Avalanche Notes: Waivers, Newhook, Helm
Saying the Colorado Avalanche have had a flurry of waiver-wire activity over the past couple of days surely wouldn’t make them unique; that would make them about a dime-a-dozen amongst other NHL clubs. However, their situation has created some buzz, and now we’re getting some clarity on it as well that not all teams necessarily provide. For one, as reported by Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater, former top prospects Shane Bowers and Martin Kaut, who were both placed on waivers yesterday, cleared and have been assigned to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL. Given the sheer number of players being placed on waivers this weekend, it’s not shocking that this pair would clear, especially given their lack of NHL success, however it was interesting to see the two placed on waivers given their former status as prospects and their still relatively young age (both are 23).
Turning to today’s waiver players, we noted earlier in today’s Waivers tracker that the Avalanche have put forwards Anton Blidh and Mikhail Maltsev on waivers. When head coach Jared Bednar met with the media, including Dater, earlier today, he shed some light on why that decision was made, indicating the two players were placed on waivers for “cap flexibility” purposes. That itself is not particularly surprising, considering that’s likely the reason for many waiver placements around the league right now, but Bednar did continue, saying that he felt Maltsev was “too quiet” in camp. The coach also added, without naming any specific names, “there’s a lot of guys that can ‘play hockey.’ But we’re trying to win.”
- For the most part, training camp is used as a time to decide who makes the roster, and for those who have already secured a spot, it may be about deciding where they play and what role(s) they occupy. That was set to be the case this camp for Avalanche center Alex Newhook, who appeared to be in line for the open second-line center job that was left vacant by Nazem Kadri who signed with the Calgary Flames. However, the team also inked veteran center Evan Rodrigues to a one-year, $2MM contract his offseason, giving Newhook formidable competition for the role. With camp in the rear-view and a focus on the regular season ahead, it seems as though the Avalanche have not made a concrete decision on who will occupy what role. Instead, Bednar told the media, including Dater, that he will give Newhook a real, everyday chance to win the job over “a couple of months.” The decision to essentially not make one, appears to make sense. Operating this way will not only to allow Colorado to evaluate team chemistry and see how Newhook’s development continues, but also to see where Rodrigues stands, who broke out with 43 points in 82 games last year.
- On the injury front, Bednar said veteran forward Darren Helm likely won’t be able to play until “some time” early in the season. Helm, who played through an abdominal injury during Colorado’s Stanley Cup run last spring, is still recovering. A lack of a concrete timetable at this juncture is a bit concerning, however an early season return is nonetheless encouraging.
Injury Notes: Couturier, Oshie/Orlov, Blueger
Good news for Philadelphia Flyers fans will be shining beacons of bright light this season, given the team’s expected poor performance on the ice. Good news is exactly what they got today, though, at least on the health front. Sean Couturier, when it was originally speculated he could miss the entire season with a back injury, returned to the ice today, albeit skating on his own.
Couturier’s status remains week-to-week. However, he said today that he’s “feeling a lot better,” and he could be on track for the six-to-eight-week timeline Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported last month when the news broke. If that’s the case, Couturier could make his season debut sometime in November and hopefully stay healthy for the rest of the year. Nothing is confirmed, though, especially with an injury of a delicate nature such as a back ailment. Goaltender Felix Sandstrom, who is projected to serve as Carter Hart‘s backup this season, also skated today after a week-long absence due to injury.
- Per NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie is feeling “ready to go” after suffering an upper-body injury during the preseason, but he’s yet to be cleared by the team’s medical staff to return to play. His status for the team’s season opener on Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov is in a similar situation with a lower-body injury, meaning Washington could be without a top-nine forward and top-four defenseman, at least for opening night. Those injuries are in addition to the absences of Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson, who the team confirmed are headed for long-term injured reserve this morning.
- According to Pittsburgh Penguins beat reporter Shelly Anderson, forward Teddy Blueger stayed in a no-contact jersey in today’s practice, lowering the likelihood of his availability for the team’s first game on Thursday. Blueger has been day-to-day with an upper-body injury since September 28. The capable Latvian bottom-six center had 28 points in 65 games last year.
Toronto Maple Leafs Shopping Wayne Simmonds
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs sent a league-wide email informing teams that veteran forward Wayne Simmonds is available for trade ahead of tomorrow’s opening-day roster deadline.
Per the aforementioned email, the Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas are less concerned with the return rather than “doing right by the player,” a theme the organization has committed to multiple times in recent years. While it usually has to do with giving European import players a chance for more minutes elsewhere, whether it be Mikko Lehtonen‘s trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2020-21 or Kirill Semyonov‘s contract termination last year, it’s become a philosophy that helps them attract free agent talent.
The 34-year-old Simmonds is a veteran of 1,019 NHL games, which on its own makes him a valuable asset to teams around the league. Simmonds had five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 72 games last year, while his ice time was limited to a minuscule 9:20 per game. With players like Nicholas Robertson, Denis Malgin, and Zach Aston-Reese standing out in Leafs training camp, Simmonds no longer fits into the picture as one of the team’s 12 best forwards. Considering Toronto needs to clear salary and roster space fast, it was a foregone conclusion that they’d need to move someone out to make room.
Simmonds is still looking for his first Stanley Cup, surely a driving factor in his desire to keep playing. He has one season remaining on a two-year contract with a $900,000 cap hit, and he currently carries a 10-team no-trade list.
Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, Carl Hagelin To Start Season On LTIR
According to NHL.com regional writer Tom Gulitti, Washington Capitals regular forwards Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, and Carl Hagelin, alongside defenseman Alexander Alexeyev, will start the season on either long-term injured reserve or the injured non-roster list.
The news comes as little surprise for all four of the players. Most notably, Backstrom, who remains one of the most successful and important players in franchise history, had hip resurfacing surgery in June that could very well cost him the entire season. Importantly, though, reporting since the surgery indicates that Backstrom is pain-free for the first time in a long time and is recovering well from the procedure, which has significantly improved his quality of life. Backstrom still has an unclear timeline and has yet to resume skating, but he feels optimistic and the slim possibility remains that Backstrom suits up in 2022-23, whether it be for the end of the regular season or just the playoffs.
Alexeyev is recovering from a shoulder procedure that was announced at the same time as Backstrom’s surgery. The expected recovery time was four to five months, putting him on track to return sometime around November 1. Placement on either LTIR or injured non-roster suggests he may be a bit behind schedule in his recovery, but there doesn’t appear to have been a significant setback. Alexeyev could very well find a way to stay on the NHL roster once healthy if Matt Irwin struggles in his depth/seventh defenseman role.
Wilson underwent a procedure to repair a torn ACL in late May, carrying a six-to-eight-month recovery time that would have seen him return to the lineup in late November at the earliest. Over the offseason, however, reports have indicated that Wilson is ahead of schedule in his recovery, meaning it could just be roughly the first month of the season he misses. After scoring a career-high 24 goals and 52 points last year, he’s expected to slot back into the top-line right-wing spot once healthy.
Hagelin’s career-threatening eye injury last season appears to not be as bad as originally feared, as he skated with a non-contact designation prior to camp. Yet Hagelin’s bad injury luck hasn’t subsided, and he’s been dealing with unrelated issues that have kept him out of participating in much of camp. There’s no timeline for his return.
Snapshots: Kane, Valimaki, Has
It seems it’s no longer an “if,” but instead a “when and where” that the Chicago Blackhawks trade franchise-great Patrick Kane. With Chicago escalating its rebuilding efforts this offseason, lead by the trade of Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators, it seemed Kane was as good as gone this summer too. However, the veteran has a full no-movement clause in his contract and appears keen on taking a wait-and-see approach this season with where he would want to be dealt. Still, given the tight squeeze on the salary cap for many teams, the forward’s impending free agency, and the fact that he’s still playing near the top of his game, finding a match on his shortlist of teams could prove to be a challenge nonetheless. One team that could be a fit is the Boston Bruins, but those challenges mentioned above pose as much of an issue to them as anyone else. The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont acknowledges those challenges, but looks to find a path to a deal between the two Original Six squads.
Given Kane’s $10.5MM cap hit, of which the Blackhawks can retain 50% in a trade, and Boston being $1.44MM over the salary cap ceiling, Chicago would certainly have to take some salary back from Boston. This might not be an issue, Dupont says, as the team could realistically craft a package around one or both of forward Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Brandon Carlo, who carry cap hits of $4MM and $4.1MM respectively. These two aren’t the sort of young prospects or premier draft picks Chicago would hope to acquire, but could represent a collection of young talent that would help get things moving forward more quickly for the Blackhawks. Dupont also points to youngsters Jakub Zboril or Jack Studnicka as an additional sweetener if needed, but does raise concern if a first-round draft pick was needed on top of this package.
- It’s once again that time of year where we’ll see at least a dozen players, if not more, hit the waiver wire each day, with some very intriguing names as part of that. Today’s crop of waiver-wire finds includes a pair of former top Avalanche prospects in Martin Kaut and Shane Bowers, who may still have room to grow, an intriguing defenseman in Mark Friedman, as well as another young 2017 first round pick like Bowers in that of Calgary Flames defenseman Juuso Valimaki. Considering the amount of players on waivers and teams needing to trim their rosters, many players that would be claimed any other time of the year, are able to be snuck through. However, Hailey Salvian of The Athletic believes Valimaki might not be able to sneak through so easily. Losing someone like Valimaki, who still has some upside, for nothing wouldn’t be ideal for Calgary, but for Valimaki, Salvian points out, it could be a fresh start, perhaps with an opportunity to once again establish himself as an everyday NHLer.
- The Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals, have signed defenseman Martin Has to a one-year AHL deal, the team announced. That news alone doesn’t seem to make it much different from any other AHL signing, however it does carry with it the caveat that Has is a Capitals draft pick who has not signed an ELC, but is still eligible for one. Has was a fifth-round selection of the Capitals back in 2019, but has seen limited game action prior to last season. The 21-year-old defenseman did put together a solid year in 2021-22 though, getting into 57 games as a member of the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL, recording 20 points. The Capitals have one year remaining in order to decide whether or not they would like to offer Has his ELC, otherwise he will become a free agent next summer.
Injury Notes: Gibson, MacKinnon, Schwartz, Sheahan
As many NHL teams wrap up their preseason work, the last thing they want to see is any of their players, especially key ones, go down with injury. Although some teams, in theory, can afford to lose a player or two and keep their season afloat, a team like the Anaheim Ducks, who are trying to climb out of their rebuilder status, will need to keep as many pieces as possible healthy and performing if they wish to push for a playoff spot.
Unfortunately for the Ducks, one key piece, goaltender John Gibson, was injured in today’s preseason game against crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Kings. Gibson left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return, replaced by backup Anthony Stolarz. The good news for Anaheim is, in the event of a prolonged absence from Gibson, Stolarz has established himself as a strong backup netminder, however being without Gibson, a three-time All Star, will make things difficult for Anaheim if he’s out for any stretch of time.
- Speaking of All Stars, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon is considered day-to-day according to head coach Jared Bednar, as relayed by Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater. Bednar added that MacKinnon “tweaked” something, but did not disclose what, or exactly how, MacKinnon hurt himself. Losing the recently-extended superstar, even for a game, puts Colorado in a tough position, but considering he is only day-to-day should be a relief to the team.
- Seattle Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz is considered day-to-day with a lower body injury says Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol, who spoke to Mike Benton of 93.3 KJR radio. Schwartz had left last night’s preseason contest against the Edmonton Oilers early and did not return. Also of note, forward Daniel Sprong, who recently signed with Seattle after being invited to camp on a PTO, was not in practice today. Fortunately, today was simply a day off for Sprong, Benton adds.
- Riley Sheahan is also day-to-day with a muscular injury Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato told members of the media, including Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat. It was unclear what muscle exactly was bothering Sheahan, who hasn’t practiced either of the last two days.
John Tavares “Not Ruled Out” For Season Opener
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares isn’t ruled out of next Wednesday’s season opener, said head coach Sheldon Keefe today, but as NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger notes, the chances of him playing are waning.
Tavares suffered an oblique injury in his preseason debut on September 24. At the time, Tavares was slated to miss three weeks – likely missing the team’s first three games and returning on October 17 against the Arizona Coyotes.
But Tavares began skating again two days ago on Monday, a welcome sign for the team and its fans. Today, Keefe commented on his status:
It’s all going to be (based) on his recovery. I think it was a really positive day for him today, but the way that it would track out in terms of the plan that was set was that he wouldn’t be available. What his body is telling him is going to dictate that.
In the meantime, the Maple Leafs could make some interesting decisions. William Nylander took line rushes at center today during practice, centering a prospective second line between preseason stars Nicholas Robertson and Denis Malgin. It would be the first time Nylander had meaningfully played center at any point since the 2019-20 season.
Regardless, the Leafs are hoping their team’s leader can get back in the room and on the ice in game action as soon as it’s feasible.
Preseason Notes: Carcone, Oilers Injuries, Canadiens Injuries
The NHL Department of Player Safety is getting their preseason’s worth of action in, too. They announced today that Arizona Coyotes forward Michael Carcone was fined the maximum allowable under the CBA ($2,027.03) for roughing Vegas Golden Knights forward Gage Quinney during last night’s game.
Quinney did not return to last night’s game after taking a high hit from Carcone. He immediately left the ice after the hit and went to the team’s dressing room near the end of the second period. Carcone received a penalty on the play. A 26-year-old minor-league veteran, Carcone played his first 21 NHL games last year with the Coyotes, registering six points.
- There’s some good news and bad news on the injury front for the Edmonton Oilers. TSN’s Jason Gregor reports that winger Kailer Yamamoto is banged up, but that his injury is nothing serious and he could be ready for the team’s final preseason game on Friday. However, winger Tyler Benson isn’t so lucky, as Gregor reports he’ll be out “longer” and the team will know more in the coming days. Benson was a candidate to find a spot in the team’s bottom-six out of camp.
- The Montreal Canadiens provided a medical update today, saying captain Nick Suzuki is remaining in Montreal for treatment along with forwards Joel Armia and Emil Heineman. All three have upper-body injuries and, Suzuki is listed as day-to-day. The Canadiens say the trio will be reevaluated on Monday, two days ahead of the season opener.
Waivers: 10/05/22
Another large group of players finds themselves on waivers today, hoping to get picked up by an NHL roster. The AHL awaits most that clear, though placement on the wire doesn’t necessarily indicate assignment to the minor leagues. Some players will clear just to give their team a little more roster flexibility over the next few weeks. Everyone from yesterday has cleared, and waivers today include:
Carolina Hurricanes
Ryan Dzingel
Maxime Lajoie
Lane Pederson
Stelio Mattheos
Mackenzie MacEachern
Minnesota Wild
New York Islanders
Dennis Cholowski
Cory Schneider
Parker Wotherspoon
Hudson Fasching
Arnaud Durandeau
Cole Bardreau
Andy Andreoff
Philadelphia Flyers
Adam Brooks
Max Willman
Louis Belpedio
This page will be updated as more reports come in
Dylan Coghlan Leaves Game With Injury
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dylan Coghlan will not return to tonight’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury, according to Hurricanes PR.
Coghlan, 24, is entering his first season in the Hurricanes organization. Carolina acquired him, along with the currently-injured Max Pacioretty, from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for future considerations when free agency opened on July 13, 2022.
Last season, Coghlan set career highs in games played (59), assists (10), and points (13) while playing his first season as a full-time NHLer. He was a member of the Golden Knights organization from 2017 onwards when he signed there as an undrafted free agent after putting together 15 goals, 38 assists, and 53 points in 71 games with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans in 2016-17. Coghlan turned pro in 2018-19, joining the AHL’s Chicago Wolves – Vegas’ affiliate at the time – where he led all rookie defensemen in goals with 15.
With the Golden Knights’ bevy of injuries last season, Coghlan had an extended opportunity to get into games in Vegas, serving mostly a bottom-pairing role. He had solid possession numbers in his first full showing, posting a 53.1% Corsi for at five-on-five. He’s a candidate to get some potential power-play minutes, potentially filling some of the offensive void left by Tony DeAngelo‘s departure, although the majority of that responsibility will fall on Brent Burns.
Needless to say, with Coghlan battling from the bottom of the lineup, missed time during camp is never a great thing for someone in that position. He’s still likely penciled in for a bottom-pairing role, even if he misses time, but it does hamper his adjustment period to his new team. Hopefully, for Coghlan and the Hurricanes, he hasn’t suffered a longer-term issue.