Blackhawks Assign Drew Commesso, Kevin Korchinski, Stanislav Berezhnoy To AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks have sent goaltenders Drew Commesso and Stanislav Berezhnoy, along with defenseman Kevin Korchinski, back to AHL Rockford, per the team.
No corresponding transactions were made, the team jumping back into action tomorrow at home against Edmonton. However, today’s moves suggest that regular netminders Spencer Knight and Arvid Söderblom are likely to return, along with defender Louis Crevier, as suggested by Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.
It has been a busy week for goaltenders in the Blackhawks organization. Even outside of the injuries to their #1 and #2 options on the big club, the team dealt Laurent Brossoit to San Jose. Therefore, Chicago had to clear the shelves from Rockford, summoning Commesso and Berezhnoy to get them through their last two contests.
Commesso surrendered five goals on Friday in a loss to Washington, and it figured to be another potentially tough night on Saturday, as the usual AHLer had to step right back into action in a back-to-back against Nashville. Impressively, instead he put up a 36-save shutout, immediately inflating his save percentage to .917 on the season.
Naturally, his prompt reassignment after a career night is disappointing, but as Rockford’s #1 goalie, the plan was never for Commesso to stay longer than urgently needed. His efforts in Nashville will be remembered this summer in contract discussions, as the 23-year-old will be a restricted free agent. Drafted 46th overall in 2020, Commesso figures to be a possible NHL backup in the future.
Berezhnoy, an undrafted free agent in his first North American season, earned his first call-up just to serve as backup last night, but with Brossoit now moved out, he will have a larger role in Rockford going forward.
Finally, Korchinski got into his first two NHL games of the season, and much like Commesso, played better in Nashville than against Washington. The 21-year-old top prospect heads back down after averaging 13:59 of ice time, recording an assist. Jumping right into the Hawks roster out of the WHL in 2023-24, warranted as he was drafted seventh overall, Korchinski played in 76 games, notching 15 points, as a rookie. Since then, he has spent more time in the AHL, as Chicago takes their time with the smooth-skating puck-carrier, especially as they’ve worked through tough seasons in recent years. His production as a teenager out of the gate was impressive, but Korchinski did finish the campaign a -39, indicative that seasoning in Rockford was needed.
Now a .500 team in January, out of their darkest days, Korchinski has been unable to re-join the lineup fully just yet, as he has led IceHogs defensemen in scoring, but is still working to put it all together, especially in his own end. After what may have been throwing him into the fire too quickly to start his professional career, Chicago is now trying to be patient with the Saskatchewan native. He may not be the brightest defenseman prospect of the Hawks today, thanks to Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov, but Korchinski still should blossom into a true top four blueliner pending further development.
After each filled in admirably, Chicago will go into a four game home stand next week looking to build off their strong play of late and continue to show progress as a group. Even if they come short of the postseason, it seems to be a real step going into 2026-27.
Canucks Place Thatcher Demko On Injured Reserve
More discouraging news has hit the Vancouver Canucks, as they shared this afternoon that Thatcher Demko has been placed on injured reserve, his second such designation this season. The injury-plagued goaltender left last night’s game after the first period, and with fans fearing the worse, after the 5-0 loss Head Coach Adam Foote confirmed to reporters, including The Athletic’s Thomas Drance, that it was indeed a lower-body injury.
Based on the designation, Demko will miss at least the next 10 days, but after constant knee issues over the past few years, as well as a groin ailment earlier this season, it is another tough blow. A turnaround is effectively out of reach for the team, currently last in the league, losers of six in a row, and without a regulation win since December 19. Firmly out of contention, there is no real urgency to get Demko back in the crease, but having just turned 30, the past Vezina finalist and All-Star may be faced with dreaded questions on his long-term career outlook.
As they recalled Nikita Tolopilo under emergency conditions earlier today, Vancouver will move forward in the time being with him alongside Kevin Lankinen, a usually well-regarded backup, who unfortunately has struggled this season, with a 6-11-4 record, and an .883 save percentage, a career-worst mark for the 30-year-old.
Due to their star back stopper’s constant injury struggles, Lankinen played in 51 games last season, his first as a Canuck, a career high. Knowing they were in need of a dependable #2 option, Vancouver locked down the Finn on a five year extension worth $4.5MM per season. Lankinen figures to be a mainstay for the blue and green for years to come, and although the group’s overarching struggles are surely a factor, they will need more from Lankinen given the combination of his contract and Demko’s status.
Demko himself is in for a big raise starting in 2026-27, as he inked a three year extension last July, worth $8.5MM per season. Back then, GM Patrik Allvin figured the group would make noise on the way to a playoff return, on the back of a healthy Demko, but with a group rattled by injuries and Foote’s imprint unable to bring such results, the Canucks are left with more questions than ever.
The hope is that Demko will avoid another long-term absence, already having missed a month so far this campaign. While he could return as soon as January 23 against New Jersey, naturally there’s reason for more concern. Simply shutting down their star in a lost season could become a real option, leaving Lankinen to backstop the group into what could be a long spring.
Canucks Assign Elias N. Pettersson To AHL, Recall Victor Mancini, Nikita Tolopilo
The Vancouncer Canucks shared a number of transactions this afternoon: Defenseman Elias N. Pettersson has been assigned to AHL Abbotsford, while Victor Mancini has been recalled. Additionally, goaltender Nikita Tolopilo has been recalled from Abbotsford under emergency conditions.
Set to return to action tomorrow night in Montreal, the Canucks swap Pettersson for Mancini, the former who skated just 13:58 in a 5-0 loss to Toronto on Saturday, fewest out of Vancouver’s defensemen by a considerable margin. Pettersson has played in 38 of the team’s 44 games this season, in a bottom pairing role, but the 21-year-old is still finding his game at the highest level, and will return to the AHL for more seasoning, where he’s made just one appearance so far in 2025-26.
On the other hand, Mancini brings a right-handed shot to the table, and will earn another look after five games early in the season, where he did not record a point in limited ice time. Since then, Mancini has put up six points in 20 games in the AHL, not jumping out on the page, but the 6’3” rearguard is a pure stay-at-home contributor. If able to enter the lineup over Pierre-Olivier Joseph, eyes will be on the former fifth-round choice of the Rangers to showcase improved mobility and sound decision-making with the puck, if he can become a full-time NHLer in the future.
Another feature of today’s news, Tolopilo, a netminder, has been recalled under emergency conditions. The 25-year-old will likely serve as Kevin Lankinen’s backup tomorrow night, as Thatcher Demko left last night’s game with an apparent lower-body injury.
Tolopilo has played well in four NHL games this season, with a .911 save percentage and two wins, but naturally, the hope will be that Demko will not miss much time, while Tolopilo can return to the Abbotsford Canucks. Despite bringing home the Calder Cup last season, they’ve had a rough season so far, currently second-to-last in the AHL.
With a season starting to get off the rails, Vancouver figures to have several more moves on the horizon leading up to the spring.
Devils Activate Evgenii Dadonov, Johnathan Kovacevic From Injured Reserve
Ahead of their matinee action this afternoon in Winnipeg, the New Jersey Devils announced that forward Evgenii Dadonov and defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic have been activated off injured reserve.
During what has become a tumultuous time in Newark of late, the news comes as not much of a surprise. Yesterday it was revealed that Kovacevic was nearing a return, and nine-million-dollar man Dougie Hamilton would be bumped out of the lineup, which has become a major story. As expected, Kovacevic will form a second pairing with Jonas Siegenthaler, while Hamilton, a 74-point getter in 2022-23, will watch from the press box as the club looks for a real solution for the 32-year-old.
In Kovacevic, New Jersey gets back a steady righty standing at 6’5”. The defender suffered a knee injury in game three of last year’s first round playoff matchup with Carolina, where the Devils ended up being dispatched in five games. Kovacevic underwent successful knee surgery in May, and finally, is set to return today.
Acquired from Montreal for a fourth round pick, where he figured to be a solid bottom pairing option, Kovacevic was a strong fit in New Jersey prior to the injury. In his first campaign as a Devil, the 28-year-old set career highs in games played (81) and ice time, averaging 19:49 per game, making an impact on the penalty kill as a dependable stay-at-home defender capable of clearing the crease with his imposing size.
Kovacevic earned an extension for five years worth $4MM per season, signed last March. Just a few years ago, the idea of him actually replacing Hamilton in the lineup would seem inconceivable, but after faltering play and issues behind the scenes, the Devils opt for more consistency in a similar frame between Kovacevic and Hamilton. The emergence of skilled youngsters Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec has especially narrowed the path forward for Hamilton, even if the veteran was not struggling so much.
Meanwhile, Dadonov has also been absent for a considerable time, last in the lineup in late November. The 36-year-old has not had a smooth campaign so far, injuring his hand in his Devils debut and missing time, then only getting back in for four games before another injury. Inked to a one year deal last summer worth $1MM, the Russian has not recorded a point in five games so far, with limited ice time, 11:04 a night, the fewest he’s seen since returning to the NHL in 2017-18 as a standout.
Thankfully, the versatile scorer will return in a favorable role, expected to slot in alongside Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier on the second line. Due to the various injuries, Dadonov hasn’t yet had a chance to contribute, but with the team’s season unraveling a bit, and his status as a pending UFA who will turn 37 in March, his future as a Devil seems uncertain.
Dealing with difficulties off the ice, New Jersey will finally have a relatively healthy lineup this afternoon as they’ll look to turn the corner against Winnipeg, a club also desperate to get on track after higher hopes to start the season. Today’s game will be telling to see how the Devils’ group responds after their last three games, outscored 16-2, and a former star now out of the mix.
Blackhawks Assign Ethan Del Mastro To AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks shared earlier today that Ethan Del Mastro was assigned to AHL Rockford. No corresponding transaction was made.
Recalled in mid-December, the defenseman only got into one game, recording 15:07 of ice time in a loss at Toronto on December 16. At 22, Del Mastro is among the Hawks’ more notable prospects, forecasting as a long-term solid third pairing defender with untapped raw potential, so sitting in the press box was naturally not beneficial.
Del Mastro will rejoin an IceHogs club where he still ranks as the second highest scoring defender, despite spending the past few weeks away. Only ranking above is Kevin Korchinski, another intriguing lefty. A nice find in the fourth round of the 2021 draft by Chicago, the Ontario native Del Mastro stands at 6’4” and has shown real two-way upside in the AHL. He managed to make 24 appearances for the Blackhawks last season, notching six points as a respectable -3 on a bottom feeding team.
As veteran Matt Grzelcyk entered the fold this season, Del Mastro’s opportunities at the highest level have been more limited. Chicago, currently at .500, has turned the corner from their struggles in previous years. However, still a long shot for the playoffs, at some point GM Kyle Davidson could consider moving Grzelcyk, a pending unrestricted free agent, and opening a spot for the steady youngster in the spring to stay in the lineup.
Until then, Del Mastro figures to be the team’s top option to call upon if any injuries affect their blue line, and will continue his development in Rockford.
Injury Notes: Konecny, Eberle, Parekh
The Philadelphia Flyers announced mid-game that star Travis Konecny would not return due to an upper-body injury.
Konecny has yet to miss a game this season, recording 37 points in 41 games, and notching the team’s only tally of the night as they lost in overtime to Toronto. Although he did not return for the third period, the forward was seen doing a television interview at the intermission beforehand, which hopefully indicates that his injury is not serious, and the decision was for more precautionary reasons.
Philadelphia has continued their winning ways of late, impressively second in the Metropolitan, and they will cross their fingers that their second-leading scorer will not miss any time. The team is right back in action on Saturday, hosting Tampa Bay.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Shortly before their home tilt against Minnesota, the Seattle Kraken shared that forward Jordan Eberle will not play, with an upper-body ailment. The team will be missing their captain for the first time this season, who somewhat surprisingly has turned back the clock in 2025-26, on pace for his best season with the Kraken. The 35-year-old has 15 goals in 41 games, after finding the back of the net just 26 times in the last two seasons combined. Eberle could return as soon as Saturday in Carolina, as the team hopes to fend off competitors in the Pacific Division and earn their second-ever playoff appearance.
- Zayne Parekh’s return to the Flames lineup will be delayed, as the defenseman has been listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury, as reported by Eric Francis of Sportsnet. Although not immediately clear, it is most likely that the ailment comes from Parekh’s time leading Team Canada in the World Junior Championship. With just one point in 11 games so far in the NHL, Calgary is in no rush with their 19-year-old prized prospect, and in the meantime, Hunter Brzustewicz will hold his spot in the lineup. Parekh could return Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
Golden Knights Place Brayden McNabb On Injured Reserve
Ahead of tonight’s game, the Vegas Golden Knights placed Brayden McNabb on injured reserve, according to SinBin.vegas. No corresponding transaction was required, however, later in the day, the club called up Dylan Coghlan to enter the lineup in place of Jaycob Megna, who returns to the AHL.
McNabb has not played since he left mid-game New Year’s Eve against Nashville. The defender was listed as out “multiple weeks” on January 2, so naturally, he figures to become likely available sometime mid-month.
Standing alongside William Karlsson and Shea Theodore as the final remaining original “misfits” of the Golden Knights franchise, and each of whom have dealt with injuries this season, McNabb, now 34, has slowed down noticeably of late. Unfortunately losing his streak of 82 games played in each of the last three seasons, even when healthy, McNabb has struggled at five-on-five, with career lows in CorsiFor%.
Offense has never been a focal part of the Saskatchewan native’s game, but usually capable of chipping in 15-20 points in a season, he has just three in 38 games, and is a -5, in the negatives for the first time since as a Sabres rookie in 2011-12. There is ample time to turn things around when he returns to the lineup, but it is a far cry from last season’s career best of +42.
Although the numbers aren’t necessarily pretty, McNabb is still leaned upon as a minutes-eater, averaging north of 20 a night. In recent games the club inputted Megna into the lineup, a 33-year-old who was brought in last offseason to serve as captain for AHL Henderson. At 6’6” he figured to bring a relatively similar skill set to the table, but it did not quite materialize, proving McNabb’s value even at this stage.
Still in his first year of a three year extension worth $3.65MM per season, once healthy, McNabb will continue to help lead the Pacific-leading Knights into a likely fourth straight postseason appearance. Until then, Coghlan slots in tonight, returning to his original club in Vegas.
Wild Activate Daemon Hunt, Assign David Jiricek
The Minnesota Wild announced earlier today that Daemon Hunt has been activated from injured reserve, while David Jiříček has been re-assigned to AHL Iowa in a corresponding transaction. Hunt is expected to return to the lineup tonight on the third pair alongside Jacob Middleton.
The defenseman has been out since mid-December due to an undisclosed injury. Claimed off waivers from Columbus in October, today’s transaction proves to be a bit ironic as Hunt was traded by Minnesota to Columbus in exchange for Jiříček last year alongside several draft picks.
Unable to make his mark as a Blue Jacket after the trade, Hunt quickly found his way back to the team that chose him in the third round of the 2020 draft. With two points in 12 games on the season, Hunt has some puck moving ability, untapped so far at the NHL level, but at age 23, he figures to be a steady third pair defender, still with just 25 games under his belt.
Jiříček, thought to have elite upside coming out of the 2022 draft, where he was selected sixth overall by Columbus, has been scoreless in 18 games with the Wild this season. Taking a swing on the Czech righty seemed to be worth a gamble, especially as Minnesota promptly snatched back the player they’d given up for him, but at some point Jiříček will need to show something to warrant a future in the NHL. A restricted free agent at season’s end, Jiříček’s play with Iowa has not inspired much confidence either, with 10 points in 40 games across the last two seasons. With offense hard to come by, the 6’4″ Jiříček has also struggled in his own end, ineffective even in smaller sheltered roles on Minnesota, a team with high ambitions.
Still just 22, the Wild are not necessarily in any rush with him, but as a contender with limited spots on their back end going into the future, Jiříček may be a name worth monitoring this spring in another deal.
For now, Hunt will rejoin the high flying Wild against Seattle tonight, while Jiříček will try to help the bottom-ranked Iowa Wild get on track, vying for another shot in the NHL.
Golden Knights Recall Dylan Coghlan, Assign Jaycob Megna
The Vegas Golden Knights have swapped defensemen in their cupboard, as Dylan Coghlan has been recalled from AHL Henderson, while Jaycob Megna has been assigned to the AHL in a corresponding transaction, per the team.
The exact move occurred on December 8th, and since then in the last several weeks, both players have cycled between the NHL and AHL.
Coghlan, in his second stint with Vegas, figures to take Megna’s spot in the lineup on the third pair tonight as the team hosts Columbus. A righty, he is a natural fit alongside Ben Hutton. The 27-year-old came to the Knights as an undrafted free agent prior to their first ever season, a high scorer out of the WHL, who immediately showed promise with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. Coghlan debuted with Vegas during the 2020-21 season, and played in 59 games the following year, figuring to be a piece in the team’s future.
As the Knights missed the playoffs in 2022, Coghlan was dealt to Carolina in the Max Pacioretty deal as management shook things up. After short stints in the Hurricanes and Jets organizations, he caught back on with his original team on a one-year deal worth $775k at the NHL level last summer. As usual, Coghlan has been highly productive in the AHL so far this year with 16 points in 28 games as a top defender.
On the other hand, Megna was last recalled on New Year’s day, making three appearances in the last week, his first action as a Golden Knight. In those contests, the left hander was a -5, the team going 1-1-1. The 33-year-old, originally a seventh round pick back in 2012, has managed to carve out a 12-year career in North America mainly due to his size (6’6”). In 196 career NHL games, he has 27 points, spending most time in the AHL, besides 40+ game campaigns with the Sharks and Blackhawks from 2021-2024.
Megna is in the first year of his two year deal with the Knights organization. As captain of Henderson, the plan was not for him to spend much time away, but due to several injuries on the blueline, the Florida native got to make his mark with his sixth NHL team, now to return as the group’s leader.
Set for a homecoming moment in Vegas after three years away for his first NHL action of 2025-26, Coghlan will look to bring more mobility and consistency to the lineup against Columbus.
Hurricanes Acquire Juuso Valimaki From Mammoth
Late tonight a small trade occurred as Juuso Välimäki has been traded from Utah to Carolina in exchange for future considerations, as was first shared by Utah. According to Stephen Whyno of Associated Press Hockey, Välimäki will report to AHL Chicago.
The former first round pick cleared waivers just prior to New Years, and was assigned to AHL Tucson, but now will receive a fresh start with the Hurricanes organization.
Selected 16th overall by Calgary in 2017, Välimäki figured to be a future top-four two-way defender with high end skating and IQ, along with size at 6’2″. Unfortunately, like so many other defenders in the 2017 class, the Finn has not panned out. An off-season torn ACL prior to his age 21 season in 2019-20 seriously stunted Välimäki’s growth, and after 82 total games as a Flame, he was placed on waivers before 2022-23, catching on with the Arizona Coyotes.
Showing resilience, Välimäki had a career year at age 23, putting up 34 points in 78 games, and earning an extension. It appeared that Calgary had relinquished their former top prospect too soon. The defenseman continued to contribute in the Coyotes final season, moving along to Utah in their inaugural campaign. After 43 games with underwhelming play, Välimäki was waived and found himself back in the AHL with the Roadrunners. There, he tore his ACL again, immediately ending his 2024-25 season.
Finally healthy again now, Välimäki hasn’t been able to return to form with Utah. In three AHL games this season, he has recorded three points, but the 27-year-old has simply been passed up on the Mammoth depth chart, and due for a change of scenery. Even if he does not crack the Hurricanes lineup at any point, Välimäki joins a considerably better AHL team in Chicago and will give them a big boost on the back end with his 271 games of NHL experience.
An unrestricted free agent at season’s end, Välimäki brings a cap hit of $2MM at the NHL level, but now in Chicago, it will drop to just $850k. The former first rounder may bring intrigue as a depth option for the Canes, with his past legit NHL production, but his inflated contract may make it more difficult to work himself into the big club. After much adversity to this point, hopefully the lefty will stay injury-free and make his mark with his third franchise in a bid to extend his North American career.