After losing Dakota Mermis on waivers yesterday, Utah has brought up some extra defensive depth. The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled blueliner Kevin Connauton from AHL Tucson. While not announced by the club, rearguard Robert Bortuzzo was placed on IR to make room for Connauton on the active roster.
It’s the second recall of the season for the 34-year-old whose first stint with the big club didn’t last too long and was ended when Mermis was initially claimed off the waiver wire last month. A veteran of 360 career NHL appearances, Connauton last played in the NHL back in the 2021-22 season, splitting time between Florida and Philadelphia.
Connauton inked a two-year, two-way deal with Utah last summer, a contract that pays $775K in the NHL and $325K in the minors. He has played in 24 games with the Roadrunners this season, picking up five goals and four assists.
As for Bortuzzo, he returned from injured reserve on Thursday against Calgary after recovering from a lower-body injury but only played 8:25 in that game before landing on IR today. Speculatively, he may have had a recurrence of that injury. The 35-year-old has a pair of assists along with 26 blocked shots and 20 hits through 16 games so far this season but is averaging a career-low 10:53 per game.