In today’s edition of Stat Hockey’s NHL News & Rumours we look at a signing and a veteran on the trade block out of Toronto and an interesting waiver claim by the Arizona Coyotes. Then the focus shifts to a trade completed by the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues before discussing a familiar face for the New York Rangers earning a deal.
Maple Leafs Sign Aston-Reese, Look for Trade Partner for Simmonds
The Toronto Maple Leafs were busy one day before the NHL rosters must be finalized. They were impressed by the preseason performance of Zach Aston-Reese and he turned his professional tryout (PTO) into a one-year contract worth $840,630. He will play an important role on the fourth line as a physical presence, especially since the team is planning on moving on from Wayne Simmonds.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1579137939296387073
Having said that, a number of young players impressed at the Maple Leafs training camp and earned themselves spots. Simmonds was left out and was put on waivers the other day. He played 72 games for the team last season, scoring five goals, 16 points, and playing under 10 minutes a game. He is 34 and could still provide some leadership and physical play in a fourth line role for a team. The return will likely be next to nothing, but it’s a good thing the Maple Leafs are trying to do for Simmonds.
Coyotes Take Chance on Valimaki
Juuso Valimaki was one of the players that the Calgary Flames cut from training camp this season and he was placed on waivers. In 2021-22, he made the team out of training camp but failed to stick around for more than nine games before playing the rest of the season in the AHL. The Flames have been fortunate with the health of their defencemen, so there wasn’t any chance for Valimaki to be recalled and get into games. The Flames had 10 defencemen on one-way contracts at camp and Michael Stone also in the mix for a spot on a PTO. With Oliver Kylington expected to miss the very start of the season, there was an extra spot up for grabs. Valimaki failed to seize it.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1579170341599203328
The Arizona Coyotes made a smart move in taking a shot on Valimaki considering they hope to trade Jakob Chychrun in the near future. Since both are left defencemen, Valimaki would be given a better opportunity than he’s had thus far in his career at playing meaningful minutes in the NHL, even if it is for a bottom-feeder.
Oilers & Blues Swap Prospects Samorukov & Kostin
The Oilers and Blues completed a trade for two of their more NHL-ready prospects as Klim Kostin heads to Edmonton and Dmitri Samorukov goes back to St. Louis. Both players had just cleared waivers. Samorukov didn’t have a bad training camp with the Oilers, but they had a number of defencemen in front of him on the depth chart which would have made it very difficult for him to see NHL games.
Related: NHL News & Rumours: Stars, Kraken, Coyotes, Panthers
Kostin failed to impress at training camp and even though he had a decent shot at earning a bottom-six role, he was sent down. He got into 40 NHL games last season, recording just four goals and nine points. He also had a lackluster end to the regular season in the AHL but improved a bit in the playoffs. The Oilers are right up against the cap and the $25,000 they’re saving between the two makes a difference. Both 23-year-olds get a fresh start with a new organization and still have potential.
Vesey Impresses Rangers, Signs 1-Year Deal
Jimmy Vesey was another player that impressed at a team’s training camp and earned himself a one-year contract. The New York Rangers signed him to a one-year, $750,000 deal in the hopes that he can replace some of what Kevin Rooney brought to the lineup last season. The Rangers have also struggled to really find wingers for the top two lines as they want to keep the young third line together.
Jimmy is staying on Broadway! 🗽
The @NYRangers have signed Jimmy Vesey (@19Vesey) to a one-year deal. pic.twitter.com/m0Vklf7qzS
— NHL (@NHL) October 9, 2022
Vesey played his first three years in the NHL with the Rangers and was a solid middle-six scorer. He played 68 games for the New Jersey Devils last season and put up just eight goals and 15 points. He will be looking for a return to the production he had in his first go-around with New York and will have the opportunity to do so.
This was another edition of Stat Hockey’s NHL News & Rumours as I keep you up to date with the latest around the NHL.
