The Russian Hockey Federation has named a replacement for Slava Voynov on its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, appointing Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov to the squad.
Voynov was named to the initial roster for the NHL-branded showcase despite serving an indefinite suspension after being arrested and charged following a domestic incident in October 2014.
The Russian Federation fought to have the former Los Angeles Kings defender exempt after being informed of Voynov's ineligibility but was once again overruled, and acknowledged as such Monday.
Nesterov, 23, represented Russia in junior competition, but never at the men's level. He was on Russia's second- and third-place teams at the 2012 and 2013 World Junior Hockey Championships.
In the Russian Federation's statement, Voynov's candidacy for international events was emphasized, as well as the fact that he and his wife were recently married.
Following news that his club had acquired forward Mika Zibanejad in a trade for forward Derick Brassard, Gorton told media Monday that the deal made too much sense not to pull the trigger.
"This is a younger player, that's coming off two 20-goal seasons ... he is just scratching the surface," Gorton said.
He added, "This is an opportunity to get better and we took it."
At 28, Brassard is five years older than Zibanejad with a larger cap hit. Zibanejad gives New York a player who has fared less productively on the power play, but provides value on the penalty kill.
Gorton has mentioned Zibanejad's speed, size, play in his own end and ability to kill penalties.
Zibanejad averaged 1.42 minutes of short-handed ice time per game this past season, chipping in with two short-handed goals - a welcome addition to a team that boasted the 26th-ranked penalty kill last season.
Phil Kessel gave some children a day they won't soon forget during his Stanley Cup celebration in Toronto.
The Pittsburgh Penguins winger brought the Cup to the Hospital for Sick Children - also known as SickKids - on Monday and spent time with patients and their families.
NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenceman Reece Scarlett to a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level.
General manager Ray Shero announced the signing of the restricted free agent on Monday.
Scarlett...
At first glance it can be hard to determine who exactly came out the winner in the transaction and that is simply a product of a deal that aids both sides.
Ottawa Senators
In Brassard the Senators acquire a forward who has seen his goal production climb every year since the 2012-13 season. He's coming off his most lethal season, hitting a career-high 27 goals in 80 games.
Brassard received a $2 million signing bonus July 1, so he has a $5 million cap hit, but has $10.5 million in salary over three years left
The club also addresses its need for improvement on the power play. Last season the Senators finished 26th in the league, capitalizing on just 15.8 percent of their chances.
Brassard, meanwhile, scored 22 of his 58 points last season with the extra man, contributing eight goals in the process. Meanwhile, Zibanejad managed just two power-play goals and 11 power-play points last season.
Longtime client Derick Brassard has been traded to Ottawa. Going to play for his hometown team and for Guy Boucher his coach from junior.
The 28-year-old will also join a familiar face behind the team's bench. Guy Boucher - who joined the Senators this offseason - coached Brassard during his last year of junior hockey with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL during the 2007-07 season.
While he was limited to just 14 games during the regular season, Brassard collected six goals and 25 games and another 24 points in 12 playoff games under Boucher's watchful eye.
Factor in that Brassard has put up 18 goals and 44 points in 59 playoff games over the last four years and the Senators gain a player who should aid them in their pursuit to return to the postseason.
New York Rangers
In Zibanejad the Rangers also acquire a player - who like Brassard - has seen his production rise incrementally every year since he stepped onto the ice full-time during the 2012-13 season.
Zibanejad put up his second straight season with 20 or more goals, adding another 30 assists and should provide value in his new division.
Zibanejad tallied 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 24 contests against Metropolitan Division opponents in 2015-16.
Where Brassard might make up for power-play production, Zibanejad makes up with a knack for the clutch. The Sweden native led the Senators with seven game-winning goals, three more than the next closest Senators skater and two more than Brassard.
The Rangers also acquire a forward who is over five years younger than Brassard. In a sense, New York flipped a seventh-round pick for a second - not too shabby.
Senators have had three top-10 picks since 2005. All of them have now been traded away:
Of course, the deal also helps the Rangers free up nearly $2.5 million in salary, giving them a comfortable $10.65 million of cap space and opens up room to be flexible in future deals.
A quality move for the Rangers sees them net a player five-and-half years younger than the one they're giving up. The Rangers also receive a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft from the Senators, while giving up just a seventh-round selection in the same draft.
Zibanejad notched career highs with 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 2015-16, with 40 of those points coming at 5-on-5. Brassard scored a career high 27 goals but his point total dropped to 58, after hitting 60 in 2014-15. Twenty-two of his 58 points came on the power play, leaving just 36 5-on-5 points.
Redraft Leagues
Brassard was the Rangers' first line center last season, playing the majority of his 5v5 minutes with Ws Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash. Zibanejad is more likely to slot into a second-line role, with C Derek Stepan moving onto the top line. As a result, Zibanejad will likely suit up between Ws Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller.
Zibanejad played most often with Ws Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman in Ottawa, as he took over the first-line center job once C Kyle Turris was finally ruled out for the season due to an ankle injury. Brassard will likely see his playing time come in between Ws Bobby Ryan and Zack Smith, unless a younger player such as Curtis Lazar, Logan Brown or Nick Paul is able to win a top-six job out of camp.
On his own, Brassard is likely the superior player in the immediate future, though he does move to the lesser team. Zibanejad was able to nearly match Brassard's production last season, and he'll now move to the better team.
Both players can be considered near equals for the 2016-17 NHL and fantasy hockey season. They're safe bets for between 50 and 60 points, with Brassard possessing the safer floor and Zibanejad having a higher ceiling. In standard goals, assists, points, PIMs, and power-play points leagues, both players can be considered quality mid-round options or as the 15th-20th center.
Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
At 23 years of age as opposed to Brassard's 28 years, Zibanejad was already the better dynasty asset. He has improved his goals, assists and points totals in each season of his young career, and he registered a career-high 184 shots on goal in 2015-16.
Brassard has scored at least 58 points in each of his previous two seasons, topping a former career-high of 47 points back in 2010-11 while with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He registered 182 SOG last season, one shy of his total from 2010-11.
Brassard is still in the prime of his career and has several high-quality seasons ahead of him. Zibanejad's geographical future is undecided as he enters the final year of his contract in 2016-17, but his progression is bound to continue wherever he goes.
The New York Rangers traded center Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick in 2018 to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for center Mika Zibanejad and a second-round pick in 2018. SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers GM Jeff Gorton was looking to shake up his roster following their quick early exit from the 2016 NHL playoffs. He also […]
Brassard, 28, is coming off a career year that saw him eclipse the 20-goal plateau for the first time, leading all Rangers players in that category. His 58 points fell just two shy of matching his career best from 2014-15 and were three behind Mats Zuccarello for the team lead this season.
Zibanejad, meanwhile, has played at least 80 games in two straight seasons. The 23-year-old is also coming off a career campaign that saw him post highs in both goals and points, with 21 and 51 respectively.
The trade frees up $2.375 million in cap space for the Rangers with Zibanejad signed on for one more season at $2.625 million. Brassard has three years remaining on his deal, which carries an annual average value of $5 million.
Radim Vrbata's days as a free agent could be numbered.
The veteran of over 930 NHL contests could be nearing a contract with one of four teams, according to his agent Rich Evans.
"We have been discussing the structure of a contract with four teams and hope to come to an agreement shortly," Evans said, according to Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports.
After an outstanding first season with the Vancouver Canucks in 2014-15 that saw him lead the club with 31 goals and come third in scoring with 63 points in 79 games, Vrbata drastically tailed off, managing just 13 goals and 27 points over 63 contests last season.
The 35-year-old is coming off a two-year deal with the Canucks that paid him $5 million per season, but can likely expect a smaller paycheck this time around.
The Winnipeg Jets have put pen to paper with forward Jack Roslovic, signing him to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
The 19-year-old was drafted by the club 25th overall in the first round in 2015. His deal has an average annual value of $1,137,500 per season.
The Columbus, Ohio native spent his draft year with the U.S. national Under-18 team and put up 11 goals and 38 points in 25 games. Roslovic then played out the 2015-16 season at Miami University, contributing 10 goals and 26 points in 36 games.
The signing also earned congratulations from his hometown NHL team.
