Some college prospects have a plan for when they want to turn pro. First-round picks, in particular, are often staying for just a year or two before making the jump. That was the case for several of Michigan’s players last season with one of the exceptions being Panthers prospect Mackie Samoskevich. The 19-year-old told NHL.com’s Alain Poupart that he doesn’t have a set time in mind for turning pro. He had 29 points in 40 games for the Wolverines in his freshman year and with several prominent players from 2021-22 making the jump to the pros already, Samoskevich will be in line for a bigger role next season. How he performs with that opportunity will go a long way towards helping Florida determine if they want him turning pro after that.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- While it’s understandable that Colorado wants to remain in the mix for free agent center Nazem Kadri, Paul Kiszla of the Denver Post suggests that the Avalanche should start to look at other options either by trade or by bringing back someone like Paul Stastny. The Avs don’t have enough money to bring back the 32-year-old at his desired asking price while a deal that might fit in better with their financial structure – the scribe suggests a $6.5MM AAV for four years – also would require some subtraction from their current roster. Colorado can afford some patience with Kadri’s camp while the market has basically come to a complete halt but at some point, they may need to start looking at alternate plans to fill out their roster for next season.
- After parting ways with Mel Pearson a few days ago, Michigan has decided to promote from within as they named Brandon Naurato as their interim coach for the upcoming season. The 37-year-old joined the Wolverines as an assistant coach last season after spending three years with Detroit as a Player Development consultant. Michigan has lost Owen Power, Matthew Beniers, Thomas Bordeleau, and several others but they still have seven NHL draft picks on the roster for next season.
If I were the Avs I would have NO Interest In any UFAs If It means trading a key player to clear money.
If you were the Avs the team would have finished closer to the bottom of the standings towards your former employer the Sabres, or maybe even further down towards the likes of another former employer in the NJD. The Avs have a smart management team and hoisted Lord Stanley’s cup for a reason this. Partially because they don’t employ guys like you or me to run their club.
This Kadri to the NYI rumors have being going on for weeks now. When is it going to happen?