Just four games grace the NHL schedule this evening but all of them have playoff implications. The most important in terms of trade deadline preparation? Perhaps that’s the Dallas Stars heading to Chicago in what feels like a must-win game. The Stars are still barely outside of a playoff spot in the Western Conference and can’t afford to be losing gams against struggling teams like the Blackhawks if they want to make an impact this year. As those teams and others prepare, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Detroit Red Wings have sent Joseph Veleno back to the AHL, as they hit pause for a few days. The team won’t play again until the 23rd, meaning Veleno can get into some more action with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the meantime.
Metropolitan Division
- The Philadelphia Flyers have activated Tanner Laczynski from injured reserve, sending him to the minor leagues in the process. Laczynski hasn’t played at all this season, meaning he’ll certainly have to get some games at the AHL level before seeing time with Philadelphia.
Central Division
- The Winnipeg Jets have activated David Gustafsson from injured reserve and assigned him to the AHL, where he can continue his season with the Manitoba Moose. Gustafsson, 21, has played in just two games for Winnipeg this season and 23 for the Moose, scoring 16 points in those AHL contests.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled top prospect Lukas Reichel, while moving Jonathan Toews to injured reserve retroactive to January 26. Toews was on the ice today skating but is still in the concussion protocol for the time being. Jujhar Khaira has been placed on long-term injured reserve, according to Charlie Roumeliotis of NBCS Chicago.
Pacific Division
This page will be updated throughout the day