SERAVALLI: Ice Breakers – Blackhawks Open To Moving Dylan Strome
By Frank Seravalli
Welcome back to the regular season edition of Ice Breakers, our regular feature at DailyFaceoff.com where we’ll pass along news and tidbits from around the National Hockey League.
> The Chicago Blackhawks are open to moving center Dylan Strome, who appears to be the odd-man out in Jeremy Colliton‘s opening night lineup in Colorado. Strome skated as an extra in Tuesday’s practice and was trending toward a healthy scratch against the Avs.
Strome, 24, has one year remaining on his deal at $3 million before becoming a restricted free agent. Last season, Strome collected nine goals and eight assists for 17 points. His first season in Chicago – three years ago now – Strome was nearly a point-per-game player with 51 in 58 games, including 17 goals.
From the Blackhawks’ point of view, they are not unhappy with Strome, but rather have a glut of centers now with Jonathan Toews returning, Kirby Dach and the offseason addition of Tyler Johnson.
Chicago certainly isn’t facing a pressure point to move Strome, but is actively listening to interest from other teams on Strome and will assess their options.
> Rangers forward Vitali Kravtsov made headlines on Tuesday by refusing his assignment to AHL Hartford, according to the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, after failing to make New York’s opening night roster.
Kravtsov, 21, was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft – interestingly the Rangers’ first of three picks in that round, and the only one (K’Andre Miller and Nils Lundkvist) who won’t face off against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
Sources say Kravtsov’s new agent, Dan Milstein, has been given permission by the Rangers to seek a fresh start with another franchise. Kravtsov changed agents over the summer, likely with this exact scenario in mind – as it was no secret that he has little interest in playing in the AHL.
Kravtsov has spent parts of each of the last two seasons playing back in his native Russia. While the Rangers have fired the two people responsible for drafting Kravtsov in GM Jeff Gorton and Director of European Scouting Nick Bobrov, at this point, the Rangers would certainly not be willing to terminate Kravtsov’s contract to make him a free agent. If he does decide to return to Russia this time, it would likely be on a loan, at which point the Rangers would own his rights until the age of 27, even after his entry-level contract expires at the end of this season.
Kravtsov has two goals and two assists for four points in 20 career NHL games. His teammates have lauded his elite-level hockey sense, but have wondered privately about his work ethic and interest in winning puck battles – having earned the reputation of ‘floating’ on the ice.
> The Seattle Kraken‘s opening night roster is, well, a bit of a deep sea mystery at the moment – as the Kraken navigate COVID-19 protocols and close contact situations. The NHL continues to closely monitor the situation.
Sources say at least one team staff member has tested positive, in addition to Calle Jarnkrok, who will miss the opener in Vegas on Tuesday night at the Fortress.
Marcus Johansson has been cleared to play. But teammates Joonas Donskoi, Jared McCann and Jamie Oleksiak have all been ruled out for the franchise’s inaugural game, according to coach Dave Hakstol. Seattle traveled with extra skaters in the event any of those three were not permitted to play.
As a result, Seattle may have upwards of seven or eight forwards in the lineup earning at or close to the league minimum salary, which would make for some tough sledding against the Golden Knights.
Really, it’s just unfortunate timing for Seattle, who have spent years building for this exact moment.
> The NHL and NHL Players’ Association set the escrow withholding rate for this season at 17.2 percent of players’ paychecks. According to the Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon between the two sides at the outset of this Collective Bargaining Agreement, this season called for an escrow withholding percentage of somewhere between 14-to-18 percent.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Daily Faceoff at the Player Media Tour in Chicago last month that players’ debt to owners is approximately $1 billion, a sum which the league expects to be paid off during the 2025-26 season. That 17.2 percent deducted this season will go toward paying that off.
As we reported in August, the NHL advised teams that the salary cap upper limit is expected to rise to $82.5 million next season.
> Keep an eye on Vladimir Tarasenko‘s start in St. Louis. To this point, everyone has done and said the right things, playing nice in the sandbox – but that doesn’t change the fact that Tarasenko still strongly desires a trade.
If Tarasenko gets off to a hot start, a trade could well materialize. Think back to last season: Patrik Laine entered the year in a similar situation, scored twice on opening night, and was soon moved to Columbus for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
The same could happen here. Tarasenko has let it be known he is finally healthy after two botched shoulder surgeries, but the 29-year-old proving he is back to his consistent 30-goal sniper self is another matter. Tarasenko has two years remaining on his contract at a $7.5 million cap hit, while next season’s actual cash payment drops down to $5.5 million.