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Eric Nystrom Making A Comeback

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The last word out of Eric Nystrom was that his NHL opportunities had dried up and he was considering retirement. The ten-year NHL veteran had been bought out by the Nashville Predators and cut from his preseason tryout deal with the St. Louis Blues, and could not find a contract – NHL, AHL, PTO or otherwise – in North America. He was considering joining his father, former NHLer Bobby Nystrom, in the insurance business. That was in early November; fast-forward to now and there has been no noise out of the Nystrom camp as no NHL teams have come calling due to injury and no foreign teams have lined up for his services. That is, until now.

Nystrom officially signed with the Oilers today (spoiler: link in Norwegian). No, not the Edmonton Oilers, but the Stavanger Oilers in Norway. Nystrom played with the team in 2012, prior to the resolution of the NHL lockout, and is now set to return. When Nystrom was there five years ago, the fans fell in love with him as he scored 14 points in just six games and dazzled the home crowd. The team is very excited to bring back not just a great talent, but also a “solid character” (translated from Norwegian).  The Oilers currently sit atop the Norwegian Elite League, or “Get Ligaen” with 77 points, eight points ahead of their closest competitor. They also boast two of the league’s top three scorers in fellow Americans Mark Van Guilder and Dan Kissell, teammates at Notre Dame University in the mid-2000’s whose NCAA success didn’t translate to the pro game. However, Nystrom should step in and become the best player on the team and in the entire league right away, as the Stavanger Oilers appear poised to roll to a league championship.

Should Nystrom really impress in Norway, which in terms of international leagues is likely outside the top five in competition level, he might be able to get another shot at the NHL. He will have to really light it up, though. The tenth overall pick by the Calgary Flames in 2002, Nystrom had a long, successful career, but nowhere near the one expected of him with that selection. Nystrom made a living off of being a reliable bottom-six forward, capable of scoring 10-15 goals a year, but not much more. A hard-working, gritty player who excelled on the penalty kill and could hit and block shots, Nystrom’s value came in his two-way ability. He certainly is a “solid character” as well. However, aging defensive forwards are not at the top of NHL wish lists, and Nystrom is fresh off being bought out by Nashville after seeing his ice time cut and scoring just seven goals in 46 games last season. Unless Nystrom can change everyone’s minds with a strong offensive and defensive stint in Norway, his comeback may be limited to just the Stavanger Oilers. However, a great veteran leader with strong work ethic can often find a way.

Cody Bass Out For The Season

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While the Nashville Predators are happy to get P.K. Subban back tonight, they also found out that they will be without the services of grinder Cody Bass for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Predators beat writer Adam Vignan reports that Bass required surgery on a lower-body injury and the recover will keep him out for the year. The injury occurred while Bass was playing for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals back in December, and a recent re-evaluation in Nashville and subsequent decision to move forward with surgery has ruled out any possible return.

Bass, while definitely not the most successful NHLer, has been a valued depth asset for many seasons. A fourth-round selection of the Ottawa Senators in 2005, Bass broke into the league at the age of 21 in 2007-08 and had his best NHL season as a rookie. In a career-high 21 games, Bass picked up four points and looked at home in an energy line role. He even notched a goal in the Senators’ first-round playoff series. However, Bass missed the majority of 2008-09 with an injury, and by the time he returned, his role in Ottawa was all but gone. Bass’ brand of hard-nosed hockey did not develop into anything more than just gritty checking play in limited ice time while in Ottawa. He moved on to Columbus in 2011-12 and appeared poised for a breakout year. Through 14 games, Bass was playing a career-best nine minutes per night and had carved out a role as the Blue Jackets’ main enforcer, racking up hits and obviously plenty of penalty minutes as well. However, another shoulder injury ended Bass’ season and kept him out nearly all of 2012-13 as well. Just like in Ottawa, during his absence, Bass lost his role in Columbus. After a strong AHL season with the Blue Jackets then-affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, Bass signed with the Chicago Blackhawks hoping for another shot at the NHL. Instead, he played the entire year in the minors and made the move to Nashville ahead of the 2015-16 season. Last year, Bass enjoyed his best NHL season in some time with the Predators. Again, not much of a scorer, Bass failed to register a point in 17 regular season games, but instead contributed with gritty defensive play, strong forechecking, and winning battles along the boards, while keeping his time in the box under control. His two-way play was so valued, that the Predators started Bass in six playoff games, almost a third of what he had played in the regular season. He rewarded them with a strong postseason performance. So far in 2016-17, Bass had again been used sparingly in the regular season, with just nine (scoreless) games. However, Bass has also been out since December and very likely would have seen more time in the second half of the season for a Predators team that is often in need of grit and two-way ability in its bottom-six.

Though few likely put two and two together, with the announcement that veteran grinder Bass is done for the year, it makes even more sense that Nashville recently claimed another veteran grinder, Derek Grant, off of waivers and traded for yet another experienced two-way player, Cody McLeod, from the Colorado Avalanche. Though Grant is five years younger than Bass, their career numbers are eerily similar. Grant is not much of a scorer himself, with just seven assists in 79 games, including his four assists in 39 games this season with the Predators and Buffalo Sabres. However, since Grant’s arrival in Nashville four games ago, he has already dropped the gloves once and made a few key defensive plays. McLeod is not as much of a pure-checking player as Bass or Grant, as he can contribute on the scoreboard occasionally as well. In ten seasons with the Avs, the 32-year-old has 117 points in 659 games and already has a goal for the Preds. McLeod can also hit as well as anyone in the league and isn’t afraid to fight either. While McLeod spends a lot of time in the penalty box, he will more than make up for the loss of Bass with his veteran experience and hard-working, aggressive play. McLeod and Grant will make most Nashville fans forget about Bass, but a speedy recovery and healthy return is certainly wished. Bass will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Subban Activated Off IR, Expected Back Tonight

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In a surprising move, the Nashville Predators announced that superstar defenseman P.K. Subban has been activated from the injured reserve and is expected to make his return to the lineup tonight on the road against the Edmonton Oilers. Subban has missed the Predators’ last 16 games after suffering a herniated disk in his back in mid-Decmeber. Opting to go the non-surgical route, Nashville placed Subban on IR on January 1st and it was anticipated that he would remain inactive until such a time that he had been able to rest and let his body heal itself. Subban had only resumed light skating last week and was expected to only be re-evaluated at this point in time, with an immediate return unlikely. Instead Subban appears to be ready to lace ’em up for tonight’s contest.

Subban’s return to the lineup is much-needed for the Predators. With fellow star blue liner Roman Josi also on IR and depth defenders Petter Granberg and Anthony Bitetto sidelined as well, Nashville has been struggling to put together an NHL lineup on defense every night. Matt Irwin, who spent nearly the entire season in the AHL in 2015-16, has been playing major minutes. Rookie Alexandre Carrier was recently recalled despite being a fourth-round pick in just his first pro season. Just last night, the Predators acquired AHL defenseman Andrew O’Brien due to their need for bodies on the blue line. With the return of Subban, most of these defensive worries will be lessened, as he, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm can hold down the fort until Josi returns and the defense is at full strength. Carrier has already been returned to the AHL and Irwin can return to his bottom-pair role shortly. The Predators have had a disappointing season relative to the lofty expectations many had for them, but have fought their way into a playoff spot as of now. The return of Subban and a fully healthy defense will go a long way in holding on to that spot.

After being traded to Nashville this summer in the blockbuster deal that sent Shea Weber back to the Montreal Canadiens, Subban has looked pretty good as he adjusts to his new surroundings. Subban has 17 points in 29 games so far, which is off his typical pace, but his play has also been affected by his health. When healthy, Subban has played well and will continue to carve out a role for himself on his new team, which relies heavily on puck movement by defensemen. Despite missing so much time in his first season, Subban is already a fan favorite in Nashville and around the NHL. Selected as the captain of the Central Division team (and sole Predators representative) for the upcoming All-Star weekend, a return to health should allow Subban to participate in an event that he very much enjoys. Then it will be back to work for the Norris Trophy-winner, as he will be looked upon to score a lot of points down the stretch and lead the Predators into the playoffs.

Stars Place Oduya On IR, Recall Honka

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A difficult season for the Dallas Stars continues, as the team announced today that defenseman Johnny Oduya has been placed on the injured reserve again with the same lower-body injury that has plagued him all year. The team’s alternate captain and the veteran leader of its defensive corps, Oduya is of great importance to the Stars and his absences have been felt this season as Dallas has struggled to replicate its 2015-16 success and is currently outside the playoff picture. To replace Oduya, the Stars have recalled rookie defenseman Julius Honka from the AHL’s Texas Stars.

Now in the second year of a two-year, $7.5MM deal signed with Dallas in 2015, Oduya has struggled with injury and the standard wear-and-tear of being a 35-year-old hockey player throughout this season. In 36 games, Oduya has just one goal and six assists, as a well as only 20 hits, and has not looked much like himself. Although his offensive ability and aggression have fallen off somewhat, Oduya continues to play a key role in a very young Dallas defensive unit, as a leader in shot-blocking and short-handed time on ice. Still a strong skater with great hockey sense, Oduya’s presence on the ice is of great value to Dallas, and his second stint on the IR already this season will not help them get back to where they’d like to be in the Western Conference playoff race.

[RELATED: Dallas Stars Depth Chart]

In his stead, the Stars hope the exciting, young blue liner Honka can get the job done. In eight games thus far, Honka has just three assists and has struggled in his own end. However, he brings a high-energy, fast-paced style to the team, much like top defenseman John Klingberg. Honka has 21 points in 30 AHL games in 2016-17, and hopes to translate that production to the next level on this stint in Dallas. Unfortunately, the Stars’ problem is not in goal scoring, but in goal prevention, where they rank 28th in the NHL with over three goals allowed per game. Honka is still developing his defensive game, as are many others on “D” in Dallas, so until Oduya returns the team will have to tighten up or will likely continue their struggles.

Predators, Ducks Trade Prospects

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Late last night, the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks came to terms on a swap of minor league players. The Predators announced (in the middle of their 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames) that they had acquired defenseman Andrew O’Brien from the Ducks, with forward Max Gortz going the other way to Anaheim. As of now, both players are expected to remain at the AHL level.

With Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, and Petter Granberg all sidelined with injury and Anthony Bitetto struggling to stay healthy as well, the Predators have been in desperate need of some additional defensive depth. In acquiring O’Brien, Nashville receives a player without much flash or offensive upside, but who has grown into a more responsible defender in the past couple of seasons. The 24-year-old was a fourth-round pick by the Ducks in 2012 from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL. He had performed well in his first two junior seasons with the team, but not enough to draw much attention. The following year, O’Brien was traded to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, where began to build a reputation as a physical, shutdown defenseman. At 6’4″, 200 lbs., O’Brien hulked over much of his QMJHL competition and was a difficult match-up. It showed in his team-leading +19 rating (and 113 penalty minutes). However, when O’Brien joined the pro ranks in 2013-14, this physical advantage made less of an impact against bigger, stronger, and more experienced competition. As a result, he spent much of his first season down in the ECHL. The past two seasons, O’Brien has become a mainstay on the blue line for the Ducks’ AHL affiliates, again racking up penalty minutes but also contributing modest offense and learning how to better use his strength and frame in his own zone. Thus far in 2016-17 though, O’Brien has not seen much action, appearing in just ten games while buried under Anaheim’s notoriously deep defensive depth. Trading O’Brien is not much of a loss for the Ducks, but is an opportunity for him to show how he has grown as a player and to carve out a new role for himself with the Milwaukee Admirals and maybe even the Predators themselves eventually.

Unlike Nashville, Anaheim has no immediate need for forward depth, but in acquiring Gortz the team has obtained some great future potential. The 23-year-old Swedish product is in just his second pro season in North America and opened some eyes in his first year. Gortz was a sixth-round pick of the Predators in 2012, but was tied up playing in the Swedish Hockey League until 2015-16. He immediately showed how playing against men in an elite pro league can benefit young players, as he overcame the adjustment to North American hockey rather quickly. Gortz scored 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 total points last year, while playing to a +14 rating as well. At 6’2″, 200 lbs., Gortz’s size was apparent, but his ability to use that size in front of the net and on the forecheck came as a pleasant surprise to many. However, perhaps disappointed in the lack of opportunity to earn a spot in Nashville or potentially just due to the changes in the team around him, Gortz has struggled to replicate last year’s success in 2016-17. He has just a goal and three assists in 30 games so far, and instead of pushing for an NHL job has likely become an afterthought for the Predators. If it meant getting much needed defensive support, Nashville was probably happy to move the disappointing forward. A change of scenery with the San Diego Gulls may be exactly what Gotz needs though, and with great size and skill could still reach his NHL goals with the Ducks in the near future.

Minor Transactions: 1/17/2017

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The Anaheim Ducks continue to use frequent promotions and demotions to their advantage. With their AHL affiliate now right down the road, and not somewhere on the Eastern seaboard, it has become much easier and less costly to swap young players in and out and the Ducks are at it once again. Anaheim announced last night that defenseman Shea Theodore and forward Stefan Noesen are heading to the San Diego Gulls. Theodore has been back and forth a few different times so far in 2016-17, as he searches for consistency. In 19 NHL games last season, Theodore had three goals and five assists and was a +7. Through 23 games this year, he has just one goal and six assists while playing to a -7. With all of the blue line depth that the Ducks enjoy, they can afford to let Theodore find his game in the AHL (nine points in eleven games) and still call him up when necessary. Noesen, a 2011 first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators who was acquired alongside Jakob Silfverberg in the Bobby Ryan trade, has not panned out like Silfverberg has. Noesen has played in just eleven NHL games, nine of which have come this season, and has recorded just a single point. Quickly approaching 24-years-old, Noesen appears to be a bona fide bust.

Update (1:00pm CT): After demoting Theodore and Noesen last night, the Ducks have promoted the same pair this afternoon. Anaheim continues to be the poster-team for AHL transactions in 2016-17, squeezing ever little bit of salary cap savings they can out of numerous moves.

Elsewhere around the NHL:

  • The Penguins announced that they have recalled defenseman Cameron Gaunce from their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  They also re-assigned fellow blueliner David Warsofsky to the minors.  This will be Gaunce’s first stint with Pittsburgh after joining the team in the offseason.  He has two goals and six assists with the Baby Pens this season.  As for Warsofsky, he got into two games with Pittsburgh since last being recalled.  On the season, he has suited up in six games with the team, being held off the scoresheet.  In 24 AHL games though, he has fared much better, tallying 28 points.
  • The Oilers announced that they have re-assigned blueliner Jordan Oesterle to Bakersfield of the AHL.  He did not get into a game with Edmonton after being recalled by the team on Sunday.  In 18 minor league contests this year, he has three goals and eight assists.
  • Having already claimed defenseman Brad Hunt and placed defenseman Petter Granberg on the injured reserve, a busy morning continued for the Nashville Predators as they re-assigned rookie forward Kevin Fiala to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. The Swiss winger has six goals and three assists on the season and has shown flashes of brilliance, but could use some more seasoning in order to build a more complete game. When the Predators can find him some extra play time down in the AHL, it only stands to help his development.
  • The Montreal Canadiens have sent impressive prospect Michael McCarron back down to the St. John’s Ice Caps of the AHL. The 2013 first-rounder was called up to help Montreal deal with a slew of injuries, but with the team getting healthier he has been returned to the minors. In 15 games with the Canadiens, McCarron registered a goal and three assists and didn’t look out of place at all. However, the 21-year-old will benefit more this season from top-six time with the Ice Caps than bottom-six play with the Canadiens. Look for McCarron to challenge for a full-time spot on the team next season. Or, if Montreal’s injury luck continues, it will be much sooner that he returns to the NHL.
  • Tim Heed and Ryan Carpenter will have to change locker rooms again, as the San Jose Sharks announced that the pair have been demoted to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda (down the hall to the right). The 25-year-old defenseman Heed is fresh off of his NHL debut last week, having been recalled due to his excellent AHL numbers. Heed is second in the minors in defenseman scoring with 31 points in 28 games with the Barracuda. Carpenter played three games for the Sharks back in November, skating on the team’s energy line, but has not made it into a game in any of his subsequent call-ups in 2016-17.
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they have recalled young defenseman Jake Dotchin from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. This is the first career call-up for Dotchin, who has become relevant within the organization as he enjoys a career year. In his third season with the Crunch, Dotchin is on pace to shatter his pro career-high of 20 points, set back in 2014-15, and is also a +10 after back-to-back minus seasons. The big, two-way defenseman only put up modest numbers in his OHL junior career as well and was a sixth-round selection back in 2012, so he has had to put in a lot of hard work to get to where he is and has earned a promotion. If Dotchin suits up for the Lightning tonight, he will be the 30th different player to line up for Tampa this season.
  • Following last night’s legendary contest, the Washington Capitals have returned Chandler Stephenson to the Hershey Bears of the AHL. However, Stephenson didn’t play in the game against the Penguins, or any game for that matter, in this most recent call-up, nor did he play in his earlier promotion this season. After being held scoreless in nine games in Washington last season, it seems the Capitals are in no rush to get the play-making forward back into the NHL lineup.

Predators Claim Brad Hunt

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It’s a new team, but the same division for veteran defenseman Brad Hunt. After being placed on waivers by the St. Louis Blues yesterday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie now reports that Hunt is headed to the Central rival Nashville Predators. The small, puck-moving defenseman has scored five points in nine games with the Blues this season, his first with the team, and has 29 points in 23 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.

The St. Louis Blues continue to have bad luck with waivers, as just last week they lost Ty Rattie to the Carolina Hurricanes when they tried to move the young forward to the minors. This time they’ve lost some valuable blue line depth, as the 28-year-old Hunt had finally showed signs of breaking through at the NHL level this season. Prior to 2016-17, Hunt had toiled in the AHL for years, unable to make much of a difference when called up to the NHL by the Edmonton Oilers. His numbers in the minors have been impeccable, a total of 204 points over the past four-plus seasons, and as a defenseman no less, but he had just three points in 21 games over three seasons with the Oilers. However, Hunt signed on with the Blues this summer and in nine games with the team has already surpassed his previous NHL career total.

He’ll now get a chance to replicate that production on a Nashville team that runs its offense through its defense. With stars Roman Josi and P.K. Subban injured and Anthony Bitetto banged up for much of the season, the Preds were in need of some depth with the likes of Matt Irwin and Petter Granberg (who is also headed to IR) currently playing major minutes. They get a similar size and skill set to Ryan Ellis in Hunt, who is likely to fit in well in Nashville. It appears to be another shrewd pick-up by Predators GM David Poile, one of the NHL’s best. This is the Predators’ third waiver claim this season, having already gained and lost Reid Boucher and recently added Derek Grant.

Jets Recall Ondrej Pavelec

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Having reached their limits in regards to their recent goaltending troubles, the Winnipeg Jets have decided to turn back the clock in net. The team announced today that they have recalled veteran goalie Ondrej Pavelec from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, returning to the man who held the starter position for the organization for years prior to 2016-17. For now, the team will carry three goalies as it tries to right the ship this season, starting with getting better results from it’s keepers.

When the Jets placed Pavelec on waivers ahead of the start of the 2016-17 season and then subsequently sent him down to the AHL, it marked the end of an era for the team, or so we thought. Pavelec was a 2005 second-round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers, who worked his way up through the organization and made his NHL debut just two years later in 2007-08. By 2009-10, Pavelec was the Thrashers’ starter and remained as such through the move to Winnipeg. It was not until last season, when backup Michael Hutchinson was outplaying him and young Connor Hellebuyck began fighting for play time that Pavelec’s role began to decrease. The rise of Hutchinson had been apparent, as the young goalie had been very impressive in just a few starts in 2013-14 and then posted a .914 save percentage and 2.39 goals against average in 38 games as a rookie in 2014-15. Hellebuyck’s ascent was equally predictable, as he was one of the Jets’ top prospects coming out of UMass-Lowell and showed nothing but promise early on in his pro career. Making the decision to move on from Pavelec was even easier for Winnipeg when considering his body of work. Although the Czech keeper had been the top option in goal for six straight years heading into this season, his career has been far from high-quality. Only once, in 2014-15, has Pavelec finished with a save percentage above .915 and a goals against average above 2.70. Those are barely even replacement-level numbers for an NHL goalie. Then, in 2014-15, when Pavelec looked to be taking the the step toward stardom by posting a .920 SV% and 2.28 GAA and helping the Jets earn a playoff berth, he collapsed in the postseason, allowing 15 goals in a quick four-game sweep. Without a history of success, the team’s ties to it’s former starter were not all that strong to begin with.

The choice to go with Hellebuyck and Hutchison and send Pavelec packing this season was one that faced almost no scrutiny. The Jets top priority was (and still is) the development of their young goalies, particularly Hellebuyck, and an expensive veteran with poor numbers like Pavelec was simply not needed… until now. The play of the Jets’ current duo has been costing the team wins of late. Hellebuyck has a .907 SV% and 2.82 GAA in 34 games this season and has looked especially tired and sloppy recently, having been pulled in back-to-back starts, while Hutchison has done a complete turnaround from just two years ago, with an .894 SV% and 3.23 GAA in 20 games as one of the league’s worst goalies in 2016-17. Meanwhile in Manitoba, Pavelec has been putting up numbers that match his career output, which is to say he’s been just okay. In 18 games with the Moose, Pavelec has 8 wins, a .917 SV%, and a 2.78 GAA. However, it’s easy to believe that the 29-year-old, who is still collecting pay on the final year of his five-year, $19.5MM deal signed back in 2012, has not been putting in a full effort in the minors and could potentially improve in his return to the NHL. Winnipeg certainly hopes so, as they need the veteran to stop the bleeding and give their other options some rest. Despite being on a four-game losing streak and without a winning streak of more than two games all season long, the Jets are tied with the Dallas Stars for fifth in the Central Division and are still within reach of a playoff spot if they can turn their season around in the second half.

To make room for Pavelec on the roster, and rather than expose Hutchison to waivers, the Jets also announced that they have placed defenseman Ben Chiarot on waivers. Chiarot sustained an upper body injury last week and has yet to play since. The move opens up a roster space, at least while he recovers, so that the Jets can sort out how they want to balance having three goalies on the roster. The practice has not worked out well for teams like the Calgary Flames and New York Islanders in recent years, but Winnipeg hopes depth in net is the key to all of their problems.

Penguins, Capitals Combine For Nine Goals In A Period

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Is there a better rivalry in the NHL right now than the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals? The teams opened their seasons against each other back in October with a wild game that needed a shootout to decide the winner. In November, the Caps shocked the world with a 7-1 win over the defending champs and then just last week put an end to the Penguins’ five-game winning streak with a 5-2 result. Tonight, it’s almost as if the two sides colluded to produce the best result for our entertainment in their final (regular season) match-up of the year. After going up 2-0 in the first period, Washington allowed six goals in the second while scoring three of their own for a total of nine goals in just twenty minutes. Then, two goals for the Capitals and another for the Penguins tied it up at 7-7 and took the game to overtime. A goal by Conor Sheary in overtime clinched it for Pittsburgh, as unfortunately one team had to come out on top and the game had to come to an end, but only after 15 goals.

The OT goal was Crosby’s third assist of the game, to go along with a goal, but he was just one of the game’s many amazing performances. Fellow Pittsburgh superstar Evgeni Malkin put together a hat trick, all in the second period to lead both teams in goals. Sheary had two goals and an assist for the Penguins, and defensemen Justin Schultz and Trevor Daley combined for seven assists. On the Washington side, T.J. Oshie had a goal and two assists, while Lars Eller added two goals, including the game-tying tally late in the third. On the other hand, it was clearly a night to forget for all of the goaltenders involved.

Unbelievably, the nine goals in a period were not the league record and neither was the Penguins’ six by themselves. However, the six goals scored in the second is the most scored by the Penguins in a game since 2000, when they scored that many in a match-up against the New York Islanders.

The season series between these two teams ends tied at two games apiece and also snaps the Capital’s nine-game winning streak. All hockey fans can hope for now is that these two teams meet up in the playoffs, which could end up being one of the most anticipated series of all time.

Hurricanes Recall Alex Nedeljkovic

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The Carolina Hurricanes’ backup goalie carousel continues to go ’round and ’round. While Eddie Lack remains sidelined, the ’Canes have relied heavily on starter Cam Ward, who has now started 14 straight games. While Ward has performed admirably, with a .915 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average thus far in 2016-17, the long-time Carolina keeper will need a rest eventually. He didn’t get one from Daniel Altshuller, who was called up early in January and then sent back down the next day, nor has he been relieved at all by veteran Michael Leighton, who has been the backup since. The team has announced today that they’ll move on to a third option, demoting Leighton and promoting top goalie prospect Alex Nedeljkovic. 

Nedeljkovic, the Hurricanes’ 2014 second-round pick, was once seen as the future in net in Carolina. The Ohio native made a name for himself leading up to his draft year with a .924 SV% and 2.70 GAA combined over his first two junior seasons with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, as well as sub-2.00 GAA’s with short stints with the U.S. National Development Team and Team USA at the U-18 World Juniors in 2013-14. However, the young keeper’s career has been in somewhat of a tailspin ever since. Nedeljkovic struggled to return to form for the Whalers in 2014-15, posting a 3.13 GAA in 55 games. He then split the 2015-16 season between two new OHL teams, the Flint Firebirds and Niagara Ice Dogs, but was unable to get back to his pre-draft numbers with either of those squads too. The lone bright spot was a fantastic performance for Team USA at the World Juniors, an unreal .943 SV% and 1.66 GAA in nine games, that came seemingly out of the blue. In this, his first pro season, Nedeljkovic has spent time in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, where he has played well, but has also played the majority of the early campaign with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where his performance has been far from encouraging. In 18 appearances, Nedeljkovic has been abysmal at the AHL level. He has an .884 SV% and 3.30 GAA, which has somehow actually been better than Altshuller, but has been a disappointment for the organization.

With this call-up, perhaps the Hurricanes are hoping that Nedeljkovic will shine in the spotlight. His career seems to be one of a player that thrives under pressure, with his best performances coming in his draft year and on the international stage. Ward needs to take a game off sooner rather than later, and Carolina can benefit more from letting Nedeljkovic have his first NHL shot than giving long-in-the-tooth Leighton the start. However, he may be thrown into the fire, as the Hurricanes upcoming slate is vicious. They face the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road next, host the Pittsburgh Penguins, go to Coumbus again, and then head to Washington to take on the Capitals. The young goalie will need some major luck if he makes his debut in any of those contests.

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