Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for September 2021

Jakub Vrana To Undergo Surgery

at CDT | by 4 Comments

The Detroit Red Wings received some bad news before the season even begins, as head coach Jeff Blashill announced that Jakub Vrana will require shoulder surgery and be out a minimum of four months.

Vrana, 25, just signed a new three-year, $15.75MM contract with the Red Wings last month after going on a tear down the stretch. Acquired from the Washington Capitals as part of the return for Anthony Mantha, the young forward had eight goals and 11 points in 11 games for the Red Wings. With the team still turning the corner on their rebuild, Vrana was one of the team’s most dangerous offensive weapons and will leave a huge hole in the lineup as he recovers from this surgery.

In fact, for a team that was just hoping to be competitive, losing Vrana could very well put them in the running for the 2022 Draft Lottery once again. It’s not that he’s the only effective player on the roster, but it’s hard to see how the Red Wings are going to be dangerous enough offensively to compete most nights without their second-highest paid forward. His absence of course will open the door for another young player to step up, but this is about as bad as it gets for the Red Wings.

There will be no need to move Vrana to long-term injured reserve, as the Red Wings are nowhere near the salary cap upper limit. He’ll move to regular IR as he works through this recovery, hopefully returning before the end of the season. Four months from today would be the end of January, though coach Blashill said it would be at least that long.

Training Camp Cuts: 09/30/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With just two weeks left before the start of the regular season, teams across the league are starting to pare down their rosters to the last few competitions. As always, we’ll keep track of all the cuts and loans right here.

Arizona Coyotes (via PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan)

D Cam Crotty (to Tucson, AHL)
D Ty Emberson (to Tucson, AHL)
F Dylan Guenther (to Edmonton, WHL)
D Cole Hults (to Tucson, AHL)
F Liam Kirk (to Tucson, AHL)
F Manix Landry (to Gatineau, QMJHL)
F Matias Maccelli (to Tucson, AHL)
F Ben McCartney (to Tucson, AHL)
G David Tendeck (to Tucson, AHL)
F Reece Vitelli (to Prince Albert, WHL)

Boston Bruins (via team Twitter)

F Fabian Lysell (to Vancouver, WHL)
F Brett Harrison (to Oshawa, OHL)

Calgary Flames (via press release)

D Jeremie Poirier (to Saint John, QMJHL)
F Mark Simpson (to Stockton, AHL)
F Eetu Tuulola (to Stockton, AHL)
F Dmitry Zavgorodniy (to Stockton, AHL)
D Alex Gallant (to Stockton, AHL)
D Yan Kuznetsov (to Stockton, AHL)
D Ilya Solovyov (to Stockton, AHL)
F Luke Philp (to Stockton, AHL)*
F Colton Poolman (to Stockton, AHL)*

Chicago Blackhawks (via press release)

F Jalen Luypen (to Edmonton, WHL)
D Ethan Del Mastro (to Mississauga, OHL)

Columbus Blue Jackets (via press release)

F Ben Boyd (to Charlottetown, QMJHL)
F James Malatesta (to Quebec, QMJHL)
F Martin Rysavy (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
D Ole Julian Bjorgvik-Holm (to Mississauga, OHL)
D Stanislav Svozil (to Regina, WHL)
F Kaleb Lawrence (released from ATO)
F Peter Reynolds (released from ATO)
D Gerard Keane (released from ATO)
D Mark Woolley (released from ATO)
G Emerik Despatie (released from ATO)

Dallas Stars (via press release)

F Wyatt Johnston (to Windsor, OHL)
F Logan Stankoven (to Kamloops, WHL)
F Francesco Arcuri (to Kingston, OHL)
F Conner Roulette (to Seattle, WHL)
D Jacob Holmes (to Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)
G Remi Poirier (to Gatineau, QMJHL)
D Luka Profaca (released from ATO)

Edmonton Oilers (via press release)

F Xavier Bourgault (to Shawinigan, QMJHL)
F Devin Brosseau (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Matteo Gennaro (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Dino Kambeitz (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Raphael Lavoie (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Kirill Maksimov (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Ostap Safin (to Bakersfield, AHL)
F Tim Soderlund (to Bakersfield, AHL)
D Yanni Kaldis (to Bakersfield, AHL)

Minnesota Wild (via press release)

F Mitchell Chaffee (to Iowa, AHL)
F Damien Giroux (to Iowa, AHL)
F Ivan Lodnia (to Iowa, AHL)
F Nick Swaney (to Iowa, AHL)
D Turner Ottenbreit (to Iowa, AHL)
D Doyle Somerby (to Iowa, AHL)
D Keaton Thompson (to Iowa, AHL)
G Dereck Baribeau (to Iowa, AHL)
G Hunter Jones (to Iowa, AHL)
F Will Bitten (to Iowa, AHL)*
F Joseph Cramarossa (to Iowa, AHL)*
F Dominic Turgeon (to Iowa, AHL)*

Montreal Canadiens (via team Twitter)

D Xavier Ouellet (to Laval, AHL)*
D Louis Belpedio (to Laval, AHL)*

New York Islanders (per CapFriendly)

F Collin Adams (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Arnaud Durandeau (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Blade Jenkins (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Reece Newkirk (to Bridgeport, AHL)
F Aatu Raty (to Karpat, SM-liiga)

New York Rangers (via press release)

F Brennan Othmann (to Flint, OHL)

San Jose Sharks (via press release)

D Mark Alt (to San Jose, AHL)
F Joachim Blichfeld (to San Jose, AHL)
F Noah Gregor (to San Jose, AHL)
F Scott Reedy (to San Jose, AHL)
F Tristen Robins (to Saskatoon, WHL)
G Zach Sawchenko (to San Jose, AHL)

Seattle Kraken (via press release)

D Ryker Evans (to Regina, WHL)
F Brent Gates (released from tryout)
F Tye Kartye (released from tryout)
F Ryan Lohin (released from tryout)
F Cole MacKay (released from tryout)
F Jacob Melanson (to Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL)
F Ryan Winterton (to Hamilton, OHL)

Toronto Maple Leafs (via team Twitter)

D William Villeneuve (to Saint John, QMJHL)
F Curtis Douglas (to Toronto, AHL)
F Rich Clune (to Toronto, AHL)

Winnipeg Jets (via team Twitter)

D Tyrel Bauer (to Seattle, WHL)
D Dmitry Kuzmin (to Flint, OHL)

*Must clear waivers

This page will be updated throughout the day

College Hockey Round-Up: Season Preview

at CDT | by 2 Comments

Though the focus of the hockey world may be on the NHL preseason right now as we prepare for a full season for the first time in two years, college hockey is also making its triumphant return to play this weekend. After a season in which a number of teams did not participate, NCAA Division I men’s hockey is back at full strength – and then some. The University of St. Thomas is the newest member to the upper echelon of college hockey and will make their DI debut on Saturday in the first game of a home-and-home against championship runner-up No. 2 St. Cloud State. The weekend’s docket, though all non-conference matchups, still contains a number of incredible contests. Reigning NCAA champs No. 1 UMass starts with a tough test as they host No. 5 Minnesota State in a must-watch series. Lake Superior State and No. 17 Nebraska-Omaha is another clash of 2021 tournament teams, while UMass Lowell travels to Arizona State in a meeting of hopeful programs and the vaunted No. 3 Michigan starts off their campaign with a good challenge against Bowling Green.

Season Opening Rankings

The first national rankings, courtesy of USCHO.com, were released on Monday to open up the college hockey season. Predictably (albeit unimaginatively) last season’s champ and runner-up sit at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Yet, UMass and St. Cloud State face a serious threat in No. 3 Michigan, the majority favorite to win the NCAA title this year. Like Wisconsin two years ago, fans are gravitating toward the team with the most elite NHL Draft talent and Michigan takes that title handily with four of the top five selections in the 2021 draft class along with three additional first-round picks and a number of other NHL prospects. The Wolverines look dangerous, but have high expectations to live up to.

The “State of Hockey” is well-represented at the top of the rankings. Beyond St. Cloud State are No. 4 Minnesota, No. 5 Minnesota State, and No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth (who ironically all come from different conferences.) Duluth could have a bone to pick with their ranking as NCAA Champs in 2018 and 2019 and a Frozen Four finalist last year, only losing to eventual champ UMass. Minnesota State was a also a finalist in 2021, finally bucking the trend of early tournament exits. Minnesota won a stacked Big Ten Conference last year and should be taken seriously, even with Michigan in their path to a title.

No. 7 Boston College and No. 8 North Dakota round out the group that should be considered top contenders to begin the year. The Eagles and Fighting Hawks are historic programs and perennial contenders and were the top two seeds in the NCAA Tournament last year.

A major drop-off in voting points separates the rest of the pack, none of whom received any first-place votes either. Highlights of the remainder of the Top 20 include No. 9 Quinnipiac, a rising program with a ranking to match; frequent top competitors in No. 10 BU, No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 12 Providence. and No. 13 Denver; and the return of Ivy League power houses No. 14 Cornell and No. 15 Harvard. Atlantic Hockey hero No. 20 AIC wraps up the rankings, but there are 16 other schools who received votes, with Northeastern and UMass Lowell leading the chase.

What To Watch For This Season

If you are only going to watch one or two college hockey games this season, make them Michigan games. Owen Power (BUF), Matthew Beniers (SEA), Luke Hughes (NJD), Kent Johnson (CLB), Mackie Samoskevich (FLA), Brendan Brisson (VGK), Johnny Beecher (BOS), and Thomas Bordeleau (BUF) are all elite NHL prospects. Erik Portillo (BUF) and Dylan Duke (TBL) are no slouches either. At best, this team will be unstoppable. At worst, they will still be fun to watch. And with a couple of impressive recruiting classes along the way, may as well jump on the bandwagon now.

If you plan to watch a number of college hockey games this season and not just the Wolverines, you’re in luck. 40 programs have at least one drafted NHL prospect and eight, not including Michigan, have a double-digit total. Tyler Boucher (OTT) of Boston University, Matthew Coronato (CGY) of Harvard, Chaz Lucius (WPG) of Minnesota, and Corson Ceulemans (CLB) of Wisconsin are all 2021 first-rounders that aren’t playing in Ann Arbor this season. Jake Sanderson (OTT)and Tyler Kleven (OTT), selected in the first and second round respectively in 2020, are both current North Dakota defenders and future Ottawa Senators who could be manning the same blue line for years to come. Reigning Mike Richter Award winner Jack LaFontaine (CAR) of Minnesota is back for yet another year with the Gophers but sure to turn pro after the season, while Jay O’Brien (PHI) of BU has his sights set on the scoring title this year after finishing ninth in goals per game last year.

Of course, while it is great to watch your favorite NHL team’s draft picks play, it can be even better to build up excitement for the draft by keeping an eye on those top draft-eligible prospects. While this year’s crop of to-be-drafted freshman is not best or the biggest, it is led by a familiar name. Jack Hughes, yes a different Jack Hughes, looks to be the only surefire first-rounder out of the college ranks this year. The Northeastern center has been a well-regarded prospect in the U.S. ranks for some time and is ready to show what he can do at the next level. Denver winger Jack Devine could also sneak into the first round with a big freshman campaign, while defenseman Jake Martin of Wisconsin will try to show NHL teams that they should not have passed up on his top-notch defensive skills in the 2021 Draft. As always, some dark horse candidates could emerge over the course of the season as well. This weekend provides the first opportunity for prospects to make their mark on the college level and on NHL scouts.

Defense Notes: Hamonic, Hajek, Capobianco

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Training camp is well underway but the Vancouver Canucks are still awaiting the arrival of veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic. Now, with the deadline to opt out of the coming season arriving on Friday, the team is left to wait to see if they will have the reliable blue liner back after extending him this off-season. Yet, it appears that they will remain patient and calm with Hamonic, who has family concerns to take into account with his decision. Hamonic previously opted out of the 2020 playoff bubble due to his daughter’s respiratory infection and with the NHL returning to a full slate of travel this season, he may be concerned about potential exposure to the Coronavirus and bringing that home. GM Jim Benning tells Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma that he is “confident” that Hamonic will arrive to camp and play this season, but also notes that “he’s dealing with a personal issue and I think everybody should just leave it alone.” Benning did however speak to the team’s COVID vaccination status when discussing Hamonic, which may also imply that he is unvaccinated, adding another layer to his decision. Whatever the cause, time is running out for Hamonic to make his decision, but the Canucks hope the veteran defenseman will be back in the fold as soon as possible.

    • Just a few years after being one of the cornerstone prospects in the Ryan McDonagh trade return, Libor Hajek’s job with the New York Rangers could be in jeopardy. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks writes that sources believe Hajek has slid outside a starting job on the Rangers’ depth chart and possibly even outside of a roster spot. Behind established 23-year-old Ryan Lindgren, 21-year-old rising sophomore K’Andre Miller, and 20-year-old rookie Zac Jones, the 23-year-old Hajek has not done enough to assert himself as a roster lock and can no longer depend on his upside with so much talented youth around him. Lindgren and Miller both greatly outplayed Hajek last year and Jones came in late in the season, after a long college season that ended in a National Championship with UMass, and proceeded to match Hajek’s season point total in just ten games.  Beyond just the youngsters, Brooks reports that veteran free agent addition Patrik Nemeth is also above Hajek on the depth chart. With four lefties seemingly locked into roster spots, Hajek would have to unseat a righty to make the team – and that certainly won’t be Adam Fox or Jacob Trouba – or hope that New York opts to carry eight defenseman, five of which are lefties. Another promising rookie, Nils Lundkvist, is currently penciled in for the final spot on the right side, while a potential fifth lefty spot would also be open to competition from veterans Jarred Tinordi and Anthony Bitetto and promising prospect Matthew Robertson. This all goes to show that there are a lot of defensemen in the mix for the Rangers and Hajek no longer has the shine of a budding star. Even though the likes of Miller, Jones, Lundkvist, and Robertson are all waiver-exempt, don’t be surprised to see New York subject to Hajek to waivers anyhow in order to ensure the best players are on the NHL roster. Whether that decision ultimately means Hajek’s days in the Big Apple are numbered remains to be seen.
    • The Arizona Coyotes have announced that Kyle Capobianco is currently sidelined with a knee injury, which is exactly what the young defenseman did not want in training camp this year. Though PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan writes that he is only considered day-to-day, this is a critical preseason for Capobianco. The left side of the Coyotes blue line was obliterated this off-season with the trade of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, free agent departures of Alex Goligoski and Jordan Oesterle, and retirement of Niklas Hjalmarsson. Even with the addition of Shayne Gostisbehere to a left side now led by Jakob Chychrun, Capobianco flew up the depth chart into a top-three slot. This was his chance to finally secure an NHL starting job, but he risks missing out with a surplus of right-handed defensemen also jockeying for position. If youngsters like Victor Soderstrom, Conor Timmins, and Ty Emberson all prove they should be on the NHL roster while Capobianco sits out, he could lose his starting job, especially with veterans Ilya Lyubushkin and Anton Stralman able to play their off-side.

Minor Transactions: 09/29/21

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Though the numbers have dwindled, there are still many players looking for work this season. The includes in North America, where some are seeking minor league deals or hoping to capitalize on PTOs, as well as in Europe, where most leagues are already underway but players are still trying to find their way into the action. Keep up with all of these transactions here:

  • Miraculously, 38-year-old power forward Evgeny Artyukhin is back for another year of hockey. The Russian forward has signed a one-year deal with the KHL’s Admiral Vladivostok, the team announced. Admiral becomes his ninth different KHL club in his 18-year pro career, which also included a multi-year stint in the NHL. Artyukhin is so old (how old is he?) that the last NHL club he played for was the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010. A 2001 Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick, Artyukhin spent two seasons with the Bolts, collecting 33 points in 145, before splitting his final NHL season between the Anaheim Ducks and the Thrashers with 16 points in 54 games. An effective bottom-six forward who played a physical game and could chip in on offense, Artyukhin likely could have played longer in North America, but was always drawn back to Russia. And KHL teams are drawn to him; it seemed that Artyukhin’s career could be over back in 2018-19 when he missed the whole season due to injury, but now he is on to his second contract in two years as he continues to elongate an already impressive career.
  • Two Boston PTO’s have earned a contract with the Bruins, the AHL’s Providence Bruins that is. Defensemen Aaron Ness and Jack Dougherty have signed on with the junior Bruins for this season reports Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal. The organization has yet to confirm, but it would not be a shock given that both players are currently in camp. Ness, who turned down a PTO with the Seattle Kraken to join the Bruins instead, is coming of a contract with the Arizona Coyotes and saw NHL action just last year. He brings 72 NHL games and over 500 AHL games worth of experience to Providence. Dougherty, 25, is a former top prospect of the Nashville Predators who has struggled to make his mark in the pros but has been extremely consistent in the minors.
  • Jared Cockrell will have to spend another year in the ECHL to prove he is ready for the next level. The former Colgate standout transferred to St. Cloud State last year and appeared in the NCAA Championship with the Huskies. Soon after he signed with the Wheeling Nailers and got in 16 games, but disappointed with only one point and a -8 rating. His college play suggests that he is far better than that performance and he will look to show that this season after re-upping with Wheeling, per a league release. Cockrell will have his eye on establishing more consistent play at both ends in the Coast and then maybe he could be in line for an AHL loan at some point this year.

Seattle Kraken Sign Max McCormick

at CDT | by 5 Comments

The Seattle Kraken have signed depth forward Max McCormick to a one-year, two-way contract according to CapFriendly. The deal will carry an NHL salary of $750K, an AHL salary of $150K, and a minor league guarantee of $200K.

McCormick, 29, played in 12 games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season and has a total of 83 NHL contests under his belt. The sixth-round pick will bring some versatility and toughness to the Kraken organization, giving them another depth forward to send to the minor leagues if necessary. Though he’ll have to clear waivers to do so, it shouldn’t be a problem for McCormick who has cleared them four times in the past.

Willing to drop the gloves against much bigger opponents, McCormick has racked up penalty minutes at the minor league level while also providing a strong offensive presence. In 2019-20, which he spent entirely with the Charlotte Checkers, the veteran forward scored 16 goals and 35 points in 56 games while also registering 120 penalty minutes.

The Kraken are facing several interesting choices when it comes to finalizing a roster for the upcoming season, as several of their fringe players could be nabbed on waivers if they try to send them to the minor leagues. There’s also the issue of not actually having an AHL affiliate for the 2021-22 season, but just providing a handful of players to the Checkers this year. A player like McCormick, at very little risk of being claimed but still effective enough to be used as an injury call-up, is exactly the kind of player that can help the Kraken build risk-free depth as the season approaches.

Josh Archibald Dealing With Medical Issue

at CDT | by 12 Comments

The Edmonton Oilers have another preseason tilt tonight against the Winnipeg Jets but still won’t have depth forward Josh Archibald in the lineup. Head coach Dave Tippett told reporters today that Archibald is getting blood work done to try and solve a mysterious medical issue:

Arch has skated for a few days and is having some tests done. He just can’t seem to get himself up to speed, he’s not feeling like he should be. The last couple days he’s had some testing done and we’re waiting for the results of that. He’s just not getting up to speed like he should be, so we just want to check where he’s at. He’s set back a couple days here. 

Archibald is the only player on the Oilers that declined the COVID-19 vaccine, but Tippett confirmed that he has tested negative every day. The head coach also suggested Archibald actually might be currently ineligible to receive the vaccine because of this health issue even if he decided to get it now. The priority now is on the current health of the 28-year-old forward.

Entering the second season of a two-year, $3MM contract that was signed in 2020, Archibald has shown he can be a valuable bottom-six player for the Oilers. After scoring 12 goals in his first season in Edmonton, he came back with seven goals and 13 points in 52 games last year. While his playing time was certainly not guaranteed given the additions the team has made and the vaccination status that would keep him from traveling with the team at certain points, losing him entirely would certainly not be ideal at this juncture.

If Archibald is held out for this medical issue, it could be an opportunity for Colton Sceviour, in camp on a professional tryout, to land an NHL contract. The team will already be executing a delicate long-term injured reserve dance to get cap compliant, which should open enough room for another depth signing like Sceviour if there is a roster spot to be had.

Latest On Mattias Ekholm, Filip Forsberg

at CDT | by 3 Comments

At one point last season, speculation swirled around the Nashville Predators and every member of their veteran core. The team was playing poorly, half the roster was injured and it was obvious a change was necessary if they ever wanted to open up opportunities for some of the organization’s young players. Mattias Ekholm, who was only signed through the 2021-22 season was an obvious target, and teams all across the league started expressing interest even though the veteran defenseman was clear in his desire to stay in Nashville.

The Predators turned things around and made the playoffs without selling off any assets at the deadline, but a first-round exit made all of the trade talk surface once again. Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Ellis, two of the faces of the franchise, were moved this offseason in deals that opened up quite a bit of cap space and added younger pieces to the organization. Now, as the season approaches, there are two more core pieces under the microscope because of their contract status.

One of them, Ekholm, made it very clear once again today that if possible he’d like to stay with the Predators past this season. Speaking to reporters including Paul Skrbina of the Tennessean, the 31-year-old defenseman explained that he would have signed an extension “yesterday” if he could, though he’s leaving the negotiations up to his agent and Nashville GM David Poile. The feeling appears to be mutual, as Poile explained last month that after signing Juuse Saros to an extension, the team would turn their attention to a deal for Ekholm.

With Ellis out of the picture, even more weight will be put on the shoulders of the veteran duo of Ekholm and Roman Josi. While young Dante Fabbro has shown he can handle an increased role and Philippe Myers, acquired in the Ellis deal should fit in nicely, the Predators’ hopes really rely on their two anchors on the back end. Josi is entering the second season of his massive eight-year, $72.5MM extension, but Ekholm will carry a cap hit of just $3.75MM in the final year what became one of the most valuable contracts in the league. After earning just $22.5MM over the six-year contract, he’ll likely be looking for quite the raise if an extension is to be worked out.

The other player that will draw speculation this season is Filip Forsberg, the team’s best offensive weapon and another veteran on an expiring deal. Poile explained last month that he would reach out to Forsberg’s representatives before training camp, but it doesn’t sound like those negotiations have really started at this point. The 27-year-old forward told Robby Stanley of 102.5 The Game yesterday that he has “no rush to sign” and feels like “you have to play your contract out.”

Acquired from the Washington Capitals in an infamous 2013 trade, Forsberg has routinely been the Predators’ most reliable offensive player. He has 385 points in 497 games with the team, including 32 in 39 during the 2021-22 season. If he does end up on the open market next summer he would be a target for many teams looking to add to the top-six, meaning if a deal can’t be worked out at some point, speculation will swirl once again as the trade deadline approaches. Forsberg carries a cap hit of $6MM this season, and like almost everyone else in Nashville, does not hold a no-trade clause.

Tanner Laczynski To Undergo Surgery

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Philadelphia Flyers will be without Tanner Laczynski once again, as the young forward is expected to undergo hip surgery according to head coach Alain Vigneault. At this point, Laczynski is expected to miss the entire season.

As Vigneault explained, he simply hasn’t been able to see much of Laczynski to this point because of the series of injuries the young forward has dealt with. After signing out of Ohio State University in 2020, the sixth-round pick has had high expectations and barely any game action. Laczynski has played in just 19 games with the organization, 14 of those at the AHL level. In his five games with the Flyers, he has failed to register a point.

Now with another lost season, it’s hard to know what lies ahead for the 24-year-old. He will not reach Group VI unrestricted free agency because he doesn’t have the required professional seasons, meaning he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer. The Flyers could extend him a qualifying offer or work out a different deal, but it’s not clear at all where he would sit on the depth chart after missing the entire 2021-22 campaign. A late-round pick that made his name in a four-year college career, this is an extremely disappointing result for Laczynski’s early time as a pro.

Wade Allison meanwhile, who was ruled out earlier this month with a high ankle sprain, is also consulting with doctors on whether he needs surgery. Just a few days ago it was reported that the sprain was believed to be quite serious and could keep the young forward out several months, likely the result if it is determined surgery is indeed required. The 23-year-old Allison was expected to push for a full-time role with the Flyers this year, but could now be one of four players–including Laczynski, Zayde Wisdom, and Kevin Hayes–who have required surgery in the preseason.

Ottawa Senators Sign Zack Ostapchuk

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Ottawa Senators have inked another interesting prospect, this time signing Zack Ostapchuk to a three-year entry-level contract. The young forward was selected 39th overall at the 2021 NHL Draft and is currently in training camp with the team. Senators GM Pierre Dorion released a statement:

Zack has had an exceptional camp and we are excited about watching his development this season. He possesses the necessary tools in terms of size, skill and skating ability that we feel are key attributes in today’s NHL. Zack’s strong hockey sense and work ethic will serve him well as he trends towards becoming a full-time pro. Credit to Trent Mann and his amateur scouting staff who identified a prospect we feel is well on his way to helping the future of the organization.

The Senators have drafted quite a few big-bodied forwards over the last few years, and Ostapchuk is no different. The 6’4″ winger was picked in the early part of the second round despite having scored just 24 career points at the WHL level and being ranked 60th overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Ottawa must have seen something in the 22 games Ostapchuk played for the Vancouver Giants last season, in which he recorded seven goals and 16 points, because he’s come into camp this year looking like a player that deserved to be picked that high.

In fact, Ostapchuk has fit right in at the professional level despite only turning 18 a few months ago, suggesting he could be in for a big year in the WHL. There is still quite a bit of development time for the power forward, but the fact that the Senators have already signed him to an entry-level deal shows just how strongly they believe in his future. The first year of that contract won’t be burned this season should he return to the Giants as expected, and Ostapchuk won’t actually be eligible for the AHL until 2023-24.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top