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Metropolitan Notes: Nieto, Aho, Allen

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Prior to their afternoon tilt against the Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins returned both forward Matt Nieto and defenseman Sebastian Aho to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, per Tribune-Review reporter Seth Rorabaugh.

Both were still considered healthy scratches for the NHL game, and as Rorabaugh notes, their return to the AHL is a part of the procedural process of emergency recalls. Teams are only allotted four standard recalls post-trade deadline, so these type of paper moves are common this time of year.

Nieto’s two-year, $1.8MM deal he signed with the Penguins ahead of the 2023-24 season is set to expire at the end of the season. His first year in Pittsburgh ended with a knee injury that required two separate procedures. While he was able to return to Pittsburgh’s lineup in a fourth-line role this past November, his play had been ineffective, registering just three points and a minus-eight rating in 31 contests. With the team falling down the standings and looking toward the future, the decision was made to option Nieto to the AHL. After clearing waivers on Feb. 27, Nieto was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and appeared in AHL games for the first time in 10-plus years.

Aho, a veteran of 190 NHL games, has spent the entire season playing for the Penguins’ AHL-affiliate and has suffered through multiple injuries along the way. He signed a two-year, $1.6MM contract with the Pens this past summer, but hasn’t been able to crack the NHL lineup to this point. In 17 games in the AHL this season, Aho has failed to register a goal and has collected seven assists. While he was able to post 23 points for the Islanders during the 2022-23 season, he has failed to find that success again and now finds himself buried behind younger prospects like Jack St. Ivany and Owen Pickering, and recent NHL-level additions Vladislav Kolyachonok, Conor Timmins and P.O. Joseph.

Elsewhere in the Metro Division:

  • The Devils’ 2024 deadline trade for goalie Jake Allen has officially been fulfilled and finalized, per James Nichols of NJ Hockey Now. The Devils will officially send the Canadiens a 2025 third-round pick. The terms of the deal came with stipulation that if Allen played in 40 or more games this season, the third-round pick would become the Devils’ 2025 second rounder. To this point, Allen has only participated in 25 contests, and at the completion of today’s game against the Penguins, the clock has run out on the Habs’ hopes of transferring the pick to a second rounder. As Jacob Markstrom’s backup, Allen has been solid for the Devils. Despite his 11-13-1 record on the season, he has a .910 save percentage and his goals against average sits at a nice 2.60. He is set for free agency following the season, and will undoubtedly be on the radar of many teams in need of support between the pipes.

Predators Activate Zachary L’Heureux From IR

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The Nashville Predators received some more good news on the injury front as rookie forward Zachary L’Heureux has been activated from injured reserve, per reporter Nick Kieser of 102.5 The Game.

The 21-year-old is set to return ahead of tonight’s game against the Kings after a 12-game absence with an upper-body injury. He was originally injured prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

The team’s 2021 first round pick (27th overall) has scored four goals and collected nine assists through his first 45 games in the league. The 5’11, 197-pound L’Heureux plays a physical style that has endeared him to the Nashville fan base. His feisty play includes 145 hits on the season, but also a three-game suspension for slew-footing Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon.

L’Heureux has a history of suspensions dating back to his time in the QMJHL, where he was disciplined 10 games for an assault on a fan with a stick. Additionally, he was suspended on two separate occasions during the 2023-24 season in the AHL.

Disciplinary issues aside, L’Heureux has also displayed the talent and pedigree that made him a first-round choice. He put up 190 points in 167 QMJHL games, and scored 48 points in 66 games last season for the AHL Milwaukee Admirals. After a quick start to the AHL season, he was recalled for his first NHL contest on Oct. 22, and he has remained with the Preds since.

The team also activated trade deadline acquisition Michael Bunting from injured reserve yesterday, and Bunting suited up in last night’s 2-1 loss to Anaheim. The return of Bunting and L’Heureux should help the Preds offense that has generated just 2.62 goals per game on the season.

Central Notes: O’Brien, Brodin, Hintz, Bichsel

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Utah Hockey Club forward Liam O’Brien was injured in the third period of Friday night’s game against the Kraken. After a quick 17-second shift to test the injury, O’Brien left for the locker room and did not return. Following the game, Utah Head Coach André Tourigny didn’t provide an update on O’Brien and the extent of the injury isn’t known, per Brogan Houston of the Deseret News. The rough and tumble O’Brien was hit awkwardly into the boards by Seattle’s Tye Kartye, and the injury appears to be of the upper-body variety. O’Brien isn’t unfamiliar with laying hits of his own, as he the 30-year-old has registered 98 hits in 27 games this season and is coming off of back-to-back 200-plus hit seasons. He has been a fixture on Utah’s fourth line during the team’s recent jump up the standings. If O’Brien is to miss time, veteran Nick Bjugstad could slide back into the lineup after recently being activated from the IR.

More from the Central Division:

  • In other injury news, Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin has skated three straight days as he seeks to return from a lower-body injury, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. The veteran of 841 career games, Brodin had been a key contributor for the Wild, aided by his plus-10 rating and 22:42 of ice time per game. Brodin, 31, left the Wild’s game against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 28 and GM Bill Guerin announced soon after that Brodin would be sidelined on a week-to-week basis. The injury was believed to be caused by a shot block. Regardless of the cause, Brodin’s return to the lineup will no doubt support Minnesota’s efforts in solidifying their position in the playoff seedings. The team currently finds themselves in the first wildcard spot in the west, but has sputtered to a 4-5-1 record over their last 10 contests.
  • The Stars are also getting a few key players back in the fold, as left winger Roope Hintz (face) and defender Lian Bichsel (illness) skated with the team today, per Stars reporter Mike Heika. The return of Hintz is an obvious boost to the lineup, as the 28-year-old is on his way to his fourth-straight 30-plus goal season. Hintz was injured when he took a puck to the face during a contest against the Oilers on March 8. In 59 contests this season, Hintz has 25 goals, 26 assists, and 51 points. Bichsel missed the Stars’ Friday night matchup against the Wild due to illness and was replaced in the lineup by veteran Brendan Smith. The 20-year-old Bichsel has looked the part of an NHL-ready player, posting five points and a plus-6 rating in his first 22 career contests. Bichsel was the organization’s first-round selection in the 2021 draft (18th overall). It remains to be seen if Hintz and/or Bichsel will be available for tomorrow’s matchup against the Ducks.

Pacific Notes: Demko, Couture, Kovalenko

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The Canucks could be getting closer to getting their regular starting goaltender back as Sportsnet 650’s Brendan Batchelor relays (Twitter link) that Thatcher Demko skated today for the second straight day.  He has missed more than a month as he continues to battle a groin injury, not the knee issue that sidelined him in the playoffs last year and caused him to miss the first three months of this season.  Demko has underperformed when he has been available, posting a 2.87 GAA with a .891 SV% in 17 games.  But with Arturs Silovs also struggling and Kevin Lankinen blowing past his career high in games played already, even having Demko back in a secondary capacity for the stretch run should help boost Vancouver’s chances as they battle for a playoff spot in the West.

Elsewhere in the Pacific:

  • Out of the lineup for nearly 14 months now, there remains no timetable for Sharks center Logan Couture to return to the ice, notes Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News. The 35-year-old last played on January 31st, 2024, and has been dealing with osteitis pubis since then.  With just 15 games left on the season and the fact he hasn’t returned to the ice, it’s looking like Couture won’t suit up at all in the 2024-25 campaign.  He’s signed through the 2026-27 campaign at a $8MM cap charge.
  • Still with San Jose, speaking with Responsible Gambling’s Sergei Demidov, former NHL winger Andrei Kovalenko provided an update on his son’s contractual situation. He noted that the Sharks planned to discuss a new contract with Nikolai Kovalenko’s agent during the 4 Nations break but when the 25-year-old was injured, those plans were shelved.  Instead, the sides agreed to push contract talks until after the season.  Kovalenko has six goals and 11 assists in 49 games between Colorado and San Jose in 2024-25 in just under 12 minutes a night of playing time.

Rangers Activate Adam Fox Off Injured Reserve

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The Rangers will welcome back a key cog of their back end to the lineup tonight in a crucial game against Columbus.  Mollie Walker of the New York Post relays (Twitter link) that defenseman Adam Fox has been activated off injured reserve, meaning he is ready to return.

The 27-year-old had missed the last eight games due to an upper-body injury that was believed to be a shoulder issue.  While Fox isn’t producing at the same level as in previous years that saw him surpass the 70-point mark for three straight seasons, he’s still tied for second on the team in scoring among full-season Rangers (tied with Mika Zibanejad, behind Artemi Panarin) with 48 points in 58 outings while averaging over 23 minutes a night of playing time.

Fox’s absence has also coincided with a stark drop in production for New York’s power play; the team played to a 2/26 mark with the man advantage in his absence.  While the Rangers’ power play success rate isn’t the highest – they sit 24th in the league in that category – getting their top option at the point back can only help.

Tonight’s contest is critical for both teams with the Rangers and Blue Jackets tied for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with Columbus holding the tiebreaker so Fox’s return is certainly timely.  It’s expected he’ll take the place of newcomer Carson Soucy who is slated to be a healthy scratch.

Metropolitan Notes: Palmieri, Svechnikov, Flyers, Imama

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The Islanders elected not to move pending UFA winger Kyle Palmieri by last Friday’s trade deadline after having some discussions about a possible contract extension.  Pierre LeBrun recently reported in a piece for The Athletic (subscription link) that those talks have progressed since then with more progress being made.  At this point, the two sides are believed to be quibbling over term.  The 34-year-old speculatively would want more of a medium-term agreement while New York’s likely preference is something that doesn’t run quite as long.  Palmieri has 20 goals and 21 assists through 65 games this season and should be able to command a price tag that’s somewhat close to the $5MM he’s making now.

More from the Metropolitan:

  • Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov has missed the last week with an upper-body injury and won’t suit up against Philadelphia tonight. Team reporter Walt Ruff relays that the team is hopeful that the 24-year-old will be able to return to the lineup at some point next week.  It has been a bit of a down year for Svechnikov who has 18 goals and 25 assists through 63 games, his lowest point-per-game average since his rookie year back in 2018-19.
  • The Flyers will once again be without defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and winger Garnet Hathaway for their game against Carolina tonight, relays Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia (Twitter link). Ristolainen is dealing with an upper-body injury that caused him to miss Thursday’s game versus Tampa Bay while Hathaway, who has resumed skating, has missed the last two weeks with an upper-body injury of his own.
  • Penguins winger Bokondji Imama has played in a career-high 11 NHL games this season after being recalled in late January. A pending unrestricted free agent, he recently told reporters including Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he’s hoping to remain with the organization for next season.  At this point, a one-way contract likely remains out of reach but a two-way pact with a guarantee higher than the $400K he’s getting this season could be doable, especially if he plays somewhat of a regular role with Pittsburgh down the stretch.

Devils Acquire Tory Dello

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Friday’s AHL trade deadline came with less fanfare than usual but there was one swap of a player on an NHL contract.  The Red Wings announced that they traded defenseman Tory Dello to the Devils in exchange for future considerations.

The 28-year-old is playing on his first NHL contract after inking a one-year, two-way deal with Detroit last summer.  Dello had been an AHL regular on the back end for the previous three seasons, two coming with Laval and one with Chicago.  The signing was a homecoming of sorts as Dello began his professional career with the Griffins after wrapping up his college career at the University of Notre Dame in 2020.

But playing time has been harder to come by for Dello this year as he has been limited to just 27 outings with Grand Rapids where he had a goal and three assists.  He’ll now hope to get more of a regular look with New Jersey’s affiliate in Utica.

Because this trade came after the NHL trade deadline, Dello is not eligible to be recalled to New Jersey for the rest of the season.  It’s worth noting that this move puts the Devils at 49 contracts out of the maximum of 50 which could come into play if they’re looking to be active in college free agency.  Meanwhile, Detroit’s contract count drops to 45 with the swap.

Atlantic Notes: Tkachuk, Armia, Baddock

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Despite missing the final few minutes of Thursday’s game with a nagging hip issue, Senators winger Brady Tkachuk is expected to play tonight against Toronto, notes Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch.  The 25-year-old suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off that caused him to miss a couple of games and it wouldn’t be surprising if that is this lingering hip injury that he’s continuing to battle through.  Tkachuk hasn’t quite been able to produce at the same level as a year ago that saw him collect 74 points but he still has 27 goals and 25 assists through 63 games this season while once again being one of the more physical players in the league.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic:

  • Canadiens winger Joel Armia is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Florida, relays Sportsnet’s Eric Engels (Twitter link). He missed Wednesday’s contest against Seattle due to an upper-body injury sustained the night before in Vancouver.  The 31-year-old has 11 goals and 14 assists through 64 games this season while being one of the most utilized forwards shorthanded.  If there isn’t another injury among Montreal’s forwards, they will have to either convert Joshua Roy’s recall from an emergency one to a regular recall (counting against their post-deadline limit) or return him to AHL Laval.
  • Before yesterday’s AHL trade deadline, the Maple Leafs’ affiliate made a move. Per a release from Chicago’s farm team in Rockford, the Marlies acquired winger Brandon Baddock in exchange for future considerations.  The 29-year-old has seven points and 86 penalty minutes in 38 games this season but was often scratched due to the IceHogs having one veteran over the limit.  That shouldn’t be the case for Baddock with Toronto, giving him a chance to play more down the stretch.  Baddock has one career NHL game under his belt from back in the 2021-22 season.

Big Hype Prospects: Fowler, McKenna, Lardis, Frondell

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Mid-March is rolling around and hockey seasons are entering their waning point. Many college seasons are already concluded, while plenty of players in junior hockey are beginning to prepare for long playoff runs or springtime international hockey. It’s the final wave of action before the season comes to an end, so let’s take the chance to once again borrow from MLB Trade Rumors’ Big Hype Prospect series to bring you four of the hottest U21 players in hockey.

Four Big Hype Prospects

Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College (NCAA Hockey East, ’23 Montreal Canadiens)
32 GP – 24-5-2 – 0.941 Sv% – 1.62 GAA

Another season is coming to its end, which means it’s time for Jacob Fowler to receive his annual flowers. He’s won MVP awards and (or) championship rings in every single season of his junior hockey journey, and this year proved no exception. Fowler posted an incredibly .941 save percentage this season, the second highest in all of college behind 24-year-old junior Alex Tracy (.944). That masterclass performance was recognized on Thursday when Fowler unanimously won the Hockey East goalie of the year award. He beat out fantastic competition, namely Maine’s brick wall Albin Boija. The 20-year-old Fowler took a major stride forward from his 32-6-1 record and .926 Sv% last season – which was itself a continuation of the pair of above-.920 seasons he posted in the USHL. Fowler now holds the record for U17 save percentage in the USHL, won the USHL playoff MVP in a 2023 championship run, and now just matched Connor Hellebuyck’s save percentage in his age-20 season. Fowler is cool, calm, collected – and above all else – amazingly consistent. He’s proven to be a star at Boston College, and likely won’t be long from trying to do the same in the NHL.

Gavin McKenna, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL, 2026 NHL Draft)
53 GP – 34 G – 80 A – 114 TP – 17 PIM – +51

This is now Gavin McKenna’s third mention in our big hype prospects series – but there is simply no other player worth such acclaim. McKenna has continued to show his superstardom, dazzling even without standout centerman and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Cayden Lindstrom and Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Basha. He extended his active scoring streak to 37 games on Friday, tying thee Sidney Crosby for the second-longest point streak among CHL players since 2000-01. He’s only behind Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan, who stretched his streak to 65 games. McKenna has taken to a more prominent center role this season, to great effect. It’s pushed him to be more physical, or find even niftier ways to beat defenders. He’s slick on the puck and makes incredibly intelligent plays – capable of beating defenders with some of the simplest, but most effective, punch stops and quick cuts. There’s been no doubt that McKenna was going to be the first-overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft – but his performance this season, and namely this calendar year, have cemented that fact in a way that hasn’t been rivaled since Rasmus Dahlin, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid. McKenna is thee clear-cut star of his age group – and still has a year of junior (or collegiate) hockey to find yet another gear to his game.

Nick Lardis, LW/C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL, ’23 Chicago Blackhawks)
63 GP – 71 G – 44 A – 115 TP – 16 PIM – +20

Continuing the conversation of record-setting seasons is Blackhawks wing prospect Nick Lardis, who sits just one goal back from all-time heights. His 71 goals this season are the second-highest in the OHL since 2000 – and just one back from what former exceptional status superstar John Tavares managed in the 2006-07 season. Lardis has taken an incredible stride forward after potting 29 goals and 50 points in 37 games last year; and 25 goals and 46 points in 33 games of 2022-23. He’s developed a knack for the scoring imbalance, finding more goals than assists on the back of great positioning around the net, hard-nosed puck battles, and a killer wrist shot. Lardis simply can’t be left alone in the lower two-thirds of the offensive zone – which has proven a major challenge considering defenders also have to monitor teammate and fellow Blackhawks prospect Marek Vanacker. The mix of Vanacker’s nifty hands and ability to control space, and Lardis’ hot-shot scoring, has been simply too much to bear for OHL defenses. With both players in their pipeline, Chicago has a real chance to ensure that their chemistry remains overwhelming for NHL opponents as well.

Anton Frondell, RW/C, Djurgardens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan, 2025 NHL Draft)
29 GP – 11 G – 14 A – 25 TP – 16 PIM – +11

Health has been the obstacle for star 2025 NHL Draft prospect Anton Frondell. He’s missed big chunks of games in October, November, December, and February of this season – intercut with spot starts. But when he’s healthy, there may be no international talent that rivals Frondell in this draft class. He has a simply jaw-dropping 14 points in his last eight games in the HA – Sweden’s second-tier pros. That scoring includes a four-point night and a three-point night in what is a very competitive, and often low-scoring, pro league. Finally, with his feet and his health under him, Frondell’s offense is exploding. He may be dancing a little too late for the crowd, but his ability to control the puck and work through space on the boards is incredible. Frondell has a powerful frame and drives hard to the slot – or steps back for hard wrist shots when defenders block his lanes. He’s a lethal threat north of the red line, with the positioning and grit to stay effective on the defensive side as well. Frondell will – or, should – be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. If he keeps up this recent performance, that number could rise north of top-five. The World U18 Championships will be his best chance to prove his worth to NHL brass. That tournament begins on April 23rd.

Ducks Recall Nikita Nesterenko

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With injuries mounting, the Anaheim Ducks have recalled winger Nikita Nesterenko from AHL’s San Diego Gulls, the team announced. He is in the lineup for tonight’s game against the Predators.

This marks the second recall on the year for Nesterenko, 23, who previously registered a goal and an assist during a seven-game stretch earlier this season. In 19 career games with the big club, he has registered three goals and four points.

He has fared much better offensively at the AHL-level, where he has 13 goals and 34 points in 48 games with the Gulls this season, along with 71 points in 118 career AHL games. He’s been particularly hot of late, ranking third among all AHL players in points (19) since the AHL’s all-star break.

The Ducks acquired Nesterenko, defender Andrej Sustr (who never dressed for the Ducks and is now playing overseas) and a 2025 fourth-round selection from the Wild for defenseman John Klingberg in March 2023. Nesterenko was selected by Minnesota in the sixth round (173rd overall) in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

While his recall may be deserving, it also comes with a degree of necessity as forwards Sam Colangelo and Ross Johnston are both out day-to-day with injuries. The 23-year-old Colangelo has scored 6 goals in 20 games this season and his injury comes at a particularly inopportune time, as he scored four goals in his last five games. This included his first career two-goal game at home against the Islanders on March 9. The right-handed winger was selected by Anaheim in the second round of the 2020 draft.

Johnston, a veteran of 245 NHL games, has registered just four points in 45 games on the season. Now in his ninth NHL season and second with Ducks, Johnston has averaged just 8:41 of ice time on the year.

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