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AHL Shuffle: 04/05/22

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It’s a busy night in the NHL with ten games on tap, including several that could have playoff implications. The Toronto Maple Leafs try to complete the Sunshine sweep as they head to face the Florida Panthers, while the Minnesota Wild try to show why they’re ahead of the Nashville Predators in a Central Division matchup. One interesting cross-conference game will be the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins, a battle of two Stanley Cup contenders (and of two good friends in Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon). As those teams and others prepare, we’ll keep track of all the minor shuffling right here.

Atlantic Division

  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled Parker Kelly from the AHL, giving them an extra body for their match this evening. Kelly, 22, has played in 27 games for Ottawa this season, scoring five goals.
  • Forward Kyle Criscuolo is up with the Detroit Red Wings under emergency conditions, per the team. Criscuolo already has an assist in three NHL games this season and could add to that total in the next few games if in the lineup.

Metropolitan Division

  • After securing his first win as a member of the New York Islanders, Cory Schneider has been returned to the minor leagues. The 36-year-old netminder stopped 27 of 30 shots on Sunday in his first NHL appearance since 2020. That win could very well end up being his final appearance in the NHL, depending on what happens down the stretch and when he reaches unrestricted free agency in the summer.

Central Division

Pacific Division

  • Another emergency call-up comes in the form of defenseman Jack Rathbone, who’s now up with the Vancouver Canucks. Rathbone suffered what seemed to be a serious injury with AHL Abbotsford earlier in the year, but is now healthy and could get some NHL action down the stretch. He’ll likely slot into the lineup tomorrow against Vegas as Quinn Hughes is out with a non-COVID illness.

This page is updated throughout the day

Devon Levi Returning To Northeastern

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According to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, goalie prospect Devon Levi has informed the organization that he intends to return to Northeastern University for his junior season (link). Though it had not been confirmed, the general belief had been that Levi would return to Northeastern instead of opting to turn pro and sign with Buffalo. As much as the Sabres would like to have the goaltender enter their organization now and learn the business of being a professional hockey player, the move seems to make sense for Levi, who can have another year of development at the NCAA level, another year of education at Northeastern, and another chance at a national title.

Also of note for the 20-year-old is that turning pro would not necessarily mean a regular role with the Buffalo Sabres, and a likely trip to the Rochester Americans of the AHL for at least a year. Although professional could benefit Levi, another year at Northeastern may ultimately be more appealing while still allowing him to develop.

Selected in the seventh-round by Florida in 2020, 212th overall, Levi has been a standout in college. After missing his Freshman year due to injury, Levi burst onto the scene this season as a Sophomore, boasting a .952 save-percentage and 1.54 goals-against average over 32 games. Time will tell how the young goaltender develops, but his return to Northeastern does not make him any less a part of the Sabres’ future plans.

AHL Shuffle: 04/04/22

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The NHL is rather quiet this evening with just four games, though a pair of them do have significant playoff implications. The Toronto Maple Leafs head to Tampa to take on the Lightning in a battle for the second seed in the Atlantic, while the Los Angeles Kings welcome in the Calgary Flames and try to continue their chase of the Pacific crown. The Flames sit just three points ahead of the Kings and have lost three straight, though they do have three games in hand on their pursuers. As those teams and others prepare for this evening, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

  • The Detroit Red Wings have assigned Kyle Criscuolo to the AHL, after he played in just his 12th career NHL game last night. The 29-year-old forward has been excellent in his return to the Grand Rapids Griffins, joining them last season and posting 51 points in 78 games to this point. In three matches this season with Detroit, he recorded one point–his first at the NHL level.

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

  • The Arizona Coyotes have recalled Victor Soderstrom from the AHL, bringing up the top prospect once again now that he’s recovered from injury. Soderstrom, 21, has played in 13 NHL games this season but is still looking for his first point of the year, while he has registered 13 in 23 games with the Tucson Roadrunners.

Pacific Division

  • Bowen Byram is back up with the Colorado Avalanche and will travel on their upcoming road trip, which includes two stops in Canada. Byram, who has always should immense ability when on the ice, has struggled with head injuries during his short career and has just 39 professional games (at any level) to his name to this point.
  • The Calgary Flames have recalled Adam Ruzicka and Juuso Valimaki from the AHL. The pair have joined them in Los Angeles and will be available for tonight’s game if needed. The 23-year-old Valimaki was once considered a key future piece for the Flames, though injuries and inconsistency have slowed his progress in recent years. This season, he’s played just eight games with the big club, spending most of the year with the Stockton Heat.
  • Pavel Dorofeyev has been sent back to the AHL by the Vegas Golden Knights, after playing in his second career NHL game a few days ago. The 21-year-old winger is still looking for his first point at that level, but has 41 in 53 games for the Henderson Silver Knights.

This page is updated throughout the day

Montreal Canadiens Sign Emil Heineman

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The Montreal Canadiens have added another prospect to the ranks, signing Emil Heineman to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal, which carries an NHL cap hit of $897.5K, will begin in 2022-23. For now, the young player will join the Laval Rocket on a professional tryout and spend the rest of the season in the AHL.

Heineman, 20, has already been included in two trades in his young career. Originally selected by the Florida Panthers, he was shipped to the Calgary Flames in the Sam Bennett deal, and then Montreal in the Tyler Toffoli trade. Less than two years after he was picked 43rd overall, the young forward now has an NHL contract in hand and a pretty clear path the relevance in the Canadiens’ organization.

In 38 games for Leksands IF this season–his second full year in the SHL–Heineman scored 11 goals and 16 points. While those numbers don’t pop off the chart, there is plenty of optimism for his future at the North American professional level, especially after his performance in the Champions League, where he scored four times in nine games. While his overall offensive upside may be limited, there’s a never-ending work ethic in Heineman that should serve him well as he tries to carve out a role with Montreal.

The Canadiens system is about to get awfully crowded, with nearly countless draft picks in the next few seasons. But a player like Heineman has a leg up with his deal already in hand, and can now begin the climb to the NHL ranks.

AHL Shuffle: 04/03/22

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Today is a relatively busy day for games, with two contests having already concluded, including an Ottawa Senators win over the Detroit Red Wings that featured a Josh Norris hat trick. There should be some roster shuffling throughout the day and we’ll keep track of those movements here.

Atlantic Division

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

  • The Blue Jackets have recalled two players from the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. Defenseman Jake Christiansen and forward Carson Meyer have been elevated to the main squad. Christiansen’s recall is a regular one, while Meyer’s is an emergency recall, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers. Christiansen, 2s2, is an undrafted player who is looking like a savvy pickup for the Blue Jackets, as he has 42 points in 54 AHL games for the Monsters, which leads the team. He also has gotten into four NHL games this year and has a goal. Meyer, 24, was a 2017 sixth-round pick and has 16 goals and 27 points in 57 AHL games this year.

Pacific Division

  • The Oilers have brought up goaltender Stuart Skinner from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors on an emergency basis. Mikko Koskinen will miss tonight’s game with a non-COVID illness so Skinner will back up Mike Smith. Skinner has played in 13 games for Edmonton this season, posting a 2.62 GAA along with a .913 SV%.
  • The Kings have returned forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan to Ontario of the AHL, per the AHL’s transactions log. The 22-year-old was brought up on an emergency recall on Thursday but didn’t see any game action. Anderson-Dolan doesn’t have any points in seven games with Los Angeles this season but has been quite productive with the Reign, notching 41 points in 45 games.

This post will be updated throughout the day.

Arizona Notes: Ladd, Moser, Imama

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Arizona Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny announced that forward Andrew Ladd would play in today’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, reports PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan. The veteran has not played since February 20th, after being placed on IR on February 28th. Ladd’s first game back in the lineup will be in a familiar building, as he spent parts of four seasons with the Blackhawks.

It’s been another season of struggles for Ladd, as he has not played up to his previous career numbers and has dealt with his share of injury, a theme that seemed to define his career with the New York Islanders. However, after being traded to the Coyotes in the offseason, Ladd has had a bright spot, being able to play most nights when healthy and mentor the next generation of Coyotes talent. In 42 games this season, Ladd has six goals and three assists.

  • Also from Tourigny, defenseman Janis Moser is not expected back for a few more weeks, reports Jose Romero of AZ Central Sports. The 21-year-old rookie has been out since suffering an injury on March 15th against the Montreal Canadiens. Moser has been a welcomed addition to the Arizona blueline this year, with three goals and nine assists in 33 games so far this season.
  • An interesting suspension was handed out to one of Arizona’s AHL players earlier this week. Tucson Roadrunners forward Boko Imama was suspended for one game after receiving his 10th fighting major of the season. As Morgan explains, this is part of AHL Rule 23.7, which issues the automatic suspension after a player’s 10th fighting major of the season. Per Rule 23.7, a player is automatically suspended for the next game after his 10th through 13th fights of the season, then is automatically suspended two games after his 14th or more fights of the season. If the opposing player in a fight is issued an instigator penalty, then the fighting major will not count towards the player’s total for the season.  For more on the AHL’s rules, follow the link.

AHL Shuffle: 04/02/22

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The first Saturday in April is a busy one with nine games on the docket including what was an eventual matinee game that saw Florida come back from a four-goal deficit in the third to beat New Jersey in overtime.  There should be some roster shuffling throughout the day and we’ll keep track of those movements here.

Atlantic Division

  • The Red Wings announced the recall of center Kyle Criscuolo from Grand Rapids of the AHL. The 29-year-old has played in 49 games with the Griffins this season, picking up 32 points.  With Detroit playing in Ottawa on Sunday, Tyler Bertuzzi will be ineligible to play while Dylan Larkin is day-to-day with a minor injury so Criscuolo will serve as some insurance to make sure they can dress 12 forwards for that game.

Metropolitan Division

Central Division

  • The Coyotes have flipped backup goalies as they’ve recalled Ivan Prosvetov while sending Josef Korenar to Tucson, per the AHL’s transactions log. Harri Sateri was able to join the team recently but will need some time before being game-ready so Arizona is shuffling their backups in the meantime.  Prosvetov has a pair of starts this season for the Coyotes, posting a .893 SV% in those outings.

Pacific Division

This post will be updated throughout the day.

Minor Transactions: 04/02/22

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The NHL Trade Deadline has passed, but key transactions continue to occur. The college free agent market is still going strong with NCAA standouts landing NHL and AHL contracts, while many leagues in Europe are already deep into the postseason with eliminated teams signing extensions and conversely allowing some notable names to become free agents. So while it may seem like the deadline puts an end to all important transactions until the offseason, there are still plenty of “minor” moves worth paying attention to:

  • The Boston Bruins have been busy in the college free agent market, signing Boston College captain Marc McLaughlin to an entry-level contract (he scored in his NHL debut on Thursday), as well as Western Michigan goaltender Brandon Bussi and inking Ohio State defenseman Grant Gabriele to an AHL contract. They are back at it again, announcing a one-year AHL contract for 2022-23 and interim PTO for Omaha forward Joseph Abate. Abate, 23, is leaving college a year early to pursue his pro career. A defensive specialist, Abate only produced 32 points in 85 NCAA games but plays a physical checking game, excelled at the faceoff dot this season, and brings deceptive speed. A project for the Bruins, Abate will be groomed in Providence to potentially play a fourth line role down the road. Interestingly, Abate played junior hockey with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms with fellow Bruins prospects Curtis Hall, Trevor Kuntar, and Riley Duran. 
  • The Vegas Golden Knights have dipped into the college free agent pool, as their Silver counterparts in AHL Henderson announced a PTO and 2022-23 AHL contract for North Dakota forward Connor Ford. A highly sought-after graduate transfer out of Bowling Green, where he played with fellow Knights prospect Brandon Kruse, Ford joined the Fighting Hawks this season and continued to produce. An incredibly consistent scorer through five NCAA season, the 24-year-old Ford appears to have the mature game that will translate to the pros. Ford finished second in scoring for North Dakota behind only Riese Gaber. Vegas certainly won’t mind if signing Ford help to convince the undrafted sophomore sensation Gaber to turn pro and sign with the Knights this year or even down the road.
  • Another NCAA addition is arriving in Lehigh Valley, as the Philadelphia Flyers’ affiliate announced a PTO and 2022-23 AHL contract with Notre Dame captain Adam Karashik. Karashik, 24, actually played in his first season with the Fighting Irish this season as a graduate transfer, but was named captain based on his veteran leadership and experience and the ability he displayed in four years at UConn. Karashik had always played a sound defensive game on the blue line, but took his offensive game to new heights this season with 16 points, matching his previous three seasons combined. A two-way, right-handed defenseman with a well-developed game, Karashik is a nice piece for the Flyers’ pipeline.
  • Moving overseas, NHL veteran Joakim Ryan isn’t rushing back to the NHL after a year away in Sweden. Instead, the 28-year-old has signed a one-year extension with the SHL’s Malmo Redhawks, the team announced. While Ryan was on an NHL contract for all six of his first pro seasons, including playing 41+ NHL games twice, his value had tailed off before he departed for his native Sweden this past offseason. While he could likely still find a depth role in the NHL, no one will blame him for sticking with Malmo for another year after he emerged as a star for the team in 2021-22. Ryan recorded 31 points in 52 games, second on the team and a top-five mark among SHL defensemen.

More to come…

AHL Shuffle: 04/01/22

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It’s April, no fooling. The NHL schedule is winding down and playoff races–or, in the case of the Eastern Conference, seeding races–are alive and well. Seven games are on the schedule tonight, including a big matchup between the St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers. Both teams are in third place in their respective divisions, and both teams are being hunted down by a team (or two) right on their heels. In a game that is nearly a must-win for both teams, who will come out disappointed? As those teams and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.

Atlantic Division

  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have returned Filip Kral to the AHL, after Justin Holl was back in the lineup last night. Ilya Lyubushkin missed the game but also may be returning relatively soon, meaning Kral wasn’t really needed anymore. The 22-year-old is still waiting to make his NHL debut, but has been very good for the Toronto Marlies with 20 points in 51 games.

Metropolitan Division

  • The Philadelphia Flyers have sent Felix Sandstrom and Max Willman back to the AHL, as they prepare for a game tomorrow night. It’s something of a curiosity, given the fact that Willman scored in two straight games–but he was left off the lineup card last on Tuesday and now Nate Thompson is healthy enough to return.
  • Defenseman Robin Salo is on his way back to the Bridgeport Islanders. The New York Islanders sent him down today after he didn’t get into game action during his emergency recall.

Central Division

  • Morgan Barron isn’t headed back to the AHL just yet. His emergency recall has been switched into a regular recall for the Jets, who continue to drift further away from the playoff picture. Remember, teams are allowed four regular recalls after the trade deadline until their AHL affiliate is eliminated. Barron played just a few minutes in his Winnipeg debut last night.

Pacific Division

  • Jaret Anderson-Dolan is back up with the big club less than 16 hours after the Los Angeles Kings sent him to the minor leagues. The 22-year-old forward is still looking for his first NHL point of the season, after previously playing in seven games.

This page is updated throughout the day

Bowen Byram Sent To AHL On Conditioning Stint

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In what must come as great news for Colorado Avalanche fans, 2019 4th overall pick Bowen Byram looks set to return to the ice. The Avalanche have announced that they are sending Byram to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles for a conditioning stint. This is Byram’s third attempt this season to get past the concussion issues that have thus far plagued his professional career, and given Byram’s health struggles since he was drafted, it seems like this is a positive development not only for Byram and the Avalanche but also for hockey as a whole.

Byram, 20, is an incredibly talented defenseman who previously starred for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. In his draft year, Byram posted 26 goals and 71 points in 67 games, and he was selected by the Avalanche who were undoubtedly salivating at the thought of adding another young blue-chip defender to a long-term blueline corps that already boasted Cale Makar and Samuel Girard.

But despite those great hopes, Byram’s professional career has been rocky, to put it mildly. Since he finished his junior career having played 188 WHL games Byram has played in a total of 37 contests over two seasons with the Avalanche, a number that illustrates the significant health issues Byram has had as a professional. The Athletic’s Peter Baugh went into detail in a story covering Byram’s first year in Colorado, (subscription required) and in it, Byram reveals that he battled a growing worry that “his career was slipping away” and that he would not be able to continue playing hockey. But Byram overcame those challenges and a bout with COVID-19 to get into the lineup for the Avalanche this season. He has been very impressive in his brief time with the big club, posting 11 points in 18 games, but his ability to succeed kept getting undercut by injury woes. There was a head injury in early November that began to derail his campaign, and he was continually in the process of recovering from injuries only to face new issues. In January, Byram left the team for “personal reasons,” reasons clarified via Baugh to be Byram’s need to deal with the “lingering issues” that stemmed from his original concussions.

Since that point, Byram has been working towards an eventual return where he could finally, hopefully, put those issues behind him and truly begin in earnest an NHL career that holds so much promise. That work to get back reached a new checkpoint tonight, as Byram’s loan means that he is ready to resume playing professional hockey. The Avalanche have a strong defense corps, but also one that is not without its injury issues. Girard has been out for an extended period, and Ryan Murray recently was forced out of the lineup with a wrist injury. Getting Byram back (and even potentially acquainting him on a partnership with new acquisition Josh Manson) would be a significant boon for Colorado as they gear up for what the team expects to be a long run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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