NHL Weekly Roundup: Kuznetsov, Matthews & More
By Aly Dhanani
NHL Weekly Roundup: Kuznetsov, Matthews & More
Check out the NHL weekly roundup each Sunday, where I update you on the latest rumors and news from around the hockey world.
In this edition: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Auston Matthews, Ilya Kovalchuk, and more.
On Evgeny Kuznetsov…
Some analysts think Evgeny Kuznetsov deserves Hart Trophy consideration. The 23-year-old has been brilliant all season long, with 20 goals and 73 points in 74 games. There is little chance he gets nominated for the award, as Erik Karlsson, Patrick Kane, and Sidney Crosby have all done more for their teams this campaign.
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However, Kuznetsov’s breakout year will have greater repercussions. As he took over the spot as 1st line centre on a dominating Capitals team, that demoted Marcus Johansson, a pending RFA, to the 4th line. Will he want to re-sign? If he doesn’t, Johansson could be lost to an offer sheet or get traded.
The return would have to be fairly big (similar to Brandon Saad) as Johansson has quietly been having a great year with 15 goals and 40 points in 66 games. Another thing to consider is Kuznetsov is a free agent in the summer of 2018 (right after the possible expansion draft), just coming off his ELC. What luck. He will command a big paycheck, and it will be interesting to see what players the Capitals move to keep him.
On Auston Matthews…
USA Hockey wasted no time naming this generational talent to their roster, with Matthews being the first player named to the World Championships roster, even before the coaching staff. Considering that USA’s advisory group includes Stan Bowman, David Poile, Dave Talon and Ray Shero, they must think he’s pretty good. Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney told the media Friday evening that despite reports he would “never” trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson for Matthews.
More puck prose: Which Bubble Teams Make the Playoffs?
On Steven Stamkos…
According to the Ottawa Sun‘s Bruce Garrioch, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres are the teams expected to go all in this offseason for Stamkos. If one of the Sabres or Canadiens sign him, that puts them on the fast track to cup contenders, because they can use their draft picks on other positions of need.
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If the Sabres do get Stamkos, and there is a solid chance they do, does that mean Sam Reinhart moves to the wing for the rest of his career? And more dilemma will follow as Ryan O’Rielly and Zegmus Girgensons would potentially be demoted to the 3rd and 4th lines.
Looking at the playoff standings, the Lightning are 2nd in the Atlantic division but are only 2 points ahead of the Islanders, who are in the 1st wildcard spot. So they are not safe by any means. Stamkos had some harsh words for the team last week, quote via Sportsnet.
"“We played like a fragile team that’s scared to lose and not hungry to close out a game or hungry to win a game,” said Stamkos,. “We can’t let that fear of losing creep in at this time of year. There’s almost that feeling where we just want to get to the playoffs here but there’s still a lot of hockey left.”"
If the playoffs started today…
Eastern Conference:
NYI vs. FLA
BOS vs. TBL
PHI vs. WSH
PIT vs. NYR
Western Conference:
MIN vs. DAL
CHI vs. STL
NSH vs. LAK
SJ vs. ANA
The Leftovers: Kovalchuk signs with KHL expansion team, Leafs looking to move centre
Earlier this week Ilya Kovalchuk officially left his KHL team SKA Petersburg, but shot down any NHL return rumors by agreeing to a contract with a KHL expansion team in China, which will enter the league in 2016-17.
Despite scoring 49 points in 50 games, Kovalchuk was stripped of his captaincy and was scratched for the first 2 games of the playoffs, sparking a series of events that saw him leaving the team.
Next: Anaheim Ducks Postseason Result May Dictate Future
Reports are swirling around the hockey world that one of Nazem Kadri or Tyler Bozak will not return next season. Kadri has been red-hot in the second half of the season, but has had discipline issues this season and is a pending RFA. Bozak, 29, is older but could be a good veteran presence on a rebuilding team and has shown that he doesn’t need Phil Kessel to put up numbers.
Stay tuned for the next edition of the NHL weekly roundup.