Derek Ryan Clears Waivers
March 3: Ryan has cleared waivers and can now be assigned to the taxi squad or minor leagues.
March 2: According to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, the Calgary Flames have placed checking center Derek Ryan on waivers for the second time this year. He cleared just before the season began and then bounced back and forth between the taxi squad and active roster for the next month, accruing cap space for the Flames on off days. Ryan then suffered an injury but is nearing a return, and to continue that practice, he needs to clear waivers again.
Ryan, 34, has just a single point in ten games this season after failing to crack 30 a year ago. He’s in the final season of a three-year, $9.375MM contract signed in the summer of 2018 but still should be in regular rotation at the bottom of the lineup should he clear tomorrow. The Flames, who have been practicing a delicate salary tight rope walk all season, are trying to bank as much cap space as possible in order to have room for an addition at the deadline. When Ryan was injured, his daily swaps stopped and he was placed on long-term injured reserve instead.
That LTIR designation means he wasn’t able to return for at least ten games and 24 days, both thresholds that have eclipsed recently. Once healthy, he’ll have to be activated, though it’s unclear how exactly the Flames will maneuver the salary cap at that point.
Of course, there is always a chance that someone claims Ryan, though it seems very unlikely. His cap hit, performance and recent injury all point to him sliding through waivers untouched.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/03/21
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
- It’s gameday for the Los Angeles Kings, meaning Tobias Bjornfot has been recalled to the active roster. Drake Rymsha, Daniel Brickley, and Marcus Phillips have all been recalled to the taxi squad from the Ontario Reign, with Sean Durzi and Akil Thomas going down to the AHL. Thomas, 21, is still waiting on his first chance at the NHL level after dominating junior and scoring two goals in his first ten professional games.
- The Anaheim Ducks continued to shuffle their roster and taxi squad around. Per CapFriendly, recalled from the taxi squad are Trevor Zegras, Josh Mahura, and David Backes while Anthony Stolarz was sent from the taxi squad to AHL San Diego. With the four vacancies, Anaheim promoted Maxim Golod, Hunter Drew, and Lukas Dostal to the taxi squad from the Gulls and assigned Max Jones to the taxi squad.
- The Arizona Coyotes have promoted Michael Chaput from the taxi squad to the NHL roster, per CapFriendly. The 28-year-old has played in five games so far this season, averaging 10:53 per night while being held off the scoresheet.
- The Colorado Avalanche recalled Conor Timmins and Logan O’Connor from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Both recalls were on an emergency basis. Timmins has been held without a point in 14 games this season while O’Connor has two goals in eight contests.
- The Minnesota Wild have recalled Gerald Mayhew and Kyle Rau from the taxi squad while transferring Marcus Johansson to IR. Mayhew has an assist in three games this season while Rau hasn’t recorded a point in his two games.
- The San Jose Sharks recalled Alexander True and Joachim Blichfeld from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Blichfeld is expected to make his season debut tonight while True made his season debut on Monday.
- The St. Louis Blues promoted Jake Walman and Dakota Joshua from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly with the latter being an emergency recall. Walman has played sparingly in two games this season while Joshua scored in his NHL debut on Monday.
- The Vegas Golden Knights recalled Oscar Dansk and Dylan Coghlan from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. Dansk’s recall means that Robin Lehner isn’t quite ready to return while Coghlan has played in nine games this season but logged just over eight minutes on Monday night. Logan Thompson was recalled to the taxi squad from AHL Henderson to comply with the three-goalie rule.
North Division
- Glenn Gawdin has been returned to the AHL by the Calgary Flames after a five-game stint with the big club. The 23-year-old Gawdin is quite the story of perseverance and will get another NHL chance at some point. For the Stockton Heat, who are losing Connor Zary back to his WHL team, Gawdin’s appearance will be most welcome.
- The Ottawa Senators have reassigned Micheal Haley and Filip Gustavsson to the taxi squad, which could potentially open the door for Ryan Dzingel to make his return after making it through his quarantine. The Senators lost to the Canadiens last night but are still playing better of late, going 6-4 in their last ten.
- The Edmonton Oilers have recalled Joakim Nygard from the taxi squad with Patrick Russell being sent to the taxi squad in a corresponding move. Both wingers have played in four games so far this season with Russell leading in points with one assist to Nygard’s zero.
- The Montreal Canadiens assigned Paul Byron to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. It’s a move they’ve made several times in recent days since he cleared waivers but he’s likely to be recalled on Thursday. Cam Hillis was returned to AHL Laval in a corresponding move.
Central Division
- The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned Brandon Pirri and Lucas Carlsson to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL, after activating Carlsson from injured reserve. The 23-year-old defenseman had been dealing with a groin injury and likely needs some games to get back up to his previous level. In ten games this season, Carlsson has yet to record a point.
- The Detroit Red Wings have sent Mathias Brome and Evgeny Svechnikov back to the taxi squad after another loss last night. Detroit now sits at 7-15-3 on the season, but ultimately that is exactly where they want to be in a rebuild. The team isn’t going to make the playoffs this season but will get another high draft pick to add to the prospect pipeline.
- The Nashville Predators have made their usual daily move, sending Tanner Jeannot, Mathieu Olivier, and Ben Harpur to the taxi squad. The Predators lost again last night, having injuries mounting to their best players and trade rumors swirling about the rest of the roster.
- The Dallas Stars have assigned Taylor Fedun and Tanner Kero to the taxi squad after last night’s loss against the Lightning. Dallas starts a two-game series against the Blue Jackets tomorrow, at which point they’ll likely make a corresponding move.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have once again returned Alex Nedeljkovic and Jake Bean to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The two have been shuffled back and forth regularly over the past several weeks and will almost certainly be recalled on Thursday for their next game against Detroit.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning returned Ross Colton to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The 24-year-old has a goal in two games so far this season.
East Division
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have sent Frederick Gaudreau back to the minor leagues while moving Drew O’Connor, Josh Currie, and Anthony Angello onto the taxi squad. With the team also moving Jason Zucker to long-term injured reserve, they have a little cap flexibility if they want to go after someone through trade.
- The Boston Bruins made several roster moves in advance of their game versus Washington, per CapFriendly. Trent Frederic and Urho Vaakanainen were recalled from the taxi squad while Greg McKegg was sent back to the taxi squad. Additionally, Zach Senyshyn was recalled to the taxi squad from AHL Providence.
- The Buffalo Sabres returned Jacob Bryson to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The rookie has certainly held his own in Buffalo’s lineup over the last ten days, averaging nearly 18 minutes per night over his first four NHL contests.
- Oliver Wahlstrom‘s daily shuffling continues as the New York Islanders assigned him back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly. The 20-year-old is on a five-game point streak and will undoubtedly be recalled for tomorrow’s game against Buffalo.
- The New York Rangers loaned Igor Shesterkin, Libor Hajek, and K’Andre Miller to the taxi squad in their normal off day cap-saving moves, per CapFriendly. Keith Kinkaid was recalled to the active roster to meet the two-goalie minimum while Ty Ronning was loaned from the taxi squad to AHL Hartford.
- The Philadelphia Flyers assigned Connor Bunnaman to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/02/21
Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is today’s list:
Nashville – Ryan Johansen*
Pittsburgh – Sidney Crosby*
San Jose – Tomas Hertl
As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol
Players removed today: John Hayden, Arizona Coyotes; Patrik Nemeth, Detroit Red Wings; Kaapo Kakko, New York Rangers
The big story today is Crosby, who we learned this morning would not be available for Pittsburgh’s game tonight. It is not clear why exactly Crosby is on the list, but he’ll miss at least tonight. Also missing the game is assistant coach Todd Rierden. The Penguins announced he is additionally unavailable due to COVID protocol and will be replaced on the bench by development coach Ty Hennes.
Johansen’s appearance is also a tough blow for the Predators, who recently lost Ryan Ellis and Luke Kunin to injured reserve. Nashville is likely headed into sell-off mode as the deadline approaches.
Three names coming off is another strong day, though the two new ones obviously generate some concern. Still, to see the Coyotes, Red Wings and Rangers clear their boards entirely is encouraging.
*denotes new addition
Nashville Predators Issue Injury Updates
The Nashville Predators won’t have some key players in the lineup for the next while. Ryan Ellis has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and will be out for the next four to six weeks. Luke Kunin will join him on IR with a lower-body injury and is out for two to four weeks. Ryan Johansen, who only made it back from IR a week ago himself, is now in the league’s COVID Protocol. The team has recalled Tanner Jeannot, Mathieu Olivier, Eeli Tolvanen, and Alexandre Carrier from the taxi squad.
Ellis, 30, carries a heavy load for the Predators every night, averaging nearly 25 minutes a game this season. He has just nine points in 21 games—a slight step down from the incredible pace he set last season with 38 in 49—but incredibly, that actually ties him for third on the team. Nashville has received almost no offensive contribution from half their lineup, with Filip Forsberg the only forward who has generated points on a regular basis. Losing Ellis means losing one of the team’s best players at both ends of the rink.
Kunin certainly can’t claim to be one of the team’s best, as his early tenure in Nashville has been one of disappointment. After posting 15 goals and 31 points in 63 games last season for the Minnesota Wild, he has just five points in 17 games for the Predators and has seen his minutes vary wildly. Overall, his contribution hasn’t been what the team expected when they dealt Nick Bonino and a pair of draft picks for him last fall. The fact that he’ll now miss at least two weeks in a shortened season certainly won’t help the team squeeze out any excess value.
Johansen of course has been an even bigger disappointment, if only because of what he costs the Predators against the cap. The $8MM center hasn’t scored a goal this season and has just five points through 14 games, though his possession metrics have been strong when he’s in the lineup. The fact that Johansen hasn’t broken the 15-goal mark since getting to Nashville is a big reason why the team’s offense has never seemed quite up to snuff, given that he had 59 goals in the two seasons before being acquired. It’s not clear at all how long he will be on the COVID Protocol list, but that zero will remain in the goal column for now.
The Predators have won their last two games but still sit at 10-11-0 on the year and now have to deal with the absence of Ellis for at least a month. Rumors had already begun to swirl about the fact that they may be sellers at the deadline and this news certainly won’t put an end to them. The team is set to face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight before starting a two-game series against the division-leading Florida Panthers on Thursday evening.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Snapshots: Rutherford, Tortorella, Wolf
It’s still not exactly clear what made Jim Rutherford suddenly resign his post as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this year. Given that he still has “the bug” to help a front office, as he told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic recently, some have wondered if there was perhaps a philosophical disagreement between Rutherford and his Pittsburgh bosses. When asked on the Cam and Strick Podcast about whether he had tried to trade Kris Letang but ownership stopped it, the legendary executive denied any rumors:
Nope. Not accurate. As a matter of fact, I’ve said publicly a few times. Because you get to a point in a player’s career–should you trade ’em, get something young for them or not–but I’ve actually took the position that because the core guys won Stanley Cups, three Stanley Cups, that [Sidney] Crosby, [Evgeni] Malkin and Letang should play their whole career in Pittsburgh. I wish I could say the same thing about [Marc-Andre] Fleury, but we got squeezed on the cap at an earlier time. But those four guys should have played their whole career in Pittsburgh. There’s three of them still there. That’s how I felt then, that’s how I feel now.
If Letang and Malkin are to play their whole careers in Pittsburgh, they’ll need new contracts before long. Both players are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the 2021-22 season. Crosby meanwhile is signed through 2024-25, which potentially could cover the end of his career already. He’ll be 34 this offseason, meaning his contract takes him through his age-37 season.
- John Tortorella got the infamous vote of confidence from his general manager earlier today, as Jarmo Kekalainen explained he isn’t looking to make changes to the coaching staff and trusts this group to get the Columbus Blue Jackets out of their recent slump. The Blue Jackets have lost five straight and sit fifth in the Central Division, only ahead of the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, and Dallas Stars (who have only played 16 games, the fewest in the entire league). Tortorella, though respected as a strong systems coach that can get a lot out of a mediocre roster, has been known to eventually have players tune him out in his previous stops. Kekalainen, as Aaron Portzline of The Athletic writes, hasn’t seen that kind of thing yet. A Stanley Cup champion with the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning, Tortorella has been the head coach of the Blue Jackets since the 2015-16 season and has had a winning record in each season with the club.
- Dustin Wolf has been reassigned back to the WHL, re-joining the Everett Silvertips after a short taste of professional hockey. The 19-year-old goaltender played three games for the Stockton Heat, winning two of them and posting an .895 save percentage. A seventh-round pick in 2019, Wolf is an extremely intriguing prospect trying to break through despite a significant disadvantage–he stands a (generous) 6’0″ and would be one of the smallest goaltenders in the NHL, should he ever make it. So far that size discrepancy hasn’t stopped him, winning CHL Goaltender of the Year and recently taking home a World Junior gold medal. Now that the WHL is returning, Wolf is no longer eligible to play in the AHL.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 03/02/21
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 San Jose Sharks have completed a whole whack of transactions today. Stefan Noesen, Nicolas Meloche, Noah Gregor, Sasha Chmelevski and Alexei Melnichuk have all been returned to the AHL, while Joachim Blichfeld, Nick DeSimone, Kurtis Gabriel, Joel Kellman, and Josef Korenar have all been recalled to the taxi squad.
- The Los Angeles Kings have sent Troy Grosenick to the AHL, while recalling Matthew Villalta to be the team’s taxi squad goaltender for the time being. Grosenick has been passed around the league but still doesn’t have any games under his belt this season.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled Tomas Jurco to the taxi squad, reassigning Logan Thompson to the Henderson Silver Knights in the process. Jurco, who played 12 games for the Edmonton Oilers last season, has two points in seven AHL contests.
North Division
- After it was announced that Derek Stepan will miss the rest of the regular season, the Ottawa Senators have made a few roster moves. Erik Brannstrom and Micheal Haley have been recalled from the taxi squad. Braydon Coburn and Matthew Peca have taken their place. Filip Gustavsson has been recalled from the AHL.
- The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Cam Hillis from the AHL, sending him to the taxi squad. The 20-year-old forward is another interesting prospect in the Canadiens system, selected 66th overall in 2018 and coming off an outstanding OHL campaign in 2019-20. He failed to score in his professional debut for the Laval Rocket, but had 83 points in 62 games for the Guelph Storm last season.
- Tucker Poolman is healthy and has been activated from the injured reserve. The Winnipeg Jets have sent Logan Stanley down to the taxi squad to open up a spot on the blue line.
Central Division
- The Dallas Stars have recalled a trio of players from the taxi squad while sending just one back. Ty Dellandrea, Taylor Fedun, and Tanner Kero have been activated to the roster, while Joel Kiviranta will take a break.
East Division
- The Boston Bruins have sent Karson Kuhlman to the AHL, where he’s currently playing for the Providence Bruins in an afternoon matchup. Kuhlman, 25, has played three games for Boston this season.
- Ty Ronning has been recalled by the New York Rangers and placed on the taxi squad. The 23-year-old forward has one goal in two games for the Hartford Wolf Pack this season.
This page will be updated throughout the day.
Sidney Crosby Placed In COVID Protocol
There will be a new name on the COVID Protocol Related Absences list when it comes out later today, and it’s a big one. Sidney Crosby has entered the league’s protocol according to Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan and will not be available for tonight’s game. The team did not have a morning skate today because of the protocol.
To be clear, this does not necessarily mean that Crosby has tested positive for coronavirus. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol
The Penguins appear to still be on for tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers and will have Tristan Jarry in the net. Mark Jankowski will also not be available and remains listed day-to-day with an injury. He skated this morning on his own but is not quite ready.
The CPRA list is released at 5pm ET every day.
Alex Chiasson To Have Hearing With Department Of Player Safety
The Department of Player Safety has some work to do and the Edmonton Oilers may have to make a lineup change. Alex Chiasson has a hearing today to determine supplemental discipline for his cross-check on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jimmy Vesey. The incident occurred at the very end of last night’s game and resulted in both a major penalty and misconduct for Chiasson, though he needed to serve neither due to the game being over.
It’s not clear at this point if Vesey suffered an injury on the play. The Oilers were visibly frustrated at the end of the game after losing two straight to the Maple Leafs, failing to score a goal in either game. Chiasson will, in all likelihood, pay for that frustration by having to sit out at least a game and forfeit part of his salary.
In this unique schedule, the two teams will actually do battle again tomorrow night. The Oilers will be forced to make at least one change to their lineup, though perhaps that was coming anyway after being shutout in consecutive games.
Derek Stepan To Undergo Shoulder Surgery
The Ottawa Senators have announced that Derek Stepan will not return this season from the shoulder injury he suffered last month. The full statement from GM Pierre Dorion:
Following a review and assessment by the team’s medical staff, it has been determined that Derek requires a surgical procedure to repair a damaged labrum that he incurred in dislocating his left shoulder. A procedure is scheduled to take place later this week which will see him miss the remainder of our season but it is expected that he be fully recovered ahead of next season. Our medical staff will remain in regular contact with Derek and his doctors as he continues his recovery.
The veteran center had been working with the team on a potential trade that would take him closer to his family, but clearly this wasn’t the way he wanted to be taken out of the Senators lineup. Stepan will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and though Dorion explains he is expected to be fully recovered, this certainly won’t help him at the negotiation table.
Acquired just before the season began, Stepan scored six points in 20 games with the Senators. It appears as though his time with the club will appear as an odd footnote on his career unless they decide to bring back the 30-year-old center in the offseason. That wouldn’t make a lot of sense for a team bursting with young forward prospects, but Stepan has always been respected as a leader and support piece in the locker room. More likely he’s headed to his next destination after a few disappointing seasons, ready to prove his career isn’t over.
Stepan’s contract technically still could be traded, if a team feels it could glean some cap flexibility by placing him on long-term injured reserve. But he won’t play again this season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/01/21
Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is today’s list:
Arizona – John Hayden
Detroit – Patrik Nemeth
NY Rangers – Kaapo Kakko
San Jose – Tomas Hertl
As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol
Players removed today: None
So far, there are no new names added to the list today, though none have been removed either. That’s still probably considered a win in the eyes of the league, who continue to slowly watch teams open up limited seating in various arenas.