Former Sharks goalie Devin Cooley signed a two-year contract Monday with the Calgary Flames.
Monthly Archives: July 2024
Edmonton Oilers Sign Jeff Skinner to 1-Year Contract
After being bought out by the Buffalo Sabres, Jeff Skinner is signing with the Edmonton Oilers. Skinner will be locked in for one year and $3 million. Despite the Sabres…
Golden Knights sign Samsonov to 1-year deal
The Vegas Golden Knights signed free-agent goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year deal Monday.
The contract is worth $1.8 million, according to The Athletic's Jesse Granger.
Samsonov spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He struggled mightily to start the 2023-24 campaign and was placed on waivers in January after posting a 5-2-6 record, a .862 save percentage, and 3.94 goals against average.
The 27-year-old fared much better upon his return to the NHL, finishing the regular season on an 18-5-2 run to go along with a .904 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average.
Samsonov registered a .896 save percentage and 3.01 goals against average in five playoff games this spring as the Maple Leafs were bounced from the first round by the Boston Bruins.
He enjoyed a career year with Toronto in 2022-23, logging 27 wins, a .919 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average.
The Capitals selected him 22nd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, and Samsonov spent the first three years of his career there.
The Russian owns an all-time save percentage of .904 across 171 NHL games.
The Golden Knights may ride a tandem of starter Adin Hill and Samsonov after trading Logan Thompson to the Capitals. They also acquired Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, but they didn't tender him a qualifying offer.
Vegas also announced that it signed restricted free-agent forward Pavel Dorofeyev and defenseman Kaedan Korczak to two-year contracts.
Dorofeyev's deal carries a cap hit of $1.835 million, while Korczak's is worth $825,000 annually, per Granger.
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BriseBois: ‘I know the fans are disappointed’ in Stamkos’ departure
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois knows there are more than a few unhappy people in Tampa Bay following the departure of longtime captain Steven Stamkos.
"I know that it is disappointing that I was unable to come to terms with Steven Stamkos on a contract to keep him within the organization," he said, according to Bally Sports' Gabby Shirley. "I know the fans are disappointed, I know Steven is disappointed, and I'm disappointed."
The Bolts cleared plenty of cap space during Day 2 of the NHL draft Saturday by trading defenseman Mikhail Sergachev ($8.5-million cap hit) and forward Tanner Jeannot ($2.665-million cap hit) to Utah and the Los Angeles Kings, respectively.
However, the bulk of that money went to adding prized free-agent winger Jake Guentzel on a seven-year pact with a $9-million cap hit. Stamkos went on to join the Nashville Predators on a four-year contract worth $8 million annually after spending the first 1,000-plus games of his NHL career with the Lightning.
"Like everyone, I wanted Stammer to stay in Tampa and finish his career with the Lightning but, like for every player, there were also limits," BriseBois said. "We had limits (in what) we could allocate in terms of cap space to him.
"Obviously, Stammer is sincere in all of his statements saying that he wanted to stay in Tampa. ... At the same time, it was clear throughout our process he also had financial expectations that he expected us to meet and, ultimately, I felt ... if I agreed to the terms that he wanted in order to get a deal done, I would not be putting ourselves in the best position to chase championships going forward."
Stamkos and the Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. He was eligible to sign a new extension with the Bolts one year ago, and he said Monday that the lack of talks last summer was "the start of the writing on the wall," according to NHL.com's Robby Stanley.
"You're trying to hang on to something that doesn't want to hang on to you," he said, per the Lightning Insider's Erik Erlendsson.
Now, the veteran is looking forward to a fresh start with the Predators.
"The thing I loved and was intrigued with from Day 1 was Nashville's interest," he said, according to Stanley. "They had a plan. They wanted to execute a plan. It feels great when you're one of those players."
The Predators also signed free agents Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei on Monday.
BriseBois, meanwhile, now has to get used to being the general manager who parted ways with Stamkos in Tampa Bay.
"It comes with the job," he said, per TSN's Chris Johnston.
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Blackhawks sign defenseman T.J. Brodie to 2-year contract
The Blackhawks have signed defenseman T.J. Brodie to a two-year contract.
Report: Oilers bring back Janmark on 3-year pact
Mattias Janmark is staying put.
The Oilers re-signed the veteran forward with a three-year contract carrying an annual cap hit of $1.45 million, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
Janmark only recorded four goals and eight assists in 71 regular-season games, but he proved to be a valuable commodity in the postseason. "The Janitor" was a crucial part of the Oilers' successful penalty kill, notching a pair of shorthanded goals in the playoffs. He recorded four points in the Stanley Cup Final.
The 31-year-old projects to fill a bottom-six role in Edmonton once again next season.
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Blackhawks add Brodie on 2-year deal with $3.75M AAV
The Chicago Blackhawks added unrestricted free-agent defenseman TJ Brodie on a two-year deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million Monday.
Brodie spent the last four seasons with the Maple Leafs. He signed a four-year deal with a $5-million cap hit as a UFA in October 2020.
The 34-year-old potted one goal and 26 points in 78 contests in 2023-24 while averaging 21:43 minutes per game, good for the most playing time of his Toronto tenure.
Brodie spent the first 10 seasons of his NHL career in Calgary after being selected by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Draft.
He was Mark Giordano's primary defense partner in 2018-19 when the veteran won the Norris Trophy as the league's top rearguard. Brodie finished 18th in voting for the hardware back in 2015.
Brodie has racked up 348 points and 1,375 blocks in 908 career NHL games.
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Oilers land Jeff Skinner on 1-year, $3M deal
The Edmonton Oilers landed forward Jeff Skinner on a one-year, $3-million deal, the team announced Monday.
The Sabres bought out the final three seasons of Skinner's deal Saturday. Buffalo signed him to an eight-year deal with a $9-million cap hit in June 2019.
Skinner totaled 24 goals and 46 points in 74 games this past campaign. He's one season removed from a career year that saw him register 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) in 79 outings.
The 32-year-old was selected seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2010 NHL Draft.
Skinner has amassed 357 goals and 670 points in 1,006 career regular-season games, but he's never seen any playoff action.
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How scout believes Sharks should handle Celebrini NHL decision
2024 NHL Draft No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini will decide whether to stay at Boston University or join the Sharks right away.
Canucks Bolster Defensive Depth with Vincent Desharnais Signing
In a strategic move to fortify their blue line, the Vancouver Canucks have inked defenceman Vincent Desharnais to a two-year, $4 million contract, translating to a $2 million cap hit per season. Desharnais, who stands tall at 6’6″ and weighs 216 lbs, brings a significant physical presence to the Canucks’ defensive unit. His acquisition follows an intense playoff series where the Edmonton Oilers bested the Canucks in a seven-game, second-round showdown.
Career Overview
Desharnais’s journey to the NHL has been one of perseverance and determination. Born in Laval, Quebec, he spent his early years honing his skills in various minor leagues before making a significant impact with the Edmonton Oilers. Last season, he played 78 games for the Oilers, contributing one goal and ten assists. Over his 114-game tenure with the Oilers, Desharnais has amassed one goal and 15 assists, showcasing his steady, defensive play style.
Vincent Desharnais: A Brief Profile
- Date of Birth: May 29, 1996
- Age: 28
- Place of Birth: Laval, QC, CAN
- Nationality: Canada
- Position: Defence
- Height: 197 cm / 6’6″
- Weight: 98 kg / 216 lbs
- Shoots: Right
What Desharnais Brings to the Canucks
The Canucks’ decision to sign Desharnais underscores their commitment to enhancing their defensive depth. Desharnais’s towering presence and physicality will undoubtedly add a new dimension to the Canucks’ blue line. Here’s a closer look at what he brings to the table:
Defensive Reliability
Desharnais is known for his solid defensive play. His ability to use his size effectively makes him a formidable opponent in one-on-one situations. He is adept at breaking up plays, blocking shots, and using his reach to disrupt opposing forwards.
Penalty Killing
One of Desharnais’s strengths lies in his penalty-killing ability. His defensive awareness and positioning are crucial assets in shorthanded situations. With the Canucks aiming to improve their penalty kill, Desharnais’s addition could prove vital.
Physicality
Standing at 6’6″, Desharnais is one of the tallest players in the NHL. His physicality is a significant asset, as he can leverage his size to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. This aspect of his game will help the Canucks in maintaining a strong defensive zone presence. His size fits perfectly into the profile that head coach Rick Tocchet prefers in his defensemen, emphasizing a strong, imposing presence on the ice.
Experience and Leadership
Despite being only 28, Desharnais brings a wealth of experience. His playoff run with the Oilers last season adds valuable postseason experience to the Canucks’ roster. His leadership on and off the ice will be beneficial, especially for younger players looking to make their mark.
Replacing Zadorov
The addition of Desharnais more than makes up for the loss of Nikita Zadorov, who was a key physical presence on the Canucks’ blue line. Desharnais’s size, defensive acumen, and physical playstyle align well with the team’s needs and Tocchet’s vision. This signing ensures that the Canucks maintain a formidable and physically dominant defense, crucial for competing against top-tier offenses.
Fit with the Canucks
Desharnais’s signing aligns with the Canucks’ broader strategy of building a robust defensive core. Head coach Rick Tocchet will likely utilize Desharnais in key defensive matchups and penalty-killing scenarios. His ability to play significant minutes against top lines will be crucial as the Canucks look to strengthen their overall team defense.
Looking Ahead
With Desharnais now in the fold, the Canucks’ defensive lineup looks more formidable. The addition of a player with his attributes addresses some of the key areas where the team needed improvement. As the Canucks prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on integrating Desharnais into the team’s defensive schemes and maximizing his impact on the ice.
Fans can expect to see Desharnais paired with some of the Canucks’ other key defensemen, potentially forming a shutdown pair that can handle the opposition’s top players. His presence will also allow more flexibility in how the coaching staff deploys their defensive units, providing a mix of physicality, defensive acumen, and experience.
What Vincent Desharnais Brings to the Canucks
The signing of Vincent Desharnais is a clear signal of the Canucks’ intent to bolster their defensive capabilities. His size, defensive reliability, and experience make him a valuable addition to the roster. As the new season approaches, Canucks fans have reason to be optimistic about the team’s defensive outlook.
What do you think of the Canucks’ latest signing? How do you see Desharnais fitting into the team’s plans? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
Go Canucks Go!