Minor Transactions: 11/17/19
Most of the NHL is at rest today after the huge number of Saturday games, meaning just four teams are in action. The Buffalo Sabres travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks, while the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights get reacquainted in Sin City. As teams prepare for the next week of action, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves right here.
- Noah Gregor has been returned to the AHL after playing in ten games for the San Jose Sharks. The 21-year old center failed to register his first NHL point but at least got his feet wet and saw what would be required of him at the next level.
- Former NHL goaltender Justin Pogge has found a new home for this season, signing a one-year deal with Sodertalje SK in Sweden’s second league. The 33-year old netminder has spent the last several seasons overseas after a North American career that saw him quickly turn from top prospect to AHL afterthought. In seven career NHL games, Pogge posted an .844 save percentage and 4.36 goals against average.
- Miikka Salomaki has been assigned to the minor leagues by the Nashville Predators after five games with the team. The 26-year old was recalled on October 19th, meaning he’s close to needing waivers again. Sending him to the AHL now leaves the Predators with some extra roster flexibility.
- The Boston Bruins have returned three players to their AHL affiliate, according to the AHL transactions page. The website reports that the Bruins have sent forwards Paul Carey and Trent Frederic and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen to Providence. Carey played Saturday in their shootout loss to Washington, receiving 6:22 of playing time. Frederic played back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, but was held scoreless, while Vaakanainen played in three games, playing 19:19 on Saturday.
- The Athletic’s Darren Haynes reports that the Calgary Flames have recalled forward Dillon Dube from the Stockton Heat of the AHL. Dube, who has dominated in the AHL, but struggled last year in his first taste of NHL action, was brought in to spark the team, which has been struggling with offense recently. Dube has four goals and 13 points in 13 games with the Heat. Sportsnet’s Eric Francis adds that forward Alan Quine was sent to Stockton in a corresponding move.
- The Vegas Golden Knights announced they have assigned forwards Brandon Pirri and Nicolas Roy to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Pirri cleared waivers and has already been reported to have been sent to Chicago, while Roy has been up and down multiple times this year as a fourth-line option for Vegas. The 22-year-old has fared well in six games, posting a goal and three points.
- The Dallas Stars announced they have re-assigned center Rhett Gardner to the Texas Stars of the AHL. The 23-year-old had appeared in eight games for Dallas but failed to register a point. He had eight shots on goal over that span. With no game until Tuesday, it could just be a paper transaction to save some cap space.
- The Detroit Red Wings announced they have assigned defenseman Joe Hicketts to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Hicketts has appeared in five games for the Red Wings, which included picking up his first point of the season Saturday in their shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks.
- The New Jersey Devils announced they have assigned defenseman Colton White to the Binghamton Devils of the AHL. White was recalled Friday by the team but served as an emergency defenseman for Saturday’s game against Montreal.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have recalled forward Eetu Luostarinen from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, according to a Checkers’ release. The 21-year-old Luostarinen was recalled 10 days ago, and appeared in three games for the Hurricanes, registering one assist, before being returned to Charlotte. The 2017 second-round pick has looked good in the AHL with five goals and eight points in 12 games.
- After being sent back to the minors following Saturday’s game, the Canadiens announced that they’ve recalled winger Charles Hudon from AHL Laval. He played less than eight minutes yesterday in his season debut but with Paul Byron and Jonathan Drouin both injured, Montreal was down to just 11 healthy forwards.
- The Rangers have decided to give Lias Andersson some more playing time as they’ve assigned him to Hartford of the AHL per a team release. The seventh pick in 2017 has just one assist in 17 games this season while playing less than ten minutes per night. Winger Tim Gettinger has been recalled to take his place on the roster.
Minor Transactions: 11/15/19
It was the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl show again last night as the pair combined for 11 points against rookie goaltender Adam Werner and the Colorado Avalanche. The Edmonton Oilers sit in first place in the Pacific Division and seem unstoppable when their big line is on the ice. As teams try to figure out a way to slow them down, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves around the league.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Rasmus Asplund from the minor leagues (yes, another Rasmus), giving him his first opportunity in the NHL. The 21-year old forward has eight points in 13 games for the Rochester Americans and could be the answer the team is looking for as a top-nine addition.
- Colton White has been recalled by the New Jersey Devils, after they placed Sami Vatanen on injured reserve (retroactive to November 8th). White, 22, played in three games for the Devils last season but is still looking for his first NHL point.
- Tyler Lewington has been recalled once again by the Washington Capitals, given his extremely low cap hit. The Capitals don’t have a lot of breathing room at the moment and Lewington’s $675K cap hit is what they can afford, even if it means they’ll have to play with just 11 forwards tonight.
- The Detroit Red Wings are close to getting Luke Glendening back into the lineup, so Givani Smith has been returned to the AHL. Smith has played in five games, but is still without his first point.
Minor Transactions: 11/14/19
If you’re looking for NHL action tonight the league has plenty of it, with eight games on the schedule including a Western Conference tilt between two of the best centers in the league. Nathan MacKinnon will lead the Colorado Avalanche into Edmonton to face off against Connor McDavid and the Oilers, with both teams trying to continue their early season success. As teams prepare for the action, we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.
- The Detroit Red Wings have recalled Jonathan Ericsson and Joe Hicketts, giving them some more depth on defense for the rest of their road trip. The Red Wings are out west to take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight after defeating the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
- J.C. Beaudin and Jonathan Davidsson have been sent to the AHL by the Ottawa Senators, as Logan Brown is ready to return to action. Brown has two points in four games with the team this season after his agent was outspoken about his lack of NHL opportunity so far.
- The Dallas Stars have recalled Rhett Gardner, bringing him up for the second time this season. Gardner got into seven games with Dallas last time around, but is still looking for his first NHL point.
- San Jose Sharks defenseman Dalton Prout has been recalled from his conditioning stint and is expected to play tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. The 29-year old has just one game under his belt so far with the Sharks after signing a one-year, $800K contract this summer.
Minor Transactions: 11/13/19
Of all the talent suiting up in the NHL last night, perhaps the most unlikely star emerged in Colorado. Avalanche goaltender Adam Werner was forced into action when Pavel Francouz suffered an injury and made 40 saves en route to a shutout in his first career game. The Swedish netminder was selected in the fifth round three years ago and dominated the SHL last season.
Five more games are on the schedule tonight and as teams prepare, PHR will be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.
- Late last night the Montreal Canadiens decided to send Ryan Poehling back to the minor leagues, giving him a chance to get some more ice time. Poehling had been playing fewer than ten minutes a night for the Canadiens and will get a bigger opportunity with the Laval Rocket.
- The Winnipeg Jets have recalled prospect Michael Spacek from the minor leagues, giving the young forward the first NHL opportunity of his career. Selected in the fourth round in 2015, he was a standout for the Czech Republic at the World Juniors and has been a regular for the Manitoba Moose the last two seasons.
- Zack MacEwen and Tyler Graovac have both been recalled by the Vancouver Canucks, who have also reassigned Jalen Chatfield. Chatfield did not actually suit up for the Canucks on his recall; the 23-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut. The team is back in action tomorrow against the Dallas Stars.
- Jonathan Ericsson is back up with the Detroit Red Wings, at least for the time being. The team announced that the long-time defenseman, recently buried in the AHL, has been recalled, while Justin Abdelkader and Patrik Nemeth have been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to November 10th.
Snapshots: Three Stars, Abdelkader, Lewis
The NHL has released their Three Stars for last week and at the very top is a name not many expected when the season began. Ottawa Senators goaltender Anders Nilsson has been given the first star after stopping 96 of 101 shots for a 3-0 record. Nilsson has actually been excellent since joining the Senators last season, posting a .919 save percentage in 32 appearances.
Two youngsters took home the other two spots, as Auston Matthews and Cale Makar were named second and third respectively. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward has jumped all the way up to sixth in the NHL scoring race after recording nine points last week, while Makar now easily leads all rookies with 17 points through the first part of the season and looks to be running away with the Calder Trophy.
- The Detroit Red Wings will be without Justin Abdelkader for at least three weeks according to head coach Jeff Blashill. The veteran forward is out with a mid-body injury after blocking a shot in Sunday’s game. Once an important part of the Red Wings’ attack, Abdelkader has zero goals through the first 16 games and is averaging just 13 minutes a night.
- Trevor Lewis has been placed on injured reserve after missing Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury. It’s not clear how long Lewis will be out, but his absence just opens up more opportunity for the young forwards in Los Angeles to show the Kings’ front office what they can do.
Minor Transactions: 11/11/19
A new week begins by celebrating Veterans or Remembrance Day (depending on your place of origin), a cause linked closely to the hockey world for some time. There are two games on tap around the NHL, including the teams from the capitals of both Canada and the United States. Washington will try to keep their recent hot streak rolling against the Arizona Coyotes, while Ottawa travels to Carolina in search of their third consecutive win. As those and the rest of the league’s teams prepare for action, we’ll be right here keeping track of all the minor moves.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have sent Alexander Volkov back to the minor leagues after the young forward played in four games with the team. Volkov, 22, was given an opportunity with some of Tampa Bay’s best forwards, but failed to record his first NHL point. There is plenty of time for that though as he looks to be quite high in the prospect depth chart for the Lightning.
- After giving him a chance to travel with the Buffalo Sabres to Sweden for the Global Series games, Lawrence Pilut has been returned to the minor leagues. The Swedish defenseman didn’t actually play in the overseas games, but still got to experience the trip as a member of an NHL club. Pilut hasn’t played for the Sabres yet this season, but does have six points in eight minor league appearances.
- Though there has been no update yet on Torey Krug‘s status after he left last night’s game, the Boston Bruins have recalled Urho Vaakanainen from the minor leagues under emergency conditions. That would suggest that Krug is out for at least one game, but we’ll have to wait and see later today.
- The Detroit Red Wings are on a heater since acquiring Robby Fabbri, and now bring back another exciting young forward. Givani Smith has been recalled by the team for the second time this season. Smith has played in three games for the Red Wings so far but is still looking for his first NHL point.
- The Vegas Golden Knights don’t play until Wednesday and have completed their usual off-day assignment of Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague, but the pair have a third member on the bus to the AHL. Cody Glass has also been sent to the Chicago Wolves today, a curious move given his success so far this season. Glass has seen his ice time reduced significantly over the last two games, playing fewer than 12 minutes in each.
- Gavin Bayreuther didn’t leave Winnipeg with the Dallas Stars and instead was reassigned to the Texas Stars who play the Manitoba Moose this afternoon. The 25-year old defenseman hasn’t played in a game for Dallas yet this season.
- Brendan Guhle has been recalled by the Anaheim Ducks, while the team reassigned Simon Benoit to the AHL. Guhle was sent down at the end of October and has played well with the San Diego Gulls, registering four points in four games.
Minor Transactions: 11/08/19
So much for a Colorado Avalanche team struggling to score without two members of their top line. The team exploded for six second period goals last night to down the Nashville Predators 9-4, but did lose another few bodies to injury. While we wait for news on Nathan MacKinnon‘s precautionary removal, the rest of the league is preparing for the weekend action. As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves right here.
- Last night the Detroit Red Wings sent Joe Hicketts back to the minor leagues, ending his short run in the NHL. The 23-year old defenseman averaged just over 18 minutes a game in four contests, but will have to wait for his next opportunity at the highest level.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled veteran forward Andy Andreoff while loaning Mikhail Vorobyev back to the minor leagues. Andreoff, 28, hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2017-18 season with the Los Angeles Kings, but does have seven points in 10 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
- After clearing waivers, Tomas Jurco and Nic Petan have both been assigned to the minor leagues by their respective teams. Martin Marincin has avoided that fate for the time being, though the Toronto Maple Leafs are still expected to clear a few more bodies before Zach Hyman returns next week.
- Otto Koivula is back up from the minor leagues for the New York Islanders, which could mean their injured forwards aren’t quite ready to return just yet. Jordan Eberle and Leo Komarov both practiced in regular jerseys today, but aren’t guaranteed to be ready for tomorrow’s afternoon game.
- Jalen Chatfield has received his first call-up of the season and is on his way to join the Vancouver Canucks. The 23-year old defenseman has yet to make his NHL debut and will serve as insurance for Chris Tanev who is dealing with injury.
- Kyle Capobianco has been sent back to the AHL, meaning Jordan Oesterle may be ready to go for the Arizona Coyotes. The 22-year old Capobianco has to be used to this by now after being involved in six transactions since the start of the season.
- Gavin Bayreuther has been recalled by the Dallas Stars, giving the team an extra defenseman as they deal with injuries on the back end. The 25-year old played 19 games for Dallas last season, scoring five points and recording 10 penalty minutes.
Detroit Red Wings Acquire Robby Fabbri
The Detroit Red Wings have acquired Robby Fabbri from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jacob de La Rose a swap of disappointing high draft picks from a few years ago.
Fabbri, 23, comes with much more fanfare because of his past, but it is hard to know exactly what the Red Wings are getting. Selected 21st overall in 2014, the speedy Guelph Storm winger looked like a lock to become a middle-six scoring forward that could help on the powerplay. Fabbri did exactly that in his first season in the NHL, scoring 18 goals and 37 points as a rookie in 2015-16.
Unfortunately, his career would be completely derailed by major knee injuries thereafter. Fabbri would miss the entire 2017-18 season and has played just 164 total games in his NHL career. He had just six points in 32 contests in 2018-19 and has been ineffective during limited opportunity this year. In Detroit he’ll be given a bigger chance, but it is a disappointing return for the Blues after they invested so much in the young forward.
The 24-year old de La Rose never did grow into the two-way power forward center that the Montreal Canadiens were hoping for when they picked him 34th overall in 2013. Instead, he found himself bouncing up and down from the minor leagues for short stints, never finding much consistency in his game or his opportunity. Eventually, the Canadiens decided that they could no longer justify his roster spot and put him on waivers where the Red Wings snatched him up, though the results wouldn’t really change.
In 60 games last season de La Rose scored just nine points, and though he’s off to a better pace this time around—four in 16—it appears he’ll never be much of an offensive threat in the NHL.
Amazingly, the two carry the same $900K cap hit and will both become restricted free agents at the end of the season.
Overseas Notes: Scherbak, Shore, Prince, Sulak
A short and tumultuous tenure with the KHL’s Avangard Omsk came to end on Thursday for Nikita Scherbak. The former top prospect of the Montreal Canadiens made his return to Russia this off-season, but his KHL debut was met with criticism and he managed to record just six points in his first 16 games with Avangard, not including some healthy scratches. The two sides agreed that a termination of the contract and a fresh start was the best course of action. Less than a week later, Scherbak has found a new home in the KHL. Traktor Chelyabinsk has announced the signing of Scherbak to a contract for the remainder of the season. Given Scherbak’s struggles to begin the season, as well as with the Los Angeles Kings last year, it seems his name value continues to be enough to find employment. The 2014 first-round pick was once a scoring dynamo in the WHL and showed glimpses of that ability in the minors, but was unable to put it all together in the NHL or with Avangard. Perhaps things will go differently with Traktor, where Scherbak may very well be the best player on the roster.
- While Scherbak found a new job, the story out of the KHL today has been former NHLers losing their jobs. The league announced today that Dinamo Minsk has parted ways with Drew Shore and are preparing to do the same with Shane Prince, who has been placed on waivers. Sadly for the Belarus-based club, the moves are likely financially-driven. Shore was the team’s scoring leader with 17 points in 24 games, while Prince was third with 13 points in 17 games. The two were fixtures on the scoreboard, but unfortunately didn’t do enough to make an impact in the standings. Minsk has the second-worst record in the KHL, which likely prompted the team’s recent addition of Ryan Spooner. However, the team likely has to shed salary as a result, and Shore and Prince are both established import players. Neither will have any trouble finding another job soon.
- Severstal Cherepovets is another team cutting ties with a former NHLer, as they have terminated the contract of defenseman Libor Sulak. Sulak, who played in the Detroit Red Wings organization last year, returned to Europe this summer, but has struggled greatly. He has just two points and a -10 rating in 19 games and his release is far more warranted on a performance basis than his counterparts in Minsk. The future is unclear for Sulak, who may have trouble finding another job in the KHL and has likely lost his opportunity to play in North America.
Trevor Daley Placed On Injured Reserve
The Detroit Red Wings have placed Trevor Daley on injured reserve once again, retroactive to November 2nd when he last suited up for the team. In his place comes Dylan McIlrath who has been recalled for the first time this season.
The 10th-overall pick in 2010, McIlrath never did become the physical, shutdown defender the New York Rangers had envisioned. In fact, the 27-year old has played just 50 games in the NHL over his long professional career, spending much more time in the minor leagues for three different organizations.
McIlrath did however play seven games for the Red Wings last season, and has been a staple on the Grand Rapids Griffins blueline for several seasons now. The 6’4″ defenseman was actually re-signed to a two-year, two-way contract in May and cleared waivers before the beginning of the season.
For Daley, this is a relatively quick return to the injured reserve list after spending some time there earlier this season. He was only activated on October 15th and has 11 games under his belt, with no points yet to show. In fact, Daley is averaging fewer than 15 minutes a game this year, by far the lowest amount of his career. The 36-year old is nearing the end of a very productive career, and will need to find some modicum of health to even play a full-time role on the rebuilding Red Wings.