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Archives for January 2022

Finland Announces 2022 Olympic Roster

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With just three weeks until the 2022 Winter Olympic men’s hockey tournament gets underway, rosters are being finalized by all the participating countries. Finland is the latest to reveal who will represent their country in Beijing next month, announcing a roster filled with names that are familiar to NHL fans. While the best league in the world won’t be going to the international event, there’s still plenty of NHL experience that will hit the ice.

The full roster:

G Harri Sateri
G Frans Tuohimaa
G Jussi Olkinuora

D Ville Pokka
D Niklas Friman
D Mikko Lehtonen
D Valtteri Kemilainen
D Juuso Hietanen
D Petteri Lindbohm
D Sami Vatanen
D Atte Ohtamaa

F Marko Anttila
F Miro Aaltonen
F Niko Ojamaki
F Joonas Kemppainen
F Hannes Bjorninen
F Toni Rajala
F Valtteri Filppula
F Markus Granlund
F Sakari Manninen
F Teemu Hartikainen
F Leo Komarov
F Samu Maenalanen
F Iiro Pakarinen
F Harri Pesonen

One thing that immediately sticks out about this group is how it is made up entirely of veteran players, those including several in their mid-thirties. Young options like Topi Niemela or Joakim Kemell, who are both leading players in Liiga, were not included. Experience is the choice here as the Finns try to reach the medal round once again. In 2018, Finland finished sixth after being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Canada.

Buffalo Sabres Update Several Injuries

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Every week it seems like the Buffalo Sabres announce several new long-term injuries, and this week was no different. The team gave an updated injury report which now lists Kyle Okposo as week-to-week following a hit from Erik Brannstrom on Tuesday night. Head coach Don Granato told reporters including John Vogl of The Athletic that Okposo did not suffer a concussion on the play, but is out with “bumps and bruises.”

Unfortunately, the bad news didn’t end there. Colin Miller, who was still listed as week-to-week on the update, underwent surgery and will miss six weeks. The 29-year-old defenseman played just a few days ago and had been discussed as a strong trade deadline chip for the Sabres. Miller is a pending unrestricted free agent, right-handed, and has nearly 400 games of NHL experience. That made him an attractive option, but he’ll now have to work through rehab and get back to full strength if Buffalo really wants to cash in.

Meanwhile one of their own trade acquisitions, Malcolm Subban, also had surgery and is likely out for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old netminder was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks last month for nothing more than future considerations but will end with just four appearances for the team. Given Subban is also a pending unrestricted free agent, it’s a tough blow that could see him struggling to find an NHL contract in the summer. In those four games, he posted a .871 save percentage and now holds a .898 for his 86-game NHL career.

Vinnie Hinostroza, who has been a nice story for the Sabres this season with eight goals and 17 points in 36 games, will miss about three weeks with his lower-body injury. The Sabres have recalled Jack Quinn today, who appears to be ready for an extended look at the NHL level because of how many injuries the team is currently dealing with.

Los Angeles Kings Recall Quinton Byfield

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The second-overall pick from 2020 is on his way back to the NHL. Quinton Byfield has been recalled by the Los Angeles Kings and is expected to make his season debut tonight against the Colorado Avalanche.

Byfield, 19, played six games for the Kings last season, recording a single point while averaging just over 15 minutes a night. The 6’5″ center suffered an ankle fracture in October during a preseason game that stole his spot on the opening night roster, but after 11 games in the minor leagues to get his legs back under him, Byfield is ready to make his return to the NHL.

Notably, Byfield’s entry-level contract could actually slide again if he fails to play ten NHL games this season. With the Kings in a competitive position in the Pacific Division though–currently second behind the Vegas Golden Knights–it seems likely that he would stay in the Los Angeles lineup if he’s one of the team’s best 12 forwards and can help them win.

An impressive mix of size and skill, there were many at the time of the 2020 draft that indicated Byfield actually had a higher ceiling than Alexis Lafreniere, the first-overall pick by the New York Rangers. With Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault already in place as two elite defensive centers, Byfield should be able to play some more sheltered offensive minutes as he gets comfortable at the NHL level. That is of course if he plays center at all, given the team’s glut of other young options down the middle.

There have already been 12 players from the 2020 draft to score a goal at the NHL level, with Lafreniere leading the bunch. Lucas Raymond, who went fourth overall to the Detroit Red Wings has a good shot at the Calder Trophy this season, while Anton Lundell–12th to Florida–is a key part of one of the best teams in the NHL. Byfield’s development is key for the Kings if they want to take a step toward real Stanley Cup contention, and getting him back in the NHL lineup will be the first test.

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 01/20/22

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Nine games grace the NHL schedule this evening, as we inch closer to next month’s All-Star break. A lot of eyes will be on the Edmonton Oilers after this week’s press conference dust-up, as they take on the powerhouse Florida Panthers, trying to snap out of their long losing streak. As they and other teams prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league and taxi squad shuffling.

Atlantic Division

  • The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Jack Quinn to the taxi squad, and have the young forward practicing on the top powerplay unit. Buffalo won 3-1 over the Senators earlier in the week and now sit at 12-20-7 on the year. Later in the day, Quinn was recalled to the active roster and Brett Murray was reassigned to the AHL.
  • The Boston Bruins have returned Kyle Keyser and Steven Fogarty to the AHL from the taxi squad, as the Providence Bruins prepare for action tomorrow night. The minor league team is off after that all the way to February 11, meaning there could be some additional recalls in the coming days.
  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled Jacob Bernard-Docker and Clark Bishop from the taxi squad, following Dillon Heatherington clearing waivers. Heatherington has now been sent to the taxi squad.
  • Tampa Bay will not have to play with four defensemen tonight, after recalling Fredrik Claesson to the taxi squad today. Of course, that’s depending on who stays healthy heading into tomorrow’s match against the Anaheim Ducks.
  • The Florida Panthers have recalled Maxim Mamin and Matt Kiersted from the taxi squad ahead of tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. Mamin, 27, has played in 20 games this season for the Panthers, scoring five goals and seven points.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent Michael Hutchinson back to the minors from the taxi squad.  Between spending some time as the backup for the Maple Leafs, the COVID pause, and the recreation of the taxi squad, he has played just once since late November.

Metropolitan Division

  • The New York Rangers have recalled Jonny Brodzinski, Tim Gettinger, and Zac Jones to the taxi squad, giving them some extra bodies for their short road trip. The Rangers are off to Carolina for a game tomorrow before returning home to take on the Coyotes on Saturday.
  • With Jakub Voracek coming off the COVID list, the Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned Liam Foudy to the taxi squad. Foudy made his season debut a few days ago after spending the early part of the season with Cleveland in the AHL.

Central Division

  • The Minnesota Wild have recalled Kevin Czuczman from the taxi squad. Michael Russo of The Athletic suggests that since Hunter Jones was not added to the taxi squad, Cam Talbot could be traveling with the team to Chicago.
  • The Nashville Predators have recalled Matt Tennyson from the AHL, giving them another defenseman for tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. Tennyson, 31, has 165 games of NHL experience, though none of them have come this season.
  • Riley Damiani is back up from the taxi squad for the Dallas Stars, and he’s coming along with Rhett Gardner this time. The two have been involved in several transactions this month as the team continues to bounce names up and down, collecting cap space and saving salary. Later on, Gardner was returned to the taxi squad.

Pacific Division

  • The Los Angeles Kings have activated Carl Grundstrom from the COVID list and will insert him into the lineup this evening. Jacob Moverare has also been recalled to the active roster from the taxi squad, as the team prepares for a match against the Colorado Avalanche.
  • With Thatcher Demko’s status uncertain as the Vancouver Canucks wait for additional COVID testing results, the team has recalled Michael DiPietro to the taxi squad. DiPietro could be asked to play tomorrow night should Demko be ruled out.
  • The Edmonton Oilers have moved Zach Hyman to the COVID protocol, joining Stuart Skinner and Josh Archibald. One player that isn’t in the protocol anymore is Kyle Turris, activated today. Kris Russell has also been activated from injured reserve while Ilya Konovalov has been officially recalled to back up Mikko Koskinen in Skinner’s absence.
  • With Morgan Geekie being activated off injured reserve, the Seattle Kraken have returned Alexander True to the taxi squad.  True has played in eight NHL games so far this season, being held off the scoresheet in just over eight minutes per game of playing time.

This page will be updated throughout the day

Martin Necas, Jordan Martinook Enter COVID Protocol

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Jan 20: The Hurricanes have now placed Jordan Martinook in the protocol, removing another forward from the mix for a few days. Martinook played a little less than 13 minutes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, recording his seventh point of the season.

Jan 17: After wowing the crowd with an impressive goal on his birthday this weekend, Martin Necas will have to enter isolation. The Carolina Hurricanes forward has been placed in the league’s COVID protocol, just 40 minutes after the team released a video celebrating his 100th NHL point.

Necas, 23, has registered those 100 points in just 158 career games, including 21 in 33 this season. Like most of the Hurricanes these days, strong possession numbers have resulted in good offensive results for the young forward, despite seeing limited time on the powerplay as part of the second unit.

Luckily, the Hurricanes play only twice this week. Games tomorrow and Friday are likely out of the question for Necas if he tested positive for coronavirus, but there would be a chance he’s eligible to return on Saturday. Even if it is three games he misses, the Hurricanes are a strong enough group that they have in-house replacements for his minutes.

Team reporter Walt Ruff tweets that Nino Niederreiter has moved into Necas’ spot on the second line at practice today, with Derek Stepan jumping in on the fourth line. Jaccob Slavin, who was in the protocol the last few days, has joined the group.

Snapshots: Halak, Canucks GM Search, O’Connor, Lafreniere

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While Canucks goaltender Jaroslav Halak has come up in trade speculation lately with him being close to reaching a $1.25MM bonus for games played, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his latest 32 Thoughts column that the veteran doesn’t seem inclined to want to move.  As part of Halak’s contract, he did receive a no-move clause, giving him control over where he goes if Vancouver is able to find a trade taker for him.  The 36-year-old is two games away from triggering a $1.25MM bonus payment, one that will count against Vancouver’s salary cap in 2022-23 with the team being in LTIR and having no cap space to apply the bonus money against this season.  If Halak doesn’t want to leave Vancouver, however, it’s a payout they’re going to have to make.

Elsewhere around the NHL:

  • Still with Vancouver, team president Jim Rutherford told Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic (Twitter link) that he has narrowed his list of potential new general managers to around five. The Canucks have technically been without a GM since Jim Benning was fired back in early December although Rutherford has effectively been acting in that role since joining the team on December 9th.
  • Penguins forward Drew O’Connor is listed as out week-to-week with an undisclosed injury, notes Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The injury was sustained in Saturday’s game against San Jose and the 25-year-old has been placed on LTIR, meaning he’ll miss at least 10 games and 24 days.  O’Connor has three goals and two assists in 22 games this season.
  • The Rangers announced (Twitter link) that winger Alexis Lafreniere has cleared COVID protocol and has been reinstated to the active roster. The 20-year-old has had a quiet sophomore season so far, notching just 11 points in 37 games which isn’t what New York was expecting when they drafted him first overall in 2020.  Morgan Barron was assigned to the taxi squad to make room for Lafreniere on the active roster.

What Your Team Is Thankful For: Winnipeg Jets

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In the spirit of the holiday season, PHR has been taking a look at what teams are thankful for as the season approaches the midway mark. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We’ll examine what’s gone well in the early going and what could improve as the season rolls on for the Winnipeg Jets as we wrap up our series.

What are the Jets thankful for?

Their deep top end of their forward group.  Pierre-Luc Dubois has been much better in his first full season with Winnipeg, giving the Jets a strong one-two punch with him and Mark Scheifele.  Kyle Connor is having a standout season, averaging a point per game while playing in all situations.  Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler are still top-six options while Andrew Copp is on pace for a career year (while logging over 20 minutes a game).  Paul Stastny is a versatile player that can play both down the middle and on the wing and is still capable of playing in the top six when called upon.  That’s seven quality top-six forwards at their disposal, a luxury that not a lot of teams have.

Who are the Jets thankful for?

Connor Hellebuyck.

For the last three seasons, he has led the league in shots faced and as Winnipeg makes up their games in hand over the coming months after having several postponed games, there’s a good chance that he makes it four in a row.  At a time where many teams are looking more favorably at the idea of a platoon or tandem situation, Hellebuyck has been the old-school starter, logging heavy minutes.  His numbers are down a little bit this season but still above average but he’s only two years removed from winning the Vezina Trophy while he finished fourth in voting last year.  He still has two years left on his contract at a very reasonable price $6.167MM for someone that logs the minutes he does.

What would the Jets be even more thankful for?

Getting more from their defense.  Kevin Cheveldayoff spent a lot of resources over the offseason to rebuild their back end after it was exposed as a weakness last season with the additions of Nate Schmidt and Brendan Dillon.  They were supposed to complement a pair of strong offensive defenders in Neal Pionk and Josh Morrissey to give them a well-rounded group.  However, Winnipeg hasn’t received a lot of production from their back end with just ten goals in total, half of which came from Morrissey.  As a result, the effects from that upgrade really haven’t been felt – they’ve been better defensively but that has been mitigated with a drop in output.  Getting the production back would give them the best of both worlds and really give them a boost heading into what will be a busy second half of the season.

What should be on the Jets’ wish list?

There’s a big difference here between what they will want and what they can actually do.  Once Wheeler is able to come off LTIR (which will be in the next few days), their cap space will be gone and they’ll have to soon drop to close to a minimum-sized roster to get back to compliance.  So while they’d undoubtedly love to try to add (either up front or defensive depth), they’re going to be very limited in what they can afford as they’ll have to match money or add someone making close to the minimum and send someone down to make room.  That means they’ll be forced to shop more for depth pieces.  Adding some veteran depth up front would be beneficial and while finding a cheap goalie will be a tough, an insurance policy behind Eric Comrie is something Cheveldayoff should want to do.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Central Notes: Buchnevich, Wheeler, Wild, Kuemper

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Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich has been cleared from COVID protocol, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  As a result, St. Louis – who has had 21 different players unavailable due to positive tests in recent weeks – now doesn’t have anyone missing for that reason (though defenseman Scott Perunovich is out with an unspecified injury).  Buchnevich will be a welcome addition back to the lineup for the Blues as he sits tied for second in team scoring with 14 goals and 21 assists in 34 games.  St. Louis had an open roster spot so they didn’t need to make any corresponding roster move to bring him back onto the active roster.

More from the Central:

  • Jets winger Blake Wheeler could return to the lineup this weekend, reports Sportsnet’s Ken Wiebe. The captain has missed nine straight games with a knee injury, an amount that could have been much higher had it not been for the COVID-related postponements.  Wheeler has only scored once in 22 games this season but had 16 assists which is still tied for third on Winnipeg despite missing more than a month.
  • Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has resumed skating as he works his way back from a lower-body injury, relays Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Twitter link). He was injured blocking a shot a week and a half ago.  His pending return will be welcome with Jared Spurgeon expected to be eased back into the lineup; McLellan adds that it’s unlikely that the captain – who is working his way back from a lower-body injury – will play both ends of the upcoming home-and-home with Chicago.
  • While Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper left Monday’s game against Minnesota with an injury, he isn’t expected to miss any time, mentions Mike Chambers of the Denver Post (Twitter link). He’ll serve as the backup goaltender tonight and is slated to start on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Dmitry Orlov Suspended Two Games

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The Department of Player Safety has handed out a two-game suspension to Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov for his knee-on-knee hit on Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers last night. As the accompanying video explains:

It is important to note that while Ehlers is attempting to move around Orlov on this place, this is not a case where an exceptionally sharp or sudden movement by a player receiving a hit turns a potential full body check into a leg-on-leg contact. The two players are moving slowly enough that Orlov has time to recognize that Ehlers is changing position, and he responds to this by thrusting his arms and knee out wider to attempt to get a piece of Ehlers.

While this is a common response from defensemen, on this play the only contact Orlov is able to make is direct, forceful, knee-to-knee contact. If Orlov wants to initiate contact on this play, he must ensure that he is able to make more substantial upper-body contact, rather than having the force of the blow concentrated on his opponent’s knee. 

The fact that Ehlers suffered an injury on the play was taken into consideration. Jets head coach Dave Lowry already ruled the forward out for the rest of the team’s road trip and explained that he is undergoing further evaluation to determine the extent of the injury. Orlov was also not penalized by on-ice officials.

Though he does have a suspension on record, the league decided that Orlov does not have any relevant disciplinary history in this case as his previous ban was for boarding in 2014. Now, he’ll have a second suspension on the books, one that will be taken into account when determining punishment for any similar incidents. Orlov will miss games against the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in the coming days.

Gustav Forsling Added To COVID Protocol

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One of the less talked about developments that have made the Florida Panthers such a deep, imposing team the last two seasons has been the progression of Gustav Forsling, a fifth-round pick snatched off waivers in early 2021. Forsling has become one of the most trusted defensemen on the Florida roster and is averaging over 21 minutes a night for the Panthers this year.

Unfortunately, they’ll need to find someone else to eat those minutes for the next few days as Forsling has been placed in the COVID protocol. He won’t play tomorrow against the Edmonton Oilers, and likely will be out against the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken, should he face the regular five-day isolation period.

Now 25, Forsling is in the first season of a three-year deal signed last July that carries a cap hit of just $2.67MM through 2023-24. That’s an incredible bargain for a defenseman that is eating incredibly tough defensive deployment and yet still has 19 points in 34 games. The Panthers have outscored their opponents 43-25 at even-strength this season despite the defenseman starting just 39 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. Without him, a player like Olli Juolevi will have to step into a bigger role after playing a little over 15 minutes against the Calgary Flames yesterday.

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