AHL Shuffle: 04/28/22
We’re just a few days away from the end of the regular season but there are still quite a few games to get on the books. Today has nine matches, including an important match between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. In fact, it could be a potential first-round preview should the Predators end up with the second wild card spot. Currently one point behind the Stars, Nashville is also without starting goaltender Juuse Saros.
As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling right here.
Atlantic Division
- The Laval Rocket will get Cayden Primeau back in time for tonight’s game, as the goaltender was sent down by the Montreal Canadiens. With the Canadiens off until tomorrow, Primeau could be called back up, depending on the health of the other goaltenders.
- Nicholas Robertson has been returned to the minor leagues, with the Toronto Marlies trying to clinch a playoff spot this evening. The 20-year-old forward played just over 12 minutes on Tuesday, but is still looking for his second NHL goal.
- The Buffalo Sabres recalled netminder Aaron Dell from the Rochester Americans again today as they deal with injuries in the crease. As starter Craig Anderson remains day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, the Sabres have swapped Dell and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out for one another multiple times now over the past week.
Metropolitan Division
Central Division
Pacific Division
- The Seattle Kraken have sent Cale Fleury and Joey Daccord back to the AHL, two players that will be able to help the Charlotte Checkers on their Calder Cup chase. The Checkers were one of the AHL’s best teams with a 42-24-6 record this season but still don’t know who they will face in the first round. Because they were on the AHL roster at the trade deadline, both players are eligible to suit up in the postseason.
- The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Philip Broberg, giving them another defenseman to help finish out the season. With Darnell Nurse out for the moment, the team needs some bodies to play the last two games, games that are essentially meaningless as they already hold the tiebreaker over the third-place Los Angeles Kings.
- The Arizona Coyotes sent forward Jan Jenik back to the Tucson Roadrunners today to end the season. Jenik had three points in 13 games with the Coyotes this season.
This page is updated throughout the day
AHL Announces 2021-22 All-Rookie Team
With the AHL season coming to a close and the Calder Cup playoffs right around the corner, awards and accolades are starting to be handed out. Today, the league announced the 2021-22 All-Rookie Team, which is voted on by coaches, players, and media. Though not a guarantee of future NHL success, the AHL rookie team has a long history of star players including captains, Stanley Cup champions, and future Hall of Fame members.
The 2021-22 selections:
G Dustin Wolf, Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)
D Jack Rathbone, Abbotsford Canucks (Vancouver Canucks)
D Jordan Spence, Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings)
F Jakob Pelletier, Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames)
F J.J. Peterka, Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)
F Jack Quinn, Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)
While each of the winners is a player to keep an eye on, it’s once again Wolf that seems to stand out among the crowd. While the forwards are all high draft picks, and the defensemen fourth-round selections, Wolf has continued to impress since being the 214th overall pick in 2019. Selected with the fourth-last pick in the draft, the undersized netminder simply stops the puck better than almost all of his competitors.
This season, his first in the AHL, Wolf went 33-8-4 with a .924 save percentage, leading the entire league in wins. Given the fact that Calgary is also a true contender for the Stanley Cup, it’s incredibly impressive to have two players on the All-Rookie team this season.
In Buffalo, things are getting very exciting as a new wave of talent emerges to try and drag the organization back to the playoffs. Peterka and Quinn were both outstanding in their rookie years, with the latter actually scoring at a better rate than almost anyone else. Quinn’s 59 points in 44 games is a better per-game rate than any qualified player other than T.J. Tynan and Andrew Poturalski, the league’s best two forwards. With the other young talent already in Buffalo, things are looking up for the Sabres.
Joe Snively Sent To AHL On Conditioning Loan
The Washington Capitals could be getting Joe Snively back as a depth option in the next little while, as the injured forward has been sent to the Hershey Bears on an LTIR conditioning loan. Snively is coming back from wrist surgery and will be eligible for the Bears first-round playoff series, should they want to insert him into the lineup.
Of course, while it’s great news for the Bears and their Calder Cup hopes, there is a bigger prize that the Capitals have their eyes on and Snively could potentially help them get there. This is a player that recorded four goals and seven points in his first 12 NHL games, and could potentially step into an offensive role should the Capitals suffer any injuries along the way.
For now, he’ll need to get back up to speed in the AHL. Snively had 38 points in 35 games to start the year with Hershey and should immediately give them another top-line player to help their playoff run. The team had middling success through the second half of the year and ended up going 34-32-10 on the year, good enough for fifth place in the Atlantic Division.
AHL Shuffle: 04/27/22
Just a few days of action remain in the 2021-22 NHL regular season, and today has five games on tap. Notably, both the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights are back in action after their thrilling game last night. The Stars need just a single point (or a Vegas loss) in their last two games to clinch the playoffs, and tonight’s opponent is the lowly Arizona Coyotes, fighting for last in the entire league. As those teams and others prepare, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Detroit Red Wings have sent Riley Barber back to the AHL, a near-daily transaction at this point. Barber has played in just four games this season and is still without a point.
- With nothing really to play for, the Florida Panthers have recalled Matt Kiersted, Aleksi Heponiemi, and Cole Schwindt from the AHL. The team has clinched first place in the Eastern Conference, though technically the Colorado Avalanche could still take the Presidents’ Trophy from them, depending on what happens in the next few days.
Metropolitan Division
- The New York Rangers have recalled Zac Jones from the AHL, as the team may end up resting some players in the next few days. The Rangers have clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division and will now wait to see whether they play the Pittsburgh Penguins or Washington Capitals in the first round.
- The New Jersey Devils have recalled Alexander Holtz from the AHL, now that there is no danger of him burning the first year of his entry-level contract. With seven games played so far and just two remaining in the Devils’ season, Holtz can’t hit the ten-game threshold that would start his deal. Still, he’ll get a chance to prove himself in the NHL over the next couple of contests.
Central Division
Pacific Division
This page is updated throughout the day
New Jersey Devils Recall Reilly Walsh
The New Jersey Devils could have another player make his NHL debut in the coming days, as prospect Reilly Walsh has been recalled from the Utica Comets. The young defenseman has joined the team in Ottawa and is available for tonight’s game.
It wasn’t always even clear if the Devils would be able to sign Walsh at all before he reached unrestricted free agency but in 2020 when it became clear that Harvard may not even play the 2020-21 season, the college standout signed his entry-level deal. That brought him into the Devils system after three outstanding years in the NCAA, and Walsh picked up right where he left off.
In 33 games last season he registered five goals and 15 points, numbers that are now dwarfed by his production this year. Walsh has 42 points in 69 games with Utica in 2021-22, good for fifth among all AHL defensemen. The right-shooting puck-mover will now likely get a chance to dip his toes into the NHL waters before competing for a full-time role with the team next season.
Remember, the Devils have P.K. Subban coming off the books at the end of the season and will need someone to replace him. While Walsh likely isn’t the top candidate, a good showing in the last few games could certainly move him a spot or two up the depth chart. During his time in college he was seen as almost a can’t-miss prospect, and his performance at the AHL shouldn’t really dull that shine.
Notably, he also is still signed to his entry-level deal for next season, meaning these games pose no risk of affecting summer negotiations. He’ll also still be waiver-exempt next season, meaning he can pop up and down when needed. While there is no playoff chase for the Devils, they’ve at least made the last few games more interesting.
AHL Shuffle: 04/26/22
After a quiet Monday in the NHL, things are back up and running with a 13-game slate this evening. That includes the game that most eyes will be watching, when the Vegas Golden Knights fight for their season when they take on the Dallas Stars. Vegas can’t lose this game if they have any hope of making the playoffs, though it still would only give them a glimmer of hope. Other matchups, like the St. Louis Blues taking on the Colorado Avalanche or Carolina Hurricanes taking on the New York Rangers, should give fans a nice preview of playoff hockey as good teams try to tune up before the postseason.
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 sent Carl Dahlstrom back to the AHL, recalling Nick Robertson in his place under emergency conditions. With Michael Bunting out with an injury, Robertson could get a look in the top six for the Maple Leafs as the playoffs approach.
- The Detroit Red Wings have recalled Riley Barber and Kyle Criscuolo under emergency conditions, giving them another pair of bodies for tonight’s game against Toronto. The Red Wings are well out of the playoff chase, but still have some time to give the fans a bit of excitement for next season.
- As expected, the Ottawa Senators have recalled Scott Sabourin and Mark Kastelic once again. The team is not expecting to see Colin White or Connor Brown over the last few games, meaning they needed their depth players back from Belleville.
Metropolitan Division
- The New York Islanders recalled defenseman Robin Salo today under emergency conditions. The 23-year-old defenseman has four points in 18 games with the Islanders this year, and with no extra healthy defenseman on the Islanders roster, he’ll draw in for the team tonight with an unknown injury occurring.
Central Division
- The Arizona Coyotes have recalled prospect Victor Soderstrom once again, as he continues to look for his first point at the NHL level this season. The 21-year-old defenseman has played in 13 games so far, 17 for his whole career.
- The Nashville Predators have recalled Mathieu Olivier from the AHL, giving them an extra player for tonight’s matchup against the Calgary Flames. The 25-year-old Olivier has played in just eight games for Nashville this season and is still looking for his first goal. Overall, he has seven points in 46 games and represents more of a physical presence than an offensive one.
Pacific Division
- The San Jose Sharks have recalled Lane Pederson, with the Barracuda eliminated from postseason contention. Pederson, 24, has split time between the two levels this season, playing 28 games for the Sharks and 22 for the Barracuda. The results have been very different, with just two assists during his time in the NHL.
- The Calgary Flames have announced that goaltender Dustin Wolf, who was with the team on an emergency recall, has been re-assigned to the AHL’s Stockton Heat. Wolf, 21, has been brilliant this season for Stockton, with a .924 save percentage in 46 starts. He’s widely considered to be the Flames’ best goalie prospect and among the best netminder prospects in hockey.
This page is updated throughout the day
Detroit Red Wings Sign Turner Elson
How about rewarding a strong performance at the minor league level with a taste of the NHL? The Detroit Red Wings have done just that, signing Turner Elson to a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. According to PuckPedia, Elson is expected to play in the final two games of the season for the Red Wings and will carry a pro-rated NHL salary of $750K.
Elson, 29, will be an unrestricted free agent again at the end of the year, but gets a few days of increased pay and another chance to play in the NHL. The long-time minor league forward played one game for the Calgary Flames in 2015-16 and has been a pillar of the Grand Rapids Griffins lineup for the past five years. This season, in 73 games, he has 21 goals and 45 points, both career highs.
An ECHL Kelly Cup champion, the undrafted Elson may very well have to settle for another AHL contract next season, though he has put together quite the career in the minor leagues. Over parts of 11 seasons, he has played in 469 AHL contests, scoring 95 goals and 210 points. Notably, signing this contract means he is no longer eligible to play for the Griffins this season, but they will not be making the playoffs as they sit last in the Central Division with a winning percentage of just .486.
AHL Shuffle: 04/25/22
Just one week remains on the NHL schedule but today is largely quiet around the league. Only the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks will do battle, in a game that doesn’t have any playoff implications. It could however affect the draft lottery odds, as Philadelphia could actually climb past the New Jersey Devils with a win, and pull even with the Blackhawks. As they prepare for tonight and other teams prepare for the last few games of the regular season, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Ottawa Senators continue their near-daily goaltending rotation, sending Kevin Mandolese back to the AHL and recalling Filip Gustavsson. The Belleville Senators clinched their playoff spot with a strong performance from Gustavsson yesterday, when he stopped 32 of 35 shots to take down the Toronto Marlies.
Metropolitan Division
Central Division
- Dakota Joshua has been returned to the minor leagues by the St. Louis Blues, as the Springfield Thunderbirds get ready for a Calder Cup run. The AHL club sits at 41-24-9 this season and Joshua has been a big part of the forward depth, scoring 17 points in 33 games.
- The Minnesota Wild have sent Joseph Cramarossa back to the minor leagues with Marcus Foligno expected to return to the lineup tomorrow night. Cramarossa, 29, recorded an assist in his season debut, after spending most of the year with the Iowa Wild.
Pacific Division
- The Anaheim Ducks have recalled Hunter Drew, Buddy Robinson, and Trevor Carrick from the AHL, though they obviously won’t be up for long. The San Diego Gulls have made the playoffs, and will likely receive these players back after they provide a little depth for Anaheim during their final two games, both on the road this week.
This page is updated throughout the day
AHL Shuffle: 04/24/22
Even on a Sunday afternoon, it is busy in the NHL these days, as four games will be held before this evening rolls around. Then there are seven more on tap for tonight, making it quite an eventful day. Those matches include a fierce battle between the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators and an all-Florida slugfest between the Panthers and Lightning. As all of those teams and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Ottawa Senators have re-assigned Filip Gustavsson, Mark Kastelic, and Scott Sabourin to the AHL, giving them back to the Belleville Senators who are jockeying for playoff position. In return, they’ve recalled Kevin Mandolese. The 21-year-old netminder has split the season between the ECHL and AHL, posting a .901 save percentage in 17 appearances at the higher level.
- The Montreal Canadiens have recalled goaltender Cayden Primeau on an emergency recall. Primeau, 22, has been forced into action for Montreal on many occasions this season thanks to the record-setting number of injuries the team has faced. He has struggled at the NHL level this year, with an .868 save percentage in 12 appearances, although he has been better with the AHL’s Laval Rocket, where he has a .910 in 32 games there.
Metropolitan Division
Central Division
- The Colorado Eagles of the AHL have announced that goaltender Justus Annunen has been re-assigned to their team from the Colorado Avalanche, in advance of the Eagles’ Calder Cup Playoff run. Annunen, 22, was the 64th overall pick in the 2018 draft and has appeared in 48 games for the Eagles this year. He has an .893 save percentage in those 48 games, and he has also appeared in 97 minutes of NHL action this year, and he has a .863 in that small sample size for the Avalanche.
Pacific Division
This page is updated throughout the day.
AHL Shuffle: 04/23/22
The final Saturday of the regular season is a busy one with a dozen games on the schedule including a game that has the potential to be a very high-scoring affair with Toronto in Florida to take on the Panthers. There should be plenty of roster shuffling throughout the day which we’ll keep track of here.
Atlantic Division
- The Red Wings announced (Twitter link) that they’ve brought up wingers Taro Hirose and Riley Barber from Grand Rapids of the AHL under emergency conditions, meaning they won’t count against the four-recall limit. Hirose (53 points in 69 games) and Barber (46 in 46) sit second and third respectively on the Griffins in scoring this season. Later on, the team assigned Barber back to the AHL.
- The Bruins have sent goaltender Troy Grosenick back to AHL Providence, per the AHL’s transactions log. That suggests that Linus Ullmark has been cleared to return; the team was hoping he’d be able to play in one of their games this weekend. As for Grosenick, he has impressed in the minors this season with a 2.02 GAA and a .931 SV% in 28 games, ranking him first among qualifying netminders in both categories.
- The Senators have recalled winger Scott Sabourin from AHL Belleville, reports Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch (Twitter link). He’ll be taking the place of Connor Brown who is out with an injury. Sabourin has 16 points and 70 penalty minutes in 38 minor league contests this season.
- The Maple Leafs announced (Twitter link) the recall of defenseman Carl Dahlstrom from AHL Toronto on an emergency basis. The 27-year-old has an assist in two NHL games this season while chipping in with 14 helpers in 47 contests with the Marlies.
Metropolitan Division
- The Flyers announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled goaltender Felix Sandstrom from AHL Lehigh Valley under emergency conditions. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut back in December and has played in three games with Philadelphia so far, posting a 3.29 GAA and a .915 SV%. With Carter Hart still unavailable, Sandstrom should continue to back up Martin Jones down the stretch.
Central Division
- The Jets announced (via Twitter) that goaltender Mikhail Berdin has been returned to AHL Manitoba. The 24-year-old had been serving as Winnipeg’s backup on an emergency basis when Connor Hellebuyck was unable to suit up due to illness. Berdin has yet to play in the NHL but has a 2.43 GAA with a .901 SV% in 29 games with the Moose this season.
- The Wild announced they’ve recalled winger Joseph Cramarossa from AHL Iowa. The 29-year-old has played in 51 games in the minors this season, notching 19 points after spending most of last year on the taxi squad. Cramarossa’s promotion was needed with winger Mats Zuccarello being ruled out for Sunday’s game in Nashville.
Pacific Division
- The Flames announced (Twitter link) that they’ve brought up goaltender Dustin Wolf from AHL Stockton. This is an emergency recall with Jacob Markstrom unavailable being unavailable for tonight’s game against Vancouver. Wolf has done quite well in his first full AHL season, posting a 2.33 GAA along with a .924 SV% in 46 games.
This post is updated throughout the day.