Wild Recall Ben Jones, Nicolas Aube-Kubel
After recalling a pair of depth players yesterday, the Minnesota Wild are again adding more reinforcements for their final two games of the regular season. The Wild announced that they’ve recalled forwards Ben Jones and Nicolas Aube-Kubel from the AHL’s Iowa Wild. Michael Russo of The Athletic indicated they would do so in a report earlier this morning.
As Russo alluded to, today’s transaction caps Minnesota at four post-trade deadline recalls, meaning they’ll have to wait until AHL Iowa finishes its season to recall any more Black Aces for the playoffs. Still, since AHL Iowa has already been eliminated from Calder Cup playoff contention, the Wild will have access to whomever they’d like.
Jones, 27, has been an oft-recalled player for the Wild this season. The Waterloo, ON native has been playing professionally for the past seven years with various organizations, although much of his NHL playing time has been spent with Minnesota.
Understandably, he’s performed much better at the AHL level. In 35 games for AHL Iowa this season, Jones has registered 12 goals and 30 points with a +2 rating. In Minnesota, he’s scored one goal and one assist in 26 contests with a -10 rating, averaging 8:36 of ice time per game.
Meanwhile, despite Aube-Kubel having more years of NHL experience than Jones, he has played almost exclusively for AHL Iowa this season. Throughout his first year with the organization, Aube-Kubel has scored 15 goals and 37 points in 60 AHL games, and one assist in four NHL contests.
Carolina Hurricanes Reassign Josiah Slavin
The AHL’s Chicago Wolves are getting their captain back. Yesterday evening, in a team announcement, the Carolina Hurricanes shared that they’ve returned forward Josiah Slavin to AHL Chicago.
Slavin, the brother of Hurricanes alternate captain Jaccob Slavin, was recalled a few days ago in a multi-player call-up. Carolina isn’t dealing with any injuries to their forward corps, but having already captured the top seed in the Metropolitan Division, they had the opportunity to rest some players leading up to the playoffs.
Overall, although he didn’t register any points, Slavin must consider his call-up a success. He skated in two games with Carolina, his first NHL action since the 2022-23 campaign, and earned a +1 rating while averaging approximately 15 minutes of ice time.
Now, Slavin will return to AHL Chicago as they prepare for their own playoff hopes. The Wolves are expected to secure the second seed in the AHL’s Central Division, giving them a first-round bye in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Although the six-year veteran typically doesn’t lead the Wolves on the stat sheet, he’s managed a productive season by all accounts. In 67 games, Slavin has registered six goals and 25 points with a +2 rating. Still, considering he’s only managed one assist in 10 postseason contests throughout his career, he’ll want to increase that production this year to give Chicago better odds at making it deeper into the playoffs.
Florida Panthers Recall Wilmer Skoog
Awaiting an official announcement, the AHL transactions log indicates that the Florida Panthers have recalled some additional forward depth. According to the log, the Panthers have recalled Wilmer Skoog from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.
Skoog, 26, has the opportunity to make his NHL debut on this call-up. Florida signed Skoog from Boston University after he scored 16 goals and 31 points in 37 games for the Terriers in the 2022-23 NCAA season. Since then, it’s been mostly AHL duties.
Although his offense hasn’t taken off, the Stockholm, Sweden native has remained a solid secondary contributor to the Checkers. Through his first three years of professional hockey, Skoog has registered 49 goals and 92 points in 180 AHL contests, averaging just over a point every two games.
Given his developmental trajectory, he’s unlikely to become anything more than a bottom-six forward at the NHL level. Still, given the number of injuries that the Panthers have dealt with this year, they’ll spend the summer acquiring as much depth as they can afford.
Ultimately, that wouldn’t be a bad role for Skoog. Standing at 6’2″, 196lbs, he has the frame many teams would want in a bottom-six forward, and if he can chip in a goal or two along the way, the Panthers will have some value.
If he draws into the lineup tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’ll likely be in a fourth-line role in place of Nolan Foote or Vinnie Hinostroza. Florida recognizes what it has in those two already, so it wouldn’t hurt to give Skoog an opportunity at the highest level of the game.
Poll: Who Will Capture The Final Wild-Card Spot In The West?
Now that every team is below five games remaining in the regular season, it’s scoreboard-watching time in the NHL. There are still a few things to sort out in the Eastern Conference, though the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference remains a wide-open race.
As it currently stands, the Los Angeles Kings own the spot with 85 points and four games left in their regular season. The Nashville Predators (84 points), Winnipeg Jets (82 points), and San Jose Sharks (81 points) are all within striking distance.
The Kings should be considered the favorites. Three out of their final four games are against teams well outside the postseason chase, although teams in their position love playing spoilers, especially against inter-divisional opponents. Still, Los Angeles will continue to ride the hot hand of Anton Forsberg, who has put up a .950 SV% over his last three appearances, winning them all.
However, the Predators aren’t going down without a fight. Playing much more competitively than last season, Nashville has three games left against the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks. If they win all three and finish with 90 points, they would have a strong likelihood of getting in since the Kings don’t have a pathway to usurp them in the first tiebreaker (regulation wins).
Meanwhile, the Jets and Sharks, despite having four games remaining, have the hardest path. According to Moneypuck, Winnipeg has a 12.4% of reaching the playoffs, whereas San Jose has a 2.4% chance. The Jets have an ace in the hole in Connor Hellebuyck, who can win four games in a row mostly by himself. Still, even if they do win their last four, they would need some serious good luck.
Now, it’s your time to vote. Which team will win the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference and secure a date with the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of the playoffs?
Who Will Capture The Final Wild-Card Spot In The West?
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Los Angeles Kings 52% (377)
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Nashville Predators 19% (134)
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Winnipeg Jets 17% (120)
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San Jose Sharks 12% (88)
Total votes: 719
New York Islanders May Retain Patrick Roy
Even after firing him as the head coach a few days ago, the relationship between the New York Islanders and Patrick Roy may not be fully severed. According to Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News (and first reported by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan), there is a growing likelihood that the Islanders will retain Roy in a scouting capacity.
Although General Manager Mathieu Darche was discontent with Roy leading the Islanders from the bench, he never grew discontent with Roy personally or professionally. In the report, Rosner said, “Darche & Roy became incredibly close over this season. Roy has great respect & admiration for the org, the players here, so it wouldn’t shock me if he stayed onboard in some capacity.”
If the Islanders do retain Roy as a scout, it would be the first time he’s been employed in the role in his post-playing career. Still, even as a “rookie” scout, Roy has as much professional experience as you could want.
Even without factoring in his illustrious 19-year playing career, Roy has been involved in the game at various levels since. After retiring following the 2002-03 season, Roy became the Vice President of Hockey Operations for the QMJHL’s Québec Remparts, where he also owned the franchise.
Until becoming the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, Roy also served as the Remparts General Manager and head coach. Following his departure from the Avalanche in 2016, Roy returned to his role with the Remparts, where he stayed until taking the job with the Islanders.
Given his experience at various levels of the game, Roy should have no issues being a productive scout at the amateur or professional setting. Still, it takes two to tango, and no reports indicate that Roy would be interested in a scouting role. The NHL offseason is only a few months away, and Roy will likely make a firm decision over the summer.
Detroit Red Wings Recall Michal Postava
Following up on last night’s update that John Gibson wouldn’t return to the game for the Detroit Red Wings, the team provided indirect confirmation that Gibson’s short-term outlook isn’t great. Detroit announced that they’ve recalled netminder Michal Postava from AHL Grand Rapids under emergency conditions.
As PHR’s Bradley Keith explained yesterday evening, “Gibson was run into by Philadelphia’s Owen Tippett, ending his night after 30:40 in the crease, giving up two goals on 15 shots.” Depending on the severity of Gibson’s injury, he could miss the Red Wings’ remaining three games of the regular season over the next five days.
Without Gibson, any remaining chances of making the playoffs would be significantly diminished. In late February, Detroit had over an 80% chance of making the postseason. After their third consecutive collapse in March, their chances stand at 6% according to MoneyPuck.
If they’re officially eliminated over the next few days, and Gibson remains out with injury, there is a chance Postava could make his NHL debut. After an impressive performance with HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga last season, the Red Wings signed Postava ahead of the current campaign.
Playing second fiddle to top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa in Grand Rapids, the 24-year-old Postava has made a promising introduction to North American hockey. In 23 games for the Griffins, Postava has managed a 15-6-0 record with a .935 SV% and 1.78 GAA, including three shutouts.
Assuming the Red Wings let veteran Cam Talbot pursue greener pastures this summer, and Cossa makes Detroit’s roster out of training camp, Postava should assume the starting role in Grand Rapids. If his early signs are any indication of what’s to come, he should have no issue managing a heavier workload next year.
Red Wings Assign Jesse Kiiskinen To AHL
According to a team announcement, the Detroit Red Wings have assigned Finnish prospect Jesse Kiiskinen to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Kiiskinen will play the brief remainder of the 2025-26 regular season and Calder Cup playoffs with the Griffins.
In Scott Wheeler’s updated prospect rankings list on The Athletic, Kiiskinen clocked in as Detroit’s 15th-ranked prospect in a top-five farm system. He is one of the few on that list who wasn’t drafted under Steve Yzerman‘s regime.
Kiiskinen was drafted by the Nashville Predators with the 68th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft. He was moved a year later in a peculiar trade with the Red Wings, who sent defensive prospect and recent second-round pick Andrew Gibson to the Predators for Kiiskinen and Tampa Bay’s 2024 second-round pick.
The jury is out on which team ultimately won the rare prospect-for-prospect trade, but the early returns are good for Detroit. Although Gibson has had a solid start to his AHL career, Kiiskinen tore up the Finnish Liiga with HPK the last two years.
During his age 19 and 20 seasons, Kiiskinen scored 31 goals and recorded 72 points in 100 games, achieving a +2 rating. For many North American fans unfamiliar with Finnish hockey, his breakout performance a few years ago at the IIHF World Junior Championships stands out. While playing for Team Finland, he scored six goals and recorded seven points in seven games, contributing to Finland’s silver medal finish in the tournament.
Still, as solid as his production in the Finnish professional circuit has been, he’ll have to continue that trajectory in Michigan. The Red Wings have a glut of forward prospects in the AHL with similar potential, with only so many spots on the roster. If he wants to get an edge on his coworkers, he’ll have to continue his impressive scoring pace.
Ron Francis Leaving Seattle Kraken
The front office changes will continue around the NHL. This time, it’s with the Seattle Kraken, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the President of Hockey Operations, Ron Francis, will be stepping down from his role. The Kraken organization later confirmed Friedman’s report, noting that Francis will step aside at the end of the regular season.
Technically, Francis has only been the Kraken’s President of Hockey Operations for one season. Before this year, he was the team’s General Manager for six seasons, even before they began playing in the league. Jason Botterill took over General Manager duties ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Although Francis crafted the team that qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs and subsequently knocked out the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, it’s been tough going in Seattle ever since. In their five seasons, the Kraken own a 174-187-44 record, without a clear pathway out.
There are several reasons for this. First, Francis invested a lot of money in questionable free agent signings. Philipp Grubauer, Andre Burakovsky, Alexander Wennberg, and Chandler Stephenson were all signed for relatively top dollar at the time, and the Kraken haven’t gotten a solid return on investment on any of those players.
Secondly, Francis built too safe a roster. As previously mentioned, while there could be some game-changing prospects on the way, Seattle’s forward corps is entirely built of middle-six pieces, save a few. The team attempted to acquire Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers before the Olympic break, but the star Russian player was not interested in moving to the Pacific Northwest.
The fact that Panarin didn’t want to come is evidence of another issue entirely. Despite reasonable complaints about teams in no-income tax states, the Kraken have not been able to take advantage of this benefit like other teams. That’s been an important factor in how this team has become so directionless so quickly.
Regardless, this move will enable Botterill to take full control of the front office’s decision-making process going forward, or it may help Seattle adopt a more aggressive strategy. There should be multiple options available to them, and they’ll have plenty of time to make a concrete decision.
As for Francis’ future, there’s a strong likelihood he’ll be linked to the open position with the Toronto Maple Leafs. At the end of his playing career, the Sault Ste. Marie, ON native, waived his no-trade clause to facilitate a trade to the Maple Leafs, where he finished his 23-year career.
Carolina Hurricanes Recall Four Players
Having already wrapped up the Metropolitan Division title, the Carolina Hurricanes have the opportunity to give their typical players a rest. To that end, according to a team announcement, the Hurricanes have recalled forwards Skyler Brind’Amour, Bradly Nadeau, and Josiah Slavin, and defenseman Charles-Alexis Legault from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Brind’Amour, son of Carolina’s head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, has the chance to play in the third NHL contest of his career tomorrow night. He debuted last year around this time of the season, scoring one goal in two games with a -3 rating, averaging 16:35 of ice time per night. The Quinnipiac University alumnus has scored 16 goals and 34 points in 66 games with AHL Chicago this season.
Although the 26-year-old Brind’Amour isn’t seen as one of the better forward prospects in the Hurricanes’ system, Nadeau is. The former first-round pick of the 2023 NHL Draft has been electric in the AHL, scoring 58 goals and 111 points in 112 games over the past two seasons. Still, he’s been fairly quiet in his NHL opportunities to date, registering one goal and three points in 11 contests since the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Meanwhile, the Brind’Amours won’t be the only familial connection on the team. Slavin, the brother of team captain Jaccob Slavin, will have the opportunity to play in his first NHL contest since the 2021-22 campaign, then with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old veteran has had a respectable season in the AHL, scoring six goals and 25 points in 66 games as the Wolves’ captain.
Lastly, Legault, 22, has had the most NHL playing time among the quartet this season. Filling in as an injury replacement earlier in the campaign, Legault has one goal and two points in eight games on his NHL resume. Playing in his first professional campaign, the Montreal, QC native has registered three goals and seven points in 22 games for AHL Chicago.
Anaheim Ducks Reassign Nathan Gaucher
According to a team announcement, the Anaheim Ducks have reassigned forward Nathan Gaucher to the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. That leaves the Ducks with 11 healthy forwards for tomorrow’s contest against the Nashville Predators.
Consequently, that means another roster move is expected. Anaheim will recall Gaucher for tomorrow’s contest, recall someone else, or welcome back Ross Johnston. Johnston was given a three-to-four week recovery timeline when he was initially injured on March 18th. If he enjoys the early end of that recovery timeline, that would place his return on April 8th, just two days away.
Still, if Johnston isn’t available, the Ducks could recall Gaucher tomorrow on an emergency basis relatively easily. An emergency recall means that Gaucher won’t have to play in AHL San Diego’s game tomorrow to be eligible for recall.
Gaucher, 22, has been called up two separate times over the last little while. The former 22nd overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft made his debut during those recalls, but is still looking for his first point. Regardless, he’s made his physical presence known early, collecting six hits in three games.
Although he may be on the playoff roster, it’s unlikely that Gaucher will get too much postseason playing time unless the team runs into more injuries. Jansen Harkins and Johnston are expected to return before the postseason, while Cutter Gauthier is believed to be day-to-day.