Snapshots: Bowman, Kiersted, OHL
As expected, accomplished Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman will be the next leader of Team USA. Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli reports that USA Hockey has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday where they will officially name Bowman as the GM for the U.S. entry into the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Given the NHL’s absence at the most recent Olympics paired with the quality of American players who have blossomed into superstars over the past eight years, expectations are high for Team USA. A two-time Stanley Cup winning GM, whose current rebuild seems to be moving along nicely as well, Bowman has found great success in his career and appears ready for the challenge. With a familiar face in Chicago icon Patrick Kane leading the way, Bowman’s Team USA could be legitimate contenders for gold. He won’t be alone in the decision-making, either; Seravalli notes that Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin will be named an assistant of Bowman’s as well. Nashville’s David Poile and Carolina’s Don Waddell are also likely to be considered for the brain trust, among others.
- North Dakota defenseman Matt Kiersted, considered by many to be the top college free agent available this year, is already having to chip away at his list of suitors. The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports that 20+ NHL clubs have already shown interest in the dependable puck-mover, and he has begun to whittle that down to a “workable” number. What criteria Kiersted is using to choose between what are virtually identical entry-level offers is unknown and there has been few whispers of which teams might remain in the running. However, Russo notes that the Elk River, Minnesota native will definitely keep his hometown Minnesota Wild in consideration. Russo adds that the impending Expansion Draft could strip the Wild of one of their starting defensemen and there could be NHL opportunity right away for the local product. Among other likely landing spots, it is hard to ignore the immense North Dakota presence in the Ottawa Senators’ pipeline, which could link the team to Kiersted and fellow premiere UFA Jordan Kawaguchi.
- The OHL’s shortened season is expected to begin soon and teams would prefer that their players return as soon as possible. However, the league has yet to set a firm date, seemingly dragging its feet with actually opening up play as opposed to merely discussing it. This is posing quite a conundrum for some top prospects, writes Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Many top junior-age draft picks in recent years have been playing in the AHL this season with the OHL out of commission. This includes Washington’s Connor McMichael, Los Angeles’s Quinton Byfield, Montreal’s Jan Mysak and Carolina’s Ryan Suzuki, while Anaheim’s Jamie Drysdale would have to stay put with the Ducks. Per the CHL Transfer Agreement, these players must return to the OHL once the season begins if they are not on NHL rosters. However, without a solid start date and facing a quarantine period, it is a difficult ask to suggest that these talented young players leave their AHL clubs and head for the unknown. McMichael has been outspoken on the subject, stating “I honestly want to stay here and just play pro hockey. I think it would be best for my development” and Friedman feels the others likely share in that sentiment. Will there be an exception made to allow this group to stay put to close out the season? Or will they be forced to take yet another break from hockey to quarantine only to return to a junior game that they have outgrown?
Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Tyler Angle
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Tyler Angle to a three-year entry-level contract, which will begin in the 2021-22 season. Angle is currently playing with the Cleveland Monsters on an amateur tryout contract.
Another example of an OHL player seeing his first professional action during this unique season, Angle actually is old enough to continue playing in the AHL even under a normal contract. The fact is he needed to prove he could hack it at that level before the team committed an entry-level deal, given how late the 20-year-old was drafted.
Selected 212th overall in 2019, Angle is a late-blooming center that failed to even crack the 20-point threshold until his third full season of OHL hockey. In his fourth he was better than a point-per-game, a rate that he has carried right to the AHL with seven points in his first six games for the Monsters. Had Angle not been signed by June, the Blue Jackets would have lost their exclusive draft rights and he could have become an unrestricted free agent. Instead, he’ll join the organization and try to continue his steep development path.
New York Rangers Sign Hunter Skinner
After impressing so far in his first taste of professional hockey, Hunter Skinner has earned himself an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. The deal will begin in the 2021-22 season, with Skinner signing an AHL contract for the remainder of 2020-21.
The 19-year-old defenseman has played in 26 games with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL this season as he waited for the OHL to return to play, but hasn’t looked like he needs any more junior seasoning. In those 26 appearances, Skinner has seven goals and 17 points, holding his own against players sometimes more than a decade his senior. He currently ranks third among all ECHL defensemen in goals.
Not bad for a fourth-round pick in 2019, who needed just one year with the London Knights of the OHL to really take his game to a new level. The 6’2″ defenseman was also part of this year’s Team USA at the World Juniors, winning gold (though he played just one game).
There is certainly work to be done, but Skinner took another strong step in his development this season and should be a full-time member of the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2020-21.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/29/21
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
- The Ottawa Senators have assigned Clark Bishop to the taxi squad after playing the last several games. Bishop recorded his third point of the season on March 25 in the team’s last game, though still received fewer than nine minutes of ice time, a threshold he has yet to break this season.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Martin Marincin and Calle Rosen to the taxi squad, while sending Mac Hollowell, Timothy Liljegren, and Scott Sabourin back to the AHL. The young Hollowell is an interesting prospect for Toronto that they want to keep playing; he has five points in 16 games for the Toronto Marlies this season.
Central Division
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned Cam Johnson and Ryan MacInnis to the taxi squad, moving them back under the 23-man limit. Johnson had been up under emergency conditions but will retake his position serving as the third goaltender on the taxi squad.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have made a number of moves, flipping players between the AHL and taxi squad. Alec Regula, Brandon Pirri, and Mikael Hakkarainen are on their way to Rockford, while Lucas Carlsson, Mackenzie Entwistle, Wyatt Kalynuk, and Reese Johnson have all been recalled to the taxi squad.
- The Detroit Red Wings have recalled Givani Smith to the taxi squad, sending Mathias Brome and Dennis Cholowski to the AHL in his place. Smith, 23, made quite an impression earlier this season with four points in eight games for the Red Wings, but has spent more time in the AHL.
East Division
- The Buffalo Sabres have loaned Jean-Sebastien Dea and Steven Fogarty back to the taxi squad as they prepare for action tonight against the Flyers. The team has lost 17 straight and look completely finished with the season already.
- Those Flyers have made a move of their own, adding Alex Lyon and Samuel Morin to the active roster. Lyon will serve as the backup tonight for Brian Elliott while Carter Hart continues to try and work out his struggles in practice.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/28/21
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 Ottawa Senators got the day started on the transaction wire with the swap of two forward prospects, partially reversing the moves they made yesterday. The team announced that Alex Formenton has been recalled from AHL Belleville and assigned to the taxi squad. In a corresponding move, Jack Kopacka has been reassigned from the squad to the minors. Formenton has played in two games with Ottawa so far this year, while Kopacka has spent time on the active roster but has yet to make his Senators debut.
- Veini Vehvilainen has finally joined the Toronto Maple Leafs after completing his mandating quarantine period. The young goaltender, acquired earlier this month from the Columbus Blue Jackets, has been assigned to the taxi squad, with prospect Ian Scott returning to the AHL Marlies. Vehvilainen’s arrival comes at a good time; starter Frederik Andersen remains sidelined and replacement Jack Campbell was given a rest day, so Vehvilainen and Michael Hutchinson were the only goaltenders in attendance at Leafs practice today. Should the Maple Leafs suffer another injury in net, Vehvilainen is now the next man up with the other three goalies already on the active roster.
East Division
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to wrap up a homestand on Monday before heading out on the road and are taking the opportunity to switch out their taxi squad personnel. Forwards Jordy Bellerive and Josh Currie have been reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Without announcing any corresponding move, this likely bodes well for the health of numerous Penguins forward currently sidelined by injury or on the COVID Protocol list.
- The Buffalo Sabres will give young goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and forward Brett Murray some play time, reassigning the duo from the practice squad to the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Luukkonen, considered the Sabres’ starter of the future, has played in eight AHL games so far this season but could get his first look with the top club before the end of the year. Murray is also looking to make his NHL debut; the 2016 fourth-round pick took a circuitous route to the pros but has nevertheless proven himself to be an effective player in the AHL and could soon get a chance in Buffalo.
Central Division
- While the Maple Leafs have added former Blue Jacket Vehvilainen to their practice squad, Columbus has gone one step further today by recalling the other side of that recent trade, defenseman Mikko Lehtonen, to the active roster. Lehtonen, a prolific KHL offensive defenseman, recorded three points in nine games with Toronto before the trade, but the Blue Jackets hope that they can put him in a position to be more productive among their deep group of dependable defenders. Forward Stefan Matteau will be taking Lehtonen’s spot on the taxi squad, while promising young forward Liam Foudy will also join the squad after being promoted from the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.
- The Dallas Stars announced they have swapped a pair of forwards. The team has recalled Nicholas Caamano from the taxi squad and have assigned Justin Dowling to the taxi squad.
- The Florida Panthers announced they have moved forward Aleksi Heponiemi from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL to the team’s taxi squad. The diminutive forward has four assists in three games for Syracuse and has an assist in three games for the Panthers this season.
- The Nashville Predators announced they have recalled goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo from the taxi squad under emergency circumstances as starter Juuse Saros is out and listed as day-to-day. Defenseman David Farrance, who just signed his entry-level deal, has been assigned to the taxi squad. The team also has sent defenseman Jeremy Davies to the taxi squad. Nashville also announced that the teams 2020 second-round pick, Luke Evangelista has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL since the OHL still hasn’t begun their season.
West Division
- As they embark on a road trip, the Minnesota Wild have called in reinforcements up front in Luke Johnson. The veteran AHLer has been recalled to the taxi squad from AHL Iowa, where he has only played in two games this season versus six with Minnesota. A taxi squad fixture, Johnson has been a reliable depth piece for the Wild this year.
- The Arizona Coyotes announced they have assigned defenseman Jordan Gross to the taxi squad.
Injury Notes: Kunin, Dal Colle, Fix-Wolansky
After missing nearly the entire month of March with an upper-body injury, Luke Kunin is finally healthy and has been activated from the Injured Reserve. In his first season with the Nashville Predators, Kunin got off to a slow start with just five points in his first 17 game – almost half of his scoring pace from last season with the Minnesota Wild – and has since been sidelined for the past 13 games. He hopes to return to the lineup and make an impact for a team that desperately needs it. After all, Kunin’s five points is still a top-12 mark among Predators forwards even after missing close to half the season so far. Nashville needs the 23-year-old to be at his best and to help those around him improve as well if they want any hope of climbing into a playoff spot in the Central Division.
- The New York Islanders have had to make a split decision today in order to accommodate an injury. Earlier this morning, head coach Barry Trotz stated that forward Michael Dal Colle had suffered a lower-body injury and would be unable to suit up for the team’s next two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trotz did not indicate that Dal Colle would need any more time than that though. However, due to a roster crunch, Dal Colle will have to sit longer than that. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple reported this evening that Dal Colle has been placed on injured reserve so that the team could recall a replacement in young Kieffer Bellows. This means Dal Colle will be out of commission for at least ten days, beyond just the original two-game timeline.
- One player who will really be out long-term is Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Trey Fix-Wolansky. The club has announced that the 2017 draft pick suffered an ACL injury in his right knee in an AHL game earlier this month and has undergone surgery to repair the damage. The estimated timeline for his recovery is six months, but ACL tears have been known to sideline hockey players for longer than expected. Fix-Wolansky, an undersized winger, has shown some impressive offensive upside in his young pro career, but this injury could be a setback in his pursuit of an NHL role.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/27/21
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 Maple Leafs announced that they have brought up Timothy Liljegren and Nicholas Robertson to the taxi squad from the AHL’s Marlies while Kristians Rubins was sent from the taxi squad to the Marlies. Robertson was expected to push for regular playing time this season but a knee injury in his season debut changed those plans; he had been getting back up to speed in the minors over the last few weeks.
- The Senators have recalled Erik Brannstrom and Jack Kopacka from the minors to the taxi squad while sending Christian Wolanin and Alex Formenton to AHL Belleville, per the AHL’s transactions page. Wolanin cleared waivers yesterday while Formenton scored his second career goal back on Tuesday. Brannstrom is the notable recall and has played in 14 games with Ottawa so far this season.
East Division
- The Flyers announced the recall of Samuel Morin from the taxi squad. The 25-year-old – who has spent time up front this year after being a defenseman for his entire career – has played in just five games with Philadelphia this season.
- The Sabres announced that they’ve recalled Jean-Sebastien Dea from the taxi squad while C.J. Smith and Michael Houser have been loaned to the taxi squad. Dea has 32 career games of NHL experience but has yet to suit up with Buffalo this season. Houser was able to be sent down with Linus Ullmark being activated off IR (along with Kyle Okposo).
- The Penguins have recalled Drew O’Connor from the taxi squad, per a team release. He is taking the place of Kasperi Kapanen on Pittsburgh’s roster with the winger being placed on injured reserve. Jordy Bellerive and Josh Currie were also recalled to the taxi squad from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Central Division
- The Blue Jackets have promoted Cam Johnson to the active roster per a team release. The netminder’s addition was needed with Joonas Korpisalo being listed as day-to-day due to a lower-body injury.
- After he cleared waivers, the Panthers assigned Anton Stralman to the taxi squad, reports George Richards of Florida Hockey Now. Brett Connolly and Riley Stillman were recalled to Florida’s active roster.
- The Lightning announced that they’ve recalled Taylor Raddysh to the taxi squad from AHL Syracuse. The winger has two goals and three assists in nine games with the Crunch this season.
- The Blackhawks have made a long list of roster moves. Per the AHL’s transactions page, Wyatt Kalynuk and Ian Mitchell were sent from Chicago to AHL Rockford while Lucas Carlsson, Mackenzie Entwistle, and Reese Johnson were sent down from the taxi squad. Mikael Hakkarianen, Brandon Pirri, and Alec Regula were all recalled to the taxi squad.
- The Nashville Predators have recalled rookie defenseman Jeremy Davies from the taxi squad. Davies is still looking for his first NHL point through seven games, but has not looked out of place thus far. Goaltender Devin Cooley has been reassigned from the squad to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
West Division
- The Kings have flipped taxi squad goaltenders according to the AHL’s transactions page. Troy Grosenick was recalled by Los Angeles to after playing in yesterday’s game with Ontario while Matthew Villalta was sent back to the Reign.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Raphael Lavoie, Phil Kemp Assigned To AHL
The Edmonton Oilers are bringing back a pair of prospects, assigning Raphael Lavoie and Phil Kemp to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. The two played this season with Vasby IK in Sweden’s second league in order to make sure they didn’t miss a year of development.
Lavoie, 20, dominated the league, registering 45 points in 51 games to lead his club and finish 12th overall in scoring. The 38th overall pick in 2018, Lavoie is a big frame that has shown an ability to score everywhere he’s played, racking up goals with his impressive shot off the rush and power in front of the net. After an outstanding year overseas, he’ll try to take the next step into North American professional hockey and continue his development.
Kemp, 22, is certainly a bit of a different story. Selected 208th overall in 2017, the big defenseman spent three years playing for Yale and was headed for a fourth before the school’s hockey program shut down for the year. Instead, Kemp signed his entry-level contract with the Oilers last November and then was shipped overseas to get ice time and his first taste of the professional scene.
Even after a relatively successful season in Sweden, Kemp still doesn’t have the kind of upside that someone like Lavoie possesses and will have to scratch and claw for every opportunity in his career. The steady, 6’3″ defender is an interesting piece to keep an eye on in Edmonton though, given the other more offensive blue line talents the team has in their pipeline. Perhaps Kemp can be a counterpoint to someone like Evan Bouchard, taking on the heavy defensive and penalty-killing minutes.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/26/21
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 Arizona Coyotes made a move as they usually do, this time recalling Michael Chaput from the taxi squad and bringing up Michael Bunting from the AHL to take his place.
North Division
- After losing in overtime last night to Toronto the Ottawa Senators have made a few moves. Alex Formenton and Filip Gustavsson have been re-assigned to the taxi squad, with Vitaly Abramov and Mark Kastelic going to the AHL to make room. Marcus Hogberg has also been assigned to the AHL on a conditioning stint. Given the Senators don’t play again until March 30, perhaps he’ll be ready to dress by their next game.
Central Division
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled Alexandre Texier, placing Mikhail Grigorenko on the taxi squad to make room. Texier hasn’t played since March 14 and has just nine points in 30 games this season.
East Division
- The New Jersey Devils have sent Colton White to the AHL, moving him off the taxi squad after only recalling him yesterday. White, 23, has played in nine games at the AHL level this season but hasn’t yet cracked the New Jersey lineup. Later in the day, the team assigned Nicholas Merkley to the taxi squad and recalled Jesper Boqvist in time to play in this evening’s game.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/25/21
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 T.J. Tynan and Sheldon Dries to the taxi squad, filling out the two vacant spots they had after sending Conor Timmins down yesterday. Dries has played three games for the Avalanche this season but is still looking for his first NHL point since the 2018-19 campaign. Logan O’Connor was also recalled from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
- The San Jose Sharks have recalled Jeffrey Viel to the taxi squad from the AHL. The 24-year-old has yet to play an NHL game in his short career but could add a bit of physicality to the lineup if the Sharks need it. In his 139-game AHL career, Viel has 18 fighting majors and 228 penalty minutes. Antti Suomela and Christian Jaros were sent to the taxi squad while Zach Gallant was sent back to the AHL, per CapFriendly.
- After announcing that Tyler Pitlick is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the Arizona Coyotes have moved him to injured reserve. Meanwhile, they’ve swapped Frederik Gauthier and Lane Pederson between the taxi squad and AHL.
- The Anaheim Ducks have sent Andy Welinski and Lukas Dostal back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Welinski played a season-high 18:11 last night while Dostal served as the backup goaltender.
- The Dallas Stars have made a large number of roster moves. Nick Caamano, Justin Dowling, Rhett Gardner, and Joel L’Esperance were all promoted from the taxi squad while Ty Dellandrea and Tanner Kero were recalled to the taxi squad.
- The Los Angeles Kings have sent Austin Strand and Tobias Bjornfot to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Bjornfot has three assists in 17 games this season while Strand has a helper in six games.
- The Minnesota Wild have promoted Will Bitten to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The 22-year-old has four assists in 11 games with AHL Iowa this season.
- The St. Louis Blues have brought up Dakota Joshua and Jake Walman from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The two have made frequent appearances on this list in recent weeks as they’ve been sent down on non-game days to save some money.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled Patrick Brown from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. He has played in three games for Vegas so far this season. Carl Dahlstrom was recalled to the taxi squad to take Brown’s place.
North Division
- The Ottawa Senators have recalled Braydon Coburn from the taxi squad as they prepare for action tonight against Toronto. Jack Kopacka has been sent back to the AHL, while Mark Kastelic is up to take his spot on the taxi squad.
- The Calgary Flames have tweaked their taxi squad, sending Alex Petrovic down from the NHL roster while recalling Louis Domingue and Michael Stone from the minors, per CapFriendly. Artyom Zagidulin was sent to the minors to make room for Domingue.
- The Edmonton Oilers have sent Joakim Nygard back to the taxi squad. After playing in 33 games last season, he has suited up in just six NHL contests so far this year.
- The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Jake Evans from the taxi squad while promoting Laurent Dauphin to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Evans was sent down yesterday to free up a bit of cap space while the team is off due to COVID protocols.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Michael Hutchinson and Alex Galchenyuk from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Hutchinson is needed with Frederik Andersen currently injured. Kristians Rubins was also sent to the taxi squad.
- The Vancouver Canucks have sent Tyler Graovac to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The 27-year-old has played in Vancouver’s last two games, averaging just under 10 minutes per game.
Central Division
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled Mikhail Grigorenko from the taxi squad once again as he continues to move on and off the roster on a daily basis. The 26-year-old forward now has seven points in 18 games this season.
- As expected, the Carolina Hurricanes have promoted Jake Bean from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The defenseman has 10 points in 21 games so far this season.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have promoted Wyatt Kalynuk from the taxi squad while sending Mackenzie Entwistle down, per CapFriendly. Both players have played just once for Chicago this season.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have brought up Luke Schenn and Andreas Borgman from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Even so, they’re unable to dress a full roster tonight due to injuries to Ryan McDonagh and Erik Cernak.
East Division
- The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Samuel Morin and Alex Lyon from the AHL to the taxi squad, sending Felix Sandstrom back the other way. As expected, Lyon got in some game action in Lehigh Valley’s game yesterday, but certainly didn’t fare very well. The goaltender allowed five goals on just 16 shots in a loss to the Hershey Bears.
- The Boston Bruins have sent Oskar Steen, Urho Vaakanainen, and Jeremy Swayman back to the AHL, recalling Callum Booth to the taxi squad in the process. The Providence Bruins play this afternoon against Hartford and look like they’re getting quite a group of reinforcements in time for the game. They later recalled Steen while also recalling Jack Ahcan, Jack Studnicka, and Steven Kampfer from the taxi squad while sending Daniel Vladar to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Steven Fogarty and C.J. Smith from the taxi squad while back-filling with Jean-Sebastien Dea and Brett Murray from the AHL. On his way from Rochester along with them is Seth Appert, who will help GM Kevyn Adams coach tonight with Don Granato self-isolating.
- The New Jersey Devils recalled Nicholas Merkley from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Colton White was recalled from the minors to the taxi squad in a corresponding move.
- With the New York Islanders back in action tonight, they’ve recalled Oliver Wahlstrom, per CapFriendly. Wahlstrom has 15 points in 26 games so far this season.
- The New York Rangers recalled Kaapo Kakko from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The sophomore has four goals and two assists in 24 games, a point per game output that is lower than his rookie season.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Drew O’Connor from the taxi squad while sending Sam Miletic to the minors, per CapFriendly. O’Connor has an assist in nine games this season.