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Friedman’s Latest: Dallas, Colorado, Flyers, MVP

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Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman made his weekly appearance on Edmonton radio, and commented on a few topics from around the NHL.

Friedman broke down some potential sellers, saying he could see “a lot of teams throwing themselves at Johnny Oduya” out of Dallas. The Stars have lost six of their last seven games, and are now seven points out of the final wildcard spot. Other names out of Dallas include pending UFAs Patrick Eaves and Patrick Sharp, and “maybe” Ales Hemsky. The latter was expected to be done for the season, but will play again this season according to Mike Heika of the Dallas News.

One of the few clear sellers, the Colorado Avalanche, has set a “very high price” for their players, according to Friedman. However, there may be a wider market than many realized. Friedman listed Pittsburgh among others as unexpected teams calling GM Joe Sakic. Citing GM Jim Rutherford’s willingness to win now and “sort things out” in the offseason, Friedman speculated that the Penguins could consider moving Olli Maatta as part of a package for Matt Duchene. To be clear, Friedman isn’t suggesting the Penguins have made an offer, simply that they’re interested and Maatta is the kind of player that the Avalanche would be interested in. Another potential suitor for Duchene could be Montreal, but GM Marc Bergevin “doesn’t like the price.”

Former Canadiens forward and Flyers UFA signing Dale Weise will be a healthy scratch in Edmonton tonight; he has just two goals and five points in 46 games after signing a four-year contract worth $2.35MM per season. Friedman pointed out that many players struggle in their first year with a new team, but the Canadiens won’t be interested in re-acquiring Weise at his current term.

Staying in Philadelphia, Friedman said it’s not just Shayne Gostisbehere who “doesn’t look like himself.” The whole team is looking for answers; after their ten-game winning streak earlier this season, they’ve won just eight games of their last 25. Friedman told Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer that several teams scouted Gostisbehere “to death” over the summer, and he hasn’t been able to adjust his style.

It remains to be seen what will happen in the next couple weeks, as the GMs are all playing “one big poker game” leading up to the deadline, according to Friedman.

Trade deadline aside, Friedman chatted about the MVP race this season. With Brent Burns sitting between Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby at the top of the scoring race, Friedman predicted a scoring title would guarantee an MVP title for Burns. However, he also said that if Edmonton makes the playoffs, then Friedman “doesn’t know how [he’s] not going to vote for Connor McDavid.”

Another consideration is goal scoring. Both Burns and Crosby are outscoring McDavid considerably, but Friedman pointed out that McDavid has clearly put the Oilers on his shoulders and elevated them to a playoff team.

Flames Ink Matt Bartkowski

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In a widely expected move, the Calgary Flames have signed defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a two-year, two-way contract.

Bartkowski joined the Flames on a Professional Try-Out (PTO) on Wednesday morning, after spending the first half of the season on a minor-league contract with the Providence Bruins. It’s his second PTO this season, after going unsigned by the Ottawa Senators back in training camp. The defenseman had two goals and 10 points in 34 games during his second stint in the Bruins organization. He has six goals and 42 points in 211 NHL games, split between Boston and Vancouver.

It’s a strategic signing by GM Brad Treliving; because Bartkowksi is under contract for this year and next, he will count towards the Flames’ expansion draft requirement of exposing one defenseman who has played 40 games in this season or 70 games over the previous two seasons. Bartkowski appeared in 80 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, and therefore satisfies the requirement.

Bartkowski joined the Canucks after five seasons with the Bruins. He was brought over by Canucks GM Jim Benning, who was previously in the Bruins front office. In Calgary, he’ll be playing under head coach Glen Gulutzan, who was the assistant coach with the Canucks last season. The Flames are looking for defensive help, and while Bartkowski is a bottom-pairing defenseman, he’ll get a shot with the big club under a familiar face in Gulutzan.

Afternoon Transactions: Devils, Sharks

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News and notes from around the NHL this afternoon:

  • The Devils have activated forward Beau Bennett from the injured reserve, the team announced (via Twitter). To make room on the active roster, the team placed defenseman Kyle Quincey on the injured reserve. Bennett, a former first-rounder, has collected three goals, seven assists, and 10 penalty minutes in 40 games this season. The 25-year-old is expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Senators. Following five seasons in Detroit, Quincey joined New Jersey this past offseason. In 51 games this season, the 31-year-old has compiled four goals and eight assists.
  • Defenseman Tim Heed and forward Timo Meier’s time on the Sharks roster was short lived, as Paul Gackle tweets that the organization has reassigned the pair to the AHL. Yesterday, the Sharks promoted the two players (along with forward Nikolay Goldobin) from the Barracudas. Heed was a healthy scratch during last night’s loss to the Panthers, while Meier saw the ice for 10:08. Meier, a 2015 first-round pick, has scored three goals and collected two assists in 26 games for the Sharks this season. Heed, who made his NHL debut earlier this season, has the second-most points among defensemen in the AHL (11 goals, 28 assists).

Snapshots: Therrien, Enstrom, Lazar, Varlamov

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Following his sudden firing from the Canadiens earlier this week, former head coach Michel Therrien released a statement (via the Montreal Gazette):

I would first like to thank the Montreal Canadiens organization, especially Geoff Molson and Marc Bergevin, for the experience of five remarkable years. The Montreal Canadiens have always been a great organization, and recent events in no way change my perception of the team and its management.

Being an NHL coach is a tough job: it is gratifying on many levels but it can also quickly become a thankless task. When a team is experiencing difficulties, any head coach knows his job is on the line. I understand and accept this reality.

I would like to thank fans in Montreal and across Quebec, as well as members of the media. I also salute the coaches and staff I have worked with over the years and, above all, the many players whom I had the privilege of coaching.

I leave with my head held high: I am very proud of the work accomplished over the past five years. The current team can aspire to great honours, and I wish my colleague Claude Julien every success in the future.”

Let’s take a look at some other notes from around the NHL:

  • The Jets announced (via Twitter) that defenseman Toby Enstrom had surgery yesterday on “an existing lower body injury.” The 32-year-old is expected to be sidelined for two-to-three weeks. In 55 games this season, the 10-year veteran has collected one goal and 13 assists.
  • Curtis Lazar is set to return to the Senators lineup tonight, and Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk writes that the return could help boost the forward’s trade value. The 22-year-old’s agent is set to meet with the team’s front office, and Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen believes the player could ask for a trade. In 29 games this season, the former first-round pick has compiled a single assist.
  • Following reports that Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov was set to miss the rest of the season, general manager Joe Sakic said the organization is hoping the 28-year-old will return to full strength for next season. “I expect him to be fully healthy next year,” Sakic said (via Terry Frei of the Denver Post). “He’s had the problems with his groin the last couple of years, and this year, but he’s a worker, he cares, he’s a guy who puts a lot of pressure on that area the way he plays.” In 24 games (23 starts) this season, Varlamov has gone 6-17 with a .898 save percentage.

Alex Tanguay Set To Retire?

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Free agent left winger Alex Tanguay was reportedly still seeking an NHL gig earlier this season, but a recent report by NHL.com (via Eliteprospects.com) implies that the veteran has decided to hang up his skates. According to NHL Public Relations, the 37-year-old has been hired be the NHL Network as an on-air analyst. The long-time player appeared on the network earlier this season, and he’s set to make his full-time debut this evening on NHL Tonight.

In a statement, Tanguay seemingly confirmed his retirement:

“I’ve been lucky enough to realize a childhood dream to play in the NHL for 16 years and, in looking to stay involved in hockey, I thought there was no better way than to be part of the expert panel at NHL Network. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for the game with the fans.”

The 1998 12th overall pick had a successful 16-year career, compiling 283 goals and 580 assists. During his first tenure with the Avalanche, the forward won the 2001 Stanley Cup and was named an All-Star in 2004. Tanguay also spent time with the Flames, Canadiens, Lightning, and Coyotes. The veteran played for both Colorado and Arizona during the 2015-2016 campaign, compiling eight goals and 27 assists in 70 games.

Tanguay was named one of PHR’s top-five remaining free agents back in August, and a September report indicated that the veteran wasn’t yet ready to retire.

Bruins Extend Agreement With ECHL Affiliate

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The Bruins announced yesterday that they have renewed their agreement with their ECHL affiliate, the Atlanta Gladiators. This new deal will extend the relationship through the 2017-2018 season. This means the Bruins front office can continue to assign players in their system to the Gladiators.

“The Boston Bruins and Providence Bruins are excited to renew our affiliation with the Atlanta Gladiators,” said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. “Since entering into our partnership with the Gladiators two years ago, we have established a strong working relationship with the club. We have been impressed by the support system; led by their owner Mr. Jefferys and their VP Joe Gelderman, along with the individual development attention that Head Coach Andy Brandt and his staff has shown each one of our players. We look forward to the continued success of the franchise and thank the Atlanta Gladiators ownership group and the Duluth community for their steadfast support.”

The two teams originally signed a “two-year affiliation agreement” before the 2015-2016 campaign. Prior to this, the South Carolina Stingrays and Reading Royals served as the Bruins’ ECHL affiliate.

The Gladiators franchise started as the Mobile Mystics (Mobile, Alabama) back in 1995. In 2003, the team moved to Gwinnett County, Georgia and rebranded as the Gwinnett Gladiators, where they served as the ECHL affiliate to the Atlanta Thrashers. Following the Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg in 2015, the team changed their name to the Atlanta Gladiators as they looked to become the “professional hockey team for all of the metro Atlanta community.” Over the years, the team has aslso served as an affiliate to the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, and Buffalo Sabres.

There are several notable players currently playing for the Gladiators, including Akim Aliu, Matt Ginn, Tyler Murovich, and Derek Nesbitt.

Claude Julien Discusses New Job, Lineups, Bruins

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We’re all still recovering from the Canadiens shocking coaching changes earlier this week. We already heard GM Marc Bergevin discuss the decision to replace Michel Therrien with Claude Julien, and yesterday, we got to hear from the team’s new head coach.

During his conference call, Julien touch on a variety of subjects, including his relationship with the Canadiens organization and his firing by the Bruins’ front office. Thanks to Boston.com, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, and Fluto Shinzawa of The Boston Globe, we were able to compile some of those notable quotes below:

On replacing Therrien:

I was a guy that was let go a little over a week ago. I know the feeling of when you’re let go. It’s not a fun feeling, it’s not something that you like to go through. We know how much it affects not just you, but your family. So I certainly want to talk about Mike Therrien, who I know is going through those same feelings right now.

“It’s not easy for me as a coach to come in here knowing that you’re replacing another coach who is going through the same things that you have. Mike is a good coach, I know from coaching against him he’s not an easy coach to try and match lines against, etc., and he’s done a great job there. So I want to wish Mike the best of luck because I know he’s a good coach and I know he’ll bounce back at some point.”

On whether he learned anything during his previous stint in Montreal:

I don’t know if there’s a lesson. I think it’s more about experience. I really didn’t feel even if it was my first job in Montreal … I really never felt that there was an issue as far as media pressure and everything else.

“Am I going to get criticized? Absolutely. There’s no place in this world of hockey that you don’t get criticized. That doesn’t matter to me. I think what matters to me is that I focus on my job, I don’t get bogged down by what some people call white noise. But I feel in my heart that I’m doing the right thing for my team. The rest I can deal with and that’s probably the experience of being in the league for so long that I’ll probably be able to handle even better now the second time around.”

On any game plan changes he may implement:

We’re going to play as a team, we’re going to play with some pace, we’re going to create some pride in all aspects of our game. All the other adjustments system-wise, I’m going make them, but you can’t come in the middle of the season and change everything.”

On his relationship with Bergevin:

He’s a good manager, a good man and it’s important for me to work for good people. I also spoke to (Canadiens owner Geoff) Molson and I realize I’m going to a good organization.”

On getting fired by Boston:

I’d been in the office the day before, really looking to fix things and get us back on the winning track. The next morning, I found out. It’s not a shocker, but I don’t think I was necessarily expecting it.”

Asking Price On Shattenkirk Still “Incredibly High”

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On NBCSN for Rivalry Night, Darren Dreger of TSN commented (via Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports) on the oft-rumored St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Dreger said that the asking price for the upcoming free agent is still incredibly high, and it may be as much as a prospect and first-round draft pick. Kevin Shattenkirk

Dreger added that there may have to even be a third piece, depending on the quality of the other two. That would be quite a haul for just a few months of the Blues’ alternate captain, who revealed that there is a list of about 12 teams he’d consider signing with in recent days.

It will be interesting to see if the Blues even end up dealing the defenseman, as since firing Ken Hitchcock they have turned around their season, going 4-1  (and are leading Detroit 1-0 as of this writing) in their last five. While he could clearly bring back a solid package of future assets, this is a team that still has its sights set on the 2017 playoffs and a run at the Stanley Cup. The Blues are currently in third place in the Central division, and have a solid foothold for the playoffs.

If the acquiring team negotiates an extension with him prior to the deal, perhaps it would be worth it. But when there remains a chance that a team like the Bruins or Maple Leafs could sign him for nothing but money this summer, it would be a tough pill to swallow. His new team (or St. Louis for that matter) would be able to sign him to an extra year, should they get a deal done before July 1st.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Joe Sakic On Avalanche: “We Still Have To Get Younger”

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Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic is perhaps the most sought after interview in the league these days, as rumors swirls about his two star forwards Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene. It seems like half the league has been in contact with Sakic, who confirmed to Terry Frei of the Denver Post that he has been getting calls on the pair. Sakic disputes though that they’re on the block, saying that “I’m not going to make a deal just to make a deal,” and that he’s not the one spreading the rumors.

Sakic later says that he knows “we still have to get younger” and that “we’re going to free up some cap room and try and keep building up the younger guys.” While this makes sense for any rebuilding team, it’s interesting that Duchene and Landeskog would not be included in that youth movement. Landeskog is only 24, and currently the team captain, while Duchene is 26 and a former 30-goal scorer. Most teams would kill for their core to be that young and talented. In fact, Frei reports that when Sakic was speaking about the untouchables on the team, he only mentioned Nathan MacKinnon (21), Mikko Rantanen (20) and Tyson Jost (18).

The team only has a handful of older players, and even fewer that play important minutes for them. The idea of getting younger is always a good one—especially in an NHL that is continually shifting towards speed and skill—but not always possible. The second part of the statement is one that holds more weight, that they are looking to clear out cap room. If they are looking to get younger, it’s not clear who they would need that cap room for. The team has a handful of contracts coming off the books next season, and only a couple of important RFAs to sign. Perhaps it’s just a commentary on the contracts of Duchene, Landeskog and even Tyson Barrie who are all not performing to their standards.

If Sakic is truly looking to move age and money out, Jarome Iginla, Francois Beauchemin and Carl Soderberg are all on the wrong side of 30 and carry hefty cap hits (for at least the rest of this season). Perhaps those are the names he’d be floating if he had the choice.

For now, Avalanche fans should expect more of the same at the bottom of the NHL standings. “Getting younger” usually doesn’t result in immediate upgrades to the big-league roster (Toronto Maple Leafs be damned).

Snapshots: Setoguchi, Lazar, Howard, Tropp

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News and notes from around the NHL this evening:

  • The Los Angeles Kings assigned forward Devin Setoguchi to the AHL Ontario Reign today, reports Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News. This is in concert with the Kings’ previous recalls of Adrian Kempe and Paul Ladue. Setoguchi cleared waivers on the 13th but was not immediately sent down to the AHL. Rumors buzzed that Setoguchi would not report to Ontario, but the forward told the Ontario Reign’s web reporter that the story was pure conjecture.
  • The Ottawa Senators plan to meet with Curtis Lazar’s agent J.P. Barry this Saturday, reports the Ottawa Citizen’s Ken Warren. Lazar becomes an RFA at the end of the season but both sides hope that a deal comes together before then. The Senators are reportedly listening to teams interested in Lazar, but the asking price is high. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reported that Ottawa is asking for at least a 1st or 2nd for the young forward.
  • Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard suffered a set back two days ago, reports MLive’s Ansar Khan. He will need at least another week of recovery followed by a few games with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins to get up to speed. Howard puts the Red Wings in the precarious position of determining which goaltender the team protects in the NHL Expansion Draft. Before this season, the clear answer was Petr Mrazek. Howard had lost the net and his contract did not align with his performance. This season, however, has Howard performing better than Mrazek, and Detroit now has a much more difficult decision to make.
  • The Anaheim Ducks announced that they’ve recalled forward Corey Tropp from the San Diego Gulls. Tropp replaces Antoine Vermette who is expected—but not yet confirmed—to receive a 10 game suspension for hitting an official with his stick. Tropp leads the San Diego Gulls in scoring with 12G and 25A in 42 games, and should adequately replace Vermette’s offence.

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