Tuesday, June 23

Neil Parker

2015-06-23

Ehlers being fast tracked? A Talbot road block and Galchenyuk’s agent cliff’ed …

***

How high should we be aiming for Nikolaj Ehlers next fall?

Of course, he’ll have to make the club first, but with 205 points — 86 goals — over his past 114 games in the QMJHL and no AHL option, it seems like the best move is locking him into a top-six role.

Potentially, even a top-line role alongside Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd. This would require a shift to the right side, as Ehlers has primarily played left wing throughout his time with the Halifax Mooseheads. Ladd and Mathieu Perreault the top-six left side locked up, likely. And with Michael Frolik potentially gone, there is an opening at right wing.

Stepping back, though, Ehlers-Little-Ladd and Blake Wheeler-Mark Scheifele-Perreault is a formidable one-two punch up front.

Kevin LeBlanc recently hit up Ehlers in a recent edition of the Journey, and piggybacking off of his analysis, Ehlers’ freewheeling offensive talents could thrive with the potential open space created by Winnipeg’s relentless and physical forecheck.

A strong camp will make him a late-round flier, but an aggressive reach may yield a significant return. After all, right wing is arguably the weakest forward position, and Ehlers could realistically flirt with 60 points.

How confident and comfortable the Jets are in Ehlers will play out over the summer. Unless they make a move to address their top two lines, it is likely safe to assume they’re ready to let Ehlers loose.

***

Dylan McIlrath and Michael Del Zotto are two interesting restricted free-agent defensemen from the cap-strapped New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively. Also, the Rangers have six defensemen under contract for next season, and the Flyers have eight.

McIlrath still has oodles to prove, but he does do a few things well, and should be able to crave out a role in the league as a defense-first rearguard. Although, as Cliffy pointed out recently, mobility and competent puck skills are more coveted than ever from defensemen.

Still, at 23, there is time for McIlrath to emerge as a shut-down defenseman. Or is that out of question now?

Del Zotto, on the other hand, has proven to be an offensive catalyst from the blue line, and he was exceptional for the Flyers once he gained consistent playing time this past season.

Contract talks with the Flyers haven’t progressed, but general manager Ron Hextall maintains he intends to re-sign Del Zotto. Salary arbitration could happen June 29, too, though Hextall acknowledged neither party wants to go that route.

***

It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs should be able to sign Zach Hyman, according to his father.

As a fan, seeing the team exploring and finding creative opportunities to improve the team is welcomed. Shipping out the immovable contract, and now making a minor deal to add a potential piece. And while Hyman may never achieve anything more substantial than Greg McKegg does, at this stage, Hyman certainly has more upside.

McKegg is never going to be more than a fringe talent, at least there is a chance Hyman is more.

Scoring 54 points — 22 goals — as a senior in the NCAA isn’t anything to dismiss, but as an older player in the league, it shouldn’t be seen as earth shattering, either.

***

I wonder where the contract talks between Alex Galchenyuk and the Montreal Canadiens go now that Galchenyuk has fired his agent.

The KHL rumors have been debunked, and it is unlikely the 2015-16 season starts with him unsigned, but there doesn’t appear to be enough money for anything more than a bridge deal.

Is that better for Galchenyuk or the Canadiens?

His fantasy stock would have more lustre were he next to Max Pacioretty.

***

It should be an exciting few days leading into the draft. Enjoy it.

UPCOMING GAMES

Dec 22 - 12:12	NYR	vs	CAR
Dec 22 - 17:12	T.B	vs	FLA
Dec 22 - 17:12	UTA	vs	ANA
Dec 22 - 17:12	WSH	vs	L.A
Dec 22 - 20:12	EDM	vs	OTT
Dec 22 - 20:12	COL	vs	SEA