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Five Key Stories: 3/25/24 – 3/31/24

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The stretch run is upon as we get set to turn the calendar to April.  We’re still likely a few weeks away from some big headlines but there was still some notable news across the NHL which is recapped in our key stories.

Three For Benoit: Last summer, Simon Benoit was non-tendered by Anaheim, eventually settling for a one-year deal worth the NHL minimum salary with Toronto.  However, he has done well with the Maple Leafs and he was rewarded for his efforts with a three-year, $4.05MM contract extension.  The 25-year-old has played in 55 games this season and while he doesn’t put up many points (just five so far), he leads the team in hits with 210 while averaging nearly 17 minutes a night, giving the third pairing some stability.  That stability will now run through the 2026-27 season.

Injuries: If the Islanders are going to climb up the standings and into the playoffs, they’ll have to do so without defenseman Scott Mayfield as it was revealed that he underwent season-ending surgery.  The 31-year-old has been limited to just 41 games this season due to injuries, hardly the way he or the team wanted the first season of his seven-year contract to go.  Meanwhile, Blues center Oskar Sundqvist suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the rest of the season.  He returned for a second go-around with St. Louis in the summer and did well enough to earn a two-year, $3MM contract earlier this month just before the trade deadline.  With a six-month recovery timeline, Sundqvist won’t be ready for the start of training camp and could miss the start of next season.

Fleury Open To Playing Next Season: When Marc-Andre Fleury signed a two-year deal with Minnesota in 2022, it was widely expected that those two seasons would be the last ones of Fleury’s career.  However, that might not be the case as the veteran netminder indicated this week that he would be open to re-signing with the Wild for next season.  However, that option would only extend to Minnesota as he appears to be unwilling to move his family again.  Fleury is in his 20th NHL season and while his GAA is the same as a year ago at 2.85, he has lost nine points off his save percentage, going from .908 to .899, his lowest since 2005-06.  However, if the Wild feel that prospect Jesper Wallstedt would be better suited with another AHL season, they could decide to bring Fleury back for one more year.

Fedotov Joins Flyers: The Flyers have waited a long time to get Ivan Fedotov to North America, even when he had a contract going back to last season.  Fedotov played in the KHL this season despite sanctions from the IIHF but he was surprisingly released from that deal this week, paving the way for the netminder to finish up the year with Philadelphia.  It might not just be a short-term option for the 27-year-old as extension talks are already underway.  Fedotov had a quiet year by his standards with CSKA Moscow but still managed a 2.37 GAA and a .914 SV% in 44 games.  Long viewed as one of the top netminders outside North America, Fedotov represents an immediate upgrade at the backup goalie position and if a new deal is agreed on, he could help bolster Philadelphia’s crease position for a little while.

Bear Enters Assistance Program: The Capitals will be without defenseman Ethan Bear indefinitely as he has entered the NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program.  Bear had to wait until late December to get a contract after being injured while playing for Canada at the Worlds back in May although he was able to get a back-loaded two-year, $4.125MM deal from the Capitals.  Through 24 games this season, Bear has a goal and three assists while averaging a little under 15 minutes a night.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Predators’ Matthew Wood Expected To Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

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Top Nashville Predators prospect and former top-15 pick Matthew Wood is expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per NHL.com’s Mark Divver (Twitter link). Divver adds that the University of Minnesota is currently the favorite to land Wood, though the University of Wisconsin and North Dakota are in the race as well. Wood will be departing from the University of Connecticut, after leading the team in scoring in each of his two years with the school. His move to the transfer portal is not yet finalized, with March 31st representing the first day that underclassmen can enter.

The Predators drafted Wood with the 15th-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, following his freshman year at UConn last season, when Wood became the first 17-year-old to play D1 Men’s Hockey since Ryan Poehling in 2017 and Noah Hanifin and Zach Werenski in 2015. He did the best with the opportunity, with 11 goals and 34 points in his first 35 collegiate games. The hot performance earned Wood plenty of draft attention, with flashy stickhandling and a heavy shot proving tough for college goalies to handle. But he wasn’t without flaws, struggling to show consistent finesse skating and not always filling his roles outside the offensive zone.

Nashville put aside those concerns, taking the hefty-built Wood early in the draft, and he’s vindicated the team’s confidence this season – with 16 goals and 28 points in 35 games. He also added plenty of grit, recording 43 penalty minutes after just four last season. Wood now represents perhaps the best value on the NCAA’s open market, with his heavy-hitting offense providing plenty of scoring. He’s expected to move to the Big Ten after two years in Hockey East, giving him a good preparation for the high level of competition he’ll face if he moves to the Midwest.

Snapshots: Tanev, Bunting, Butler, Aston-Reese

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The Dallas Stars could be without their newest defenseman for an extended time, with Trade Deadline acquisition Chris Tanev leaving the team’s Saturday night game early after taking an elbow to the head from Seattle Kraken Adam Larsson. Larsson received a five-minute major and game misconduct for the hit, while Tanev exited after 17 minutes of ice time. Tanev will be re-evaluated on Sunday, with the Stars hoping for an update early this week, per Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning Star (Web link).

Tanev is 12 games into his time with the Stars, recording one goal, two points, and 10 penalty minutes. The Stars sent away prospect Artem Grushnikov, a conditional second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick to land Tanev – and they’re getting their money’s worth, with Tanev stepping into an immediate impact role and averaging over 18 minutes of ice time each game. He’s served as much-needed depth behind star Miro Heiskanen, elevating the impact of depth defenseman Esa Lindell. Dallas would normally turn towards Jani Hakanpaa in the event of Tanev’s absence, though he’s also bearing through a day-to-day injury. The Stars aren’t carrying any other defenders, meaning they’ll need to make a call-up if neither Tanev nor Hakanpaa can go.

Other notes from around the league:

  • Michael Bunting left the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Saturday night game due to illness, head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed after the game (Twitter link). Bunting played in nearly 10 minutes of ice time before exiting, with a -1 representing his only stat change. He’s found a strong scoring groove through his first 12 games in Pittsburgh, with three goals and seven points – though he’s still finding where he fits best in the lineup. There’s been no update on Bunting’s availability moving forward, though healthy scratch Emil Bemstrom is available to slot in if needed.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent right-winger Cameron Butler back to the minor leagues, after awarding him with his NHL debut on Saturday (Twitter link). He played in just one shift – staying on the ice for 54 seconds – during the eventual shootout-win. Butler, who is in his first year of pro hockey, will now return to the AHL, where he’s already managed two goals, eight points, and 63 penalty minutes in 46 games. He signed with the Blue Jackets as an undrafted free-agent in March of 2023.
  • Zach Aston-Reese has been sent back to the minor leagues by the Detroit Red Wings after being recalled on Friday (Twitter link). Aston-Reese didn’t appear in any NHL action during the call-up, making his sole game in December his only NHL game of the season. He’s managed 13 goals, 28 points, and 47 penalty minutes in 56 AHL games this season – his first year in the league since 2018-19.

Avalanche Recall Chris Wagner On Emergency Loan

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The Colorado Avalanche have recalled forward Chris Wagner on an emergency loan (Twitter link). It’s Wagner’s third call-up to the Avalanche lineup since signing a one-year, two-way deal with the club this summer. He’s served as an NHL extra forward for much of the season, playing in nine NHL games and 17 AHL games – with nine points combined between the leagues.

This season has marked the most Wagner has played in the NHL since the 2020-21 campaign. He’s been a minor-league staple ever since, playing in 62 games in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. And while he did manage a career-high 31 points in the minors last season, Wagner’s role has still come largely through bruising, with 124 penalty minutes across 141 AHL games over the last three seasons. That’s a role he’s carried to the NHL as well, recording his 200th NHL penalty minute with a Leap Day fight against Chicago’s Reese Johnson. Wagner managed the feat in just 369 career games, also adding 37 goals and 64 points in those appearances.

Colorado now brings Wagner back to the top level, adding depth in the wake of a lower-body injury to Valeri Nichushkin and an illness to Joel Kiviranta. Both players are listed as day-to-day and have missed multiple games. Nichushkin won’t immediately travel with Colorado on their upcoming three-game road trip, per NHL.com’s Ryan Boulding (Twitter link). Wagner’s recall could also spell bad news for defenseman Sean Walker, who is questionable for the team’s next game with an upper-body injury after leaving the team’s Saturday game early.

Young Faces Hold The Key To Sabres’ Future Success

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The Buffalo Sabres face their final seven games of the season well outside of the playoff conversation. It’s been a disappointing year for one of the league’s hottest teams at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Nobody has stepped up, with Tage Thompson not yet at 50 points after scoring 94 last year; Devon Levi struggling to hold onto the starter’s net amid less-than-flattering competition; and the defense continuing to falter when faced with too much pressure.

The down-year has forced general manager Kevyn Adams to part with important morale pieces, sending team captain Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers and former Colorado Avalanche assistant captain Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers. And the Sabres might’ve moved even more veterans, with Zemgus Girgensons and Victor Olofsson reportedly on the trade block as well. Even if it wasn’t their intention at the beginning of the year, the Sabres now sit with a clear mindset – get younger, and then we’ll get better. That’s not a new perspective in the NHL, but it is a risky path forward. Few teams have the depth to refresh lineup roles solely from within. But after years of strong, and lucky, drafting, the Sabres could be one of the rare few to pull it off.

The Buffalo Sabres Future Playoff Hopes Lie With Their Prospects

Buffalo’s prospect pool is led by centerman Jiri Kulich, who has served as one of the top forwards for the AHL’s Rochester Americans. He’s scored 21 goals and 38 points through 49 games this season, improving on his scoring pace after 24 goals and 46 points in 62 games last year. Kulich has added the boost in scoring while also taking on more and more responsibility, becoming a centerman capable of staying diligent in all three zones. He’s been a favorite of Rochester head coach Seth Appert, spending the last two seasons working with Rochester’s development team to find what specific program will best support the Czechian power forward – knowing that Kulich won’t shy away from hard work. The Sabres will hope that next season bears the fruits of Appert’s labor, with the departure of Casey Mittelstadt opening up opportunity down the middle. Kulich looked undoubtedly overeager in his NHL debut earlier this season, showing a clear need for added poise and experience. He’s gathered plenty now on a Rochester team bound for the AHL playoffs, though if it will be enough to seamlessly transition into the NHL is yet to be seen. As are the consequences if Kulich isn’t ready.

But Kulich won’t be able to escape the competition with fellow AHL sophomore Isak Rosen by moving to the NHL. Rosen has looked just as capable in his pro appearances, even earning seven NHL games to Kulich’s one this season. The 21-year-old winger has 16 goals and 40 points in 59 AHL games this year, topping his 37 points in 66 games last year. And he’s managed it on the back of growing confidence with the puck on his stick. Rosen has always made himself a focal piece of the offense, but he found a new layer of poise this season, doing much better at slowing play down and creating space when opportunity isn’t present, instead of forcing through a failed entry. But while his AHL play has improved thanks to better independence, Rosen’s NHL game suffered from a severe lack of involvement. He’s yet to score his first NHL point and did little to look convincing in his outings. There’s definite room for confidence – with Rosen never looking downright bad or out of place at the top level – but he’ll need to find his drive amidst the best in the world if he wants to succeed. Rosen took a couple of years to find his footing in the minors and could need the same slow transition into the NHL. That means the Sabres will have to be patient, as Rosen likely starts in a smaller role and works his way up next season. Already struggling for wins, it will be interesting to see if Buffalo has the time to spend.

Kulich and Rosen are joined at the top of the depth chart by Matthew Savoie, who returned to the WHL after one NHL game and six AHL games. He scored five points in the latter matchups, and carried the strong scoring back into juniors, where his 30 goals and 71 points in 34 games (2.09 points-per-game) marked the highest rate any WHL player has scored at since Connor Bedard last season, and Mike Comrie in 2001 before him. To join such an exclusive list is always exciting, and Savoie is certainly deserving, proving this year that his high-tempo playmaking is simply too good for the CHL. It seems opportunity is the last remaining piece of Savoie’s puzzle, especially considering his AHL success earlier this season. But pre-season injury marred Buffalo’s ability to really test him at the top level. They’ll have to go through the feeling-out process at the start of next year, while also hoping Savoie can quickly turn the tides on the scoresheet. His tempo and skill were dominant in juniors and could certainly bring the game-changing offense that Buffalo is in dire need of. A bill of good health this summer and confidence this fall could set up Savoie for a prime role as soon as next year kicks off.

Buffalo has plenty of other forward prospects that could push the envelope soon. Viktor Neuchev carried a steady AHL role all season long, despite being in his first season of North American pros. He, as well as Swedish duo Anton Wahlberg and Noah Östlund, will all continue to get comfortable through minor league roles next season. It’s instead defenseman Ryan Johnson that rivals one of Buffalo’s remaining NHL slots. Johnson is playing through his first professional season this year, with seven assists in 41 NHL games and eight assists in 19 AHL games – though he’s still searching for his first pro goal. And while he’s adjusted well, there’s been plenty left to desire from the 22-year-old defenseman. He’s simply yet to find where his impact comes in – showing strength in a long list of roles but yet to stamp one as his calling card. It was his ability to control the offensive zone, and control possession, that propelled Johnson through college. He’s shown flashes of that ability in the NHL as well, though they’ve been coupled by a clear need for quicker decision making and sharper plays. The Sabres will hope he can find his offensive niche in the NHL quickly, with Johnson leading a very depleted defensive depth chart. If he can’t solidify an NHL role next year, the team might be forced to turn towards the draft to try and mend a blue-line that’s looked unconfident for years.

Zach Benson lit the Sabres on fire this year. While he’s only managed 23 points on the season, he’s shown a determination and work ethic that’s hard to find, especially in 18-year-olds straight out of juniors. Buffalo needs more of that prospect luck next season, if they want to reignite the fire under their playoff hopes. Savoie represents plenty of upside, while Kulich and Rosen could each carve out strong roles of their own, but all three players face questions. How they can overcome that uncertainty, as well as how quickly Buffalo’s able to add in impactful defensive depth, will be the defining questions as the Sabres look to build a winning team from within.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Network.

Snapshots: Cates, Fast, Liljegren

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The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that forward Noah Cates will be out on Thursday due to personal reasons (Twitter link). Cam Atkinson will step back into the lineup in his place, marking the first game Atkinson has played since March 16th. The veteran Atkinson will step back into the lineup looking to snap a 16-game scoring drought. He’s managed 25 shots in that stretch, though his only other stat changes have come via a -9 and, interestingly, the first fight of Atkinson’s 10-year career. He squared off against Tampa Bay forward Michael Eyssimont, who used his two-inch size advantage to pummel Atkinson.

Atkinson is taking on more grit and responsibility as he finds himself fighting for a consistent spot in the lineup. The Flyers will hope he can find his groove soon, as he fills in for Cates’ role on the fourth-line. Cates has just 13 points through 51 games this season – a far step down from his 38 points as a rookie last year. He’s sacrificed scoring for a much more poised, all-around role, improving his faceoff percentage by five percent this season and yet to record a penalty this season. Atkinson will face pressure from healthy scratches Garnet Hathaway and Nicolas Deslauriers if he can’t make an impact quickly.

Other notes from around the league:

  • Jesper Fast will miss his fifth straight game on Thursday, per NHL.com’s Walt Ruff (Twitter link). Fast has been recovering from an upper-body injury and returned to the team’s practice in a no-contact jersey. He’s served in a quaint role when healthy, managing six goals and 18 points in 66 games while averaging 12:48 in ice time. Jack Drury and Stefan Noesen have gained a boost in ice time with Fast out, though Carolina could also lean on healthy scratch Brendan Lemieux if needed.
  • Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren has been removed from the team’s lineup on Thursday, per NHL Network’s David Alter (Twitter link). He was a late call for head coach Sheldon Keefe and will now miss the game with an upper-body injury. Liljegren’s absence opens the door for Mark Giordano to return to the lineup, marking his first game since February 29th. Giordano, the NHL’s oldest player, has one goal and seven points in 38 games this season.

West Notes: McGinn, Grundström, Krug, Joshua

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The Anaheim Ducks have announced that forward Brock McGinn has undergone successful back surgery, focused on his intervertebral discs (Twitter link). This operation is expected to hold McGinn out for four months, ending his season early. McGinn has been on injured reserve since February 17th and absent from Anaheim’s lineup since January 25th.

This news marks the final blow in what was a difficult season for McGinn – who suffered a significant lower-body injury just days before Anaheim’s first game of the season that held him out for a month. That injury, as well as a brief departure for the birth of his first child in late December, held McGinn to just 24 appearances in the first half of the season. Those games will now stand as his only this year, marking the least he’s played since turning pro in the 2014-15 season. McGinn managed one goal, three points, four penalty minutes, and a -5 this year while averaging roughly 11 minutes of ice time. Anaheim has utilized a variety of talents in his place – with the Ducks debut of Ben Meyers, the return of Trevor Zegras from injury, and bottom-six stalwarts like Ross Johnston and Benoit-Olivier Groulx working to fill open minutes. McGinn will look to rejoin the bottom-six mix next season, with one year remaining on his contract.

Other notes from around the league:

  • Gritty forward Carl Grundström is progressing from injury, joining the Los Angeles Kings on their three-game road trip through Western Canada, per The Athletic’s Eric Stephens (Twitter link). Grundström has been out since February 13th with a lower-body injury that’s earned him a place on long-term injured reserve. He’s managed eight goals and 12 points in 50 games this season. Stephens adds that Grundström is still wearing a no-contact jersey at practice – but his attendance on the trip is nonetheless encouraging progress towards his return from a 21-game absence.
  • Defenseman Torey Krug could be held out of the St. Louis Blues’ lineup on Thursday with the flu, per NHL.com’s Lou Korac (Twitter link). Blues head coach Drew Bannister shared that he’s hopeful Krug will be good to go but designated him as questionable. Krug played in the first 69 games of St. Louis’ season but recently missed his first game of the year with a lower-body injury. He’s been a pivotal piece of St. Louis’ lineup when healthy, managing 34 points and 30 penalty minutes in 71 games. The Blues will hope he’s feeling better come tomorrow, as they gear up for a fight with the Calgary Flames.
  • The Vancouver Canucks upgraded forward Dakota Joshua to full-contact at their Wednesday-morning practice (Twitter link). Joshua has been out since February 13th, suffering an undisclosed injury in the midst of a three-point night. He’s flirted with a return many times since, but ultimately landed on Vancouver’s long-term injured reserve. While no official designation was provided, Joshua could have a chance to return as soon as Thursday, when the Canucks take on the Dallas Stars.

Capitals Recall Vincent Iorio, Matthew Phillips

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The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Matthew Phillips and defenseman Vincent Iorio to the NHL roster (Twitter link). This move brings Phillips back to the NHL after being sent down earlier in the week and marks the second call-up of Iorio’s career.

Iorio’s first call-up came in March of last season and awarded him with the first three NHL games of his career. He managed one assist in those appearances while averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time. He’s yet to fight his way back into the Capitals lineup, instead spending all of this season with the AHL’s Hershey Bears – scoring four goals, 14 points, and 30 penalty minutes in 60 appearances, a step down from his 22 points in 63 games as an AHL rookie last year.

But he’ll be leaned on once again, with fellow defenseman Ethan Bear out indefinitely after entering the NHL Player Assistance Program. Bear was serving as Washington’s seventh defenseman and hadn’t played since March 13th. Iorio will step into that depth role, looking to compete with Alexander Alexeyev for a spot on the team’s lineup.

Phillips’ recall could be an indication of Sonny Milano’s availability. Milano is working his way back from an upper-body injury suffered in Washington’s Sunday win over the Winnipeg Jets. He missed the team’s Tuesday night game but has continued appearing at the team’s practices, including taking the ice during their off-day this morning. Washington will test Milano’s readiness ahead of their Thursday matchup against Toronto, with Phillips as their fill-in if he can’t go.

Ethan Bear Enters NHL Player Assistance Program, Out Indefinitely

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The NHL has announced that Washington Capitals defenseman Ethan Bear will be out indefinitely while receiving care from the NHL Player Assistance Program (Twitter link). He’s scored four points in 24 games since making his season debut in late December.

Bear’s season kicked off late, with a shoulder injury suffered during the 2023 IIHF World Championship lingering through the first half of the year. He became a free agent after his surgery – after the Vancouver Canucks went chose not to extend a qualifying offer – and he held off negotiations on a new deal until December. There were reportedly plenty of teams in the mix on Bear, including Vancouver. But he ultimately decided on Washington, moving to his fourth team in the last three years with a two-year, $4.125MM contract. He made his season debut on December 31st and scored his first goal (and so far, his only goal) of the year nine games later.

This year is Bear’s fifth season in a full-time NHL role, following his rookie season in 2019-20 when he scored 21 points in 71 games. That has stood as his career-high in scoring, though he came within a few points when he scored 16 in 61 games last year. Bear has established himself as a solid bottom-four option at the NHL level, averaging 18-and-a-half minutes of ice time through 275 career games. Alexander Alexeyev has gained a bigger role in his absence, recording one goal and three points through 28 games this season.

Penguins Recall Jonathan Gruden

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have once again recalled forward Jonathan Gruden (Twitter link). This marks Gruden’s eighth call-up of the season, and brings him back to the NHL roster after six days in the minor leagues. Gruden played in three AHL games this weekend, recording no points, one fight, and five shots on goal.

Gruden is being recalled alongside Samuel Poulin – with the pair providing depth for a Penguins team currently facing injuries to Noel Acciari, Matthew Nieto, and Jansen Harkins – the former of the three being placed on injured reserve this morning. Gruden and Poulin will fight for the team’s open fourth-line role, with Gruden carrying the upper hand thanks to his 12 NHL appearances this season. He has just one point, his first career goal, in those appearances – though he’s provided serviceable grit in the bottom six. Poulin has yet to play in the NHL this season, with his only games in the league coming during a three-game stint last season. He’s impressed in the AHL, though, with 13 goals and 27 points in 36 games this season bringing his career totals to 68 points in 123 games. He has just one point in his NHL appearances.

Gruden has bounced between the AHL and NHL lineup for much of the last two seasons, serving as a de facto fill-in when Pittsburgh is facing injury. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, being selected out of the US National Team Development Program before pursuing one year in college and one year in the OHL. He’s still searching for his scoring groove in the pros, with just 96 points in 207 career AHL games.

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