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Senators Preparing To Move Players

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Following a convincing 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins last night – the same team they knocked out in the playoffs last season yet trail by 15 points in 2017-18 – the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch writes that GM Pierre Dorion is ready to make some changes. It has been well reported to this point that the Senator’s struggles this season are real and, with the franchise’s future offering more questions than answers, there is a possibility of a fire sale and rebuild in the near future.

While earlier reports indicated that all-world defenseman Erik Karlsson may even be up for grabs, Garrioch says that Dorion has changed his tune, with the word being that Karlsson and young winger Mark Stone are the only untouchables on the Senators roster. Logic would dictate that promising rookies Thomas Chabot and Filip Chlapik are likely on that list as well, but the entire remainder of the roster could be up for grabs at the right price.

The shortlist offered up by Garrioch of the top trade bait includes winger Mike Hoffman, centers Derick Brassard and Jean-Gabriel Pageau and young defenseman Cody Ceci. While they might be harder to move, the team would surely like to get rid of Bobby Ryan and Dion Phaneuf as well. Of that group, the most intriguing name is definitely Hoffman, who by every metric is a top six scoring winger and would be of major interest to many teams across the league. While he may net the Senators a strong return, Hoffman is signed through 2020 at a reasonable $5.2MM and may be a player that Ottawa would regret moving on from.

Changes are coming to Ottawa. It could be a major trade tomorrow or it could be a series of smaller moves up until the Trade Deadline or perhaps even this off-season. However, Dorion is ready to make moves now and, with few pure sellers at this point in the season, the Senators will be a team to watch for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign.

Penguins Announce Multiple Roster Moves

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A disappointing season for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins just took another tough turn. The team announced this afternoon that defensemen Kris Letang and Chad Ruhwedel and forward Bryan Rust have all been placed on injured reserve. There had been indications of possible moves such as these earlier in the day when head coach Mike Sullivan stated that Ruhwedel was “week-to-week” with an upper-body injury and Rust was out long-term with an upper-body injury of his own, as well as confirmed that Letang would remain out of the lineup, but the reality of three starters hitting the shelf on the same day could be jarring for Penguins fans.

In corresponding moves, the team has recalled defenseman Andrey Pedan, forward Garrett Wilson, and goaltender Casey DeSmith after previously calling up rearguard Frank Corrado earlier in the day. Pedan could potentially be making his Penguins debut soon after coming over from the Vancouver Canucks this summer in the Derrick Pouliot trade. Between the 6’5″ Pedan and newly-acquired 6’7″ Jamie Oleksiak, the Penguins certainly have some size on the blue line right now. However, with both Letang and Justin Schultz out of the lineup, it will likely be the more offensively-inclined Corrado looked to for a greater impact. Up front, Wilson seems more likely to be an emergency depth option or occasional fourth-line contributor than any sort of replacement for Rust. The 26-year-old has zero points in 34 NHL games. If scoring becomes a problem with both Rust and Letang now sidelined long-term, it could be time for Daniel Sprong to make his much-awaited return to Pittsburgh.

The most interesting impact of these injury moves could be the effect on the trade status of Letang. The All-Star defender’s availability has been a hot topic recently, but these new health concerns added to the career laundry list for the oft-injured defenseman will surely be a factor in talks.

2017 Year In Review: July

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2017 has been quite a busy year in the hockey world. There have been several big trades, the first expansion team in over 15 years, and much more. Over the coming days, PHR will take a look back at the top stories from around the game on a month-by-month basis. Next up is a look at July.

Free Agent Frenzy: As always, July started with a firestorm of free agent contracts. Even with a relatively weak free agent class, some big contracts were signed. Montreal inked Karl Alzner to a five-year deal, Dallas brought Alexander Radulov south  for five years, Kevin Shattenkirk left money on the table to sign in New York, and the Sharks ageless duo of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau were finally split up.

Carey PriceExciting Extensions: Not just free agents got paid in the early days of July. Huge extensions were also signed as soon as teams were allowed, with Carey Price inking his market-changing eight-year deal. Price will earn $15MM in 2018-19 and carry a $10.5MM cap hit, by far the largest numbers by any goaltender in the league. Two Western Conference teams were eager to lock up defenders, with Cam Fowler and Marc-Edouard Vlasic both re-upping for eight more seasons.

Capital Gains: After re-signing T.J. Oshie to a huge contract just before he hit free agency, the Washington Capitals locked up Evgeny Kuznetsov for another eight-years at a $7.8MM cap hit. Those numbers seemed high for the already cash-strapped Capitals, and basically forced the team to move Marcus Johansson. The New Jersey Devils jumped on the opportunity to bring another talented forward aboard, and added Johansson for a pair of draft picks (which didn’t include a first-rounder).

Kovalchuk Forced To Wait: After dominating the headlines for some time, Ilya Kovalchuk finally made the decision to stay in the KHL for another year. The Devils, who still held his NHL rights, weren’t able to find a sign-and-trade deal that worked for them and effectively blocked his return. Kovalchuk announced that he still wanted to return to the NHL, but will have to wait for the summer of 2018 when he is a completely unrestricted free agent.

Hundred-Million Man: Even with all the huge extensions and contracts signed around the league, nothing came close to the deal signed on July 5th. That day, Peter Chiarelli confidently strode to the podium in Edmonton to introduce Connor McDavid as the league’s newest $100MM man. McDavid signed an eight-year extension that carries a $12.5MM cap hit, the largest in league history. McDavid’s deal will kick in for the 2018-19 season, and will immediately put pressure on the Oilers to creatively fill out the rest of the roster.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Fredrik Claesson Suspended Two Games

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Another ruling has come down from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, this time suspending Fredrik Claesson of the Ottawa Senators for two games. Claesson hit Boston Bruins forward Noel Acciari in the head last night and was ejected from the game, and will now have to sit for a while longer.

The accompanying video explanation goes into detail on why Claesson deserved two games:

Rather than delivering a full-body hit, Claesson takes an angle of approach that makes Acciari’s head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable. 

Claesson has never received any supplementary discipline from the league in the past, but has only played 80 games so far in his NHL career. The league wants to shut down any plays like this right away, as targeted head hits are a point of emphasis for the DoPS. Claesson has turned into a useful and physical defender for the Senators, but will have to walk the line more carefully in the future.

He’ll be available for their January 3rd game against the Detroit Red Wings. In the meantime, expect Ben Harpur to enter the lineup.

Blichfeld, Halbgewachs Sign Entry-Level Contracts With San Jose Sharks

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After the Danish World Junior team was dismantled by Finland earlier today, one player at least has something to celebrate. Joachim Blichfeld has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. Blichfeld was selected in the seventh round in 2016, and plays with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL when not representing Denmark internationally.

From the Sharks press release:

Joachim is a natural goal scorer and can change a game with his shooting ability and hockey sense. He has proven to be one of the top goal scorers in the Western Hockey League and his puck possession game fits well with the way we want to play. We’re excited to see Joachim continue to evolve as a player.

Jayden Halbgewachs has also signed an entry-level deal with the Sharks, after going undrafted despite starring for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. Halbgewachs is only 5’8″ 160-lbs, but scored 101 points last season and already has 61 through his first 36 games this season.

GM Doug Wilson also had high praise for Halbgewachs:

Jayden is the top goal scorer in Canadian major juniors and has been one of the top point producers in the WHL over the last two season. His combination of elite speed, high-end skill and ability to pressure both ends of the ice make him a dangerous player who makes others around him better. We’re excited he is joining our organization.

Indeed, the Sharks have added two excellent goal scorers to their stable of prospects. The pair has 48 this season in just 52 games, and should add some punch to the minor leagues when they make the jump to the professional ranks in 2018-19.

Mark Scheifele Out Six To Eight Weeks

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One of the worst things imaginable for Winnipeg Jets fans has happened, as Mark Scheifele will be out six to eight weeks with an upper-body injury. Scheifele suffered the injury last night when he crashed hard into the boards against the Edmonton Oilers and had to leave the game. He’s been placed on injured reserve already.

"<strongWith the Jets success this season Scheifele has started to shed his extremely underrated reputation and get some league-wide recognition as one of the very best centers in the league. With 38 points in 38 games he is a huge part of the Jets offensive attack, and plays nearly 21 minutes a night for the club. In his absence the Jets will at least temporarily move Blake Wheeler to the middle, but that’s taking their captain away from his best position and the place where he’s racked up 42 points this season.

The Jets do have depth down the middle, with Adam Lowry, Bryan Little and Mathieu Perreault all capable players that can move up and down a lineup. But without Scheifele, the team’s claim to the top of the Central Division might be hard to make. They currently sit just one point behind the Nashville Predators and two points out of the top seed in the Western Conference, but will have to find some new offensive contributors for the next two months.

One player who could see some additional time is Joel Armia, who scored two goals last night and has yet to really show the powerful presence that made him the 16th-overall selection in 2011. Easily on pace to set a career-high in points and goals already this season, he’s earned himself more ice time of late and is putting up the best possession numbers of his career. As always, one player’s injury is another’s opportunity—perhaps Armia can take advantage.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Latest On Kris Letang Trade Rumors

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After Kris Letang’s name was brought up recently, trade speculation has run rampant. When Letang missed practice before Pittsburgh’s latest game, wild rumors were circulating about a potential deal. Turns out Letang is just out with an injury and is still part of the Penguins organization, but that might not be true in a few months. Matt Gajtka of DK Pittsburgh Sports cites an industry source that tells him Letang is “definitely” available in trade talks, though it’s not clear who those talks would be with.

Kris LetangElliotte Friedman of Sportsnet discussed a Letang trade and the potential hurdles that would come with it in his latest 31 Thoughts column, and it does still seem like a far-fetched scenario. Letang has been a huge part of the Penguins for quite some time, but perhaps more importantly carries a $7.25MM cap hit and has an extensive injury history that isn’t something any team would take on without a thorough look into his current health. It’s not as if he’s just dealt with broken bones—Letang has had concussion problems, neck injuries and even suffered a stroke in 2014 because of a congenital heart defect.

Still, the rumors persist as the Penguins continue their fight in the Metropolitan Division. Without Letang, they battled back to win an overtime game against the rival Columbus Blue Jackets last night, putting them three points ahead of Philadelphia for last in the division but just eight out of first. If there is any team that believes it can make a second half turnaround, why wouldn’t it be the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions.

GM Jim Rutherford has been candid in his belief that a “big splash” might be needed to turn things around, and any Letang deal would certainly qualify. If Gajtka’s source is correct, and the 30-year old defenseman’s name is being bandied about in negotiations, the entire pool might be emptied with the size of that cannonball.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Edmonton Oilers Sign Cameron Hebig To ELC

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Another 20-year old undrafted CHL forward has signed an entry-level contract, this time with the Edmonton Oilers. Cameron Hebig, the leading scorer for the Saskatoon Blades has signed his three-year deal, joining the Oilers organization after an impressive first half of his WHL season.

Hebig is an excellent skater, who despite his size has always found offensive success in junior. While he’s not an elite NHL prospect by any means, taking a chance on him to see if he can bring his scoring touch to the next level is a worthwhile risk for Edmonton as they look to build back their prospect ranks.

It does take the Oilers to 48 contracts, meaning they have just two spots remaining if they are looking to add players for a potential playoff run. That could change negotiations as we get near the trade deadline, as the team wouldn’t want to push themselves right up against the limit. Hebig will continue to try and win a WHL Championship with the Blades, who are currently in first place in their division.

Dennis Rasmussen, Dalton Prout Placed On Waivers

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As the holiday roster freeze comes to an end, two players have ended up on the waivers. Dennis Rasmussen of the Anaheim Ducks and Dalton Prout of the New Jersey Devils have both been waived, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

With Ryan Kessler coming off injured reserve yesterday to make his season debut, someone had to go for the Ducks. With only Kevin Roy, Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase waiver-exempt up front, Rasmussen was the odd man out. In 27 games this season, the former Chicago Blackhawks forward had just four points and hadn’t shown much offensive potential. The 27-year old could be claimed as a depth center around the league, as he earns just over the NHL minimum this year.

Prout was in a similar situation after Marcus Johansson came off injured reserve, but the Devils were already carrying nine defensemen and needed to make a move. Will Butcher and Steven Santini are waiver-exempt, but are too important to send down to the minor league at this point. Instead Prout, who comes with a cap hit of nearly $1.6MM, will be sent to the AHL if he clears. It’s unlikely that anyone would claim the 27-year old defenseman because of that salary, meaning New Jersey will get a prorated $1.025MM in cap space by burying Prout.

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