NHL Daily: Prospects, Olympic Participation, Free Agents
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Daily: Flames/Bruins Prospects, 2018 Olympic Participation, Remaining Free Agents, and More (Morning Coffee Headlines)
Grab your morning cup of coffee and join us here at Puck Prose for a compilation of NHL daily links that will help keep you updated with everything going on in the hockey world.
In today’s edition: We take a look at a pair of prospects vying for a roster spot in training camp, 2018 Olympic participation, Rick Nash, Flyers goaltending situation, and of course another blast from the past as Detroit says farewell to the Joe Louis Arena in 2016-17.
NHL Daily: Morning Coffee Headlines
Mark Jankowski Looks to Make Impression at Flames Camp
Remember that scrawny bean pole the Calgary Flames selected in the first round back in 2012 that left fans and experts scratching their head? Just a prep school player at the time, Mark Jankowski got a little taller and added some weight over those four years since with NCAA Providence. He now stands 6’4 200lbs, and could be ready to step up and produce. [Calgary Sun]
Evaluating Rick Nash’s Future
Mike Ries at Blue Line Station evaluates the future for Rangers star forward Rick Nash. He doesn’t believe that a trade was ever imminent amidst the rumors earlier in the summer and thinks Nash is poised for a bounce-back season in 2016-17. [Blue Line Station]
Danton Heinen Hoping to Crack Bruins Opening Night Roster
Joe Haggerty at CSNNE.com talks about Danton Heinen’s choice to sign with the Bruins and pursue his NHL dream opposed to playing out two more years at Denver University. He believes Heinen will ultimately begin the year in Providence, but has a chance to make a big impression before players return from the World Cup of Hockey. [CSNNE.com]
Steven Stamkos One of Numerous NHL Players to be Featured as Pop! Figures
Funko, the company responsible for the wildly popular Pop! figures announced a future release for their NHL line. It will feature 16 players including Steven Stamkos, Jamie Benn, Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Henrik Lundqvist, Connor McDavid, Morgan Rielly, Carey Price, and Alex Ovechkin. [Bolts By The Bay]
Related Story: World Cup of Hockey: Team/Player Impact Roundtable
Bill Daly Describes Olympic Talks as “Radio Silent”
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press that talks between the league and International Olympic Committee (IOC) have gone “radio silent”. This should come as no surprise since Gary Bettman already announced that 2018 Winter Olympics participation is in doubt anyway. [The Score]
Flyers Goaltending Situation
Marc Naples over at Broad Street Buzz evaluates the Flyers goaltending situation for the future since both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth are set to become free agents in 2017. He describes the position as a veritable free-for-all contest or next man up type concept. Definitely worth a read. [Broad Street Buzz]
Kris Russell the Missing Piece for Which NHL Blue Line?
“Is Kris Russell the missing piece for your NHL team’s blue line?”, that’s the question that Jonathan Willis over at Bleacher Report is asking. Latest rumors suggest he could sign within the next few days to a week, although we’ve heard similar reports throughout the offseason. [Bleacher Report]
Farewell Season at the Joe Louis Arena
Joseph Karbousky over at Octopus Thrower continues his “Farewell Season at the Joe” series featuring the most memorable moments in Red Wings history. On Wednesday, Joseph rewinds 20 years to when Steve Yzerman scored a double overtime goal in game seven vs St.Louis in the 1996 Western Conference Finals. [Octopus Thrower]
Related Story: Dennis Seidenberg Hoping to Earn NHL Contract at WCOH
NHL Daily Morning Rant
It’s a bit strange to see Kris Russell still without a contract. Then again, Cody Franson went through what we can assume to be very similar circumstances last summer (likely asking for too much money).
There’s no denying that Russell is the NHL’s most potent shot blocker, but he needs to be in the right situation to be an effective player. That likely means a bottom pairing with an ability to step up temporary to fill in for injuries in the top four.
3 Good Fits for Russell: Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators
Next: Las Vegas Mock Expansion Draft
A quick note on Rick Nash: I tend to agree with Mark Ries when it comes to the Rangers star having a bounce back season. They’ve added Mika Zibanejad, Jimmy Vesey, Pavel Buchnevich (rookie), Michael Grabner, Brandon Pirri, and Nathan Gerbe. You have to believe this team will score more goals in 2016-17.