Just four games on the Friday night schedule in the NHL, though that does include the red-hot Vancouver Canucks with another chance to keep chasing down the Pacific Division playoff spots. Vancouver will take on the rollercoaster ride that is the Washington Capitals, who oscillate between crushing playoff teams and losing to those outside the postseason. Given the Edmonton Oilers beat them earlier this week, the Canucks will need to do the same to keep pace. As they and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Boston Bruins have returned Jesper Froden to the AHL after just a couple of days and no game action. The 27-year-old forward has played in five contests, his last coming on March 3, but has failed to record a single point.
- The Florida Panthers have recalled Spencer Knight while loaning Jonas Johansson to Charlotte of the AHL on a conditioning assignment. Johansson is certainly in need of some playing time as the goaltender has made just one appearance since December 8th. Meanwhile, Knight has been doing well with the Checkers and picked up a 29-save victory in a spot start back on Monday.
Metropolitan Division
- With Zdeno Chara being activated from injured reserve, the New York Islanders have returned Otto Koivula to the AHL. The 23-year-old Koivula has played in five games this season (and 12 in 2019-20) but is still looking for his first NHL goal. That’s not the case in Bridgeport, where he has 36 points in 43 games.
- Morgan Frost has been recalled to the Philadelphia Flyers, after Scott Laughton suffered an injury last night. To make room, Max Willman has been loaned back to the AHL. Frost, 22, continues to be bounced back and forth between the AHL and NHL, splitting his season almost directly in half this year. In 30 games with the Flyers, he has two goals and seven points.
Central Division
Pacific Division
- Rasmus Kupari has been recalled by the Los Angeles Kings, his first recall since going down at the beginning of February. Kupari has played in 37 games for the Kings this season, but registered just three goals and nine points in that span. Set to turn 22 next week, the young forward is still trying to establish himself as a regular at the NHL level.
- The San Jose Sharks have returned Ryan Merkley to the AHL, now that they’re getting back some healthy bodies on defense. Erik Karlsson was back yesterday and played nearly 26 minutes in the win, recording two assists. Merkley, the team’s 2018 first-round pick, has just three points in 23 appearances with the Sharks this season.
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