While it’ll be a while before NHL action resumes, there has been an uptick in minor league signings while some drafted prospects find themselves on the move. Here is a rundown of those moves.
- Kings prospect Kasper Simontaival has been loaned from Tappara of the SM-liiga to Tuto of the second-tier Mestis. While no announcement was officially made, the 66th pick in last week’s draft was in the lineup for Tuto today. Simontaival has seen limited action with Tappara this season, suiting up in just four of their six games while averaging under 10 minutes a night in playing time.
- Blues prospect Mathias Laferriere has been traded in the QMJHL as Blainville-Boisbriand announced that they’ve acquired the 20-year-old in exchange for a third-round pick. Laferriere was a sixth-round pick of St. Louis (169th overall) in 2018 and has already signed his entry-level contract. With QMJHL play set to resume later this month, Laferriere will have a chance to get some game action before NHL and AHL training camps get underway.
- Coyotes prospect Liam Kirk has signed with Hanhals of the HockeyEttan, the Swedish-based team announced. The 20-year-old was a seventh-round pick of Arizona (189th overall) back in 2018 out of Sheffield of the EIHL and spent the last two seasons with OHL Peterborough. Last year, he averaged just over a point per game with 21 goals and 29 assists in 47 contests. The Coyotes have until June 1, 2022 to sign him to an entry-level deal or give up his NHL rights.