It’s finally a day without any postponements in the NHL. Eleven games are on the schedule, including several Canadian teams finally getting back on the ice. Many eyes will be on Boston where Tuukka Rask makes his return to the net, while in Carolina Jack LaFontaine will be dressing for the first time. As those teams and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league and taxi squad shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Florida Panthers will need to recall an extra goaltender, as Jonas Johansson has been placed in the COVID protocol. Spencer Knight, the obvious choice, is also already in the protocol, leaving just Christopher Gibson as a potential recall unless Knight is able to test out in time.
- The Ottawa Senators have recalled Jacob Bernard-Docker and Scott Sabourin from the taxi squad. The 21-year-old Bernard-Docker will play in his ninth career game this evening and is still looking for his first NHL goal.
- The Buffalo Sabres have activated Kyle Okposo and Alex Tuch from the COVID protocol, meaning Brett Murray’s time on the active roster is over. The young forward has been returned to the taxi squad.
Metropolitan Division
- The Carolina Hurricanes have officially recalled Jack LaFontaine to the active roster, sending Alex Lyon back to the Chicago Wolves. The 24-year-old LaFontaine recently abandoned his final college season to sign a one-year entry-level contract with the Hurricanes.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have added Morgan Frost and Max Willman from the taxi squad, while loaning Connor Bunnaman and Felix Sandstrom back to the AHL. Frost, the 27th overall pick in 2017, has six points in 16 games this season for the Flyers.
Central Division
- The Colorado Avalanche have added Mikhail Maltsev back to the taxi squad, after playing a pair of games against the Tucson Roadrunners a few days ago. Maltsev has 18 points in 25 games for the Colorado Eagles this season.
- Riley Damiani is involved in another transaction, this time coming up from the Texas Stars to the Dallas Stars taxi squad. He’s been moved up or down in near-daily transactions over the last while, as the Stars look to maximize cap space while still having enough extra bodies.
- The Nashville Predators recalled forwards Matt Luff and Cole Smith to the active roster from the taxi squad, while also calling up forward Cody Glass from the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals to the taxi squad. Luff and Smith should both draw into the lineup tonight against Buffalo.
Pacific Division
- The Vancouver Canucks have sent Phil Di Giuseppe back to the AHL, where he’ll join the Abbotsford Canucks once again. The 28-year-old has 16 points in 19 games for Abbotsford so far.
- Christian Wolanin has been activated from the COVID protocol and sent to the minor leagues by the Los Angeles Kings. Wolanin will be able to get back in game shape in the minor leagues before making a return, given he hasn’t played in nearly two weeks. Later in the day the team recalled Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Jacob Moverare, and Samuel Fagemo to the active roster.
- After Mike Smith was ruled out earlier today, the Edmonton Oilers have recalled Stuart Skinner to the taxi squad. The young netminder will likely move to the active roster in the coming days.
- The Anaheim Ducks have activated Sam Carrick from the COVID protocol, but his place will be taken by Simon Benoit who goes into it today. The team has also recalled Brendan Guhle from the AHL while sending Lukas Dostal from the taxi squad to the AHL.
This page will be updated throughout the day