The Vancouver Canucks have signed this year's fifth overall pick, Olli Juolevi, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Friday.
"Olli is a talented all-around defenceman with high hockey sense who will be a big part of our organization’s future," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said. "He’s had an outstanding year, winning the Memorial Cup and World Junior gold. We look forward to seeing him continue his development and compete at the NHL level during training camp in September."
Although he's officially locked up, Vancouver previously stated they plan to keep him in the OHL with the London Knights next season.
Juolevi was the first defenseman plucked off the board at the draft, after a campaign in which he registered 42 points in 57 games.
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As the Toronto Maple Leafs approach year two of the Mike Babcock era, one of the ongoing questions surrounding the club entering next season is the status of prospect Mitch Marner.
The 19-year-old was selected fourth overall by Toronto in 2015, and has outgrown the junior level, scoring 242 points over his last 120 regular-season games with the OHL's London Knights.
While he's still eligible to play for the Knights, Marner's contract prohibits playing in the AHL, so it's either Toronto or London next season, and Babcock believes the big club is a viable option.
"I sure think he has a good chance," Babcock told TSN's Brent Wallace.
One of the knocks on Marner is his size. He's listed as 5-foot-11, 164 pounds, but Babcock doesn't view it as a problem, as long as he's getting stronger.
"Mitch has been working with our guys and really training hard. He's eating right and doing everything he can to get stronger, to say Mitch has to put on a bunch of weight, to me, is ridiculous," Babcock said.
The Maple Leafs' coach is keeping an eye on Marner at the World Junior Summer Showcase this week, and he likes what he sees.
"I thought he was magical yesterday in practice," Babcock said. "I really like his attention to detail without the puck, how he knocks down pucks, how he knows where the puck's going. The puck always comes to him."
Marner will have another chance to impress Leafs brass when camp opens in September.
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It's been over a month since Bill Foley was awarded an NHL franchise, and it's going to be a while until the Las Vegas team's name and logo is revealed.
The number of options has been reduced from 18 to four, the owner said, and the goal is to have it all settled prior to the start of the 2016-17 season.
"We're making progress," Foley told Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "We're in a pretty good position now and we're meeting next week with the NHL and Adidas to look at logos and designs. We'll have a little more clarity in the next 30 days."
Some variation of "Knights" remains in play, but Foley admitted there's a conflict with that exact name.
"The London Knights (OHL) own the name in Canada and to acquire the name from London is not economically feasible," Foley said. "In the U.S., 'Knights' are fine. But we can't use it in Canada."
The four names will also be kept a secret until the official unveiling.
"We want to make it a special event for everyone," Foley said. "I know everyone is anxious about the name. But we want to get it right."
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The Winnipeg Jets are gearing up to host the 2016 Heritage Classic.
A large crowd was on hand at the city's famous Portage and Main downtown intersection as the Jets and Edmonton Oilers unveiled the rosters and jerseys for the alumni and regular-season games to be played outdoors on Oct. 22 and 23, respectively, at Investors Group Field.
The Oilers alumni roster was announced by Kevin Lowe, who will suit up for the game, and includes a host of Hall of Fame players and other notables.
Dave Semenko, Wayne Gretzky (Captain), Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey, Grant Fuhr, Jari Kurri, Kelly Buchberger, Randy Gregg, Charlie Huddy, Ken Linseman, B.J. MacDonald, Craig MacTavish, Marty McSorley, Bill Ranford, Dwayne Roloson, Craig Simpson, Ryan Smyth, Esa Tikkanen
The Jets roster is replete with legends from the original incarnation of the franchise.
The Oilers will rock an old-school orange jersey for both games.
The @EdmontonOilers will return to their roots and rock these sweaters for the NHL #HeritageClassic. pic.twitter.com/oE3GKgDvPA
— NHL (@NHL) August 5, 2016
And the Jets will don a true throwback of their own.
The official @NHLJets uniforms for the NHL #HeritageClassic. A proper throwback indeed. pic.twitter.com/6WGD26RoTk
— NHL (@NHL) August 5, 2016
"Hockey fans welcome every opportunity to see their favorite NHL teams face off outdoors," said Brian Jennings, NHL CMO and executive vice president. "This year's Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic will offer Jets, Oilers and all hockey fans a great mix of nostalgia with the alumni game and an amazing showcase of today's top talent in the NHL Heritage Classic."
The Heritage Classic is one of four outdoor games on the 2016-17 NHL schedule.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins are going cuckoo over the Stanley Cup.
Defenseman Kris Letang let his son eat cereal out of the storied trophy Friday, mirroring a recent Cullen family meal.
Breakfast with the Letangs. Pouring milk onto cereal in the #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/JOuqUY1Ssa
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 5, 2016
No word on what the cereal was, but when you eat it out of the Cup, it's sure to be extra grrreat.
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Former NHL defenseman Aaron Rome sued the NHL and his insurance company after a career-ending hip injury, according to Sarah Mervosh of The Dallas Morning News.
Rome was injured as a member of the Dallas Stars in 2014, and was bought out by the club that summer following 52 appearances in two seasons with the club.
After failed attempts to make the Detroit Red Wings and AHL's Norfolk Admirals prior to the 2014-15 season on pro tryout deals, he made a claim for disability benefits from his insurance company, but was denied.
Mervosh reports:
A copy of the NHL's benefits guide included in the lawsuit says players will receive a lump sum if they suffer a career-ending disability, ranging from $200,000 to $1 million depending on their age. But it also says cumulative injuries do not count.
Prior to the 2014 injury, Rome had to have multiple surgeries and injured himself throwing a hip check.
Rome's lawsuit claims the NHL and the insurance company "mistreated an athlete who gave his heart and effort to professional hockey only to be betrayed by those who were supposed to help, protect, and provide benefits he undoubtedly deserves."
The amount being sought in the suit has not been disclosed.
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Kevin Shattenkirk might remain with the St. Louis Blues after all.
For the time being, at least.
Shattenkirk was reportedly on the trading block heading into the final year of his contract, and even said he hoped the club traded him "sooner than later" as rumors swirled around the NHL draft.
Now, and despite not listing Shattenkirk among the Blues' core players earlier in the offseason, general manager Doug Armstrong is planning to start the season with the top-pair defenseman on the roster.
"That sort of grew a life of its own at the draft," Armstrong told ESPN's Craig Custance of ESPN (subscription only) of the trade talk. "He's a Blue and we're excited to have him and expect him to have a good year."
Armstrong further clarified he means a good year in St. Louis.
Shattenkirk will bring in $5.2 million in actual salary this season while carrying a cap hit of $4.25 million. The 27-year-old is averaging 0.63 points per game over the past three seasons, and will likely command heavy attention should he hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
So while Shattenkirk appears set to attend training camp and be featured on the opening-night roster, whether he's a Blue long term remains to be seen.
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