The Dallas Stars plan to sign forward Valeri Nichushkin to a two-year contract when free agency opens on July 1, general manager Jim Nill confirmed to Sean Shapiro of The Athletic.
Nichushkin has spent the past two seasons with the KHL's CSKA Moscow but is eyeing a return to Dallas, the club which selected him 10th overall in the 2013 draft.
The 23-year-old played parts of three seasons with the Stars before heading home to Russia. He notched 14 goals and 20 assists across 79 games in his impressive NHL rookie year.
With Moscow this season, Nichushkin tallied 16 goals and 11 assists in 50 contests to finish fifth in team scoring. While those numbers may seem underwhelming, it may be worth keeping his recent production in perspective.
"Goals and points is very difficult to find on the big ice surface. Particularly in that league, and it's a very tight-checking league," Nichushkin's agent, Mark Gandler, said last month. "So points and goals are difficult to come by, but considering all that, I think it was a very good season."
Nichushkin's offensive abilities are sure to help the Stars, as they finished 19th in goals scored last season.
The league announced the full slate of games for the 2018-19 season Thursday afternoon. The schedule offers plenty of reasons to be excited - and once the dust settles on the draft and free agency, hockey fans won't have much else to cling to.
Here are five must-see games to circle for 2018-19.
Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens - Oct. 3
The first game of the new campaign features the two oldest franchises in the league. The historic rivals routinely provide entertaining games, and above all else, they'll signal that hockey is officially back.
Opening night also features Washington's banner-raising ceremony, which should pale in comparison to some of the Capitals' celebrations this offseason.
Sabres vs. Bruins - Oct. 4
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
It's time to usher in the Rasmus Dahlin era in Buffalo, and hockey fans will get their first glimpse of the Swedish phenom and presumptive No. 1 pick when the Sabres open their season versus the Bruins.
The hype surrounding Dahlin is enormous, as his game has been compared to fellow countrymen Nicklas Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson. The 18-year-old recorded 20 points in 41 games for Frolunda in the SHL last season, and also represented Sweden at the world juniors and Olympics. His arrival in Buffalo could serve as the turning point the franchise has long been seeking.
Devils vs. Oilers - Oct. 6
The Devils and Oilers will kick off their seasons across the pond in Gothenburg, Sweden as part of the 2018 NHL Global Series. The matchup features the last two MVPs, as Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall will renew acquaintances, plus a serious dose of Swedish talent, including Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, and Marcus Johansson.
The second installment of the Global Series takes place in November, when the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets travel to Helsinki, Finland.
Bruins vs. Blackhawks - Jan. 1
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
You're never going to believe this, but the Chicago Blackhawks are scheduled to play in an outdoor game.
After a one-year break, the Blackhawks will suit up in their sixth outdoor game, this time versus the Bruins in the Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium. Both teams have played their fair share of hockey outside over the last few years, but the combined star power, the venue, and the potential for two retro-based Original Six jerseys should make this matchup worthwhile.
Islanders vs. Capitals - Jan. 18
After compiling a 205-89-34 record over four seasons with the Capitals, Barry Trotz will return to Washington on the visitor's bench after agreeing to a five-year deal with the Islanders.
Trotz's departure may not have been totally shocking, as it was known he was in need of a new deal, but it's uncommon for a head coach to leave after winning the Stanley Cup. His return to D.C. should provide some closure and help create quite an atmosphere - especially if the Isles and Caps are jockeying for position in the Metropolitan Division.
The NHL released the full schedule for the 2018-19 season Thursday, one day after announcing the home openers for all 31 clubs.
The schedule includes four Global Series games featuring the Devils, Oilers, Panthers, and Jets; the 2019 Winter Classic on Jan. 1, which will see the Blackhawks and Bruins take it outside at Notre Dame Stadium; and another outdoor game between the Penguins and Flyers for the Stadium Series on Feb. 23.
The puck drops Oct. 3. Click to see each team's full schedule below.
Goaltender Robin Lehner could reportedly jump from RFA to UFA before free agency opens.
The Buffalo Sabres aren't expected to offer the pending restricted free agent a qualifying offer as July 1 nears, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, leaving the club with a gaping hole between the pipes.
If Lehner leaves, Buffalo will be without an NHL goalie - although Linus Ullmark is expected to graduate from the AHL this fall. Chad Johnson, Lehner's backup this past season, is a UFA.
Barry Trotz appears confident he'll begin his first season as head coach of the New York Islanders with their franchise player leading the attack.
Asked about the John Tavares situation on a conference call, Trotz said he had a "great conversation" with the All-Star and believes his negotiations with the organization are in "great hands" with new president and GM Lou Lamoriello, according to Andrew Gross of Newsday.
Since last July 1, there has been rampant speculation on whether Tavares will hit the free-agent market or re-up with the Islanders on a long-term extension. It's still unclear which side he's leaning toward, but by hiring Lamoriello and Trotz, it's clear the Isles are doing everything they can to keep the 2009 No. 1 pick in orange and blue.
"I think what I know of Lou, what I know of John ... I felt strongly that once Lou gets with John ... Lou's going to execute a plan, a long-term plan that will be very successful so we can chase the Stanley Cup and win a Stanley Cup," Trotz added.
While LeBrun notes the Hurricanes would like to re-sign Lindholm, teams are still inquiring about a potential trade involving the 2013 NHL draft's fifth overall pick. "He is a player to monitor," LeBrun wrote.
'Canes general manager Don Waddell and Lindholm's agent Peter Wallen are expected to chat on Friday at the NHL draft, LeBron adds. However, at this point, talks have not progressed.
Lindholm, a 23-year-old from Boden, Sweden, is looking for his third NHL contract. He registered 45 and 44 points in 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively, on a two-year, $5.4-million deal.
The Hurricanes, whose new owner Tom Dundon has been open about his desire to determine the trade value of his players, have also reportedly gauged interest in sniper Jeff Skinner and top-four defenseman Justin Faulk.
Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion traded away forward Mike Hoffman for the sake of his team, he told reporters Thursday.
"Trading Mike Hoffman was something we needed to do, our dressing room was broken" Dorion said, per TSN. "We have to have a dressing room that wants to win together."
Dorion made the move after Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson and his wife, Melinda, filed a peace bond against Hoffman's fiancee, Monika Caryk, for allegedly harassing the two on social media over a lengthy period of time.
Milan Lucic - and his massive contract - may be staying put, Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli told reporters on Thursday.
Lucic, who posted just 34 points in 82 games this past season, has been the subject of trade rumours, in large part due to an albatross contract which still owes the power forward $30 million over the next five years. However, Chiarelli says his confidence level in Lucic is "pretty high."
"I think Milan’s a pretty high-character individual. He has to have a good summer," the GM said in Dallas ahead of the NHL draft. "Really, conditioning for him is not really an issue. He has to be in the right frame of mind. He’s a proud guy and we expect to have him back at a better level than he was last year.”
Asked if Lucic has requested a trade out of Edmonton, Chiarelli was tight-lipped: "I'm not going to comment on that."
Since signing with the Oilers in 2015 via free agency, Lucic has recorded 33 goals and 51 assists for 84 points in 164 games. He previously played for the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings.
Edmonton Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli isn't married to the club's first-round pick.
Ahead of the first round of the NHL draft on Friday, the team has discussed trading its 10th overall selection.
"We would look to move the pick if the right player is available," Chiarelli told reporters. "I've had some discussions with some teams."
"There's been a lot of chatter this week and we've been involved in the chatter," Chiarelli added. "We'll see where it goes."
If Edmonton does elect to keep its first-round selection, Chiarelli says he plansto pick the best player available, even if outside wisdom suggests the team should use it on a defenseman.
Keeping the selection would also mark the ninth time in the last 11 years that the Oilers have picked in the top 10.
