The Florida Panthers hired longtime NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson as an assistant coach, the team announced Monday.
"Ulf is a knowledgeable and experienced coach who will be a great addition to the Panthers," said general manager Bill Zito. "We are excited for him to join Joel (Quenneville's) coaching staff and look forward to his competitive mentality and the impact that he can have on our team."
Samuelsson most recently served as head coach of the Swedish Hockey League's Leksands IF, while also working as a Seattle Kraken scout. He's coached the AHL's Charlotte Checkers and has been an assistant for the then-Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks, where he worked under Quenneville.
Samuelsson's NHL playing career spanned 16 seasons split among the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers. The 56-year-old registered 332 points in 1,080 games, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 1991 and 1992.
Toronto Maple Leafs icon and former Hockey Night in Canada announcer Howie Meeker has died at the age of 97, a team spokesperson told The Canadian Press.
Meeker won four Stanley Cups and a Calder Trophy over an eight-year playing career that spanned from 1946 to 1954. He also coached the Maple Leafs for one season in 1956-57.
He then joined Hockey Night in Canada as a broadcaster and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 for his career as an analyst.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman paid his respects to Meeker with a statement later Sunday.
"Howie Meeker spent his long and remarkable life playing, teaching, and broadcasting the game of hockey and serving his country with incredible enthusiasm," Bettman said.
"Presented with the Foster Hewitt Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 and awarded the Order of Canada in 2010, Howie Meeker connected countless fans to hockey with his wisdom and infectious voice. The National Hockey League celebrates his life and mourns his passing."
The QMJHL has announced seven teams located in COVID-19 red zones will assemble a protected environment in Quebec City for 10 days.
The Gatineau Olympiques, Drummondville Voltiguers, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Victoriaville Tigres, Shawinigan Cataractes, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and Quebec Remparts will station themselves accordingly at the Videotron Centre from Nov. 17-27.
Each team will play six regular-season games.
The move comes at the recommendation of Quebec Public Health officials. The province reported its highest ever daily increase of COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 1,397.
The QMJHL is the only branch of the CHL to have begun its 2020-21 campaign. The schedule started in October and there have already been outbreaks on multiple teams.
The WHL is scheduled to return Jan. 8, while the OHL is targeting Feb. 4 for its resumption.
For the most part, the 2020 free-agent frenzy is over. The next step for fans and pundits is to look ahead to next year's class.
We don't know when exactly the next signing period will take place, but here are some of the top players currently scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next offseason.
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Current cap hit: $9.54 million 2019-20 stats: 68 GP, 48 G, 19A
The mammoth 13-year pact Ovechkin signed with the Capitals in 2008 is nearing its end. The three-time MVP recently said he'll only play for the Capitals until he returns to Moscow to close out his career. There's clearly enough left in the 35-year-old's tank for him to make a serious charge at the all-time goals record. Ovechkin has carried the Capitals for a long time, and he's in the driver's seat to fetch any contract he desires.
Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks Current cap hit: $8.25 million 2019-20 stats: 69 GP, 13 G, 29 A
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
He's past his prime, but Getzlaf was still able to muster 0.61 points per game on a lousy Ducks team at 34 years old this past season. Getzlaf may want to close out his career with the only team he's ever known, but he'd be an attractive and cheap depth center for a contending club.
Taylor Hall, Sabres Current cap hit: $8 million 2019-20 stats: 65 GP, 16 G, 36 A
Hall was one of the biggest names on the open market this past offseason, but he bet on himself to the surprise of many, taking a one-year deal in Buffalo. The Sabres will likely do anything they can to retain a reliable running mate for Jack Eichel, but if Hall's Western New York experiment doesn't work out, he'll again be one of the league's premier talents up for grabs.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Oilers Current cap hit: $6 million 2019-20 stats: 65 GP, 22 G, 39 A
Nugent-Hopkins was enjoying a career season before the pause (0.94 points per game), and he's reportedly making progress on a long-term extension with the Oilers. The center is a vital cog in Edmonton's offense, and he seems likely to re-sign rather than test his options.
Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche Current cap hit: $5.57 million 2019-20 stats: 54 GP, 21 G, 23 A
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty
There's an interesting scenario facing the Avalanche with their captain. Landeskog has long been a bargain on Colorado's books, but finances are going to get tight quickly for GM Joe Sakic. Rookie sensation Cale Makar needs a new deal as well next offseason, and perennial MVP candidate Nathan MacKinnon's contract expires in 2023. Those two pacts could easily combine to be worth over $20 million. Does Sakic let Landeskog walk and then prepare for the future?
Jaden Schwartz, Blues Current cap hit: $5.35 million 2019-20 stats: 71 GP, 22 G, 35 A
Schwartz is a strong two-way player, and he could plug into virtually any top-six forward group. He also boasts a ton of playoff experience. The winger would slide in well on a lot of contending teams, but the Blues are a contender and only one season removed from a championship. They're projected to hold $25 million in cap space next offseason, making it likely Schwartz stays put.
Tomas Tatar, Canadiens Current cap hit: $4.8 million (Golden Knights retain $500K) 2019-20 stats: 68 GP, 22 G, 39 A
Tatar has been an excellent fit since joining the Canadiens, but he could be deemed expendable after Montreal added Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli this offseason, while also signing Brendan Gallagher to a long-term extension. Tatar has been a reliable scoring option throughout his career - save for a brief stint in Vegas - and plenty of teams will be interested if he's forced to leave Montreal.
David Krejci, Bruins Current cap hit: $7.25 million 2019-20 stats: 61 GP, 13 G, 30 A
Brian Babineau / National Hockey League / Getty
Krejci has flown under the radar despite being a vital piece of the Bruins' core for more than a decade. He'll be 35 years old by next summer, but the veteran has stepped up for the club when it matters most, accumulating the league's seventh-most playoff points (102) from 2010 to 2020.
It's tough to picture Krejci suiting up elsewhere. Following the route of Boston captain Zdeno Chara - who's signed a slew of one-year, team-friendly contracts to ease the strain on the Bruins' budget - seems more likely.
Brandon Saad, Avalanche Current cap hit: $5 million (Blackhawks retain $1M) 2019-20 stats: 58 GP, 21 G, 12 A
Saad looks like a tremendous addition for the Avalanche, but because of the team's forthcoming cap crunch, his tenure in Colorado could be a one-off. However, that might not be a bad thing for Saad, who would get a chance to rack up points on a loaded Avs roster and increase his value before hitting the market.
Other notables: Kyle Palmieri, Nick Foligno, Tyler Bozak, Nikita Gusev, Phillip Danault, Zach Hyman, Paul Stastny
Defensemen
Dougie Hamilton, Hurricanes Current cap hit: $5.75 million 2019-20 stats: 47 GP, 14 G, 26 A
Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / Getty
Hamilton is easily the top defenseman who could be available next offseason. He'll be only 28 years old, and should comfortably become one of the league's highest-paid blue-liners. He's a top-pair right-shooting rearguard who posts dominant underlying numbers, and Hamilton can produce elite offensively, too. He looked destined to be a Norris Trophy finalist prior to an injury this past season, and the Hurricanes better be ready to pony up if they hope to keep him in Carolina.
David Savard, Blue Jackets Current cap hit: $4.25 million 2019-20 stats: 68 GP, 0 G, 11 A
Savard isn't as flashy or offensively gifted as Hamilton, but he'll be coveted to fill a key role if the 30-year-old decides to leave the Blue Jackets. He plays the right side, isn't afraid to be physical, and can be relied on in his own zone at even strength and as a penalty killer.
Adam Larsson, Oilers Current cap hit: $4.17 million 2019-20 stats: 49 GP, 1 G, 5 A
Like Savard, Larsson is a stay-at-home, dependable defenseman who will get a market-value boost for shooting right. He shouldn't cost interested teams too much against the cap, but the Oilers might be wise to keep him around, as there isn't a right-side blue-liner signed in Edmonton beyond 2021.
Alec Martinez, Golden Knights Current cap hit: $4 million 2019-20 stats: 51 GP, 3 G, 13 A
Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Golden Knights acquired Martinez just prior to last season's trade deadline to strengthen their back end, and then followed that up by signing Alex Pietrangelo to a monster free-agent deal this offseason. The team's big-ticket signing will create cap issues, making it safe to assume Martinez departs. He's a steady middle-pairing option who shouldn't be too pricey.
Other notables: Alexander Edler, Tyson Barrie, Nicklas Hjalmarsson, Ian Cole, Brandon Montour, Jamie Oleksiak
Goalies
Tuukka Rask, Bruins Current cap hit: $7 million 2019-20 stats: 41 GP, 26 W, .929 Sv%
Rask's decision to leave the bubble in Toronto during the playoffs to tend to a family matter made many Bruins supporters sour, but it would still be a stunner to see him wave goodbye to Boston. There's no NHL-ready prospect on the Bruins to take the reins from Rask, and the 33-year-old is still among the league's best netminders. He was the Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2019-20 after leading the NHL in goals-against average (.922) and goals saved above average (22.51).
Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs Current cap hit: $5 million 2019-20 stats: 52 GP, 29 W, .909 Sv%
Andersen has regularly been one of the league's busiest goaltenders in terms of shots and scoring chances against since joining the Maple Leafs. But for the most part, he's been up to the task while establishing himself as an upper-echelon starter. However, he often goes through spells of inconsistency throughout the regular season, and Andersen has also been prone to playoff lapses. If the Leafs can't get past the first round again this season, an extension for Andersen might not be in the cards.
Jordan Binnington, Blues Current cap hit: $4.4 million 2019-20 stats: 50 GP, 30 W, .912 Sv%
Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Binnington signed a two-year bridge deal with the Blues after leading them to a Stanley Cup win in 2019. He'll need to produce better results in the second season of his contract for St. Louis to make a long-term commitment. The 27-year-old wasn't nearly as dominant in his sophomore campaign, posting worse stats across the board before struggling in the playoffs with an .851 save percentage over five starts.
Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche Current cap hit: $3.33 million 2019-20 stats: 36 GP, 18 W, .916 Sv%
Colorado is the only team with three players on this list, but unlike the forwards above who could become expendable, the Avalanche can't get by without spending some money between the pipes. Grubauer has been consistent since becoming a starter for the Avs, registering a .916 save percentage across two seasons. Despite past performances, his contract year will determine if there's a future for him with an organization primed to be a regular cup contender.
Other notables: Devan Dubnyk, Antti Raanta, James Reimer, Petr Mrazek, Jaroslav Halak
Alex Ovechkin isn't done lighting up the NHL just yet, but the superstar recently confirmed he hopes to end his playing career in his hometown of Moscow.
"My career is not over yet. I'm still in my prime," Ovechkin told Russian Television International, as translated by Sportsnet. "I think I will definitely play for a few more years, God grant that my health is good. I would finish in Russia at Dynamo Moscow."
Ovechkin, 35, is fresh off posting 48 goals and 67 points this past regular season. The gargantuan 13-year contract he signed in 2008 is set to expire after the 2020-21 campaign, which would make him an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
However, Ovi assured he wants to finish his NHL career with the Washington Capitals.
"It's not a question of money. It's a matter of principle," he said. "I played for only two teams - Dynamo and Washington."
He added, "It is clear, in two, three, four years, maybe five, I will end my career in Washington," Ovechkin said. "I want to end on a beautiful note - to play my last match for Dynamo Moscow."
The nine-time "Rocket" Richard winner became the eighth player in NHL history to reach 700 career goals, finishing the campaign with 706. Ovechkin is currently 188 behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894; if he does end up playing five more NHL seasons, he'd need to average 38 tallies to finish atop the list.
Ovechkin spent four seasons with Dynamo before bursting onto the NHL scene in 2005-06. He also played there during the lockout stoppage in 2012.
Winnipeg Jets superstar Mark Scheifele says he's fully recovered from the leg injury that derailed his postseason.
"I'm 100 percent, no question," Scheifele told NHL.com's Tim Campbell. "Skating every day. I don't know anyone who skates more than I do. I love being on the ice. That's my No. 1 thing. I get on the ice as much as I can."
Winnipeg's top center played only three shifts of the club's qualifying-round series versus the Calgary Flames because he caught an errant skate from Matthew Tkachuk in the back of the leg during a play along the boards. The Flames took the series in four games.
Due to Tkachuk's reputation as a pest, his intentions were questioned, but Scheifele said he doesn't believe the winger hurt him on purpose.
The 2019-20 campaign marked Scheifele's seventh full season with the Jets, and he finished the regular season tied for the team lead with 73 points in 71 games.
The financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Vancouver Canucks are impacting a potential extension for head coach Travis Green.
"We’ve talked and we’ll continue to work at it, but everybody is really in a holding pattern right now and we’re not the only team," general manager Jim Benning told Ben Kuzma of The Province. "And everybody is sensitive right now. It’s going to be important coming out of this to have a coach who can get the best out of his players."
The Canucks hired Green to his first NHL coaching gig in April 2017 after spending four seasons with the club's AHL team in Utica. He has one year remaining on his contract that pays him $1 million per year, according to Cap Friendly.
Green got his first taste of the playoffs as a coach this past season and guided the Canucks to their first series victory since 2011 when they knocked off the defending champion St. Louis Blues in the first round.
The 49-year-old has helped the Canucks' rebuild progress faster than expected, and his impact on Vancouver's core of young stars has made an impression on Benning.
"Travis lets young players have the puck on their stick as long as they’re not making the same mistakes over and over. He lets them be creative and hold up to a certain defensive standard and be accountable," Benning said. "He has the ability to communicate, get the best out of his players, and he’s important to us because we’ve got young players we’re trying to grow with."
Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis is optimistic the NHL's flat salary cap will present some unique opportunities for his club when the expansion draft takes place next summer.
"But I think there are pros and cons, right?" Francis continued. "Obviously, the cap being flat should be a benefit to us. But I think you saw a lot of teams doing some maneuvering this summer, whether it was buyouts, moving players for picks and stuff, to help alleviate some of their situations."
Due to the pause, the NHL's salary cap is set at $81.5 million each season until the league's revenue reaches it's pre-pandemic projections.
Seattle will adhere the same draft rules as the Vegas Golden Knights - the most recent expansion franchise - and must choose a minimum of 20 players under contract for the 2021-22 campaign.
Vegas famously made the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season after knocking their expansion draft out of the park, landing foundational pieces such as Shea Theodore, Jonathan Marchessault, and William Karlsson.
The Golden Knights are exempt from Seattle's draft, but the remaining 30 teams across the league can protect either seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, or eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goalie. Players with no-movement clauses are automatically protected unless they waive their agreement, and all first or second-year players are exempt from being chosen.
The Kraken are set to take the ice for the 2021-22 season, and will join the Pacific Division.
"I'm definitely hungrier than ever and motivated," Galchenyuk said, according to NHL.com. "My body feels great. I feel great. Obviously, there's been a lot of time off and I used that time well. To get better, I think, obviously, my foot speed, my explosiveness, and it's my consistency, and I know what I need to do to get that. I went through a really tough year ... and learned a lot about myself as a hockey player and what I need to do. And I'm really confident I can fix those parts of my game."
Galchenyuk was an unrestricted free agent for the first time this offseason and signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Senators after he spent 2019-20 split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild.
The 26-year-old struggled in the shortened campaign, managing just 24 points in 59 games. He put up a career-low 0.41 points per game, but Galchenyuk believes his difficult year has given him a better understanding of the type of player he can be.
"Sometimes you need a year like this to center yourself and to love yourself, and to really understand what you want to become and how you want to play," Galchenyuk said. "It was a big moment for me to realize that. I have a lot to prove to myself, to other people, and it felt like Ottawa was the right fit. Obviously, I was traded two times last year and so I have not been happy with how things went.
"I'm just looking to bounce back. I'm going to elevate my game even more and I just can't wait to start already."
The Montreal Canadiens drafted Galchenyuk third overall in 2012. His 320 career points are the second-most of all players in his draft class.
