Some recent signings, a few trades rumours and 5 prospects from the pacific I could see get in to the NHL this year
Today I give my opinion on some recent signings plus five bubble prospects I could see making their team from the pacific and three trade rumours including the Jets trading a defensemen, the Flames using a defensemen to get a forward, and Lundkvist wants out of New York.
Lundkvist wants out of New York.
According to a few sources now the Rangers are actively trying to find a trade for young prospect Nils Lundkvist as it seems that Lundkvist wants a fresh start and wants out of the Rangers organization. Now for Lundkvist following the 2020-21 season where he had 32 points in 53 games in the SHL and was one of the best defensemen he turned pro the year after which was last season and he started in the NHL putting up 1 goals and 4 points in 25 games and after that the Rangers tried Braden Schneider at the position who fit in much better then Lundkvist ever did and I think with Fox, Trouba and Schneider on the right side it would be a very difficult process for Lundkvist to get back into a regular NHL spot in NYR so because of the lack of opportunity he wants a trade out of NYR. Now I think there are five teams who could definitely use his services and I think could be legit interested teams and that would be Seattle, Washington, Florida, Ottawa and Vancouver. Now I think the asking price will be a young Center or 2RD pick and a veteran defensemen who could play in the same role Nemeth did last year as a partner for Schneider to solidify their D-Corp for this upcoming season and while that may be a bit much, for a potential top 4 defensemen it should definitely be worth it.
Now for Seattle there is no way they are moving Wright or Beniers as they are the future of this team but I think they could make a package of either one of the 3 2RD picks they have for next years draft or maybe one of Winterton or newly drafted David Goyette as well as Micheal Kempny or maybe Soucy but I think a package of that degree where they move a promising young Center or a 2RD pick as well as most likely Kempny would be a trade package I think the Rangers would be interested in.
For the Capitals they have almost their entire D-Corp without a contract past this year and getting a top 4 defensemen who they could have for a while might make sense, now a package would probably have to include one of Gustafsson or Van Reimsdyk who are both Left D and one cheap deals as well as either their 2RD pick in the 2023 draft or maybe Persson or Protas because I don’t think they have any intentions of moving McMicheal or Lapierre but I think a package of this sort could get a deal done with the Rangers.
As for Florida following the loss of Weegar their top 4 as well as their entire defence group are now a hole lot weaker and I could see them allowing more goals this year then last year but getting a young top 4 Defensemen such as Lundkvist might make sense for the Panthers to try and get that Stanley Cup this year. I think a trade would have to include either their 2RD pick in the 2023 draft or maybe a Center such as Sourdif or Heponiemi along with a Michael Del Zotto or a Marc Staal or maybe even Lucas Carlsson but I think a package along those lines would Certainly interest NYR and maybe make a deal work.
Another team who I think would be very interested would be the Ottawa Senators as the Sens have been wanting to improve their D-Corp this year and have been linked to Chychrun but they could have Lundkvist as a backup option if they can’t get a Chychrun deal done. A package would most likely include a 2RD pick in 2024 either theirs or the Caps, or a young prospect like Ostapchuk or Kastelic or maybe even Lassi Thomson even though he is a defensemen and package it with Nick Holden who would make a great and cheap 3rd pair defensemen for the Rangers and be a great fit with Schneider and I think the Senators could definitely put together a package for Lundkvist.
And lastly I think the Canucks are another team who could be looking at acquiring Lundkvist as they have more then enough top 9 forwards but with their D situation murky there has been a lot of talk that they could use a top 9 forward in a trade for a top 4 D but I don’t think they would have to move a forward in this type of deal. Now in a trade I think the Canucks could use either a 2RD pick in this years or next years draft or use a prospect like Center Linus Karlsson or D-Men Jett Woo and maybe Kyle Burroughs or Luke Schenn who are both good 3rd pair defensemen and would fit well with the Rangers and I think with a trade package like that the Canucks might be able to strike a deal with the Rangers for Lundkvist.
And here are the five teams I think would have the most interest in Lundkvist but I could see a couple others having interest and this is a situation that should definitely be monitored as we get close to training camp.
Flames more likely to use a defensemen in a trade to get a middle six winger instead of signing one via free agency.
After a roller coaster of a offseason for the Flames which saw them lose Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Gudbranson but bring in Huberdeau, Kadri and Weegar it seems like they are not done and are looking to acquire some more forward help by trading from a position of strength. Now the Flames have a lethal top 6 after their offseason acquisitions in the forward group but could use a bottom six winger to help round out there roster and while there have been some speculation that they could look to the free agent market to try and get that bottom six forward as I was thinking they might do this to with guys like Rodrigues Milano who are the two best remaining free agents but it now sounds like they will try to make a trade to acquire the forward they need by moving a defender. Now they have nine players currently on 1 year deals and while it seems that Hanafin, Andersson, Weegar, Kylington, Tanev, and Zadorov will be the six defensemen for Calgary this year they also have Valimaki, Mackey and Meloche who are on 1 year deals and would need waivers so moving a defensemen would allow at least one more defensemen to make the roster and I think they could move one of Zadorov or Valimaki.
Valimaki has fallen out of favour ever since the coaching change a couple years ago and I think a change of scenery would be good for him as he still has decent value and I think as a 3rd pair defensemen would be very intriguing, while Zadorov was just extended to a 2 year $3.75 Million dollar contract extension but moving him would make way for Valimaki to possibly play on the Flames 3rd pair and I think with Zadorov possibly being able to play in a top 4 he would definitely draw interest some teams.
I think some options for the Flames to target would be Montreal who could use a defender and could be looking to move Hoffman or Armia, Vancouver who definitely needs another defensemen and could move Garland or Pearson, Boston is right up against the cap and won’t have Grzelyck or McAvoy to start the season so they could move Smith or Foligno in a deal with Calgary, Detroit has a abundance of forwards and moving someone like Erne or Sundqvist could help both teams, and the Capitals could use a defensemen under contract past this year and the Flames could look to get Hathaway or Sheary from the Caps, but definitely keep a eye open on a Flames trade to bring in a middle six forward sometime in the near future.
The Jets could use a defensemen to get a forward.
And after not doing anything all offseason it seems like the Jets may be looking to finally make a move to improve their team as it sounds like two defenders are on the trade block. So after a offseason where the Jets had a lot of rumours that players like Wheeler, Scheifele and Dubois might be moved they wound up doing pretty much nothing as there only moves were bringing in Gagner as a bottom six forward and Rittich as their backup goalie but there is some talk that they might be willing to move on from Dillon or DeMelo for the right price.
Now both players only have 2 years left on there deals with DeMelo having a AAV of $3 Million and Dillon having a AAV of $3.9 Million and they are more defensive defensemen as DeMelo had 13 points last season and Dillon had 20 points but in the right system both could get close to 25 points and both can play top 4 roles so teams should definitely be interested in both of these defensemen. Now there are two reasons the Jets would consider moving one of them and that is A) to get a middle six forward as their forward group has been depleted with Stastny, Sanford and Copp all gone now and were all top 9 forwards last year and B) the Jets want to give their younger players more of a opportunity as guys like Heinola and Samberg both seeming primed to be regular NHL defensemen so moving one of their vets will help that.
Now just like with Calgary a team who needs a defensemen and has a abundance of forwards could be a great trade partner for them as I think the Canucks and Canadiens should be at the top of that list as they have a plethora of top 9 talent in their forward group and have holes on the right side of their defense and I could also see the Capitals being a team who could be a good trade partner as they have some decent forwards who they could part with and could use a defensemen under contract next year, but definitely look for a trade for the Jets in the near future as they try to get better in the forward group and get more playing time for their young defensemen.
Here are five prospects from the Pacific I could see making the NHL this year.
Now in the Pacific I think there are a handful of prospects who are guaranteed to make the NHL this year as McTavish in Anaheim, Pelletier in Calgary, Holloway in Edmonton, Eklund and Bordeleau in San Jose, Beniers in Seattle, Rathbone in Vancouver and Brisson Vegas should all make the NHL roster this year and have significant roles but there are five other prospects from the Pacific Division who I could see making the roster if they prove they are ready in training camp or if they are bubble players to make the roster and injuries happen (and there are usually injuries in training camp) that could let them be on the roster, but here are the five I think could make the Roster.
Center Shane Wright: Seattle
Wright I think is probably the most likely of the five to make the roster and I don’t even think he needs to wait for a injury as I think that after he dropped to 4th overall in this past years draft and fell into the Kraken’s lap they might want him to go back to the OHL next year and build off of his 32 goal, 94 point campaign last year but if he is able to get to training camp and prove that he is definitely NHL ready then he is a player I would not be surprised if he made the roster and with guys like Rookie Beniers, McCann and Gourde still there and all being able to play Center I think he would be able to start on the third line and world his way over the year to be a lethal NHL player and make a amazing 1-2 punch with Beniers but I definitely think that Wright should be a player who makes this years roster.
Center Alex Turcotte: Los Angeles
Turcotte has dealt with Injuries over the past few years but the top end Center is definitely NHL ready in my opinion and coming off his NHL debut last year where he had no points in games and also had 18 points in 27 AHL games but given the fact he hasn’t made the team in 3 years since being drafted 5th overall in the 2019 draft is surprising to me at least because he is definitely a good forward but I think that if Turcotte can stay healthy then he should be able to get a middle six spot on the Kings roster and even though he is a Center I think that with the Kings deep Center depth I wouldn’t be shocked if Turcotte ended up playing on the wing but I definitely see Turcotte finally getting a full time role with LA.
Right D-Man Drew Helleson: Anaheim
Helleson is probably the most likely of the three Ducks prospect defensemen which include Helleson, Zellweger and Mintyukov but I think that Helleson should be NHL ready this year. After being a 2RD pick in 2019 by the Avalanche he was traded to Anaheim and after playing 3 seasons in Boston College he signed with Anaheim and showed flashes of good play in the AHL as he got 2 assists in 17 games. Now with the Ducks deep right side of Drysdale, Klingberg and Shattenkirk I would think that it would take a injury or two to bring him into the lineup but with Klingberg and Shattenkirk in the final year of their deals they could be moved at the deadline and then Helleson could finish out the season in the NHL but I definitely see Helleson getting a shot this year whether it is early in the year or after the deadline.
Left Winger Carter Savoie: Edmonton
Another good player for the Oilers as Savoie is on the brink of a NHL spot and I think it could come as early as this season. Savoie has played in 2 seasons at Denver University in the NCAA since being drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 draft by the Edmonton Oilers and after breaking out last year for 45 points in 39 games it seems that he is ready to turn pro. He also played two AHL games putting up no points and I think that with the likelihood great that the Oilers move out a forward before the season starts I think that Savoie could probably make the team on the fourth line and gain some experience but if the Oilers run into some injuries then I think he could be a viable top 9 forward option for the Oilers this season but Savoie is definitely a player I wouldn’t be surprised if got some playing time at the NHL level this year.
Center Connor Zary: Calgary
Another former first round pick who will most likely make a attempt to get a Roster spot this year. Zary was a first round pick of the Flames in the 2020 draft and has played really well in first junior where 110 points in 72 games in the 19-20 and 20-21 season combined and then last year he played his first full season in the AHL putting up 25 points in 53 games and I think that if he can turn that AHL production to the NHL he should have no problem competing for a spot. Now the Flames Center depth is pretty deep right now after the Kadri addition so I think if he would make the roster then there would either have to be a injury or the Flames would have to be comfortable letting him play on the wing but I think that if he can show that he is NHL ready and should be given a full time spot I think the Flames would do it.
Here is a list of all the NHL signings that have happened between AUG 20th and AUG 29th.
Metro
Carolina
Left Winger, Center Paul Stastny and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $1.5 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Stastny is still a very good veteran forward and he showed it last year when he put up 21 goals and 45 points in 71 games with the Jets in a middle six role and with the Jets losing Trocheck and Niederriter via free agency and while I think Stastny might get a chance to be the 2nd line Center, I think it is more likely he plays on the wing of the 3rd line to give the Canes more depth scoring.
New York I
Right Winger Hudson Fasching and the New York Islanders have agreed to a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Fasching played three most games in a season in his NHL career last year with 11 games played but he didn’t have any points and while he does have 38 career NHL games and 3 career NHL points I do think he is probably going to play in the minors next year and be a good depth forward who the Islanders could call up next year.
Left Winger Arnaud Durandeau and the New York Islanders have come to terms on a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. The former 6RD pick in 2017, Durandeau has yet to play any NHL games in his career but has started to get better at the AHL level including getting a career high 15 goals and 37 points in last years AHL season and while I think he still has some developing to do and will probably play in the AHL next year, I do think he could play in the NHL as a bottom six forward in a few years.
Right Defensemen Paul Ladue and the New York Islanders have agreed to a 2 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. LaDue was in the Islam organization last year and had a pretty good season putting up 12 points in 60 games in the AHL as a defensemen and also played 1 NHL game and didn’t record a point, but with the Islanders D situation a bit cloudy I think that LaDue could maybe make the NHL roster as a 7th defensemen but I still see him going to the AHL being the most likely and being a call up option for the Islanders.
Left Defensemen Dennis Cholowski and the New York Islanders have agreed to a 2 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Cholowski had a hard time staying in the NHL last year putting up only 3 points in 11 games at the NHL level and had a decent 18 points in 31 AHL games last year and while I wouldn’t guarantee a spot on the Islanders deep blue line, depending on how well he does in training camp I could definitely see him maybe making the Islanders third pair this year.
Philadelphia
Right Winger Wade Allison and the Philadelphia Flyers have agreed to a 2 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.785 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Allison is a good young forward who has already played 15 NHL games over the last two seasons putting up 7 points but due to injuries he only played 1 NHL game last year and 28 AHL games where he had 17 points but now that he is healthy and the Flyers have some injuries to starts the year I think he will make the NHL this year probably on the 3rd line and have a real good chance to prove he belongs in the NHL.
Left Defensemen Linus Hogberg and the Philadelphia Flyers have come to terms on a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Hogberg got his first taste of NHL action last year getting into 5 games and having 2 assists and also played in 58 AHL games getting 8 assists there and while I could see him in the not too distant future being a solid 3rd pair defensemen, I do think he will go back to the AHL this year and continue to develop and be a possible call up option for the Flyers next year.
Right Winger Hayden Hodgson and the Philadelphia Flyers have come to terms on a 2 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.800 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. The 26 year old undrafted forward was able to sign his first NHL contract late last year after he was on a AHL only deal and played well in a handful of games with Philadelphia putting up a goal and 3 points in 6 NHL games and had 31 points in 46 AHL games and with the Flyers dealing with a abundance of injuries they will definitely have a few guys fighting for a roster spot and I think Hodgson should be in the mix to make the roster but if he can’t then I expect him to be a top end AHL player who could also be a call up option for the Flyers if they run into injury trouble.
Pittsburgh
Right Defensemen Jack St.Ivany who was a 4RD pick of the Philadelphia Flyers back in 2018 but never signed with the Flyers has now signed a 2 year entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins that has a AAV of $.858 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. St.Ivany has spent the last four seasons in college and has done well for a D-Men but definitely had a great year last season putting up 24 points in 35 games and while he will probably play in the AHL this year and is still a few years away from possibly making the NHL, I do think making the NHL as a 3rd pair defensemen is a possibility for him.
Atlantic
Detroit
Winger Filip Zadina and the Detroit Red Wings have come to terms on a 3 year contract that will carry a AAV of $1.83 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Zadina was able to have a career year last season putting up 10 goals and 24 points in 74 games last year but he played most of the season in a bottom six role on the 3rd line and given he got his career high by 5 points playing 25 more games Ir seemed like he might be moved for a change of scenery, but getting the youngster signed was a huge win for Detroit and maybe if he can prove he is still a top 6 forward in the NHL then he can smash his current career record next year.
Tampa Bay
Right Defensemen Philippe Myers and the Tampa Bay Lightning have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will kick in at the beginning of the 23-24 season and will carry a AAV of $1.4 Million dollars and the deal is 1 way. Myers was acquired by the Lightning in the McDonagh trade and his value has fallen in recent years as he put up only 1 goal and 4 points in 27 games last year with Nashville but with a spot on the 3rd pair after the departure of Rutta, the Lightning could definitely use Myers and signing him to a extension that is less AAV then his current contract was a great move and I think Myers will do well with Tampa Bay.
Pacific
San Jose
Winger Noah Gregor and the San Jose Sharks have come to terms on a 1 year contract extension that will carry a AAV of $.950 Thousand dollars and the deal is 1 way. Gregor finally played close to a full season for the first time in his NHL career as after he played 28 and 30 games in the past two years he was able to get 68 games this year and he had a career high 8 goals and 23 points last year and had instant chemistry with young Center Thomas Bordeleau and I think he will now be a regular NHL forward and play with Bordeleau on the third line this year.
Winger Jonah Gadjovich and the San Jose Sharks have come to terms on a 1 year contract that will carry a AAV of $.750 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Gadjovich finally got his NHL opportunity last year in his first season with the San Jose Sharks as after he was claimed off waivers he was able to get into 43 NHL games with the Sharks and he put up a goal and 3 points which was t bad for a first year player playing in the bottom six and while the Sharks did improve their forward group this year I still think he will be able to make the team and if not as a spare player then as a fourth line checker but I definitely see him making the team and maybe being a bit more offensive for the Sharks.
Central
Dallas
Center Francesco Arcuri who was a 2021 6RD pick of the Dallas Stars has signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Stars that will have a AAV of $.842 Thousand dollars and the deal is two way. Arcuri had a breakout season in the OHL last year putting up 34 goals and 74 points in 66 games with Kingston and I think that he goes back to the OHL this year as the Stars have a deep prospect pool and he needs to develop more but in a few years I could see him being a middle six Center for the Stars.
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