Taxi Squad Shuffle: 01/30/21

There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day.

East Division

• The Penguins announced that they have recalled defenseman Yannick Weber from the taxi squad. The 32-year-old signed a two-way deal with Pittsburgh earlier this week and with their injury situation on the back end, they need him already.  The team also converted the emergency recalls of blueliners Kevin Czuczman and Pierre-Olivier Joseph to regular recalls.
• The Capitals announced (Twitter link) that they have assigned center Connor McMichael from the taxi squad to AHL Hershey, recalling Phillipe Maillet from Hershey to fill the vacated slot. McMichael, a first-round pick of Washington back in 2019, made his NHL debut on Sunday, logging nearly 10 minutes against Buffalo.  As for Maillet, he led the Bears in scoring last season with 44 points in 61 games.
• Nick Merkley is back up with the Devils as New Jersey announced (via Twitter) that the winger has been recalled from the taxi squad. The 23-year-old has played in two games with the Devils so far this season, recording one assist and will take the place of Travis Zajac who was placed on the CPRA list yesterday.
• The Philadelphia Flyers have announced a number of moves, including a pair of recalls and an injured reserve switch. Up from the taxi squad are forwards Connor Bunnaman and former defenseman Samuel Morin. Bunnaman has played in four games with the Flyers thus far, but Morin would be making his season debut if he draws into the lineup. Also, defenseman Philippe Myers has been activated from the IR, while forward Sean Couturier has officially been transferred to the reserve.

Central Division

• With Ryan Lomberg clearing waivers, the Florida Panthers forward has been assigned to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The team has also transferred defenseman Gustav Forsling to the injured reserve, with head coach Joel Quenneville believing that he could miss a week or two. Filling those two open spots on the roster for now are young forwards Aleksi Heponiemi and Owen Tippett, both of whom have been recalled from the taxi squad. Should he find his way into the lineup on this recall, it would be the NHL debut for Heponiemi in his second season with the Panthers.
• The Detroit Red Wings are re-stocking their active roster after a day off. Forwards Taro Hirose, Michael Rasmussen, and Givani Smith and goaltender Calvin Pickard have been elevated from the taxi squad ahead of tonight’s game against the Panthers. Rasmussen has played in six games so far this season, Hirose and Smith have each played in three, and Pickard has not seen any action as the club’s No. 3 goalie.

North Division

• As expected, the Canadiens have recalled Corey Perry from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly’s transactions log. The recall is once again classified as on an emergency basis with Joel Armia out with a concussion as Perry’s promotion brings them to 12 forwards.  The veteran has a goal and an assist in two games this season.
• A frequent move this season for the Winnipeg Jets, the team has again shuffled rookies Kristian Vesalainen and Logan Stanley between the active roster and taxi squad, this time announcing that the pair have been recalled. The first round picks have played in a combined seven games thus far this season.
• At long last, the Edmonton Oilers have a veteran backup back on the roster. Waiver claim Troy Grosenick has been added to the active roster alongside Tyler Ennis, who has been recalled from the taxi squad. They take the places of Stuart Skinner and Joakim Nygard, who have been demoted to the taxi squad per a team release. Additionally, forward Alan Quine has been reassigned from the taxi squad to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors – not a small move considering how difficult it will be for Quine to be recalled from the American affiliate to the Canadian parent club.

West Division

• Lias Andersson is headed back to the taxi squad, the Los Angeles Kings announced. The off-season addition has played in six of the team’s eight games so far but has seen limited minutes and produced just one point. The Kings want to see more from the 2017 seventh overall pick.