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Capitals Reassign Matthew Phillips

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The Capitals have loaned right-winger Matthew Phillips to AHL Hershey, GM Brian MacLellan announced today. His roster spot goes to Tom Wilson, who is eligible to return tomorrow against the Penguins after serving a six-game suspension for high-sticking Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor.

Phillips, 25, has actually been recalled multiple times over the past two weeks, appearing on Washington’s roster on three separate emergency loans since Wilson’s suspension. He only entered the lineup in the first game of Wilson’s absence, skating just over four minutes in a 7-6 shootout win over the Hurricanes on March 22. Barring further injuries or suspensions, this transaction is likely Phillips’ last of the regular season.

It’s been a tumultuous campaign for the top minor-league producer, who landed his first one-way contract in free agency with the Caps last summer. However, he hasn’t spent the entire season in the Washington organization – he was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh when the Capitals attempted to assign him to the minors in mid-Februrary. After a three-game stint in the ’Burgh, he landed on waivers again in early March, upon which Washington reclaimed him and sent him directly to Hershey.

Unfortunately for the 5’8″ winger, his strong recent history at the AHL level hasn’t translated to the majors. He’s been rendered ineffective in 31 NHL games with the Caps and Pens this season, limited to one goal and four assists with poor possession impacts. It’s quickly becoming clear the 2016 sixth-round pick is best suited for the minor-league level, where he has a goal and two assists in limited action (five games) with league-leading Hershey.

He should play a key role in Washington’s affiliate’s quest to win back-to-back Calder Cup championships. The Alberta native was electric over his previous two seasons in the Flames organization, scoring 67 goals and 144 points in 131 regular-season games for AHL Stockton/Calgary. Upon expiry of his one-year, $775K contract, he’s set to remain under team control this summer as an RFA.

The Caps managed a 3-2-1 record in their last six contests without Wilson, keeping pace in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. They hold the second wild-card spot ahead of Wednesday’s action with 82 points, one back of the Flyers, who occupy third place in the Metropolitan Division, although they’ve played two fewer games. Events are transpiring toward a three-team coin flip for the final two spots, with odds slowly evening out between Philadelphia (61.9%), Washington (54.8%) and Detroit (42.8%), per MoneyPuck. A crucial overtime win over the Flyers earlier this week has the Islanders back in the playoff conversation too, although they can likely only afford one loss in their seven remaining games with only a 22.7% chance at postseason play.

Injury Notes: Nichushkin, Rielly, Edmundson

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Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin will join the team on their road trip and could return Friday against the Oilers, head coach Jared Bednar said today on Altitude Sports Radio (via Altitude’s Conor McGahey). The 29-year-old has carried a day-to-day designation since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Canadiens on March 26. Bednar said Nichushkin will meet the team in Minnesota ahead of tomorrow’s matchup against the Wild, which will mark his fourth straight absence.

It’s been a successful season in limited action for Nichushkin, who returned to the club in early March after spending nearly two months in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Back in his usual top-six role, Nichushkin had four goals and four assists for eight points in eight games since re-entering the lineup after the trade deadline, again averaging over 20 minutes per game. The two-way force has 26 goals and 50 points in 48 games on the season and is on pace to finish above the point-per-game mark for the first time in his nine-year career. His return will allow grinder Brandon Duhaime, who’s jumped up to a second-line role alongside Artturi Lehkonen and Casey Mittelstadt at times since being acquired from Minnesota nearly a month ago, to slot into a more comfortable fourth-line role for his offensive abilities.

Some other modifications to players’ injury statuses this morning:

  • Line rushes indicate top Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly will return tonight against the Lightning after missing four games with an upper-body injury, David Alter of The Hockey News relays. The 30-year-old will return to a top-pairing role flanked by Ilya Lyubushkin, who have controlled 56% of expected goals in 92 minutes together since the latter was re-acquired from the Ducks on March 1, per MoneyPuck. Rielly is averaging 23:49 per game this season, the second-highest mark of his career, and has 51 points in 65 contests. He’s missed nine games on the whole this season, including a five-game suspension in February for cross-checking Senators forward Ridly Greig. 40-year-old Mark Giordano, who had one goal in three games since returning from a concussion, exits the lineup to accommodate Rielly.
  • Sticking with the Leafs, defenseman Joel Edmundson participated in an optional skate today but has been ruled out of Toronto’s next two games with his undisclosed injury, head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters today (via Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun). The trade-deadline pickup from the Capitals hasn’t played in a week and a half, last suiting up on March 24 against the Hurricanes. Edmundson, 30, had yet to get on the scoresheet in seven games with the Leafs but had seen a sharp improvement in his possession quality control, recording a 50.5 xG% in more strenuous defensive minutes compared to a 47.5% mark with the Caps. The 6’5″ bruiser is now five years removed from his Stanley Cup win with the Blues and is looking to get back there by excelling in a shutdown role in Toronto. He remains with a day-to-day designation and could return when the Leafs take on former GM Kyle Dubas and the Penguins next Monday.

Sabres Loan Devon Levi To The AHL

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The Buffalo Sabres have loaned netminder Devon Levi to the Rochester Americans of the AHL. The Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec native has been with the Sabres since March 16th and dressed in three games for Buffalo during his recall, posting a 1.78 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage.

Despite strong numbers during his recent recall, the 22-year-old has had a tough season at the NHL level. In 23 NHL games, the former seventh-round pick has posted a 10-8-2 record to go along with a 3.10 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage.

At the AHL level, Levi has been strong in 19 games registering an 11-5-3 record with a 2.52 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. He will now join the Americans to assist them with their playoff push. Rochester is currently in third place in the North Division and has been hot as of late with seven wins in their last ten games. Barring an unforeseen collapse, Levi should be able to get some valuable playoff experience with Rochester in the coming months.

The Sabres goaltending situation has been interesting throughout the season as they’ve carried three NHL goalies for long stretches. Levi and Eric Comrie have struggled at times and given that Levi likely needs more development in the AHL the Sabres could pursue a stopgap option this summer.

Morning Notes: Gustafsson, Hanley, Weal

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New York Rangers reporter Vince Z. Mercogliano writes that Rangers defenseman Erik Gustafsson could return to the lineup tonight when they take on the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old journeyman told reporters yesterday that he was 100% after he practiced with the team wearing a regular contact jersey.

Gustafsson has been out of the lineup since taking an elbow to the head from Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart on March 23rd. He missed four games since but took his usual spot on the Rangers third pairing alongside Braden Schneider. The native of Nynashamn, Sweden has six goals and 24 assists this season in 70 games while averaging 17:15 of ice time per game.

In other morning notes:

  • Ryan Pike of Flames Nation tweeted that the Calgary Flames didn’t have an update on defenseman Joel Hanley after last night’s 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Hanley started the game on the Flames top unit but played just six shifts for 3:44 in the first period and left the game without completing the period. The 32-year-old didn’t appear on the team’s bench for the second or third period and not much is known about what sort of issue kept him off of the ice. Hanley was acquired off waivers from the Dallas Stars on March 5th and has dressed in ten games for Calgary, tallying a goal and an assist.
  • Former Philadelphia Flyers forward Jordan Weal has signed a two-year extension to remain in the KHL with Dynamo Moskva. Weal just completed his third KHL season, and second with Dynamo and is now locked up through the 2025-26 season. Weal hasn’t dressed in an NHL game since the 2020 playoffs when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens. Weal had a breakthrough offensive season this year, finishing fourth in KHL scoring with 30 goals and 47 assists in 66 games having the most successful season by a Canadian forward in KHL history

Pittsburgh Penguins Reassign Joel Blomqvist, Samuel Poulin

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April 3rd, 8:59 am: The Penguins have re-assigned goaltender Joel Blomqvist to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL after he served as the backup last night against the Devils.

April 2nd: Before the team’s game tonight against the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins have made a move between the crease, recalling goaltender Joel Blomqvist to the active roster. In a corresponding roster move, the team has returned forward Samuel Poulin to their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Given that Alex Nedeljkovic will retain the starting reins for a consecutive game, the Penguins needed to find a replacement for Tristan Jarry as he remains out with an illness. Blomqvist was previously recalled via an emergency loan in early November of this season while Jarry was out, but was unable to play any minutes.

In his first full season in North America, Blomqvist has been more than solid for the WBS Penguins this year. With 40 games played up to this point in the season, Blomqvist has produced a 22-10-6 record, coupled with a .919 save percentage and a 2.15 goals against average.

Rising up the ranks as the top goalie prospect in the Penguins’ farm system, Blomqvist could feature into Pittsburgh’s lineup more regularly next season. With two goaltenders within the system headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, the Penguins may look to fill in the holes on the roster internally.

On the opposite side of the transaction, Poulin has been sparingly used at the NHL level once again this season. Registering only 36 games for the WBS Penguins this year, Poulin has scored 13 goals and 27 points overall.

Pacific Notes: Pohlkamp, Mangiapane, Andersson, Fleury

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In an update from Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, San Jose Sharks’ prospect Eric Pohlkamp has entered the transfer portal after only one season at Bemidji State University. The Sharks originally drafted Pohlkamp with the 132nd overall selection of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Despite being a late-round pick, Pohlkamp has turned into something of a diamond in the rough for the Sharks organization. Scoring 11 goals and 24 points in 32 games for Bemidji State this season, Pohlkamp also registered one goal and three points for Team USA en route to a gold medal in this year’s IIHF U20 World Junior Championships.

As for his potential landing spot, Max Miller of The Hockey News is reporting that Pohlkamp will be deciding between two different options. North Dakota University, who recently had their season ended by the University of Michigan this past weekend, and Denver University, who are about to play Boston University in the Frozen Four, are both vying for Pohlkamp’s services.

Other Pacific notes:

  • In some positive news on the injury front for the Calgary Flames, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet reports that forward Andrew Mangiapane and defenseman Rasmus Andersson returned to practice for the team earlier this morning. Earlier this week, Andersson had originally missed practice due to taking a maintenance day, while Mangiapane has missed the team’s last two games due to an undisclosed injury.
  • For the fourth time this season, defenseman Cale Fleury has been reassigned to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, as the Seattle Kraken announced the transaction earlier today. Unfortunately, Fleury has still not been able to register a game for the Kraken this season but has managed to score six goals and 32 points over 50 games for the Firebirds across the year.

Central Notes: Wood, Snuggerud, Tanev, Makar

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In recent days, reports indicated that Nashville Predators’ prospect, Matthew Wood, would be entering the transfer portal to move on from the University of Connecticut. Having now made his decision, we can independently confirm that Wood is expected to choose the University of Minnesota as his new destination.

Over two years in Connecticut, Wood appeared in a total of 70 games, scoring 27 goals and 62 points overall, leading to his selection as the 15th overall pick of the Predators in the 2023 NHL Draft. Unfortunately, outside of some personal success, Connecticut has failed to compete with other schools within the Hockey East Conference, likely leading to Wood’s decision to move on.

Moving to Minnesota, Wood will be joining a better program, and arguably joining a stronger Conference too in the Big Ten. This year, the Gophers finished with a 23-11-5 record, losing to Boston University in the Regional Finals of the Frozen Four Tournament.

Other Central notes:

  • Staying at the University of Minnesota, the team will carry a familiar face on the roster next season, with the St. Louis Blues announcing that Jimmy Snuggerud would spend another year with the program. After being selected 23rd overall by the Blues back in the 2022 NHL Draft, Snuggerud has been on the Gophers roster ever since. This past season, Snuggerud was once again one of the best players in the NCAA, scoring 21 goals and 34 points in 39 games.
  • Moving back to the NHL, Brien Rea of Bally Sports Southwest reports that Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev was a full participant at practice today making his return imminent. Although Tanev did not miss any time, there was some cause for concern as Tanev left the team’s most recent game against the Seattle Kraken early due to an arm injury. Luckily, now that Tanev was a full participant in today’s practice, he should be able to play in the team’s game tomorrow night against the Edmonton Oilers.
  • In more movement at the NCAA level, Taylor Makar, brother of Colorado Avalanche phenom Cale Makar, will be transferring away from the University of Massachusetts (X Link). Being the 220th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, Taylor has not lived up to the standard set by his brother. In 36 games for Massachusetts this past season, Taylor scored four goals and nine points in total.

Carter Verhaeghe Out Week-To-Week With Injury

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In an unfortunate development coming out of the Florida Panthers organization, the team announced that forward Carter Verhaeghe is considered week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. With only two weeks remaining on the regular season for the Panthers, Verhaeghe may wait until Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Having only seven games remaining, Florida will certainly miss Verhaeghe’s services as they look to lock up the top spot in the Atlantic Division, and potentially even the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, given that the team has already locked up a playoff spot, Verhaeghe should be much more valuable to them come postseason play.

Almost immediately upon his arrival to the Panthers organization, Verhaeghe has become one of the most consistent offensive threats on the roster with the same being true this season. Likely playing his last regular season game up to this point, Verhaeghe will finish with 33 goals and 71 points in total.

An integral part of Florida’s run in the Stanley Cup Final last year as evidenced by his four game-winning goals, Verhaeghe has been a top contributor for the Panthers over the last three. Since the start of the 2020-21 Stanley Cup playoffs, Verhaeghe has registered 37 postseason contests in Florida, scoring 15 goals and 32 points overall.

However serious the injury, the Panthers will be hoping that Verhaeghe’s two-week rest will alleviate all issues so that he is ready to go for Game 1. In the meantime, thanks to the organization’s moves at this year’s trade deadline, the depth on the roster should be able to carry the team the rest of the way.

Blue Jackets Recall David Jiricek, Send Down Jake Christiansen

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For the fifth time this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled top prospect David Jiricek; this time by way of an emergency loan. In a corresponding roster move earlier in the day, the team has loaned defenseman Jake Christiansen to their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

It will be the second time in the last few weeks that Columbus has recalled Jiricek on an emergency loan, with the last coming on March 22nd. Infamously, Jiricek was called up too late for the Blue Jackets away game against the Colorado Avalanche on the 22nd, causing him to miss that game. The next day, Columbus returned Jiricek too late to the Monsters, causing him to miss an entire weekend’s worth of games for no apparent reason.

Nevertheless, Jiricek was still able to suit up in 36 games for the Blue Jackets earlier in the year, scoring one goal and nine points overall. At the AHL level, Jiricek has registered 27 games for Cleveland, scoring seven goals and 17 points.

In his lengthy stretch in Columbus this year, the team used him mostly as a bottom-pairing option, as he averaged under 15 minutes of ice time per night. Even though his production in the NHL has not been up to par compared to his AHL production, there is still every reason to believe that Jiricek has the makings of a legit top-pairing defenseman with enough opportunity.

Christiansen, on the other hand, has been far more productive for the Monsters this season in an established role. In 54 games, Christiansen has scored a solid 13 goals from the blue while also tallying 27 assists, as well.

Newfoundland Growlers Cease Operations

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Before the end of the season, the ECHL Board of Governors announced today that the league has terminated the membership of the Newfoundland Growlers. The league announced that the action would be effective immediately, and that it was due to Newfoundland’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the ECHL bylaws.

For the players, the league announced that any player currently on an ECHL contract will become unrestricted free agents, but no other team on the league may sign more than two former members of the Growlers roster. Furthermore, if there are any players are on AHL/NHL contracts, they will report to that team or have their 2023-24 season concluded.

The downfall of the Growlers began less than a week ago, as reports suggested that Deacon Sports and Entertainment, the majority owner of Newfoundland and the Trois-Rivières Lions, is nearing bankruptcy and owed close to $1MM. The ECHL reportedly gave the ownership group a deadline of April 2nd to sell the two franchises, with only the Lions being saved.

Founded in 2018 as the ECHL affiliate for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, the Growlers experienced a great deal of success in the organizations short lifespan. Winning the Kelly Cup in their inaugural season, Newfoundland made it to two straight Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 season’s, losing to the Florida Everblades in each appearance.

It will mark the fourth time since 2005 that Newfoundland has seen a semi-professional organization either fold or relocate, as the city of St. John’s has fielded three separate AHL clubs over the last two decades. Now, without the Growlers, Newfoundland is back to square one in generating a sustained organization in the Province.

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