July 1 FA Frenzy: Reviewing the big signings and moves around the league

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Derek

On Saturday, July 1st, the NHL free agency period got underway. On Canada Day, a flurry of activity took place yesterday. It was busy. There were a lot of signings. Some players re-signed while others moved to new cities.

Such is life under the salary cap. How much room you have dictates what you can do. In the Rangers’ case, they spent money on veterans who didn’t cost a lot. Highlighted by Blake Wheeler, they added depth to their roster. Whether or not it works, that remains to be seen.

While Rangers Team President and GM Chris Drury was limited in what he could do due to key RFA’s Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller, other teams were able to land bigger fish in the sea. In this post, I’ll review most of the big moves.

One of the busiest teams was the Hurricanes. A successful team that reached the Conference Finals, they had plenty of business to take care of. They were able to re-sign key free agents Jesper Fast, Antti Raanta, and Frederik Andersen. All agreed to short-term deals. Fast got $2.4 million AAV over two years. Andersen received a moderated no-trade clause along with $3.4 million over two years. Raanta agreed to one year at $1.5 million.

However, they weren’t done. They made one of the biggest splashes by signing top free agent defenseman Dmitry Orlov for two years, $7.75 million on average. They paid a premium for a quality player who was superb in his time with Boston. Orlov is a good skating defenseman who can contribute both offensively and defensively. Due to it being a short-term contract, he received a bit higher. There is no no-movememt clause.

In another smart transaction, the Canes inked gritty former Leafs forward Michael Bunting to a three-year deal worth an AAV of $4.5 million. A known pest, he gets his nose dirty. Bunting is a solid secondary scorer who should aid the Carolina offense. Basically, he replaced Max Pacioretty, who left to sign with the Capitals after a torn Achilles. Pacioretty signed with the Caps for one season at an affordable $2 million. They included a no-movememt clause. He can earn up to another two million in performance bonuses.

If I were to grade the Hurricanes, who might not be done due to Brett Pesce, I’d give them a B. They were able to keep key pieces, including the versatile Fast, whose been a good player. The only question is whether they should’ve kept both Andersen and Raanta. Pyotr Kochetkov is the future in net. But it looks like they won’t rush him.

Updating the Canes, they’re rumored to be signing Vladimir Tarasenko. If that’s true, then they’ve really upgraded the offense. Tarasenko is a proven goalscorer who also isn’t shy about throwing his weight around. If Andrei Svechnikov can return to form, they should be a handful. The grade goes up to a B-plus.

UPDATE: Not so fast. Tarasenko has changed representation. Hot tip from the reliable Elliotte Friedman. We’ll see what happens.

It’ll be interesting to see if they trade Pesce. One of the game’s most underrated defensemen, he is smart and plays a positional game. He is entering the last year of his contract. The cap hit is $4.025 million. The Canes would love to extend him, but it sounds like it might not happen. Pesce’s name has come up in trade rumors. If he does get dealt, look for Carolina to re-acquire Tony DeAngelo. They must wait until July 8.

If Orlov was the best of the class for defensemen, then it probably was Alex Killorn among forwards. Although he doesn’t have the same star appeal of Vladimir Tarasenko (linked possibly to Ottawa) or Patrick Kane, he had one of his best seasons with the Lightning. In a contract year, he set new career bests in goals (27), assists (37), and points (64). A key part of the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cups, he decided to leave Tampa for Anaheim. The Ducks paid him well, going $25 million over four years.

That averages out to $6.25 million per season. That’s a lot for the scrappy 33-year-old veteran forward. Anaheim had to overpay due to their current situation. They had $30 million to work with. Obviously, they want to establish a better culture for a young nucleus that features Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, and Drew Helleson. Both Zegras and Terry must be re-signed as Group II free agents. Each will get big raises.

In another move to add more character, they signed former Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas to a three-year deal worth an AAV of $4 million. A physical player who always ranks among the league leaders in hits, Gudas has become a better defenseman. He has improved his skating and does a better job playing the position. The 33-year-old veteran can certainly add some grit to a blue line that’s had its struggles.

While they definitely overpaid for Killorn, who might decline, it’s understandable why the Ducks signed him and Gudas. They’re good guys to have both on the ice and in the locker room. If I were to grade Anaheim, I’d give them a B-minus. We’ll see what Zegras and Terry both get. Jamie Drysdale is also restricted.

One of the teams who had a good day was the Penguins. For once, they made some smart decisions that could help put them back in the playoffs. In the first move, they went all in on former Devils defenseman Ryan Graves. After losing veteran Brian Dumoulin to the Kraken, they inked the solid second pair left defenseman to a six-year contract worth an AAV of $4.5 million. A good move due to what Graves Graves can bring. He’s solid in his end and can aid a blue line that was an Achilles heel.

Two other key additions are gritty forwards Noel Acciari and Lars Eller. Acciari received $2 million over three years while Eller took a multi-year deal worth an AAV of $2.45 million. Both Acciari and Graves have moderated no-trade clauses. Eller doesn’t. Adding quality depth up front and on the back end should help the Crosby/Malkin Pens improve.

They also realized they had to keep Tristan Jarry. They re-signed the starting goalie for five years and an AAV of $5.375 million. He has a moderated NTC. Jarry had a down season due to injuries. If he comes back healthy, a return to form isn’t within question. Having better structure should help. Kyle Dubas definitely addressed some needs.

Overall, I would give the Pens a grade of B-plus. While going six years is risky for Graves, it feels like they made the right moves to improve their roster. Don’t forget they also added Reilly Smith. Another smart player who will boost secondary scoring. For a team that definitely needed a jolt, they should be in the playoff mix.

One team that was active on Saturday involved the Red Wings. Steve Yzerman is getting desperate to upgrade the roster. With the Sabres and Senators emerging as teams who could compete for the postseason, the pressure is on Yzerman to finally deliver a playoff team in Detroit.

It was a mixed bag on Day One. The Red Wings signed former Avalanche forward J.T. Compher to a five-year deal worth an AAV of $5.1 million. While he is a good player who cashed in on a career season that included 17 goals, 35 assists, and 52 points, the 28-year-old isn’t worth that contract. It’s overpayment. But perhaps that’s what Yzerman had to do to get him. With $5.625 million committed to Andrew Copp, who better bounce back, there are some questionable decisions in relation to the cap. They need consistent production from Compher, Copp, and Robby Fabbri ($4 million).

I like the trade for Klim Kostin. He will add some energy to the lineup. He has jam and battles hard. Daniel Sprong for one year and two million is a good get. He proved he’s capable of scoring in Seattle. Any player signed for a year can also be flipped at the deadline.

Yzerman also went out and got Shayne Gostisbehere. We know what he is. A skating, offensive defenseman who’s best suited for the power play. That’s an area he’ll fill for a year at $4.125 million. I don’t quite get giving Justin Holl $3.4 million AAV over three years with a moderated NTC. Only time will tell if it works out. Moritz Seider will continue to do the heavy lifting. Simon Edvinsson remains an intriguing prospect who could get minutes on the back end.

The Red Wings added James Reimer for one year, $1.5 million. He’ll likely back up Ville Husso. Alex Lyon was signed for two years, $900,000 per season. He did a good job getting the Panthers into the playoffs. It’s definitely good to have depth in goal.

Overall, I would give the Red Wings a grade of C-plus. While I’m not crazy about the Compher contract, he should help them out. I really like adding Kostin and Sprong. They should get good value. They improved the goalie depth. I’m not sure about the defense. It will still hinge on Dylan Larkin, Mo Seider, and Lucas Raymond. Those are their best players. Will they play a better system?

One player that I liked coming into free agency was Garnet Hathaway. A hard-working player who likes to bang in the corners, he will do what it takes to help a team be successful. Under Peter Laviolette in Washington, his game grew. He combined for 42 points (23-19-42) and 109 penalty minutes the past two years in DC.

That strong work ethic allowed the Bruins to rent him. He is a solid secondary player who plays a physical style. Now, the 31-year-old Hathaway will bring that rugged game to the Flyers under John Tortorella. They made a wise choice, signing him for two years at an affordable $2.375 million cap hit. The Flyers also signed Ryan Poehling for $1.4 million. Once a former first round pick of Montreal, he’ll get the chance to an impression under Tortorella. Only 24, maybe he’ll figure it out.

With the Flyers already having revamped their defense by getting rid of Ivan Provorov and ready to move on from Tony DeAngelo, the blue line will have a different look. Cam York will become the player to build around on the back end. He’s a restricted free agent. For now, Travis Sanheim remains signed at $6.25 million AAV through 2031 with a NTC. Veteran Rasmus Ristolainen is signed thru 2027. Having also dealt Kevin Hayes to the Blues, the Flyers are gonna look very different.

What’s the plan regarding Carter Hart? He was rumored to be on the block. Are they going to trade him? He’s set to make nearly $4 million next season. Then, he’ll turn restricted before becoming unrestricted in 2025. With Cal Petersen added to Felix Sandstrom, it’ll be interesting to see what they decide. With more moves anticipated, I’ll leave the grade open. I love the addition of Hathaway. The definition of an honest player.

One team that made headlines is the Islanders. Having invested long-term in Ilya Sorokin (8-year extension worth $8.25 million AAV) and deciding to sign Semyon Varlamov for four more years ($2.75 million AAV), Lou Lamoriello may need to be committed. He gave Scott Mayfield seven years worth an average of $3.5 million. He also handed out $21 million over seven years for role player Pierre Engvall. That’s insanity. While the costs on each player aren’t bad, they’re going to be in their 30’s during those deals. Mayfield turns 31 in October. At least Engvall is 27.

There are so many long-term contracts tied up in key players that it borders on absurd. The only good one is for franchise goalie Sorokin, who finished runner-up behind Linus Ullmark for the Vezina. They better hope Bo Horvat plays better than he did when he came over from Vancouver. If not, then they’ll be stuck in mediocrity thanks to Lou.

Overall, I give the Islanders a C. I could’ve been harsher. But Sorokin got extended, and the Mayfield contract should hold up for a while. What’s the plan with the younger players such as Oliver Wahlstrom? Is there one?

One team that actually made some interesting moves was the Coyotes. Needing to fill out the roster despite the arena situation, they went out and got some players. Most notable was inking former Penguin Jason Zucker for one year, $5.3 million. Obviously, it’s low risk. He’s betting on himself. He delivered a good season in Pittsburgh, scoring 27 times with 21 assists. It’ll be interesting to see how he does in Arizona. Even if it’s for less than a year.

They also added gritty forward Nick Bjugstad. He agreed to a two-year deal for an AAV of $2.1 million. A quality depth player who should bring some secondary help. The Coyotes signed center Alex Kerfoot to a two-year contract for an average cap hit of $3.5 million. It includes a moderated NTC. He had a solid season with Toronto.

While these aren’t mind-blowing moves, they made additions that should help a roster that includes Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton, Victor Soderstrom, and Dylan Guenther. They still have over $14 million in cap space. Overall, the Coyotes get a B. They did well.

Another team that made a couple of nice additions is the rebuilding Blackhawks. While their future is set thanks to top overall pick Connor Bedard and potential steal Oliver Moore (19th selection), they still needed to add some high character vets. In acquiring both Corey Perry and signing Nick Foligno each for $4 million over 2023-24, they added gritty players who’ll help the kids learn on and off the ice. Both play the game with passion.

With Perry and Foligno only signed for one year, that gives the Hawks the option to flip them next year. It’s a win-win situation. They also brought in forward Ryan Donato for two years at $2 million per season. Now 27, he’s coming off a good season in which he had 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points with a plus-16 rating for the Kraken. Solid secondary production.

The only question is in net. They still have Petr Mrazek signed for next season. Most of the free agent goalies were signed on Day One. The Hawks definitely need to add quality depth in goal. With plenty of room ($17.2 million) left, they can still look to tack on.

Overall, the Blackhawks get a grade of B. They made good moves by bringing in the necessary experience to help in the room. If they add a defenseman or goalie, it could be upgraded to a B-plus.

The Avalanche made a couple of moves to improve their depth. After acquiring Ryan Johansen from the Predators for half-price ($4 million AAV), they signed ex-Devil Miles Wood to a six-year contract worth $2.5 million per cap hit. A fast skater who can score garbage goals and play feisty, the 27-year-old forward should be a good fit in Colorado. He’ll take the occasional bad penalty but is a solid secondary player that brings energy. He received a moderated no-trade clause. Six years for Wood is a lot. It should be interesting to see how he does.

In a move that will bring back draft memories, the Avs also signed Jonathan Drouin. Once neck and neck with superstar center Nathan MacKinnon in 2013 before going second overall to the Lightning, Drouin has battled injuries and off-ice issues. Taking $825,000, we’ll see if the 28-year-old left wing can find it. He and MacKinnon are close. It’s a low risk move.

Along with adding Ross Colton, who still must be signed, Joe Sakic again is having a good off-season. Obviously, the Avalanche will be without captain Gabriel Landeskog for a second consecutive year. It’s a real bummer because he’s one of the game’s top power forwards. I hope one day, he can come back. But Sakic has made some solid moves to add gritty depth. He even brought back Jack Johnson as D insurance.

Just on what was added, I’ll give the Avalanche a grade of B-plus. I love the additions of Colton and Wood. Taking a flyer on Drouin is worth a shot. It seems like Sakic has a good sense of what his tea needs. He’s one of the best general managers for a reason. Others can learn from how he operates.

The Panthers made a few interesting moves. Most notable was trading popular forward Anthony Duclair to the Sharks in exchange for Steven Lorentz and a 2025 fifth round pick. It was a salary dump. Duclair certainly became a good player for Florida. He added speed and skill. He’ll be missed.

To help offset the loss, they decided to give Evan Rodrigues a four-year deal worth $12 million. It’s a straight-up cap hit of $3 million through 2027. A gritty forward who can play at even strength, and on the penalty kill, Rodrigues is the kind of pesky player that should fit in well. He’ll get double digits in goals, be a shorthanded threat, and grind. I like this addition.

With Marc Staal departing to sign with the rebuilding Flyers, the Cats opted for Niko Mikkola. A solid, unspectacular, no frills defenseman who can play second or third pair, he was a good pickup for the Rangers. He received three years at $2.5 million AAV. A fair contract.

While they also added depth to the blue line with vets Mike Reilly and Dmitry Kulikov, I didn’t understand signing Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Recently bought out by the Canucks, who realized their folly, the offensive defenseman doesn’t look like he has much left. At least it’s only one year for $2.25 million. He’s not strong defensively. That’s a curious decision. How much will he play?

Overall, I’ll give the Panthers a grade of C. I still like adding the versatile Rodrigues and Mikkola. I’m on the fence with OEL. How much will they miss Duclair?

The Maple Leafs have been busy. After the curious signing of defenseman John Klingberg (1×4.15 million) and the interesting choice to go three years on Ryan Reaves ($1.35 million), they got down to business.

Toronto was somehow able to sign gritty forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. Both should really help improve the Leafs’ secondary scoring. Not only that. But each will scrap in front. Bertuzzi makes his living in front. He also has good speed in transition. He took one year for $5.5 million with a no-movememt clause. I’d slot him in with John Tavares.

Domi signed for an affordable $3 million with a moderated NTC. He’s the kind of high character player that Leafs fans should love. He’ll drop the gloves occasionally while making the right play. He follows Dad Tie by joining the Leafs.

Toronto still must find a way to re-sign goalie Ilya Samsonov. He’s a restricted free agent who’s a year away from unrestricted status. They might have to clear room by getting rid of Matt Murray. Joseph Woll proved he’s ready to play.

What about William Nylander? He’s a very good player. He could be the odd man out. They can’t afford to lose Auston Matthews. Both Tavares and Mitch Marner are signed for two more years. Can they make it work by keeping Nylander for another year? We’ll see.

Overall, the Leafs get a grade of B-plus. They addressed their needs. The only net negative is the high-risk Klingberg, who if he’s not contributing offense is a liability. That should be adventurous.

The Sabres weren’t too busy at the start of free agency. However, they were able to re-sign checking center Tyson Jost for a year at $2 million. He came over and was a solid addition last season. Keeping him for one year before he hits the market makes sense.

Buffalo also made a nice move by grabbing proven vet Erik Johnson. The former Stanley Cup winner with the Avalanche remains a good defensive defenseman. A stabilizing force who brings leadership to the emerging Sabres, he should be able to help the defense. Hopefully, he’ll stay healthy for the one year he’s signed. They paid him $3.25 million to improve the right side.

They also added physical defenseman Connor Clifton. He was signed for three years at an AAV of $3.33 million. A gritty player who can play second or third pair, the former Bruin isn’t shy about getting in opponents’ faces. He’ll deliver the big hit or stick up for teammates. He is also capable of contributing occasionally on offense. Another high character addition.

Buffalo re-signed Kale Clague. He’ll compete for a roster spot on the back end. The only area they haven’t addressed is goalie. Devon Levi remains the number one for now. Eric Comrie has one year left. What about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen?

If ever there’s a team that can use an upgrade in the net, it’s the Sabres. John Gibson requested a trade out of Anaheim. I’m not sure about him anymore. Do they want to take on his contract? It has four more years remaining with a hefty cap hit of $6.4 million with a moderated NTC. Gibson is injury prone and inconsistent. He will need a better team in front of him. I’d pass.

Overall, the Sabres get a grade of C-plus. I could’ve gone a little higher. But they made depth moves to hopefully bolster the D. An area that must improve to finally enf their long playoff drought. Having Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and underrated Mattias Samuelsson on the blue line gives it potential for a turnaround. Dahlin is due for an extension. He will get paid. They have an interesting decision coming on Casey Mittlestadt.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, you have the Oilers. A team that boasts the game’s best player and arguably the second best as well. They didn’t do much. However, they added forward Connor Brown. He once played with MVP Connor McDavid in juniors. He’s now 29. Due to missing nearly the entire season, he got an incentive laden deal that can have him earn up to $3.225 million in bonuses. The cap hit is only $775,000.

With the salary cap increasing next summer, some teams were more creative. The Oilers are banking on Brown to be an upgrade over Kailer Yamamoto. They will have to be more committed to playing former first round pick Dylan Holloway. Ryan McLeod is a restricted free agent.

With over $6 million left, they haven’t done much else. Unless you think bringing back Mattias Janmark is significant. He was a good depth forward last season. What about the defense? Can Jack Campbell bounce back from a dismal first year? Stuart Skinner can’t be the guy. We saw that in the playoffs.

At this point, the Oilers get a grade of D. I like Brown. But unless they solidify their defense and improve in goal, they can’t be taken seriously. The only encouraging part is McDavid and Draisaitl remain dominant forces who can carry them far. But teams like the rival Kings and Avalanche got better. The window to win is now.

One team that’s been busy is the Predators. With former coach Barry Trotz running the organization, he’s making big changes. Between hiring former player Andrew Brunette to coach, trading Ryan Johansen and buying out Matt Duchene, Trotz has been very active.

Since then, he brought in proven checking pivot Ryan O’Reilly. The two-way center got four years at $4.5 million AAV. Still a good player, it’ll be interesting to see how he does in Smashville. He has championship experience. It’ll be weird seeing him in those mustard colors going up against the Blues.

Another good move was bringing in Luke Schenn. He received a three-year deal worth an average cap hit of $2.75 million. The veteran knows how to play the game. He is a good defensive defenseman who will take the body. A classic Trotz player.

The Preds re-signed Cody Glass for two years, $5 million. He definitely became a good player. They easily won that trade with Vegas for Nolan Patrick. Trotz also added veteran Gustav Nyquist for two years at an AAV of $3.185 million. He’s a reliable secondary scorer who can play power play.

I like what Trotz has done. He needed to cut bait with Duchene and Johansen. They’re moving in a different direction. They’re an interesting team that should be fun to watch. Trotz wants them to play more of a higher tempo. Exactly why he hired Brunette. Overall, I give the Predators a grade of B. They made some quality moves.

There are several teams that haven’t been active. That’s due to the cap. It really depends on how much space you have. Don’t forget that we’re still waiting on a few big names to get moved. That includes Connor Hellebuyck. Where will the former Vezina winner land? I thought it would be Ottawa. But they foolishly handed out Joonas Korpisalo $20 million over five years. Is he really the answer?

The Senators will trade disgruntled forward Alex DeBrincat. Despite his talent, buyer beware. He’ll score goals and put up points. But he might not be worth his next contract. DeBrincat isn’t a complete player. Think Artemi Panarin lite. At least Panarin is a point-per-game for the Rangers. His playoffs have been underwhelming.

Erik Karlsson is waiting for the Sharks to deal him. There’s been some odd rumors with possibly the Pens and Canes interested. If San Jose picks up half the tab on his $11.5 million contract the runs thru 2027, maybe it’s possible. San Jose needs to get the best deal possible. Maximize the value of the rating Norris winner, who became the first defenseman to eclipse 100 points since Brian Leetch.

At this point, the Sharks added Duclair, tough guy Givani Smith, and re-signed Mackenzie Blackwood (2×2.35 million). They also kept former Devil Fabian Zetterlund, who was part of the blockbuster trade for Timo Meier.

San Jose is in rebuild mode with Thomas Bordeleau, William Eklund, and recent pick Will Smith. But they still have veteran stars, Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. Let’s wait and see what GM Mike Grier gets for Karlsson.

I could cover more on the FA Frenzy. But I highlighted most of the teams and key players who were part of what’s happened so far. Now, it’ll slow down. It’s after the 4th of July. To everyone out there, I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I sure did.

If I were to grade both the Rangers and Devils, that would be a C-plus and a B-plus. The Rangers made one quality move by adding Blake Wheeler. He’ll fit in well wherever Peter Laviolette uses him. Nick Bonino is a solid fourth liner. As for what else they did, just as long as it doesn’t prevent Brennan Othmann and Will Cuylle from forcing their way onto the roster. Whether that be fall or winter.

The Devils added Tyler Toffoli to keeping Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt long-term. They brought back key vets Erik Haula, Mike McLeod, and Nathan Bastian. Luke Hughes will replace Ryan Graves. Simon Nemec will battle vet Colin Miller for a spot. They are gonna be tough. If they stick with the tandem of Vitek Vanecek and promising youngster Akira Schmid in net, is that good enough to contend? We’ll see what they decide.

There’s going to be more signings and trades soon. Don’t forget the Rangers have a shade over $7 million to re-sign K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere. I’ll be sure to have that when it happens.

For now, try to stay cool. It’s hot and muggy. Your typical July. Enjoy it.

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July 1 FA Frenzy: Rangers add former Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler, add veteran depth

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Derek

It’s July 1st. Happy Canada Day! For the hockey fanatics, today’s the official start of free agency. The FA Frenzy has been hectic. There have been a lot of moves made. I’ll have more on the highlights later.

For now, let’s focus on the Rangers. Obviously, they don’t have much room to make significant moves. If you were hoping for Garnet Hathaway, forget it. It doesn’t look realistic. Not unless Barclay Goodrow is traded.

What we did get is proven veteran forwards who can solidify a roster in need of better balance. The highlight of the day was the Rangers signing recently bought out former Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler for one year, $800,000. While he’ll turn 37 at the end of August, Wheeler is a good player who’s been around a long time.

Even with his career nearing its conclusion, Wheeler still produced 16 goals and 39 assists for 55 points in 72 games for Winnipeg. A former first round pick of the Coyotes, who spent time in Boston and Atlanta before they relocated to Winnipeg, he became Mister Jet. Wheeler played the last dozen years for the franchise. He totaled 262 goals with 550 assists for 812 points in 897 games with the Thrashers/Jets.

Undoubtedly, he is a good skater who can play at even strength and on the power play. Of the 55 points he had last season, 40 came at even strength. The remaining 15 were via the man-advantage, including seven power play goals. He’s a great guy who should help on the ice and in the locker room.

As expected, the Rangers agreed to terms with former King Jonathan Quick on a one-year deal worth $825,000. Of course, we know all about the former Conn Smythe winner who won a pair of Stanley Cups. Now 37, the Mildred, Connecticut native will now move close to home and play for the team he beat in 2014.

It’ll be in a backup role behind Igor Shesterkin. The only question I have is, how will a proven starter adjust to life as a part-time goalie? It’s definitely going to be a big adjustment for the likable Quick, who one day could make the Hockey Hall of Fame. He’s won 375 games and posted a career 2.47 GAA, .911 save percentage and 58 shutouts. Most of it came as an LA King where he became the Kings’ all-time franchise goalie leader in wins (370), losses (275), saves (18,188), save percentage (.911), shutouts (57), and total minutes (43,215).

Quick brings plenty of credentials. He’ll replace Jaroslav Halak. Hopefully, it’ll work out well for the Rangers. I think fans will like him. He’s very competitive and has an old-school style. Think Mike Richter.

With so little wiggle room, Team President and GM Chris Drury signed veteran center Nick Bonino for $800,000 over one year. The well-respected 35-year-old forward has spent 14 years in the league. Part of two Stanley Cups with the Penguins, he’s a solid depth piece who can play on the fourth line. That’s fine. He still hit 10 goals for the Sharks before finishing the season back in Pittsburgh. It’s a no frills move for a high character player.

The other signings included Riley Nash, Alex Belzile, Tyler Pitlick, Connor Mackey, and Nikolas Brouillard. Of these depth additions, I like two. Pitlick, who’s a high-energy guy that Peter Laviolette can use. Belzile, who finally made it with Montreal by posting 14 points in 31 games at age 31. Nash has been around. He spent last season in the AHL.

For now, there’s nothing else to add. It’s obvious what the Rangers are doing. They’re adding proven depth to help solidify the roster. Are they a bit older after today? Yes. But they went for players who have good character. That isn’t a bad thing.

The only question is what happens with Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere. How will Laviolette manage them? What about Brennan Othmann and Will Cuylle? They’re gonna have to earn it. It’s not going to be handed to them. I think you have to have that mentality. Maybe that’s what went wrong with Vitaly Kravtsov.

We all want to see the kids be part of it moving forward. As long as they’re ready, I think they will be. Now, it’s about Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller. Drury said he hasn’t discussed Lafreniere with anyone. He shot down that rumor. Let’s hope that he’s telling the truth.

UPDATE: The Rangers added veteran defenseman Erik Gustafsson. They signed him for a year, $825,000. Gustafsson, 31, is a third pair skating defenseman who can chip in offensively.

Laviolette knows him from coaching the Capitals. He did well, tallying seven goals with 31 assists for 38 points in the nation’s capital. Then, he was dealt to the Maple Leafs as a rental for Rasmus Sandin. He didn’t play much in the postseason.

For the Blueshirts, it’s a low risk signing. Gustafsson brings experience. He’ll likely play along with Zac Jones, who is out of options. Considering they re-signed him for two years, this is Jones’ last opportunity to make it in the organization. That in itself is perplexing. But, that’s how they do things. It’s up to Jones to prove himself. Like I mentioned before with Othmann and Cuylle, it’s up to the kids to earn it. Nobody is getting a free ride.

As far as the Devils, they quickly re-signed besties Mike McLeod and Nathan Bastian after not qualifying them. I told Hasan I thought they’d be back. They probably had a handshake agreement. Very cheap. $1.5 million for McLeod, who was terrific in the playoffs. Bastian signed for $1.35 million AAV over two years. McLeod is again restricted next summer.

Jersey added veteran defenseman Colin Miller for a 2025 fifth round pick. That’s a solid depth addition to the blue line. As expected, they lost Ryan Graves. He got paid by the Pens, who signed him for $27 million over six years. Pittsburgh certainly paid for a solid second pair defenseman. But $4.5 million on average is about right got Graves. That’s an upgrade.

Former Devil Miles Wood landed in Colorado. The Avalanche obviously like him because they signed him for six years at an AAV of $2.5 million. I like that move. He’s a fast skater who gets dirty. That is a nice replacement for J.T. Compher, who got overpaid by the Red Wings. More on the other signings either later or tomorrow.

There also was a big contract extension that’ll impact Igor Shesterkin. The Islanders signed Ilya Sorokin to a six-year extension worth $66 million. That averages out to $8.25 million per season. It doesn’t kick in until 2024-25.

Shesterkin has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.67 million. That expires in 2025. We’re talking about two of the game’s best goalies. Best friends who play on opposite sides of an intense rivalry. The Islanders just committed a combined $77 million for both Sorokin and backup Semyon Varlamov (4 × $2.75 million).

That definitely will apply pressure on the Rangers. However, they already know what the deal is. Either win a Stanley Cup over the small window that’s left or potentially lose their franchise netminder. Here’s a scary thought. What if they don’t put it together in Year One under Laviolette? Shesterkin has a moderated no-trade clause. He can ask out. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen.

At least Dylan Garand finished his first pro season well for Hartford. He definitely will be a key to the future in goal.

A lot of money has been spent. Some of it crazy. Other stuff is more sensible. Until next time. See you later!

Derek

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2023 NHL Draft: First Round doesn’t disappoint, Michkov falls to Flyers, Rangers steal Gabriel Perreault

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Derek

Day One of the 2023 NHL Draft didn’t disappoint. Held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, which had two picks in the first round, including a funny moment where Pekka Rinne couldn’t pronounce the last name of their 24th selection, it was a fun night for players, fans, and broadcasters.

Unlike the mind-numbing NBA Draft that turned into a yuck fest, ESPN did a great job covering hockey’s top prospects on a night where no trades were made. That was due in large part to the overall depth the first round had.

In the easiest decision of Wednesday night, the Blackhawks made it official by selecting the very talented Connor Bedard with the top pick out of Regina. The best prospect since Connor McDavid was everywhere during the ESPN telecast. He even joined the draft table to talk about his experience going number one. He even took time to provide a scouting report of Penguins 14th selection Brayden Yager. He sounded very down to earth.

Bedard would later join Scott Van Pelt for a spot on Sports Center. That went well. He has a good personality. It should be a home run for the NHL to market the generational talent who will be the odds on favorite to win the Calder. He’s playing in Chicago as part of a rebuilding team looking to recapture the glory days of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Corey Crawford.

There were questions about who the Ducks would take at number two. However, the latest reports were proven correct. They bypassed Adam Fantilli to select Swedish center Leo Carlson. I wasn’t surprised. That’s exactly what I had on my top 10 list. Predictably, the Blue Jackets didn’t hesitate to grab Fantilli at number 3. He is the power center who, in most years, would’ve gone number one. They’re thrilled to get a player of his stature.

Once the top three were revealed, the question became who would roll the dice on Matvei Michkov. It wasn’t the Sharks. They went for American center Will Smith. A player who was part of a great line with USA teammates Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perreault. Both went in the first round.

The Canadiens were the only team rumored to possibly be looking to trade down. However, they instead kept the pick. Rather than go big for gifted Russian scorer Michkov, they took defenseman David Reinbacher. A player who was high on most lists despite it being mostly about forwards. While some Montreal fans couldn’t contain their disappointment, the pick made sense after adding Alex Newhook a day before. They aren’t deep on the back end. We’ll see if Kent Hughes is proven right.

When the Coyotes opted for Russian lefty defenseman Dmitriy Simashev at number 6, that changed things. It also guaranteed that the Flyers would get their coveted target. As expected, they took Matvei Michkov with the seventh pick. The gifted Russian scoring forward fell due to being signed in the KHL for three years with HC Sochi. He is a slippery, fast-moving player who can be a game changer. He did interview with the Flyers and expressed his excitement to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan about coming to Philadelphia soon. He made it clear that he wanted to win a Stanley Cup.

Instead of taking big Slovak center Dalibor Dvorsky, the Capitals went for American forward Ryan Leonard at number 8. A hard-working, gritty player who many like due to how hard he competes, Leonard was part of the USNDT big scoring line that featured Will Smith and Gabriel Perreault. Compared to Tom Wilson, who could be moved either this off-season or next year, he’ll be part of the future in Washington DC.

The Red Wings decided to take center Nate Danielson at number 9. He’s played for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. He moved up lists after putting up 33 goals, 45 assists, and 78 points. Steve Yzerman wasn’t done. He also had another trick up his sleeve later.

One team that I thought might go defenseman didn’t. For the Blues, it came down to the best overall player. They couldn’t pass up Dvorsky at the number 10 spot. Having played mostly in Sweden, the lefty center appeared in the last two U20 World Junior Championships for Slovakia. He posted a goal with two assists for his home country.

Picking 11th, the Canucks needed blue line help. They selected Swede Tom Willander. He was the third defenseman taken. That meant a run on forwards. The Coyotes decided to grab Danil But at number 12. He’ll play for hometown KHL team Yaraoslavl Lokomotiv.

With the 13th pick, the Sabres were happy to get scoring forward Zach Benson from the Winnipeg Ice. He was teammates with Buffalo 2022 first round pick Matthew Savoie. A young prospect who’ll play pro next season. With key forward Jack Quinn out for six months due to a ruptured Achilles, Buffalo fans could see Savoie around the corner.

While the Penguins selected Brayden Yager at number 14, Bedard gave a nice scouting report on a player he was familiar with at the ESPN draft table. It was a ringing endorsement. Having seen how comfortable he is speaking, including his Sports Center appearance with Scott Van Pelt, Bedard looks like an NHL dream. He can score highlight reel goals, set up teammates, and should be easy to promote. They can’t screw it up.

The host Predators had two picks in the opening round. At number 15, they took Matthew Wood. When it came down to their 24th selection, out came Roman Josi and Nashville legend Pekka Rinne. They decided to have Rinne make the pick. It turned into one of the funniest moments. He struggled to pronounce the last name of defenseman Tanner Molendyk. It wasn’t the only highlight of Round One.

Earlier, the Canadiens had Carey Price make the fifth overall pick. He completely forgot how to pronounce David Reinbacher’s last name. It definitely was a viral moment. The poor kid has gotten ridiculous hate messages on social media from irrational fans. That is unacceptable. Hopefully, he will be a worthy pick that stabilizes their back end.

As the first round continued, one thing was apparent. As much as I liked Charlie Stramel for the Rangers at number 23, Gabriel Perreault kept slipping. Having heard about him, I liked the scouting report. When the Wild grabbed Stramel at number 21, that meant the Rangers could possibly get Perreault. Once the Flyers selected Oliver Bonk (the son of Radek Bonk) to continue to overhaul their defense, the opportunity was there for them to steal Perreault.

The forward who’s best attributes are his hockey IQ and intelligence was too good to pass up. Ironically, he’s the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault. A player whose game I respected. He was a solid center who was successful with the Kings, Maple Leafs, and Canadiens. He also spent time with the Coyotes and Blackhawks. Perreault had three different stints with Toronto.

One of the reasons the younger Perreault fell was due to his skating. However, I don’t recall his Dad being the best skater either. But he was a smart player who you noticed during games. How can you argue with that?

Gabriel Perreault led the USNDT with 45 points (19-26-45). Listed as a right wing, he’s headed to Boston College this fall. Interestingly, one of his teammates will be Rangers’ third round pick Drew Fortescue. A defenseman who a few of our fans liked, the Rangers liked him enough to move up one spot. They traded their 91st pick and a 2024 seventh round pick to the Pens for number 90 to get Fortescue.

One interesting discovery is that Fortescue actually played with Chris Drury’s son Luke as a teenager. So. Drury is familiar with the left defenseman, who also teamed up with Perreault to win the gold medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships. A former Islanders fan who grew up in Peatl River, NY, he knows those days are over.

“It’s pretty awesome to be drafted by the Rangers, I know it’s a rival. I can tell you I’m a Rangers fan now.”

It’s definitely unique to have both Perreault and Fortescue playing for Boston College. They’ll be easy to follow. Of course, the most successful current Ranger who went in the first round from BC is Chris Kreider. The former 19th pick in 2009 has grown into one of the game’s top power forwards. Over the past two seasons, he’s totaled 88 goals, along with 16 combined goals in the playoffs.

Considering that the organization has produced all-time Ranger Brian Leetch and Kreider from Boston College, that’s a good sign for the team’s future. That should generate some excitement.

While other teams loaded up on Thursday during Rounds 2-7, the Blueshirts took three more players after moving up to get Fortescue. They are defenseman Rasmus Larsson, center Dylan Roobroeck, and left wing Ty Hendricks. I’ll have something up by the weekend.

One takeaway from this draft is that the Rangers are preparing for life after Artemi Panarin. With Brennan Othmann, Adam Sykora, and Perreault in the system, changes are coming. If Othmann proves ready, he’ll be part of the roster in 2023-24.

Obviously, the clock is ticking on the window to win with Panarin, Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and captain Jacob Trouba. Those are the veteran leaders of a group that includes Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, K’Andre Miller, Braden Schneider, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and the all-important Igor Shesterkin.

We have dissected this time and time again. With Jonathan Quick likely on the way to replace Jaroslav Halak as the backup goalie, it’s gonna be interesting. I never would’ve believed they’d target him. But here we are.

As far as what else happens, that’s up to Drury. Barclay Goodrow remains a potential trade candidate due to his moderated no-trade clause and $3.64 million cap hit. He wasn’t bought out during the first amnesty period.

Popular Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler and former Predator Matt Duchene were. Kudos to Wheeler on his sincere thank you to the Jets for 12 great years.

Both are now available for July 1st. That’s tomorrow on a Saturday. Happy Canada Day to all the proud Canadians. As we get ready for the Fourth of July, there will be more activity. I’ll provide the usual on what’s happening around the league.

It’s a fun time of year. There will be some players moved due to the cap. It’s sure to be interesting. One of the smartest moves was made by the Golden Knights, who parted with misfit Reilly Smith by dealing him to the Penguins for a 2024 third round pick. They freed up room to re-sign Ivan Barbashev. That’s forward thinking.

What else will happen? Who knows. Let’s enjoy whatever it brings.

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Devils complete productive week with long-anticipated Timo Meier extension

Posted on June 28, 2023 by hasan4978

Although I have been a combination of too busy and lazy to put up blogs as the Devils were making move after move in the last few days, part of me also figured because the moves were coming fast and furious I’d wait until the dust settled (maybe) before commenting on it all. With the news that the Devils and Timo Meier have finally put pen to paper on an extension, now’s probably as good a time as any for an offseason overview and recap of what’s gone on so far. Yes, we’re still in late June without even a draft pick having been made yet – and the Devils won’t have a pick until late in the second round at that. However, it’s hard to imagine that Tom Fitzgerald hasn’t already done the brunt of the work this offseason already…and a lot of important work at that.

Let’s start with the breaking news of Timo’s new deal. Ever since Fitz’s public comments (in the wake of Jesper Bratt’s own eight-year extension) revealing Timo wanted to sign for the max term of eight years here, it seemed as if it was only a matter of when and how it got done at that point. Of course with tonight being the start of the NHL Draft, it provided an unofficial deadline for both sides to get it done since if things did go sideways, any potential trade would be harder to work out after the draft than before it. Fitz admitted that his offhand comment about possibly getting a first-round pick this offseason was essentially a fallback if an extension couldn’t be worked out with Bratt.

Fortunately, both major RFA extensions got done before we had to contemplate going to DEFCON 1. Like with Bratt’s deal, Timo’s is slightly front-loaded but the more important numbers for Fitz and the fans are the eight years and $8.8 million cap figure:

Suddenly, the Devils are at just over $10 million of cap space with a handful of RFA salaries still to be determined, and likely entry-level contracts filling out the rest of the roster. With the obvious benefit being that our entire core is now locked up for years to come. Bratt and Timo are now signed through the end of the 2031 season, while franchise center Jack Hughes is also signed into the next decade. Our two top defensemen in John Marino and Dougie Hamilton are signed for another four and five years, respectively. Captain Nico Hischier also has another four years to go on his contract, not to mention the youngers that are coming on defense (Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec) who both have years of control before they even get to UFA.

Of course, Fitz wasn’t going to just do the Bratt and Timo extensions then call it a day and sit on his hands the rest of the offeason. He’s had a pro-active last few weeks starting with getting a third-round pick for the rights to UFA Damon Severson from Columbus, then flipping that pick to Calgary (ironically, it was the Flames’ own 3rd rounder to begin with) along with RFA Yegor Sharangovich for proven top six winger Tyler Toffoli. This is just another example of how Fitz can max out value like few GM’s in this league.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked Yegor and thought he got a bit shafted this year, but clearly with him being a healthy scratch for much of the playoffs and marginalized when he was in the lineup, a change of scenery would probably do him good as well. He got a nice two-year extension with the Flames today, so clearly he’s going to get more of a chance to stick there.

You can’t really argue against getting Toffoli though – even if he is 31 and currently on an expiring contract. He’s been a consistent 20-30 goal scorer throughout his career and hit personal bests in all categories this year with 34 goals and 73 points in 82 games. At times last year it seemed as if we were missing one top six scoring winger, Toffoli certainly provides that. Of course, Toffoli is also no stranger to deep playoff runs, having won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014 and he went back to the Finals in the post-bubble season of 2021 with the Habs. By all accounts Toffoli is another leader-type in the locker room, and you can’t have too many of those guys around with a younger core.

If Toffoli was the most surprising move of the offseason to date, re-signing Erik Haula to a three-year deal was the least surprising one. Especially after Haula was openly campaigning for an extension during his end-of-season presser. At least he got fair value with a 3 year, $9.4 million deal, and can now put down roots in the Garden State after previously playing for five teams in six years (including us last season). Haula was a rental trade who wound up staying longer-term in the end…food for thought when it comes to Toffoli.

Is there anything else…oh yeah, Mackenzie Blackwood’s time came to an end here when he was shipped off to the Sharks for a 6th round pick. Honestly I’m amazed Fitz got anything at all for him, especially since he was a likely non-tender candidate. It seemed like a divorce was long overdue for both sides in this case due to injuries, on-ice disappointments and off-ice differences. Hope for his sake he takes advantage of his second chance, but clearly with Akira Schmid stepping up in the playoffs and Vitek Vanecek being a key contributor in our regular season success, this team should be set in goal for a while – with or without Connor Hellebuyck (still rumored to be on the move).

Making a splash move for Hellebuyck seems even more unlikely now but who knows, it’s almost certain we’d have to include Vitek in any hypothetical trade to even entertain the notion with our now-disappearing cap space. Not that I’m complaining, in fact if the last few seasons have proven anything it’s that with skill increasing around the league, goaltending has become more marginalized like running back in the NFL. Sure there are still a few outliers, but even they don’t guarantee team success.

Ironic that the Devils had the busiest pre-free agency week imaginable right around when the schedule dropped a couple days ago. I haven’t even looked at it much other than seeing we have Detroit as our home and season opener on October 13, with Arizona coming in the next night as we begin with a back-to-back at the Rock. I can’t really remember a season that had more buzz though, and justifiably so. Maybe 1994-95 would have been that if it wasn’t for the first big NHL lockout. How much anticipation can you really have after seasons you already won the Cup? And post-2012’s playoff run we know what happened there between another lockout and Zach Parise’s defection to the great lakes of Minnesota.

I think that’s everything…whoosh. Take a bow Fitzy, you deserve it. Everything that we needed to do this offseason has already been finished and then some…and I know he’s certainly not going to rest on his laurels either. Who knows what else we’ll be commenting on in the next few weeks and months? I’ve never been happier to not care at all about the NHL draft this year with only one pick in the first three rounds and no lottery selections to debate – although to be fair, it’ll be nice to see a couple more top picks in the lineup next year in addition to everything else!

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As Draft nears, teams make moves: Hayes dealt to Blues, Canadiens trade for Newhook, Kings land Dubois, Devils trade Blackwood and acquire Toffoli

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Derek

A day before the much anticipated first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, a flurry of activity took place. There were five trades made involving eight teams. Key players changed rosters along with some draft picks moved.

In the appetizer to the busy day, the Flyers finally sent Kevin Hayes to the Blues in exchange for a 2024 sixth round pick. By clearing space, the Flyers are picking up half the tab on the remainder of Hayes’ contract. That leaves the Blues on the hook for $10.5 million over the last three years.

Credit Kevin Weekes for being the first to break the story. As usual, the personable Weekes tweeted it from location. He’s really a classic.

Another deal that happened was the Canadiens acquiring center Alex Newhook from the Avalanche in exchange for the 31st pick and 37th picks, along with Gianni Fairbrother. The Habs are betting that the former Avalanche first round pick can fulfill his potential. A former 16th pick in 2019, he’s totaled 66 points in 159 games. The Avs decided to move on and create some room to re-sign a player. Newhook is a restricted free agent.

In a minor deal, that definitely wasn’t surprising, the Devils sent restricted free agent Mackenzie Blackwood to the Sharks for a 2023 sixth round pick (#164). The writing was on the wall for Blackwood, who never could stay healthy enough to become a full-time starter. Now, he’ll get a fresh start on a goalie starved team in San Jose. That could be a long rebuild with Norris winner Erik Karlsson reportedly asking for a trade to a contender.

As it turned out, the Devils were just getting started. They just made another deal that should please fans. The news broke a little while ago. They dealt RFA Yegor Sharangovich and the 80th pick to land Tyler Toffoli from the Flames.

It’s a good upgrade for an emerging team looking to contend. The 31-year-old Toffoli is a proven checking forward who can play in any situation. A former Stanley Cup winner with the Kings, he’s coming off a big season in which he set personal bests in goals (34), assists (39), and points (73).

A versatile right wing who has a good shot that should help the Devils out, Toffoli can finish on the power play and be a shorthanded threat. He only has a year remaining on a contract that pays him $4.25 million through next year.

For the Devils, they subtracted a depth player who likely wasn’t going to re-sign. Sharangovich totaled 106 points (53-53-106) over three seasons. He did well for a former fifth round pick. The 25-year-old was also a good penalty killer, scoring five shorthanded goals as a Devil. He’ll look to establish himself with the rebuilding Flames.

In terms of where they are in relation to the salary cap, the Devils still have over $18 million left per puckpedia.com. Team President and GM Tom Fitzgerald has enough room to re-sign RFA’s Mike McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Jesper Boqvist, and Kevin Bahl. None should be too expensive.

That means Timo Meier could still sign a new long-term contract. We know it should be in the $9 million range. Assuming it gets done, that would take them out of the Connor Hellebuyck sweepstakes. It’ll be interesting to see what develops over the next few days. July 1 is on Saturday.

In the biggest trade of the day, the Kings finally got their coveted player by giving up a lot to bring in center Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Jets. A good player who’s hit the 60-point mark three times in his career for both the Blue Jackets and Jets, the 25-year-old will be asked to do even more in LA.

That’s because the Kings paid a heavy price. Not only did they sign him to a big contract extension worth $8.5 million over the next eight seasons. But they traded their entire third line with a Montreal 2024 second round pick to acquire Dubois. A moody player who at times can look disinterested. Is he worth it? We’ll see.

Winnipeg did extremely well. They got back a good return by dealing for Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, and Rasmus Kupari. That’s a heckuva return for a player who wasn’t staying. I really like Vilardi. A former first round pick, he finally broke out by scoring a career high 23 goals with 18 assists for 41 points over 63 games. He tallied two goals and two helpers in five games against Edmonton.

Iafallo is a gritty veteran who Jets fans should love. He’s not going to blow them away. But his work ethic is excellent. He wins puck battles and is a solid depth forward who plays with energy. Kupari is 23. A former first round pick, he’s yet to establish himself. Maybe the scenery change will help.

The Kings did hold onto Quinton Byfield. The former second pick taken behind Alexis Lafreniere had 22 points (3-19-22) in 53 games last season. They aren’t ready to give up on the 20-year-old center. He saw some time on the wing. Perhaps that’s the thinking moving forward.

That’ll do it for now. So. We had some interesting deals made. Dubois was the headliner. I like what the Devils did. Toffoli can help them. He’s got the necessary experience to make a difference. Secondary scoring is always nice to have. Toffoli should slot in as a top nine forward, who Lindy Ruff can trust at even strength, on the power play and the penalty kill. Those are valuable players to have.

I’m curious to see how Newhook does in Montreal. He never found his footing with Colorado. They did well by retrieving two good picks in this year’s draft. That’ll be an interesting trade to keep track of.

The first round is live tomorrow on ESPN at 7 EST. Rounds 2-7 will air on NHL Network on Thursday starting at 11 AM.

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Feeling A Draft: Bedard set to go to Blackhawks on Wednesday, Real fun begins afterward, Rangers pick 23rd, Bruins dump Taylor Hall to Hawks

Posted on June 26, 2023 by Derek

In two days, the 2023 NHL Draft commences at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Predators will host the two-day event on Wednesday night and Thursday after school’s out for summer. I’m sure Alice Cooper wouldn’t mind.

The biggest story remains Connor Bedard. The most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid will go number one overall to the Blackhawks. They won the Draft Lottery last month, moving past the Blue Jackets, who dropped to number four despite having the best chances.

Instead, the Canadian franchise center will play in a major market with Chicago. A franchise that once had dynamic duo Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will make the transition to building around Bedard. An electrifying player who will score a lot of goals due to his game-breaking speed and quick release. He is also a superb passer who makes teammates better. The former U20 World Junior Championships Tournament MVP will be a great player. It’ll be interesting to see how quickly the Blackhawks improve.

While Hawks fans are blessed to get such a generational talent after having Kane and Toews lead their team to three Stanley Cups, what happens following that pick remains to be seen. The Ducks have a tough decision to make. While most pundits have Adam Fantilli projected to go second, there’s talk that they like Leo Carlson. The Swedish center who plays a two-way game. He’s rated behind Matvei Michkov and Fantilli.

ESPN reporter Emily Kaplan had some good information about what the Ducks could be thinking. The question is if they are going to select Carlson, would they be open to trading down if one of the rumored teams (Canadiens, Flyers) are interested in trading up to grab Michkov? It all depends on what GM Pat Verbeek is thinking.

At the moment, the Ducks pick second, followed by the rival Sharks at number three. Rounding out the top five are the Blue Jackets and Canadiens. San Jose, Montreal, and Arizona, who select sixth, each have multiple picks in the first round. The Flyers also do with their number 7 and 22. Montreal and St. Louis each has as many as three. Of course, the Blackhawks have another pick later in the opening round. The Red Wings also pick twice.

The host Predators boast picks 15 and 24. New GM Barry Trotz would like to trade up into the top four. I can see wanting to make a splash with plenty of fans in the building. As special a talent as Bedard is, the aforementioned Michkov, Fantilli, and Carlson all have the chance to be difference makers in the draft.

With Nashville already moving on from Ryan Johansen by sending him to the Avalanche in what amounted to clearing some cap space with them picking up half the $8 million tab, they’re going to be busy this off-season. The roster should have a different look than last season. Both captain Roman Josi and new European scout, former franchise netminder Pekka Rinne, are expected to announce the 24th pick. That should make for a pretty cool moment.

One other note regarding whether or not interested teams can successfully move up into the top five. According to Kaplan, it won’t be easy due to a weak free agent class.

She also has good information on the rumored trades that could take place. Kevin Hayes could be headed to the Blues. That depends if Torey Krug decides to change his mind and wave his no-trade clause. Pierre-Luc Dubois is supposed to be part of a fire sale in Winnipeg. The Kings are very interested. After moving solid right defenseman Sean Durzi to the Coyotes for a second round pick to free up a spot for Brandt Clarke, they are expected to be in play to acquire Dubois, who wants an extension on a contender.

At the moment, there’s nothing new to report on the Tony DeAngelo trade to the Hurricanes. Due to an absurd rule, that means he can’t be traded back to a team that had him less than a calendar year ago. The Flyers must hold off before dealing him back to Carolina. This is from the same league that allows teams to take full advantage of a flawed system by putting players on LTIR. They then magically reappear in the playoffs. It’s also an unfair cap system due to teams taking advantage of their locations in tax-free states. The playing field needs to be level.

In regards to some of the other highly rated prospects who could hear their names go in the top 10, they include American forwards Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. Smith is expected to go a bit higher. Austrian David Reinbacher could be the first defenseman off the board. He developed in Switzerland. Dalibor Dvorsky and Zach Benson are two names to keep an eye on. So is Matthew Wood.

As far as the Rangers go, they do have the 23rd pick. Most observers believe the need is a center due to the ages of Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck. Of the two suggested in a mock draft on NHL.com, I like the sound of Wisconsin product Charlie Stramel. I’m glad they held onto their selection. They don’t have many picks. But having one in Round One is a plus for an organization thin on young talent.

The Devils don’t have a first round pick, having included it in the blockbuster trade for Timo Meier. The Sharks have the 26th pick. Meier remains unsigned. We’ll see if the two sides make any progress on a long-term contract.

The Islanders also don’t have a first round pick. It’s not good, considering they’re an aging roster that’s paper thin on the farm. They’re locked in on center tandem Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat. Brock Nelson as well. Unless they can find a taker for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, there isn’t much wiggle room on the cap.

After a step in the right direction, the Sabres own the 13th pick. A team that’s on the way back up thanks to star forward Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and key defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, things are on the upswing for Buffalo. They just missed the playoffs. However, Devon Levi is the goalie of the future. With good prospects in the system, including Jiri Kulich, the Sabres could be a key move or two away from finally returning to the postseason. They will need to add another defenseman and a better veteran goalie to improve the roster.

An interesting development out of Boston is that Taylor Hall could become a cap casualty. They can’t keep everyone. Dmitry Orlov was a really good pickup from Washington. Can they free up enough salary to keep the key defenseman?

Updating our story, the Bruins have indeed dealt Hall to the Blackhawks. It was a salary dump that freed up $6 million. Chicago picks up the former MVP and the free agent rights to Nick Foligno in exchange for the rights to restricted free agents Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula. Frank Seravalli has the details.

I guess they decided not to trade Linus Ullmark. He’s expected to win the Vezina tonight at the NHL Awards. They can have him and younger understudy Jeremy Swayman split duties in goal. That also means Brad Marchand will probably remain a Bruin. What isn’t known is whether or not Patrice Bergeron played his final game. It’s up to the 37-year-old. He’s a future Hall of Famer who’s won a Cup with five Selkes, which could be six after tonight. One of the finest two-way centers to ever play the sport, his legacy is cemented.

The Bruins could lose both Bergeron and veteran center David Krejci, who successfully returned after going home to play in the Czech Republic. There could be more changes in store. Tyler Bertuzzi is also unrestricted. After a strong postseason showing in the first round upset to the Panthers, he should draw considerable interest.

With the activity picking up with Hall moving on to the Windy City, the excitement will pick up over the next few days. Stay tuned.

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Rangers name Housley, Muse and Peca as assistant coaches

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Derek

On Friday, the Rangers announced the rest of the coaching staff, who will join Peter Laviolette behind the bench in 2023-24.

As expected, Michael Peca is one of the three new assistants that’s coming over from Rochester. He was an assistant coach for the Americans of the Sabres AHL affiliate. Peca played for Laviolette on the Islanders, helping lead them back to the playoffs.

The Rangers have also brought in experienced coach Phil Housley to handle the defense. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, the former standout defenseman whose best days came in Buffalo and Winnipeg, has become a staple behind the bench. He’s been more successful as an assistant. He coached the Sabres for two seasons. Adding Housley should help a defense that struggled. It’ll be interesting to see what he adds.

Dan Muse also joins the staff as an assistant coach. Only 40, he was a former assistant for the Predators. He also recently served as head coach of the USA Under-18 Men’s National Team at the World Championships. He sounds like a good fit for the Rangers’ younger players, including potential new arrival Brennan Othmann.

As much as I wanted them to promote Kris Knoblauch from Hartford, I like what the Rangers have done since finally hiring Laviolette. He was excellent at his introductory press conference, emphasizing establishing more compete and an aggressive approach. Two characteristics that were missing from last season. He highlighted the need to play better defensively.

There’s no doubt that he’s an established coach who’s had plenty of success. It isn’t easy to take five different teams to the playoffs, including three to the Stanley Cup Finals. He won it all with the Hurricanes in 2005-06. The Capitals weren’t a good fit. They clearly regressed. I’m not sure how they’ll fare under new coach Spencer Carberry. They have an aging nucleus with Alexander Ovechkin chasing Gretzky.

Laviolette said it was great to return to New York, where his career started. There’s a lot to prove. His staff sounds impressive. I like the three additions. It sounds like he’ll have free reign to do things his way. I think Gerard Gallant, while a good coach, didn’t have full control, which is what led to the divorce between him and Chris Drury.

Obviously, Laviolette is more of a disciplinarian than Gallant. If a player isn’t playing well, they’ll sit. It won’t be run like a country club. This isn’t a knock on Gallant. He was successful in his two years on Broadway. But he was more laid back. Laviolette will keep the players on their toes. Sometimes, an experienced group needs that. A kick in the ass isn’t the worst thing. Especially for a team with high expectations in a tough Eastern Conference.

Now, it’s onto the NHL Draft. At least the Rangers have a first round pick. We’ll see what they decide this Wednesday in Nashville.

The off-season is underway. There was a trade made yesterday between Nashville and Colorado that sent Ryan Johansen to the Avalanche. There’ll be more activity. The latest rumors have Tony DeAngelo returning to Carolina, and Kevin Hayes possibly headed to St. Louis. As the draft nears, there should be more activity.

I’ll have another post on what happens.

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Devils re-sign Haula for three years, Meier or Hellebuyck?

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Derek

Check another one off the list for Tom Fitzgerald. The Devils re-signed Erik Haula to a new three year contract. The average cap hit is a reasonable $3.15 million.

Credit Ryan Novozinsky for breaking the story earlier this afternoon. He was the first to have it. Eventually, Elliotte Friedman confirmed it.

Since acquiring the versatile center from Boston last summer for Pavel Zacha in a deal that worked out for both teams, the Devils benefited from the veteran’s experience. At times, he shifted to the wing to play with Jack Hughes and take face-offs.

Haula is a solid all-around player who is trusted at five-on-five and is a good penalty killer. He also played power play in his first year as a Devil. Lindy Ruff did a good job utilizing the 10-year veteran. Whether it was on a checking line or up with Hughes, Haula provided secondary scoring. In 80 games, he had 14 goals with 27 assists for 41 points and a plus-13 rating. He added a pair of shorthanded goals. He won 54.2 percent of draws.

In the first round series victory over the Rangers, Haula proved to be the x-factor by scoring four goals, including the one that put Game 7 away. All six of his points in the playoffs came in Round One.

Following a disappointing second round defeat to the Hurricanes, he indicated that he wanted to return at breakup day. Hughes enjoyed playing with him.

“He’s a guy that’s been a gamer for us and pretty much played all the games all year. He’s fighting, he’s scoring, he’s penalty killing, he’s (on the) power play. He’s just a character guy and he fit really well in our locker room.

“That’s a guy we should bring back for sure.” the star center said after the season.

By getting it done prior to him becoming an unrestricted free agent, Fitzgerald made keeping the valuable Haula a priority. A wise move considering what he adds.

With that order of business done, now he can turn towards working out a new contract for key restricted free agent Timo Meier. Both sides have indicated a strong interest in working it out. Fitzgerald seemed confident that they’d get an extension done for the key power forward they traded for.

Meier certainly is a difference maker. He can score 40 goals and is lethal on the power play. He also loves to finish checks and plays with edge. Only 26, the former Shark is entering his prime. The 40 goals he scored last season were a new career high. After getting 31 in San Jose, he added nine more with New Jersey. Although he didn’t produce a big postseason, he was a factor. You noticed him during shifts.

It’ll take between $9 to 9.5 million per year to keep him. If it comes down to a choice between him or Connor Hellebuyck, who the team has discussed with the Jets, I’d probably lean towards Meier. He’s a few years younger and has more upside than the 30-year-old Hellebuyck, who’ll command around the same price to be signed into his thirties.

That doesn’t include what the Jets would want in a deal for the former Vezina winner. Hellebuyck has a year left on his contract with a $6.166 million cap hit. There’s no doubting his ability. He’s the top American goalie. A workhorse who carried the Jets to the postseason, he went 37-25-2 with a 2.49 GAA, .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 64 games. Whoever trades for him knows the window to win should be in the first three to four years.

A good question for the Devils is, do they want to risk that when Akira Schmid proved he’s capable of having some success as a 22-year-old rookie? Fitzgerald has an interesting decision to make regarding veteran netminder Vitek Vanecek. He had a good season, setting personal bests in games played (52), wins (33), GAA (2.45), and save percentage (.911). His playoff showing wasn’t up to par. He has two years remaining with a $3.4 million cap hit.

Do they keep Vanecek or look to move him and acquire a different veteran goalie who has more experience? It’s an interesting decision for Fitzgerald. With $22.3 million left on the cap, he must decide on Meier. Then, look to re-sign RFA’s Mike McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Kevin Bahl, Jesper Boqvist, and possibly Yegor Sharangovich. He could be the odd man out.

Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood, and Ryan Graves are unrestricted. Of the three, Graves has the most value. He worked alongside John Marino on the shutdown pair. But with the arrival of Luke Hughes and potentially Simon Nemec, the Devils could move on.

It should be an intriguing off-season in Jersey. They announced the hiring of former Canucks coach Travis Green as a new assistant on the staff. He replaces Andrew Brunette, who took the job in Nashville. They still haven’t revealed anything with Ruff, who will return.

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A dark cloud hangs over 2023 Hall of Fame Class, Lundqvist earns well deserved honor

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Derek

To say that I’ve been thinking about yesterday’s announcement regarding the 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame Class would be an understatement. On Wednesday, the Hall Committee again revealed their list of inductees who will be honored in Toronto this November.

While it’s nice to see Henrik Lundqvist have his name called for the well-deserved honor, it’s beyond incomprehensible how badly the crack committee has failed. Somehow, the members that include Hall of Famers Mike Gartner and Lanny McDonald have omitted Alexander Mogilny. It’s now 14 years and counting for a Russian player who not only deserves to be in for his on ice achievements. But for his bravery in helping break barriers by defecting from the former Soviet Union to come over to North America and play in the NHL.

It’s truly disappointing on so many levels. For years, I’ve been outspoken about Mogilny’s exclusion. Far from alone, there are many pundits who cover the sport for a living that can’t comprehend how one of the greatest Russian hockey players has been denied entry into the Hall of Fame. It’s mystifying.

While I’ll extend congratulations to the rest of a class that includes Pierre Turgeon, Mike Vernon, Tom Barrasso, Ken Hitchcock, Pierre Lacroix and Caroline Ouellette, I can’t contain my disdain for a clearly biased committee that’s holding an undeserved grudge towards Mogilny due to the country he’s from.

At this point in a fake world full of mean-spirited people who live in their own bubble, xenophobia exists. Whether it be all the hate crimes against Asian people for a pandemic that they had nothing to do with, or a war started by a crazed sick old man that’s caused an absurd level of vengeance in the world towards athletes who represent Russia, it is extremely disappointing.

The term guilty by association is one that shouldn’t exist. Unfortunately, it does. The lyrics are best remembered in a Linkin Park hit song from the late Chester Bennington. I wish people treated each other better. It’s not fair. There should be more respect shown than there is. Too often, I see things that don’t make sense. Being decent should be easy. It doesn’t seem to work that way with Hockey Canada or the IIHF. They continue to punish Russia for a war that the athletes have no involvement in.

The only reason Mogilny isn’t in now is due to that irrational hatred. He has been screwed too many times. I’m sure he’s at peace with his family enjoying life rather than worrying over whether he makes some exclusive list that’s determined by a good old boys club. Hopefully, one day, his name will be called by the crack committee.

I’ve repeatedly gone over why the original Alexander The Great should be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not going to repeat myself anymore. For more on Mogilny, please refer to this special page dedicated to number 89. A number that has special significance. That’s the year he made the daring life decision to board a plane and defect during scary times. As many hockey fans, I’m thankful I got to see him play. He was a fabulous skater who could finish with the best and was an underrated passer. A triple gold member who won a Stanley Cup with the Devils following a successful decade with the Sabres and Canucks, Mogilny belongs in.

He’s been eligible since 2009. The unfair treatment has gone on long enough. What if they applied the same rules to Team Canada in the Under 20 World Junior Championships? Even with the past issues involving several players who were part of a sexual assault in a previous tournament, it wouldn’t be fair to the current roster representing them. However, they could’ve been punished by the IIHF. They even could’ve disciplined themselves.

Why should we look the other way? Maybe it’s because most people are forgiving. Imagine not being able to see Connor Bedard play on the world stage. That would’ve been a letdown. He led Canada to back-to-back gold medals. He set a new Canadian record for most career goals and points at the prestigious tournament. Without him, Canada doesn’t win gold. His overtime winner to defeat Slovakia to win the championship was one for the highlight reel.

No matter what, the election process for the Hockey Hall of Fame should be fair and unbiased. Pavel Bure had to wait until after they put in Cam Neely. As much as I enjoyed Neely’s career with the Bruins, Bure was by far the more dominant player. Sergei Zubov didn’t go in right away either. Even the great Sergei Fedorov waited until 2015 despite a brilliant career. Fedorov played with Mogilny to help the Soviet Union win gold in 1989 at the World Championships. They’d repeat in 1990 with Bure joining Fedorov on the same line.

The interesting aspect is that there have been other Canadian players who didn’t make it right away. Eric Lindros was the most dominant power forward of the 90’s. He patiently waited to be inducted in 2016. He was way over a point-per-game for his career despite concussions limiting him during the latter part. He was polarizing off the ice due to what happened in Quebec. But his play on the ice merited inclusion. Lindros has since spoken highly of Quebec. He’s a very misunderstood person who’s done a lot of good since his playing days.

I’ve yet to understand why quality players such as Steve Larmer, Rick Middleton, and Rod Brind’Amour aren’t Hall Of Famers. Both Larmer and Middleton had outstanding careers. Middleton is the one that got away in one of the worst trades the Rangers ever made. He scored at nearly a point-per-game clip while totaling 100 points in the playoffs for Boston. He retired at 34.

Larmer was over a point-per-game for his 15-year career spent mostly in Chicago. He was a key piece to the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup in 1993-94. A good scorer who also was a strong defensive forward, Larmer definitely helped the Rangers end a 54-year drought. He played one more year before hanging up the skates. Having also been on some good teams with the Blackhawks that went far, Larmer totaled 131 points in 140 postseason games. He has been overlooked for years.

The case for Brind’Amour is a bit different. He had 1,184 points over 1,484 games. After spending the beginning of his career in St. Louis, he became a key part of the Flyers. Always a good two-way center who played second fiddle behind the Legion of Doom centered by Lindros, Brind’Amour had an outstanding postseason in 1997. His 13 goals led all scorers. He had 21 points in helping the Flyers play for the Cup. They were swept by the Red Wings.

He spent two more years in Philadelphia before getting traded to Carolina for Keith Primeau in early 2000. It was with the Hurricanes where Brind’Amour cemented his reputation as one of the game’s best two-way players. He won two Selkes as the league’s top defensive forward. He also captained the Hurricanes to their only Stanley Cup in 2005-06. Highlighted by peak performances from Eric Staal, Cory Stillman, Justin Williams, and rookie goalie Cam Ward, Carolina was led by Brind’Amour, who posted 12 goals and 18 points during that run. He led them with four game-winners.

As an overall player who captained a team to a championship while being recognized as the game’s top defensive forward twice, Brind’Amour is overlooked. Winning hockey isn’t only about point production. It’s about leadership, grit, and intangibles. Those characteristics make Brind’Amour a good candidate. Ironically, he coaches Carolina. They’ve made two Conference Finals and won the Metropolitan Division twice. His credentials continue to get stronger.

For the most part, I’ve watched the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony on NHL Network. The speeches are always good. It’s fun to get the players, and builders’ perspectives. However, I’m drawing a line in the sand. As thrilled as I am for Henrik Lundqvist, who’s only the greatest New York Ranger this century, I can’t in good conscience watch the 2023 induction. Instead, I’ve decided to boycott it. Until they take the handcuffs off Russian players, I refuse to watch. I’ll catch what Lundqvist has to say on video. That’s what Twitter and YouTube are for.

I disagree with the selection of Barrasso. Are they suddenly going to open the door for Chris Osgood? Why isn’t Curtis Joseph in? It’s too confusing. Barrasso won two Cups, a Calder and Vezina. But I never viewed him as a great goalie. The Penguins won back-to-back championships due to Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and Ron Francis, who they stole from Hartford. Barrasso was good. He didn’t need to be great. He didn’t have a good finish to his career. If he were Hall of Fame worthy, surely they would’ve stuck him in sooner.

At least Vernon had a Conn Smythe to go with his two Cups, which were won with Calgary and Detroit. He was better than Barrasso. But he waited a long time to get in. They hadn’t really been so lenient when it came to goalies. What changed? Good for Barrasso and Vernon, I guess.

If they’re both in, then Osgood should merit strong consideration. He won over 400 games to go with three Cups. He also was superb in helping the Islanders reach the playoffs in 2001-02. He took over for Dominik Hasek to help guide the Red Wings to another Cup in 2007-08. At 35, he was a big reason they won their fourth Cup in just over a decade. Osgood posted a 1.55 GAA, .930 save percentage and three shutouts to go with a 14-4 record.

Since this post focused on a questionable process that still won’t allow Jaromir Jagr to get inducted due to some ridiculous rule when he barely plays to help his hometown league back home in Kladno, Czech Republic, I’ll have a separate one on Lundqvist making it in his first year of eligibility.

The last thing I’ll say is that I think three years isn’t long enough for former stars. It should be a five-year waiting period. That way, they can right some wrongs. There needs to be a different process. Or perhaps a veteran’s committee. I know baseball doesn’t always get it right. But they at least try. The Hockey Hall of Fame should be for the game’s greatest players. It should be special. It doesn’t feel like it anymore.

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Laviolette all business at introductory press conference as new Rangers coach

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Derek

Yesterday, the Rangers introduced new coach Peter Laviolette at a press conference. The former Ranger became the 39th coach in franchise history.

Although he didn’t play more than a dozen games in the NHL, Laviolette was a defenseman who was a Ranger in 1988-89. A former USA Olympian who played in the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, he spent parts of three seasons playing in the minors. That included two for former AHL affiliate Binghamton.

Eventually, Laviolette wound up playing for the Providence Bruins. He lasted four years. Following 1996-97, he made the transition behind the bench. After starting with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL, he coached Providence for two consecutive years. That included capturing the Calder Cup in 1998-99. He would join the Bruins as an assistant in 2000-01.

Since then, Laviolette has been a fixture as an NHL coach. He’s been successful everywhere. Highlighted by winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2005-06, he’s coached three different teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. He made history by guiding the Flyers back from a 0-3 series deficit to stun the Bruins in 2010. A team that squeaked into the playoffs by edging the Rangers in a shootout, the Flyers went all the way to the Finals before losing to the Blackhawks in six on Patrick Kane’s overtime winner.

Having also coached the Predators to their only trip to the Finals in 2017, where they lost to the Penguins, Laviolette’s last stop was with the Capitals. They reached the postseason twice and lost in the first round. Hindered by injuries last season, they missed the playoffs. The Caps decided to move in a different direction by hiring former Leafs assistant Spencer Carberry.

Now, the Rangers become the sixth stop for Laviolette. Astonishingly, he’s up to five teams in the Metropolitan Division. He previously coached the Islanders, Hurricanes, Flyers, and Capitals. However, it should be noted that when he took the Canes to their only Cup, they played in the Southeast Division. A time when the Atlanta Thrashers still existed.

Now, it’s all about turning the Rangers into winners. Something Laviolette is focused on doing. They went from within two games of reaching the Finals to losing in disappointing fashion to the archival Devils in a mystifying first round. They were uncompetitive in the deciding seventh game. A blowout between Chris Drury and Gerard Gallant during that series hinted that a change was coming. Once they lost, it was obvious to everyone except blind squirrels.

The real disappointment surrounding the ’22-23 Rangers’ was how inconsistent they were. Despite posting over 100 points for a second straight season under Gallant, there were too many nights where you didn’t know which team you’d get. Even shift to shift, it was unpredictable. The lack of consistency defensively, along with little sustained forecheck, were ominous signs that something was wrong. Even after convincingly taking the first two games against the younger Devils, the Rangers took their foot off the gas pedal.

There were too many key players who came up small. That was highlighted by Artemi Panarin, who never put up a single goal in seven games. His only points came in Game 1 when he posted two assists. It’s no secret that his relationship with Gallant wasn’t on good terms. He didn’t agree with Turk’s philosophy. However, if he thought Gallant was tough for emphasizing more of a North/South style over East/West, wait until he gets a load of Laviolette. Not afraid to discipline players for poor play, Laviolette is tougher and more demanding. It should be interesting to see how the players respond to Laviolette. The leadership that features Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox, and Ryan Lindgren will be tested.

Laviolette was hired to get the most out of a roster that also includes underachieving former first round picks Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere. Both set new personal bests in points. However, they have yet to reach their full potential. Even though they haven’t exactly been given enough power play time, which was something Kakko mentioned at last month’s breakup day that might’ve sealed Gallant’s fate, it’s up to both players to earn that trust. Laviolette indicated that he wants to give them more defined roles. We’ll see if they’re ready.

“Those young players do need an opportunity to grow. They have to be – not given – but they have to be given the opportunity to be counted on more… You certainly would like to see them take the next step. More minutes, maybe a little higher up in lineup, maybe more power play time. There has to be opportunity. These conversations will take place… These opportunities will be there for them to grab that ice time and to push.”

In terms of what Laviolette expects, he wants to see the Rangers play a solid fundamental game. Forechecking and compete level are two terms he emphasized at Tuesday’s press conference.

It’s no secret that last year’s group lacked the necessary grit to go far. That showed up in the first round. They went from a favorable 2-0 position with the next two at MSG to blowing the series. There was little in either Games 5 or 7. Those big games were about as exciting as watching cricket. Unless you rooted for the other side, there was no excitement. Nothing.

Laviolette’s message to the team is simple. It’s time to get going.

“Let’s go to work. Let’s get working. I think we have really good pieces in place. But to me, it’s about that work ethic that drives teams.

The compete inside the game is what makes teams great. It drives them to success. I don’t think that’s something you can just ask for. I think you have to practice that on a daily basis. It has to become habit. It has to become your identity… Part of the DNA of who you are. And it has to start in training camp. It has to be held to a level of accountability. When you have that and you have the skill, that’s how teams push on and they compete for Stanley Cups, win Stanley Cups and become really good hockey teams.”

It’s going to be different from Gallant. He was more hands-off. He let the players play and wasn’t as hands-on. Laviolette is a sharp contrast. It’s like going from Tom Renney to John Tortorella. Renney was a player’s coach. Tortorella was the tough cop who called things out. He’d bench players. Look for similarities with Laviolette. He runs a tight ship.

As far as who is on his staff, the Rangers announced the hiring of Michael Peca as an assistant on Laviolette’s staff. He was an assistant coach for Rochester in the AHL. He helped develop players for the Sabres. The former Sabre and Islander who played for Laviolette should be a good addition to the bench. For more on Peca, please refer to Stan Fischler’s piece in The Hockey News. Speaking of people who deserve to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. If Alexander Mogilny isn’t elected today, it’ll be a crime.

As we know, goalie coach Benoit Allaire remains with the organization. He’s been a mainstay since the early days of Henrik Lundqvist. A former Ranger certain to be a first ballot Hall Of Famer. Now, he’s on TNT and MSG as a superb analyst. It’s pretty astonishing.

Laviolette indicated that he wanted to get in touch with Adam Fox, along with other veteran leaders. A smart idea that way he can get to know his players. They’re a good group. A new voice is needed. Hopefully, Laviolette can deliver in the Big Apple. Expectations remain high.

I’m most curious to see how much input he’ll have in who the Rangers add this off-season. Obviously, a good part of the $11.7 million will go to key restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller. There could be a tough decision on Barclay Goodrow due to his salary ($3.64 million thru 2027). He’s got a moderated no-trade clause. Perhaps Laviolette might decide to keep him. Goodrow fits the profile of a checking player who plays with grit. Gallant liked him. It became too much about the stars once Patrick Kane was added to Vladimir Tarasenko.

If they were to hang onto Goodrow, I’d like to see Laviolette try him on a third line with Vincent Trocheck. The Rangers desperately need a checking line that can match up against opponents’ top scoring lines. If Tyler Motte re-signed, that could be a possibility. Or they could go for a similar type of player that Laviolette’s familiar with, such as Garnet Hathaway. He coached him in Washington.

Before July comes the 2023 NHL Draft. It’s on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Obviously, Connor Bedard is the big draw. We know he’s destined for the Blackhawks. Then, we’ll see if there’s any movement within the top 5. Possibly the Canadiens (5) or Flyers (7, 22). Matvei Michkov is still second on most lists over Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli. It depends on which team is willing to grab the gifted Russian who’s committed to the KHL. He put up nine goals and 20 points in 27 games for Sochi HC.

There will also be some players on the move. The biggest could come from the same team. With the Winnipeg Jets at a crossroads, Connor Hellebuyck wants out. The 30-year-old netminder has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $6.2 million. He would like to be traded and sign an extension that could reach in excess of $9 million. The Devils have had discussions per Pierre LeBrun. Personally, I wouldn’t do it. He’s 30. If you sign Hellebuyck long-term, you better in the Stanley Cup Finals in Years 1-3. It’s all downhill after that.

Pierre-Luc Dubois is also expected to get moved. He wants to go to a contender. However, it has to be a city he likes. Montreal has always been linked to him. But the cost might prove too much. Dubois is a good player who can help a team. But he’s an RFA who is unrestricted next year. He’s hoping for a team that’ll commit to him long-term.

The Jets are also in discussions to trade captain Blake Wheeler. Owed $8.25 million in his final year, he has a moderated no-trade clause. If there are any takers, then the Jets can avoid a buyout. They’re also likely to trade Mark Scheifele during next season. The high-scoring forward enters his last year with a cap hit of $6.125 million. He also has a moderated NTC. Winnipeg will look very different next year.

Alex DeBrincat should also be on the table. It’s hard to tell what Ottawa will do. The Blackhawks were smart for getting rid of him. They knew they would’ve run into the same problem. He’s another player a year away from unrestricted status. If he’s dealt, then it would be to a team willing to extend him.

All of this is part of the excitement that’s coming up. The July 1 free agent class is headlined by Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. Kane is recovering from hip resurfacing surgery. It’ll be interesting to see which teams have interest in the all-time American great. Tarasenko wants one final payday. Why not. He’s certainly capable of helping a few teams. A former Stanley Cup winner who’s capable of scoring 30-plus goals, he should have a good market.

Patrice Bergeron is the most interesting free agent. Still able to be a terrific two-way center in all facets, does he want to return? He’s won a Cup and been a five-time Selke winner. Bergeron will turn 38 on July 24. Either he returns for one more year with Boston or retires. It’s 50/50. He has a family and has played through some tough injuries. Whatever he decides, Bergeron will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He’s one of the greatest two-way players to ever play the game.

Other key free agents who could do well following strong postseason showings are Ivan Barbashev and Max Domi. Each proved worthy of good contracts. Jesper Fast is another player who did well. Will he leave Carolina where they gave him a bigger role? Tyler Bertuzzi definitely proved his worth even in the upset loss to Florida.

You’ll also see a goalie carousel. Perhaps Boston looks to trade Linus Ullmark, giving the keys to Jeremy Swayman. Vegas hero Adin Hill is available. So are Frederik Andersen and Tristan Jarry. Plus, serviceable veterans like Antti Raanta, Cam Talbot, and Martin Jones. Will the Rangers bring back Jaroslav Halak?

They recently re-signed Zac Jones for two years. I’ve been a backer of Jones for a while. I think he’s got the skating and offensive game to become part of the defense. He’ll have to prove himself under Laviolette. He doesn’t have much more to do in Hartford. It’s time to find out. Gallant preferred more experience, which is why Ben Harpur got a chance to play with Braden Schneider prior to Niko Mikkola, who will likely depart as a free agent.

We’ll see what happens. If there’s anything new, I’ll post it. The draft should be fun to follow. It promises to have some sizzle.

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