Monthly Archives: June 2018
Coyotes don’t expect to trade 5th overall pick
Unless a deal is too good to pass up, the Arizona Coyotes will be selecting fifth overall in this month's draft.
The Coyotes made a splash last season after they dealt their first-round pick at the draft, but this year general manager John Chayka is more confident in the talent that should be available when Phoenix makes its selection.
"We feel strongly about that group of players (at the top of the draft) and we know there's going to be a player at No. 5 that we're really excited to get," Chayka said, according to Dave Vest of coyotes.nhl.com. "Last year, obviously, we traded our first-round pick, and part of that was we didn't feel as strongly or as passionately about that pick as we did say Clayton Keller (at No. 7) the year before, and not as passionately as we do this year. There's a lot of conviction in our scouts and their beliefs in the players that we believe are going to be there when we pick fifth, so we plan on holding the pick and taking the pick and getting a great player."
Last year the Coyotes dealt the seventh overall pick and defenseman Anthony DeAngelo to the New York Rangers for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta.
Earlier in the day The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Coyotes have talked about potentially moving up or down in the draft and that one of the teams they have spoken with is the Montreal Canadiens who hold the third overall selection.
So until the Coyotes make their pick, nothing appears set in stone.
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Coyotes don’t expect to trade 5th overall pick
Unless a deal is too good to pass up, the Arizona Coyotes will be selecting fifth overall in this month's draft.
The Coyotes made a splash last season after they dealt their first-round pick at the draft, but this year general manager John Chayka is more confident in the talent that should be available when Phoenix makes its selection.
"We feel strongly about that group of players (at the top of the draft) and we know there's going to be a player at No. 5 that we're really excited to get," Chayka said, according to Dave Vest of coyotes.nhl.com. "Last year, obviously, we traded our first-round pick, and part of that was we didn't feel as strongly or as passionately about that pick as we did say Clayton Keller (at No. 7) the year before, and not as passionately as we do this year. There's a lot of conviction in our scouts and their beliefs in the players that we believe are going to be there when we pick fifth, so we plan on holding the pick and taking the pick and getting a great player."
Last year the Coyotes dealt the seventh overall pick and defenseman Anthony DeAngelo to the New York Rangers for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta.
Earlier in the day The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Coyotes have talked about potentially moving up or down in the draft and that one of the teams they have spoken with is the Montreal Canadiens who hold the third overall selection.
So until the Coyotes make their pick, nothing appears set in stone.
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Golden Knights look to ‘prove people wrong’ yet again in Game 5
LAS VEGAS -- In a perfect world, the ideal ending to the storybook season of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights ends with the Stanley Cup being the main attraction during a victory parade down the famed Las Vegas Strip.
That may still happen but it will take another pinch-me moment in a season full of them for the self-proclaimed "Golden Misfits."
Vegas enters Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final with the Washington Capitals on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena trailing the best-of-seven series 3-1 and will need to win three games in a row to hoist hockey's most coveted piece of silverware.
But Vegas, which has already put together two five-game win streaks in the playoffs, has thrived in the underdog role in its debut season.
"It shows that you can do it," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. "We've done it against good hockey teams. Play our game, you get some breaks, and you keep working hard and hopefully it turns for us."
"A lot of people didn't think we would win that many games this year or make it to the playoffs, and we find ourselves here," forward James Neal said after practice on Wednesday. "So I think for sure we have the ability to prove people wrong. We've done that all year."
The Golden Knights have lost three in a row to Alex Ovechkin and company, including an ugly 6-2 loss on Monday night at Capital One Arena. Vegas has never lost four games in a row in its brief history.
"I think we have great character in this room and we've shown it all season long," Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. "We'll be ready for Game 5."
Vegas is 7-2 on its home ice during the playoffs but lost 3-2 on May 30 in its last game there. That contest featured a remarkable game-saving, diving stick save by Washington goalie Braden Holtby on Alex Tuch in front of a wide-open net that ranks as the turning point of the series so far.
Washington is 9-3 on the road in the playoffs, just one off the NHL record of 10 road wins accomplished four times, most recently by the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. Over 70,000 people tried to get tickets to attend a Game 5 watch party at Capital One Arena with the hopes that they'll see the Capitals clinch their first Stanley Cup.
"It feels nice but it's not over yet," Ovechkin, who has 14 goals and 12 assists in the playoffs, said of needing just one more victory to win the Stanley Cup. "I don't think it's pressure on us. I think it's pressure on both teams the same way. We just have to manage it. We have to concentrate, and we have to play our best to get it done."
Washington coach Barry Trotz agreed.
"You just focus on the next game," he said. "I can't tell you what's going to happen (Thursday night) but I can tell you that you're going to need your best game if you want to get it done."
Neal made it clear the Golden Knights still believe that they can win the series.
"We know we haven't played our game (in) the first four games," Neal said. "We have a lot more to give for sure. We've got to take it one game at a time. We can't win all three games in Game 5. We've got to come out strong, take it period by period, and just focus on it one minute at a time."
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On cusp of Stanley Cup, Caps’ Smith-Pelly rips ‘racist’ President Trump
The Washington Capitals are still a win away from clinching the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup title, but that isn't stopping questions about a potential White House visit should they earn the crown tomorrow night against the Vegas Golden Knights.
On Wednesday, those questions were posed to Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly.
"The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist," Smith-Pelly said of Trump in an interview with Postmedia's Michael Traikos. "Some of the things he's said are pretty gross. I'm not too into politics, so I don't know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don't agree with.
"It hasn't come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up."
The Capitals as a team have refrained from commenting on any potential trip to visit the president in Washington, but after hearing from Smith-Pelly, you can begin to understand the sentiment within Washington's dressing room relating to views on the president.
"Things that he's saying about immigrants and people of color, I don't think anyone here would agree with that," said Smith-Pelly. "We've got a lot of Europeans and a lot of Canadians."
Related: Trump cancels Eagles' visit to White House: 'They disagree with their President'
Questions regarding the NHL champions' White House trip have come to the forefront following Donald Trump's cancellation of the Philadelphia Eagles' visit to Washington to commemorate the team's Super Bowl LII victory.
The Capitals will earn the first Cup in the club's 44-year history with a win over Vegas on Thursday night. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena.
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Report: Hurricanes want 1st-rounder, prospect for Skinner
The Carolina Hurricanes could be a very busy organization over the next few weeks, as more than a few NHL general managers have reportedly inquired about their roster.
One of the players generating attention is forward Jeff Skinner, with sources indicating to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that Carolina is looking for a first-round pick and a prospect in exchange for the smooth-skating sniper.
Despite racking up 89 goals and 163 points over the last three seasons, Skinner has been mentioned in several reports regarding a move out of Raleigh in recent years.
The former seventh overall pick is set to become a UFA on July 1, 2019.
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Report: Hurricanes, Islanders interested in Caps’ Grubauer
The New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes are both eyeing the Washington Capitals in hopes of solving their goaltending woes.
Both teams have already shown interest in Capitals backup Philipp Grubauer, a source indicated to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
The 26-year-old is coming off his third season as Braden Holtby's second in command and will become a restricted free agent on July 1. Grubauer saw the largest workload of his career this season playing in 35 games while going 15-10-3 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.
In fact, he even stole the net from Holtby near the end of the regular season, starting the Capitals' first two games of the postseason.
As for the Hurricanes and Islanders, the two clubs finished 31st and 22nd, respectively, in goals against this season. Upgrading their netminder will clearly be each team's top priority this offseason.
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Ovechkin relaxed, focused on ‘different things’ ahead of Game 5
Ahead of the biggest game of his career, Washington Capitals linchpin Alex Ovechkin is taking a unique approach to his mental preparation.
Ovechkin and the Caps square off Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final with a 3-1 series lead, but "the Great Eight" isn't overthinking what could be a Cup-clinching evening.
"To be honest, I think most of us have never been in this position," Ovechkin said Wednesday from Las Vegas, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan. "For me personally, I don't try to think about it too much what's going on and just try focusing on different things. But it's hard."
So, what's currently occupying Ovechkin's thoughts instead?
"Whatever. Cars. Hotels. You know, Vegas," he said, per Kaplan.
A win Thursday night would give Washington its first Cup in franchise history.
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NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Dahlin a lock at No. 1, Tkachuk moves up to No. 3
It’s June. The Memorial Cup has been won, the scouting combine is over, and the 2018 NHL Draft draws nearer. With more information and insight at hand, it’s time for another mock draft.
For our purposes, the Washington Capitals have pick No. 31 due to finishing behind the Vegas Golden Knights in the regular-season standings.
1. Buffalo Sabres
Rasmus Dahlin | D | Frolunda HC (SHL)
Previous Rank: 1
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 20 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
When asked at the NHL Scouting Combine about all the attention on him leading up to the draft, Dahlin said that it was awesome. It’s all but a done deal that he’ll go first overall to the Sabres, and he could change the look of their defensive corps dramatically.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Andrei Svechnikov | RW | Barrie Colts (OHL)
Previous Rank: 2
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 40 | 32 | 72 | 67 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
Svechnikov was in Carolina on Tuesday, undergoing evaluations and meeting with some of the team bigwigs. After discussion of the Hurricanes taking someone like Brady Tkachuk or even trading the pick, this could be a very good sign. Here’s a pretty picture to get you through to the end June, Canes fans: Svechnikov alongside someone like Teuvo Teravainen or Sebastian Aho.
3. Montreal Canadiens
Brady Tkachuk | LW | Boston University (NCAA)
Previous Rank: 5
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 8 | 23 | 31 | 61 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
Signs might be pointing to the Canadiens going full galaxy brain on this one and picking Tkachuk. That being said, he wouldn’t be a bad choice. Tkachuk has grown quite a bit and will continue to do so, as there are parts of his game he’s still adjusting. He’s smart, highly skilled, and not afraid to throw his body around - he certainly has a long NHL career ahead of him. If the Habs want him that badly, however, they might be wise to trade down a pick or two and get another asset out of it.
4. Ottawa Senators
Filip Zadina | LW | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 3
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 44 | 38 | 82 | 36 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
When you think Ottawa Senators, you don’t immediately think top-line firepower. If they draft Filip Zadina, however, that could change. Zadina is smart, skilled, and able to put the game on his stick. He didn’t have any trouble transitioning to North American ice this year, and could conceivably make the leap the leap to the NHL almost as smoothly.
5. Arizona Coyotes
Adam Boqvist | D | Brynas IF (SuperElit/SHL)
Previous Rank: 4
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
Whether he plays with Oliver Ekman-Larsson or is groomed to one day assume his mantle, Boqvist could be a good fit for the Coyotes. He’s that guy for teams that want Dahlin and don’t have the first overall pick. He’s young, and thanks to his hockey smarts and fantastic skating, his ceiling is sky-high.
6. Detroit Red Wings
Evan Bouchard | D | London Knights (OHL)
Previous Rank: 7
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 25 | 62 | 87 | 54 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
Bouchard has size, skill, and a high IQ, and sometimes when you watch him play you feel like you’re already watching a pro. He’s also a right-hand shot which, for better or worse, has become the most sought-after kind of defenseman in recent years. Bouchard is a solid player who could contribute at the NHL level sooner rather than later.
7. Vancouver Canucks
Noah Dobson | D | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 8
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 17 | 52 | 69 | 52 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
The Canucks seem like a team to let recency bias - i.e., a draft-eligible player’s recent Memorial Cup win - sway their judgment. Fortunately for them, should that happen this year, they’ll get a fantastic defenseman. Dobson is an intelligent player, a great skater, and contributes offensively without sacrificing defensive play.
8. Chicago Blackhawks
Quinn Hughes | D | University of Michigan (NCAA)
Previous Rank: 6
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 5 | 24 | 29 | 26 |
NHL.com Profile | Scouting Report
Asked at the combine what he would say to teams who question his ability to go up against bigger players in the corners, Hughes said that he’d tell them he would handle it the way he did at the World Championships. In other words: he’d handle it very well. After a great showing at worlds, where he won a bronze medal with Team USA, there should be no question about Hughes’ abilities in any zone. The only question should be: what number do you want to wear, Quinn?
9. New York Rangers
Oliver Wahlstrom | C/RW | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 9
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 40 | 43 | 83 | 38 |
Wahlstrom told reporters at the combine that, "humbly," he thinks he has the best shot in this year’s draft. He’s probably not wrong. He can do things with a puck that some current NHL players can’t, and he creates space for himself and teammates with ease. And he’s just plain fun to watch.
10. Edmonton Oilers
Jesperi Kotkaniemi | C | Assat (Liiga)
Previous Rank: 12
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 10 | 19 | 29 | 20 |
Kotkaniemi is a smart player who should be a solid two-way center in the NHL. While his skating could use some work, his vision is high-end and that’s something difficult to teach. He’s already played pro in Finland, and it might behoove the Oilers to bring him over to Bakersfield sooner rather than later to adjust his game against stiffer AHL competition.
11. New York Islanders
Ty Smith | D | Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Previous Rank: 11
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 14 | 59 | 73 | 30 |
Smith has fallen on some lists, but he’d be worth the pick. Thanks to his high-end hockey sense and great skating, he can take apart the opposition’s play and effectively bring the puck back to his own zone. He makes the right decisions and isn’t worried about his size being a liability. His game backs that up.
12. New York Islanders (from Calgary Flames)
Joel Farabee | LW | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 13
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 27 | 37 | 64 | 38 |
Farabee is an exciting and creative player whose high hockey IQ helps him make good plays in all three zones. A hard worker and great skater with a high top speed, his vision allows him to embarrass opponents and create opportunities for teammates.
13. Dallas Stars
Barrett Hayton | C | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 14
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 32 |
Hayton plays a straightforward game that in the future could provide solid, effective depth down the middle for the Stars. His growth this season hasn’t gone unnoticed, nor has the way he stepped up when top-line teammates were out of the lineup. He’s got high-end hockey smarts, and can play in all situations.
14. Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis Blues)
Joseph Veleno | C | Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 10
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 22 | 57 | 79 | 48 |
Veleno makes sense for the Flyers in the same way that Patrick did last year (albeit on different levels). He’s not flashy, but he’s solid and effective. Veleno gets knocked for not living up to his CHL label, but that shouldn’t be a concern at this point. What matters is that his speed can burn opponents, his vision on the ice is exceptional, and he works his tail off to improve his game.
15. Florida Panthers
Rasmus Kupari | C | Karpat (Liiga)
Previous Rank: 15
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 12 |
Kupari holds steady at No. 15 to the Panthers. As a skilled center available in a draft class chock-full of high-end defensemen and wingers, he stands out. He’s offensively gifted, with excellent vision, skating, and playmaking. Given time to work on his consistency, he could bolster the Panthers’ center depth.
16. Colorado Avalanche
Isac Lundestrom | C/LW | Lulea HF (SHL)
Previous Rank: 17
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 14 |
Lundestrom is a strong skater who brings offensive pizzazz. He won silver with Team Sweden at this year’s World Junior Championships and has two seasons in the SHL under his belt. Whether he’s setting up plays or finishing them, his hockey smarts are top-notch.
17. New Jersey Devils
Martin Kaut | RW | HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Extraliga)
Previous Rank: 19
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 14 |
Kaut didn’t go through fitness testing at the combine after his physical revealed a minor heart issue. Fortunately, it's said to be nothing that should hinder him in the future. That’s good news for the Devils, who would get a fantastic skater with high-end passing and shooting ability.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets
Bode Wilde | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 20
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 11 | 25 | 36 | 59 |
Wilde is headed to the University of Michigan in the fall, but it won’t be long before he can contribute at the NHL level. He brings a great mix of skill and physicality and can contribute to scoring without being a liability in his own end.
19. Philadelphia Flyers
Dominik Bokk | RW | Vaxjo Lakers HC (SuperElit/SHL)
Previous Rank: 18
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Bokk is a raw talent with high-end skill. A slippery skater who reads the ice effectively and makes the right play, Bokk was drafted by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. However, he is expected to return to the Lakers this coming season. More time against men in the SHL can only benefit him.
20. Los Angeles Kings
Jonathan Tychonick | D | Penticton Vees (BCHL)
Previous Rank: 28
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 34 |
Tychonick is a fantastic, speedy skater, and yet another example of why prospects who play Junior A instead of major-junior shouldn’t be discounted. His instincts are stellar both offensively and in his own end, and his skill will only be further refined when he joins the University of North Dakota next season.
21. San Jose Sharks
Serron Noel | RW | Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Previous Rank: 23
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 28 | 25 | 53 | 61 |
One of Noel’s most noticeable improvements this season was his skating, and as he’s 6-foot-5, that was an important area to tackle. His offensive ceiling is high, and if he can improve his consistency and put the whole package together, he’ll be an exciting player to watch in the NHL.
22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
Rasmus Sandin | D | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Previous Rank: 27
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 12 | 33 | 45 | 24 |
Skilled young defensemen with high-end hockey sense feel like they’re consistently a need for all NHL teams. With the Erik Karlsson situation as yet unresolved, it makes sense for the Sens to add to their defensive prospect pool. Sandin brings smarts, skilled passing, and sound defensive positioning.
23. Anaheim Ducks
Alexander Alexeyev | D | Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Previous Rank: 24
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 7 | 30 | 37 | 29 |
Alexeyev is a big player, but he’s a strong skater for his size. He moves the puck well and has a great shot, and while he can add offense, one of the best parts of his game is that he rarely goofs up in his own zone.
24. Minnesota Wild
Jared McIsaac | D | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Previous Rank: 22
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 86 |
McIsaac is intelligent, and he can skate and move the puck. While he can lead the rush, he also plays well in his own zone, with solid gap control and good defensive positioning. The Wild could stand to give their D prospect depth a boost, and McIsaac could do that.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs
Ryan Merkley | D | Guelph Storm (OHL)
Previous Rank: 21
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 13 | 54 | 67 | 63 |
Merkley needs a patient team that is good at developing prospects. If the situation is right, with his high-end skill, he can definitely make the risk worthwhile. The current iteration of the Leafs just might be that place. He’s boom-or-bust for sure, but might just tip the scales toward boom.
26. New York Rangers (from Boston Bruins)
Ty Dellandrea | C | Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Previous Rank: NR
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 27 | 32 | 59 | 48 |
Dellandrea was fantastic this season. His team was not, and that hurt his stock in the eyes of some. He’s doggedly determined and a solid all-around center. He raises his game against tough competition, and he’s looking forward to being a leader for Flint next season.
27. Chicago Blackhawks (from Nashville Predators)
Akil Thomas | C | Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Previous Rank: 26
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 22 | 59 | 81 | 36 |
Thomas is on the smaller side, but the Blackhawks historically do well when picking smaller forwards, the most recent example being one Alex DeBrincat. A fast-skating center, Thomas can quarterback a power play and is a creative playmaker even at his top speed. A little work on the defensive side of his game wouldn’t go amiss.
28. New York Rangers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)
Mattias Samuelsson | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: NR
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 107 |
Samuelsson said at the combine that he’s probably "three or four years" away from the NHL, but with three first-round picks currently, the Rangers are a team that can afford to be patient. In their situation, Samuelsson is worth swinging on. He’s an incredibly mature player, and skates very well to be as big as he is (6-foot-4 and nearly 220 pounds). While not an offensive dynamo like many of his fellow USNTDP blue-liners, he’s gifted in his own end and moves the puck effectively.
29. St. Louis Blues (from Winnipeg Jets)
K'Andre Miller | D | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 30
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 22 |
Miller only started playing defense two years ago, putting him in a unique position among his peers. It shows in his abilities with the puck, but perhaps more impressive is the way he plays away from it. He’s effective in all zones, and after some time at the University of Wisconsin, he should slide right onto an NHL roster.
30. Washington Capitals
Jake Wise | C | U.S. National Team Development Program
Previous Rank: 31
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 9 | 27 | 36 | 4 |
Thanks to an injury that cost him nearly half his season, Wise has flown under the radar compared to his more well-known USNTDP teammates. Being the dark horse might mean he falls, but that’s Washington’s gain. Wise is a crafty playmaker who came back to the NTDP lineup at the same time Jack Hughes was called up, and his return was just as important to the team’s late-season surge as the addition of Hughes.
31. Detroit Red Wings (from Vegas Golden Knights)
Jacob Olofsson | C | Timra IK (Allsvenskan)
Previous Rank: 29
| GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 10 |
A Swedish center on the Red Wings? There are crazier ideas. Olofsson plays a smart, simple game, and does it at impressive top speeds. He’s dangerous with the puck, but is reliable in his own end as well.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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Offseason trade candidates for each Western Conference team
Who doesn't love trades?
With 29 of 31 teams focusing on offseason plans, we take a look at who could potentially be on the move this summer, this time with a candidate from each Western Conference team.
Click here for Eastern Conference candidates
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks: Artem Anisimov
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 30 | $4.55M (2020-21) | 31 |
Anisimov felt the effects of losing Artemi Panarin from his line, registering just 31 points in 72 games in 2017-18. Contending teams likely wouldn't hate the concept of adding him down the middle of the ice, and the Blackhawks' seemingly eternal cap crunch would get some relief.
Colorado Avalanche: Tyson Barrie
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 26 | $5.5M (2019-20) | 57 |
The Avalanche did well stocking the cupboard in the Matt Duchene deal, and could further support their future if they make Barrie expendable. He produces points, shoots right, and Colorado could give youngster Samuel Girard an increased role in his absence.
Dallas Stars: Jason Spezza
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 35 | $7.5M (2018-19) | 26 |
Spezza owns a modified no-trade clause, so he'd have to be convinced. With the Stars holding onto some salary, there would probably be some suitors for his experience at center.
Minnesota Wild: Jonas Brodin
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 24 | $4.16M (2020-21) | 21 |
New general manager Paul Fenton faces a difficult task in transforming the Wild from playoff qualifier to playoff contender, but one way to infuse some much-needed offense to Minnesota's lineup would be giving up a defender, and Brodin could be a chip worth testing the market for.
Nashville Predators: Nick Bonino
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 30 | $4.1M (2020-21) | 25 |
The Predators gave Bonino a lucrative contract to come from Pittsburgh, but after trading for Kyle Turris last season, the need for the two-time Stanley Cup Champ was mitigated. Nashville could surely survive rolling with Ryan Johansen-Turris-Calle Jarnkrok down the middle going forward.
St. Louis Blues: Patrik Berglund
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW | 30 | $3.85M (2021-22) | 26 |
Another player with a modified clause, the market for Berglund isn't going to be a big one, but finding a way to unload his salary would pay big dividends for the Blues' books going forward.
Winnipeg Jets: Steve Mason
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 Sv% |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 30 | $4.1M (2018-19) | .908 |
The Mason experiment in Winnipeg wasn't much of a success. On top of injury problems, Mason lost out to Vezina candidate Connor Hellebuyck for the starting gig at the start of the season, and the Jets don't need to pay over $4 million for a backup.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks: Corey Perry
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 33 | $8.625M (2020-21) | 49 |
As a staple in the Ducks' identity for so long, Perry being traded is far from a guarantee, but Anaheim got exposed in the playoffs in the form of a sweep by an archrival. Bob Murray's group needs to get younger and faster, and the former MVP doesn't fit that mold anymore.
Arizona Coyotes: Max Domi
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW | 23 | RFA | 45 |
There's potential for a much bigger name available from the Coyotes if Oliver Ekman-Larsson decides not to sign his reported eight-year extension, but Arizona could deal Domi's rights and give the young winger a fresh start after his second straight season with nine goals.
Calgary Flames: T.J. Brodie
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 27 | $4.65M (2019-20) | 32 |
Calgary doesn't have a pick in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft, and don't have a winger to join Sean Monahan and Johnny Gadreau on the top line. The Flames could feasibly move out Brodie in an attempt to fill two glaring holes.
Edmonton Oilers: Oscar Klefbom
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 24 | $4.167M (2022-23) | 21 |
By no means do the Oilers need to trade Klefbom, but after dealing all his forward depth for peanuts, GM Peter Chiarelli holds few remaining chips with any value. Klefbom could definitely bring back a good forward or two to help support two-time Art Ross winner Connor McDavid.
Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Lewis
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 31 | $2M (2019-20) | 26 |
Much like their in-state rivals above, the Kings need to implement more speed and skill into their lineup. Plus, opting for cheaper contracts with the possibility of a mega-extension for Drew Doughty on the table seems like a reasonable idea.
San Jose Sharks: Mikkel Boedker
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 28 | $4M | 37 |
Boedker's four-year contract in San Jose hasn't yielded much production, and the Sharks wouldn't be much worse off if they found a taker for his services.
Vancouver Canucks: Chris Tanev
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 28 | $4.45M (2019-20) | 11 |
Tanev has played less than 70 games in each of the last three seasons, but offers tremendous value when he's healthy. The 28-year-old has an affordable salary, and is far and away the Canucks' most valuable trade asset. Despite an impressive group of young players, Vancouver isn't quite ready to make a big step forward yet, so continue to build for when the time comes.
Vegas Golden Knights: Jon Merrill
| Position | Age | Cap Hit (thru) | 2017-18 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 26 | $1.375M (2019-20) | 3 |
The Golden Knights are projected to have over $26 million in cap space this summer, so there's pressure for them to unload any onerous contracts. And after the most successful inaugural season in the history of the sport, they probably aren't looking for much of a makeover. That said, Vegas did pick a litany of blue-liners in the expansion draft, and could probably fetch a pick for one that was stapled to the press box most of the season.
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