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Archives for February 2017

Metropolitan Notes: Lindholm, Fehr, Girardi

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After dealing with a concussion last month, Hurricanes center Elias Lindholm has returned to the lineup with more confidence and is playing his best stretch of the season, writes Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News and Observer.  In 12 games since his return, he has recorded 12 points (1-11-12) while playing on Carolina’s top line alongside Jordan Staal and rookie Sebastian Aho.

However, if the Hurricanes are going to make a push for a Wild Card position (they sit just five points out of the final spot), they’ll need more goal production from Lindholm.  His goal output dropped from 17 to 11 last season and he has just five through 42 games this year.  While the team is having success when he collects an assist (they’re 13-2-0 when he does), they were undoubtedly expecting more production from the former fifth overall pick when they gave him a two year bridge deal with a $2.7MM cap hit back in the summer.

Other notes from the Metropolitan:

  • In a reader chat, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests that forward Eric Fehr could be someone that the Penguins look at moving at the trade deadline. He’s under contract for next season with a cap hit of $2MM but is also a potential candidate to be exposed for the upcoming expansion draft.  Given that Pittsburgh is fairly tight to the cap, Fehr could also be someone who’s added to a deal to offset some salary coming back considering the team is likely to look to make an addition or two by March 1st.
  • Rangers blueliner Dan Girardi isn’t expected to play in tonight’s game against Colorado due to some ankle swelling that occurred from blocking a shot on Tuesday, reports Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News. Although he didn’t skate yesterday, he’s hopeful to get back on skates shortly, potentially as soon as today so he shouldn’t be out for too long.  The 32 year old is hardly a stranger to blocking shots as his 132 leads the team and ranks fifth in the league.  Adam Clendening is expected to play while Girardi is on the shelf.

Minor Transactions: 2/11/17

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It appears that the Ottawa Senators have given Andrew Hammond a stinker of a birthday gift as they’ve placed him on waivers per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman (Twitter link).

Hammond, affectionately known as the Hamburglar, has struggled to find consistency since his dominating performance during the 2014-15 season. In just 24 games that season, Hammond went 20-1-2 and posted a .941 save percentage. Since then, Hammond appeared in 30 games, going 7-13-4 and this season alone, having a goals against average north of four. His save percentage is a paltry .837. This was predictable as Craig Anderson is slated to start tonight for the Senators according to the Ottawa Citizen’s Ken Warren. Additionally, the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch tweets that extension talks with Mike Condon signalled the end of Hammond’s time in Ottawa. Should he clear waivers, he will report to Binghamton.

Other minor roster moves from around the league:

  • The Sabres, announced they have brought Evan Rodrigues back into the fold. He has no points in two games this season, but has registered 27 points in 44 games with the Rochester Americans. According to the press release, this is Rodrigues’ third callup this season with the Sabres.
  • The Devils announced via Twitter that they have recalled forward Joseph Blandisi from AHL Albany.  The 22 year old has spent the bulk of the season in the minors, picking up 23 points in 28 games.  He has also got into three games with New Jersey, being held off the scoresheet.
  • After clearing waivers earlier today, the Jets announced that they’ve assigned blueliner Julian Melchiori to their AHL affiliate in Manitoba.  Melchiori has played in 31 games with the Moose this year, recording six points.  He also saw action in four games with the Jets before hitting the wire.

Snapshots: Pacioretty, Deadline Sellers, CWHL All-Star Game

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Montreal fans can breathe a sigh of relief as reports of Max Pacioretty’s absence from the morning skate is a result of the flu according to the Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan. TSN has a video report of Pacioretty’s impact this season, highlighting the captain’s recent strong performance. Leading the Habs in both goals and points (27-21-48), he was lauded by bench boss Michel Therrien in Montreal’s 5-4 victory over Arizona Thursday night. Suffice it to say, the Habs–and their fans–are relieved to hear that the flu, and not injury, is keeping Pacioretty out.

  • The Hockey News has hedged their bets for the trade deadline sellers. Lyle Richardson lists the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Detroit Red Wings as potential sellers, indicating their sub-par seasons gives them the incentive to start selling off pieces for a brighter future. He quotes Elliotte Friedman as saying that Thomas Vanek may go to Chicago, while the Lightning could go shopping out West, trying to pry a defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks. General manager Steve Yzerman isn’t short assets, having a number of players to deal away with another cap crunch on its way in Tampa. As for Jim Nill’s Stars, Richardson sees Patrick Sharp, and Patrick Eaves as targets to be moved. But he also adds that should Marc-Andre Fleury waive his no-trade clause, he might just be what the Stars need to get back into the playoff hunt.
  • Speaking of buyers and sellers, be sure to check out PHR’s  takes on the Devils, Blackhawks, Blues, and Blue Jackets as the deadline approaches.
  • The CWHL is set for the All-Star game in Toronto this afternoon at the Air Canada Center. Maple Leafs blog Pension Plan Puppets has a writeup on some of the players to watch while the CWHL’s official site has even more, including the rosters of both teams following yesterday’s fantasy draft.

Red Wings Notes: Mike Ilitch, Playoff Odds

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When Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch passed away yesterday at the age of 87, those who knew him believe his legacy will be one of a successful, ultra competitor writes the Detroit News’ Bob Wojnowski.  Colleague John Niyo reports that Ilitch stopped at nothing to win, and recounts Ilitch’s rebuilding of the Red Wings. Niyo gives a fascinating look at how the Red Wings, bought for just $8MM in 1982 by Ilitch, had so few season ticket holders, that it only took 10 minutes to look them all up. The Red Wings would become synonymous with the words “Hockeytown,” thanks in large part to the dedication that Ilitch put in as an owner.

  • With Ilitch’s passing, his son Christopher will take over the entire family fortune. JC Rendl of the Detroit Free press writes that Chris Ilitch will oversee the Red Wings, Tigers, and Little Caesars business, While rumors abound that the Tigers could be sold, no such rumor surrounds the Red Wings. The Detroit News’ Louis Aguilar wrote last May that Ilitch had been in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Ilitch empire, and wrote that at the press conference announcing the family succession plan that Christopher would assume duty of the business as well as the sports teams.
  • According to the website Money Puck, the Red Wings have a 5.1% chance of making the playoffs. Earlier in the week, the Red Wings were feeling “bullish” about a playoff appearance, but the hope was dashed after a 6-3 throttling at the hands of the Washington Capitals. The Detroit News’ Ted Kulfan quoted several players, who feel that with many games left to play, nothing is off the table. Though Detroit is hovering in and out of the Eastern Conference basement, they sit only six points back of the final Wild Card spot and seven points out of third place in the Atlantic.

Snapshots: Bowness, Johnson, Vegas

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Tampa Bay’s Rick Bowness is the all-time leader in games coached. You may be shocked to hear that, given that Scotty Bowman’s 2,141 games as a head coach is a record that will likely last for a long time. But it’s not the head coaching record that Bowness is breaking, but that of total games coached. Bowness has been behind the bench in an associate or head coaching role for 2,165 games after tonight’s match-up against the Minnesota Wild. 463 of those have come as the head coach, split with five different franchises, but most of his work has been as an assistant. Congratulations to Bowness for a long, successful career in the NHL that doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon.

  • Sticking with Tampa Bay, and following the report from earlier, the team was indeed missing Tyler Johnson from the lineup tonight when it headed into battle with the Wild. He was out with an undisclosed injury and played only 14 minutes on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings, more than four minutes less than his average. Johnson is the topic of much conversation lately, as his name has recently come up in trade speculation. The Lightning have a tough roster crunch coming up this summer and with Johnson’s RFA status he may be deemed expendable. An injury at this junction would be a terrible blow to GM Steve Yzerman and the Lightning if they are indeed looking to move the diminutive center. With Johnson’s relatively down season—he has just 33 points in 54 games—Yzerman already wouldn’t be selling at a high point.
  • ESPN’s Craig Custance reported today (subscription required) that as many as six NHL teams have already reached out to George McPhee and the Vegas Golden Knights brain trust. Not necessarily to make deals—the team isn’t allowed to make a deal until the final expansion payment is made official on March 1st—but to figure out their ideas heading into the expansion draft. NHL teams have a very important trade deadline coming up that will determine who will be left exposed for Vegas come June 17th. It won’t be easy to operate in the dark, and as Custance says, more teams will likely reach out as they decide whether they’re buyers or sellers.

Detroit Red Wings Owner Mike Ilitch Passes Away

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Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has passed away at the age of 87. Like our MLBTR brothers, everyone here at PHR would like to extend our condolences to the Ilitch family and the entire Red Wings organization.

In a statement released by Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner puts it best:

With the passing of Mike Ilitch, the Red Wings have lost the consummate owner, the NHL has lost a cherished friend and passionate builder, Detroit sports has lost a legend and the city of Detroit has lost not only a devoted native son but a visionary and driving force in the rebirth of downtown. 

Ilitch bought the Red Wings in 1982, ten years before he would buy the Detroit Tigers. Under his leadership, the Red Wings would become one of the finest organizations in the NHL, grooming executives and coaches alike. Their current playoff streak of 25 straight seasons is thanks in no small part to the vision and ownership of Ilitch.

Teams, players and media members around the league are pouring out condolences with one common trait; Ilitch never did hold his success over anyone, and was willing to talk to just about everyone that wanted a moment. His dedication to the city of Detroit will likely never be duplicated or matched, though his family will try to continue his legacy.

His son Christopher, the current CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc said in a press release that he’s “honored to have had the opportunity to work with him to nurture and grow our businesses” and that he would do everything in his power to continue in his footsteps.

With the team leaving Joe Louis Arena this season, and now the passing of their legendary owner it has been a year of change for the Red Wings. The fact that they may miss the playoffs for the first time in a quarter of a century seems almost secondary in light of these recent events. Ilitch will go down as one of the greatest owners in sports history, and is deservedly already in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Could Bobby Ryan Be Exposed In The NHL Expansion Draft?

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TSN’s Darren Dreger hosted a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) earlier today where he answered questions about hockey and sports reporting. One juicy tidbit he relayed was that Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan could be a big name left exposed in the expansion draft, and that his exposure may not be a surprise in the hockey community.

Ryan is having a disappointing season. He has 11G and 10A in 46 games, and on pace for the lowest numbers of his career. The stinger is that he is in year two of a seven-year deal worth $7.25MM a year. The only thing more surprising than his exposure is that the Vegas Golden Knights may decline to pick him. At this point in his career, Ryan is not living up to his contract, and the Golden Knights would be saddled with Ryan for five more years. Given that the new expansion team is expected to select a high-cost goaltender, Ryan may be too rich for Vegas.

The former number two selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft never reached the potential scouts initially held for him. Almost a PPG player with the Anaheim Ducks, his production decreased significantly after being traded to Ottawa in the 2013 offseason. Ryan last scored over 30 goals in 2011-12, and is on pace for less than 20 this season.

Exposing Ryan allows the Senators to avoid asking veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf to waive his No-Movement Clause, something that the Senators were reportedly contemplating. It will also allow the team to protect a Mark Stone or Kyle Turris.

 

Snapshots: Rust, Chara, Maple Leafs

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News and notes from around the NHL this evening:

  • Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust will miss Saturday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes, reports KDKA’s Bob Pompeani. Rust suffered an injury midway through last night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. Avalanche defenseman Mark Barberio hit Rust in front of the Colorado net and Rust did not return after leaving the ice. In Rust’s stead comes Josh Archibald, fresh off of a recall from the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, as reported by the Tribune-Review’s Jonathan Bombulie. Archibald has 11G and 11A in 48 games so far with WBS. This will be Archibald’s second game ever in the NHL.
  • Boston Bruins defenseman—and captain—Zdeno Chara should return tomorrow afternoon against the visiting Vancouver Canucks. Chara missed Thursday’s game with an illness he has been battling for weeks. In 49 games this season Chara has 4G and 11A, but more remarkably still leads all Bruins skaters in average ice-time. Details about the illness are scarce, but Chara spoke to NHL.com and implied that he was generally fatigued and under the weather.
  • ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs have not yet used any LTIR space, and could get $13.5MM in cap relief should they have to hit the cap ceiling. Stephane Robidas, Joffrey Lupul, and Nathan Horton all remain sidelined indefinitely with various long-term injuries. If they want to bring in a experienced rental to further mentor their young prospects, they have the cap space to do so.

Snapshots: Del Zotto, Treliving, Howard, Lightning

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Although he has been listed as day-to-day for the better part of three weeks now, Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto is finally close to returning to the lineup from his ankle injury and is targeting Wednesday against the Flames as a return date, reports Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post.  He had started skating a couple of weeks ago but had to stop after suffering a setback.

Del Zotto’s season has largely been one setback after another due to injuries and struggles that have seen him spend time as a healthy scratch as well, hardly an ideal spot for a pending unrestricted free agent.  In 30 games, he has four goals and six assists but a poor -10 rating while seeing his average ice time drop by nearly four minutes per night.  Accordingly, there’s a chance that the Flyers could look to move him by the deadline despite still being in the playoff picture.

[Related: Del Zotto’s Trade Candidate Profile]

Elsewhere around the league:

  • While Calgary GM Brad Treliving remains without a contract beyond this season, Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun doesn’t anticipate that ownership will be looking to make a change. The scribe takes a closer look at his moves since joining the team a little under three years ago and notes that there are considerably more successful ones than mistakes.  Francis notes that the team is comfortable with having their off-ice personnel operating in the final year of their deals, a departure from most teams across the NHL who don’t typically prefer to have their general managers in their ‘lame duck years’.
  • The Red Wings announced that they have recalled goaltender Jimmy Howard from his conditioning assignment in Grand Rapids. He has been out of Detroit’s lineup since sustaining a sprained MCL back in December.  To make room for him on the roster, the team placed defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (who was ruled out for the season earlier today) on long-term injury reserve.  MLive’s Brendan Savage adds (Twitter link) that Howard will not skate with the team until Monday meaning the current tandem of Petr Mrazek and Jared Coreau will remain in place for their two games over the weekend.  Prior to the injury, Howard had been off to a strong start to the season with a 1.96 GAA and a .934 SV% in 17 games.
  • Tampa Bay center Tyler Johnson is likely to miss the Lightning’s next two games as a result of an undisclosed injury he suffered on Tuesday night, notes Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. On the flip side, they are getting some good news on the injury front as well as wingers Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat are both expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Wild.

Senators Open Extension Talks With Mike Condon

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The Ottawa Senators have had preliminary discussions regarding a contract extension for goaltender Mike Condon, reports Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.  The 26 year old is in the final season of a two year contract worth the league minimum salary of $575K and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Condon has bounced around this year.  Despite being Montreal’s starter for most of last season due to Carey Price’s injury, the Canadiens opted to waive him at the end of training camp.  Pittsburgh picked him up as insurance behind Marc-Andre Fleury with Matt Murray out with a broken hand sustained at the World Cup of Hockey.  Once he returned though, Condon was once again the odd man out.

As a result of being the only team to submit a claim for him on waivers in October, the Penguins were able to trade Condon without having to put him back on waivers first.  With Craig Anderson needing to miss some time to be with his wife who is battling cancer, the Senators flipped a 2017 fifth round pick to Pittsburgh to bring Condon in.  To say the move has worked out well for Ottawa would be a huge understatement.

He has played in 31 games with the Sens, going 16-9-5 with a 2.56 GAA and a .912 SV%, a considerable improvement from his rookie numbers with Montreal last year.  He also set a new franchise record for consecutive games played by a goalie, appearing in an impressive 27 straight contests, a streak that ended earlier this week.  Ottawa finds themselves in second place in the Atlantic with Condon playing a large role in them getting there.  Accordingly, he’s lining himself up to receive a nice raise in his next deal.

The Senators already have a pair of goalies signed beyond this season in Anderson ($4.2MM) and Andrew Hammond ($1.35MM) with both slated to become unrestricted following 2017-18.  However, Ottawa has already shown they’re willing to run Hammond through waivers to keep Condon around as they did earlier this season so being signed for another year shouldn’t be an obstacle towards getting a new deal done with the pending UFA.

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