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Archives for October 2017

Las Vegas Places Jason Garrison On Waivers

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The Golden Knights have finally done what many expected weeks ago, and placed some of their defensemen on waivers. Jason Garrison is the odd-man out according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, after only dressing for four games this season,

It seems as though George McPhee has finally accepted that a trade isn’t going to be possible for some of his assets, and has resigned to trying to squeeze them through waivers. Garrison is an unlikely claim, as he comes with a $4.6MM cap hit for this year (though he earns only $2.5MM in actual salary and is an unrestricted free agent next summer). The 32-year old defenseman was once one of the most frightening weapons in the league with the man advantage, scoring 16 goals with Florida in 2011-12. While his shot is still powerful, the rest of his game has deteriorated while powerplays are moving further and further away from relying on defensive shots from the point.

Garrison has made quite the career for himself after going undrafted and attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In 534 career games, he’s recorded 159 points and earned himself a six-year contract worth $27.6MM. While this seems like it may be the end of his NHL career this season, there may be renewed interest in him on the open market next summer, albeit with a greatly reduced price tag.

Vegas, to the ire of many of their fans, have been using the minor leagues to house some of their more interesting players. Shea Theodore, Alex Tuch and Vadim Shipachyov have all spent time in the minors, while the NHL squad carried nine or ten defensemen on the active roster. The waiver-exempt status all three hold has been an important asset to McPhee and the Golden Knights, but now as they get healthy they will need to make decisions on other players. Remember, there is a chance that Garrison is not assigned to the AHL after clearing waivers, as the team could instead make a different decision. Sometimes, players are waived to help their trade value, though in this case it still seems unlikely.

*This article previously linked to a erroneous report of Griffin Reinhart also being placed on waivers. He has instead been sent to the Chicago Wolves on a conditioning stint, but remains on the Vegas roster.

Florida Panthers Recall Chase Balisy

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The Florida Panthers have made a roster move to start the morning off, recalling Chase Balisy from the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. The move is likely in response to Connor Brickley’s upper-body injury suffered last night, which has been deemed day-to-day.

Balisy, 25, was a sixth-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2011, but has yet to crack an NHL lineup in his professional career. After four years at Western Michigan University, where he was a captain and solid offensive contributor, he’s found success in the minor leagues as well. Last year for the Thunderbirds, he scored 45 points in 76 games and though he’s off to a slow start in the minors this year still has the skill to hop to the next level, at least on a part-time basis.

The Panthers ended up beating the Anaheim Ducks 8-3 last night, on the backs of several new faces. Radim Vrbata scored three times while Evgeni Dadonov netted a pair himself. The most interesting may have been Owen Tippett though, who broke through with his first NHL goal in his fourth game. Tippett represents the start of the next wave of Panthers’ players, and Balisy will try to throw his name into that hat.

Teddy Purcell, Lauri Korpikoski Sign Overseas

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Two of the more notable names left without an NHL contract when the 2017-18 season began have come to terms on new deals elsewhere. Teddy Purcell, a former 65-point scorer who of late was on a PTO with the Boston Bruins, signed with the KHL’s Avangard Omsk today, the team announced. Lauri Korpikoski, fresh off a strong campaign with the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets, somewhat surprisingly drew little attention this off-season and has now signed with the ZSC Lions of the NLA, according to a team release. The former Edmonton teammates will each look to rejuvenate their careers overseas this season.

Purcell, 32, was had a roller coaster career. The undrafted University of Maine product made a surprise jump to the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 2007-08 after just one year of college and made an immediate impact. After being swapped for Jeff Halpern early in his career, Purcell took off with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 51 points his first season and 65 the next. His scoring continued, but that didn’t stop the Bolts from trading him to the Edmonton Oilers, who in turn traded him to the Florida Panthers less than two years later. During this time, Purcell had continued to be a consistent scorer no matter where he landed. So, when Purcell given nearly no attention in the free agent market last year and ended up back in L.A. and soon after buried in the minors, it came as a shock to many. This time around, no one was surprised when Purcell was unable to turn his tryout in Boston into a contract, but the fact remains that there is still no evidence that Purcell ever stopped being a solid play-making forward. Now in Russia, Purcell has the potential to light it up with Avangard. Don’t be surprised if the swift winger scores early and often in the KHL and catches the eye of the Canadian Olympic team.

As for Korpikoski, his off-season went much like Purcell’s last year. 20 points in 60 games aren’t eye-popping numbers, but it was a pleasantly surprising season for Korpikoski in Dallas. The two-way forward had never been a big producer – his career high 40 points came back in 2010-11 with the Phoenix Coyotes, a team on which he was pressed into a top-six role due to a lack of talent – but Korpikoski had made a career out of his well-rounded game. A 2004 first-round pick of the New York Rangers, the now-31-year-old was a hard-working and reliable player for long stretches in New York and Arizona, but a drop-off in production in the desert and a subsequent trade to the Edmonton Oilers in 2015 looked like the beginning of the end. Yet, the Stars took a gamble last summer and it paid off with a sold effort from Korpikoski and a trade return of young defenseman Dillon Heatherington from Columbus at the deadline. However, the renewed interest never came and Korpikoski has had to settle for Switzerland. With ZSC, Korpikoski will join a talented NLA team and will get a chance to skate alongside NHL veterans like Robert Nilsson and Drew Shore. While Finland is in better shape for the upcoming Winter Games than the U.S. or Canada, don’t count out the possibility of the veteran Finn winger from getting the call to go to Pyeongchang as well.

Anaheim Ducks Recall Steve Oleksy

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Journeyman defenseman Steve Oleksy is set to make to join the Ducks for the first time, as Anaheim announced that they have called up the veteran blue liner. The Ducks are in Florida tonight to face the Panthers, so don’t expect Oleksy to make his debut right away, but with dates with the Lightning and Hurricanes still to come this weekend, the expectation is that Oleksy will join the team on their southeastern swing and could see some game action before the return trip to Anaheim.

Oleksy, 31, signed with the Ducks as a free agent this summer after spending last year with the eventual Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins after playing the three seasons prior with the rival Washington Capitals. Oleksy has never been an NHL regular – his career-high 33 games came in 2013-14 – but he has proven to be serviceable when called upon.

That’s all that Anaheim can ask for, as they are already on to their tenth different defender of the season. The Ducks revealed today that Kevin Bieksa is out indefinitely with a hand injury, as he joins stalwarts Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler on the sidelines. With Shea Theodore and Clayton Stoner now in Las Vegas, the Ducks simply don’t have the depth that they used to on the blue line, leading to this opportunity for Oleksy on top of regular roles already for 37-year-old addition Francois Beauchemin and the likes of Korbinian Holzer and Jaycob Megna. 

Poll: Will You Watch Olympic Hockey Without NHL Players?

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The NHL’s decision to remove NHL players from the Olympic equation has caused much frustration among hockey fans. The tournament had, over the last few iterations, become one of the most anticipated dates in the hockey universe. Fans from each region and country relished who was chosen for the roster, how their respective superstars would gel, sometimes even playing out of position.

Olympic men’s hockey has given us some of the most memorable moments of the last few decades, including Sidney Crosby’s “golden goal” and both Dominik Hasek and T.J. Oshie’s opposite shootout performances. It’s even provided lesser-known hockey nations with some incredible memories, like Switzerland stunning Canada 2-0 on the back of Martin Gerber’s 49-save shutout, or Belarus toppling Sweden with a slapshot to Tommy Salo’s head.

Obviously though, there are also moments of hockey history formed in the tournaments played without NHL participation. The “Miracle on Ice” for one, when in 1980 a scrappy Team USA made up of college kids took home gold in the face of outrageous odds. Or when a young Peter Forsberg would pull off one of the most replicated breakaway moves of all-time to win gold, just before starting his NHL career.

There are arguments for both sides. Still, with the rosters of Canada and the United States filled more with failed or retired NHLers some of the fun is sure to be drained from the event. The question then is, will you even watch? Vote below, and leave your comments on why you will or will not tune in for the upcoming Games.

[Mobile users click here to vote!]

*As an addendum, there will still be best-on-best action in women’s hockey at the upcoming Olympics, where an old rivalry between Canada and the United States is sure to be as fierce as ever. Currently, the two sides are playing a series of tune-up games, which so far they’ve split with two separate blowouts. Women’s Olympic hockey is sure to be one of the most watched events by many fans in both countries and deservedly so.

Olympic Preview: Hockey Canada Announces Karjala Cup Roster

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The roster for the Karjala Cup has been announced for Team Canada, and it represents a sneak peek at who will likely suit up for the country at the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics. Canada has joined the tournament—held November 8th-12th in Finland—as a sort of tune-up for the Olympics, and their roster is littered with former NHL players.

Perhaps the most interesting name though is Dylan Sikura, the Chicago Blackhawks prospect who returned to the college ranks this season for his final year. Chicago was willing to sign him this spring after his junior year, but Sikura instead returned to try and win a national championship with Northeastern. A sixth-round pick, Sikura could become a free agent next summer, but is almost guaranteed to sign with the Blackhawks when his year ends. His addition could be big for Chicago down the stretch, as he represents another talented offensive threat.

The full roster can be found below

F Wojtek Wolski
F Mason Raymond
F Derek Roy
F Brandon Kozun
F Eric O’Dell
F Gilbert Brule
F Rene Bourque
F Matt Ellison
F Quinton Howden
F Dylan Sikura
F Andrew Ebbett
F Matt Frattin
F Christian Thomas
F Rob Klinkhammer

D Karl Stollery
D Zach Whitecloud
D Chay Genoway
D Chris Lee
D Maxim Noreau
D Simon Despres
D Jesse Blacker
D Geoff Kinrade
D Mat Robinson

G Ben Scrivens
G Justin Peters

Potential Out Clause For Alexei Bereglazov

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When reports came out this summer that New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal would have to win his job in camp, many people immediately assumed he would not be able to. After all, he now had to battle it out with several younger, more mobile options. The Rangers had brought in Neal Pionk, Anthony DeAngelo, and Russian defender Alexei Bereglazov to compete for spots. Instead, none of the three are on the roster as the Rangers get set to take on the Arizona Coyotes tonight, and Bereglazov especially is an interesting case.

Bereglazov signed a two-year, entry-level contract this summer with the team after showing some improved offensive ability. The 23-year old KHL veteran has yet to see any action with the Rangers, instead suiting up for their AHL affiliate in Hartford. His deal always had a reported European Assignment Clause, meaning he could return to Russia should he find himself in the minors, and now Yevgeni Belousov of Sport-Express has been told a decision could be made at the beginning of November. That news comes from the VP of Bereglazov’s former team in Magnitogorsk, and shouldn’t be taken to mean that the defender has any problem with staying in North American and playing in the AHL. He hasn’t indicated anything like that, and it comes with no surprise that Magnitogorsk would want him back.

There doesn’t seem to be an opening at the NHL level right now, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be at any moment.  While DeAngelo has seemingly blown his latest chance at a full-time role, a Bereglazov recall could be just a single injury away. It’s also interesting to note that just today Magnitogorsk re-signed Chris Lee, the veteran defender who had been trying to earn a job in the NHL. Since he’s expected to log big minutes in the KHL once again, perhaps it is a little less appealing of a destination to the young Russian.

Chris Lee Signs One-Year Deal In KHL

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One of the best stories in hockey last year was Chris Lee, the 37-year old defenseman who turned an invite to the World Championships and a freak injury to Tyson Barrie into a showcase for his talent. Lee had never played a game in the NHL, but suddenly was thrust into a key role on Team Canada after Barrie was injured while wrestling in his hotel room. He found immediate success as a puck-moving piece for the Canadians, logging two assists in seven games.

Lee tried to spin his silver medal performance into an NHL contract, but after attending training camp with the Kings on a professional tryout, has now signed a one-year deal to return to the KHL according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express. Lee will suit up for his old team in Magnitogorsk, where he registered 65 points last season.

The intriguing part will be whether Lee suits up for Team Canada once again in Pyeongchang at the 2018 Winter Olympics, now that he won’t be tied to an NHL team. The veteran defenseman, who logged four successful years in the AHL before heading overseas, would likely be one of Canada’s best options. His experience in the KHL may prove even more important than his skill, as the Russian Olympic team will be made up almost exclusively of KHL talent.

Vadim Shipachyov Not On Columbus Radar

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One of the biggest stories in the NHL right now is the ongoing drama surrounding Vadim Shipachyov and the Vegas Golden Knights. After being sent down once again to the minor leagues this week, reports broke yesterday that the team had given his representatives the green light to seek out potential trade partners. We already heard that Montreal is likely not interested, and now Aaron Portzline of The Athletic crosses another name off the list. Portzline has been told that Columbus “will not be a landing spot” for the Russian forward, despite having a perceived depth issue at center.

Columbus recently lost Lukas Sedlak for six weeks to an ankle injury, and had already moved Nick Foligno to center ice full-time for the first time in his NHL career. While they certainly have the wing depth to keep him there all season—and why not, his play has been excellent so far—adding depth at an important position is never a bad thing.

Still, Shipachyov comes with a hefty price tag as he’s owed $4.5MM this year and next. While Columbus would have the cap room should they change their minds, committing that much money to a player who so far hasn’t shown much in his short NHL career is a tough decision to make. Add in whatever asset the Golden Knights are looking for in trade, and you have a risky proposition for any team, let alone one that is already considered a Stanley Cup contender. If the Blue Jackets do make a forward addition, it likely won’t be Shipachyov.

Morning Notes: Athanasiou, Bieksa, Gaunce

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Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press has news that every Red Wings fan has been waiting to hear: Andreas Athanasiou should be in the lineup tonight. Athanasiou recently rejoined the team after holding out through all of training camp and the first few weeks of the season, but is expected to play tonight when the Red Wings take on Tampa Bay. The young forward will skate alongside Frans Nielsen and Darren Helm, and likely be part of one of the powerplay units.

Remember, Athanasiou signed for just one year after all the summer negotiating, meaning this season is huge for him as he heads into arbitration. A repeat of his 18-goal performance would help go a long way to secure the type of contract he was after this time around. Athanasiou has potential for even more, but will have to avoid a sort of sophomore slump in his second full season. It looks like he’ll be given every chance to do it, after missing just 10 games to start the year.

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