NHL Weekly Roundup: Offseason Blockbusters, World Championships & More
NHL Weekly Roundup: Offseason Blockbusters, World Championships & More
Every Sunday/Monday, make sure to check out the NHL Weekly Roundup, where I keep you updated on the latest news and rumors from around the hockey world.
In this weeks edition, we’ll be discussing potential offseason blockbuster trades, players who raised their stock at the IIHF World Championships, an update on the Stanley Cup Playoffs & much more.
NHL Weekly Roundup: On Potential Offseason Moves…
With less than a month left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, speculation concerning potential moves made in the summer are only getting bigger.
According to Sportsnet, New York Rangers star winger Rick Nash could be available for trade this offseason. With another early round exit, GM Jeff Gorton could be looking to get rid of cap (Nash fits that bill; he has a cap hit of $8.5M) and add younger pieces. Nash still has value at 31 years old and put up a respectable (but worst of his career) 36 points in 60 games this year after scoring 41 goals in 2014-15.
A potential destination for Nash, according to The Hockey News? The Colorado Avalanche. With pending RFA Tyson Barrie likely going to be traded, is a Barrie-for-Nash swap in place? It has been said the Avalanche will have trouble re-signing trade deadline addition Mikkel Boedker, so Nash could offer some veteran experience and scoring depth.
Another possible trade making waves? Kevin Shattenkirk to the Bruins. It’s well-known GM Don Sweeney is on the lookout for puck-moving defenders, and there aren’t too many better who are available.
The Bruins have the pieces to make a deal happen, with both San Jose and their 1st round picks. Another thought that crossed my mind is the availability of Alexander Khokhlachev. It was reported that ‘Koko’ is expected to sign in the KHL this summer, but would an opportunity to play with Vladimir Tarasenko change his mind?
There’s even more talk about this offseason, and that concerns pending free agents who have been in formed they will not return for 2016-17, or have not started contract talks . Other potential players on the move include…
Next: Offseason, World Hockey Championship
NHL Weekly Roundup: Offseason, World Hockey Championship
Brad Richards, C, Detroit Red Wings: Told by GM Ken Holland he won’t be signed before July 1st, if at all.
Kyle Quincey, D, Detroit Red Wings: Was also told by Holland he will not be re-signed.
Jonas Hiller, G, Calgary Flames: Has already signed a 3 year deal with EHC Biel in Switzerland.
Eric Staal, C, New York Rangers: Part of the Rangers offseason retool. Where will he go?
Also leaving the Rangers this summer: Dan Boyle (D), Dominic Moore (D)
Patrick Wiercioch, D, Ottawa Senators: GM Pierre Dorion isn’t playing, dismissing Wiercioch. What other offseason moves will he make?
Jared Cowen, D, Toronto Maple Leafs: Has been told by Toronto he will be bought-out (Leafs will receive a cap credit).
Michael Hutchinson, G, Winnipeg Jets: Pending RFA has not started contract talks yet. With Ondrej Pavlec, Eric Comrie and Connor Hellebuyck already in the system, which one of these four netminders is moved?
On The World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia…
The IIHF World Hockey Championships came to an end Sunday, with Russia thrashing the United States 7-2 to win the bronze medal, and Canada narrowly defeating Finland 2-0 to win it all.
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Union and Blue
Connor McDavid, who became the youngest player (19 yrs.) ever to win a U18, World Junior, and World Championship gold medal, also scored the GWG in the title match.
Congratulations is also in order for Corey Perry who joins the prestigious Triple Gold Club (Stanley Cup Win, Olympic Gold, World Championship Gold).
Here are 5 players who also raised their stock in St. Petersburg:
Yohann Auvitu, D, France: Auvitu impressed in 7 games with France, showing NHL pedigree and potential. The 26-year-old had 21 points in 48 games with HIFK of SM-Liiga. Because of his age, Auvitu would be permitted to sign a low-risk, high-reward 1 year entry-level contract. Darren Dreger of TSN reports about 5 NHL teams are interested in him.
Evgeny Dadonov, F, Russia: The small (5’10’) but feisty forward is competitive and has played in the NHL before, in 2010-11 with the Florida Panthers. He impressed with 13 points in 10 championship games and there are whispers that Dadonov will look to return to the NHL. Will the whispers become louder? Dadonov had 23 goals and 46 points in 59 KHL games.
Cam Talbot, G, Canada: Talbot had his rough patches, letting in a few soft goals in a 4-0 loss to Finland, but was rock solid when counted on. Talbot started all 10 games for the Canadians and finished with a stellar 9-1-0 record, 1.25 GAA and .940 SVP.
He is proving himself to not just fans but also Edmonton Oilers management, who played Talbot as starter this year but nothing was set in stone.
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Mikko Koskinen, G, Finland: Is Koskinen the next European free agent to become a superstar goalie in America? He has drool-worthy size at 6’7′ and 200 pounds, and he played outstanding all tournament, his only loss coming in the gold-medal game. His stats were also elite, posting a 1.13 GAA and .947 SVP in 9 games with Finland. And this is not a one hit wonder thing. The 27-year-old has been a rising star in the KHL, with a career average of a 2.16 GAA and a .921 SVP in 2 seasons with SKA St. Petersburg.
Vadim Shipachyov, F, Russia: Shipachyov made a big impression at the Worlds, as nearly every NHL GM is now on his tail. The 29-year-old led the tournament in scoring with 18 points in 10 games, and was also among the KHL scoring leaders with 60 points in 54 matches with guess where? SKA St. Petersburg. Where will he land?
Next: Stanley Cup Playoffs
NHL Weekly Roundup: An update on the NHL Playoffs…
With a 4-3 OT win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 5 of the ECF, the Tampa Bay Lightning are just one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row. However, Penguins forwards Patric Hornqvist & Evgeni Malkin sounded confident his team will force a game 7.
“We’re in a tough position,” Hornqvist said after Sunday’s loss in Game 5 to the Lightning, per Sportnet’s Chris Johnston, “but there’s no doubt in my mind we’re going to come back (to Pittsburgh) for a Game 7.” Malkin: “I believe in my team. I believe in myself. We’re coming back to Pittsburgh (for Game 7) for sure.”Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-4
Pucks and Pitchforks
Another big decision Pens coach Mike Sullivan faces: start Matt Murray or Marc-Andre Fleury?
Fleury’s first start in 52 days (he was out with a concussion) was a big one, and although Pittsburgh lost, he made some great stops and kept them in the game. Murray, 22, has been stellar all playoffs but recently fell off in a game 4 loss to the Lightning. Is a break all he needs?
What has been the turning point for Tampa Bay? Nikita Kucherov, who caught fire in round one vs. Detroit, had been going though a slump since then, but returned to his old (or new?) self at the Consol Energy Centre Sunday, scoring 2 goals and adding an assist for 3 points on the night.
Ben Bishop, who hasn’t played since injuring his knee in game 1, has had his role taken by the 21-year-old Andrei Vasilveskiy.
Vasilveskiy has been a great in the last 5 games, with a .928 SVP and showing up when it counts. This pits a very interesting story for 2016-17, with Bishop a pending UFA and Tampa in a salary cap crunch.
Next: Joni Pitkanen, Minnesota Coaching Staff
Joni Pitkanen Joins Hurricanes Scouting Staff
On Saturday, Luke DeCock of the News & Observer tweeted that former Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen was hired as a Finland-based amateur scout for Carolina.
Joni Pitkanen, who briefly attempted a comeback last season, is joining the Hurricanes as a Finland-based amateur scout.
— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) May 21, 2016
The Finnish-born defender was taken 4th overall by Philadelphia back in 2002 from SM-Liiga Karpat.
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Pitkanen was a nine-year NHL veteran between 2003-04 and 2012-13. He played three seasons for Philadelphia, one for Edmonton, and the remaining four with Carolina.
In 533 career regular season games, Joni Pitkanen scored 57 goals, 225 assists (282 points). He also had 13 assists over 39 playoff contests.
After an extended recovery from a nasty broken heel which resulted when Pitkanen crashed into the boards on a delayed icing call. Rumors suggested that 14 months after the injury, Joni was still unable to put his foot in a skate.
Heading into the 2015-16 NHL season, reports surfaced that Joni Pitkanen was interested in attempting a comeback, but unfortunately it never materialized.
It seems now that Joni is preparing for life after hockey, and like many former players, has chosen to stay in the game to work for his former club. He chose a good time to accept a scouting gig with Finland continually producing more talent year after year.
Minnesota Wild Shake-up Coaching Staff
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reported on Monday that both Assistant Coaches, Darryl Sydor and Rick Wilson will not be returning next season.
Goalie coach Bob Mason and Assistant Coach Darby Hendrickson are expected to sign new contracts to remain in their current roles. Another Assistant coach, Andrew Brunette is expected to take a role in Minnesota’s front office.
Next: NHL Mock Draft 5.5: 7 Rounds of Prospect Analysis
Russo also reported that former interim coach John Torchetti is attracting attention throughout the league. Both the Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings are reportedly heavily pursuing the temporary coach.