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Archives for August 2020

NHL Issues Update On COVID-19 Testing

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In what has become routine, the NHL has issued another update on its COVID-19 testing within the bubble cities of Edmonton and Toronto. Just like the last two weeks, there were zero positive results among the 5,640 tests administered. All members of the remaining team’s 52-member traveling parties were tested daily between August 9-15.

With more and more teams being eliminated from postseason contention, securing the bubble should be even easier moving forward. So far the league has done an exceptional job keeping its players and staff safe and separated, though there is obviously still more work to be done.

As always, the fight isn’t over yet, but the NHL’s plan for return to play seems to be working perfectly.

John Wroblewski Named Head Coach Of AHL’s Ontario Reign

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Monday: The Kings have officially announced Wroblewski has agreed to become the next coach of the Reign. Los Angeles GM Rob Blake released a short statement on his new coach:

John has a proven background in working with young players and helping them develop their game. He’s a strong leader who communicates well and he’ll play an important role for our organization. We welcome John and his family to southern California and look forward to having him coach the Reign.

Saturday: After the news on Friday that Seth Appert is expected to join the AHL’s Rochester Americans, affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, as head coach, the U.S. National Team Development Program has been dealt yet another blow. Appert’s fellow head coach with the USNTDP, John Wroblewski, is also expected to depart for the AHL. The New England Hockey Journal’s Jeff Cox reports that Wroblewski is expected to be named the head coach of the Ontario Reign, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.

Wroblewski, just 39 years old, nevertheless has a lengthy coaching resume at both the professional and amateur level including a pair of seasons in the AHL as an assistant with none other than the Rochester Americans. Wroblewski initially began his coaching career with USA Hockey before spending time as an assistant and head coach in the ECHL and USHL. He returned to the USNTDP in 2016 and has served as a head coach in the program for the past four years.

Wroblewski has had the privilege of coaching some elite NHL prospects in recent years with the USNTDP. As the head coach of the U-17 team in 2017-18 and U-18 team in 2018-19, he spent two seasons with the historic 2019 NHL Draft class, which included first-round picks Jack Hughes (NJD), Alex Turcotte (LAK), Trevor Zegras (ANA),  Matthew Boldy (MIN), Spencer Knight (FLA), Cam York (PHI), Cole Caufield (MTL), and John Beecher (BOS). As the U-17 head coach this year, Wroblewski again worked with some promising American youngster in presumptive 2021 top picks Luke Hughes and Matthew Beniers. The Kings hope that this experience will allow Wroblewski to be an effective leader for their prospects, which includes former player Turcotte who is one of a number of talented young players in the L.A. pipeline.

For as much as Wroblewski has played a positive role for the USNTDP over the past four years, his departure along with Appert’s has left the program reeling. With the USHL still targeting a normal fall start to the 2020-21 season, USA Hockey may have less than a month to replace both of the head coaches in the program. Expect some dominoes in the coaching ranks to continue falling as a result of these moves.

Boston Bruins Sign Matt FIlipe

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The Boston Bruins made some news last night with a prospect signing, inking Matt Filipe to a two-year entry-level contract. Filipe was a third-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes whose draft rights had expired on Saturday evening after failing to reach an agreement. He has spent the last four seasons at Northeastern University, serving as an alternate captain this year.

The deal for Filipe will start in 2020-21, but it represents a lottery ticket for the Bruins that could provide some additional depth. The 22-year old forward never really developed into that dominant presence at the college ranks but did record nine goals and 22 points during his senior year.

At the very worst, Filipe should feel comfortable signing with the Bruins organization. He’s from Lynnfield, just north of Boston, and played his high school hockey at Malden Catholic. It’s not often that third-round picks become unrestricted free agents, but the Bruins will hope this one can live up to some of that potential the Hurricanes saw in him four years ago.

Evgeni Malkin Undergoes Elbow Surgery

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With the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated from postseason contention, injured players can now receive the treatment and rehab necessary to get them ready for the 2020-21 season. With that in mind, the team has announced that Evgeni Malkin underwent successful surgery on his left elbow and has been given a recovery timeline of three to four weeks.

Malkin, 34, wasn’t himself in the playoffs for Pittsburgh, recording just a single (powerplay) assist in four games despite averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game. Though he looked like the most dangerous player on the ice for stretches, he also struggled with consistency—something that has plagued Malkin for many years—and wasn’t able to elevate the team around him.

The Penguins are already looking forward to the 2020-21 season and competing for the Stanley Cup once again, though GM Jim Rutherford is expected to make sweeping changes to the roster. Rutherford explained that Malkin along with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang had nothing to worry about, but there will be a new look Penguins group that tries to make it back to the playoffs.

Even though he dealt with an injury during the year as well, Malkin proved in 2019-20 that he could still be as dominant as ever. He recorded 74 points in 55 games, the ninth consecutive season he has scored at a rate better than a point-per-game. Malkin now sits at 1,076 regular season points in his career and 87th all-time in goals with 416. He has two years remaining on his current contract.

Peter Cehlarik Signs In Sweden

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Even in May it was obvious that Peter Cehlarik’s tenure with the Boston Bruins organization was over after the young forward voiced his displeasure with head coach Bruce Cassidy. Cehlarik was in talks with teams in several different leagues but has settled on Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League, signing a two-year contract with the club.

Cehlarik, 25, will be a restricted free agent that the Bruins can retain exclusive rights with temporarily by issuing a qualifying offer, but it is hard to think he ever really makes an impact for the organization again. One of the most consistent scorers for the Providence Bruins during his time in North America, he received only 40 games at the NHL level and recorded just 11 points.

A third-round pick in 2013, Cehlarik has plenty of offensive talent and could potentially turn up in a few years as a European free agent drawing interest in the NHL. It won’t be until 2022 at the earliest.

Snapshots: Lindblom, Pastrnak, Myers, Merzlikins, Predators

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There was quite the reaction when the Philadelphia Flyers opted to bring forward Oskar Lindblom with them into the bubble. The Flyers’ forward was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma on Dec. 13, but has been treated and is training with the team. Despite it being unlikely that Lindblom was going to take the ice during the playoffs, that could conceivably change, according to Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault. Lindblom skated with the team Sunday and he intends to return for the playoffs, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.

Vigneault was unclear when Lindblom might return. “A couple of practices? A couple of weeks?”

Lindblom hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 7, but the 24-year-old was looking to have a career-best season with 11 goals and 18 points in 30 games. Of course, getting back into playoff-level shape could take him some time. The Flyers are currently tied at 1-1 with the Montreal Canadiens in the first-round of the playoffs, so it makes sense that the Flyers will need to at least advance one round if they hope to get Lindblom back into their lineup.

  • The Boston Bruins got some good news at an optional skate Sunday when winger David Pastrnak was on the ice with his team. The 24-year-old has only appeared in four playoff games thus far with as he has been termed “unfit to play.” Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said there is a chance that Pastrnak could play in Game 4 on Monday. “I’d say 50/50 I guess at best right now. Of course that could change over 24 hours,” said Cassidy (via Boston Globe’s Matt Porter).
  • TSN’s Matthew Sekeres reports that Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers will miss Game 3 on Sunday with a shoulder injury, not a concussion like many thought. Whether he can return for Game 4, which immediately on Monday again, is unknown. Myers took an awkward hit from St. Louis’ Brayden Schenn in Game 2. There is talk that Jordie Benn could step in for Myers in the lineup, but since he missed some time for the birth of his child, he may not be ready to play. Other candidates are Olli Juolevi or Jack Rathbone.
  • The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline (subscription required) writes that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who was “unfit to play” ever since the Game 4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, tweaked a groin muscle during the game, the same game in which he allowed three Maple Leafs’ goals in less than four minutes (plus the OT goal). Merzlikins will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
  • NHL.com’s Brooks Bratten reports that Nashville Predators general manager David Poile said he isn’t sure what will happen with their top two unrestricted free-agent forwards in Craig Smith and Mikael Granlund. The GM said he expects to communicate with their respective agents in the next couple of weeks to discuss potential contracts. However, with their cap situation looking dire next season, it’s unlikely the team will bring back both UFAs. Smith finished with 18 goals and 31 points, while Granlund finished with 17 goals and 30 points.

Kings’ Samuel Fagemo Expected To Be Loaned To Allsvenskan

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The Los Angeles Kings look to have found a place for one of their young prospects to develop before NHL training camp gets underway as Henrik Sjoborg of Hockey News SE (translation required) writes that forward Samuel Fagemo is expected to play for Sodertalje in the Allsvenskan in Sweden next season. The 20-year-old, a 2019 second-round pick, would be expected to report to Kings’ training camp and stay in L.A. if he makes the team.

Fagemo signed his entry-level deal in July of 2019 and was loaned to Frolunda, his SHL team last season. He tallied 13 goals and 22 points last season and was likely headed to the AHL this season. However, with the delay in the NHL and AHL seasons for 2020-21, Fagemo could find himself playing in the Allsvenskan instead. He actually played three games with Sodertalje back in 2017/18 when he was loaned from Frolunda before being drafted.

The report also notes that Sodertalje is negotiating with Anaheim Ducks prospect Axel Andersson to also sign with them for the upcoming season. The 20-year-old was a second-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2018, but was traded to the Ducks in February as part of the Ondrej Kase deal. Andersson played his 18-year-old season with Sodertalje in 2018-19 and then spent one season in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats, posting three goals and 24 points in 43 games.

 

Colorado’s Vladislav Kamenev Reportedly Heading To KHL Denied

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1:45 p.m.: Dater followed up his story by reporting that the Avalanche and Kamenev’s agent, Mark Gandler, say the report is not true.

12:34 p.m.: When the Colorado Avalanche completed their big three-team blockbuster trade in which they traded center Matt Duchene for a host of picks and defenseman Samuel Girard, the team also picked up prospect Vladislav Kamenev from Nashville. The then-21-year-old looked to be close to NHL ready and a be a potential depth piece for the organization. However, after two challenging seasons in the Avalanche organization, Kamenev looks to be heading elsewhere.

Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater writes that the 24-year-old is expected to sign overseas this offseason with SKA St. Peterburg. Kamenev is a restricted free agent after signing a one-year bridge deal last offseason for $750K.

Kamenev came over with a chance to step right into Colorado’s lineup in 2017 and in his very first game with his new team, he broke his wrist after taking a big hit from Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik. He only played three NHL games that season. He struggled with a shoulder injury the next season, only appearing in 23 games in 2018-19. Kamenev played in 38 games this season, but averaged just 8:59 of ATOI throughout the season for a goal and eight points. Perhaps more importantly, he also didn’t make the playoff roster out of training camp.

The move seems to make some sense in several areas as the young forward wasn’t getting the playing time in the NHL and he was recently acquired in a KHL trade by SKA for Nikolai Prokhorkin. Kamenev would likely get significant time in Russia and with the delay in the start of the 2020-21 season in the NHL, it makes more sense to move overseas and develop his game there.

Lightning Place Oleg Sosunov On Unconditional Waivers

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Sunday: CapFriendly reports that Sosunov has cleared waivers.

Saturday: The Lightning have placed defenseman Oleg Sosunov on unconditional waivers, reports CapFriendly (Twitter link).  This would appear to be a step towards paving the way for his release assuming he passes through unclaimed.

The 22-year-old was a sixth-round pick of Tampa Bay (178th overall) back in 2016 out of Yaroslavl in Russia.  While his offensive numbers weren’t anything spectacular, his size (he stands 6’9) was deemed worthy of a late-round flyer.  He transferred to Moose Jaw of the WHL in 2017 and had a good season where which helped earn him an entry-level deal.

Unfortunately for the Lightning, the improvements made there haven’t translated to the pros.  After splitting his rookie season between AHL Syracuse and ECHL Orlando, Sosunov spent most of this season in Orlando, picking up just a single assist in 21 games.

At this point, it seems unlikely that Sosunov will be able to make it to the NHL and that he was probably heading for the ECHL again next season.  Terminating his deal which has one year remaining will give him a chance to catch on somewhere overseas while freeing up a contract spot for the Lightning.  That may not seem too important but right now, they’re at the maximum of 50 so his removal will give them a little bit of flexibility if they need to make a trade before the change to the 2020-21 calendar year in mid-October.

Carolina Hurricanes Andrei Svechnikov Could Miss Rest Of Playoffs

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The Carolina Hurricanes have watched as 20-year-old winger Andrei Svechnikov has quickly developed into a star player for the team. Then they watched him get tangled up with Boston’s Zdeno Chara in Game 3 of the first-round of the playoffs and go down with an apparent leg injury. It didn’t look good.

However, two days later and another MRI still to come, Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said (via News & Observer’s Chip Alexander) he “highly doubts” that Svechnikov will return for the rest of the playoffs, which would be a big blow to the team.

Svechnikov has been one of the key leaders on the ice for the Hurricanes, having scored four goals and seven points in six games so far. However, he fell backwards late in Game 3, with his right leg bending awkwardly on the way down while battling in front of the net with Chara. The loss could cripple the team’s offense as he was a major fixture on the team’s top line. He posted a solid 20-goal, 37-point season as a rookie last year, but really took his game up a notch with a 24-goal, 61-point season this past year and was looking even better in the playoffs.

More details of the injury and how long the young winger will be out will likely come in the next few days.

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