Ducks Notes: Kase, Fowler, Lindholm, Holzer
Ondrej Kase has been recalled by the Anaheim Ducks after less than a week in the AHL. The 21-year old forward has shown that he can compete at the highest level, and will get another chance playing alongside Antoine Vermette and Corey Perry according to Eric Stephens of the Orange Country Register. With his promotion, Nick Ritchie has been demoted to the fourth line for the time being.
Kase has 14 points in 51 games this season, a fine showing for a rookie playing less than 12 minutes a night. His possession numbers are excellent, as he has limited opponent shot opportunities while on the ice. Though his performance in that regard isn’t necessarily where his talent will lie going forward, he has already eclipsed the expectations Anaheim had when selecting him 205th overall in 2014.
- Cam Fowler was absent from practice today and underwent an MRI on the knee that was injured in a collision with Flames’ captain Mark Giordano last night. While the Ducks wouldn’t comment further on his injury, he’s considered day-to-day as they continue to evaluate him. Giordano will be given no supplementary discipline for the hit.
- The Ducks were also missing a couple of other defenders in Hampus Lindholm and Korbinian Holzer from practice. Lindholm continues to rehab an upper-body injury and is expected to rejoin the club on the ice tomorrow. Holzer on the other hand is back in Germany dealing with a personal matter and won’t return until next week at some point. With just five healthy defencemen in practice, it will be interesting to see if the team calls up a player as insurance in case Lindholm isn’t able to play tomorrow night. It seems as though every team is having trouble staying healthy as the season winds down, but losing Fowler or Lindholm would be a huge blow to the Ducks chances in the playoffs.
- Even though the Ducks are four points up in the Pacific Division, the possibility that they drop out of that first seed is still very real if they lose their next two games. Facing the Blackhawks and Kings the team needs to gain at least one point to stay ahead of the Sharks, and hope the Oilers slip up in their remaining three contests. Should they fail to do so, they would be giving up the opportunity to face off against the first wildcard spot, and instead have to take on one of San Jose or Edmonton in the first round. After defeating the Flames—who currently hold that top wildcard spot—and extending their whopping 25-game home ice win streak against Calgary last night, it’s clear which would be the best matchup.
Minor Moves: Kase, Fischer
The Anaheim Ducks have re-assigned Ondrej Kase to the San Diego Gulls after bringing him up just two days ago. He didn’t get into a game this time around, but has played 51 for the Ducks this season. With 14 points in this his rookie season, Kase has already eclipsed even the highest of expectations from when he was picked in the seventh-round of the 2014 draft. An effective bottom-six player, his possession numbers have been excellent in his short career.
Kase is just 21, and should find his way back to the NHL at some point. The Ducks will likely need him at some point in the playoffs as the grind of the long season takes its victims. Just one point ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the Pacific, Anaheim has a long road ahead of them if they want to get back to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2007.
- The Arizona Coyotes have sent Christian Fischer back to the AHL after a four-game stint. At seven games total on the year, the 19-year old Fischer will see his entry-level contract slide once again, meaning he won’t become a restricted free agent until the summer of 2020. Selected in the second round (but 32nd overall) in 2015, Fischer has dominated the AHL as a rookie. In 51 games at the lower level, the big winger has scored 43 points. He even registered three goals in his short NHL stint this year, despite playing only 12 minutes a night. As he turns 20 next season, his contract will no longer slide and the Coyotes may decide to install him full-time in the NHL. His talent could lead to a top-six future, though he’ll likely have to impress even more to be handed that role right from the start of the season.
Evening Transactions: Ducks, Lightning
Some assorted transactions from around the NHL this evening…
- The Ducks have recalled left winger Ondrej Kase from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, the team announced. The 21-year-old has played in 51 games this season, compiling five goals, nine assist, and 16 penalty minutes. The former seventh-round pick has also appeared in 11 AHL games, collecting eight points.
- Forward Joel Vermin has been recalled by the Lightning from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, the team announced. The Bern, Switzerland product has collected three assists in 15 games this year, and he has 21 career games under his belt. The 25-year-old has also appeared in another 43 contests with the Crunch, collecting 12 goals, 16 assists, and 17 penalty minutes. The former seventh-round pick joined the organization back in 2013.