While we’re all thinking about the prospects in order to rank them in our annual Top 25 Under 25, how about a quick cheat sheet on where the non-NHL and non-AHL players are playing this season. As has become the trend recently, the Lightning seem to be relying a little less on the traditional junior hockey season (only 5 players) and more on the collegiate system (10 players) and Russia/Europe (7 players).
CHL
Ethan Hay – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Kaden Pitre – Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Ethan Gauthier – Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Jan Golicic – Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
Harrison Meneghin – Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
College / University
Jayson Shaugabay – University of Minnesota-Duluth
Joe Connor – Northeastern University
Warren Clark – St. Cloud State University
Hagen Burrows – University of Denver
Isaac Howard – Michigan State University
Alex Gagne – University of New Hampshire
Klavs Veinbergs – Colorado College
Connor Kurth – University of Minnesota
Cooper Flinton – Dartmouth College
Jack Harvey – Boston College
KHL
Daniil Pylenkov – Dynamo Moskva
Mikhail Shalagin – Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Liiga
Joona Saarelainen – KalPa
NL
Simon Ryfors – HC Davos
Waltteri Merelä – SC Bern
SHL
Noah Steen – Örebo HK
Hugo Alnefelt – HV71
Other Hockey News
Columbus re-signs Cole Sillinger [Columbus Dispatch]
After trading Patrik Laine to Montreal, the Blue Jackets had plenty of cap space. They used a portion of it to re-sign one of their young forwards in Sillinger (son of former Bolt Mike Sillinger). The $2.25 AAV, two-year deal is pretty reasonable for the 21 year-old.
Seattle extends Matty Beniers to a seven-year contract [Davy Jones’ Locker Room]
Another 21 year-old forward is going to start cashing some slightly bigger checks starting next season as Matty Beniers agreed to a seven-year extension with an AAV of $7.14 million. Would he commanded a bigger deal if he hadn’t slumped offensively in his second season? Probably, but $7 million isn’t something to sneeze at.
The Ryan Johansen Dispute 101 [Broad Street Hockey]
Our friends in Philly break down the Johansen saga. He says he was hurt, they are crying shenanigans, and this is all likely heading to an arbitrator.
Tortorella, Quinn added to 4 Nations Face-Off coaching staff [Team USA Hockey]
Back during the 2007-08 season, John Tortorella hired Mike Sullivan as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now, more than a decade later, Sullivan returns the favor as Torts was added to Sullivan’s Team USA staff for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
Max Chambers has a history of not delivering [Inforum]
With the news coming out that Major League Hockey, a proposed 3-on-3 professional hockey league, delaying it’s inaugural season till October 2025, perhaps it’s a good time to revisit this story about Max Chambers, their CEO. It’s not great.
Look at that beautiful ice
