Top NHL Restricted Free Agents

In many respects, the players set to become restricted free agents Wednesday are more intriguing than those expected to become unrestricted free agents, because they're younger and flush with potential. The difference is they're not available on the open market. That doesn't mean they can't change teams, leading us to the dilemma of the contract offer sheet.
Many people wonder why offer sheets aren't used more frequently by general managers. It's a fair question, considering only eight have been signed in the past 10 years and only one player, Dustin Penner in 2007, actually changed teams because of it.
Offer sheets are prohibitive because of the draft pick compensation necessary.
For example, it would cost a team a first-round pick and a third-round pick plus the actual salary involved to sign a player to an offer sheet that carries with it a $5 million annual salary-cap charge this year, according to Sportsnet. The draft pick compensation goes up the higher the average annual value of the offer sheet. Many teams A) don't want to pay that price, and B) don't have the picks available. Offer sheets are also usually matched, which makes general managers leery of using them because it essentially means they're doing the negotiating for the other team.
Offer sheets can be used as a tool to drive up the price of a player for a team that is already operating close to the salary-cap ceiling, but there is a risk-reward in that because it could cause bad blood between two teams and thus impact the potential for future trades. All of that means the odds are slim that a restricted free agent will receive an offer sheet this year, but it's not totally out of the question.


JAKE ALLEN, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Position: G
Previous cap charge: $800,000
Allen should enter next season as the favorite to be the Blues' No. 1 goalie even though Brian Elliott is still there, but that doesn't mean he has all the leverage in contract negotiations. He still has a lot to prove. He did well for himself last season, going 22-7-4 with a 2.28 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and four shutouts in 37 appearances, including 32 starts. But the Blues were knocked out in the Western Conference First Round, when Allen had a .904 save percentage. A two-year contract would give St. Louis the Allen-Elliott combination for the next two seasons. If Allen emerges as the No. 1 after that, a bigger payday would be in order.
JONATHAN BERNIER, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Position: G
Previous cap charge: $2.9 million
Bernier is one year away from the chance to become an unrestricted free agent, which is an intriguing possibility if he has questions about the Maple Leafs' future. Toronto is rebuilding, but it has made strides this offseason to show players that it should be a choice destination. The Maple Leafs have a top coach (Mike Babcock), excellent facilities and amenities, and a lot of money and marketability potential for a star player. Bernier is likely weighing all those factors, plus the chance to win, against the potential of becoming a UFA. He had a 21-28-7 record with a 2.87 GAA and .912 save percentage for the Maple Leafs last season.
ALEX GALCHENYUK, MONTREAL CANADIENS
Position: LW/C
Previous cap charge: $1.35 million
Galchenyuk is coming off his first 20-goal season in the NHL. His future in Montreal isn't in doubt. Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said they were going to sign him, according to ESPN.com. Galchenyuk has agent Pat Brisson representing him now, according to Sportsnet. The bigger question is what position will Galchenyuk play next season, center or wing? Montreal could use a big No. 1 center, but Bergevin outwardly questioned after last season if Galchenyuk will ever be a full-time center in the NHL.
MIKAEL GRANLUND, MINNESOTA WILD
Position: C
Previous cap charge: $1.325 million
Granlund had 39 points in 68 games last season after scoring 41 points in 63 games in 2013-14. He also went from being a minus-3 in 2013-14 to a plus-17. His possession numbers also went up to 52.45 shot-attempts percentage (SAT) last season from 48.45 percent in 2013-14. It's fair to assume his production will continue to rise along with his prominence on the Wild. He's expected to be Minnesota's No. 1 center on a line with Zach Parise.
BRADEN HOLTBY, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Position: G
Previous cap charge: $1.85 million
Holtby's cap charge will go up significantly in his next contract after the way he played last season. He is the unquestioned No. 1 goaltender in Washington and one of the top goalies in the League. His next contract will reflect that. He had 41 wins, a 2.22 GAA, .923 save percentage and nine shutouts last season.
EVGENY KUZNETSOV, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Position: C
Previous cap charge: $1.082 million
Kuznetsov appears to be the Capitals' No. 2 center of the present and future, at least for now. It is a fluid position, especially considering Washington had been searching for a center to play behind Nicklas Backstrom for several seasons. Kuznetsov, though, might have solidified himself in that spot with how he played down the stretch of the regular season and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had 13 points in his final 17 regular-season games and seven points, including five goals, in 14 games in the playoffs. Kuznetsov finished the season with 37 points in 80 games.
GUSTAV NYQUIST, DETROIT RED WINGS
Position: RW
Previous cap charge: $950,000
Nyquist had 54 points, including 27 goals on a 13.8 shooting percentage, in 82 games last season with the Red Wings. It's likely a better indication of the player he is than the previous season, when he scored 28 goals in 54 games on an 18.3 shooting percentage. There is no reason why Nyquist's production can't continue to climb. He's 25 years old, centers Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg can still play at elite levels, and the Red Wings' systems won't change too much under coach Jeff Blashill from what they were under Babcock.
BRANDON SAAD, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Position: LW
Previous cap charge: $764,167
Saad was traded to the Blue Jackets in a seven-player trade with the Blackhawks on Tuesday, but he could receive contract offers from other teams if he does not sign with Columbus by noon ET on Wednesday. Saad had 52 points, including 23 goals, in 82 games last season, then had 11 points, including eight goals, in 23 playoff games. He is 22 years old and already a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
DEREK STEPAN, NEW YORK RANGERS
Position: C
Previous cap charge: $3.075 million
Stepan is entrenched with Derick Brassard as the Rangers' top two centers. Brassard signed a five-year, $25 million contract last summer. That's a good barometer for Stepan's next contract. The difference is Stepan, unlike Brassard, is one of the Rangers' top penalty-killing forwards. That could be good for a minor bump from what Brassard is making. Stepan had 55 points in 68 games last season, and Brassard had 60 in 80.
VLADIMIR TARASENKO, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Position: RW
Previous cap charge: $1.75 million
The Blues won't let Tarasenko get away, not for an offer sheet, not for anything. He's too important to them. He's their top priority, as GM Doug Armstrong said after the season. He could be the NHL's next 50-goal scorer. He had 37 in 77 games last season, and followed it up with six goals in six games in the playoffs. He's 23 years old.

Top NHL Free Agents

The next phase in the run-up to the 2015-16 season begins at noon ET on Wednesday, when the unrestricted free agent signing period begins.
The list of unrestricted free agents grew to include forwards Mike Richards, PA Parenteau, Cody Hodgson and Viktor Stalberg in the past few days. Richards cleared unconditional waivers and had his contract terminated by the Los Angeles Kings. The others cleared waivers and were bought out.
Meanwhile, forwards Jay Beagle (Washington Capitals) and Drew Stafford (Winnipeg Jets), goaltender Antti Niemi (Dallas Stars) and defenseman Adam McQuaid (Boston Bruins) were re-signed prior to reaching free agency. Niemi had his rights traded to the Stars from the San Jose Sharks during the 2015 NHL Draft.


FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN, ANAHEIM DUCKS
Previous cap charge: $3.5 million
Position: D
Beauchemin was the Ducks' No. 1 defenseman last season based on his ice time (22:44 per game). He had 23 points in 64 games, a plus-17 rating and a 50.51 shot-attempts percentage (SAT). He also had nine assists in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He 35 years old and still can be a valuable top-four defenseman on most teams. He'd be a valuable veteran for the Ducks, who have a young group of defensemen in Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler and Simon Despres, each of whom appear ready to take the next step in his career.
MATT BELESKEY, ANAHEIM DUCKS
Previous cap charge: $1.35 million
Position: LW
Beleskey likely will get a significant raise because of the career-best 22 goals he scored in 65 games with the Ducks last season. There is a risk, however, because he hasn't proven himself during a stretch of multiple seasons. His 22 goals doubled his previous career high, and he had a 15.2 shooting percentage, also a career high. He had 33 more shots on goal than the 2013-14 season but scored 13 more goals.
CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Previous cap charge: $4 million
Position: D
Ehrhoff is a valuable defenseman, but he's coming off a concussion that ended his season March 24. He had 14 points in 49 games and averaged 21:45 of ice time, third on the Penguins. It was somewhat surprising that he signed a one-year contract last summer. The thought at the time was that he could parlay it into another big contract. Now he might have to sign another one-year contract.
ERIC FEHR, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Previous cap charge: $1.5 million
Position: C
Fehr proved himself as a capable third-line center with the Capitals. He had 19 goals and 14 assists in 75 games. He played in shorthanded situations, won 52.0 percent of his faceoffs and had a 50.48 shot-attempts percentage (SAT) while playing a shut-down role against the opposition's top line on many occasions. He had surgery on his elbow earlier this month but is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2015-16 season.
CODY FRANSON, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Previous cap charge: $3.3 million
Position: D
Franson is 27 and a right-shot defender, and those are two pluses for him. He didn't deliver as the Predators hoped he would after they acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in February. He had four points in 23 games and two points in five playoff games. Franson shouldn't have any problems finding a team and a fair contract because of his age, the fact that he's a righty, and his offensive skills.
MICHAEL FROLIK, WINNIPEG JETS
Previous cap charge: $3.3 million
Position: LW
Frolik could be one of the most serviceable and durable forwards available. He had 19 goals and 42 points in 82 games with the Jets last season. He has proven his ability to play on any line and he's missed four games in the past three seasons. He helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2013 with 10 points in 23 playoff games in a fourth-line role. He's 27.
MIKE GREEN, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Previous cap charge: $6.083 million
Position: D
Although his ice time dropped and he played on the third pair with Washington this season, he remained a strong possession player and valuable on the power play. He is 29 years old and has played in 575 regular-season games. He is helped by the fact that he's a righty. Jeff Petry's contract with the Montreal Canadiens (six years, $33 million) could be a comparison.
PAUL MARTIN, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Previous cap charge: $5 million
Position: D
Martin might be more cost effective than Green and he might be able to deliver more in an all-around package. He can play upwards of 23 minutes per night, skate on both special-teams units and in a top-pair role, and be effective in every area. The Penguins have a glut of young defensemen and a need to spend money on a top-six forward or two.
MICHAL NEUVIRTH, NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Previous cap charge: $2.5 million
Position: G
The Islanders should be interested in re-signing Neuvirth, but it benefits him to test his value. The Sharks, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres still need help in the goaltending department. The question is if Neuvirth is worth $2.5 million again. In five games in New York after getting traded from the Sabres, he had a .881 save percentage and a 2.94 GAA. But he had a .918 save percentage in 27 games with Buffalo before the trade.
JOHNNY ODUYA, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Previous cap charge: $3.375 million
Position: D
Arguably nobody enhanced their value more during the Stanley Cup Playoffs than Oduya. He was effective and played significant minutes (24:45 per game), especially in the final two rounds, to help Chicago win the Stanley Cup. Oduya is a two-time Cup champion who is 33 years old. He would be a good fit for a team that moves the puck well and has young defensemen who can skate, such as the Stars and Florida Panthers.
PA PARENTEAU, MONTREAL CANADIENS
Previous cap charge: $4 million
Position: RW
Parenteau is a free agent because the Canadiens bought out the final season of his contract Monday. He had eight goals and 22 points in 56 games with Montreal last season. Parenteau's had two consecutive down years, and that could be good news for the team that signs him.  He'll likely come at a decent price and he has the potential to score 20 goals if paired with the right center. He could be one of the top bargain signings.
KARRI RAMO, CALGARY FLAMES
Previous cap charge: $2.75 million
Position: G
The Flames have Jonas Hiller signed for one more season at $4.5 million, so if Ramo wants a raise of any sort it might be the end of his tenure in Calgary. The Flames also have Joni Ortio. If they deem Ortio ready to become the full-time backup to Hiller, it makes Ramo expendable. They also could try to get a cheaper backup to compete with Ortio. Ramo has been average in Calgary with a 32-24-7 record, a 2.63 GAA and a .911 save percentage in two seasons.
MIKE RIBEIRO, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Previous cap charge: $1.05 million
Position: C
Ribeiro is coming off a strong rebound season with the Predators after a tough finish with the Phoenix Coyotes on a personal and professional level that led to a buyout of his contract. He had 62 points, including 47 assists, in 82 games to help the Predators reach the playoffs. General manager David Poile said Ribeiro turned down a contract offer from the Predators last week, according to The Tennessean, but that doesn't mean he's done with them.
BRAD RICHARDS, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Previous cap charge: $2 million
Position: C
Richards delivered what was asked of him in Chicago and he's getting his name engraved on the Stanley Cup again because of it. He had 37 points in 76 games, and 14 points in 23 playoff games. Patrick Kane said on the ice after winning the Cup that he hopes Richards stays in Chicago. Richards would like that but Chicago has cap concerns, though.
MIKE RICHARDS, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Previous cap charge: $5.75 million
Position: C
He might be the most talked about player on the market because of how he got there, why he got there, what he's already done in his career and what he potentially still has left. Richards is a free agent because the Kings terminated his contract Monday "for a material breach of the requirements of his Standard Players' Contract," the team said in a press release. Richards won the Stanley Cup twice with the Kings, but his production deteriorated and he spent part of 2014-15 in the American Hockey League. He's 30 years old had 16 points in 53 NHL games this season.
ANDREJ SEKERA, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Previous cap charge: $2.75 million
Position: D
The Kings need a player like Sekera, especially with Robyn Regehr's retirement and the cloudy future of Slava Voynov. They also traded a conditional first-round draft pick and a prospect to get Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline. The hope was Sekera would help the Kings make the playoffs. He had one goal and three assists in 14 games but they couldn't get in.
JIRI TLUSTY, WINNIPEG JETS
Previous cap charge: $2.95 million
Position: RW
Tlusty hasn't come close to producing the way he did in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, when he had 23 goals and 38 points in 48 games for the Carolina Hurricanes. He has 61 points in 140 games since. However he's 27 and has shown an ability to produce when paired with an elite center (Eric Staal with the Hurricanes). He could be a productive second-line forward on a team that needs help in that area. The Penguins are one of those teams, and GM is Jim Rutherford was the Hurricanes' GM when Tlusty had his best seasons.
ANTOINE VERMETTE, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Previous cap charge: $3.75 million
Position: C
Vermette was a healthy scratch to start the playoffs but he delivered once he got in the lineup. Three of his four goals were game-winners, and two of them were in overtime. He also won 58.9 percent of his faceoffs, the best percentage for any player who went beyond the second round. Whether he redeemed himself enough to land a lucrative, multi-year contract remains to be seen. It's unlikely he'll be back in Chicago because of the Blackhawks' cap issues.
JOEL WARD, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Previous cap charge: $3 million
Position: RW
Ward can play a power game on any line. He's a constant net-front presence and a threat to score 20-plus goals. He had 19 this season after scoring 24 on 18.0-percent shooting in 2013-14. He is 34 years old. He'll be a valuable signing for any team.
JUSTIN WILLIAMS, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Previous cap charge: $3.65 million
Position: RW
Williams is one of the most intriguing free agents because of his playoff success. He is a three-time Cup champion and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014. He is one of the most clutch playoff performers in NHL history with a League-record 14 points in Game 7s. His seven goals in Game 7s are tied with Hockey Hall of Fame forward Glenn Anderson for the most in League history. His teams are 7-0 in Game 7s. He had 41 points in 81 regular-season games.

NHL News

Anaheim - The Ducks have acquired defenseman Kevin Bieksa from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft. Bieksa, 34 (6/16/81), scored 56-185=241 points with a +22 rating and 879 penalty minutes (PIM) in 597 career NHL games with Vancouver. Among all-time franchise defensemen, Bieksa ranked sixth in scoring, assists and games, and fourth in PIM. Among franchise playoff leaders for defensemen, he led in goals (10), ranked third in appearances (71), and sixth in scoring.


Calgary - The Flames wasted little time signing newly acquired defenseman Dougie Hamilton. After trading for Hamilton’s rights from the Boston Bruins at the 2015 NHL Draft on Friday, the Flames announced a multi-year extension for the pending restricted free agent Tuesday. The Flames acquired Hamilton from the Bruins for a first-round pick (No. 15) and two second-round picks (Nos. 45 and 52) at the 2015 draft. He was originally selected in the first round (No. 9) in the 2011 draft and has 83 points in 178 NHL games in three seasons. A seemingly impromptu exit from the Bruins organization and a report in the Boston Herald suggesting Hamilton was disliked by his teammate’s sparked rumors about the defenseman.

San Jose - The Sharks acquired goaltender Martin Jones from the Boston Bruins on Tuesday for forward prospect Sean Kuraly and a first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. It's the second time in five days Jones has been traded. The Bruins got him Friday as part of the trade that sent forward Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings. Jones can become a restricted free agent if he's not signed by Wednesday. The Sharks opened a spot in goal when Antti Niemi's negotiating rights were traded to the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Jones will compete with Alex Stalock, Niemi's backup this season, for the starting job. Jones, 25, went 4-5-2 with a 2.25 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and three shutouts in 15 games. In 34 games in parts of two seasons with the Kings, Jones was 16-11-2 with a 1.99 GAA, .923 save percentage and seven shutouts. Kuraly, 22, was a fifth-round pick (No. 133) in the 2011 draft. This season, his third at Miami University, he had 19 goals and 29 points in 40 games.

Carolina - Alexander Semin was placed on unconditional waivers by the Hurricanes on Tuesday with the intent of buying out his contract.
Semin, 31, had the least productive season of his NHL career in 2014-15, scoring six goals and 19 points in 57 games. He has three years remaining on a five-year contract he signed in March 2013, and will cost the Hurricanes $2.33 million for each of the next six seasons, according to war-on-ice.com. Semin had 13 goals and 44 points in 44 games in 2012-13, his first season with the Hurricanes, and 22 goals and 42 points in 65 games in 2013-14. Semin was the 13th pick in the 2002 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals and spent seven seasons with them, setting NHL career highs in 2009-10 with 40 goals and 84 points. Brad Boyes is expected to be bought out by the Florida Panthers after they placed the forward on waivers Tuesday, according to TSN. Boyes, 33, had 14 goals and 38 points in 78 games this season. He has one year remaining on his contract and will cost the Panthers $833,333 each of the next two seasons.
Tuesday is the final day players can be placed on waivers for buyout purposes. If Semin and Boyes clear waivers at 12 p.m. ET Wednesday, they become unrestricted free agents.

Winnipeg - The Jets took the first step toward reinforcing their lineup by signing forward Drew Stafford. Stafford, 29, avoided free agency and signed a two-year contract with an average annual salary of $4.35 million. After the Jets acquired Stafford in a multiplayer trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 11, he had nine goals and 10 assists in 26 games. Stafford, who led Winnipeg with a nine-game point streak this season, played left wing and right wing, strengthened the second line and helped the Jets qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007 with a franchise-record 99 points. Stafford had 18 goals in 76 games with Winnipeg and Buffalo this season. He was the 13th pick in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Sabres and had 154 goals and 341 points in 589 NHL games. He scored an NHL career-high 31 goals with Buffalo in 2010-11. Stafford stressed his desire to remain with the Jets after being swept by the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference First Round. Stafford arrived in Winnipeg with defenseman Tyler Myers; each player quickly adjusted to the Winnipeg dressing room and provided a veteran presence to a young team in the final two months of the regular season. The contract term is shorter than what might have been expected for a 29-year-old who had found a fit with a team, but Stafford said he was comfortable with it. The contract could allow him to test free agency in 2017 when he will be 31 years old. Stafford is the first major name crossed off general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s summer to-do list. Forwards Michael Frolik, Lee Stempniak, Jiri Tlusty and Jim Slater each can become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. Cheveldayoff did not speak to the media Tuesday. Captain Andrew Ladd and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien could become unrestricted free agents after next season. Cheveldayoff being able to maintain and improve the Jets’ depth will be critical this summer in the highly competitive Central Division. The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are among the teams in the division that have been able to retain key players or make improvements with a trade.

NY Islanders - The Islanders announced that forward Anders Lee has agreed to terms on a four-year contract. Lee scored 25 goals and 41 points in 76 games as a rookie last season with the Islanders. The Edina, MN, native finished second on the Islanders in goals and fourth among National Hockey League rookies

Chicago Trade Brandon Saad

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired forward Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks in a seven-player trade Tuesday. Saad, defenseman Michael Paliotta and forward Alex Broadhurst were traded to the Blue Jackets for forwards Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp and Marko Dano, and a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Saad (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) was a part of two Stanley Cup championships in four NHL seasons. He had NHL career-bests of 23 goals and 52 points in 82 games this season, and eight goals and 11 points in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Blackhawks win the Cup. As a rookie in 2012-13, he had six points in 23 playoff games during the Blackhawks' Cup run. A second-round pick (No. 43) in the 2011 NHL Draft, Saad had 52 goals and 126 points in 208 games in parts of four seasons. He can become a restricted free agent if not signed by Wednesday.
Dano, 20, was a first-round pick of the Blue Jackets (No. 27) in 2013, and had eight goals and 21 points in 35 games. Anisimov, 27, had seven goals and 27 points in 52 games. Morin, 24, was traded by the Blackhawks to the Blue Jackets in December for defenseman Tim Erixon; in 43 games with Blackhawks and Blue Jackets, Morin had two goals and six points. Tropp had eight points in 61 games. Paliotta, 22, made his professional debut April 11 with the Blackhawks. As a senior at the University of Vermont, he had nine goals and 36 points in 41 games. Broadhurst, 22, had 14 points in 29 games with Rockford, the Blackhawks' American Hockey League affiliate.


General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen: "We're very excited to bring Brandon Saad, a 22-year old two-time Stanley Cup champion with great size, speed, power and the ability to score goals, to our organization. He is a proven winner and exactly the kind of player we want as a Columbus Blue Jacket."

NHL Expansion Plans?

The NHL Board of Governors gave approval to the League to begin accepting applications as part of a formal expansion process, Commissioner Gary Bettman said. There are no guarantees the process will lead to the granting of an expansion team, but it will allow interested ownership groups to make a formal presentation. Applications from interested parties will be accepted from July 6 through Aug. 10. Commissioner Bettman said the Board of Governors' executive committee will review the applications. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the earliest an expansion team could begin play would be the 2017-18 season. The expansion fee to be paid to secure a team would likely be at least $500 million, Bettman confirmed. Commissioner Bettman mentioned owners or ownership groups from Las Vegas, Seattle and Quebec City are among those known to have an interest. The Board of Governors has not decided how many teams would be accepted if the decision to expand is made. Any applications, according to Bettman, will include a look at the viability of the market, the arena situation, and the composition of the ownership group, as well as a presentation of an initial business plan. As for potential markets, Commissioner Bettman said he updated the Board on the ticket drive by William Foley, the billionaire businessman who is interested in bringing an expansion team to Las Vegas. Foley has been conducting a season-ticket drive since Feb. 10 to gauge interest in the market for a professional hockey team. Daly said commitments for approximately 13,200 season tickets have been made, according to the last update from Foley. The League's current alignment of 14 teams in the Western Conference and 16 in the Eastern Conference could factor into any expansion decision, Bettman said, but it will not be a driving force behind the expansion locations if the League decides to add teams. The health of the League is among the factors that spurred the support to look more formally at expansion.

Commissioner Bettman said: "The Board ultimately will determine whether or not there is any interest in expanding. If the conclusion is there is interest, from the League's perspective, then they will focus on what the terms will be and who the successful or likely successful candidates might be. The fact that we're going through this process doesn't mean we're going to expand. All it means is that we're going to stop just listening to expressions of interest and take a good hard look at what they actually mean and represent. When you're a member of the League, you share in League revenues equally; if you admit an expansion team, instead of dividing revenues by 1/30, you then divide it by 1/31. So there is a negative economic consequence to expanding that has to be balanced against the expansion fee. But again, that has to be set by the Board of Governors. I'm giving you my sense of where I think they are. Again, with all the well-chronicled expressions of interest, let's see what we get when you're required to sign on the dotted line on a formal application. Expansion is a very serious and important business decision. You don't do it frivolously. One of the factors that we would obviously consider in any expansion process is what your footprint looks like and what the alignment would be. I don't think you expand just for notion of symmetry. It's too important of a business decision. But obviously as we go through the process, if there is an interest in moving forward, that's an issue you have to deal with. I think at this stage the game and the business of the game and our franchises and the ownership of our franchises have never been stronger. And I suppose that all of the interest that we've been getting expressed is a reflection of that. But we haven't made, and it's ultimately a Board decision, a decision that we will definitely expand."

http://bleedinblue.com/2013/01/31/nhl-expansion-happening-seattle-quebec-city-kansas-city-who-gets-a-team/

Pittsburgh Penguins News

Kris Letang said last week he will be ready for the start of Pittsburgh Penguins training camp for the 2015-16 season. Letang missed the final seven games of the regular season and the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs after sustaining a concussion March 28 against the Coyotes. Letang, a finalist for the Masterton Trophy, has been working out since he was cleared by Penguins doctors to return to physical activity June 1. Letang's workouts, to this point, have been confined to off-ice sessions. He says he normally doesn't go on the ice until late July or early August, and he does not plan to alter his routine this offseason. The hurdle of doing on-ice work is not a concern for Letang because he believes he has answered questions about his body and its ability to resume hockey activities with the strenuous work he has done in the gym during the past three weeks. Letang, who has a history of concussions, said he is moving full throttle toward next season and not thinking about the injuries he has sustained throughout his career. Letang had 11 goals and 54 points in 69 games this season. The Penguins were eliminated by the New York Rangers in five games in the Eastern Conference First Round.

"Without a doubt, I am going to be ready for training camp; no doubt about that. I would say since I got fully cleared, I've done everything I wanted. I would say I am at the same level of training that I was a year ago. I have been in the gym going all out; no restrictions and everything went well. When I reach a certain level in the gym, I know I am ready for the ice. If I'm working out, it is because I have no fear at all [about my career]. For sure, it's in the back of my head. But I want to keep going, be a part of the Penguins, and play at the level I can play at."





The Pittsburgh Penguins plan to sign Russian forward Sergei Plotnikov when free agency begins on July 1, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Penguins also have interest in Viktor Tikhonov, who played for the Coyotes during the 2008-09 season and has spent the past four seasons with St. Petersburg of the KHL, the Tribune-Review said. Plotnikov, 25, has played six seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, the past three with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. He has 44 goals and 101 points in 159 games over that span.
Plotnikov was part of Russia's gold medal-winning team at the 2014 IIHF World Championship, and was among the scoring leaders in the tournament with 12 points. Tikhonov, 27, was the 28th pick of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Coyotes. He had eight goals and 16 points in 61 games during the 2008-09 season, but spent most of the next two seasons in the American Hockey League before his stint in the KHL.

Chicago Blackhawks News

Eight days after being crowned the best, Jonathan Toews said the Chicago Blackhawks are prepared for the worst. Toews knows the salary cap, which will be $71.4 million for the 2015-16 season, is expected to play a role in dismantling some of the pieces to Chicago's Stanley Cup championship team. It's a reality that he expects will hit him and his teammates, the ones who stay and the ones who go, hard soon, perhaps as early as this week.

"We're all pretty realistic about what might happen," Toews said from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where the NHL Awards took place. "All of a sudden it does feel a lot like 2010. It's imminent, and all of a sudden we kind of turn our outlet from the positive to the negative of everything. It's going to be tough for our team and tough for some of the guys knowing we might have to lose a few."

The Blackhawks have 14 roster players signed at approximately $65 million, including the $10.5 million salary-cap charges for Toews and Patrick Kane. Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger are restricted free agents, and the Blackhawks' intention is to sign each. All of that means that it's almost a guarantee that the Blackhawks will have to shed salary from the players who are already signed; it's exactly what they had to do after winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, when Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg, Adam Burish, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and Antti Niemi all had to move on because of cap constraints. Centers Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette and defensemen Johnny Oduya and Michal Rozsival are expected to become unrestricted free agents July 1. It's unlikely any of them will be back. Defensemen Kimmo Timonen is expected to retire. There have been rumors about the Blackhawks potentially looking to trade other core players, including Patrick Sharp ($5.9 million cap charge) and Bryan Bickell ($4 million). The Blackhawks gave up draft picks to acquire Vermette and Timonen in trades prior to the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline. Toews, though, said because the Blackhawks have been through this before under Bowman five years ago and still came out successful, they have won the Cup twice since, it gives him confidence that the hit will be minor and the expectations will remain the same.
"We always seem to keep that identity and culture in the locker room that we know what to expect from each other," Toews said. "Every team, every year is different. This is no different. Obviously it's unfortunate the high that we just experienced winning the Stanley Cup and all of a sudden having to shift our focus to something that doesn't make us feel so good as far as losing teammates. It's an unfortunate part of the game, but I think everyone grows and moves on from it."

San Jose Sharks News

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is enjoying his summer, including a trip here to attend the 2015 NHL Awards show. But he can't stop thinking about the future, specifically as it relates to his team.
"It's going to be an interesting next couple of weeks," Burns said Tuesday during his media availability before the Awards show on Wednesday.

The Sharks missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2003 and their general manager, Doug Wilson, has implied that it will be a summer of changes in San Jose. There are outside expectations the Sharks will be involved in what is expected to be an active trade market at the NHL Draft in Florida this weekend. San Jose owns the No. 9 pick in what is being hailed as an exceptionally deep draft and should be able to land an impact player or move the pick for additional assets. San Jose has a fair amount of cap space, allowing it to be flexible in its approach towards upgrades.
"We'll see, they talked about adding a lot," Burns said when asked about the rumors of impending change. "We have a really good group there and we just haven't been able to pull it together for whatever reason. I felt really good with our leaders and our team. We've played with some players that will be down with the all-time legends. We just haven't been able to win."
The Sharks have won with regularity in the regular season, but have not been able to follow it up with postseason success. Earlier this spring, the Sharks and coach Todd McLellan mutually parted ways. McLellan was replaced by Peter DeBoer, who has coached the Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils, taking the latter within two wins of the Stanley Cup against the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. DeBoer was an assistant coach on McLellan's staff for Canada, which won a gold medal at the 2015 World Championship. Burns played for Canada in that tournament and is excited about what DeBoer will bring to the Sharks.
"I said before, I think Todd was a special coach and I do think he is one of the best coaches in the League and I think Pete is similar in the way that he is approachable but he still has control of the bench and you know he has control," Burns said. "He's detailed and can make those small changes throughout a game, which is huge. The most important thing is that he is approachable and he can deal with the 25 guys on the team."

Antti Niemi signs for Dallas Stars

Goaltender Antti Niemi signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars on Monday. Financial terms of the contract were not announced, but Sportsnet reported it has an average annual value of $4.5 million. Niemi could have become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. Dallas acquired Niemi's negotiating rights from the San Jose Sharks on Saturday for a 2015 seventh-round pick. Niemi spent five seasons as the Sharks' starting goalie. In 296 games he went 163-92-35 with a 2.40 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and 25 shutouts. He's second on the Sharks' all-time list to Evgeni Nabokov in games, wins and shutouts.
Stars general manager Jim Nill: "We explored every angle of it. We had our meetings back in May, and we went to the free agent list for our different options for goaltending. We knew we had to make some changes, and there's two ways we could have gone. One way was the free agent route, and the other way was to make a trade using either draft picks, prospects or players off the team. Antti was the No. 1 UFA that we had targeted, and we went over the course of the last 4-6 weeks, I've been talking to teams, seeing what the other options were going to be, and in the end, Antti always came up as the No. 1 choice."


"It's a great time be able to play with one the up-and-coming teams who has lots of talent," Niemi, who won the Stanley Cup in 2010 with the Chicago Blackhawks, said of joining Dallas.
The Stars also have goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who is signed through the 2017-18 season. Lehtonen has been Dallas' starter for the past five seasons, going 148-97-38. Niemi said he has yet to speak with Lehtonen, who Niemi said he knows and has roomed with playing for their native country of Finland during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
"I knew him a little before because we used to live not far from each other growing up," Niemi said.
Nill said the plan is for each goalie to get significant playing time.
"I talked to Kari Lehtonen, and he's actually very excited about it. He thinks it's going to be great. Kari and I talked, and the travel in the West is probably as tough as it can get, and in Dallas, probably worse than a lot of other teams. Between the travel, the back-to-back situations, how close our division, if it's not the toughest, it's one of the toughest, the competition, a win here on the road, a win there in a back-to-back, if a goalie gets injured, we know we now have that covered."
Niemi said he sees potential in the Stars' young group of defensemen, and is excited for a goalie competition.
"It's going to be great to be able to work with Kari," Niemi said. "… It's going to be a challenge. It also gives you a chance to work with the goalie coach, and let your body recover. There's two sides. In the NHL, you have lots of games so there's room for two guys playing a lot.… As a goalie, it matters on how you play, so it really doesn't matter who you're playing with as the other guy. You just have to be able to take of yourself, and work hard, and be able to play every day."
Earlier news Stars had acquired Niemi's rights:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=772539&navid=nhl:topheads 

Further Confirmation Sobotka to Stay in KHL

A week after the KHL announced Vladimir Sobotka will be staying in Russia, confirmation arrived from the NHL and STL Today:

The Blues finally have their answer: Vladimir Sobotka is not coming back to the NHL in 2015-16. Sobotka's decision to play in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League for a second straight season was recently confirmed to Blues general manager Doug Armstrong by Sobotka's agent, Petr Svoboda. Sobotka, 27, will remain on the Blues' reserve-suspended list. The confirmation ends months of uncertainty surrounding the forward's plans.

Sobotka, who signed a three-year, $12 million-plus contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL last offseason, had two weeks following the IIHF World Championships in May to exercise an "out" clause in the contract and return to the NHL. The two weeks came and went without any official announcement from Sobotka's camp. Svoboda, his agent, had not returned multiple messages left by the Post-Dispatch and even the Blues had not heard from him. Then in late May, a report in Russia indicated Sobotka would play the 2015-16 season with Omsk.

"We had a conversation with Vladimir Sobotka, and we agreed that he is a player of our club for another season," Avangard president Vladimir Shalaev said, according to the report.

Still, as of mid-June, the Blues had not been informed.

"I haven't heard from (Svoboda) yet, so I think that the reports ... are premature," Armstrong said at the time.

But now the news has been confirmed, and the Blues know they'll be moving on without Sobotka for a second straight season.

Sobotka's NHL rights will remain with the Blues, and when he returns, he must play one season with the club at a salary of $2.7 million. Armstrong could also elect to trade him, but thus far has said the club has no intentions of doing so.

NHL.com:

The St. Louis Blues announced Monday that forward Vladimir Sobotka will not return to the Blues for the 2015-16 season. Sobotka, who joined Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) last season, will remain in the KHL. The 27-year-old Trebic, Czech Republic native has played in 247 games with the Blues, registering 29 goals and 72 assists (101 points).

NHL Draft 2015

Round 1

1	1	1	EDM	Connor McDavid	C	CAN	6' 0"	195	OHL	Erie
1	2	2	BUF	Jack Eichel	C	USA	6' 2"	196	H-EAST	Boston University
1	3	3	ARI	Dylan Strome	C	CAN	6' 3"	185	OHL	Erie
1	4	4	TOR	Mitchell Marner	C	CAN	5' 11"	160	OHL	London
1	5	5	CAR	Noah Hanifin	D	USA	6' 2"	203	H-EAST	Boston College
1	6	6	NJD	Pavel Zacha	C	CZE	6' 3"	210	OHL	Sarnia
1	7	7	PHI	Ivan Provorov	D	RUS	6' 0"	201	WHL	Brandon
1	8	8	CBJ	Zachary Werenski	D	USA	6' 2"	206	BIG10	U. of Michigan
1	9	9	SJS	Timo Meier	RW	CHE	6' 1"	209	QMJHL	Halifax
1	10	10	COL	Mikko Rantanen	RW	FIN	6' 3"	211	FINLAND	TPS
1	11	11	FLA	Lawson Crouse	LW	CAN	6' 4"	215	OHL	Kingston
1	12	12	DAL	Denis Gurianov	RW	RUS	6' 3"	192	RUSSIA-JR.	Togliatti 2
1	13	13	BOS	Jakub Zboril	D	CZE	6' 0"	184	QMJHL	Saint John
1	14	14	BOS	Jake Debrusk	LW	CAN	5' 11"	174	WHL	Swift Current
1	15	15	BOS	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	CAN	6' 1"	192	OHL	Sault Ste. Marie
1	16	16	NYI	Mathew Barzal	C	CAN	5' 11"	175	WHL	Seattle
1	17	17	WPG	Kyle Connor	LW	USA	6' 1"	177	USHL	Youngstown
1	18	18	OTT	Thomas Chabot	D	CAN	6' 1"	180	QMJHL	Saint John
1	19	19	DET	Evgeny Svechnikov	LW	RUS	6' 1"	199	QMJHL	Cape Breton
1	20	20	MIN	Joel Eriksson Ek	C	SWE	6' 1"	180	SWEDEN	Farjestad
1	21	21	OTT	Colin White	C	USA	6' 0"	183	USHL	USA U-18
1	22	22	WSH	Ilya Samsonov	G	RUS	6' 3"	203	RUSSIA-JR.	Magnitogorsk 2
1	23	23	VAN	Brock Boeser	RW	USA	6' 0"	191	USHL	Waterloo
1	24	24	PHI	Travis Konecny	C	CAN	5' 9"	175	OHL	Ottawa
1	25	25	WPG	John (Jack) Roslovic	C	USA	6' 0"	182	USHL	USA U-18
1	26	26	MTL	Noah Juulsen	D	CAN	6' 1"	174	WHL	Everett
1	27	27	ANA	Jacob Larsson	D	SWE	6' 2"	191	SWEDEN-JR.	Frolunda Jr.
1	28	28	NYI	Anthony Beauvillier	LW	CAN	5' 10"	173	QMJHL	Shawinigan
1	29	29	CBJ	Gabriel Carlsson	D	SWE	6' 4"	183	SWEDEN-JR.	Linkoping Jr.
1	30	30	ARI	Nicholas Merkley	RW	CAN	5' 10"	191	WHL	Kelowna

NHL Goalie Merry-Go-Round

As disappointing as Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray was to trade goalie Robin Lehner to another team in the Atlantic Division on Friday, he appeared to feel better about doing it after watching the goalie carousel yield smaller results Saturday. Murray acquired the No. 21 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade involving Lehner on Friday. The Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars didn't have to give up an asset as significant as a first-round pick when they jumped into the goalie market Saturday, even though there were rumors heading into the draft that most goalies on the market would fetch that much.
The Oilers got Cam Talbot from the New York Rangers for three picks (Nos. 57, 79 and 184). The Rangers turned around and got Antti Raanta from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade for forward prospect Ryan Haggerty. The Hurricanes acquired Eddie Lack from the Vancouver Canucks for two picks (No. 66 this year and a seventh-round pick next year). Carolina, in turn, traded Anton Khudobin to the Ducks for defenseman James Wisniewski, who has two years left on his contract, which carries a $5.5 million NHL salary-cap charge. The Stars traded for the negotiating rights to Antti Niemi, giving the San Jose Sharks a seventh-round pick. Dallas general manager Jim Nill said he is confident he'll be able to sign Niemi before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.Edmonton GM Peter Chiarelli: "Once one (goalie) is gone it doesn't mean the price goes down. Sometimes it goes up. Usually the next guy is the next guy for everybody, so you have to be wary of that. [The price] went down. I think he's really come into his own. It's such an inexact science with these goalies, but he played really well for the last two years and he really played well in crunch time."
It didn't go down enough to make Buffalo GM Tim Murray regret giving away a first-round pick for Lehner because he coveted the goalie, who is 23 years old and signed for two seasons. Talbot, Lack and Khudobin are older than Lehner and are unrestricted free agents next summer. Niemi isn't signed. Chiarelli was willing to pay a similar price to acquire Lehner, but he was outbid by Buffalo. It might have worked in Edmonton's favor because not only was Chiarelli able to get Talbot, the GM used picks Nos. 16 and 33 on Friday in a trade to get defenseman Griffin Reinhart from the New York Islanders, addressing another of Edmonton's needs. Talbot will compete with Ben Scrivens to be the No. 1 goalie in Edmonton. Chiarelli said Talbot's play when Henrik Lundqvist was out of the Rangers lineup swayed his thinking on him. New York won 16 of Talbot's 23 starts when Lundqvist was out with a vascular injury. Carolina felt it needed to get better on defense, so it targeted Wisniewski, who the Ducks were looking to trade. Once Hurricanes GM Ron Francis figured out the cost would be Khudobin, because Anaheim was looking to bolster its goaltending, Francis knew he couldn't make the trade without finding another elsewhere. Francis said he thinks Lack can grow with the Hurricanes and potentially could be a long-term solution. Cam Ward is signed for one season with Carolina. The Canucks weren't thrilled that they had to make the trade for less than a second-round pick.


Vancouver GM Jim Benning: "At the end of the day we talked to probably eight teams, and the only real offer we got was for that pick at the top of the third round. People might say we didn't get enough, but at the end of the day that's the only real offer we got."
Anaheim got into the goalie market to acquire depth and to get rid of Wisniewski's contract. GM Bob Murray accomplished both in the trade with the Hurricanes. Now the Ducks have Frederik Andersen, Khudobin and John Gibson, who could start the season in the American Hockey League. Bob Murray was adamant he is keeping all three goalies, and forcefully shot down rumors Gibson could be on the market now. Nill was as adamant that Niemi will be signed by the Stars before July 1 in order to play in a platoon next season with Kari Lehtonen. That's why Nill acquired his negotiating rights.
Jim Nill: "We think the game has almost become a two-goalie game now with the travel, the back-to-backs, the pressure of winning. We've got lots of cap room and it was a situation we had to get better at. We knew last year there were some games that our backups weren't good enough. Gotta be better. This is an opportunity to add an elite goalie who has won a Stanley Cup (with the Chicago Blackhawks). We're looking forward to having as good of a one-two punch as there is."
Nill's thoughts on the two-goalie game are interesting, and timely, considering all of the trades involving goalies Saturday gave the teams involved at least two NHL goalies they feel they can contend with. The Oilers feel OK with Talbot and Scrivens. The Hurricanes like Ward and Lack. The Stars will be thrilled with Lehtonen and Niemi. The Ducks have three goalies they feel are NHL-caliber. The Rangers gave one up but got one back. The Canucks have Miller and Markstrom. Lehner is the only goalie for the Sabres now, but that will likely change once the free-agent market opens Wednesday. Ironically, San Jose are seeking a No. 1 goalie. Alex Stalock is the only NHL goalie the Sharks have under contract. Troy Grosenick is second on their depth chart. Wilson said he's still trying to acquire a No. 1 goaltender and will likely do so through a trade. The question is, at what cost? If it's anything like the prices paid Saturday, Wilson will probably be fine with it.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson: "Even if you're a stud No. 1, to play the number of games when you've got the onerous travel of the Western Conference, you've got to have a No. 2 that you really trust. There are teams that are looking to do things whether it be for cap reasons or whatever. We're in all those conversations."

Russian Stars Proving Popular at 2015 NHL Draft

The race by NHL teams to fill their prospect pools with talented Russian players began early and continued throughout the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center.
There was a time when drafting Russian players, particularly those playing overseas, came with a warning label: Proceed with caution. That was due in large part to the "Russian factor," the perceived risk associated with drafting a Russian player who could opt to sign and play in the Kontinental Hockey League instead of coming to North America. A team drafting a Russian player who decided to play in the KHL effectively had wasted a pick. Based on what NHL general managers and scouts have concluded in the past five NHL drafts, the Russian factor has basically become a moot point so long as the necessary research and homework is done. In 2014, a dozen NHL teams drafted a total of 13 Russian players, the most in eight years. At the 2015 draft in South Florida, 14 NHL teams selected a total of 17 Russian players, the most in 11 years. The 2004 draft, which saw Russians Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin selected Nos. 1 and 2 by the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, had 18 Russians come off the board.



Florida Panthers director of scouting Scott Luce: "If you're comfortable with your due diligence process and comfortable that the player will come over and play, I think the Russian factor has started to become less of a factor, no question. The onus is on the organization to do their due diligence and do their homework. Once that's done, then you could look at the player for what he is as a hockey player. They're all good players and they deserve to be placed and picked where they were."
Four players born in Russia were selected in the first round Friday, including defenseman Ivan Provorov to the Philadelphia Flyers, right wing Denis Gurianov to the Dallas Stars, left wing Evgeny Svechnikov to the Detroit Red Wings and goaltender Ilya Samsonov to the Washington Capitals. It marked the most Russian players drafted in the first round of the draft since four were chosen in South Florida in 2001 (Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexander Svitov, Stanislav Chistov, Igor Knyazev). Samsonov was the only goalie selected in the first round (No. 22), by the Washington Capitals. Samsonov had former NHL coach Mike Keenan behind the bench for one game in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2014-15.
Samsonov: "I was very surprised because I didn't have much contact with [the Capitals] and I didn't get a chance to go to Buffalo for interviews at the NHL Combine, so when they selected me I was very surprised. [Being selected the first goalie] is a big honor for me. I want to thank Washington. I'll work hard and do whatever I need to do to play well and succeed in the NHL. He's a pretty good coach; at times he could be very strict, but overall he's a great coach. He's a good person to learn from. He's a winner, and that's all I want to do: win."
The Red Wings used their highest draft pick ever on a Russian to select Svechnikov, who had 32 goals and 78 points as a rookie for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"He's magic," Svechnikov said when asked about playing with fellow Russian Pavel Datsyuk. "I am so happy. This is the best day ever."


Tampa Bay Lighting director of amateur scouting Al Murray: "Our philosophy has always been that no matter where the player is from, do your homework, find out if he wants to be an NHL player, he's willing to spend time in the American Hockey League, and if the guy checks all those boxes than we've never been shy. All three players we took (in 2011) indicated to us there was no issue about wanting to come over, that they'd play in the minors if they had to. They are all on our team at this particular time, and we have Vasilevskiy with us as well."
In Murray's initial year with the Lightning, he and his staff identified three Russian players for Tampa Bay's first three picks: center Vladislav Namestnikov (No. 27), forward Nikita Kucherov (No. 58) and defenseman Nikita Nesterov (No. 148). In the 2012 draft, Murray used the No. 19 pick to select Russian goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.


The Flyers selected three Russian players Friday and Saturday, including the first off the board in Provorov with the No. 7 pick. Provorov has spent the past four years in North America, including the 2014-15 season with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League. The Flyers then selected center Mikhail Yorobyov (fourth round, No. 104), who spent the past season with Ufa 2 in Russia's junior league, and goaltender Ivan Fedotov (seventh round, No. 188) of Nizhnekamsk 2.
Ron Hextall (Flyers GM): "I think that a lot of things come into effect when considering Russian players. When a kid is playing in North America, you feel a lot more comfortable that a kid is going to come here and stay here. The kid playing over in Russia is the one you're not so sure. Those are they kids that typically drop. We feel more comfortable with the kid playing major junior."


The Stars selected the first Russian playing overseas in right wing Denis Gurianov of Togliatti 2. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound left-hander, who compares his style to Dallas forward Valeri Nichushkin, was chosen No. 12.
Stars GM Jim Nill: "I think you start looking at success in the League, you look at Tampa Bay and the Russian players they had on their team. Washington as well; these guys are good players. I think the KHL isn't' quite the threat it was because of the changing economy in Russia. In the end, good hockey players want to play in the best league in the world, so I think they're coming over here more."

NHL News

Los Angeles - The Kings have terminated the contract of Mike Richards, they announced today. The club has issued the following statement and will not comment any further at this time:
"The Los Angeles Kings today have exercised the team's right to terminate the contract of Mike Richards for a material breach of the requirements of his Standard Player's Contract. We are not prepared to provide any more detail or to discuss the underlying grounds for the contract termination at this time."

Philadelphia - The Flyers traded chief goon Zac Rinaldo to the Boston Bruins on Monday for a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Rinaldo, 25, had one goal, five assists, and led the Flyers with 109 penalty minutes in 58 games this season.  A sixth-round pick (No. 178) in the 2008 draft, Rinaldo has eight goals, 24 points and 572 penalty minutes in 223 games.

Montreal - The Canadiens bought out the contract of PA Parenteau, they announced Today. Parenteau, 32, had eight goals and 22 points in 56 games for the Canadiens this season. He had one season left on his contract and would have cost $4 million against the salary cap, according to war-on-ice.com. He originally signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche before being traded to Montreal last offseason.


Anaheim - TSN reported Ducks defenseman Mark Fistric has cleared waivers and will be bought out. Fistric, 29, played nine games for the Ducks this season. He was injured early in the season and then sent to the American Hockey League after he cleared waivers in January. He signed a three-year, $3.8 million contract before the start of this season, so Anaheim is buying out the final two seasons. TSN also reported Nashville Predators forward Viktor Stalberg and Buffalo Sabres forward Cody Hodgson have been placed on waivers, and will be bought out if they clear Tuesday. Teams wishing to buy out players first have to place them on waivers; if they go unclaimed after 24 hours their contracts then can be bought out. Hodgson, 25, had career-worst totals of six goals and 13 points in 78 games in 2014-15. He has four years remaining on a six-year contract he signed in 2013. According to war-on-ice.com, he's still owed $19 million. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, since Hodgson is younger than 26, the Sabres would have one-third of the remaining value of the contract count toward their salary cap for twice the remaining years, meaning Hodgson would be on the salary cap until the 2022-23 season. Stalberg had two goals and 10 points in 25 games with the Predators this season, and he had 17 points in 20 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, their American Hockey League affiliate. He signed a four-year, $12 million contract in July 2013 but has 10 goals and 25 points in 95 games in two seasons. Stalberg, 29, is due to make $3.5 million each of the final two seasons of the contract with a salary-cap charge of $3 million; a buyout of his contract would save the Predators $4.667 million toward their salary cap, according to war-on-ice.com. However, he would count toward their salary cap through the 2018-19 season.
All told, Anaheim shipped out defenseman James Wisniewski and forwards Kyle Palmieri and Emerson Etem and brought in goaltender Anton Khudobin, forward Carl Hagelin, two second-round draft picks that he used Saturday and a third-round pick next year. Etem and Hagelin can become restricted free agents July 1, but Palmieri's contract will expire next summer when there could be as many as six restricted free agents coming up for Anaheim, including four of Murray's young defensemen: Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Simon Despres and Josh Manson. In addition to the player moves, Murray was active behind the bench, adding former Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean as an assistant to Bruce Boudreau and former Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins to lead the Ducks' new American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. The trade with the New York Rangers to acquire Hagelin for Etem was perhaps the most intriguing one for the Ducks. Etem turned 23 last month and was a local kid, a former first-round draft pick from Long Beach, Calif., who was seen as perhaps becoming a homegrown star for the Ducks. Although he and Hagelin, 27, each likely will become a restricted free agent next week, Hagelin has arbitration rights and is therefore likely to command a higher salary. The difference is the elite speed Hagelin brings to the table, and that was important to Murray.
Boudreau admitted that the Ducks' lack of speed occasionally hurt them during the regular season, though he didn't feel it did in the playoffs, when he used Sekac to inject some into the lineup against the Blackhawks in the conference final after he sat out the first two rounds. With Hagelin now possibly lining up next to someone like Andrew Cogliano, Boudreau can counter some of the speedier lines in the NHL with one of his own. The addition of Khudobin creates what might be seen as a logjam in the Ducks net with Frederik Andersen and John Gibson already in Anaheim. But Murray prefers that to the alternative he lived through this season, when Andersen and Gibson each got injured and he was forced to turn to Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera to carry the load. Murray suggested he might not be done tinkering with his roster, and he said it is still a possibility that unrestricted free agent defenseman Francois Beauchemin will be back next season.
Washington - The Capitals have re-signed center Jay Beagle to a three-year, $5.25 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
"We are pleased to re-sign Jay to a new three-year contract. Jay is a hard-working player who plays multiple positions and is an excellent face-off man and penalty killer. Jay has improved steadily since joining our organization and has always brought his game to a different level in the playoffs."

Chicago - The Blackhawks announced today they have agreed to terms with defenseman David Rundblad on a two-year extension, which runs through the end of the 2016-17 National Hockey League season. Rundblad, 24, tallied 14 points (3G, 11A) in 49 games with the Blackhawks last season. His career-best plus-17 rating ranked third on the team. He also competed in five postseason games on the way to his first Stanley Cup championship.

Minnesota - The Wild and goaltender Devan Dubnyk agreed to terms on a six-year contract Saturday. The contract is worth $26 million, an average annual value of $4.33 million, with the highest salaries in the first four years and a limited no-trade clause for part of the contract, the Star Tribune reported. The Wild have goaltenders Niklas Backstrom and Darcy Kuemper under contract through the 2015-16 season. Minnesota acquired Dubnyk from the Coyotes on Jan. 13 in a trade for a third-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Dubnyk was 27-9-2 with a 1.78 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and five shutouts in 39 games with the Wild. He was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and helped the Wild reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they lost in the Western Conference Second Round to the Chicago Blackhawks. Dubnyk was the Edmonton Oilers' first-round pick (No. 14) in the 2004 NHL Draft. He has an NHL record of 97-91-26 with a 2.69 GAA, .914 save percentage and 14 shutouts. Dubnyk told the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

"The most exciting thing for me is knowing I get to be part of a really good hockey team for a long time. Getting a chance to play with that group of guys last year was the best experience for me. I’m real excited."