Another big night in the NHL with nine games on the schedule including Sidney Crosby facing the high-flying Toronto Maple Leafs, and a Metropolitan clash between the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. We’ll keep track of all the last minute moves right here as teams prepare for the night’s action:
- Danick Martel has been sent to the AHL on a conditioning stint by the Tampa Bay Lightning, after being claimed off waivers during training camp. Martel played four games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season but will try to carve out an even bigger role in the Tampa Bay organization. A minor league offensive weapon, the undrafted Martel is looking to follow the path set by Yanni Gourde for the Lightning and go from undersized QMJHL scoring phenom to contributing NHL winger.
- The Anaheim Ducks announced that they have assigned center Chase De Leo back to San Diego of the AHL. He was recalled back on Tuesday and did not get into a game with the big club. In four games with the Gulls in the minors, he has a goal and three assists.
- With Jonathan Quick set to return from injured reserve, the Los Angeles Kings have returned veteran goaltender Peter Budaj to Ontario of the AHL. He got into Saturday’s loss against Ottawa, allowing one goal on eleven shots in half of the game.
- After clearing waivers earlier in the week, the Vancouver Canucks have now assigned defenseman Alex Biega to Utica (AHL), via the AHL’s Transactions Page. Biega hasn’t spent much time in the minors lately, suiting up in just one game for the Comets since 2015-16. However, he’ll at least get some playing time, something that wouldn’t have been the case had he stayed in Vancouver.
- The New York Rangers have swapped backup goaltenders, loaning Alexandar Georgiev to AHL Hartford while recalling Marek Mazanec. Georgiev is just 22 and has only played once this season which isn’t ideal for a young prospect. He’ll get some extra playing time in with the Wolf Pack while Mazanec is no stranger to being a backup in the NHL having spent parts of three seasons in that role with Nashville.