Atlantic Notes: Krug, Fabbri, Moore
While there has been plenty of debate on what the Boston Bruins should do with pending UFA defenseman Torey Krug this summer, there are other factors that the team must consider besides the team’s salary cap situation in the future.
The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa (subscription required) writes the Bruins also need to consider the upcoming Seattle expansion draft as well. The scribe writes that if Krug is retained, the team is more likely to protect four defensemen in Krug, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk. The problem is the team would then only be able to protect four forwards, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and either Charlie Coyle or Jake Debrusk. One of those two would likely be picked by Seattle.
However, if the team opted not to brink back Krug, the team might be able to choose the 7-3-1 protection format instead, which would allow Boston to protect those three defensemen (minus Krug) and then protect up to seven forwards, which might include two more forwards such as Danton Heinen and Anders Bjork as well.
- Despite expecting to have some cap space this offseason, the Detroit Red Wings do have an inordinate number of restricted free agent forwards. In fact, the team has 11 RFAs they will have to deal with this summer. The Athletic’s Max Bultman (subscription required) examines some of the forwards and what their chances of coming back are. While Anthony Mantha‘s status isn’t in doubt and Andreas Athanasiou status could end in a trade, there still are a number of forwards who could be fighting for a contract. The scribe writes that of all those forwards, many who must have solid campaigns this season, Robby Fabbri has definitely earned himself another contract with the Red Wings. The 23-year-old has established himself immediately with the team, posting 10 points in his first 13 games with the franchise. While it remains a long season and his offense could drop off, he has enough potential that it’s very likely the team will bring him back.
- Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said the team could be getting back forward Trevor Moore soon, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun. The 24-year-old has been out since Nov. 15 with a shoulder injury, but Keefe said that Moore could make his return by the end of the team’s current four-game road trip that starts today, which could put him on schedule to return at some point next week. Moore has averaged 14:00 per game and has three goals and five points in 21 games as a bottom-six forward.
Trevor Moore Placed On Injured Reserve
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost another one of their young forwards, as Trevor Moore has been placed on injured reserve. They’ll give Pierre Engvall a look, recalling him from the minors for the first time in his career. Moore suffered a shoulder injury early in Friday night’s game against the Boston Bruins.
Engvall meanwhile has been tearing up the minor leagues with 16 points in his first 15 games, more than anyone could have expected from a seventh-round pick. Selected 188th overall in 2014, the Maple Leafs patiently watched his development overseas before bringing him into the organization and almost immediately heaping responsibility on him. In 2018 Engvall joined the Toronto Marlies down the stretch and helped them win the Calder Cup, and last season moved to center full-time.
For Moore, it’s an unfortunate outcome when he had just been given a huge opportunity beside John Tavares and the other talented Maple Leafs’ forwards. Originally undrafted, the 24-year old has a seemingly limitless work ethic and continues to force his way up the team’s depth chart.
The Maple Leafs are one of the most disappointing teams in the league so far this season, with a 9-9-4 record despite some of the highest-paid players in the league still scoring at a strong rate. Their reimagined defense corps has struggled and there is already tons of speculation on the future of head coach Mike Babcock. Now without Moore, they’ll have to find a way to turn things around quickly.
Snapshots: College Free Agents, Moore, Penguins
The NCAA ranks are a place to find undrafted talent that can fill in the gaps in an organization, and even potentially unearth a star player. NHL.com contributor Mark Divver writes on the college names that are drawing the most interest from NHL scouts, including Connor Mackey of Minnesota State-Mankato.
In one of our earlier College Hockey Round-Ups, our own Zach Leach examined Mackey’s game and the report that at least seven NHL clubs had already shown interest. The 23-year old defenseman’s market may turn into something of a sweepstakes this summer if his strong play continues.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost another forward, this time to a shoulder injury. Trevor Moore left in the first period of tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins and will not return, an injury that the Maple Leafs can’t afford at this point. The team is already missing Mitch Marner and Alexander Kerfoot, meaning their vaunted forward group (that hasn’t been so spectacular yet this season) will be tested even further.
- Even with Sidney Crosby out of the lineup for at least a month, the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t going to make any desperate moves. That’s what GM Jim Rutherford told Josh Yohe of The Athletic (subscription required), explaining that he thinks the team is still strong enough to navigate the waters without their captain.
Minor Transactions: 04/26/19
The second round has started and 23 teams are now no longer in contention for the Stanley Cup. The Boston Bruins got off to a good start last night when Charlie Coyle converted in overtime, while the St. Louis Blues continued their second half domination with another playoff win. Tonight will feature the Carolina Hurricanes trying to hand the New York Islanders their first loss of the playoffs, while the Colorado Avalanche try to slay another Pacific Division powerhouse. As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves as teams prepare for action—or a long summer.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent Trevor Moore back to the minor leagues now that their season is finished. Moore looked like he had established himself as a full-time NHL option during the last few weeks of the season, but will now try to help the Toronto Marlies defend their Calder Cup title as AHL champions. Moore will be joined by Michael Hutchinson who has also been sent down now that his turn as the Maple Leafs backup goaltender is over.