Detroit Red Wings forward Bobby Ryan is expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 season due to an upper-body injury, head coach Jeff Blashill announced Friday.
Ryan has been sidelined for Detroit's last six contests. The 34-year-old recorded 14 points in 33 games this season. He was previously rumored to be available ahead of the April 12 trade deadline.
Bobby Ryan, out for the season, is still a decent low-event bottom six winger and would've been a solid depth pickup. Sucks. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/DoNyfs49ox
Ryan joined the Red Wings on a one-year, $1-million contract this past offseason. He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2020 while with the Ottawa Senators for his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.
Welcome to the 12th edition of "Looking North," our weekly Friday dive into the all-Canadian division. This installment dates back to April 2.
The rundown
The North Division had managed to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks until last month. Then, the Montreal Canadiens had four games postponed after two of their players landed in virus protocol. However, the Vancouver Canucks' subsequent and ongoing outbreak is by far the worst yet among the NHL's teams north of the border.
It could complicate the end of the regular season for all Canadian clubs and even the rest of the league. But most importantly, it has served as an important reminder of what matters most: the health and safety of those involved. It has also underscored how dangerous the coronavirus and its variants have become, as well as how quickly they can spread.
The Canucks' numbers have climbed steadily since their first game was postponed March 31. Nearly their entire roster has now tested positive, and several staff members have also been affected. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday the league hopes Vancouver can get back on the ice by the end of next week, but when the team can actually return remains to be seen.
Though the Canucks' uncertain situation remains the biggest story in the division, there were notable on-ice results this past week. The Toronto Maple Leafs have reeled off five straight wins and gained some breathing room in first place ahead of the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers.
However, the Oilers have also been rolling lately. Edmonton has won seven of its last 10 games, though its three wins over the last week came against the struggling Calgary Flames (one) and Ottawa Senators (two).
Team
Points over last week
Maple Leafs
8 (4-0-0)
Oilers
7 (3-0-1)
Jets
5 (2-0-1)
Canadiens
2 (1-3-0)
Senators
2 (1-3-0)
Flames
0 (0-3-0)
Canucks
0 (0-0-0)*
*The NHL postponed all four of the Canucks games since last Friday.
The stars
Derek Leung / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Forward: Auston Matthews just keeps scoring. The Maple Leafs superstar buried four goals in as many games this week, with all four coming in his last three contests. In doing so, he padded his league-leading total of 28 in 37 games.
Defenseman: Thomas Chabot notched a few helpers over four contests. More impressively, though, he averaged a whopping 28:17 of ice time during that span.
Goaltender: Jack Campbell has been a revelation for Toronto. He set the Maple Leafs' franchise record with his 10th straight win Wednesday night in a victory over the Canadiens. The 29-year-old also went 3-0-0 this past week with a .937 save percentage.
Canadian of the week
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Connor McDavid has earned this honor before, and rightfully so. The Oilers dynamo had himself another outstanding week, amassing six points in four games. He leads the NHL with 46 assists and 69 points in 41 contests.
The moments
Brady Tkachuk elbows Wheeler up high 😬
The Jets will be without their captain for the foreseeable future. Senators forward Brady Tkachuk elbowed Blake Wheeler in the head Monday, and while Wheeler finished the game, head coach Paul Maurice said later in the week that the veteran forward didn't feel well in the following days. Wheeler was diagnosed with a concussion Thursday and isn't flying with the team on its current five-game road trip.
Campbell establishes franchise record 📜
Campbell's historic win Wednesday was no fluke, as the Maple Leafs netminder turned aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced in a 3-2 win over the Canadiens. The Toronto goalie grabbed sole possession of the club record after tying Felix Potvin (1993-94), Jacques Plante (1970-71), and John Ross Roach (1924-25).
Draisaitl at the buzzer ... and it's good! ⏰
Leon Draisaitl notched a hat trick in the nick of time Wednesday night. The reigning Hart Trophy winner scored in the first and second periods before firing home an empty-netter with less than one second remaining in the third to cap a 4-2 victory over the Senators.
The question
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
The most pressing concern amid the Canucks' outbreak is the health of those infected, but the uncertainty also brings into question how the situation will affect the rest of the schedule for Vancouver, the rest of division, and the league going forward in 2021.
Daly's target of mid-April for the Canucks' return to the ice seems optimistic at this point considering the growing number of players and staff members testing positive and the fact that most of Vancouver's roster remains in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
It may be possible considering a symptomatic player who tests positive must wait 10 days or have two negative tests before returning, and it's already been over a week since the outbreak began. But on the other hand, the team's list has been growing almost by the day, and the symptoms some players have reportedly exhibited are very concerning.
The Canucks aren't likely to qualify for the postseason, but the situation affects their opponents as well, including the four teams that are virtual locks to make the playoffs.
What happens to the rest of the division schedule if Vancouver's has to be postponed further or if the team is unable to complete it? The NHL has already started to delay the postseason but clearly doesn't want to - or can't - beyond a certain point. So, would it come down to points percentage? That would be the most reasonable solution, but it's not an ideal one. Though once again, the outbreak itself is a more pressing matter.
Stat of the week
When the New York Islanders shut out the Washington Capitals 1-0 on Tuesday, it gave the Senators a distinction that was equal parts surprising and impressive.
Tonight marked the first game this season that the Capitals did not score a goal. Entering tonight's game, Washington was one of two teams (Ottawa) in the NHL that had not been shutout.
The Senators lost both of their subsequent games to the Oilers on Wednesday and Thursday. However, they prevented Edmonton from shutting them out in both contests (4-2 and 3-1 defeats, respectively), keeping their streak of not being blanked alive through 41 games in 2021.
Regardless of Ottawa's overall record (13-24-4) and position in the North Division (last place), at least the "Sickos" have something (else) to be proud of.
Games to watch
Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Two teams heading in opposite directions - the Flames and Oilers - will reignite the "Battle of Alberta" on Saturday. Earlier that evening, the Senators and Maple Leafs will resume the "Battle of Ontario." The first-place Leafs and second-place Jets (points percentage-wise) will face off again Thursday.
This year's trade deadline presents some significant roadblocks for teams looking to add. The flat salary cap, cross-border quarantine rules, and impending Seattle expansion draft are all major hurdles that could mitigate the yearly frenzy excitement.
But no number of limitations can prevent the wandering minds of fans and pundits alike from cooking up hypothetical trade scenarios that would make this year's deadline one for the ages.
With that in mind, let's identify dream deadline fits for each 2021 Cup contender.
Carolina Hurricanes 27-9-3, 1st place, $9.326 million in deadline cap space
Carolina is deep at each position, so it may not be all that desperate to add. However, with this much cap space, it would be wise for the Hurricanes to weaponize and gear up for what promises to be a difficult postseason path through the Central. General manager Don Waddell said he'd like to add a right-shot blue-liner to shore up the bottom portion of his defense corps, and David Savard would give Carolina arguably the best right side in the NHL if he slotted in behind Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce.
Savard isn't a flashy player but is dependable in his own zone and provides the physicality coaches crave come playoff time. He can kill penalties as well, and the Canes could likely reel him in from the Blue Jackets without surrendering significant assets.
Tampa Bay Lightning 27-11-2, 2nd place, $0 in deadline cap space
It's next to impossible for the Lightning to make a trade due to cap constraints, and general manager Julien BriseBois knows that. However, we'd be remiss not to at least mention the defending champs on a list of contenders, so let's get them out of the way first.
While it's doubtful the Bolts acquire anyone, technically speaking, Tampa is making the biggest addition of any team, as Nikita Kucherov is set to return to the lineup for his season debut in time for the playoffs.
Florida Panthers 26-11-4, 3rd place, $16.407 million in deadline cap space
Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Panthers have the funds to add in multiple areas, but Florida has to address its blue line first with No. 1 defenseman Aaron Ekblad out for the season with an injury. This club will have a difficult time trying to make a playoff run if it has to shut down the Lightning or Hurricanes with its backend as is. Enter Alex Goligoski.
The veteran rearguard is a pending unrestricted free agent and shouldn't cost much more than a prospect and a pick. He has a positive impact in shot creation and suppression and is one of the league's premier shot-blockers. The Cats would be wise to pry Goligoski from the desert before adding anywhere else.
West Division
Colorado Avalanche 26-9-4, 1st place, $3.178 million in deadline cap space
Philipp Grubauer has been sensational this season, but Colorado learned the hard way last season what happens when goalies get injured in the playoffs. It would be prudent for the Avalanche to bring in some reinforcements between the pipes just in case, and Jonathan Bernier makes a ton of sense to fill the backup role. He's posted a .918 save percentage for a miserable Red Wings outfit this season, and adding him could also ease Grubauer's workload down the stretch as Colorado cruises to a playoff spot.
Vegas Golden Knights 25-11-2, 2nd place, $184,614 in deadline cap space
You never know what to expect from the Golden Knights this time of year. Vegas has been ultra-aggressive at the deadline in each season of its brief existence, but this year the club faces significant cap constraints. That said, general manager Kelly McCrimmon and president of hockey operations George McPhee have proven they aren't afraid to think outside the box to land the players they want, and it'd be foolish to believe they're willing to stand pat in the top-heavy West.
Conor Garland would be an excellent fit in the Golden Knights' up-tempo offense, and he only carries a $775,000 cap hit before hitting restricted free agent status at season's end. It's unlikely Arizona is willing to extend the 25-year-old - who's having a breakout year with 28 points in 37 games - and Vegas could move a player with a low salary along with some futures to secure Garland and make its attack even scarier.
East Division
Note: The New York Islanders were left out after acquiring Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac.
Washington Capitals 25-11-4, 2nd place, $0 in deadline cap space
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You'll quickly realize a lack of cap space is a common theme for contenders in the East. Alas, where there's a will, there's a way. The Capitals have a surplus of defenders they could move to clear salary and plenty of draft stock over the next couple of years to facilitate a trade. We think Washington would be best served acquiring a forward, and Mikael Granlund makes sense.
The Predators have surged back into playoff contention, so their previously said-to-be available players may be more difficult to pry away. Still, Nashville shouldn't balk at recouping assets for Granlund - a pending UFA. Washington would likely need to throw in a sweetener for the Predators to retain some of his $3.75 million salary, but Granlund would be a significant addition for the Caps. He can play wing or center, provides high-end speed, and is defensively responsible.
Pittsburgh Penguins 25-13-2, 3rd place, $1.144 million in deadline cap space
A trade between the Flyers and Penguins is likely limited to imagination, but Scott Laughton would be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh. The veteran pivot's name has been brought up in rumors recently, and he would bring immense value down the middle of the ice behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. General manager Ron Hextall has familiarity with him from his time in Philly's front office, and Laughton's hard-nosed style of play is certain to attract Brian Burke's attention.
Boston Bruins 21-10-6, 4th place, $6.04 million in deadline cap space
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
It feels like the Bruins are perpetually looking for scoring depth behind the perfection line, and we're thinking big for Boston this year. Calgary is a mess right now, and it feels like the Flames are on the verge of a major offseason overhaul. Could the B's manage to snag Johnny Gaudreau?
If Calgary's bound to blow things up in a couple of months, Johnny Hockey could already be an expendable piece to close out a lost season. He's a UFA in 2022, and the dynamic winger is struggling to find his footing under head coach Darryl Sutter. Gaudreau has only four points in 13 games since Sutter's debut behind the bench, and he's averaging two fewer minutes per contest. It would require some salary cap maneuvering to make it work, but perhaps Boston could buy low and fill a glaring hole in its attack for this season and next with a blockbuster deal.
North Division
Note: The Montreal Canadiens were left out after acquiring Eric Staal in March.
Toronto Maple Leafs 23-10-3, 1st place, $1.728 million in deadline cap space
The Maple Leafs have made it known they'd like to bolster their top six, so why not go after Taylor Hall? There's a real chance for Toronto to make a run this postseason, and Hall's criminally low shooting percentage on a miserable Sabres outfit this campaign shouldn't scare them off. His presence on the Leafs' second line alongside William Nylander and John Tavares would take the club's top six from dangerous to borderline unstoppable.
Edmonton Oilers 25-14-2, 2nd place, $0 in deadline cap space
John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty
The Oilers may be better off waiting until the summer to make any big moves, as they're projected to have $25 million in cap space. Still, adding Luke Glendening for the stretch run and playoffs checks a lot of boxes for Edmonton. The versatile veteran is an upgrade over both of the Oilers' current bottom-six centers, and he's won a whopping 63.8% of his draws this season. Glendening is by no means the most glamorous name on this list but is a sensible addition for a financially limited team like Edmonton.
Winnipeg Jets 24-13-3, 3rd place, $0 in deadline cap space
Winnipeg boasts an electric forward corps and a Vezina caliber goalie, but the Jets' blue line needs help. Like Granlund, the Predators might not be as keen as they once were to deal Mattias Ekholm, but he'd fill a huge hole for GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Paul Maurice. At only $3.75 million for another season, Ekholm's contract is a bargain, and his presence would stabilize a Jets back end severely lacking experience. He won't come cheap, but there's no better option if Winnipeg wants to solve a major roster problem this year and next.
The bench boss said Wednesday that Wheeler wouldn't fly with the team on their five-game road trip, which began with Thursday's 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Maurice added at the time that Wheeler was out indefinitely but did not divulge the injury because he stressed the importance of being "really careful with these things."
Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk elbowed Wheeler in the head during Winnipeg's 4-3 win on Monday. Tkachuk served a minor penalty and Wheeler finished that game.
Wheeler collected 10 goals and 22 assists while playing all 39 of the Jets' previous contests before missing Thursday night's victory.
Hall is the biggest name on the market prior to Monday's deadline. The pending unrestricted free agent signed a one-year, $8-million pact with the Sabres this past offseason.
The Sabres held him out of a second straight game for injury protection Thursday night.
Hall has underachieved from a production standpoint, collecting only two goals and 17 assists over 37 contests in 2021.
However, part of his struggles can be attributed to playing for a punchless Buffalo club, and his underlying numbers show he's been a victim of some bad luck. He's posted a goals for percentage of only 36.96 at five-on-five, but his expected goals for percentage in those situations is a favorable 52.76, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The Los Angeles Kings are starting to gauge whether or not there is interest for Alex Iafallo as the trade deadline approaches.
"We're told that Kings GM Rob Blake for the first time began taking calls on Alex Iafollo judging his availability on the market and it seems like one of those things that's going to go down to the wire," reported TSN's Frank Seravalli on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading." "These two sides are going to continue to try to hammer away at an extension."
Iafallo, 27, is a pending unrestricted free agent. He's in the final season of a two-year pact that carries an average annual value of $2.45 million. He's spent his entire career with the Kings since signing with the club in 2017 after completing his time at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
The winger ranks third on the Kings this season in goals (9) and points (23). He's collected 50 goals and 74 assists in 264 career games.
The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Tanner Pearson to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.25 million, the team announced Thursday.
The contract will include a full no-trade clause in the first year, a modified seven-team no-trade clause in the second year, and no protection in the third year, reports The Athletic's Thomas Drance.
The two sides also agreed the club will protect Pearson in the upcoming expansion draft even though his contract doesn't formally require it, Drance added.
"Tanner is a veteran who's won a Stanley Cup and leads by example," general manager Jim Benning said. "He plays a complete game and provides invaluable leadership experience to our core young players. We are very pleased for Tanner and his family to continue his career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks."
The Canucks acquired Pearson from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2019 trade deadline. He's totaled 36 goals and 32 assists in 121 career games with the Canucks.
Originally selected with the 30th pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, the winger has amassed 114 goals and 112 assists in 490 career games.
