Pittsburgh Penguins Recall Derrick Pouliot From AHL
With a game tonight against the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled prospect Derrick Pouliot from Wilkes-Barre Scranton of the AHL. This likely means that Ron Hainsey, injured in Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, won’t be able to go tonight.
Pouliot has spent time up with Pittsburgh in each of the last three seasons, playing a total of just eight games this year. The 23-year old was the eighth-overall pick in the 2012 draft, but has yet to establish himself as a consistent NHL player. The hopes are still sky-high for Pouliot, who was drafted one spot ahead of Jacob Trouba, the Winnipeg Jets star defender.
Pittsburgh will hope Pouliot can contribute a bit more this time around, as he has been held scoreless this year. A good puck moving defenseman in the AHL, he just hasn’t found that level of play yet in the NHL. He’ll have to do it quick though, as the Penguins are in a fight for the top of the Metropolitan Division, and need all hands on deck.
College Notes: Hayden, Doherty, Kelleher
Fresh off inking his entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, former Yale center John Hayden will make his NHL debut tonight when the ‘Hawks take on the Ottawa Senators. Hayden, Chicago’s third-round pick in 2013, recorded 21 goals and 13 assists in his 2016-17 senior season. The Blackhawks clearly believe that he is ready to continue scoring, as they’ll throw him into the fire of NHL action less than a week removed from NCAA game play. Regardless of Hayden’s participation level for Chicago down the stretch and in the postseason, playing in just this one game tonight will effectively use up the first of his two-year deal, so the ‘Hawks certainly hope that his play will justify their decision.
- Hayden’s Yale teammate, winger Mike Doherty, has also joined the pro ranks, but not the NHL just yet. Doherty has reportedly agreed to a deal with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. For the Reading, Mass. native, the move gives him the chance to show his ability at the next level for the remainder of this season in hopes of earning a contract with his hometown Boston Bruins as a result. A four-year starter at Yale, Doherty is a two-way forward, capable of contributing modest offense, but in need of further development if he hopes to make it to the NHL one day. He’ll get the chance to continue that growing process in Providence, where Boston youngsters Frank Vatrano, Austin Czarnik, Peter Cehlarik, and more recently found their way.
- Another New England collegiate prospect is soon to be on his way to the big leagues as well. University of New Hampshire speedster Tyler Kelleher is expected to sign with the New Jersey Devils, who have long been rumored to be the leading suitor for his services. Prior to the 2016-17 season, Kelleher was not on many NHL radars, as his size – just 5’6″, 161 lbs. – limited his potential. However, after scoring 63 points in 40 games this year, his explosive offense is now overshadowing his miniature stature. If the Devils can find a way to work Kelleher into their lineup without his size becoming a liability, they could be the beneficiaries of one of the best offensive skill sets in all of college hockey.
Jake Walman Expected To Turn Pro After Season Ends
The St. Louis Blues had several key prospects in the college ranks this year, headlined by the recently signed Tage Thompson out of Connecticut. When Thompson signed a three-year entry-level deal earlier this month, it started what may be several players that will make the jump this spring. Andy Strickland of FOX Sports is reporting that Jake Walman will likely be the next NCAA player to turn pro, and is expected to sign when his season ends. Providence College, where Walman plays, was knocked out of the Hockey East tournament this week by Notre Dame, but will still take part in the NCAA tournament and compete for another national championship. 
Walman was a third-round pick of the Blues back in 2014, and has continued his strong play for one of the nation’s best hockey programs. In his three years with the school, the defenseman has 69 points in 106 games and has been an alternate captain all season. Though he is eligible to return for his senior year, he will likely make the jump and suit up for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves next season.
Though this season hasn’t been as outstanding as his sophomore 2015-16, he is still one of the best skaters in the NCAA and almost impossible to stop when he carries it through the neutral zone. This season he’s tried to concentrate on his defensive game, but those puck-rushing skills remain, and they should make him an excellent professional player eventually. Even if he’s never becomes physical enough to log huge minutes against top competition, it would be surprising to not see him on an NHL powerplay one day.
The Blues could theoretically bring him into their playoff run once his season is over, but he’ll more likely head to the AHL and help the Wolves chase down the Calder Cup. With Thompson already there, the two former college rivals could provide an elite boost for the Wolves heading into the postseason.
Snapshots: Outdoor Game, Fedun, Bonuses
After a report yesterday that the 2018 Winter Classic would be played at Citi Field in New York, there is some more news about outdoor games next season. Tomorrow, according to a report from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, the NHL will announce a game between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens that will take place at TD Place, the home of the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Redblacks. The stadium, which sits in Lansdowne Park right along the Rideau Canal, will host the CFL’s Grey Cup just a few weeks prior and will have expanded seating still installed.
This would be the Senators first time hosting an outdoor game, and just their second appearance in one. In 2014, they were part of the Heritage Classic in Vancouver (where the Sens won 4-2) but will obviously welcome a chance to host their own. Honoring the first NHL game played in Ottawa on December 19th, 1917—when the original Ottawa Senators were in existence—the game is expected to be played around the same date. It will be Montreal’s fourth appearance as a visitor in an outdoor game, though they’ve never hosted one themselves.
- As rumored yesterday, the Buffalo Sabres have brought up Taylor Fedun from the AHL today prior to their game in Los Angeles. The team is in the middle of a four-game rad trip, and will not have Justin Falk in the lineup tonight or tomorrow against the Anaheim Ducks. Fedun has 25 games with the NHL club this season, recording seven points. A prolific point producer at the AHL level, Fedun has just 37 games under his belt in the NHL and has never been able to find a consistent role.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have used their cap space over the past two years as something of an asset, acquiring bad contracts and burying them in the minors in order to get better returns on transactions. Brooks Laich, Milan Michalek and Colin Greening were all examples of this, and they now find themselves right up against the cap. As Chris Johnston of Sportsnet writes, that may end up costing them at least a few million next season as the bonuses for their young players will be taken as a penalty. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Nikita Zaitsev will all likely max out their Schedule A bonuses this season, and Matthew may trigger a $2MM Schedule B if he finishes in the top 10 for goals. If they decide to be big players in free agency, that Matthews bonus could be a big factor.
Pittsburgh Penguins Send Archibald, Sundqvist To AHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins are headed home after a grueling five game road trip, and will send Josh Archibald and Oskar Sundqvist back to the AHL for the time being. The two will re-join the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins for their back-to-back starting tomorrow night against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Archibald got into just a single game during this most recent call-up, while Sundqvist skates in three contests. Both players saw very little ice time when they did make it into a game, but will return to successful seasons in the AHL. The pair have 27 and 39 points respectively in the minor league, with Sundqvist showing his physical dominance against the lower level. The two will likely be back up at some point if injuries strike the Penguins down the stretch.
Pittsburgh had a chance to keep pace with the Washington Capitals for first place in the NHL last night, but were beaten in every aspect of the game by the Philadelphia Flyers. Outshot 28-24, the Penguins will limp away following the 4-0 victory that saw Wayne Simmonds collect his 200th career goal and 29th of the season. The Penguins will welcome the lowly Devils into town tomorrow night, before playing an afternoon game against Florida on Sunday.
Minor Moves: Froese, Hellberg, Lashoff
Yesterday, Byron Froese was sent down by the Tampa Bay Lightning after it appeared they were on the verge of getting one of Tyler Johnson or Vladislav Namestnikov back from their recent injuries. Well not so fast, as the team has recalled Froese again for their matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.
Froese knows Toronto well, as he has spent most of the past three years with the organization before being dealt along with a second-round pick for Brian Boyle just prior to the trade deadline. Froese had been leading the Toronto Marlies in goals with 24, and looks like he’ll get his second chance in the Tampa Bay lineup tonight.
- The New York Rangers have indeed called Magnus Hellberg back up from the AHL on an emergency basis. The goaltender was sent down this week most likely to save some money, as Henrik Lundqvist is out for at least another two weeks. Hellberg has gotten into just one game for the Rangers this season, stopping all four shots he saw in relief. The former second-round pick has posted underwhelming numbers during his time in the AHL, but still has time to grow.
- The Detroit Red Wings have decided to recall Brian Lashoff according to Brendan Savage of MLive. The 26-year old defenseman has a total of 122 games of NHL experience, and gives them a big body on the blue line to insert if they feel it necessary.
Minor Moves: Gillies, Froese, Bayreuther
Brian Elliott is sick. Expected to start tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins and continue his recent hot streak, the netminder will be held off the ice entirely tonight. Chad Johnson will go in his stead, and Jon Gillies has been recalled to serve as the backup goaltender. This will serve as the prospect’s first taste of NHL action, despite him likely not getting onto the ice. According to Kristin Hallett of Flames TV, Gillies will be cutting it close for game time tonight as he caught a plane today to get to Calgary.
Wes Gilbertson of Postmedia reports that the Stockton Heat, where Gillies was set to play will be looking for an emergency backup of their own around San Diego. Emergency goalies are one of the best stories in hockey, ranging from video producers to bankers by day to professional hockey players by night. Someone in San Diego will likely be added to the trope tonight when the Heat take on the San Diego Gulls.
- Byron Froese has been sent back down by the Tampa Bay Lightning after just a couple of days. The minor league forward played in one game while the Lightning continues to nurse Tyler Johnson and Vladislav Namestnikov back to health. Namestnikov played in Monday’s game as well, but aggravated the injury and is still questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The re-assignment of Froese however does signal good news on one of the centers (no, it’s likely not Steven Stamkos).
- After announcing his signing late last night, the Dallas Stars—or, more accurately the Texas Stars—have signed Gavin Bayreuther to an amateur tryout and will see him join the AHL squad right away. The NCAA standout should help them right away, though they don’t have any playoff aspirations any longer. Bayreuther will get some professional experience before trying to crack the Dallas team next fall.
Injury Notes: Scandella, Tkachuk, Leighton
The Minnesota Wild came limping out of their matchup with the Washington Capitals last night in more ways than one. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports that Marco Scandella was absent from the team’s practice today after being seen favoring one leg after the game. If the Wild defenseman can’t go, Russo points to Mike Reilly as the potential replacement.
Reilly has been playing in Iowa for the past month after suiting up for 17 games with the Wild this season. The 23-year old has had a nice season in the AHL this year, recording 23 points in 41 games. The Wild are back at it tomorrow against the Carolina Hurricanes as they continue to battle for first place in the Western Conference.
- Matthew Tkachuk will be a game time decision at tonight’s Calgary Flames game, as he is battling a lower-body injury and was held out of practice according to Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet. The rookie winger has 44 points in 65 games this season and most other years would be a runaway winner of the Calder Trophy. Tkachuk was the #6 draft pick this past June, and has already made an impact for the playoff-bound Flames.
- Michael Stone is progressing according to Steinberg, who reports that he’ll go through a full practice tomorrow and be re-evaluated on Friday. The big defender was acquired at the deadline to help lengthen out the Flames blue line, but was injured in last week’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
- Former NHL goaltender Michael Leighton requires surgery and will be out for at least four to six weeks. Though it would have been a big blow for the Charlotte Checkers, the team acquired Tom McCollum at the deadline for just this situation. The AHL squad will now go after a playoff spot—which is very much in doubt as they lag behind Reilly and the Iowa Wild—with their newest addition instead of the veteran Leighton.
New Jersey Devils Recall John Quenneville From Albany
The New Jersey Devils have decided it’s time for John Quenneville to make his mark. The former first-round pick and top prospect has been recalled from the AHL and will join the team at practice this morning. With the Devils losing their 10th straight game and dropping to last place in the Eastern Conference, they received a bit of respite yesterday when their game against the Winnipeg Jets was postponed due to weather.
A former first-round pick (30th overall) in 2014, Quenneville was a former teammate of expected first-overall pick Nolan Patrick during his junior career for the Brandon Wheat Kings. A solid prospect, the young Devils center has found success at the AHL level this season with 41 points in 52 games. That’s good enough to lead the baby-Devils, and has been a big part of their success this season.
Part of the successful Quenneville clan of hockey players and coaches, John is actually the second-cousin of Chicago Blackhawks’ coach Joel Quenneville. He’s also the nephew of Johnny Boychuk, a player he may have to face off against sooner than later in the Metropolitan Division. Boychuk is currently dealing with an injury, but the two teams face off twice more (March 31st and April 8th) before the end of the season.
Quennville is a playmaking center that seems to find his teammates whenever they separate themselves from a defender. His work in the corners and his own end will allow him to compete at the next level even if his skating is still a work in progress. Though not as tall as you might like a power center to be, he is solidly built and can use his frame well to muscle players off the puck. His creativity is there, as some fans may remember his between-the-legs breakaway goal from the Memorial Cup.
If the Devils give him the rest of the season, they would get a good look at a player who will be challenging for a full-time role on the squad as soon as next season. With New Jersey struggling so much to score goals, an infusion of talent from a young prospect might be exactly what they need. He did get into two NHL games in December, but was given less than 10 minutes of ice time in each.
Vancouver Canucks Reassign Alexandre Grenier To Utica
After just a single game during his most recent call up, Alexandre Grenier is headed back to the AHL. The 25-year old minor league forward played just six minutes on Saturday night for the Vancouver Canucks. Perhaps Nikolay Goldobin has recovered enough from the flu to rejoin the lineup tomorrow night against Dallas.
Grenier is an interesting case, as despite being drafted in the third round and excelling at the AHL level he’s only been given nine games in the NHL and more than 13 minutes in a single game just once. The big, playmaking winger was a late-bloomer even early in his career, not reaching the CHL until he was already 19. Perhaps he’ll follow a similar path to the NHL, making an impact in his late twenties.
For now though, he’ll return to the Comets where he has 40 points in 54 games this season and continue his minor league career. Utica is currently in a playoff race with both Toronto and St. John’s, and could use his help. The team has scored just eight goals in three games during his latest absence, and that includes a five goal effort on Sunday against the terrible Binghamton team. They will likely find a little more consistency with arguably their best offensive threat back in the lineup.