The World Junior Summer Showcase got underway in Plymouth, MI yesterday with USA Blue and USA White scrimmaging. The American sides played two periods of five-on-five hockey before an ice cut. After the cut, each team worked on special teams. Florida Panthers prospect Spencer Knight did not surrender a goal during the pair of even strength frames. Neither did fellow netminders Isaiah Saville (Vegas Golden Knights), Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames) and Drew DeRidder (2020 draft eligible) for that matter. Following that was an alternating power play for each side. After five minutes, the teams switched up who was on the power play and who was on the penalty kill. USA Blue nearly found the back of the net at the last second, but were unable to finish. The scrimmage went to a shootout, where USA White’s Trevor Zegras (Anaheim Ducks) bagged the clinching goal.
Today, the real games get underway. USA White will face Finland at 1 p.m. while USA Blue will take on Sweden at 4 p.m.
In addition to Knight, Florida prospects Serron Noel (Canada) and Owen Lindmark (USA Blue) are participating in the showcase, which serves as tuneup for the upcoming World Junior Championship.
If you are interested in watching, HockeyTV will broadcast games today through Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, NHL Network will pick up the coverage.
Schedule
Today – USA White vs Finland 1 p.m. / USA Blue vs Sweden 4 p.m. (HockeyTV)
Sunday – USA Blue vs Finland 1 p.m. / USA White vs Sweden 4 p.m. (HockeyTV)
* USA Hockey will cut players and combine into a single squad
Tuesday – Canada vs USA 4 p.m. (HockeyTV)
Wednesday – Canada vs Finland 1 p.m. / USA vs Sweden 4 p.m. (NHL Network)
Friday – Sweden vs Canada 1 p.m. / Finland vs USA 4 p.m. (NHL Network)
Saturday – Finland vs Sweden 1 p.m. / USA vs Canada 4 p.m. (NHL Network)
Hockey Headlines
The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Pavel Buchnevich, avoiding arbitration. The 24-year-old’s new contract is for two years and carries an average annual value of $3.25 million. Buchnevich scored 21 goals and added 17 assists last season. (Blueshirt Banter)
Chandler Stephenson and the Washington Capitals also avoided arbitration, with the 25-year-old forward inking a one-year deal worth $1,050,000. Last season, Stephenson put up 11 points in 64 games for the Capitals. (NBC Sports)
The Detroit Red Wings signed center prospect Dominic Turgeon to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700K at the NHL level and $80K at the AHL level. Turgeon appeared in four games with the Red Wings last season. (The Detroit News)
Remaining Arbitration Hearings
Buffalo Sabres: Remi Elie (August 1) Linus Ullmark (August 2) Jake McCabe (August 4)
Calgary Flames: David Rittich (July 29)
Carolina Hurricanes: Anton Forsberg (August 4)
Nashville Predators: Rocco Grimaldi (August 4)
New Jersey Devils: Will Butcher (August 2)
St. Louis Blues: Joel Edmundson (August 4)
* 32 of the 40 players who filed have signed new contracts