Geese Information & Rumors: LaCombe, Vatrano, Sennecke & Extra – The Hockey Writers – Anaheim Geese

The Anaheim Geese completed signing all their restricted free brokers, with offers going to defenseman Jackson LaCombe and ahead Nikita Nesterenko on Monday (July 15), a refreshing change from final offseason when contract talks with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale lingered into early October. Elsewhere, the rumor mill continues to be churning for pending unrestricted free agent Frank Vatrano and No. 3 general decide Beckett Sennecke was invited to play for Canada on the upcoming 2024 World Junior Summer time Showcase. 

Geese Conform to Phrases With LaCombe and Nesterenko 

Jackson LaCombe inked a two-year, $1.85 million contract with the Geese following the completion of his entry-level deal. He generated two targets, 15 assists, 55 pictures on aim, 129 blocked pictures and 50 hits in 71 outings through the 2023-24 marketing campaign. He averaged 19:23 of ice time per contest, which ranked fourth on the staff. LaCombe was paired with Cam Fowler and Radko Gudas for a lot of the season. The left-handed LaCombe struggled whereas enjoying on the precise facet with Fowler, particularly within the defensive zone. 

A logjam of lefties for the Geese getting into the 2024-25 marketing campaign will doubtless lead to extra blueliners enjoying on their off-sides, with LaCombe probably being certainly one of them once more. He additionally might see extra sheltered minutes on the third pairing. There can be loads of competitors for spots on the blue line throughout coaching camp. LaCombe is already exhausting at work whereas enjoying in Da Magnificence League this summer time in his residence state of Minnesota to get a head begin.

Associated: Meet the Anaheim Geese’ 2024 Offseason Additions

Nikita Nesterenko signed his qualifying provide, paying him $874,125 if he performs within the NHL in 2024-25. He’ll make $70,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) degree. Nesterenko produced 16 targets and 37 factors in 70 appearances for the AHL’s San Diego Gulls final season. The 22-year-old ahead additionally picked up one aim, seven pictures on web and 7 hits in three outings with the Geese in 2023-24. 

Nesterenko doubtless gained’t declare an NHL roster spot out of coaching camp however could possibly be among the many first call-ups from the minors. After being acquired from the Minnesota Wild on March 3, 2023, he has provided two targets in 12 contests with the Geese over the previous two seasons. 

Rangers May Revisit Vatrano Commerce 

The New York Rangers had been involved in buying Vatrano from the Geese earlier than the 2024 commerce deadline. Nevertheless, a excessive asking worth resulted within the Rangers trying elsewhere for ahead assist. New York reporter Vincent Z. Mercogliano believes the Rangers might take one other stab at discovering frequent floor with the Geese (from ‘Are the Rangers completed? 5 ideas on an offseason that’s all of the sudden gone quiet,’ Rockland/Westchester Journal Information, July 9, 2024). 

Mercogliano noticed that Anaheim normal supervisor (GM) Pat Verbeek might wait till the 2025 commerce deadline to create a bidding battle for Vatrano’s providers. The Rangers solely have 5 whole picks within the opening 4 rounds of the following three drafts, however the staff has a first-round alternative for every of these years. With the cabinet emptying rapidly, GM Chris Drury might should get artistic to finish a commerce for impression gamers like Vatrano. 

Hockey Canada Invitations Sennecke to WJSS 

Beckett Sennecke was amongst 42 picks to play for Canada on the 2024 World Junior Summer time Showcase. They are going to compete in opposition to fellow prospects from the US, Sweden and Finland at USA Hockey Enviornment in Plymouth, Michigan, from July 26-Aug. 3. Sennecke amassed 27 targets and 41 assists in 63 video games for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) through the 2023-24 marketing campaign. He added 10 targets and 22 factors in 16 playoff contests.  

The mini-camp and video games will assist function a stepping stone for Sennecke forward of the doubtless state of affairs that he’ll characterize Canada on the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. The event will happen in Ottawa, Ontario, from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. 

Comtois Joins the KHL 

Max Comtois agreed to a one-year contract with Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Thursday (July 18). The 25-year-old ahead notched 19 targets, 44 factors, and 109 penalty minutes in 65 outings for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL in 2023-24. He additionally contributed one help in a single regular-season look with the Carolina Hurricanes final marketing campaign and performed in a single playoff sport versus the Rangers.

Comtois was chosen within the second spherical (fiftieth general) by the Geese within the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In the course of the shortened 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the Geese in scoring with 16 targets and 33 factors in 55 outings. Nevertheless, the once-promising ahead struggled mightily afterward whereas coping with accidents and dropping down the depth chart. He was minimize unfastened by the staff and has had a tough time cracking NHL lineups since. He’ll look to revive his profession overseas earlier than a possible return to North America.