Saad-Kruger-Mayers
Saad skated on the fourth line, an indicator he may be scratched or demoted next game. He was held pointless over his first two games and could be sent back to Juniors following his ninth game.
Vegas Golden Knights News
I admit...typing Phil Kessel Fatnasy POTN was weird. #NHL #FantasyHockey
A hat trick vs. the Sens puts Kessel tied for the league lead in goals. Temper short-term expectations as the Leafs have a dainty schedule to open the year but Kessel looks on track to have another 30+ goal season.
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to terms on a three-year contract with second-round pick Brandon Saad.
Saad figures to start the season on the top line and could very well stay there if he produces. Once projected to go in the top 10, the 43rd overall pick of this year's draft is one of the biggest surprises of the preseason. Last season, the 18-year-old scored 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.
The league award caps a heady few weeks for Stone, who was signed to an entry level contract by the Senators after attending the NHL club’s rookie camp for the second consecutive year. Stone had four goals and five assists with a plus-3 rating to lead the Brandon Wheat Kings to two wins and a shootout loss over the weekend.
Stone drew a good deal of press after signing his entry-level contract. Last season he scored 37 goals and 106 points with the Brandon Wheat Kings. He currently leads the entire WHL with 13 points.
And Kessel, who has had a reputation within some circles of the Toronto media for being uptight and brittle, may actually be following his own philosophy. He’s showing his fun side more than ever to his teammates. In fact, he’s taken charge of team fun lately.
Kessel sounds very relaxed, which could lead to more goals. He's scored 62 goals over his two years as a Leaf; he could very well breakout into the 70-80 point range with a better center like Nazem Kadri, Tim Connolly and Matthew Lombardi.
Brandon Saad is getting the day off for #Blackhawks. Appears rookie will start season with team.
As noted yesterday, Saad earned a spot on the NHL roster. Last season, the 18-year-old scored 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. He could be a high-end sleeper.
Call up / Send down
Sens send five to AHL: Robin Lehner, Mark Borowiecki, Patrick Wiercioch, Kaspars Daugavins and Mike Hoffman.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
Joel Quenneville had as much praise for Brandon Saad as he did for Pirri who scored twice. “Saad does a lot of good things, he’s played a lot of games here, I still think he does a lot of good things, good patience, good recognition, we’ve been pleased with him,” Quenneville said. Expect Saad to be signed to an entry level contract and break camp with the Hawks.
Saad is certainly impressing his organization with some strong preseason play. Last season, the 18-year-old scored 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. If he makes the team, he could be a high-end sleeper.
Saad is still a long shot to make the team, but Joel Quenneville intimated he’ll play in his team-high fifth preseason game Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks are looking long and hard at Saad and there is always a chance the Hawks may keep him for a short period of time after the regular season begins. He can play up to nine games without starting the clock on his pro career and still be sent back to juniors.
Saad is certainly impressing his organization with some strong preseason play. Last season, the 18-year-old scored 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. If he makes the team, he could be a high-end sleeper.
Call up / Send down
BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 26, 2011) --- Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced the team has assigned the following 14 players to the Rochester Americans (AHL):
Forwards Marcus Foligno, Zack Kassian, Jonathan Parker, Michael Ryan, Colin Stuart, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone and Derek Whitmore; defensemen TJ Brennan, Joe Finley, Brayden McNabb, Dennis Persson and Drew Schiestel; and goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
That would seem obvious, since last September he was trying to make the Blues' roster and heading into the 2011-12 season he's expected to lead the team in ice time. Still, after an 11-goal, 43-point season in which he finished with a plus-18 rating, he is assuming nothing.
Expect Pietrangelo to lead the team in ice time and in the locker room. The 21-year-old seems poised to make big strides this season and should be taken seriously in any keeper league.
If a star can be born in the preseason, then Chicago Blackhawks nation is witnessing the event. Brandon Saad could just be the real deal.
Saad is certainly impressing his organization with some strong preseason play. Last season, the 18-year-old scored 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. If he makes the team, he could be a high-end sleeper.
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today the club has signed forward Mark Stone to an entry-level contract.
Stone is coming off career highs in the WHL and likely returns there for this season following the preseason. His strong showing in rookie camp was enough to earn a new contract, however.
“Just met him the past few weeks,” Tim Connolly said of Phil Kessel. “We’ve talked a bit. I think if we can get off to a good start we can get some good chemistry.”
Kessel is coming off back-to-back 30 goal campaigns but should score even more with a bonfide playmaking center like Connolly.
The Buffalo Sabres have signed Brayden McNabb to a three-year entry level deal. McNabb is a former third round pick of the Sabres in 2009, drafted 66th overall in that year.