruins, Roy, Kochetkov

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As the Boston Bruins continue to wait for the Western Conference Final to wrap up, the organization thinks they’ve found a way to stave off lethargy and stay on routine during this long stretch of inactivity. The team has announced that they will hold a public intra-squad scrimmage on Thursday night, exactly one week since they last took the ice for Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. After sweeping Carolina, the Bruins faced an eleven-day break before the start of the Stanley Cup Final series on Monday and have opted to break up that span by simulating a game day. The Bruins, including their AHL depth recalls, will split their available players in half and square off in two 25-minute periods. With fans in the stands and officials on the ice, Boston hopes this will as closely as possible resemble a true game day, but head coach Bruce Cassidy also acknowledged that he will fabricate specific game situations during the scrimmage to ensure that his special teams units also get work in. There is no doubt that any team entering the Stanley Cup Final would rather have more rest than less and the Bruins are no different. With Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, Noel Acciari, and John Moore among the players nursing minor injuries, not to mention Chris Wagner hoping he can return to game shape at some point during the series, Boston will gladly take the nearly two weeks off. However, they hope for those trying to stay focused and in game condition that the scrimmage on Thursday will be enough to be ready from the start on Monday night.

  • After the report earlier that both the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers were close to naming their new head coaches, The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reports that Senators GM Pierre Dorion was spotted in Montreal with Patrick Roy today. Roy interviewed for Ottawa’s head coach position on Monday, only to again meet with Dorion and Assistant GM Peter MacTavish today. According to witnesses, the trio left a hotel together in Montreal this afternoon after what can only be assumed is a follow-up meeting about the vacancy. This new obviously vaults Roy, who is the seventh known person to interview for the head coach position, as the clubhouse leader. Roy, who last coached in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche in 2016, left the post due to his lack of input in player personnel decisions. With the Senators known to also be looking for a President of Hockey Operations, it could be that Dorion also spoke to Roy today about taking on some front office responsibilities as well as coaching duties if hired.
  • Although passed up in the NHL Draft prior, 19-year-old Russian goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov was ranked as the top European goalie in this draft class by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings. Kochetkov was lights out for Russia at the World Juniors earlier this year, named the tournament’s Best Goaltender behind a .953 save percentage and 1.45 GAA. He also performed extremely well in the VHL, the KHL’s minor league, and looked comfortable in two KHL games with HK Sochi. As impressive a season as he had this year, Kochetkov has a chance to accomplish even more next season. KHL powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg announced today that they have acquired Kochetkov and the teen keeper is expected to serve as the primary backup to NHL veteran Magnus Hellberg next season. Even though he is an over-ager, Kochetkov was always likely to stick around in Europe for a few years before making the jump to North America, so his commitment to SKA next season and beyond won’t deter interested NHL teams. To the contrary, Kochetkov has a great opportunity to grow and learn in St. Petersburg with one of the top teams in the KHL and when he does arrive in the NHL could be a very promising and polished prospect.

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.

Hockey Canada Announces World Junior Coaching Staff

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It’s not much of a surprise, but Hockey Canada has officially named Dale Hunter head coach of the men’s U20 World Junior team for the 2020 tournament. Hunter, the head coach of the London Knights of the OHL joins his brother Mark Hunter who was named GM of the team in March. Andre Tourigny and Mitch Love will join Hunter on the bench as assistants. Canada also announced the coaching staff for the U18 team that will attend the 2019 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, naming Dan Lambert from the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL as head coach. Mario Duhamel and Dennis Williams will join Lambert as assistants.

Hunter had been rumored as the front runner for the job ever since his brother took control of the program, given how they already work together with the Knights in this capacity. He also has a long successful resume as a head coach, which includes a short time with the Washington Capitals and a gold medal coaching Team Canada at the Hlinka in 2014.

He will have plenty of experience beside him for the tournament, given that Tourigny has been an assistant at the World Juniors on three previous occasions. The Ottawa 67’s head coach also took home gold at the Hlinka last summer, while being named OHL Coach of the Year this season. He previously worked in the NHL as an assistant with both the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators, but has been back in the CHL since 2016.

Love was an assistant on Tourigny’s U18 staff last year, but has a shorter resume internationally. Still, he has been behind CHL bench for the better part of this decade and took over as head coach of the Saskatoon Blades this season.

The Canadian program will kick things off with the Summer Showcase in August.

Jack Hughes Sets U-18 Worlds Scoring Record

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Presumptive No. 1 overall pick and future New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes is only adding to his legacy as the 2019 NHL Entry Draft draws closer. With three points in today’s bronze medal win over Team Canada, the American phenom reached a record 32 points over his career at the IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship. This breaks the previous mark of 31 total points, scored by future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin from 2002 and 2003.

Hughes, who turns 18 next month, made his U-18 WJC debut last year for Team USA. Then just 16, Hughes nevertheless put his effortless play-making ability to work and recorded 12 points in seven games en route to a silver medal. The talented pivot has been even more impressive a year later, totaling 20 points in seven games. Hughes’ name will no go down in the record books as the best ever to play in this particular tournament and it could be a tough mark to break, as it will take another talent capable of playing in two tournaments, which is uncommon. This tournament caps off an incredible season for Hughes, as he totaled 111 points in 49 games this season between the U.S. National Team Development Program and the U-20 and U-18 World Juniors for a whopping 2.27 points per game.

Hughes’ efforts continue a string of records set by the Americans, as teammate Cole Caufield tied the U-18 single-tournament goal record of 14, also set by Ovechkin. This USNTDP roster could be remembered as one of the best of all-time, with Hughes and Caufield as two of at least seven players expected to be selected in the first round of the draft in June and upwards of 25 who could be taken at some point. A bronze medal thus comes as a disappointment for the team at the U-18’s, but it won’t be long before many of them have a new challenge at the pro or collegiate level next season.

Canucks Sign Thatcher Demko To Two-Year Extension

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The Vancouver Canucks have several restricted free agents to get under contract before next season, but they’ve managed to get a prominent one done early on this off-season. The Canucks announced today that they have signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a two-year contract extension. The new deal carries a $1.05MM AAV in each of the two seasons, a value that could prove to be a bargain for the promising netminder. On top of that, the 23-year-old will again be an RFA at the conclusion of this contract, making this very much a risk-free move by Vancouver.

Demko, a second-round pick out of Boston College in 2014, has been slow to come along, but has finally started to live up to his draft stock. The talented young keeper appeared in only on NHL game in 2017-18 (and struggled), but made nine appearances this year to the tune of a .913 save percentage. That alone is good for a rookie goalie, but even more promising when paired with three years of strong AHL numbers. While Demko has good size at 6’4″, he is first and foremost and athletic goalie. He doesn’t need to use his reflexes to compensate for his stature, but has those next-level instincts all the same. Yet, he also has composure that stands out against other young goalies. With continued coaching, Demko could be a top goalie in the NHL

Demko has been a rising star since Boston College through AHL Utica and will now take on a full-time roll in Vancouver. The question remaining is how soon he will be expected to be the starter. Despite his ample ability, Demko’s window may be small. Current starter Jacob Markstrom is signed through next season; given Demko’s reasonable salary, the team may opt to extend Markstrom as well if Demko cannot assume starter duty in 2019-20. On the other end of the spectrum, if Demko can’t take over the reins in the next few years, prospect Michael DiPietro could be gunning for the starter’s job before too long. DiPietro, 19, was a third-round pick in 2017 and has quickly risen to elite status among goalie prospects. DiPietro was forced into an unfortunate NHL debut this season, but has otherwise been remarkable in the OHL and at the World Juniors. Demko will have a fire under him to play at his best and prove himself to be starter material as soon as possible, so that the Canucks don’t get any ideas about Markstrom, DiPietro, or anyone else as a better long-term solution in net.

Several Liiga Champions Looking To Make NHL Jump

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Finland’s Liiga had their own version of the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, only one that has gotten the job done in the playoffs thus far. Karpat, the reigning Liiga champion, has been unstoppable all season long in pursuit of a title defense. Building off the success of their 2017-18 campaign, the team was the regular season champion by 29 points over the next-best competitor and finished with a +106 goal differential while just one other team in the league topped +27. Through the first two rounds of the postseason, Karpat has needed just ten games to dispatch their opponents, all while allowing just 13 goals against. The Liiga Final begins today, as Karpat takes on the No. 5-seeded HPK, a team that they are not expected to have much trouble with.

Given their dominant regular season and early playoff success, it is hard to make a case that Karpat is not undoubtedly the Liiga’s best team this season, regardless of how the final turns out. As usual, the best players on the best team in a major European league are garnering a fair amount of attention. Finnish news source Ilta Sanomat reports that upwards of seven of Karpat’s veteran core players could leave the team for greener pastures. Of that group, the reporter indicates that leading scorer Ville Leskinen and top defensive pair Teemu Kivihalme and Jani Hakanpaa are almost certainly headed to the NHL. The terrific goalie tandem of Veini Vehvilainen and NHL veteran Jussi Rynnas could also be headed to North America. Not mentioned are top NHL prospects Aleksi Heponiemi and Rasmus Kupari, who are both considered likely to join their drafted clubs.

Leskinen, 25, is the big name included on this list as a highly-sought after free agent scorer. An undrafted product who has played in the Karpat system for his entire life, Leskinen’s production has increased exponentially over each of the past few seasons. This year, he tied for the Liiga scoring title and was one of just three qualifying players to finish in the point-per-game range with 57 points in 58 games. He also finished second overall in the league with 29 goals and a +31 rating. He has since added a league-leading five goals in the playoffs to go along with six assists through just ten games. A right-shot winger with decent size and great hands, Leskinen has proven that he can be a star in the Liiga, but is out to show that he can also make an impact in the NHL. Expect many teams to be willing to give him that chance. At 25 years old, Leskinen is still within the laws of the entry-level system, meaning teams will have to find ways other than salary to convince the talented Finn to join them.

Both Kivihalme and Hakanpaa are former NHL prospects who never signed with their teams, but are reportedly going to be in the league after all with deals “in the final stages”. Kivihalme, 23, was curious case due to his commitment to North American hockey. The puck-moving defender spent much of his childhood in Minnesota and even has American citizenship. After a strong high school career, Kivihalme was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2013 and eventually went on to play for Colorado College. However, he did not complete his NCAA eligibility, opting instead to turn pro in Finland after three years. The Predators let his draft rights expire, so Kivihalme is now very much a free agent who should draw considerable interest as Karpat’s top defenseman. Hakanpaa has a very different game and very different story from his pair mate. The 6’5″, 207 lb. 27-year-old was a fourth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues out of the Finnish junior ranks all the way back in 2010. While he never earned a contract from the team, he appeared at several camps, played in the preseason, and spent parts of three seasons with their AHL affiliates. At the end of the day, the opportunity wasn’t there and Hakanpaa returned to Finland. The solid defensive blue liner has had an awakening offensively over the past two seasons and will be returning to North America as a far more well-rounded product.

Of everyone listed in the report, it is fair to be skeptical of the thought of Rynnas returning to the NHL. Despite incredible numbers in the Liiga this season, they were second only to Vehvilainen, who got the bulk of the starts. It may be a hard sell for the 31-year-old, who has already spent four seasons in North America with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ and Dallas Stars’ organizations, to say that he is ready to try again after being a backup in Europe. Perhaps there is an opportunity – Rynnas did have some good AHL seasons – but more likely than not, he will wait to see what happens with Vehvilainen and may prefer to stay with Karpat as the replacement starter.

As for their other top teammates, their immediate NHL futures are largely predetermined. As most know, Kupari and Heponiemi are recent high draft picks and considered top prospects by their organizations. Kupari was the first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings last year and played on loan with Karpat this year after signing with L.A. The Kings could desperately use an injection of youthful talent, which gives Kupari strong odds of cracking the roster out of camp. Heponiemi was a second-round selection of the Florida Panthers in 2017 who returned to his native Finland this year after two strong seasons with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. One of the best players at the World Juniors this winter, Heponiemi is definitely ready for the NHL and the Panthers could use the affordable production as they project to be low on cap space after a busy summer. What some might not realize is that starting goalie Vehvilainen is also NHL property. Vehvilainen, 22, was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets just last year as an overage prospect. Yet, the sixth-rounder has already proven to have been a smart gamble by the team. Vehvilainen led the Liiga with a .933 save percentage and 1.58 GAA this year, his second straight season of finishing in the top three in both categories. He has also played better in the postseason both years, which is always a plus for a goaltender. The Ilta Sanomat report claims that Vehvilainen will join Columbus if he is at least guaranteed a top-three spot on the depth chart next season. With Sergei Bobrovsky likely to leave, Vehvilainen could join existing keepers Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins as an inexperienced, but high-upside unit next season.

Karpat was an extremely talented team this season and last with several great core players. It will certainly be worth watching how those former teammates perform in the NHL in the future.

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