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AHL Shuffle: 3/31/23

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled forward Radim Zohorna on an emergency recall, according to CapFriendly. Zohorna was acquired from the Calgary Flames for forward Dryden Hunt, having suited up for eight games with the Flames. He posted strong numbers in the AHL, with 31 points in 46 games between the Calgary Wranglers and Toronto Marlies.

Zohorna’s recall gives the leaves a hulking presence at center, as he stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 220 pounds. He has 10 points in 33 career games at the NHL level.

 

  • The Dallas Stars have loaned goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the Texas Stars on a conditioning assignment, the team announced on Twitter. Wedgewood has not played for Dallas since Feb. 18, and will likely play a few games in the AHL before joining the NHL squad as it gears up for a playoff run. In 18 games with Dallas this season, Wedgewood sports a .913 save percentage and 2.92 GAA.
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent down defenseman Marcus Bjork to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, according to CapFriendly.Bjork, 25, has seen his first taste of NHL action with Columbus this season, recording 11 points (3G, 8A) in 28 games. He has actually been more productive in the NHL, as he has 13 points in 40 games at the AHL level. As Columbus has had a tough season from the get-go, the slight emergence of Bjork is a bright spot for a team that has not had much go its way this season.

Calgary Wranglers Sign Mark Duarte To ATO

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The Calgary Wranglers of the AHL announced the signing of Mark Duarte to an amateur tryout contract.

Duarte, 20, recently completed his final season in the OHL, as the undrafted forward notched 48 points (20G, 28A) in 65 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He also played two seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs, but did not see action in the canceled 2020-21 season.

After a productive overage season, Duarte will get the opportunity to join a Wranglers team that currently sits at the top of the AHL standings. If he is able to show that his offensive improvement in the OHL can translate, Duarte could be on a path to carving out a role for himself in the professional ranks.

Mason Lohrei Signs ATO With Providence Bruins

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Defenseman Mason Lohrei has signed an amateur tryout contract with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. The Boston Bruins announced the signing via Twitter.

The 6-4, 209 pound blueliner was a second round pick, No. 58 overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He will join the AHL Bruins for the remainder of the season playing for one of the league’s best teams.

Lohrei, 22, recently completed his sophomore season at Ohio State University, scoring 32 points (4G, 28A) in 40 games. He recorded 29 points in 31 games as a freshman in 2021-22, and now looks to take that offensive production into the pro ranks.

Lohrei has the size that NHL teams still covet for their blueline, and a player of such size with a bit of an offensive flair makes him an intriguing prospect to watch moving forward. As he irons out his contract with the Boston Bruins, he can get his feet wet in pro hockey for a Providence Bruins team looking to make a run at the Calder Cup.

The Boston Bruins are in an ideal situation for prospect development, as their AHL affiliate has been a top-five team in the league this season while the NHL’s Bruins have already clinched the Presidents Trophy for this season. Allowing Lohrei to jump into a playoff race at the start of his pro career will only serve as an added benefit for the young defenseman.

Hobey Baker Award Finalists Announced

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The three finalists for this year’s Hobey Baker Award are Adam Fantilli, Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley, according to Steven Ellis of DailyFaceoff.

Fantilli, a freshman at the University of Michigan, is considered a top prospect for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and led all NCAA scorers with 64 points (29G, 35A) in 35 games, finishing seven points ahead of Cooley for the top spot. Fantilli has been able to further cement his status as a likely lottery selection in the draft, and adding the Hobey Baker would only solidify that standing.

Cooley, the No. 3 overall pick by the Arizona Coyotes last summer, had 57 points (20G, 37A) in 37 games for the University of Minnesota. Cooley’s strong showing this season has given the Coyotes more reason to believe they have a potential No. 1 center in their organization. His 14 points in 7 games at the World Junior Championships for the US also showed he has an ability to perform in pressure situations. Cooley might be looking to join the pro ranks if he can claim this year’s Hobey Baker.

Knies, a 2021 second-rounder by the Toronto Maple Leafs, finished tied for 19th in NCAA scoring with 41 points (21G, 20A) in 38 games playing alongside Cooley at Minnesota. Knies, a sophomore, built on a strong freshman campaign that saw him record 15 goals and 18 assists in 33 games. As a member of an organization annually tight with the salary cap, Knies has begun to develop into a player who could make an impact in the NHL while on an entry level contract. It remains to be seen when Knies will decide to turn pro, but winning the Hobey Baker could accelerate that process.

The winner of the Hobey Baker Award will be announced on Friday, April 7.

Avalanche Sign Sam Malinski To Two-Year Pact

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The Colorado Avalanche announced the signing of former Cornell University defenseman Sam Malinski to a two-year contract to begin next season, the team announced on Twitter.

Malinski, 24, recently completed his senior season, during which he served as captain, and recorded 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points in 34 games. He is set to join the Colorado Eagles for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout, and will join the team for its AHL playoff run.

Malinski will turn 25 in July, making him ineligible to sign a three-year entry level contract. He joins an Avalanche organization that has a lack of defensive prospects, and will likely need to show out early with the Eagles to climb the organizational depth chart.

As an undrafted free agent out of the NCAA, Malinksi is further along in his development than players who join the pro ranks at a younger age, but being more experienced, he will be expected to try and carve out a meaningful role with the Eagles before being considered for an NHL call up in the coming years.

Injury Notes: Buchnevich, Thomas, Chabot, Cole

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The St. Louis Blues will be without top forward Robert Thomas tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks with an upper-body injury, the team announced Wednesday. Thomas scored a goal in the Blues win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, and has had a strong season, with 17 goals and 46 assists for 63 points in 70 games. Thomas is now one of the core pieces up front for the Blues, and is set to begin an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8.125MM, which could soon be a bargain for a player of Thomas’ caliber. Thomas is third on the Blues in points this season.

 

  • Sticking with the Blues, they will also be without winger Pavel Buchnevich tonight against Chicago. The winger will miss the game with an upper-body injury. He had a goal and an assist against Vancouver on Tuesday, and is second on the Blues in scoring with 25 goals and 41 assists for 66 points in 59 games. Buchnevich scored 57 goals in his final three seasons with the New York Rangers, but has 55 goals for the Blues in the past two seasons, making the acquisition look like a boon for the Blues.
  • Ottawa Senators defensemen Thomas Chabot will not play tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Chabot played on Monday for the Sens, recording an assist in the 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. As the Sens try to make a late playoff push, losing Chabot on the blueline won’t help matters. He has 11 goals and 30 assists this season in 68 games.
  • Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole will return to the lineup as the team hosts the Washington Capitals, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. The veteran defenseman missed Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and returns as the Bolts are set to host the Washington Capitals tonight.

AHL Shuffle: 3/30/23

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent defenseman Topi Niemela to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, the Marlies announced on Twitter. Niemela finished his season with Karpat of the Liiga, Finland’s top league, earlier this month, and is set to cross the pond to get his first taste of North American pro hockey. Drafted in the third round by Toronto in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Niemela played 58 games for Karpat this season, tallying 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points. It was a dip in production, as he recorded 10 goals and 22 assists in just 48 games in 2021-22. He will join a Marlies squad that has already punched a ticket to the AHL playoffs, and the chance for Niemela to learn while on a playoff run will only be more beneficial. He will likely spend a decent amount of time with the AHL squad before suiting up for the Maple Leafs.

 

  • The Florida Panthers recalled goaltender Mack Guzda from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, according to Chris Johnston of NorthStart Bets. Johnston reported Wednesday that both Alex Lyon and Sergei Bobrovsky both took the morning skate before yesterday’s win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Lyon got the start, stopping 40-of-42 shots in the 3-2 Panthers win. The Panthers are set to take on the Montreal Canadiens tonight. Guzda, 22, has appeared in 26 games with Charlotte this season, posting an .899 save percentage and 2.86 GAA. If Guzda were to get into a game, it would be his NHL debut.
  • The Anaheim Ducks have recalled defenseman Andrej Sustr on an emergency loan from the AHL, according to CapFriendly. Sustr, a veteran defenseman of more than 350 NHL games, has spent the entire season in the AHL. He played 39 games with the Iowa Wild, then was flipped to the Ducks in the John Klingberg trade, and has played seven games with the San Diego Gulls. Sustr suited up for the Ducks in both 2018-19 and 2021-22, making this his third stint with the team.

Minor Moves: Hirose, Ferguson, Woll

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Taro Hirose has been called up as an emergency loan to the Detroit Red Wings, according to CapFriendly. Hirose will see his first NHL action of the season if he appears in a game for the Wings, but has played sparingly with Detroit for parts of the past four seasons. He has just four goals and 16 assists in 57 career NHL games, but has been over the 50-point plateau in the AHL the past two seasons, including 15 goals and 39 assists for 54 points in 64 games this season. The Red Wings host the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight.

  • Also among minor league transactions, goaltender Dylan Ferguson was sent down to the AHL by the Ottawa Senators, according to CapFriendly. Ferguson signed with the Senators earlier this month, and played well in two games with Ottawa, his first NHL action since 2017-18. He registered a .940 save percentage in those two games, and has a .935 save percentage in six games with the Belleville Senators this season. He also played five games for the Toronto Marlies before signing with Ottawa, and carried an .888 save percentage in those tilts. Ferguson held down the fort for the Sens on March 20, stopping 48-of-49 shots in a 2-1 win over the Pittsburg Penguins.
  • Goaltender Joseph Woll was sent to the Toronto Marlies by the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to CapFriendly. Woll has played well in a short stint for the Maple Leafs, winning three of four games played with a .934 save percentage while allowing just eight goals in that span. He last played Sunday, stopping 23-of-25 shots in a 3-2 Maple Leafs win.

Red Wings Sign Carter Mazur

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The Detroit Red Wings have signed left winger Carter Mazur to an entry level contract, which will begin next season. Mazur will play with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL on an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season.

Mazur, 21, is a Michigan native who just completed his second season with the University of Denver, coming off of a productive NCAA career with 36 goals and 39 assists for 75 points in 81 games. He also notched seven points in five games for the United States at the World Junior Championships, helping the Americans to a bronze medal.

Mazur helped DU to a national championship in 2022, only adding to an impressive resume since being selected in the third round in 2021 by the Red Wings. Mazur has an opportunity to get his feet wet at the AHL level with Grand Rapids, but won’t have the benefit of a playoff run as the Griffins sit in last place with eight games remaining on the schedule.

The Red Wings have signed a handful of their drafted prospects in recent days, and Mazur adds to that list. He has been a steady point producer going back to his days in the USHL, and enters the Detroit organization at a time when many of the team’s prospects are starting to find their way in the professional ranks.

Mazur will likely spend as much time in the AHL as Detroit feels, as the team is known for taking its time with prospects just entering the Red Wings system. The Red Wings also likely won’t be shy about letting him develop as much as possible before giving him an NHL shot.

Injury Notes: O’Reilly, Konecny, Couturier

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Toronto Maple Leafs center Ryan O’Reilly, who broke his finger March 4 against the Vancouver Canucks, skated again Friday before Toronto’s optional morning skate, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.

O’Reilly is currently on injured reserve, but is expected to be ready for the playoffs. If he were to return by April 1, he would have eight games left in the schedule to get back up to speed. If able to return for regular season action, he could be close to full health once the playoffs start. Toronto currently sits one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lighting for second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Boston Bruins.

Other injury notes from around the NHL.

  • Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny was on the ice wearing a non-contact jersey during practice Friday, according to Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Konecny, who has been out since Feb. 20 with an upper-body injury, may return this season, but Philadelphia is likely to be cautious with his return. Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic reports that coach John Tortorella said he’s not sure if Konecny could return this season. The Flyers are taking into account whether it would be worth Konecny to return this season, as allowing him the time to heal may be the course of action the team decides to take. Konecny has had a strong season, with 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points in 52 games.
  • Sticking with the Flyers, another player who took part in the morning skate was center Sean Couturier, who has missed the entire season due to injury. He wore a regular contact jersey during the morning skate, reports Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic. O’Connor also reports that Tortorella said Couturier is closer to a return than Konecny. In what has been a lost season in Philadelphia, Couturier’s return would be more symbolic than anything else. He could benefit from taking the rest of the season than risk re-aggravating the injury playing meaningless games down the stretch. If he were to return, the Flyers would surely bring him along slowly to get him back up to game speed.

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