Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Matt Krohn
Journalist Joe Smith of the Athletic reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defensive prospect Cade Webber, who was acquired lately.
Other than the fact that it will be an entry-level contract, little information about the contract is currently known. During the trade deadline, Webber’s rights were purchased by the Maple Leafs from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2026 sixth round pick.
After Boston University lost a thrilling 2-1 overtime match to Denver in the Frozen Four semifinals, Webber, 23, wrapped off his fourth season there. Despite having just six assists in 38 games this season, Webber’s efforts earned him the title of Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenceman. Webber played in 123 games over his four years at Boston University, tallying 1 goal and 15 assists for 16 points.
Steven Ellis, the prospect analyst for Daily Faceoff, stated that Webber “will never be an offensive threat.” “At least in the NCAA, he’ll always be someone you throw on the ice to kill a penalty or shut down the star players of other teams.” He is mobile, but is his speed on par with that of the NHL? I’m not certain. Though he won’t rush in to try to chip in a goal, you’re not expecting for a man his size to be speedy because his main focus is on shutting things down at the blueline or displacing opponents.
After playing a season in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees, Webber was selected by the Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Draft, coming from U.S.H.S. Prep hockey. In 2020, he started his collegiate career at Boston University.
Webber is likely to begin his professional career with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL unless the Leafs are so unconfident in their blueline that they’re willing to throw him to the wolves at the NHL level. As of right now, the Marlies are fourth in the North Division and have not yet guaranteed a postseason berth. He joins a Marlies blueline that includes more seasoned players like Max Lajoie, Marshall Rifai, and Cameron Gaunce in addition to prospects Topi Niemela, William Villeneuve, and Mikko Kokkonen.
Prospect Dylan Peterson signs a two-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues.
Ellis, Steven
Ellis, Steven
April 13, 2024
Prospect Dylan Peterson signs a two-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues.
Kelvin Kuo/USA TODAY Sports is credited.
Dylan Peterson, a forward, has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues, effective for the 2024–25 season.
The Blues selected Peterson with the 86th overall pick in 2020. The 6-foot-4 forward played for Boston University for the previous four years, where he scored 20 points in 35 games this year, a career high. With 73 penalty minutes, the tough centre surpassed his previous best of 26 from the previous season, setting a new career high.
Peterson participated in the USA Hockey National Team Development Programme for two years before beginning his collegiate career. At the 2018 U-17 World Challenge, he gave it his all, but COVID-19 in 2020 prevented him from competing at the U-18 World Championship.
Although Peterson was born in California, he spent much of his youth hockey career in the Ottawa area. At the U-18 level, he was a dangerous two-way striker, which earned him a position on the USA U-17 squad the following year.
Although his offensive prowess is unknown, the 22-year-old is a challenging opponent to play against. His size is advantageous since it allows him to take up space at both ends of the ice, particularly in front of the net. It should be easy for him to transition to minor league play with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL the following season, and he may even get some playing time in St. Louis’ bottom six.
