The All-Star break is upon us, and players all over the league will be flying away to get a few days of rest and relaxation. For some, the destination will be Tampa Bay to suit up and represent their team among the best of the best. For others, the minor leagues might be at the end of that flight, with no rest awaiting them. Many waiver-exempt players will be sent down this weekend, though not all of them will actually suit up for their AHL squads. We’ll keep track of all the minor movement right here.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have sent Haydn Fleury to the minor leagues, where he’ll be able to suit up tonight and tomorrow before likely returning to the NHL. The 21-year old defenseman has played 39 games for the Hurricanes this season, recording six assists but still looking for his first NHL goal.
- Minnesota, who have used every opportunity to bank cap space this season, have sent Kyle Rau and Joel Eriksson Ek to the AHL for the time being. Both players have spent time in the minors this season, but are expected to get the call back up to the NHL after the weekend.
- The Colorado Avalanche have three players on their way back, sending A.J. Greer, Dominic Toninato and David Warsofsky to the minor leagues today. The surprising Avalanche are hoping to get a few healthy bodies back after the break, which might mean a longer stint for a few of the above players.
- Michael Dal Colle, Tanner Fritz and Ross Johnston are all on their way back to the AHL, the New York Islanders announced today. Dal Colle, the fifth-overall pick in 2014 is still looking for his first NHL point through four games with the club.
- The Buffalo Sabres have returned Matt Tennyson to the AHL, as he’s still able to be demoted without clearing waivers. Tennyson hasn’t had much of an impact on the Sabres this season, playing in just 14 games.
- Anthony DeAngelo, Peter Holland and Vinni Lettieri are all on their way to the minor leagues, though whether they’ll actually play for the Hartford Wolf Pack isn’t certain. All three should be back up with the New York Rangers following the break.
- The New Jersey Devils have sent Kevin Rooney and Mackenzie Blackwood back down, and with Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid coming closer to returns Blackwood likely won’t be back. The young goaltender will have to wait for his next opportunity in the NHL.
- The Calgary Flames have returned Andrew Mangiapane, Marek Hrvik and Ryan Lomberg, and you can expect at least two to return after the break. Mangiapane has been quite the find for the Flames, drafted in the sixth round but showing he could be a legitimate NHL open down the road. Though he’s still scoreless through his first eight games with Calgary, the 21-year old has 35 points in 30 AHL contests.
- Ottawa has sent Erik Burgdoerfer, Colin White and Chris DiDomenico to the minor leagues, though all three will likely return after the break. The Senators roster may look very different in the coming weeks, which could provide an opportunity for White, a top prospect, to take hold of a bigger role.
- Troy Grosenick has been sent down by the San Jose Sharks, and Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News reports that Martin Jones should be ready after the break. Even though Aaron Dell has been one of the league’s best stories, getting Jones back only strengthens a beat up Sharks team.
- David Booth has been brought back up by the Detroit Red Wings, while Dominic Turgeon is on his way to Grand Rapids. That’s probably to get Turgeon into some games over the break, but it is interesting that Booth is back up. On a two-way deal, he earns more money while in the NHL.
- Samuel Montembeault is on his way back to the AHL, leaving the Florida Panthers without actually getting into a game. The 21-year old goaltender could be back up if James Reimer isn’t ready to go after the break.
- Dillon Heatherington, Jason Dickinson and Julius Honka have all been loaned back to the Texas Stars, a huge upgrade for the team if the trio all play this weekend. Heatherington has shown that he might be a surprise option for the Dallas Stars on the blueline this season, while Honka and Dickinson both still hold huge upside.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have loaned defenseman Rinat Valiev back to the minor leagues, and he might not get a chance to come back if either Morgan Rielly or Nikita Zaitsev are ready to come off injured reserve after the break. As James Mirtle of The Athletic points out, short stints have huge financial ramifications for minor league players two-way contracts, even if they don’t get into any games.
- The Winnipeg Jets have swapped goaltenders, recalling Jamie Phillips and sending Michael Hutchinson back to the AHL. Hutchinson will stay sharp with some games for the Manitoba Moose during the break, and then likely return to backup Connor Hellebuyck while Steve Mason deals with a concussion. The team has also returned Brendan Lemieux to the AHL for the time being.
- According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Markus Hannikainen, Dean Kukan and Joonas Korpisalo are the Columbus Blue Jackets on their way down, with Jeff Zatkoff coming up to fill roster requirements. The trio will all likely be back up after the weekend.
- Pittsburgh has sent Jean-Sebastien Dea to the minor leagues, where he has 23 points on the season. Dea scored his first NHL goal just a few days ago, and has played in four games now for the Penguins.
- Not long after calling him up to replace the suspended Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins announced that they have returned Anders Bjork to the AHL. Although Bjork was bumped down the lineup out of Marchand’s top line spot in the Bruins’ game last night, chances are he will be called back up after the All-Star break with Marchand set to sit for four more games.
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