NHL season opens without familiar UND faces

Oct. 10—GRAND FORKS — The NHL opens its regular season this week.

Two of UND's all-time greats will not be suiting up — yet.

Jonathan Toews and Zach Parise, both unrestricted free agents, have not yet signed anywhere, though neither has announced retirement.

Toews, 35, said in August he will be taking a hiatus due to health issues.

"I am not fully retiring, but I am taking time away from the game again this season," Toews wrote on Instagram. "I cannot deny my love for the game of hockey and still feel the passion for competing at my highest level.

"However, these last few seasons have been very difficult considering my health challenges. My focus is to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again. Along the way, I have met several people who have struggled with health issues pertaining to long COVID, chronic immune response syndrome, and other similar cases that are quite complex. I now recognize the importance of one day sharing the details of my health journey with you all."

Toews missed the entire 2020-21 season, and part of last season, due to health issues.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced they would not seek to re-sign Toews, who captained the franchise to Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Parise, 39, has not ruled out a return. He is currently living in the Twin Cities.

Parise scored 21 goals for the New York Islanders last season.

There are 10 former UND players opening the season on NHL rosters — Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks), Derek Forbort (Boston Bruins), Tyson Jost (Buffalo Sabres), Brock Nelson (New York Islanders), T.J. Oshie (Washington Capitals), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators), Nick Schmaltz (Arizona Coyotes), Cole Smith (Nashville Predators), Troy Stecher (Arizona) and Tucker Poolman (Vancouver).

Poolman, of East Grand Forks, is on longterm injured reserve.

Former UND center Shane Pinto, meanwhile, is still waiting to sign with the Ottawa Senators.

Pinto is a restricted free agent, who is ineligible to sign an offer sheet with another team. He's in limbo waiting for Ottawa to send a better offer.

There are 12 former UND players who are on NHL contracts but starting the season in the American Hockey League — Jacob Bernard-Docker (Ottawa), Drake Caggiula (Edmonton Oilers), Judd Caulfield (Anaheim Ducks), Rhett Gardner (Philadelphia Flyers), Matt Kiersted (Florida Panthers), Tyler Kleven (Ottawa), Paul LaDue (New York Islanders), Brad Malone (Edmonton), Zane McIntyre (Minnesota Wild), Colton Poolman (Calgary Flames), Jasper Weatherby (Nashville) and Christian Wolanin (Vancouver).

All are eligible for call-ups at any time.

Nine former UND players are on AHL contracts, seven are on ECHL deals.

Aaron Dell, Austin Poganski and Rocco Grimaldi have been working out on tryout contracts.

Former UND captain and head coach Dave Hakstol is entering his third season as the head coach of the Seattle Kraken. Last season, Hakstol was named one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award as the top coach in the NHL.

1,280 — James Patrick

1,256 — Craig Ludwig

1,224 — Zach Parise

1,067 — Jonathan Toews

1,037 — Travis Zajac

1,009 — Dave Christian

Regular-season games only

Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks ($6,650,000)

Derek Forbort, Boston Bruins ($3,000,000)

Tyson Jost, Buffalo Sabres ($2,000,000)

Brock Nelson, New York Islanders ($6,000,000)

T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals ($5,750,000)

Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators ($925,000 / $80,000)

Nick Schmaltz, Arizona Coyotes ($5,850,000)

Cole Smith, Nashville Predators ($775,000)

Troy Stecher, Arizona Coyotes ($1,100,000)

Longterm injured reserver

Tucker Poolman, Vancouver Canucks ($2,500,000)

Unsigned restricted free agent

Shane Pinto, Ottawa Senators

Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ottawa Senators ($805,000)

Drake Caggiula, Edmonton Oilers ($775,000 / $500,000)

Judd Caulfield, Anaheim Ducks ($837,500 / $70,000)

Rhett Gardner, Philadelphia Flyers ($775,000 / $400,000)

Matt Kiersted, Florida Panthers ($775,000)

Tyler Kleven, Ottawa Senators ($916,667 / $80,000)

Paul LaDue, New York Islanders ($762,500 / $325,000)

Brad Malone, Edmonton Oilers ($762,500 / $250,000)

Zane McIntyre, Minnesota Wild ($775,000 / $305,000)

Colton Poolman, Calgary Flames ($775,000 / $150,000)

Jasper Weatherby, Nashville Predators ($775,000 / $115,000)

Christian Wolanin, Vancouver Canucks ($775,000 / $500,000)

Listed salaries are if player is in NHL / AHL. Source: Capfriendly.