Stltoday, Schmaltz hopes for battle of brothers in NHL

#484200741 / gettyimages.com

Here’s a good article in the St Louis Post-Dispatch about UND defenseman Jordan Schmaltz who’s currently at the St. Louis Blues development camp.

Jeremy Rutherford, stltoday.com -- He is a 6-foot-2, 193-pound puck-moving defenseman, who despite being considered a reach when the Blues drafted him No. 25 overall, has made considerable strides in two seasons at UND.

“It’s a great hockey program there, it’s a pressure school, and he’s succeeded there,” said Bill Armstrong, the Blues’ director of amateur scouting — who drafted Schmaltz and has watched him an estimated dozen times the past two seasons.

“I really liked his final game. He was just an outstanding player, creating offense and not giving up anything on the defensive side. We’re happy with his progression. He’s still got a long way to go to be a pro. But he’s got what you can’t teach, and that’s the elite hockey sense.”

As a sophomore in 2013-14, Schmaltz had six goals and 24 points in 41 games at North Dakota, earning him second-team honors in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

But in that final game that Armstrong alluded to, UND fell 2-1 in the NCAA semifinals to Minnesota, which netted the game-winner while shorthanded with 0.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

Minnesota Wild Development Camp Roster (College Hockey Connections)

#482705993 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild are holding their development camp on July 9-14. There will be a scrimmage on the 14th of July.

2014 MINNESOTA WILD DEVELOPMENT CAMP ROSTER

FORWARDS (College Hockey Connections)

40 Tyler Sheehy 5-10 185 Right 11/20/95 Burnsville, Minnesota Minnesota Big 10  

41 Alex Iafallo 6-0 176 Left 12/21/93 Eden, New York U. Minn. Duluth NCHC 

43 Mario Lucia 6-3 195 Left 8/25/93 Fairbanks, Alaska Notre Dame  Hockey East 

50 Vinni Lettieri 5-9 170 Right 2/6/95 Excelsior, Minnesota U. Minnesota Big 10 

52 Alex Tuch 6-3.5 218 Right 5/10/96 Baldwinsville, New York Boston College HE 

57 Adam Gilmour 6-4 192 Right 1/29/94 Albany, New York Boston College HE 

59 Eric Scheid 5-9 163 Left 5/5/92 Coon Rapids, Minnesota Penn State Big 10 

62 Avery Peterson 6-3 200 Left 6/20/95 Grand Rapids, Minnesota Nebraska-Omaha
70 Adam Phillips 6-0 195 Right 8/11/90 Farmington Hills, Michigan UMass- Amherst HE 

71 Brooks Bertsch 5-11 185 Right 5/10/90 Dubuque, Iowa St. Cloud State NCHC 

73 Tanner Kero 5-11 175 Left 7/24/92 Hancock, Michigan Michigan Tech WCHA 

79 Grant Opperman 6-0 185 Right 11/15/93 Wayzata, Minnesota Dartmouth ECAC 

DEFENSEMEN (With College Hockey Connections)

5 Christian Folin 6-3 210 Right 2/9/91 Gothenburg, Sweden UMass-Lowell HE 

44 Gustav Olofsson 6-4 191 Left 12/1/94 Boras, Sweden Colorado College NCHC

60 Carson Soucy 6-5 200 Left 7/27/94 Viking, Alberta U. Minn. Duluth NCHC

72 Hunter Warner 6-2 202 Right 9/21/95 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Minn. State Mankato 

75 Zach Palmquist 5-11 175 Left 12/9/90 South St. Paul, Minnesota Minn. State Mankato WCHA 

80 Louie Belpedio 5-10 190 Right 5/14/96 Skokie, Illinois Miami U. NCHC 

GOALTENDER
86 Michael Shibrowski 6-1 199 Left 11/15/90 Andover, Minnesota U. Minnesota Big 10

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: 62 Players Selected in the 2014 NHL Draft
• NCHC Forges New Standards for Officiating
• NCHC Hockey: Colorado College Defenseman Gustav Olofsson not Bolting for the WHL
• NCHC Hockey: No Second Thoughts or Regrets

Top-10 UFA's?

#478263087 / gettyimages.com

According toLuke Fox of Sports Net, these are the top-10 available UFA players.

10. Andre Benoit, Age: 30, 2013-14 team: Colorado Avalanche
9. Devin Setoguchi, Age: 27, 2013-14 team: Winnipeg Jets
8. Martin Brodeur, Age: 42, 2013-14 team: New Jersey Devils
7. Mike Ribeiro, Age: 34, 2013-14 team: Arizona Coyotes
6. Lee Stempniak, Age: 31, 2013-14 team: Pittsburgh Penguins
5. Derek Roy, Age: 31, 2013-14 team: St. Louis Blues
4. Michael Del Zotto, Age: 24, 2013-14 team: Nashville Predators
3. Tomas Vokoun, Age: 38, 2013-14 team: Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Steve Ott, Age: 31, 2013-14 team: St. Louis Blues
1. Daniel Alfredsson, Age: 41, 2013-14 Team: Detroit Red Wings

Minnesota Wild: Justin Fontaine files for arbitration

#490242273 / gettyimages.com

Former UMD Bulldog and current Minnesota Wild RFA forward Justine Fontaine has filed for salary arbitration. EDIT: Came from Hockey Wilderness blogger-> Apparently, the former Bulldog wants 2.75 million a year. So, I would say, it's probably going to be less than the above number.

This past season, Fontaine scored (13G-8a—21pts) in 66 games. Just for comparison sake, Fontaine was 4th on the Wild in goal scoring, so he isn't total hack making outrageous demands. It will be interesting to see what kind of a contract he signs. I don't think his salary demands are all that unreasonable.

Russo's Rants -- Wild right wing Justin Fontaine was the only one of the Wild's restricted free agents to file for arbitration by today's 4 p.m. deadline. He's one of 20 to do so in the NHL.

Fontaine's agent, Neil Sheehy, will continue to try to negotiate a contract with the Wild. He can do so up until the hearing, which will be scheduled from July 20 to August 4 in Toronto in front of an independent arbitrator. Most of the time, a contract is worked out prior to the hearing. By any player filing for arbitration, it ensures he can't be signed to an offer sheet by another club and it ensures no holdout from training camp.

Related articles

• Minnesota Wild: Putting it all into perspective
• Minnesota Wild: Revisiting the Justin Fontaine Question: Oh yeah! He's scores again (Video)
• Minnesota Wild: Former UMD Bulldog Justin Fontaine scores hat-trick against the Coyotes
• Justin Fontaine's Wild NHL Opportunity in Minnesota

Updated Uneventful Free Agency

Pretty light free agent action during the holiday weekend. In my opinion, this has been an uneventful free agency signing so far. Looking at the list, there's not a lot of attractive options out there. 

Alyn McCauley with the Cup

Los Angeles Kings pro scout Alyn McCauley with the Cup in Gananoque, Ontario. That looks like a good pace.

Paul Stastny gives St. Louis Blues depth

#487565547 / gettyimages.com

One of my fellow writers from the Hockey Writers has an interesting piece on the St. Louis Blues signing former Denver Pioneer Paul Stastny. With the signing, the Blues have added some great depth to their lineup.

Jeff Ponder, KSDK Sports -- Not only has this signing allowed the Blues to appear more menacing on paper, it also provides head coach Ken Hitchcock more wiggle room in developing lines. David Backes, who scored his career-high 31 goals and 62 points while playing on right wing (2010-11), now has the option to move back to his natural position.

"I see a scenario where Paul plays with [Alexander] Steen and Backes," GM Doug Armstrong said on Tuesday. "That gives us quite a bit of strength on the wing, [and] the size with Backes. And then you have [Patrik] Berglund with [Vladimir] Sobotka and maybe [T.J.] Oshie as another line. [Jori] Lehtera has a history with [Vladimir] Tarasenko from the KHL."

Without taking a second look, you can see this lineup will threaten more often than what the team rolled out at the beginning of last season.

This past season, the Western Conference was a death march. The west is going to be even tougher this season, with the moves that have been made in the offseason.

Brady Skjei will return for Junior season

From @NYRangers prospect camp, @BradySkjei has confirmed his return to the #Gophers. Story: http://t.co/1yWldNMZcc pic.twitter.com/SgFXyLC1pS
— Minnesota M Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 3, 2014

Now that the development camps are in full swing, the Minnesota Gophers got some good news. Defenseman Brady Skjei will return for his junior season.

By Brian Deutsch (GopherSports.com) - Gopher Hockey defenseman Brady Skjei has confirmed he will return to the University of Minnesota for his junior season in 2014-15.

The Lakeville, Minn., native is currently participating at the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp at Madison Square Garden Training Center and informed the National Hockey League (NHL) organization of his decision on Thursday.

Updated: Free Agent Signing

#482792745 / gettyimages.com

Santorelli, Mike, C, Vancouver, Toronto, 1.5M, one year

Strachen, Tyson, D, Washington, Buffalo, 600K, one year

Fiddler, Vernon, C, Dallas, Dallas, 2.5m, two years

Gleason, Tim, D, Toronto, Carolina, $1.2M, one year

Vrbata, Radim, RW, Phoenix, Vancouver, $10M, two years

Stortini, Zack, RW, Anaheim, Philadelphia, n/a, one year

McClement, Jay, C, Toronto, Carolina, $1M, one year  

Fiddler, Vernon, C, Dallas, Dallas, $2.5M, two years

Schultz, Nick, D, Columbus, Philadelphia, $1.25M, one year

Kulemin, Nikolai, RW, Toronto, Islanders, $16.75M, four years

Grabovski, Mikhail, C, Washington, Islanders, $20M, four years
  

Minnesota Wild: Say no to Steve Ott

#487318047 / gettyimages.com

The Wild need toughness, and I agree that they need to get tougher. However, let's hope the Wild don't sign this piece of dog excrement. I am not in favor of this move whatsoever.  Ott is one of those players that you would definitely hate, and don't ever want to see him on your team, either.

Russo's Rants -- Here’s a look at how the Wild is shaping up to look like next season. This will change undoubtedly throughout the summer as the Wild add and delete players.

Remember, at some point, the Wild’s expected to acquire a physical defenseman to replace Clayton Stoner. It may also look to replace the gritty element up front of Cody McCormick. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun -- the great Pierre LeBrun, I may add -- reports the Wild has shown interest in Steve Ott, the former Dallas Stars agitator/smack talker and Sabres captain who was dealt with Ryan Miller to St. Louis last season. He once fought Cal Clutterbuck twice in the same game after Ott ran Josh Harding either that game or the game before, I can't remember (video of that incident on bottom of blog). Ott can play center and wing and kills penalties.

Toronto has also shown interest in Ott, I have heard.

In my opinion, the Wild already have an agitator in Matt Cooke. They need a forward that can kill penalties, chip in offense and stick up for teammates. Ott has played in 696 NHL games for three different teams, he’s scored (103g-164a—267pts) and has accumulated 1,355 penalty in minutes.

Disclaimer: Of course my opinion on this matter is going to be jaded, I am both a Wild and Bruins fan and I wasn't impressed with his antics when he was with the Buffalo Sabres. I admit that.

Sharks sign Road Cone John Scott

#483142281 / gettyimages.com

Western Conference team beware, especially if you're one of those players that skates with their head down. The San Jose Sharks have signed UFA road cone John Scott. The former Michigan Tech Husky inked a one year deal worth 750 thousand dollars.

One thing Scott will never be accused of is being dumb. Anyone that is this bad of a hockey players, and has been able to get paid this much money to play hockey in the best league in the world, has to be a genius.

Scott who has no redeeming quality other than he can fight, has played in 236 NHL games and scored a minuscule (2g-4a—6pts) and racked up an impressive 430 penalty minutes. In his second to last game of the season, Scott was assessed 24 minutes in penalties. Good thing that the Mr. Anger Management has a degree from MTU to fall back on when he's done with hockey.

SAN JOSE, CA - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed free agent forward John Scott to a one-year contract. Scott, 31, ranked 13th in the NHL with 125 penalty minutes in 56 games during the 2013-14 campaign, leading the Buffalo Sabres in that category."John brings a physical, no-nonsense element to our lineup," said Wilson. "As we integrate more younger players to our team, John's presence alone can act as a deterrent and help keep teams and opposing players honest."

Claude Giroux busted for grabbing cops buttocks

#487436735 / gettyimages.com

Ruh, roh! Claude Giroux was arrested for grabbing the buttocks of an Ottawa police officer. This is a story made for the tabloid news. Also, alcohol was a factor.

Danielle Bell,Ottawa Sun -- Philadelphia Flyers star Claude Giroux has been released from jail after being arrested for allegedly grabbing the buttocks of a police officer.

Sources say Giroux was arrested for repeatedly grabbing the male police officer's butt during an incident at a downtown Ottawa bar. Alcohol is believed to have been involved.

A witness and sources say the incident occurred at The Great Canadian Cabin in the Byward Market club district.

NHL Free Agency signing

#134295588 / gettyimages.com

Campbell, Andrew, D, Los Angeles, Phoenix, n/a, n/a, n/a

Conner, Chris, RW, Pittsburg, Washington, n/a, one year

McKenna, Mike, G, Columbus, Phoenix, n/a, 1, n/a

Goc, Marcel, C, Pittsburg, Pittsburgh, 1.2M, one year

Biega, Alex, D, Vancouver, Vancouver, $600K, one year

Bickel, Stu, D, NY Rangers, Minnesota, $600K, one year

Desjardins, Cedrick, G, Tampa Bay, NY Rangers, $1.2M, two years

Jones, Blair, C, Calgary, Philadelphia, n/a, one year

Conner, Chris, RW, Pittsburgh, Washington, n/a, one year

Skille, Jack, RW, Columbus, NY Islanders, n/a, one year

Quincey, Kyle, D, Detroit, Detroit, $8.5M, two years  

Jason LaBarbera, G, Chicago, Anaheim, $750K, one year

MacIntyre, Drew, G, Toronto, Carolina, $600K, one year

Leggio, David, G, Washington, Islanders, n/a, one year

Chorney, Taylor, D, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, $550K, one year

Jones, Blair, C, Calgary, Philadelphia, n/a, one year

Skille, Jack, RW, Columbus, Islanders, n/a, one year

Now They're all on the Same Team

So cool pic.twitter.com/FquugYYSIO
— Jeff Dubay (@jeffdubay) July 1, 2014

Now all three are on the same team.  Anyone else excited about Thomas Vanek being a member of the Minnesota Wild?

NCAA Hockey: 62 Players Selected in the 2014 NHL Draft

#451391348 / gettyimages.com

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers. This past weekend, the NHL held its 2014 Entry Level Draft. A total of 62 current and or committed college hockey players were selected in the 2014 NHL draft. Over half of the teams in college hockey were represented during the 2014 NHL Draft, 31-of-59 division I teams had players that were drafted (.525).

Four college bound players were selected in the first round of 2014 NHL Draft. That’s an increase over last year.

In the 2013 NHL Draft, there was one college bound player selected in the first round, Michael McCarron, the former Western Michigan recruit was selected 25^th overall by the Montreal Canadians. After the 2013 NHL Draft, McCarron decommitted from Western Michigan, and signed a contract with the London Knights of the OHL.

UPDATED: 2014 NHL Free Agency Opent Thread - Vanek to the Wild

#484086097 / gettyimages.com

 

Ehrhoff, Christian, D, Buffalo -  Pittsburgh, 4M one year

Malhotra, Manny, C, Carolina - Montreal $850K one year

Michalek, Milan, LW, Ottawa, Ottawa, 12m, three seasons

Johnson, Chad, G, Boston, New York Islanders, 2.6M two years

Pouliout, Beniot, LW, Rangers, Edmonton, 20M five years

Fayne, Mark, D, New Jersey, Edmonton, 14M, four years

Peters, Justin, G, Carolina, Washington, 1M, two years

Stastny, Paul, C, Colorado, St. Louis, 28M, four years

Cammalleri, Mike, LW, Calgary, New Jersey, 25M, five years

Stoner, Clayton, D, Minnesota, Anaheim, 13M, four years

Jokinen, Jussi, LW, Pittsburgh, Florida, 16M, four years

Boyle, Dan, D, New York Islander, New York Rangers, 9m, two years

Bolland, Dave, C, Toronto, Florida, 27.5M, three years

Gilbert, Tom, D, Florida, Montreal, 5.6M, two years

Raymond, Mason, LW, Toronto, Calgary, 9.5 M, three years

Weaver, Mike, D, Montreal, Montreal, 1.5M, one year

Montoya, Al, G, Winnipeg, Montreal, 1.75M, one year

Miller, Ryan, G, St. Louis, Vancouver, 18M, three years

Lindback, Anders, G, Tampa Bay, Dallas, 925K, one year

Greiss, Thomas, G, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, 1M, one year

Hemsky, Ales, RW, Ottawa, Dallas, 12M, three years

Comeau, Blake, LW, Columbus, Pittsburgh, 700k, one year

Orpik, Brooks, D, Pittsburgh, Washington, 27.5M, five years

Gionta, Brian, RW, Montreal, Buffalo, 12.75M, three years

Perreault, Mathieu, C, Anaheim, Washington, 9M, three years

Thornton, Shawn, RW, Boston, Florida, 2.4M, two years

Hiller, Jonas, G, Anaheim, Calgary, 9M, two years

Vanek, Thomas, LW, Montreal, Minnesota, 19.5M, three years

Robidas, Stephane, D, Anaheim, Toronto, N/A, three years

Glass, Tanner, LW, Pittsburgh, Rangers, 4.35M, three years

Moore, Dominic, C, Rangers, Rangers, 3M, two years

Moulson, Matt, LW, Minnesota, Buffalo, 25M, five years

Havlat, Martin, RW, San Jose, New Jersey, 1.5M, one year

Iginla, Jarome, RW, Boston, Colorado, 16M, three years

Street, Ben, Calgary, Colorado, 650K, N/A

Komarov, Leo, LW, Toronto, Toronto, 11.8M, four years

Regin, Peter, C, Chicago, Chicago, 650K, N/A

Tlusty, Jiri, RW, Carolina, Carolina, 2.95M, one year

Stralman, Anton, D, Rangers, Tampa bay, 20M, five years

Bernier, Steve, RW, New Jersey, New Jersey, 600K, one year

Fedun, Taylor, D, Edmonton, San Jose, 600K, one year

Meuller, Chris, C, Dallas, Rangers, N/A. N/A

Redmond, Zach, D, Winnipeg, Colorado, 1.5M, two years

Engelland, Deryk, D, Pittsburgh, Calgary, 8.7M, three years

McCormick, Cody, C, Minnesota, Buffalo, 4.5M, three years

Brennan, T.J. D, Toronto, Islanders, 600K, one year

Labrie, Pierre-Cedric, LW, Tampa Bay, Chicago N/A, one year

Porter, Kevin, LW, Buffalo, Detroit, N/A, one year

Blunden, Mike, RW, Montreal, Tampa Bay, 600K, one year

Clemmensen, Scott, G, Florida, New Jersey, N/A, one year

Meszaros, Andrei, D, Boston, Buffalo, 4M, one year

Hunwick, Matt, Colorado, Rangers, 600K, one year

Wild Sign Thomas Vanek

#488495073 / gettyimages.com

According to Michael Russo of the Startribune, the Minnesota wild have signed former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Montreal Canadiens forward Thomas Vanek to a three-year deal worth 19.5 million. That 's roughly 6.5 million a year. You can read about it here.

Minnesota Wild: Who's it going to be?

#490618315 / gettyimages.com

The free agent signing period starts at 11:00 A.M. Central. It would be interesting to see what it would take to sign Jarome Iginla or Thomas Vanek. UFA's Paul Stastny and Vanek sit atop of the list of available free agents.

:Michael Russo, Startribune - Thomas Vanek enjoyed his meeting with Wild coach Mike Yeo late Sunday, and the feeling was said to be mutual. But as of late Monday, it still was up in the air as to whether #VanekWatch would end Tuesday with the former Gophers star ending months of speculation by signing with his hometown NHL team.

The Wild made Vanek’s short list, but agent Steve Bartlett said there were other good options on it, too, as NHL free agency opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The other good options likely will offer Vanek more money and more years than the Wild, which might plan to tender the left winger a short-term deal.

The extra years, and thus security, could alter Vanek’s decision.

“Is it a deal-breaker if he loves everything about the team and they’re shorter term than another team? I don’t think it’s to that extent,” Bartlett said. “It’s just one more of those boxes that you check when you’re trying to make a decision.”

In a slim free-agent class that offers a multitude of forwards with a multitude of red flags, the Wild has shown the most interest in Vanek, the Stillwater resident, and veteran goal scorer Jarome Iginla, who turns 37 Tuesday. The Wild had more conversations Monday with Iginla’s reps in hopes of selling Iginla on its program and how it’s a Stanley Cup contender.

Another reason to stay in school

#481395699 / gettyimages.com

Here's a perfect example of why college hockey players shouldn't be in a hurry to leave college and play professional hockey. Even if they're a first round draft choice.

Four years after leaving college, former Minnesota Golden Gopher Jordan Schroeder has played in a mere 56 NHL games and scored an unimpressive (6g-9a—15pts). I know that hind sight is 20/20, but I do  wonder if Schroeder would still leave school early, knowing what he knows now? Stay in school and finish that degree.

VAN will not be qualifying Jordan Schroeder or Zac Dalpe. Both go to UFA.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 30, 2014

Minnesota Wild: The second most exciting time of the year

#490241189 / gettyimages.com

Tomorrow is one of the most exciting times of the year. Starting at 11:00 A.M. Central, the 2014 NHL free agent signing period begins. I like many other Wild fans, are excited to see who the Minnesota Wild end up signing. Will there be some former WCHA players calling Saint Paul, MN home? Looks like the Wild aren't looking for long term commitments, either.

Chad Graff, Pioneer Press - Thomas Vanek, 30, is a pure scorer, the type the Wild lacked last season when they finished 24th in goals scored, netting 2.43 per game.

Matt Niskanen, 27, is coming off the best season of his career, having scored 10 goals and recorded 36 assists and a team-best plus-33 rating for the Penguins. He would instantly upgrade the Wild's defense.

But at what cost?

That's what Fletcher is trying to determine in the final days before free agency begins.

With Vanek and Niskanen interested in hearing the Wild's pitch, Fletcher's decision on the two free agents ultimately might be defined more by years than price.

Related articles

• Minnesota WIld: Free Agency Pondering
• Wild Kicking the Tires on Jarome Iginla