In terms of the other names on the waiver wire, Martin’s placement comes as no surprise after the Canucks’ acquisition of Casey DeSmith from the Montreal Canadiens. Martin posted a dreadful .871 save percentage in the NHL last season, but fared far better in the AHL. The Canucks will hope he’ll clear waivers so he can provide quality goaltending alongside prospect goalie Artūrs Šilovs in AHL Abbotsford.
Canucks Rumors
Vancouver Canucks Expected To Waive Spencer Martin
The Vancouver Canucks are expected to place goaltender Spencer Martin on waivers today unless a trade materializes in the next few hours, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Martin, a candidate to compete for the backup job behind Thatcher Demko just a few weeks ago, was pushed down the team’s depth chart after the Canucks acquired Casey DeSmith in a trade with Montreal last week.
Even without acquiring DeSmith, the path to a roster spot in Vancouver for Martin wasn’t solid. After falling flat in his first shot at full-time NHL duties last season, many speculated that 22-year-old netminder Arturs Silovs may get the backup spot to start the season after a strong showing at the World Championship, guiding Latvia to a bronze medal. With DeSmith now in the fold, however, that point is moot, and both netminders are slated for AHL Abbotsford to start the season.
However, sending both netminders down will make for quite the crowded crease in Abbotsford. Vancouver also has Zach Sawchenko and Nikita Tolopilo signed to two-way contracts, plus 22-year-old Jonathan Lemieux is signed to an AHL contract for 2023-24. Lemieux is likely destined for assignment to ECHL Kalamazoo, but that would still leave four goalies competing for ice time at the AHL level. It’s clear why Vancouver would look to move on from Martin, the most veteran of the bunch at 28 years old.
Martin had been an AHL netminder for all of his pro career up until last season. A six-game stint near the end of 2021-22 with Vancouver earned him the upper hand on capturing the backup spot behind Demko to start 2022-23, going 3-0-3 in six starts with a sparkling .950 save percentage and 1.74 goals-against average. However, that momentum failed to translate when Martin did assume the backup role. He was arguably one of the worst netminders in the NHL last season – while his 11-15-1 record in 27 starts wasn’t awful, his .871 save percentage and 3.99 goals-against average fell far below the league average. To visualize it better, Martin conceded 27.5 more goals than the average NHL netminder would have given the same workload and shot volume.
That being said, he could still get some interest on the trade market from teams looking to fill a third-string-shaped hole on their goalie depth chart. The Columbus Blue Jackets come to mind with few options behind Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov, both of whom have recent injury histories. 130-game NHL veteran Aaron Dell is in camp on a professional tryout, however.
Vancouver Canucks Agree To Terms With Ty Young On ELC
Sep 26, 7:23 p.m.: CapFriendly has the breakdown of Young’s entry-level contract, which carries an $850K cap hit. Each season, the deal is paid out via a $775K base salary and a $75K signing bonus with an $82.5K minors salary in all three seasons.
Sep 25, 2:41 p.m.: The Vancouver Canucks announced Monday they’ve agreed to terms with goalie prospect Ty Young on a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Vancouver cut Young from their training camp roster and assigned him to juniors just minutes earlier on Monday afternoon. The 144th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft will return to the WHL’s Prince George Cougars to play out the 2023-24 season, sliding the beginning of his ELC to the 2024-25 campaign.
The 19-year-old netminder hasn’t yet excelled at the major junior level, but he earned a selection in 2022 in large part because of his stellar performance a level lower with the AJHL’s Calgary Canucks. There, in 2021-22, he recorded a sparkling .921 save percentage on a bottom-feeder team with major defensive issues – evidenced by his 4-10-3 record and 3.44 goals-against average despite the strong save percentage.
His career stats with Prince George are quite middling. An .892 save percentage and one shutout through 60 games isn’t much to write home about, but the major junior ranks are notoriously fickle in providing clear evaluations for netminders, especially relying on solely counting stats. Vancouver is banking on Young’s 6-foot-3 frame and strong recovery ability to translate into success at the professional level, but they’ll have to wait another season to see how his game translates.
In a statement, GM Patrik Allvin echoed that sentiment:
Ty has made some improvements since we drafted him last year and we were pleased to see him play meaningful games in the WHL playoffs. He has good size and our goalie development team see a lot of potential in his game if he continues to put in the work and follow the plan we have put in place for him moving forward.
Young’s entry-level contract is likely to expire after the 2026-27 season, at which time he’ll be a restricted free agent.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/26/23
Pretty much any team who hasn’t started their preseason yet will do so tonight, as there’s a solid seven-game slate on the schedule tonight, including a nationally televised battle of New York between the Islanders and Rangers. As most teams do have their legs under them almost one week into training camp, roster cuts continue on the daily, mainly involving players being returned to juniors or being released from PTOs and ATOs after getting a look in preseason action. As always, we’re laser-focused on teams posting their roster moves, and we’re conglomerating them all in one place.
Anaheim Ducks (via The Sporting Tribune’s Derek Lee)
D Rodwin Dionicio (to Windsor, OHL)
F Connor Hvidston (to Swift Current, WHL)
F Nico Myatovic (to Seattle, WHL)
F Coulson Pitre (to Flint, OHL)
D Vojtech Port (to Edmonton, WHL)
D Konnor Smith (to Peterborough, OHL)
F Yegor Sidorov (to Saskatoon, WHL)
F Carey Terrance (to Erie, OHL)
Arizona Coyotes (via team release) (additional X link)
F Ryan Dzingel (released from PTO)
F Elliot Ekefjärd (to Europe, team unknown)
D Terrell Goldsmith (to Prince Albert, WHL)
F Patrick Harper (released from PTO to South Carolina, ECHL)
D Olli Juolevi (released from PTO)
D Justin Kipkie (to Victoria, WHL)
F Julian Lutz (to Green Bay, USHL)
D Austin Strand (released from PTO to Chicago, AHL)
Calgary Flames (via team release)
D Charles Côté (released from ATO to Rimouski, QMJHL)
D Tyson Galloway (released from ATO to Calgary, WHL)
G Jari Kykkanen (released from ATO to Kelowna, WHL)
F Jaden Lipinski (to Vancouver, WHL)
D Quinn Mantei (released from ATO to Brandon, WHL)
D Donovan McCoy (released from ATO to Peterborough, OHL)
F Oliver Peer (released from ATO to Windsor, OHL)
F Nathan Pilling (released from ATO to Edmonton, WHL)
F Oliver Tulk (released from ATO to Calgary, WHL)
Chicago Blackhawks (via team release)
F Jiri Felcman (to SCL Tigers, NL)
Colorado Avalanche (via team release)
F D.J. Busdeker (to Colorado, AHL)
D Gianni Fairbrother (to Colorado, AHL)
D Kyle Mayhew (to Colorado, AHL)
F Cédric Paré (to Colorado, AHL)
F Ryan Sandelin (to Colorado, AHL)
F Dalton Smith (to Colorado, AHL)
G Ivan Zhigalov (to Tri-City, USHL)
Nashville Predators (via team release)
G Austin Elliott (to Saskatoon, WHL)
G Owen Flores (to Niagara, OHL)
F Kalan Lind (to Red Deer, WHL)
D Dylan MacKinnon (to Halifax, QMJHL)
F Austin Roest (to Everett, WHL)
D Graham Sward (to Wenatchee, WHL)
F Joseph Willis (to Saginaw, OHL)
New Jersey Devils (via team release)
F Cole Brown (to Brantford, OHL)
F Cam Squires (to Cape Breton, QMJHL)
Ottawa Senators (via team release)
D Matthew Andonovski (to Kitchener, OHL)
F Connor Clattenburg (released from ATO to
D Jorian Donovan (to Brantford, OHL)
D Tomas Hamara (to Kitchener, OHL)
F Jackson Stewart (released from ATO to Owen Sound, OHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (via team release)
F Denver Barkey (to London, OHL)
D Oliver Bonk (to London, OHL)
F Jonathan Fauchon (released from ATO to Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)
D Sam Sedley (released from ATO to Owen Sound, OHL)
D Carter Sotheran (to Portland, WHL)
San Jose Sharks (via team release)
G Mason Beaupit (to Wenatchee, WHL)
D Luca Cagnoni (to Portland, WHL)
D Ethan Frisch (to San Jose, AHL)
D Jake Furlong (to Halifax, QMJHL)
F Félix Gagnon (released from ATO to Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)
D Roman Kinal (to San Jose, AHL)
F Connor MacEachern (to San Jose, AHL)
F Bradley Marek (to San Jose, AHL)
F Anthony Vincent (to San Jose, AHL)
G Beck Warm (to San Jose, AHL)
Seattle Kraken (via team release)
F Maxim Andreev (released from PTO to Coachella Valley, AHL)
G Jaxon Castor (released from PTO to Coachella Valley, AHL)
D Lukas Dragicevic (to Tri-City, WHL)
F Jagger Firkus (to Moose Jaw, WHL)
F David Goyette (to Sudbury, OHL)
D Kaden Hammell (to Everett, WHL)
F Kyle Jackson (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Andrei Loshko (to Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)
F Carson Rehkopf (to Kitchener, OHL)
F Eduard Sale (to Barrie, OHL)
Toronto Maple Leafs (via team release)
D Noah Chadwick (to Lethbridge, WHL)
Vancouver Canucks (via team release)
F Marc Gatcomb (to Abbotsford, AHL)
D Alex Kannok-Leipert (to Abbotsford, AHL)
G Jonathan Lemieux (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Jermaine Loewen (to Abbotsford, AHL)
D Chad Nychuk (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Karel Plasek (to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Cooper Walker (released from ATO to Abbotsford, AHL)
F Dmitry Zlodeyev (to Abbotsford, AHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (via CapFriendly’s transactions log)
D Joe Fleming (to Henderson, AHL)
F Mason Primeau (to Henderson, AHL)
F Matyas Sapovaliv (to Sarnia, OHL)
Winnipeg Jets (via team release)
G Domenic DiVincentiis (to North Bay, OHL)
F Jacob Julien (to London, OHL)
D Simon Kubicek (released from PTO to Manitoba, AHL)
F Connor Levis (to Kamloops, WHL)
D Jimmy Oligny (released from PTO to Manitoba, AHL)
F C.J. Suess (released from PTO to Manitoba, AHL)
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Training Camp Cuts: 09/25/23
Teams are getting a good assessment of what they have available at training camp, with a slew of preseason games both in the books and yet to be played. This evening, fans can look forward to a pair of games from the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, Western Conference heavyweights matching off in NHL Network’s coverage of the Vegas Golden Knights v. Colorado Avalanche, and the Seattle Kraken getting a look at their lineup against Pacific Division rival, the Calgary Flames. Camp rosters are beginning to be trimmed down, and Pro Hockey Rumors will be organizing all of these cuts here.
Minnesota Wild (via team release)
F Louis Boudon (released from ATO to Iowa, AHL)
D Ben Brinkman (released from ATO to Iowa, AHL)
F Brett Budgell (released from PTO to Iowa, AHL)
F Maxim Cajkovic (to Iowa, AHL)
F Casey Dornbach (released from ATO to Iowa, AHL)
F Hunter Haight (to Saginaw, OHL)
F Riley Heidt (to Prince George, WHL)
G Hunter Jones (to Iowa, AHL)
G Peyton Jones (released from PTO to Iowa, AHL)
D Landon Kosior (released from ATO to Iowa, AHL)
F Rasmus Kumpulainen (to Oshawa, OHL)
D Brenden Miller (released from PTO to Iowa, AHL)
F Servac Petrovsky (to Owen Sound, OHL)
D Kalem Parker (to Victoria, WHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via team release)
F Emmitt Finnie (to Kamloops, WHL)
F Dean Loukus (released from ATO to Saginaw, OHL)
F Nicholas Sima (released from ATO to Saginaw, OHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (via team release)
F Peter Abbandonato (released from PTO to Chicago, AHL)
D Andre Anania (released from ATO to Sudbury, OHL)
F Matt Filipe (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
G Taylor Gauthier (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Dillon Hamaliuk (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Samuel Houde (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Jagger Joshua (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Matthew Soto (released from ATO to Kington, OHL)
G Michael Simpson (released from ATO to Peterborough, OHL)
F Evan Vierling (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
Vancouver Canucks (via team release)
F Vilmer Alriksson (to Guelph, OHL)
D Hunter Brzustewicz (to Kitchener, OHL)
D Kirill Kudryavtsev (to Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)
D Sawyer Mynio (to Seattle, WHL)
G Ty Young (to Prince George, WHL)
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Vancouver Canucks Sign Sawyer Mynio To Entry-Level Contract
The Vancouver Canucks have announced that Sawyer Mynio has been signed to a three-year entry-level contract, the financial terms of which were not disclosed.
Mynio, 18, was a third-round pick of Vancouver at the 2023 draft. A member of the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, the six-foot-one left-shot blueliner was ranked 62nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He scored 31 points in 68 games last year, solid points production to go alongside a massive +50 plus/minus rating.
With some significant names graduating from Seattle, Mynio is set to play a larger role on their blueline moving forward. This entry-level deal is likely to end up sliding for two years, as Mynio will probably end up playing out two more years of major junior eligibility before joining the pro ranks in the Canucks organization.
Ilya Mikheyev Leaves Training Camp For Personal Reasons
- The Vancouver Canucks announced that Ilya Mikheyev has left training camp for personal reasons. The Canucks acquired Mikheyev in advance of last season. He scored 13 goals and 28 points in 46 games with the club, although an ACL injury ended his season early. While his departure from camp doesn’t seem connected to that injury, it does add to the anticipation that Canucks fans face in waiting for Mikheyev’s return.
[SOURCE LINK]
Tucker Poolman Won't Attend Training Camp, Still Experiencing Migraines
- The Vancouver Canucks confirmed the expected news that defenseman Tucker Poolman will begin the season on long-term injured reserve and won’t attend their training camp. Poolman has suffered from migraines stemming from concussions for multiple seasons and last suited up for the Canucks at the beginning of 2022-23. He’s played in just 43 games for the Canucks since signing a four-year, $10MM contract with them in free agency in 2021.
Montreal Canadiens Acquire Tanner Pearson
After being hinted at for most of the morning, in order to become salary cap compliant for the upcoming season, the Vancouver Canucks have traded Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens for goaltender Casey DeSmith.
After the trade, the Canucks will have freed up $1.45MM in cap space if no salary is retained, making compliance with the salary cap a much more manageable endeavor. Also, by acquiring DeSmith in the deal, as well, Vancouver has a much more capable backup netminder to put behind Thatcher Demko, something the team did not have last season.
From the standpoint of Montreal, they also worked out their own dilemma, no longer having three playable goalies on the roster to start the season. After acquiring DeSmith from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the same deal that would land Erik Karlsson in Pittsburgh, it had been rumored for weeks that the Canadiens would eventually look to move out DeSmith as well.
All-in-all, simply for their involvement in the Karlsson trade, Montreal has acquired Pearson, Gustav Lindstrom, Nathan Legare, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick, and a conditional 2025-fourth round pick in exchange for Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick.
This is a solid trade haul for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens, but after finding a solution to one problem, another has been created entirely. Now with Pearson in the mix, the team already has a projected 12 forwards on the roster according to CapFriendly, with Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Sean Monahan, still to return from injury. Even aside from those players, players such as Sean Farrell and Owen Beck also appear close to being NHL-ready.
At any rate, both teams solved issues for the time being with this particular trade and should alleviate some concerns heading into training camp.
Darren Dreger of TSN was the first to report Pearson was heading to Montreal.
Chris Johnston of TSN was the first to report no salary had been retained by the Canucks.
Dreger was the first to announce the trade details.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff was the first to report the full trade details.
Canucks Looking To Move Pearson
Officially being activated from the injury reserve earlier today, Vancouver Canucks forward, Tanner Pearson, may not end up spending very long with the team, anyway. Rick Dhaliwal of The Athletic passes along a note from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet that the Canucks are looking to move Pearson to a different team.
Now with Pearson activated, the Canucks are approximately $1.7MM above the cap, even factoring in Tucker Poolman on the LTIR to open up the year. With a glut of players at the forward position, several surgeries, and noted dissatisfaction with the organization, Pearson does project as the likeliest player to be moved in order for Vancouver to become salary cap compliant.
As of right now, there are only about eight teams that could comfortably fit Pearson’s $3.25MM salary into their current roster, with teams such as the Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, and Anaheim Ducks in a position to acquire a boost to their secondary scoring. However, with limited availability due to his injuries, and the Canucks bargaining from a weakened position as a seller in this scenario, it is tough to project a hypothetical return for Pearson’s services, if any at all.