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Archives for March 2021

Trade Deadline Primer: Chicago Blackhawks

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Although we’re just two months into the season, the trade deadline is just over a month away.  Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make?  We continue our look around the league with the Chicago Blackhawks.

No one expected anything for the Blackhawks this season. They were going into the year with an unproven goaltending tandem and their two most dynamic centers have been unavailable the whole year. But with an outstanding rookie in net and a Hart Trophy-level performance from Patrick Kane, they’re right in the thick of the playoff race in the Central Division.

Record

13-9-5, 4th in Central Division

Deadline Status

Opportunistic buyer

Deadline Cap Space

No base cap room, $22.09MM in full-season space using LTIR, 2/3 retention slots used, 48/50 contracts used per CapFriendly.

(The LTIR room that Chicago is using this season includes Jonathan Toews’ $10.5MM cap hit. If Toews is going to come back this season, it would drastically reduce the amount of cap they have to work with at the deadline.)

Upcoming Draft Picks

2021: CHI 1st, CHI 2nd, CHI 4th, CHI 5th, CHI 6th, CHI 7th
2022: CHI 1st, CHi 2nd, CHI 3rd, CHI 4th, CHI 5th, CHI 6th, CHI 7th

Trade Chips

If the Blackhawks lose any ground in the next couple of weeks, their feel-good start won’t matter much in the eyes of GM Stan Bowman. The team was starting a mini rebuild and that shouldn’t be abandoned because of a strong two dozen games. Still, what the team has done this season without Toews or top prospect Kirby Dach is encouraging and will make them have to consider any names that hit the market with some term attached.

One Chicago player that has been in the rumor mill is Dylan Strome, who has just one more year on his contract before restricted free agency. When Toews and Dach are healthy, Strome isn’t a great fit for the third line and he has been passed over by lesser-known names this season. With just eight points in 19 games and a recent concussion on his medical chart, Strome certainly wouldn’t be at peak value. Still, if there is a deal to be had, he is a piece they could part with.

Carl Soderberg also sticks out as a player that has been a nice surprise this year but won’t be involved the next time Chicago is really contending. The 35-year-old forward has 11 points in 22 appearances and could be a nice depth addition for a relatively low cost. Soderberg carries just a $1MM cap hit and is an easy sell if someone like Dach (who has resumed skating recently) comes back into the lineup.

Mattias Janmark could basically have the same thing written about him, though the 28-year-old has been good enough to perhaps deserve another go-round with Chicago next year. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and carries a $2.25MM cap hit but has nine goals and 15 points in 27 games.

Others to Watch For: D Calvin de Haan ($4.55MM UFA 2022)

Team Needs

1) Depth on the wing – It doesn’t seem like it even needs to be a prospect that the Blackhawks would have to target this year, given the little boost they have had in performance. Adding a reclamation project or middle-six option with some team control could be a useful piece for the end of this season and next—as long as it comes cheap (both in salary and assets).

2) NHL-ready prospects – With Kane still providing MVP-level play, there’s no way Chicago will strip it down to the bolts. A draft pick is nice, but a player ready to make an impact next season would be even nicer. If they do something like move Strome, it won’t likely be for just picks.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Ben Chiarot Returning To Montreal For Evaluation

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8:00pm: The Canadiens confirmed that Chiarot broke his right hand and will be re-evaluated in the next few days. Because he left (and flew commercial), Chiarot will face at least a seven-day quarantine to return to the Canadiens, but appears to be out much longer than that.

12:30pm: The Montreal Canadiens may have already been looking for some help on defense, but now that need is a little more urgent. The team has announced Ben Chiarot has returned to Montreal for further evaluation on the hand injury he suffered last night. Chiarot left the game against the Vancouver Canadiens after his fight against J.T. Miller and Marc-Andre Perreault of TVA Sports spotted him at the airport with a cast on his hand.

Chiarot, 29, has turned into quite an important figure on the Montreal blueline, averaging over 22 minutes a night before leaving yesterday’s game early. That number trails only Shea Weber and Jeff Petry by less than a minute, showing just how much trust the coaching staff has had in him this season, even through change.

It’s not that the Canadiens don’t have other options, especially if you ask someone like agent Darren Ferris. He made waves earlier this season when client Victor Mete couldn’t get in the lineup, hoping for a fresh start or a chance. Well, that opportunity has certainly presented itself if Chiarot is out for any substantial length of time. Mete has played in just five games and averaged fewer than 15 minutes in those, but was a regular as recently as last season.

Still, if the Canadiens have their eyes set on the postseason, perhaps a deadline addition is in order. The Fourth Period recently reported that Montreal is one of several teams interested in Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm, though it would take some salary cap gymnastics to fit him in at his full cap hit. Ekholm will be on the radar of any number of contenders because of his experience and relatively low $3.75MM hit, especially as he comes with another year of control in 2021-22.

Of course, if the Canadiens do decide to add before the deadline, they have the draft picks to do so without touching their NHL roster. Montreal currently holds 14 picks in the 2021 draft, including six in the first three rounds. Perhaps a Chiarot injury would push them in that direction as they currently sit in a playoff spot in the North Division.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Carolina Hurricanes Have Discussed An Eric Staal Return

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One of the lasting images from the Carolina Hurricanes 2006 Stanley Cup championship was that of a 21-year-old playoff rookie hoisting the trophy over his head after leading the entire league in postseason scoring. Fellow youngster Cam Ward took home the Conn Smythe trophy that year, but it could have easily been Eric Staal, the franchise center that had racked up 100 points in the regular season and 28 in 25 playoff matches. Staal was just two years into his NHL career after being the second overall pick in 2003, but he was already the face of the Hurricanes.

Just three years later in 2009, Staal would become the captain of the Hurricanes, taking over from Rod Brind’Amour even though the veteran forward would still play another season. At the time, Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford released this statement:

Rod has been the consummate leader for the Hurricanes since his acquisition nearly 10 years ago. He is the only captain in franchise history to lift the Stanley Cup, and he will continue to play a leadership role in our organization.

The time has come now for Eric to assume the top leadership role for his teammates. This is part of the rebuilding process for the Hurricanes, as Eric is the player around whom the team will be structured. We feel confident in Eric’s ability to lead his teammates and are excited to begin this next era.

Brind’Amour remains the only captain to win a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes and Staal would have just one other playoff run during his tenure in Carolina. His career would be stamped there, however, with 775 career points coming in 909 regular-season games before a 2016 trade took Staal to the New York Rangers.

Now, several years later, another midseason trade could potentially bring Staal back to where it all began and reunite him with Brind’Amour, who now stands behind the bench instead of sitting on it. On TSN’s Insider Trading today, Pierre LeBrun explained that the Hurricanes management has discussed the idea of bringing Staal back.

What I’m told is that the Hurricanes have talked about ’hey, if Eric Staal is on the Buffalo roster closer to April 12, maybe we give the Sabres a call and see what it would take to bring him back here to Carolina.’ It’s a storyline that I think a lot of people could get behind. 

What a storyline indeed, 15 years after he and Brind’Amour led the Hurricanes to the franchise’s only Stanley Cup. Staal isn’t the same player as he was then, with only nine points in 24 games this season, but could still provide some experience and leadership to a Carolina team looking as dangerous as ever. The Hurricanes are 18-6-1 on the season, have won six straight and are only one point behind the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning for first in the Central Division. It was just two years ago that this team went to the Conference Finals as an underdog; they wouldn’t be considered much of one if they get back there this time.

Still, Staal to Carolina is anything but a lock, and LeBrun explains that there “could be a Canadian team or two” that push for him well before the trade deadline. Speculation has run rampant that Staal could be a fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs, though certainly a team like the Edmonton Oilers could use his center capabilities as well. That’s not to mention any number of other teams who could see the $3.25MM cap hit Staal brings and believe he could be a piece for a Stanley Cup run.

The veteran forward does have some say, with a 10-team no-trade list, but reports indicate he would be willing this year to waive it in order to go to a contender. If anything, he knows exactly what it would take to get Carolina to that level.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

St. Louis Blues Extend Jordan Binnington

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The St. Louis Blues have agreed to an extension with goaltender Jordan Binnington, signing him to a six-year deal worth a total of $36MM. Binnington was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season when his current two-year, $8.8MM deal expired. Pierre LeBrun and Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic provide the full breakdown:

  • 2021-22: $4MM salary + full no-trade clause
  • 2022-23: $6MM salary + full no-trade clause
  • 2023-24: $7.5MM salary + full no-trade clause
  • 2024-25: $7.5MM salary + 18-team no-trade clause
  • 2025-26: $6.5MM salary + 14-team no-trade clause
  • 2026-27: $4.5MM salary + 10-team no-trade clause

Binnington, 27, was a huge part of the Blues first Stanley Cup in 2019, taking over the crease partway through the season and posting a .927 save percentage as a rookie. That was good enough for second in Calder, fifth in Vezina, and 10th in Hart voting, but his postseason performance was even more spectacular. Binnington started all 26 games the Blues played and stopped 32 of 33 shots in the deciding game seven.

He earned himself that $8.8MM contract with his play in 2019, but this contract comes after another 69 regular season appearances. In those, Binnington has posted a .911 save percentage, not quite up to the level he showed as a rookie. In last year’s postseason bubble he was not good, losing all five games he played with an .851.

It’s those more recent numbers that will raise a few eyebrows among hockey fans, but the Blues obviously believe Binnington can be their starter long-term. A six-year deal will take him through his age-33 season at a hefty cap hit.

This is the same contract that Jacob Markstrom signed in free agency this season, but the Calgary Flames goaltender is several years older than Binnington. There’s no doubt that the St. Louis netminder can provide plenty of excess value on a contract like this, but it also certainly is no guarantee to age well if his game doesn’t improve quickly.

This deal also will impact those to come. Names like Frederik Andersen, Philipp Grubauer, and Petr Mrazek are all unrestricted free agents this offseason and still young enough to land long-term deals like this one.

For St. Louis though, this at least secures the position for the time being. Ville Husso is also signed for next season at a reasonable amount, but the other goaltenders in the system are still very young and unproven. There’s no question now, it’s Binnington’s net in St. Louis.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was first to report the deal.

More to come…

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/11/21

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Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is the list for today, which includes a few new names:

Edmonton – Kyle Turris
Los Angeles – Cal Petersen
New Jersey – Will Butcher*
San Jose – Marcus Sorensen
Vegas – Marc-Andre Fleury*

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:

(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol

Players removed today: Erik Haula, Nashville Predators

The big news today is Fleury’s addition, meaning the Golden Knights will be without a starting goaltender for the time being. Robin Lehner is currently on a conditioning loan in the AHL. The Golden Knights play tomorrow against the Blues so Fleury technically could be back, but more likely one of the team’s younger backups will be forced into action. The worrying part, in this case, would be the fact that Fleury played last night in Minnesota. Hopefully, he hasn’t tested positive and was just forced into the protocol for another reason.

The Devils have also lost Butcher for now, meaning he won’t be available for tonight’s game against the Islanders. Interestingly, Butcher played just 12:47 in his last appearance and then was a supposed healthy scratch for the Devils in their last two. He’ll now miss at least a third consecutive game this time for a different reason entirely.

*denotes new addition

Prospect Notes: Kravtsov, Zary, Krys

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Vitaly Kravtsov’s KHL team was eliminated from the playoffs today, meaning the New York Rangers prospect can now come to North America to join his NHL club. The 21-year-old winger is already under contract and was just loaned overseas, meaning he could play as soon as his quarantine protocols are over. That’s expected to take up to two weeks, but it could still mean the Rangers have a boost down the stretch.

Kravtsov, the ninth overall pick in 2018, scored 16 goals and 24 points in 49 KHL games this season, a strong offensive showing for a player that had struggled at times in the past. The 6’3″ winger is still an important part of the Rangers’ future and gives them another young forward to build around.

  • With the British Columbia teams in the WHL set to return soon, Connor Zary’s time with the Stockton Heat is finished. The 19-year-old forward has been assigned back to the Kamloops Blazers after scoring seven points in nine AHL contests. Zary was the 24th overall pick in 2020 and is too young for the AHL whenever the WHL is in session, but showed quite well in his first taste of professional hockey. The Calgary Flames prospect had 38 goals and 86 points last season for the Blazers and should be even more dominant now that he has some AHL experience under his belt.
  • Chad Krys, the Chicago Blackhawks second-rounder from 2016, will end his own 2020-21 season after just six AHL appearances. The Rockford IceHogs announced today that Krys underwent successful shoulder surgery yesterday and will be out for the next five to seven months. Hopefully, that leaves him able to compete in Blackhawks training camp for next season, but Krys has a long road back at this point.

League Notes: Draft, Alignment, Playoffs

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The 2021 NHL Entry Draft is not expected to be moved, deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed today during his media availability with Gary Bettman. The reported changes concerning the lottery will be put to a full board of governors vote next week after the executive committee approved it recently. The full draft event, which is scheduled for July 23-24, will happen without the benefit of a full year of in-person scouting and could certainly provide some fireworks.

More notes from the availability today:

  • The league is expecting to return to the previous divisional alignment next season, though there will still be the change of the Arizona Coyotes moving to the Central Division and the Seattle Kraken debuting in the Pacific. While there has been some excitement about the new geographic rivalries created this season, the plan has always been to go back to the previous divisions once things got back to normal.
  • On the note of the Kraken, Bettman explained that both the rink in Seattle and the one on Long Island are on schedule to open in time to start the 2021-22 season. Climate Pledge Arena (Kraken) and UBS Arena (Islanders) will give updated homes and new destinations while hopefully providing some stability for the two franchises.
  • When asked about where the winner of the North Division will play once the NHL is down to four teams in the playoffs, Daly explained there is still some time before a decision has to be made. The Conference Finals round is scheduled for some time in mid-June, meaning they won’t have to make a decision on whether the Canadian team will have to come to the U.S. to play for a while yet.

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/11/21

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There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:

West Division

  • The San Jose Sharks have recalled Fredrik Handemark and Antti Suomela from the AHL, sending Joachim Blichfeld back in their place. Blichfeld recently completed his two-game suspension and played on Monday for the Sharks, but is still scoreless through five NHL appearances.

North Division

Central Division

East Division

  • The New Jersey Devils have recalled Jesper Boqvist from the AHL and placed him on the taxi squad, filling one of the two spots they had open. Boqvist, 22, played in five games earlier this season but failed to record a point. The 36th overall pick in 2017, he has just four goals and no assists in 40 career games.
  • The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Andy Andreoff from the taxi squad and are expected to put him into the lineup tonight. The team is going back to six defensemen with Philippe Myers coming out. The Flyers have also flip-flopped Alex Lyon and Felix Sandstrom between the taxi squad and AHL as they attempt to keep both fresh.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Josh Currie from the AHL and placed him on the taxi squad. Currie has been up for a good chunk of this season and has only managed to play five combined games between the two leagues.

This page will be updated throughout the day

Teams Calling On Rickard Rakell

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The Anaheim Ducks have recently pulled themselves out of the offensive chasm they started the year in and now have toed slightly ahead of both the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings in terms of goals per game. One of the main reasons for that climb is Rickard Rakell, who has managed 12 points in his last seven games including four multi-point efforts. The two-time 30-goal scorer has found a little bit of his old juice and is now tied with Max Comtois for the Ducks’ points lead.

With success comes admirers though, and Rakell is generating his fair share of them. Frank Seravalli of TSN reports that several teams have been calling Ducks GM Bob Murray about his top-six winger and the front office executive isn’t hanging up. Rakell is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021-22 season and carries a cap hit of just $3.8MM. If he can get back to scoring 30 goals, that would suddenly turn into one of the best bargains in the whole league, and given his age of just 27 there’s no reason to think it couldn’t happen in the right situation.

He now sits third on TSN’s Trade Bait board, just behind Mattias Ekholm of the Nashville Predators and David Savard of the Columbus Blue Jackets. That means he’s the highest-ranked forward on the list and perhaps one that will generate the most interest as the deadline approaches. Seravalli reports that the asking price for Rakell is “high” according to two different general managers around the league.

Importantly, Rakell does not have any trade protection in his current contract and can be dealt anywhere without his approval. For the Ducks, that’s something of a luxury, given many of their other trade candidates have partial no-move clauses. Adam Henrique, Jakob Silfverberg, Cam Fowler, Josh Manson, and Kevin Shattenkirk can all block trades to a number of teams, meaning a full tear down would be difficult to accomplish in-season. Ryan Getzlaf has a full no-move clause, though it seems as though there was never any real desire to trade the captain anyway.

Rakell then could represent the team’s most valuable trade chip, at least for this deadline. If Murray can use this opportunity to add young talent to surround Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale in the coming years, it certainly seems prudent.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Trade Deadline Primer: Carolina Hurricanes

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Although we’re not even two months into the season, the trade deadline is just over a month away.  Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make?  We continue our look around the league with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Florida. Boston. Carolina. Those are the only three teams in the entire NHL who are currently in a playoff spot and also have over $2MM in projected year-end cap space – which prorates to eight-figure cap space at the deadline. In a buyer’s market, the Hurricanes are one of an elite trio who have the means to make a major splash. Additionally, sharing a division with one of the others – the Panthers – as well as the reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and Western Conference champion Dallas Stars, gives Carolina even more motivation to load up before the deadline. A top-three team in points percentage, goals for per game, and power play efficiency and a top-ten team in goals against per game and penalty kill efficiency, the Hurricanes are truly elite this season and don’t have many holes. Yet, when you’re this close to a title and are one of the few teams who can do serious damage on the trade market, you pull the trigger.

Record

18-6-1, .740, 2nd in Central Division

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

$2.608MM in full-season space ($11.635MM at the trade deadline), 0/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used per CapFriendly.

Only includes 21 players. Frequent recalls Jake Bean, Morgan Geekie, Alex Nedeljkovic currently on taxi squad.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2021: CAR 1st, CAR 2nd, CAR 3rd, CAR 4th, CAR 6th, CAR 7th, LAK 7th, STL 7th
2022: CAR 1st, CAR 2nd, CAR 3rd, CAR 4th, CAR 5th, CAR 6th, CAR 7th, CLB 7th

Trade Chips

Most years, having one of the deepest blue lines in the NHL has no downside. In an Expansion Draft year, however, it’s problematic. Even with star defenseman Dougie Hamilton slated for free agency and not requiring expansion protection (unless he’s re-signed early), the Hurricanes still face a conundrum. Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Jake Gardiner, Haydn Fleury, and RFA Jake Bean are all eligible to be selected by the Seattle Kraken and, due to a number of valuable forwards as well, Carolina can only protect three. Career ’Canes Slavin and Pesce seem like a lock, while veterans Skjei and Gardiner appear unlikely to be protected. Between their two young rearguards, Bean has shown much more upside this season than Fleury and is the more likely to be protected. Yet, that’s not to say that Fleury does not still have value around the league. At full strength, the Hurricanes have seven legitimate defensemen; while depth is important in the playoffs, could they consider moving one of the aforementioned before the deadline rather than losing them in expansion? With a more affordable contract and less experience compared to a Skjei or Gardiner, Fleury could be made available in a trade, especially if the Hurricanes are able to add a veteran rental defender as part of the return package. With term and even further team control remaining, the 24-year-old Fleury could command a nice market if the Hurricanes make him available, although his complete lack of offense this season does raise some concern.

Outside of Fleury, the ’Canes seem unlikely to move anyone off their NHL roster. But does that include Morgan Geekie? Geekie has played in nine games for Carolina this season, but due in part to poor play but mostly to his contract flexibility and a lack of a concrete role at the top level, Geekie has spent time on the taxi squad and in the AHL this season. The talented 22-year-old is still young and could find a full-time spot in Raleigh in the next year or two. However, if the right deal rolls around, the team could give up a future piece for help in the present. There are other impressive young forwards pushing to take his “next man up” title anyhow.

The same logic could apply to Alex Nedeljkovic. The young goaltender, who in retrospect should not have cleared waivers earlier this season, has performed very well this season, outplaying veteran James Reimer with starter Petr Mrazek sidelined. However, the Hurricanes have previously refrained from handing Nedeljkovic an NHL job even when a spot was available. Even with Mrazek and Reimer headed for free agency and Nedeljkovic able to be protected in expansion, if the Hurricanes don’t believe that he will be part of their NHL tandem next season, they could move him to acquire a goaltender that will be.

Others to Watch For: F David Cotton ($859K, RFA 2022), D Joey Keane ($859K, RFA 2022), G Jack LaFontaine (Draft Rights)

Team Needs

1) Starting Goaltender – When he was healthy earlier this season, Mrazek was phenomenal. He posted a stunning .955 save percentage and 0.99 GAA in his first four game. Then he got hurt and he hasn’t been seen yet. If the Hurricanes had a healthy, confident Mrazek ready to go at the deadline, perhaps they would stand pat in goal. At this point, that seems unlikely to occur. With Mrazek’s health as an unknown, Reimer playing just okay, and Nedeljkovic playing well but lacking NHL experience nevertheless playoff experience, some peace of mind in goal is the top priority for the ’Canes. Carolina could target a rental, but the pickings are slim. Jonathan Bernier and Antti Raanta could provide some stability, but they might not be enough of an upgrade and Linus Ullmark carries the same injury concerns as Mrazek. The more bold move, especially with contracts expiring for their current trio of keepers, would be to add a goalie with term. John Gibson and Darcy Kuemper are the biggest names on the rumor mill, but the Hurricanes could also try to break up the Rangers’ or Blue Jackets’ young tandems or target a dark horse name like Tristan Jarry or Thatcher Demko. A long-term starter would be a major addition for Carolina and make sense before the deadline, even if such moves usually take place in the off-season

2) Top-Nine Forward – What the Hurricanes actually lack are reliable depth options up front beyond their starting 12 or 13 forwards. However, when you have cap space and no one else does, you don’t aim to add depth, you aim to add players who push your players into depth roles. Even with solid starting depth and Teuvo Teravainen coming back from injury, Carolina could still stand to add another established top-nine forward that could push the likes of Jesper Fast or Warren Foegele for their spot who would in turn bump fourth liners like Cedric Paquette and Steven Lorentz to either play better or take a seat. Battles for play time and improved depth are hallmarks of a true contender.

3) Even if the Hurricanes don’t move Fleury or another NHL defenseman at the deadline, they could still stand to add another body. As it stands now, the team is without Gardiner due to injury and are just one more blue line injury away from Joakim Ryan becoming a starter. Behind him, you have veteran AHLer David Warsofsky, newcomer Maxime Lajoie, and the untested Keane. It’s not the worst depth, but it also doesn’t scream fool-proof. With the means to load up, the Hurricanes may as well add an experienced rental No. 8 defenseman who is a more reliable option to step in the case of injury or poor play than is Ryan or anyone on the Chicago Wolves.

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