Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for May 2023

Seattle Kraken Sign Ales Stezka

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Seattle Kraken have signed Ales Stezka to a one-year entry-level contract, according to a team release. The 26-year-old goaltender has been playing pro in Czechia and is coming off a stellar playoff run with HC Vitkovice where he has played for the past two seasons. His cap hit for next season will be $950K before he becomes a restricted free agent next offseason.

Stezka was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, but has not played an NHL game in his career. He has not played in North America at all since playing two seasons in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Chicago Steel from 2015-17.

The 6-foot-4 and 201 pound goalie had a 2.14 GAA and a .924 SV% last season in Czech Extraliga, the top pro circuit in that country. He was sensational in the postseason where he had a 1.24 GAA and a .960 SV% in 12 games, where his team remarkably only had a record of 6-6.

The Kraken will begin their second round playoff series tonight against the Dallas Stars, but this signing is for future depth at the position. With backup Martin Jones a free agent, the organization has only Philipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger signed in goal for next season.

Seattle will hope for a similar landing like Karel Vejmelka had in Arizona where he came over from Czechia in 2021 and surprisingly took over as their starting goaltender while posting respectable numbers on one of the weakest teams in the league.

Jared McCann Expected To Miss First Two Games

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Earlier this morning, Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff reported that Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann did not make the trip with the team to Dallas, and will likely miss the first two games of their second-round series. McCann has not played for Seattle since Game Four of their opening-round matchup against the Colorado Avalanche after receiving a late hit from defenseman Cale Makar.

Although the Kraken were able to weather the storm against the Avalanche, it will become increasingly challenging against the Stars without their top forward. McCann had by far the best season of his career, leading the Kraken in points, scoring 40 goals and 30 assists in 79 games played.

Since his absence from the team, the Kraken are 2-1, largely scoring by committee. In their final three games against the Avalanche, the team scored six goals in total, all scored by five different players. Unlike the Avalanche, the Stars have not been decimated by injuries in these playoffs. Their depth came in handy against the Minnesota Wild in their opening-round matchup, and the Kraken will have to match up against even more pressure without their top point-scorer in the lineup.

Buffalo Sabres Sign Viktor Neuchev

at CDT | by 1 Comment

This afternoon, in a flurry of activity surrounding the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs mixed with some extensions signed by other players, the Buffalo Sabres have entered the mix, announcing that they have signed forward Viktor Neuchev to an entry-level contract. Neuchev recently finished his last season in the KHL, playing for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.

Originally drafted 74th overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft, Neuchev finished his last season with Yekaterinburg playing in 57 games, scoring four goals and eight assists. In his draft year, Neuchev played in the MHL for Avto Yekaterinburg, playing in 61 games, scoring 40 goals and 27 assists in the 2021-22 season.

Neuchev’s scouting report primarily centers around his strong skating ability and his pro-level shot already. His edge work is always noted, highlighting his ability to change direction and weave through an opposing team’s defense. As the Sabres seem like a team poised to finally take the next step into the playoffs, Neuchev will be another strongly skilled forward they can now add to the mix.

 

Flyers Sign Yegor Zamula To Extension

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced they have signed defenseman Yegor Zamula to a 1-year, $775K contract extension. Zamula was scheduled to be a restricted free agent at the end of this season, finishing out his entry-level contract that was signed back in 2018.

An undrafted player coming from the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, Zamula did not make his Flyers organization debut until the 2020-21 season. In that season, he managed to suit up in two games for the Flyers, scoring zero points. Primarily playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Zamula played in 26 games, garnering six assists.

Last season, Zamula would fail to score again for the Flyers in ten games but did manage to suit up in 58 games for the Phantoms, scoring four goals and 25 assists. This year went much better for Zamula in the NHL, skating in 14 games for Philadelphia, and adding four assists. Once again playing a majority of his games in Lehigh Valley, Zamula managed to score one goal and 18 assists.

Atlantic Notes: Lightning, Edvinsson, Zboril

at CDT | by 2 Comments

As is typical for any team once they are knocked out of the playoffs, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports that laundry list of playoff injuries sustained by the Tampa Bay Lightning in their opening-round matchup. Throughout the playoffs, most teams usually keep their player’s specific injuries very close to their chest.

Erik Cernak, who would only manage to play nine minutes in Game One before being removed for the rest of the series, was dealing with a concussion after sustaining a high hit from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting. Similar to Cernak, trade deadline acquisition Michael Eyssimont was also dealing with concussion symptoms but was able to return to the team and score a goal in Game Five.

Victor Hedman, who would only miss Game Two in the series, was apparently dealing with a hip impingement, and Tanner Jeannot, who would only play three games in the playoffs for the Lightning, had a high ankle sprain. Most impressively, Brayden Point, who had a brutal run into the boards aided by Morgan Rielly in Game Three, had a rib cage cartilage fracture resulting from that play and still managed to play in the rest of the series.

Other Atlantic Division notes:

  • The Detroit Red Wings announced that top prospect Simon Edvinsson has undergone successful shoulder surgery, and his recovery timeline will be 4-6 months, meaning he will likely be out to start next season. In his first taste of NHL action this season, Edvinsson played in nine games towards the end of the season in Detroit, scoring two goals. Primarily playing for their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins this year, Edvinsson played in 52 games, scoring five goals and 22 assists.
  • Mark Divver of NHL.com reports that Boston Bruins’ defenseman Jakub Zboril will suit up for Czechia in the IIHF World Championship. Zboril, who is on the first year of a 2-year, $2.275MM contract, played in 22 games this year for Boston, scoring one goal and three assists.

PHR Playoff Primer: Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

at CDT | by 5 Comments

With the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs now underway, PHR makes its first foray into playoff series analysis with our 2023 Playoff Primers. Where does each team stand in their series, and what storylines could dominate on and off the ice? We begin our second-round coverage with the Metropolitan Division matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils.

For the third time in as many years, the Carolina Hurricanes have won their first-round matchup and will try to return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2018-19 season. The New Jersey Devils, on the other hand, will make it to the second round for the first time since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2011-12 season, beating their cross-town rival New York Rangers in seven games. This will be the fifth time these two teams have met in the playoffs, as the Hurricanes have won three of the previous four series.

Over the last 10 seasons prior to the current one, the Devils had failed to qualify for the playoffs in nine of those years. As the team has finally come together, led by the tremendous breakout of star center, Jack Hughes, the Devils look poised to continue winning.  For Carolina, they are on a three-year run of clinching the Metropolitan division during the regular season but have failed to move past the second round for quite some time.

Much like the playoff series for both of these teams in the first round, this one will be another encompassed by a historical rivalry. Aside from the 2009 playoffs, in the other three playoff matchups between these two teams, one team has gone on to the Stanley Cup Final, and the Hurricanes would go on to win in 2006. Although both teams look considerably different than they did in 2009, expect this series to be hotly contested.

Carolina Hurricanes: 52-21-9, 113 points, +53 goal differential
New Jersey Devils: 52-22-8, 112 points, +65 goal differential.

Head-To-Head

December 20, 2022: Carolina 4, New Jersey 1

January 1, 2023: Carolina 5, New Jersey 4 (OT)

January 10, 2023: New Jersey 5, Carolina 3

March 12, 2023: New Jersey 3, Carolina 0

New Jersey takes the season series 2-1-1

Team Storylines

Although the rivalry has been addressed between these two Eastern Conference foes, one of the major points of consideration will be the health of the two lineups. As of right now, New Jersey comes in with a clean bill of health, but Carolina will still be missing talented forwards such as Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen.

In their first-round matchup against the New York Islanders, even with so many top-end forwards out of the lineup, the Hurricanes were able to pick up solid depth goal-scoring from both Stefan Noesen and Seth Jarvis. Both players scored four points in six games, as Noesen scored the eventual game-winner in Game One. Aside from those two for Carolina, Sebastian Aho led the way, scoring seven points in six games, continuing his point-per-game pace in the playoffs over the course of his career.

For the Devils, their high-end scoring came from the usual suspects this season. Although no player on the team averaged a point per game, Nico Hischier, Ondrej Palat, and Hughes, all scored five points in their series against the Rangers, and Erik Haula gave New Jersey six points in seven games. In the aspect of more players contributing to the offense, the Devils have a clear advantage heading into this second-round matchup.

On defense, both teams have positives and negatives attached to their back end. The Devils were a mixed bag against New York in their previous series, allowing 15 goals in three games (Game One, Two, and Six), but also held the Rangers to two goals in the four games that New Jersey won. So far in the playoffs this year, when the Devils lose, they lose big. For Carolina, in their six games against the Islanders, they gave up 15 goals in total. The major X-factors for both teams will be their top offensive defenseman, respectively. Brent Burns had a huge first round for Carolina, adding five assists, while New Jersey’s top defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, scored three points, including an overtime game-winner in Game Three.

Between the pipes, both teams have used both goaltenders in their first-round matchups. The Hurricanes ran with Antti Raanta up until the series-deciding Game Six, where Frederik Andersen would come in and stop 33 of 34 shots. In New Jersey, Vitek Vanecek originally got the nod in net, but after getting blown out in Games One and Two, the Devils turned to young goaltender Akira Schmid, who produced a 4-1-0 record, posting a .951 SV% and a 1.38 GAA, including two shutouts.

Prediction

In this series, the number of injuries that Carolina has accrued recently may become insurmountable. Although they dominated their first-round matchup against the Islanders, New Jersey brings a much different style of play, and the Hurricanes will have to try and weather some serious offense coming their way.

Although they won their first-round matchup against the Rangers, the Devils’ lack of playoff experience showed, as they were considerably tested by New York. The players that lead the team, such as Hughes, Hischier, and Bratt, do not have the same experience that the Hurricanes team has accrued in the last several years. In defense, the Devils were down 2-0 in their previous series and still managed to come back and win in seven.

The prediction: New Jersey win in six games.

Metro Notes: Bowman, Rangers, Lindberg

at CDT | by 10 Comments

This morning, Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, reports that there may be some mutual interest between front office executive Stan Bowman and the Pittsburgh Penguins. On April 14th, the Penguins fired President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke and General Manager Ron Hextall after a disappointing season.

Bowman, who recently resigned as President of Hockey Operations with the Chicago Blackhawks after the 2021-22 season, has some serious connection to the Penguins organization. His father, legendary coach Scotty Bowman, coached the Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory during the 1991-92 season.

Starting as Director of Hockey Operations with the Blackhawks ahead of the 2005-06 season, Bowman was at the head of all decision-making beginning in the 2009-10 season, when he was named General Manager in Chicago. Under his tenure, the Blackhawks would go on to win three Stanley Cups, and would routinely put on a master class in retooling his roster to stay competitive in the salary cap era.

The major sticking point with not just the Penguins, but any team beginning a relationship with Bowman, is the involvement he had in hiding information about the former video coach Brad Aldrich’s alleged sexual abuse of former player Kyle Beach. The lead investigator at the time, Reid Schar, reported that Bowman’s failure to report the abuse likely led to further abuse of the player.

Other Metro notes:

  • As their season came to an end on Monday night, the New York Rangers have assigned Jonny Brodzinski, Jake Leschyshyn, Libor Hajek, and Louis Domingue to their AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. Because their services are no longer needed for the year in the NHL, these four will undoubtedly help Hartford compete for the Calder Cup. As things stand currently, Hartford is one win away from knocking out the Providence Bruins, shortly after knocking out the Springfield Thunderbirds in the first round.
  • Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports that Penguins prospect Filip Lindberg has signed a contract with TPS of the Finnish Liiga. Lindberg was originally drafted by Pittsburgh at 197th overall in the 2019 NHL draft. Dealing with injuries the last couple of years playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Lindberg finished this year with a 6-11-1 record, posting a .896 SV% and a 3.13 GAA.

 

Corey Perry Plans To Continue Playing After This Season

at CDT | by 10 Comments

Speaking with a beat writer of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chris Krenn, this morning, veteran forward Corey Perry states that he aims at playing next season, which would be his 19th season in the NHL. When asked about his immediate future, Perry said, “I’ve still got more in me. I still want to play. We’ll see where it goes over the next few weeks and then take it from there.”

In 2003, Perry was originally selected by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at 28th overall and would go on to be one of 17 players from the first round to go on to make an appearance in at least one NHL All-Star Game. In his draft season, Perry played in the OHL for the historic London Knights team, scoring 25 goals and 53 assists in 67 games. Not joining the Mighty Ducks until the 2005-06 season, Perry finished his CHL career with 253 games played, scoring 140 goals and 240 assists.

As the Mighty Ducks officially transitioned into the Anaheim Ducks during the 2006-07 season, Perry helped considerably in the Ducks’ path to the Stanley Cup Final. In 21 games played in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, Perry scored six goals and nine assists as the Ducks won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

A few years later, Perry would become one of the best players in the NHL, scoring 50 goals and 48 assists in the 2010-11 season, winning both the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy. Because of his offensive explosion, the Ducks would reward Perry with an 8-year, $69 million contract extension through the 2020-21 season.

Unfortunately for both him and the Ducks, Perry would only play six out of eight years of that contract, as he was bought out at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. Throughout the next several years, Perry would play on one-year contracts, playing for the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens in 2020 and 2021, respectively, helping both teams to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Having lost the Stanley Cup in back-to-back years at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Perry decided to join Tampa Bay, signing a 2-year, $2 million contract before the 2021-22 season. In potentially his last season for the Lightning, Perry scored 13 goals and 15 assists but also held a rating of -28 while on the ice.

As Perry has already entered the twilight years of his career, he can still provide a bit of depth scoring for any team across the league. Being in the hunt for the Stanley Cup for seemingly the last four seasons, Perry will likely look to join a team that is firmly on the cusp of raising the trophy at the end of the season.

Minnesota Wild Sign Marcus Johansson To Extension

at CDT | by 6 Comments

A few short days after their season came to its conclusion at the hands of the Dallas Stars, the Minnesota Wild have announced they will be bringing back forward Marcus Johansson into the fold. The contract will be a 2-year, $4MM contract, extending Johansson through the 2024-25 season.

In his second tenure with the Wild, Johansson was a critical forward down the stretch in Minnesota’s playoff hunt. After being acquired from the Washington Capitals at this year’s trade deadline, Johansson played in 20 games, scoring six goals and 12 assists. Just as importantly, Johansson brought his career exceptional possession numbers, providing the Wild a Corsi For % of 52.2.

Heading into this year’s offseason, Minnesota was going to find itself in an increasingly difficult salary cap situation. Due to the past buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, the cap penalty will increase from $6.37MM per player to $7.37MM per player, taking almost $15MM away from the Wild’s available cap. Even after signing Johansson, Minnesota still has five players headed for unrestricted free agency (three forwards, and two defensemen) and five players headed toward restricted free agency (three forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie).

Up to this point, taking into account the massive cap penalty given to the Wild due to their past buyouts, General Manager Bill Guerin has done a good job assembling a roster worthy enough to get into the playoffs almost year-in-and-year-out. He will have to continue to remain creative throughout this process, and bringing back Johansson on a relatively cheap contract is one way to get that started.

New York Rangers Linked To Joel Quenneville

at CDT | by 10 Comments

With the New York Rangers’ disappointing Game 7 shutout loss in the rearview mirror, speculation about changes to the team’s roster and coaching staff fired up as soon as the horn blew to end the game. Today, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that speculation includes longtime NHL coach Joel Quenneville as a possible replacement behind the bench if the Rangers opt to move on from head coach Gerard Gallant. ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski doubled down on ties between the Rangers and Quenneville.

Any move involving Quenneville will be met with a great amount of scrutiny. Quenneville currently requires approval from the commissioners’ office to work any job in the league again due to his involvement in the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks’ response to former video coach Brad Aldrich’s alleged sexual abuse of former player Kyle Beach.

Per the investigation report released by independent legal firm Jenner and Block, multiple witnesses stated Quenneville participated in a meeting to discuss the Aldrich allegations shortly after the Blackhawks advanced to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, where he and other Blackhawks leaders opted to defer action on Aldrich until the end of the playoff run so as to “not cause a distraction” to the team’s on-ice success. Prior to the report coming to light, Quenneville had claimed publically he had no previous knowledge of the allegations against Aldrich.

Dreger confirmed that Quenneville has not yet been cleared by the league to return to coaching and said that an official interview request from the Rangers would “likely encourage commissioner approval.”

Quenneville last coached in 2021-22 with the Florida Panthers, posting a 7-0-0 record before resigning and being conditionally held out of NHL work by the commissioner’s office.

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

scroll to top