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AHL Shuffle: 02/20/22

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Eight games grace the NHL schedule for this evening, including the Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers facing off in an important Western Conference battle. The two clubs are jockeying for position in their respective divisions, hoping to secure home ice in the first round and avoid the wildcard battle entirely. As those teams and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

  • The Nashville Predators have reassigned Cole Smith to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. The team doesn’t play again until Tuesday, meaning they can save some dollars and cap space by moving Smith down for the meantime, without filling his roster spot.
  • After last night’s game, the St. Louis Blues have recalled Dakota Joshua and sent Calle Rosen to the AHL. The swap gives the team an extra forward as they travel to Philadelphia for Tuesday’s match, the final game of the road trip.

Pacific Division

  • The Los Angeles Kings have sent Jacob Moverare back to the AHL, as the team waits for their next game later this week. In a quirk of the schedule, the Kings will play the Arizona Coyotes twice in a row, in Arizona, with the second match coming on Wednesday night. Moverare, a 23-year-old rookie, has played just three games this season with the Kings.

This page will be updated throughout the day

AHL Shuffle: 02/19/22

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It’s a quieter Saturday than usual around the NHL but there are still 14 teams in action today so there should be lots of roster movement throughout the day.  We’ll keep track of those here.

Atlantic Division

  • The Maple Leafs have recalled defenseman Timothy Liljegren from AHL Toronto, notes TSN’s Mark Masters (Twitter link). The blueliner was sent down for salary cap reasons after Adam Brooks was claimed earlier in the week but with him now off to Winnipeg, they could afford to bring Liljegren back up.

Metropolitan Division

  • The Devils have once again flipped backup goalies as they’ve recalled Nico Daws from AHL Utica and sent Akira Schmid down, per the AHL’s transactions log. The opposite move was made on Thursday which allowed Daws to get into a game with the Comets to stay in game shape where he made 26 saves on 28 shots against Rochester.
  • The Blue Jackets announced that they have sent winger Trey Fix-Wolansky to Cleveland of the AHL to create a roster spot to activate winger Justin Danforth off IR.  Fix-Wolansky had a goal and an assist in his first five games of NHL action despite averaging less than seven minutes a game.  Danforth, meanwhile, had missed the last 19 games with a sprained MCL and has two goals and two assists in 13 games this season.
  • After clearing waivers, the Flyers announced (Twitter link) that forward Connor Bunnaman has been assigned to Lehigh Valley of the AHL.  The 23-year-old has been held off the scoresheet in 15 NHL appearances this season while chipping in with 17 hits.

Central Division

  • The Blackhawks have sent winger Brett Connolly back to AHL Rockford, reports Charlie Roumeliotis of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link). The veteran has been shuffled back and forth between the NHL and the minors this season and has just one assist in nine games with Chicago.
  • The Blues announced that they’ve recalled defenseman Calle Rosen from AHL Springfield while sending center Dakota Joshua down. Rosen has played in six games with St. Louis this season but has spent most of the year with the Thunderbirds, collecting 20 points.  As for Joshua, he has five assists in 22 games this season but needed to be sent down to keep the Blues cap-compliant.
  • The Predators have returned winger Cole Smith to Milwaukee, per the AHL’s transactions log. He got into a pair of games with Nashville on his emergency recall, bringing his total this season to eight although he has yet to record a point.  He has been much more productive with the Admirals, however, with 22 points in 33 games.
  • After Victor Rask cleared waivers, the Wild wasted little time sending him down along with defenseman Dakota Mermis to Iowa, per a team release.  Blueliner Calen Addison was recalled in a corresponding move.  Rask has 13 points in 29 games with Minnesota this season but his $4MM cap hit made it a guarantee he wouldn’t be claimed.  Addison has 17 points in 23 games with Iowa while collecting three in nine NHL contests while Mermis has played just twice with Minnesota this season and has suited up in 30 minor league contests.

Pacific Division

  • The Oilers announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled winger Colton Sceviour from Bakersfield of the AHL.  The veteran had actually been handed a two-game suspension for a hit on Canucks prospect Jack Rathbone earlier this week but has yet to serve either of those games.  Sceviour has two goals and three assists in 30 games with Edmonton this season plus a pair of helpers in four AHL contests.

This post will be updated throughout the day.

AHL Shuffle: 02/18/22

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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

Adam Brooks Placed On Waivers

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In an interesting turn of events, the Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Adam Brooks right back on waivers today after claiming him yesterday. It is the fourth time that Brooks has ended up on waivers this season.

Normally, if a player is reclaimed by his former team on waivers and no one else puts in a claim, that team can send him directly to the minor leagues. But since Brooks had a stop-off with the Montreal Canadiens in between his stints with Toronto and the Vegas Golden Knights, only Montreal was allowed that exception. The Maple Leafs could not send him to the AHL without first clearing waivers again. That could certainly be possible this time as even for the Maple Leafs to claim him yesterday, most of the league (including the Canadiens) would have had to pass. Toronto sits near the very end of the waiver order, which is based on the reverse standings.

Still, the Golden Knights now hold that exception, and if they are the only team to put in a claim this time around now they could assign Brooks directly to the minor leagues. That would be a risky move though, as if someone else claims him as well, the Golden Knights would have to keep him on the active roster–something that wasn’t possible given the recent Jack Eichel activation. If any other team claims him, including Montreal, he would have to stay on the active roster.

It’s a lot of roster and cap gymnastics but what it mostly comes down to is Brooks available once again. The 25-year-old forward has two goals and three points in 11 games this season, split between the Golden Knights and Canadiens. Perhaps this time there will be some stability for the fourth-round pick, at one level or another.

Jack Rathbone Discharged From Hospital, Will Travel With Abbotsford

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It was a scary scene in the AHL last night when Abbotsford Canucks defenseman Jack Rathbone was hit into the end boards in a game against the Bakersfield Condors. Rathbone was eventually stretchered off the ice after a long delay and taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Thankfully, it’s good news. Rathbone was not only discharged last night but is also expected to travel with Abbotsford to Colorado today. The Canucks play the Colorado Eagles over the weekend.

Recently the AHL player of the week, the 22-year-old defenseman was also ranked as the Canucks’ top prospect by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic last month. Selected 95th overall in 2017 he exploded onto the college scene at Harvard during 2018-19 and is having an outstanding year–when healthy–for Abbotsford. With 21 points he sits fifth on the team in scoring despite playing only 19 AHL games, as he’s had to deal with a COVID diagnosis, shoulder injury and time bouncing back and forth from the NHL squad.

If in this case, he has avoided major injury, Canucks fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Hopefully, he can jump back into the lineup soon, or even make another appearance at the NHL level. His last game with Vancouver came in November when he logged 16 minutes against the Colorado Avalanche.

AHL Shuffle: 02/17/22

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It’s a busy night in the NHL with ten games on the schedule, including Seth Jones facing his old team in Chicago. The Blue Jackets are in town to take on the Blackhawks in a battle of two teams both struggling to find their way after serious offseason changes. In the west, an important matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers is set that could have playoff implications down the road. The two teams are currently tied at 55 points, though the Ducks have played three more games. As they and others prepare, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

  • The Montreal Canadiens have assigned Michael McNiven back to the AHL, as Sam Montembeault and Andrew Hammond will carry the load for the time being. The 24-year-old McNiven made his NHL debut this season but allowed three goals on seven shots in a period of action. He’ll return to Laval, where he has an .876 save percentage in 2021-22.
  • The Florida Panthers have loaned Chase Priskie to the AHL, just two days after hitting injured reserve. It’s not clear if that means he’s ready to get back on the ice.
  • With Urho Vaakanainen back from injured reserve, the Boston Bruins have sent Jack Ahcan to the AHL. Vaakanainen hasn’t played in more than two weeks, since leaving the game against the Seattle Kraken on February 1.

Metropolitan Division

  • The New Jersey Devils have made a goaltending swap, sending Nico Daws down and recalling Akira Schmid from the AHL. Daws stopped both shots he faced earlier this week in relief of Jon Gillies but with the Devils off until February 24, he’ll get back into some more game action in the minor leagues.

Central Division

Pacific Division

This page will be updated throughout the day

Minor Transactions: 02/16/22

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With NHL action ramping up as the trade deadline approaches in just over a month and the Olympic tournament ongoing, it would seem to be an odd time for much other notable news around hockey. Yet, there has actually been a flurry of recent action surrounding players and teams familiar to NHL fans:

  • A busy year for veteran defenseman Eric Gelinas continues. Gelinas initially signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this past offseason following an outstanding 2020-21 campaign in Sweden with Rogle BK. However, when it became clear that he was buried on the ’Canes depth chart and would be stuck with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves for the year, Gelinas’ contract was terminated in late November and he returned to Rogle. However, this was only a short-term pact and Gelinas signed a new contract for the remainder of the SHL season with Djurgardens IF last week. Now he’s on the move again – at least in a future sense. A quirk of the European league structures, Gelinas has in fact signed a two-year deal with SC Bern of the Swiss National League, but one that does not start until next season. Gelinas will finish the season in Sweden before making the jump to Switzerland. The 30-year-old defenseman has nearly 200 games of NHL experience and has found success in a number of European leagues, making him a highly-desirable asset that both Djurgardens and Bern are extremely excited to have under contract.
  • Matt Quercia has finally had enough of the college game. The senior forward has decided to leave Michigan Tech in the middle of the season to sign his first pro contract, inking a deal with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers according to the league’s transactions register. Quercia was in his first season at Michigan Tech after transferring from Boston University. Overshadowed with the Terriers, Quercia hoped he might find a bigger role with the Huskies. Instead, he had just four points in 14 games and Michigan Tech, one of the surprises of the season with a current national rank of No. 14, has found success without much help from the transfer. Quercia hopes things will be different in the pro ranks.
  • Quebec native Charles-David Beaudoin is moving on from the AHL’s Laval Rocket. The 28-year-old defenseman has played in just five games with the team this season versus 28 with the ECHL’s Trois-Rivieres Lions and has decided to chase more opportunity elsewhere. Beaudoin has signed with IF Bjorkloven of Sweden’s second tier Allsvenskan for the rest of the season, the team announced. The AHL veteran could return to North America this summer, but likely has a better chance of playing an impact role in Europe, especially if he is not content spending time in the ECHL.
  • A pair of former Calgary Flames teammates are on the move in Europe, going their separate ways after briefly reuniting in the KHL. Emile Poirier, a first-round pick of the Flames in 2013, is joining the aforementioned Gelinas in Djurgardens for the remainder of the season, the team announced. Since leaving North America after the 2019-20 season, Poirier has played in Slovakia and then in the KHL with Latvia’s Dinamo Riga to this point this season, finding success in both places. He now joins a Djurgardens club loading up for the SHL postseason. Hunter Shinkaruk, a 2013 first-rounder himself – selected two spots after Poirier by the Vancouver Canucks, is leaving Dinamo Riga for Sweden as well. He has signed with HV71 of the Allsvenskan, the club announced. Shinkaruk wound up in Calgary in a swap for Markus Granlund and appeared to be on his way to a regular role, but like Poirier ended up stuck in the AHL and left North America during the 2019-20 season. In Poirier and Shinkaruk, Riga has lost two of its top six scorers, but fortunately still has former San Jose Shark Lukas Radil leading the team.
  • The Providence Bruins are bringing back a power forward for another season. The team has announced that former OHL star Justin Brazeau has signed a one-year extension. Brazeau, 24, has mammoth size and the on-ice presence to match in his net front presence and checking ability, but is still a project due to his skating ability. Nevertheless, Brazeau has six goals and two assists in 19 games with Providence this season and ten goals and 20 points in 18 ECHL games, showing that he is still capable of scoring despite some shortcomings in his game. That makes him a worthwhile investment for at least one more season for the Bruins.

AHL Shuffle: 02/16/22

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Both Canada and the U.S. were knocked out of the men’s Olympic hockey event during the quarterfinal round, meaning names like Eric Staal, Joshua Ho-Sang, and Strauss Mann may now find themselves negotiating NHL contracts in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the league has four excellent matchups on the docket for this evening. Yes, that includes Jack Eichel’s Vegas Golden Knights debut but also features a matchup between the Panthers-Hurricanes, Flames-Ducks, and Wild-Jets. As teams prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

  • The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Arvid Soderblom, who will make his third NHL appearance tomorrow night when the team takes on the Blue Jackets. The 22-year-old netminder has been outstanding for the Rockford IceHogs and catapulted himself up the Chicago depth chart. He’s coming up with Alec Regula, while Cale Morris has been sent back down.

Pacific Division

  • With Mikko Koskinen out of the COVID protocol, the Edmonton Oilers have sent Stuart Skinner back to the AHL. The young netminder posted his first career shutout earlier this week when he stopped all 20 shots the San Jose Sharks took.

This page will be updated throughout the day

Scott Perunovich Sent To AHL On Conditioning Loan

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It’s been a month since Scott Perunovich suffered an injury in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs that landed him on long-term injured reserve, and since the St. Louis Blues are on the road in Canada, he’ll be headed back to the AHL to get his game legs back. Perunovich has been loaned to the Springfield Thunderbirds on a conditioning assignment.

If you wanted to chart out an easy transition from college to the professional ranks, it certainly wouldn’t look like what Perunovich has experienced over the past two years. After winning the Hobey Baker award in 2020 following his junior season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich missed all of 2020-21 because of shoulder surgery. He has dealt with COVID and injury absences this season as well, limiting him to 12 games with the Thunderbirds and 19 more with St. Louis.

In those games with Springfield, the 2018 second-round pick showed just how dominant he could be offensively. Perunovich racked up 20 points in those 12 games, controlling play every time he was on the ice. With this new conditioning loan, he’ll try to get back to that same level before rejoining the Blues at some point down the road.

Once he does return to full health and is ready to play, his addition to the St. Louis lineup could feel just like a trade deadline addition. In his short time in the NHL he recorded incredible possession numbers and racked up six points in 19 games, though was very sheltered when it came to deployment by head coach Craig Berube. Perhaps with a longer run he’ll earn some more trust from the coaching staff and help St. Louis secure their playoff position in the Western Conference.

Carolina Hurricanes Assign Pyotr Kochetkov To AHL

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The Carolina Hurricanes had such little goaltending depth earlier this season that Jack LaFontaine had to be signed in the middle of his college season. Now they’ve pulled off another interesting move, assigning Pyotr Kochetkov back to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.

Kochetkov had been loaned to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL for this season after signing his two-year, entry-level contract last year. He played 23 games there, recording an impressive .926 save percentage but with the recent announcement that following the Olympics the KHL will go directly into the postseason, his year was over. Torpedo missed the playoffs by just a few points, meaning Kochetkov can now come to North America and get his AHL career underway.

That KHL decision could have interesting impacts on NHL and AHL teams, as players are available a little earlier than expected. The 22-year-old Kotchetkov has a very high ceiling as a second-round pick from 2019 and could make an impact in the Hurricanes organization right away. At the very worst, he adds another interesting netminder to the system as the team looks to go on a long playoff run–Chicago, that is. The Wolves are 27-9-7 on the year, in first place in the AHL’s Central Division and eight points ahead of the second-place Manitoba Moose. A Calder Cup contender, they’ve received another reinforcement just in time for the stretch run.

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