Headlines

AHL News & Rumors

Snapshots: Kane, Morrow, Tangradi

By | at May 5, 2021 8:53 pm

Evander Kane has had a tremendous season for the San Jose Sharks, recording a team-best 45 points in 52 games. The achievement is all the more impressive given the safe assumption that Kane’s focus has not solely been on hockey this year. The star forward has been mired in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding all season, filing in January and then in March motioning for an extension on the decision until June on the grounds that his contract with the Sharks could be terminated following the end of the season. While it remains to be seen whether this in fact occurs or not, the latest development in the case has the bankruptcy court deciding that Kane’s case will remain in Chapter 7 as opposed to Chapter 11. A lender had filed a motion for Kane to be treated as a business under Chapter 11 due to his debt mostly coming from gambling losses. Such a decision would have opened up Kane’s future income to his lenders in the bankruptcy decision, but such an outcome was avoided.

At least one lender has decided that if they can’t get to Kane’s future earnings via bankruptcy decision, they’ll go after a greater return on their defaulted loan another way. Per The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan, Professional Bank has sued Kane for $15MM, alleging fraud on the basis of misrepresenting the Sharks’ role in his repayment plans. This amounts to ten times their initial loan due, justified as “punitive damages.” This is highly irregular in a case such as this, as punitive damages are not substantiated by a claim but rather are meant as punishment. Punitive damages to this massive extent are very unlikely to be awarded, especially with Kane’s bankruptcy proceeding still ongoing, but Professional Bank will try their best.

  • Winning a national championships comes with some added perks, the least of which is increased recruiting power. Defending champs UMass flexed their newfound market power today, convincing potential 2021 first-round pick Scott Morrow to flip on his commitment to North Dakota and got to Amherst. Multiple sources have confirmed the move, with the talented right-handed defenseman moving from one powerhouse to another. Morrow was expected to join a deep group of NHL-caliber defensemen at UND this year, but will have more of an opportunity to shine as a top blue line option at UMass. It has worked out nicely for Cale Makar, Mario Ferraro, Zac Jones, and several other NHL prospects over just the last few years.
  • Eric Tangradi, Real Estate Agent? In a unique twist, former NHL winger Tangradi announced his retirement by transitioning it into the reveal of his new career. A big, powerful winger who appeared to have NHL chops early in his career, Tangradi never could quite translate his AHL production to the next level. He still managed to play in 150 NHL games with the Penguins, Jets, Canadiens, Devils, and Red Wings, but recorded just 16 career points. Tangradi will likely be remembered more for his many years of dominance in the minors, recording over 350 points in 488 career NHL games.
4 comments AHL Loan NCAA Prospects Retirement San Jose Sharks Snapshots

Overseas Notes: Skelleftea, Khokhlachev, Langhamer

By | at May 5, 2021 7:32 pm

After falling in the SHL semifinals, Swedish powerhouse Skelleftea AIK is already moving forward with their plans for next season. The team has announced a list of players who will not be returning in 2021-22 and it includes some notable NHL names. Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman Philip Broberg, Detroit Red Wings’ forward Jonatan Berggren, and Carolina Hurricanes’ defenseman Roland McKeown are all among those who will not return to Skelleftea next year and all are expected to instead be in the NHL. Broberg, 19, has in fact already made the jump, as he was recalled by the Oilers earlier this week. The 2019 No. 8 overall pick has been in Skelleftea on loan for two years since being drafted, but the big two-way defenseman is ready for the next step in his career. Berggren appears to be prepared to make that leap as well. Detroit’s 2018 second-round pick was Skelleftea’s leading scorer this season, recording 45 points in 49 games. The 20-year-old skilled play-maker is one of a number of promising Red Wings prospects, but Berggren’s dominance at the pro level this year should give him a leg up in training camp battles. McKeown is the outlier of the group; the 25-year-old blue liner made his European debut this season on loan from the Hurricanes. The former top prospect out of the OHL had faded from relevance among the Hurricanes’ deep defensive group and wished to stay in Sweden this year rather than play yet again in the AHL. While McKeown may join Carolina as a depth option in the playoffs now that his SHL season is over, his days with the organization are numbered. Slated for Group 6 unrestricted free agency this summer, McKeown may not be back with Skelleftea but he certainly won’t be staying in Raleigh either. He will have other options on the open market to find a more clear path to NHL opportunity.

  • Another prominent name in Europe who won’t be returning to his current team is Boston Bruins center Alexander Khokhlachev. The 27-year-old center was a key cog for Gagarin Cup champions Avangard Omsk this season, recording 34 points in 59 games as a top-six forward, but the team has nonetheless announced that Khokhlachev has decided to leave the club. This could very well mean that Khokhlachev is finally eyeing a return to North America after five years away, and the timing of the move is key. The Bruins’ rights to Khokhlachev finally expire on June 30th. While it’s not impossible that Khokhlachev could give the Bruins another shot under his old AHL head coach Bruce Cassidy, there are certainly better opportunities for an NHL role elsewhere if he instead waits to become a free agent this summer.
  • One player who isn’t rushing back to his NHL rights holder is goaltender Marek Langhamer. Despite the possibility that the Arizona Coyotes could have some more opportunity in net next season with Antti Raanta headed for free agency, Adin Hill expected to be exposed in the Expansion Draft, and Darcy Kuemper still a hot name on the rumor mill, Langhamer won’t be involved. Even after two strong seasons in the KHL, Langhamer has decided to stay in Europe, signing a one-year-deal with the Liiga’s Illves. It’s unclear if Langhamer is averse to re-joining the ‘Yotes or just the NHL overall, but regardless he will see his rights expire on June 30th of next season and can then return to North America as a free agent if he chooses.
3 comments AHL Boston Bruins Bruce Cassidy Carolina Hurricanes Detroit Red Wings Edmonton Oilers Expansion Free Agency KHL Loan Players Prospects SHL Utah Mammoth

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/05/21

By | at May 5, 2021 11:37 am

There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:

West Division

  • The St. Louis Blues have recalled Dakota Joshua from the Utica Comets, placing him on the taxi squad. The 24-year-old forward has played in 11 games for the Blues this season, scoring his first NHL goal in the process.
  • The Los Angeles Kings have added Troy Grosenick to the active roster, while bringing Matt Villalta up to the taxi squad. Jonathan Quick missed practice today and is listed as day-to-day, so all the other goalies in the organization got a bump.
  • The Arizona Coyotes have recalled Victor Soderstrom from the taxi squad, sending Frederik Gauthier back to the AHL. Craig Morgan of AZ Coyotes Insider reports that Soderstrom isn’t actually going to be in the lineup tonight, but could play this weekend in San Jose should the Blues clinch the final playoff spot.

North Division

  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled Olle Alsing from the taxi squad, bringing up Jonathan Aspirot to take his spot. Alsing, 25, is expected to make his NHL debut after splitting this season between Austria and the AHL. Aspirot meanwhile will join the taxi squad after recording nine points in 22 games this season with the Belleville Senators.
  • The Winnipeg Jets have recalled top defensive prospect Ville Heinola from the taxi squad, backfilling with Joona Luoto from the AHL. Heinola has only played two games at the NHL level this season but could be a major factor in the playoffs for the Jets if they decide he’s worked his way into the regular lineup.

Central Division

  • The Carolina Hurricanes have recalled Roland McKeown to the taxi squad, all the way from Sweden where his SHL season has ended. The 25-year-old defenseman will join the team once his requisite quarantine is over. McKeown hasn’t seen the NHL since the 2017-18 season, despite. posting strong offensive numbers at the AHL level.

East Division

This page will be updated throughout the day

0 comments AHL

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/04/21

By | at May 4, 2021 11:06 am

There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:

West Division

  • The Colorado Avalanche have recalled Hunter Miska to the taxi squad, giving them an extra practice goaltender as they prepare for action tomorrow night. Devan Dubnyk was added to the COVID protocol list yesterday, meaning he is currently unavailable for the team.  Kyle Burroughs was also sent back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
  • The Los Angeles Kings have brought up Matt Villalta from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  This is his sixth stint on the taxi squad this year although he hasn’t had a look with Los Angeles yet and instead has played in 15 games with AHL Ontario.
  • After having him up on an emergency basis, the Minnesota Wild have sent Kyle Rau back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  Rau has two assists in 13 games this season while averaging a little over nine minutes per game.
  • The San Jose Sharks have sent Alexander Barabanov, Alexander True, and Greg Pateryn to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  Jacob Middleton was sent from the taxi squad back to the minors in a corresponding move.
  • The Vegas Golden Knights have sent Peyton Krebs back to the taxi squad while sending Carl Dahlstrom to the minors, per CapFriendly.  Krebs had an assist in his NHL debut last night while on an emergency recall and could be brought back up for their next game against Minnesota tomorrow.

North Division

  • The Ottawa Senators have moved Filip Gustavsson to the taxi squad once again, while Kevin Mandolese is on his way back to the AHL. The Senators have just four games left in their season but after a strong surge, could potentially avoid finishing last in the North.
  • Alex Belzile has been moved to the Montreal Canadiens taxi squad, coming up from the minor leagues. The minor league veteran has still never played an NHL game during the regular season, despite suiting up for six postseason matches last summer.
  • The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Evan Bouchard and Kyle Turris from the taxi squad while sending James Neal down, per CapFriendly.  Turris and Neal have both cleared waivers and have been shuffled back and forth this season while Bouchard has four points in 12 games.

Central Division

  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have returned Matiss Kivlenieks to the taxi squad.  He has been up on an emergency basis with Joonas Korpisalo out for the season and could be recalled once again for their next game against Nashville on Wednesday.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Mackenzie Entwistle from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  The 21-year-old made his NHL debut back in March and could get a longer look down the stretch.
  • The Florida Panthers have sent Philippe Desrosiers back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  He dressed for his first career NHL contest on Monday and has a save percentage of .916 in 29 games with AHL Springfield this season.

East Division

  • The Boston Bruins have recalled Jeremy Swayman from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The designation is on an emergency basis with Tuukka Rask not dressing tonight.  Swayman has impressed in his first taste of NHL action, recording a save percentage of .942 with a 1.62 GAA in eight games.
  • The Buffalo Sabres have brought up Brett Murray to the taxi squad from AHL Rochester, per the AHL’s transactions log. The 22-year-old leads the Amerks in scoring this season with nine goals and ten assists in 23 games.
  • The New Jersey Devils have brought up Marian Studenic from AHL Binghamton to the NHL roster as well as recalling Matt Tennyson from the taxi squad on an emergency basis, per CapFriendly.  A.J. Greer was sent to the taxi squad in a corresponding move.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Maxime Lagace from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  The 28-year-old has played in nine minor league games this season and is taking the place of Casey DeSmith who is dealing with a lower-body injury.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

0 comments AHL Transactions

Snapshots: Batherson, Krebs, Soderstrom

By | at May 3, 2021 2:37 pm

The Ottawa Senators won’t be making the playoffs so some of their young players are already getting calls about the upcoming IIHF World Championship. Joshua Norris told reporters that he’d been contacted by USA Hockey recently and today Drake Batherson told Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia that Hockey Canada has reached out to him as well and he is interested in playing.

Interestingly enough, Batherson was actually born in the U.S. when his dad was playing for the Fort Wayne Komets (then of the IHL). The young forward has always competed for Canada internationally though, including a World Junior gold medal in 2018. If he does end up going to the World Championship, Canada is getting quite the player. Batherson broke out this season with 17 goals and 32 points in 51 games, establishing himself as a legitimate top-six option for the Senators moving forward. The 23-year-old will also be a restricted free agent this offseason, making it quite the busy summer even if he’s not in the NHL playoffs.

  • First-round pick Peyton Krebs has joined the Vegas Golden Knights in Minnesota and could be making his NHL debut at some point down the stretch. Still just 20, Krebs won’t burn the first year of his entry-level contract unless he plays in seven games this season, which, given the Golden Knights have just six regular season games left, would require him suiting up in the playoffs. Selected 17th overall in 2019, Krebs dominated the shortened WHL season this year and has five points in five games for the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL.
  • Speaking of prospects getting the call, the Arizona Coyotes have added Victor Soderstrom to the taxi squad. The 20-year-old Soderstrom is one of the top defensive prospects in the league, selected 11th overall in 2019. He has recorded nine points in 30 games for the Tucson Roadrunners this season but went scoreless in his first two NHL appearances. The Coyotes still technically have a shot at the playoffs, but it will be quite difficult to catch the St. Louis Blues, who sit three points ahead with three games in hand.
1 comment AHL IIHF Ottawa Senators Prospects Snapshots Utah Mammoth Vegas Golden Knights

Michael Houser To Make NHL Debut

By | at May 3, 2021 11:04 am

The Buffalo Sabres will have an unfamiliar face in net tonight when they take on the New York Islanders. Michael Houser will make his NHL debut after nearly a decade in the minor leagues, playing mostly in the ECHL.

The undrafted goaltender spent three seasons with the London Knights of the OHL and made his professional debut with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2012. Since then he has been shipped around, suiting up for the San Antonio Rampage, Ontario Reign, Manchester Monarchs, Cleveland Monsters, Fort Wayne Komets, and Tucson Roadrunners. He has spent basically this whole season as a practice goaltender, not even seeing any action for the Rochester Americans. Houser’s last appearance was in March 2020 with the ECHL’s Cyclones.

Coming into the season, an NHL debut wasn’t even a possibility for Houser. The minor league veteran had signed an AHL deal meaning he couldn’t even serve as the taxi squad netminder. But after injuries started to pile up, the Sabres signed Houser to his first NHL deal on March 19 and kept him as the third goaltender while the rest of his position peers were coming in and out with various injuries. Now, after the latest Sabres netminder, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday, Houser will get the chance of a lifetime.

Grinding in the ECHL isn’t glamourous, but Houser has managed to make 255 appearances there over his long minor league career. He was named Goaltender of the Year in 2019 after posting a .922 save percentage, going 29-7-5 in the process. Excellence isn’t anything new to Houser, who was once named not only goalie of the year in the OHL but won the Red Tilson Trophy as the most outstanding player. It’s been a very long road since then, but the 28-year-old will now be in an NHL net for the first time.

The Sabres have also been given an exemption from the league in order to sign Stefanos Lekkas to a professional tryout. The 25-year-old undrafted netminder is in his first professional season after four years at the University of Vermont. He could serve as backup for Houser tonight, but won’t actually get an entry-level deal.

4 comments AHL Buffalo Sabres ECHL

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/03/21

By | at May 3, 2021 10:05 am

There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:

West Division

North Division

Central Division

  • The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned Spencer Martin to the Syracuse Crunch, moving him off the taxi squad. The Lightning have Christopher Gibson on the roster still so have the three required goaltenders covered, meaning Martin can get some more playing time in the AHL.
  • The Detroit Red Wings have completed their daily goalie swap, sending Kaden Fulcher to the AHL and recalling Kevin Boyle to the taxi squad. Neither one is expected to play in the NHL unless there is an emergency.
  • The Florida Panthers will give Philippe Desrosiers a chance in net tonight and have recalled him to the active roster. The team has a rotating cast of successful goaltenders and will now give Desrosiers his NHL debut.
  • Matiss Kivlenieks has been recalled under emergency conditions by the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving them another healthy netminder with Joonas Korpisalo out for the year. Kivlenieks, 24, has a .926 save percentage in seven AHL appearances this season.

East Division

  • The New Jersey Devils have recalled A.J. Greer from the AHL and appear to be inserting him into the lineup for his season debut. The 24-year-old hasn’t seen the NHL since playing 15 games for the Colorado Avalanche in 2018-19, spending the time since exclusively in the minor leagues. In 10 minor league games since joining the Devils organization, Greer has nine points.

This page will be updated throughout the day

0 comments AHL

North Notes: Andersen, Holl, Koskinen, Lerby

By | at May 2, 2021 4:35 pm

The Toronto Maple Leafs might be getting back a familiar face in net as goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has been on the ice for more than a week now saw his practice routine ramped up Sunday. Head coach Sheldon Keefe, who said today was a “good step” in his recovery from a knee injury he suffered in mid-March, according to TSN’s Mark Masters.

He is not expected to join the team on their road trip to Montreal, but is expected to participate in Wednesday’s practice as they build up his workload.

TSN’s Kristen Shilton reports that Justin Holl, who left Saturday’s game in the third period after being hit in the face with a puck, was not at practice Sunday. He was replaced in the lineup by Timothy Liljegren. Keefe said that Holl “is doing well,” but will not be travelling to Montreal with the team, according to NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger. However, Holl is not expected to be out for a significant amount of time.

  • Sportnet’s Mark Spector reports that the Edmonton Oilers are expected to give some starts to goaltender Mikko Koskinen over the team’s final seven games. Koskinen, who lost his job as the team’s starting netminder, got his first start Wednesday since April 7 and fared quite well, stopping 29 of 30 shots against Winnipeg. Despite the impressive play of veteran Mike Smith, the team might want to kick the tires on Koskinen and see what he has to offer after struggling earlier this year. He has posted an 11-11 record this season with a 2.99 GAA and a .906 save percentage this season, allowing Smith to overtake him as the team’s No. 1 option.
  • The Calgary Flames may be losing a prospect as defenseman Carl-Johan Lerby is close to signing a new contract with Malmo of the SHL after his two-year deal with Calgary expires this offseason, according to Johan Svensson of KvallsPosten (translation required). Of course, nothing has been confirmed, but the 23-year-old Lerby, who signed with the Flames as an undrafted free agent in 2019, has yet to make his NHL debut and doesn’t look on track to do it this season. He spent the first season of the contract on loan to Malmo and has spent this season with the Stockton Heat of the AHL where he has seven assists in 22 games.
2 comments AHL Calgary Flames Edmonton Oilers Injury SHL Toronto Maple Leafs

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/02/21

By | at May 2, 2021 12:33 pm

There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:

Central Division

North Division

  • The Montreal Canadiens announced they have assigned forward Ryan Poehling and Alex Belzile from the taxi squad to the Laval Rocket of the AHL. Poehling, who played 21 games for the Canadiens last season, has yet to make his season-debut with Montreal this year. He has 11 goals and 25 points in 28 games with Laval.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have recalled forward Jonah Gadjovic from the Utica Comets of the AHL, according to the AHL transactions page. The 22-year-old has had a breakout season in the AHL with a career-high 15 goals in just 19 games.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have assigned forward Denis Malgin from the taxi squad to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, according to CapFriendly. Malgin has spent the entire season on loan in the NL where he has posted 19 goals and 42 points in 45 games there. With the season over in Switzerland, he will now join the Marlies until needed.

East Division

  • The Philadelphia Flyers have reassigned goaltender Felix Sandstrom from the taxi squad to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, according to CapFriendly. The 24-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut.

West Division

This page will be updated throughout the day.

0 comments AHL Transactions

Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/01/21

By | at May 1, 2021 11:48 am

There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day:

North Division

  • The Montreal Canadiens have reassigned forwards Ryan Poehling and Alex Belzile to the taxi squad. Poehling, a 2017 first-rounder, is still looking for his first NHL game this season after skating in 27 with the Habs last year. Poehling has seemingly outgrown the AHL’s Laval Rocket, recording 25 points in 28 games this season. As for Belzile, the veteran forward made his NHL debut in the playoffs last year but has still never played in a regular season game.
  • C.J. Suess will head back to the AHL, as the Winnipeg Jets have announced his demotion from the taxi squad to the Manitoba Moose. Suess has played in 24 AHL games this season, but in no NHL games. He still has just one game with Winnipeg under his belt through three seasons with the club.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent Martin Marincin and Veini Vehvilainen to the AHL, per the AHL’s transactions log.  Marincin has been on the taxi squad a few times this season but has yet to suit up while Vehvilainen has played just twice this season – once in relief duty with Columbus and once with their farm team two months ago before he was traded to Toronto for Mikko Lehtonen.

East Division

  • The Philadelphia Flyers have swapped out young defensemen, sending Yegor Zamula to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms and recalling Wyatte Wylie to the taxi squad. Both in their first pro seasons, Zamula has played in a pair of games with the Flyers while Wylie is still looking for his NHL debut.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned Josh Maniscalco to the taxi squad, sending Maxime Lagace to the AHL in the process. The 22-year-old Maniscalco was an undrafted free agent signing out of Arizona State University that has yet to register a point in seven AHL games.

Central Division

  • Joe Veleno is back up with the Detroit Red Wings again today, as the team has announced his recall from the taxi squad. After spending the season on loan in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks, the top prospect returned to Detroit after his SHL season came to an end and made his NHL debut. Veleno has been held scoreless through two games so far, but will get another chance today.
  • The St. Louis Blues have announced a coming taxi squad addition, as Gagarin Cup champion Klim Kostin will re-join the team on Tuesday now that his KHL season is over. Kostin played with Avangard Omsk on loan this season and recorded 18 points in 43 regular season games plus another nine points in 24 postseason game en route to a title. Now he is ready to join another playoff push.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks have brought up John Quenneville to the taxi squad, per the AHL’s transactions log.  The 2014 first-round pick last saw NHL action in the bubble last summer when he played in two games but his performance this season hasn’t helped his cause as he has just a goal and an assist in 16 games with Rockford.

West Division

  • The Colorado Avalanche have sent Jonas Johansson from the taxi squad to the AHL, per the AHL’s transactions log.  With Philipp Grubauer having returned, Johansson is back to third-string status so this move will give him a chance to get some game action.  Daniel Renouf was also recalled directly to the NHL roster while Adam Werner and Hunter Miska were both brought up to the taxi squad.
  • The San Jose Sharks have recalled Jacob Middleton to the taxi squad, per the AHL’s transactions log.  The blueliner has played just once in the NHL this season and was sent down to the Barracuda earlier in the week to get him some playing time.
  • The Anaheim Ducks have once again shuffled things up, assigning Jacob Perreault and Olle Eriksson Ek back to the minors from the taxi squad, per the AHL’s transactions log.  Maxim Golod and Lukas Dostal were recalled to Anaheim’s taxi squad in corresponding moves.
  • The Arizona Coyotes have recalled Michael Chaput from the taxi squad, giving them another option for tonight’s game against the Golden Knights. Chaput wasn’t in the lineup when the Coyotes won yesterday in the first half of the back-to-back.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

0 comments AHL Transactions
Show all
Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors