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AHL Shuffle: 04/13/22

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Just three games grace the schedule tonight after the Seattle-Winnipeg game was postponed, meaning even more eyes will be on the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche, doing battle as a pair of Stanley Cup hopefuls. The Kings righted the ship last night with a win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and combined with the Golden Knights’ loss, now have a three-point lead in the race for the third Pacific Division spot. Colorado meanwhile has still now slowed down, winning six in a row and eight of their last ten to extend their lead to 14 points in the Central. As they and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

  • After bringing him up under emergency conditions, Taro Hirose has been returned to the AHL by the Detroit Red Wings today. The 25-year-old didn’t actually get into a game, and is still stuck on 12 appearances this season for the Red Wings. Hirose is set to become a Group VI unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, given how few NHL games he has played to this point.

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

Pacific Division

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AHL Shuffle: 04/12/22

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After a very quiet Monday, the NHL is packed full of action this evening, with 28 of the 32 teams in action. That includes first-overall pick Owen Power making his debut for the Buffalo Sabres, playing just down the road from where he was born. The Mississauga, Ontario native will hit the ice for the first time against the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing on a pairing with Henri Jokiharju. While they and the rest of the league prepare, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

  • Last night, the Montreal Canadiens sent Jesse Ylonen back to the AHL, after he played against the Winnipeg Jets. The young forward has five points in 14 games this season, his first real taste of the NHL. Through 45 games with the Laval Rocket though, he has 30 points and should help the minor league team in their chase for the Calder Cup.
  • The Detroit Red Wings have recalled Taro Hirose from the AHL under emergency conditions, giving them an extra body for tonight’s game. Hirose, 25, has played in 12 games for the Red Wings this season but done damage at the minor league level, racking up 47 points in 54 games.

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

  • The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Alec Regula, according to Mark Lazerus of The Athletic. Regula has scored in each of his last two AHL games, and now has four goals and 25 points in 40 appearances for the Rockford IceHogs this season. The 21-year-old defenseman is still waiting on his first point in the NHL though, scoreless through his first nine tries.

Pacific Division

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San Jose Sharks Sign Nick Cicek

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The San Jose Sharks may still be working with an interim general manager but that won’t stop them from signing contracts for next season. The team has signed minor league defenseman Nick Cicek to a two-year entry-level contract. PuckPedia reports that the deal will begin in 2022-23, and carries an NHL cap hit of $837.5K.

Joe Will, interim GM, released the following statement:

Nick has a strong track record of leadership in his career, having been the captain of the Portland Winterhawks last season, and he has even been an alternate captain for the Barracuda this year in select games. Among AHL rookie defensemen, he’s top 10 in scoring and top 15 in goals. Nick has a bright future and we’re excited to add him to our NHL defensive depth.

Cicek, who will turn 22 next month, joined the San Jose Barracuda this season after going undrafted out of junior and has been outstanding from the drop of the puck. With 23 points he sits ninth among all AHL rookie defensemen in scoring, just one point behind Artemi Kniazev for the team lead despite playing in seven fewer games than the second-round pick. The 6’3″ Cicek has also racked up 60 penalty minutes, including a pair of fights. One of those came after Andreas Englund hit San Jose forward Jeffrey Viel, earning Cicek a misconduct for instigating.

That mix of skill and toughness is obviously an attractive package, especially when it comes in someone that is so lauded for his leadership as Will points out. Whether Cicek can continue his development and become an NHL player remains to be seen, but the Sharks obviously like what he has done this year enough that they’ve rewarded him with a contract that makes it possible.

Ethen Frank Signs AHL Contract

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The most prolific goal scorer in all of college hockey has found a home to ply his trade next season, signing an AHL contract with the Hershey Bears. Ethen Frank will join the Bears on an amateur tryout for the rest of this season as well, after finishing his final season of eligibility with Western Michigan University.

Frank, 24, tickled the twine 26 times this season for the Broncos, edging past Northeastern’s Aidan McDonough for tops in the country. The undrafted forward leaves college with 70 goals over his 158-game career, an impressive accomplishment regardless of competition. He’ll now try to take that production to the professional level, joining one of the strongest programs in the entire AHL. The Bears, though not in a dominant position this season, are one of the most stable development outfits in the minor leagues and should give him a good opportunity to try and prove his worth.

It’s not an entry-level contract, but Frank will at least be in front of Washington Capitals evaluators on a regular basis. Perhaps he can parlay this AHL contract into an NHL deal down the road, with the Capitals or someone else. For now, the focus will have to be on finding the back of the net at the next level.

AHL Shuffle: 04/11/22

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It’s a new week in the NHL, but an off-day for most teams. The league is almost entirely quiet tonight, with only a game between the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens on the docket. Despite that, some teams may be making some changes to the roster, given the condensed schedule over the final few weeks. As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling right here.

Atlantic Division

Metropolitan Division

  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have assigned Anthony Angello and Radim Zohorna to the AHL, which certainly could suggest that Brock McGinn is close to a return from long-term injured reserve. Despite having no roster size limits, the team still does need to be cap compliant, something that would now be possible even if they activate McGinn.

Central Divison

  • The Jets have recalled Mikey Eyssimont from the AHL, following the injury to Mark Scheifele last night. The star forward will not play this evening, though a more detailed timeline has not yet been released. Eyssimont, 25, has not yet made an appearance at the NHL level, but has 15 goals and 35 points in 53 games with the Manitoba Moose.
  • The Nashville Predators have returned Connor Ingram to the AHL, after he served as the backup yesterday. Juuse Saros, who he replaced, missed the game with a non-COVID illness. Ingram, 25, made his NHL debut this season and posted a .906 save percentage in two appearances.
  • The Arizona Coyotes have assigned Jan Jenik to the AHL, after he played in another handful of games recently. The 21-year-old forward has two goals in ten appearances this season.

Pacific Division

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AHL Shuffle: 04/10/22

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After a dozen games on Saturday, seven more are on the docket today. After colliding yesterday, the Capitals and Penguins are back in action Sunday and again face stiff competition. Washington will face the Bruins this afternoon, while the Penguins square off with the Predators later in the day. The Stars are also facing a back-to-back this weekend and looking for a better result today versus Chicago after falling to New Jersey on Saturday. Every point matters at this point in the season and teams are working diligently to make sure they are prepared for each and every game. Keep up with all of those roster preparations here:

Atlantic Division

  • After Jake Allen, who has been oft-injured this season, left with an injury yet again last night, the Montreal Canadiens have made a move to replace him. The team announced that Cayden Primeau has been recalled from the AHL’s Laval Rocket. The 22-year-old has played well in the minors this season, but struggled at the top level. In a dozen NHL games, Primeau has an .868 save percentage and 4.62 goals against average to the tune of a 1-7-1 record.
  • The Ottawa Senators have re-assigned rookie Mark Kastelic to AHL Belleville, opening up a roster spot for the return of Tim Stutzle. Kastelic is a big, two-way center and the former captain of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen who is asserting himself as a solid bottom-six option for Ottawa, recording 25 points in 56 AHL games this season, in turn earning him 11 NHL games.

Metropolitan Division

  • Hayden Hodgson is heading back to the AHL after a brief recall to the Philadelphia Flyers. The team has announced that the recently-signed forward has been returned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. After pro four seasons, spent mostly in the ECHL, Hodgson is enjoying a breakout campaign with 19 goals and 31 points in 46 games in the AHL, leading to an NHL contract and three points in six games with the Flyers over the past few weeks.
  • With center Casey Cizikas’ one-game suspension served, the New York Islanders are returning forward Andy Andreoff to the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders. Andreoff, 30, is a veteran of 185 NHL games and has 39 points in 55 AHL games this season.

Central Division

  • The Nashville Predators have announced that with goaltender Juuse Saros out day-to-day with a non-COVID illness, goaltender Connor Ingram has been recalled from Milwaukee of the AHL. Ingram, 25, has appeared in 2 games so far this season and has a 1-1 record and a .906 save percentage. Ingram has a .914 in 50 games in the AHL this season.

Pacific Division

Prospect Notes: Misa, Savoie, Struble, Busdeker

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Is another “exceptional” player arriving early to the OHL? Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reports that Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation are currently considering an application for Exceptional Player Status for 15-year-old forward Michael Misa. Those players granted Exceptional Status are allowed to join a CHL league a year early due to their generational talent. Previous OHL exceptions include John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, and presumptive 2022 first overall pick Shane Wright. While Exceptional Status was clearly the proper decision in most of these cases, Day was a considerable error and has caused decision makers to tread more carefully in recent years. As a result. Marek notes that the applications for Misa and two others were expected to be declined. However, Misa’s recent efforts at the OHL Cup for his Mississauga Senators U-16 team have pushed the envelope. Misa recorded 10 goals and 20 points in seven games during the tournament en route to a championship and MVP honors, looking like a player ready to take his talents to the top junior level. A decision from Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey Federation is expected soon, with the OHL Draft coming up on April 29. If granted Exceptional Status, Misa would be the favorite to go first overall in the draft. If he is denied, Misa is expected to play in the USHL next season. Either way, the promising prospect is already a name to keep an eye on for the 2025 NHL Draft.

  • Marek also reports that newly-anointed NCAA champ Carter Savoie is also eager to move to the next level. Although only a sophomore with two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, Savoie is expected to turn pro and sign with the Edmonton Oilers. A fourth-round pick in 2020, Savoie performed well with Denver last year but took his game to new heights this season, jumping out to an early scoring lead in the NCAA and ending the season with 23 goals and 45 points in 39 games. A key cog for the National Champion Pioneers, Savoie will hope to play a similar role in Edmonton before too long. The Oilers are always in need of affordable scoring and Savoie could play that part perfectly on his entry-level contract if he can make a quick transition to the pro game.
  • One player who will not be leaving school early is Northeastern defenseman and Montreal Canadiens prospect Jayden Struble. When the Habs selected Struble in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft directly out of the prep school level, he was expected to be more of a long-term project. Instead, Struble went directly to Northeastern the following year and developed into a capable two-way defenseman. However, it seems that the two sides disagree one whether he is pro ready just yet. Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman reports that Struble is expected to return to the Huskies next season for his senior year rather than turn pro. It does not seem as though this is related to Struble not wanting to play for the Canadiens, though he will be able to elect free agency after next season if he so chooses.
  • Rockford IceHogs forward D.J. Busdeker has signed a one-year extension, the AHL club announced. It’s a nice move for the team, as Busdeker has been a reliable presence this season in just his second pro campaign. Busdeker leads the IceHogs in games played and is among the top scorers in points and assists. However, it begs the question of when or if Busdeker might earn an NHL contract from the Chicago Blackhawks. Just 22 and translating his ability well from the OHL, where he was also a consistent scoring threat for the Saginaw Spirit.

 

Injury Notes: Girard, Coyotes, Oilers, Walman

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According to The Athletic’s Peter Baugh, the Colorado Avalanche will have defenseman Samuel Girard back in the lineup tonight, the first time since March 8th (link). Girard’s return comes at a good time for Colorado, who were already missing Ryan Murray on the left side before seeing Devon Toews go down last night after blocking a shot against the Winnipeg Jets. Though Toews is expected to be okay after the shot block, it’s unclear if he will have to miss any time.

Getting the 23-year-old Girard back in the lineup also helps to lengthen an already stellar Avalanche defense group as the team looks to get into a groove heading into the playoffs. Colorado is currently first in the entire NHL with 108 points, two ahead of the Florida Panthers, and 13 points ahead of the Calgary Flames for the top spot in the west. After a career year in 2020-21 with 32 points in 48 games, Girard has taken a small step back, having 27 points in 56 games this season, but has been a steady and reliable presence on the back-end for a dominant Avalanche team.

  • There is positive injury news out in the desert, as Arizona Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny announced that defenseman Janis Moser is on the Coyotes’ road trip and is now considered day-to-day for the team (link). It’s unclear when exactly Moser, who has not played since March 15th, will return, but having the young defenseman return to finish out the season would be much-welcomed for Arizona. The Coyotes also expect prospect Jack McBain to make his NHL debut soon, says Tourigny. McBain, who the Coyotes acquired from the Minnesota Wild on March 21st, and signed on March 23rd, has been unable to play due to injury. Tourigny points to Arizona’s games at Vancouver and Calgary next week, or the following week at home as possible dates of McBain to debut. The 22-year-old spent this season and three prior as a standout for Boston College in the NCAA.
  • Edmonton Oilers’ prospect Philip Broberg is expected to return from injury within the next two weeks for the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, says Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Athletic (link). Broberg, who has split time between Bakersfield and Edmonton, has been out since March 18. Another Oilers prospect, Dylan Holloway, did not play last night and is expected to be out at least through this weekend, says Nugent-Bowman. A return timetable is not yet clear for Holloway, however Nugent-Bowman does believe that Holloway will make his NHL debut before the end of the season (link). The 14th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by Edmonton, Holloway has eight goals and thirteen assists in 32 games this season for Bakersfield.
  • From Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, defenseman Jake Walman is out of the lineup tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an upper-body injury (link). Walman has been a reliable defenseman for both the Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues this season, coming to Detroit from St. Louis in the Nick Leddy trade back in March. No timetable for Walman’s return has been made available yet.

AHL Shuffle: 04/09/22

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There are a dozen games on the schedule today including an Original Six matchup between Montreal and Toronto where the Maple Leafs will look to become the third team in the Eastern Conference to officially clinch a playoff spot with a victory.  With that many games on tap, there should be several roster moves made throughout the day which we’ll keep track of here.

Atlantic Division

  • The Maple Leafs appear to have brought up goaltender Carter Hutton as TSN’s Mark Masters notes (Twitter link) that the veteran was at the morning skate today. Hutton was acquired from Arizona back in February but remained with their AHL affiliate in Tucson.  However, with Toronto’s AHL affiliate having three injured goalies plus Petr Mrazek out for the rest of the regular season, Toronto now has a use for the 36-year-old whose presence could eventually allow Erik Kallgren to go back to the minors where he’d get more playing time unless they eventually opt to send Hutton to the Marlies instead.

Metropolitan Division

  • The Flyers announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled winger Hayden Hodgson from Lehigh Valley of the AHL. The 25-year-old was converted to an NHL contract just before the trade deadline and has played in five games since then, picking up a goal and an assist along with 11 penalty minutes.  He’ll take the place of winger Joel Farabee who is out with a non-COVID illness.
  • The Penguins announced (Twitter link) that they’ve returned center Filip Hallander to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 21-year-old made his NHL debut on Thursday but with Jason Zucker returning to the lineup, Pittsburgh had to either send Hallander back or convert him to one of their four allowable post-deadline regular recalls.
  • The New York Islanders announced (Twitter Link) that they’ve recalled forward Andy Andreoff from the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL. Andreoff has spent the majority of the season with Bridgeport, but did get into five games with the Islanders this season amid their COVID outbreak in late November and early December. The call-up comes with forward Casey Cizikas being suspended for one game after a hit on Carolina Hurricanes’ defenseman Brendan Smith last night. Andreoff will draw into the lineup tonight against the St. Louis Blues.

Central Division

Pacific Division

This post will be updated throughout the day.

AHL Shuffle: 04/08/22

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Just five games are on the schedule for this evening but they bring a lot of fireworks. The Tampa Bay Lightning welcome in the Boston Bruins in a crucial Atlantic Division matchup, while the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues battle for second in the Central. As those teams and others prepare, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling around the league.

Atlantic Division

  • The Ottawa Senators have sent Cole Reinhardt back to the AHL, after he made his NHL debut last night. The 22-year-old forward played just over eight minutes, recorded two hits, and took a hooking penalty that ended up costing the Senators the game. In 60 appearances with the Belleville Senators, he has 26 points.
  • Josh Brook has been assigned all the way down to the ECHL by the Montreal Canadiens, as he tries to get his career back on track. The 22-year-old defenseman has played just six games this season because of injury and is still quite a ways from being the impact NHL player that some expected of him. Brook spoke about his season and his career in a recent column from Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin of The Athletic.
  • The Detroit Red Wings have assigned winger Taro Hirose to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. With the return of Mitchell Stephens, who has been out since November 13th, the team needed to make room on their roster, so Hirose gets sent down. Hirose, 25, has gotten into 12 NHL games this season and has posted four points. He has been a crucial player for the Griffins this season, where he has 45 points in 52 AHL games. Hirose has 20 points in 54 career NHL games, going back to when he made his NHL debut in the 2018-19 season.

Metropolitan Division

  • The New Jersey Devils have recalled defenseman Kevin Bahl from the AHL’s Utica Comets to meet the team in Dallas. Bahl, 21, was famously part of the Devils’ return from their trade of Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes in 2019, and the 2018 55th overall pick has 13 NHL games to his name. He has 16 points in 54 games in the AHL this season as well.

Central Division

Pacific Division

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