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Minor Transactions: 12/26/19

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The NHL returns to action tomorrow with an 11-game slate, meaning 22 teams will have to shake off the rust of a three-day break from both game play and practice. In preparation for this return, a few teams have made small moves today, within the limits of what is allowed during the league’s Holiday Roster Freeze. Follow along here:

  • The Buffalo Sabres announced that forward Curtis Lazar has been returned to the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Lazar, who signed with the Sabres as a free agent this summer, has only played in eight games with the team versus 18 with Rochester. While his AHL production has been good, Lazar has been limited to just one point with Buffalo. The Sabres continue to seek offense, but clearly don’t feel that Lazar is a solution.
  • Cam Atkinson is headed to the injured reserve and the Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled Jakob Lilja to replace him on the roster for the time being. Columbus also called up center Ryan MacInnis and defensemen Gabriel Carlsson and Adam Clendening on an emergency basis, implying that Atkinson’s is not the only absence that the team is expecting when they return to action. As for Atkinson, his IR placement is retroactive to December 19th, making him eligible for activation on Sunday. However that won’t be the case, as the team added that the expected timeline for his recovery from an ankle sprain is two to three weeks.

Prospect Notes: WJC Injuries, Groulx, Mysak

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The World Junior Championship began today and it took just 53 seconds for the first notable injury to occur. Czech Republic forward Jakub Lauko (BOS) was sandwiched between two Russian checks within the first minute of this morning’s game (video). Lauko’s right knee buckled from knee-to-knee contact on the first hit and as he he fell there was knee-to-knee contact on the second hit, not to mention shoulder-to-chest and head-to-ice. Lauko struggled off the ice and did not return. He was later seen watching the game with his right knee taped and using crutches. After the game, head coach Vaclav Varada indicated that it was an MCL injury for Lauko and that the early expectation is that he will miss the rest of the tournament. The host Czechs escaped with the win against the Russians, but will struggle without Lauko, one of the top forwards on a shallow unit up front. Lauko has eight points in 18 games with the Providence Bruins in his first pro season.

Team Finland also suffered a blow in the first game of their title defense and it wasn’t just the loss to rival Sweden. Rasmus Kupari (LAK) suffered a left knee injury in the third period on an awkward check that sent him airborne (video). Kupari was helped off the ice and did not return. Early indications is that it is a serious injury. Kupari had eight points in 27 games with the AHL’s Onatio Reign prior to the injury but now one has to wonder if his first season in North America is now over, ended by the overseas tournament. Fortunately for Kings fans, the team still leads all NHL teams in WJC participants, even with Kupari’s absence.

  • Benoit-Olivier Groulx (ANA), the final cut from Team Canada’s WJC roster, will be on a new team when QMJHL action resumes. The Moncton Wildcats have announced that they have acquired the former Halifax Mooseheads captain in exchange for a 2021 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2020 and 2022. Groulx, a second-round selection of the Anaheim Ducks in 2018, had 41 points in 28 games with Halifax prior to the trade and will look to keep that momentum going with his new team. The skilled, two-way center is a major addition for Moncton, who currently hold the third-best record in the league and have their eyes on a Memorial Cup berth this season.
  • 2020 NHL Draft prospect Jan Mysak made a splash in his WJC debut, named the player of the game for the Czech Republic versus Russia. The young winger is a dynamic offensive talent who has flown somewhat under the radar due to his participation in the Czech pro league instead of a more recognizable locale. However, many expect that by the end of the tournament he will have assured any doubters that he is worthy of his first-round billing. Meanwhile, older brother Josef Mysak didn’t want to miss out on the headlines. Mysak, a defenseman in the NAHL, has committed to play college hockey at Niagara University. The elder Mysak becomes the first graduate of HC Litvinov, the program that both he and his brother grew up in, to play in the NCAA, while Jan could become the first to be drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft.

 

NHL Draft Picks Participating In The World Junior Championship

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The 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship is underway from Ostrava and Trinec in the Czech Republic. The tournament began today and will run through the championship game on January 5th. Each of the NHL’s 31 teams has at least one representative at the WJC. Five teams have only one draft pick participating, while the Los Angeles Kings (9) and Arizona Coyotes (7) each have more than those teams combined. However, it only takes one player and one moment to make history at the WJC. Check out which future NHLers will have that chance this year:

Anaheim Ducks (2):

G Lukas Dostal, Czech Republic
F Trevor Zegras, USA

Arizona Coyotes (7):

F Barrett Hayton, Canada
F Jan Jenik, Czech Republic
F Matias Maccelli, Finland
D Aku Raty, Finland
D Victor Soderstrom, Sweden
F Valentin Nussbaumer, Switzerland
D Ty Emberson, USA

Boston Bruins (3):

F Jakub Lauko, Czech Republic
F John Beecher, USA
F Curtis Hall, USA

Buffalo Sabres (4):

F Dylan Cozens, Canada
F Matej Pekar, Czech Republic
G Erik Portillo, Sweden
D Mattias Samuelsson, USA

Calgary Flames (1):

G Dustin Wolf, USA

Carolina Hurricanes (5):

D Anttoni Honka, Finland
F Lenni Killinen, Finland
F Patrik Puistola, Finland
F Dominik Bokk, Germany
F Jack Drury, USA

Chicago Blackhawks (2):

F Antti Saarela, Finland
F Michal Teply, Czech Republic

Colorado Avalanche (4):

D Bowen Byram, Canada
G Justus Annunen, Finland
F Sampo Ranta, Finland
D Daniil Zhuravlyov, Russia

Columbus Blue Jackets (4):

F Liam Foudy, Canada
F Kirill Marchenko, Russia
F Dmitri Voronkov, Russia
D Tim Berni, Switzerland

Dallas Stars (3):

F Ty Dellandrea, Canada
F Oskar Back, Sweden
F Albin Eriksson, Sweden

Detroit Red Wings (5):

D Jared McIsaac, Canada
F Joseph Veleno, Canada
D Moritz Seider, Germany
F Jonatan Berggren, Sweden
F Jesper Eliasson, Sweden

Edmonton Oilers (4):

F Raphael Lavoie, Canada
G Olivier Rodrigue, Canada
F Matej Blumel, Czech Republic
D Philip Broberg, Sweden

Florida Panthers (3):

Justin Schutz, Germany
F Grigori Denisenko, Russia
G Spencer Knight, USA

Los Angeles Kings (9):

F Aidan Dudas, Canada
F Akil Thomas, Canada
F Lukas Parik, Czech Republic
F Rasmus Kupari, Finland
D Kim Nousiainen, Finland
D Tobias Bjornfot, Sweden
F Samuel Fagemo, Sweden
F Arthur Kaliyev, USA
F Alex Turcotte, USA

Minnesota Wild (1):

F Alexander Khovanov, Russia

Montreal Canadiens (4):

D Alexander Romanov, Russia
D Mattias Norlinder, Sweden
F Cole Caufield, USA
D Jordan Harris, USA

Nashville Predators (1):

D Spencer Stastney, USA

New Jersey Devils (5):

D Kevin Bahl, Canada
D Ty Smith, Canada
D Daniil Misyul, Russia
F Nikola Pasic, Sweden
G Akira Schmid, Switzerland

New York Islanders (2):

F Jacob Pivonka, USA
F Oliver Wahlstrom, USA

New York Rangers (5):

D Nico Gross, Switzerland
F Karl Henriksson, Sweden
D Nils Lundkvist, Sweden
D Zachary Jones, USA

D K’Andre Miller, USA

Ottawa Senators (3):

D Jacob Bernard-Docker, Canada
D Lassi Thomson, Finland
F Shane Pinto, USA

Philadelphia Flyers (4):

F Egor Zamula, Russia
D Adam Ginning, Sweden
F Bobby Brink, USA
D Cameron York, USA

Pittsburgh Penguins (1):

D Calen Addison, Canada

San Jose Sharks (1):

Santeri Hatakka, Finland

St. Louis Blues (2):

G Joel Hofer, Canada
F Nikita Alexandrov, Russia

Tampa Bay Lightning (3):

F Nolan Foote, Canada
F Maxim Cajkovic, Czech Republic
G Hugo Alnefelt, Sweden

Toronto Maple Leafs (3):

D Mikko Kokkonen, Finland
D Rasmus Sandin, Sweden
F Nicholas Robertson, USA

Vancouver Canucks (4):

F Karel Plasek, Czech Republic
D Toni Utunen, Finland
F Vasily Podkolzin, Russia
F Nils Hoglander, Sweden

Vegas Golden Knights (3):

F Pavel Dorofeyev, Russia
F Ivan Morozov, Russia
G Isaiah Saville, USA

Washington Capitals (2):

F Connor McMichael, Canada
D Martin Has, Czech Republic

Winnipeg Jets (2):

F David Gustafsson, Sweden
D Ville Heinola, Finland

Minor Transactions: 12/24/19

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Even though the roster freeze is in full effect and no hockey is scheduled for the next two days, there are still a handful of transactions coming through the AHL wire. As always we’ll keep you caught up on all the minor moves.

  • The St. Louis Blues sent Niko Mikkola down to the AHL without getting him into a single game. Mikkola was recalled on December 14th, but is still waiting to suit up for his first NHL contest. The 23-year old could very well be recalled again later this week.
  • Maxime Lajoie and J.C. Beaudin have been sent to the minor leagues by the Ottawa Senators, as they save some money over the holidays. Ottawa has been decimated by injuries on the blueline, meaning Lajoie is likely coming back as soon as they’re ready to play again.
  • The New Jersey Devils have returned Michael McLeod to the AHL, where he’ll continue to try and get his offensive game on track. The 21-year old is still without a single goal in 25 NHL games and has just four in 24 games with the Binghamton Devils this season.
  • Jordan Gross has been returned to the AHL by the Arizona Coyotes, after playing in his first two NHL games. The 24-year old had an assist but is still looking for his first point at the highest level.
  • Martin Frk and Kale Clague have been sent back to the Ontario Reign, but their stay will likely be short. Clague played nearly 18 minutes in his NHL debut on Saturday and looked like he fit in quite well, even if the boxscore did have him as a -2.

Minor Transactions: 12/23/19

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Even though the NHL roster freeze is in effect, there are still a handful of transactions that will happen today. These are moves that are still allowed to maintain roster levels, as a huge chunk of the league will play today. Things kick off with an afternoon tilt between the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, with Jake Gardiner returning to play his former team after signing a four-year deal in the offseason. As those few moves take place, we’ll keep track of them right here.

  • Mathieu Joseph is back with the Tampa Bay Lightning, recalled today after just a few days in the minor leagues. Joseph was a regular in the Lightning lineup for the last year and a half, but was struggling to really find his game of late and needed a reset in the AHL.
  • The San Jose Sharks, who don’t play again until Friday, returned three players to the minor leagues today. Noah Gregor, Joel Kellman and Jacob Middleton will all spend the break as part of the San Jose Barracuda, though it would come as no surprise to see at least one of them recalled again later in the week.
  • Jayce Hawryluk has been recalled by the Florida Panthers ahead of their game against the Lightning tonight. Hawryluk has three points in eight games with the Panthers this season but was injured earlier in the year. His conditioning stint has now come to an end, after six games with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
  • The Detroit Red Wings have sent Filip Zadina, Brian Lashoff and Calvin Pickard down to the minor leagues. With the Red Wings off until Saturday, they’ll have plenty of time to make the decision on who to bring back up after Christmas.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Jeremy Bracco from the minor leagues, while giving an ominous update on Trevor Moore. Moore will be out of today’s game with a mysterious injury, likely related to the issue he was dealing with recently after getting bumped in practice.
  • The Vancouver Canucks have returned Jalen Chatfield to the AHL over the break. Chatfield has been recalled several times by the Canucks this season, but has yet to actually play in an NHL game.

Five Key Stories: 12/16/19 – 12/22/19

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The days leading up to the NHL’s Holiday Roster Freeze are always full of potential for big moves by teams looking to make a change before a stretch of mandatory inactivity. This year did not disappoint, as the biggest target on the rental market was dealt, highlighting a busy week. Here are the five biggest stories of the past week:

Taylor Hall Traded To Arizona: The week started with a bang, as the Taylor Hall saga came to an end with a trade to Arizona. The Coyotes sent a 2020 first-round pick, a conditional 2021 third-round pick, and prospects Nate Schnarr, Nick Merkley and Kevin Bahl to the Devils. New Jersey retained half of Hall’s $6MM cap as well. Hall was the top name in the rental market this season, but many were left underwhelmed by the trade return. The asking price may have been affected by Hall’s reluctance to negotiate an extension in-season, which he has maintained since arriving in the desert. Nevertheless, the Coyotes’ acquisition could make them the favorite to win the Pacific Division this year as they pursue the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

Ilya Kovalchuk Leaves Kings: Veteran Ilya Kovalchuk is on the move as well, but his destination is yet to be determined. He and the Los Angeles Kings came to a mutual agreement on a contract termination on Monday, with Kovalchuk clearing unconditional waivers on Tuesday. The former superstar never fit with the Kings after returning from the KHL and could be tempted to return to Russia after this failure. However, he is reportedly willing to sign a minimum deal to remain in the NHL as he too is pursuing his first Stanley Cup, without much time left in his lengthy career.

Eric Comrie, Stefan Noesen Claimed: Three players entered the waiver wire on Wednesday and two emerged on new teams. Both goaltender Eric Comrie and forward Stefan Noesen were claimed on waivers. For Comrie, he returns to the Winnipeg Jets, the team with which he began the season, after making stops with the Arizona Coyotes and Detroit Red Wings. Meanwhile, Noesen only signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins a few weeks ago, but is already on the move to the San Jose Sharks. Austin Czarnik, the most accomplished player waived on Wednesday, but also the most expensive, was not claimed and remains with the Calgary Flames.

The Injury Bug Bites: Injuries are not exactly an uncommon occurrence in the NHL, but this week in particular took a heavy toll across the league. Just how bad was it? Here is the list of players who were announced this week as being out long-term: Josh Anderson, Danny DeKeyser, Troy Terry, Derek Grant, Andrew Peeke, Ryan Murray, Darcy Kuemper, Jason Zucker, Josh Leivo, Brandon Saad, Cal Clutterbuck, Anthony Mantha, and Oliver Bjorkstrand. 

Chris Snow Diagnosed With ALS: Calgary Flames Assistant General Manager Chris Snow has been diagnosed with ALS, as disclosed by his wife in a public letter. As Snow begins this difficult battle, we here at PHR wish he and his family the best this holiday season.

 

Minor Transactions: 12/22/19

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It’s a quiet day in the NHL with just four games on the schedule, the most interesting being the matchup with the Calgary Flames visiting the Dallas Stars. It should get more interesting on Monday with a full slate of games before the NHL darkens for the holiday break and players will get three full days off to relax with their families before restarting again on Friday. Despite a roster freeze, teams can still call up players to fill out their rosters, so keep an eye here for all transactions for the day:

  • The Anaheim Ducks announced they have recalled forward Daniel Sprong from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. Sprong, who played 47 games with the Ducks last season (plus 16 with Pittsburgh), finally gets a chance to return to the NHL this season. He’s played 24 games with San Diego, scoring seven goals and 18 points. He’ll fill in immediately for a banged up Anaheim squad.
  • The Chicago Blackhawks announced they have recalled forward John Quenneville from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. With Brandon Saad on injured reserve, the team had an open roster spot. The 23-year-old has not played a game yet for Chicago since being acquired over the summer from New Jersey. Quenneville has scored eight goals and 13 points in 19 AHL games this season.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned several players to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as the team announced that forwards Joseph Blandisi and Thomas Di Pauli as well as defenseman Kevin Czuczman have all been sent to the AHL. Blandisi, who has played in 14 games for Pittsburgh this year, did play in all three Western Conference games, even scoring a goal on Friday. Neither Di Pauli or Czuczman got into a Penguins game.
  • The Minnesota Wild announced they have activated center Joel Eriksson Ek off of injured reserve and have assigned forward Luke Johnson to the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Eriksson Ek has missed the last week with an undisclosed injury. The 22-year-old has scored two goals and 12 points in 30 games this season.
  • The New York Rangers announced they have recalled forward Phillip Di Giuseppe from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL to help fill in the roster for the team’s final game on Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers before the winter break hits. The 26-year-old forward has nine goals and 17 points in 17 games with Hartford.

Minor Transactions: 12/20/19

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It’s always a date to circle on the NHL calendar when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers meet, as battles between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid never fail to impress. Unfortunately tonight one side will be without their superstar as Crosby continues to recover from injury, meaning Evgeni Malkin and company will have to try and hold off McDavid on their own. That is just one of the four matchups this evening, and as teams prepare we’ll keep track of all the minor moves.

  • It’s not just Crosby who is hurting for the Penguins, meaning they needed even more bodies from the minor leagues today. The team has recalled Thomas Di Pauli and Kevin Czuczman from the AHL in time for tonight’s game.
  • The Carolina Hurricanes have sent Brian Gibbons back to the minor leagues. Gibbons has been the team’s insurance forward all season, bouncing up and down whenever they need another body. The 31-year old has played in 15 NHL games, but hasn’t scored a single point.
  • David Kase has been sent back to the minor leagues after just a single day in the NHL. This is already Kase’s fourth transaction this month, serving as an insurance policy for the Philadelphia Flyers on game days.
  • The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Curtis Lazar after Jack Eichel was made a late scratch last night. The captain was out with an upper-body injury, technically ending his 17-game point streak.
  • Yakov Trenin has been sent back to the minor leagues by the Nashville Predators, who will conclude their road trip with a date against the Boston Bruins tomorrow. Trenin, 22, has played in six games with the team this season but has been a force in the AHL.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled both Jakob Lilja and Ryan MacInnis from the minor leagues. MacInnis, 23, has actually still not made his NHL debut despite being a second-round pick from 2014 and playing regularly in the minor leagues.
  • Zack MacEwen has been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks, after Josh Leivo was injured in last night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. MacEwan has become a favorite call-up of the Canucks after signing as an undrafted free agent, with eight games already played in the NHL this season.

Andrew Peeke Out Four To Six Weeks

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The Columbus Blue Jackets won’t be using Andrew Peeke in the lineup for the next while, after the young defenseman suffered a broken finger on Tuesday night. Peeke has been moved to injured reserve and is expected to miss four to six weeks. In his place, the team has recalled Gabriel Carlsson from the AHL under emergency conditions.

Peeke, 21, is just the latest injury for the Blue Jackets, whose roster page is starting to look like an infirmary as the season goes on. Josh Anderson, Markus Hannikainen, Brandon Dubinsky, Emil Bemstrom and Ryan Murray are all already out of the lineup, stretching the team’s depth incredibly thin.

Even the young defenseman Peeke wasn’t expected to play big minutes in the NHL this season, his first after leaving Notre Dame. The 34th overall selection in 2016 has just 28 professional games under his belt but projects to be a regular for the Blue Jackets down the line.

Anaheim’s Derek Grant, Troy Terry Out Long-Term

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Tuesday night’s game between the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers proved costly for the Quack Attack. Forward’s Troy Terry and Derek Grant left the game with injuries and did not return. When the Ducks recalled Isac Lundestrom and Max Jones from the AHL ahead of Wednesday’s match-up with the New Jersey Devils, it did not bode well for a quick comeback for either player. However, the extent of both injuries is beyond what anyone had expected. Anaheim announced that Terry suffered a broken leg and will miss about ten weeks, while Grant suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder and will miss four to six weeks.

The loss of both players hurts the Ducks, especially with Nick Ritchie already sidelined long-term. However, Grant’s absence will be felt the most, as the veteran defensive forward is enjoying a career year. The 29-year-old center’s nine goals and twelve points in 34 games had him on pace to shatter his previous career highs of 12 goals and 24 points. Grant is also tied for third in the NHL with short-handed goals and is an integral piece to the Anaheim penalty kill. The Ducks will have to make do without him until at least mid-January, if not through to February. Meanwhile Terry is expected to be sidelined until the end of February at the earliest and then will likely find himself rehabbing in the AHL. Terry has not produced as expected so far in his young pro career, but still provides the offensive spark that so often eludes the Ducks. This injury will be a further setback to his development.

The third member of the injury update was defenseman Jacob Larsson. Listed as a scratch for Wednesday’s game, Larsson is in fact considered day-to-day with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Larsson has been the least productive of the Ducks’ defenders this year and continues to struggle with the offensive and puck-moving aspects of the game at the NHL level. A good defensive blue liner, Larsson’s absence will nevertheless not hurt as much as the losses up front for an Anaheim team that allows fewer than three goals per game, but scores only two-and-a-half.

 

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