Taxi Squad

It appears as though there will be daily movement this season between the active roster and taxi squad. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of shuffle news each day.

• The Philadelphia Flyers have moved both Connor Bunnaman and Nate Prosser back to the taxi squad after last night’s game. Prosser, playing in his first game for the Flyers, scored a goal and played a little more than 13 minutes. The Flyers can bank cap space on off days by moving players back to the taxi squad, while also pausing Prosser’s waiver clock in between games.
• Michal Teply and Anton Lindholm have been recalled from the AHL to the taxi squad for the Chicago Blackhawks, filling the two empty spots they had open. Madison Bowey, who is on waivers today, will likely be sent directly to the AHL if he clears after inking a two-year deal.
• Riley Barber is no longer on the Detroit Red Wings taxi squad, sent instead to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. The 26-year-old forward is a star at the minor league level, scoring 37 points in 46 games last season and 31 goals the year before. He hadn’t played in the NHL yet this season.
• After making his season debut last night, Filip Chlapik has been moved back to the Ottawa Senators taxi squad. The young forward played just over seven minutes and recorded one shot and one hit. The team saves money by moving him to the taxi squad on off days, while also pausing his waiver clock. He could be back up on Sunday for the team’s next game.
• The Dallas Stars have moved Rhett Gardner and Joel L’Esperance back to the taxi squad, while sending top prospect Thomas Harley to the minor leagues. Harley, 19, was the 18th overall pick in 2019 and actually made his NHL debut in the postseason bubble. He hasn’t played this season but is expected to be a big part of the Stars blue line down the road.
• The Minnesota Wild have moved Gerald Mayhew back onto the taxi squad, sending Dereck Baribeau and Louis Belpedio down to the AHL in the process. Mayhew, 28, hasn’t played yet this season but is a prolific minor league goal scorer that could potentially get into the lineup should Kevin Fiala end up suspended later today.
• The New York Rangers have made several roster moves, per CapFriendly.  In cap-saving moves, Kaapo Kakko, K’Andre Miller, and Colin Blackwell were all sent to the taxi squad while Tim Gettinger was moved from the taxi squad to the minors to make room for those assignments.  Those moves will all likely be reversed on Saturday.  Meanwhile, defenseman Matthew Robertson was sent back to Edmonton of the WHL with that division getting cleared to start their junior season.
• The Anaheim Ducks have assigned Andy Welinski and Vinni Lettieri to the taxi squad with Josh Mahura and Isac Lundestrom heading from the taxi squad to AHL San Diego, according to CapFriendly.  Welinski has suited up in three games with Anaheim this season and Lettieri once; both could be recalled as soon as tomorrow with a game against St. Louis on the schedule.
• As expected, Montreal has sent Corey Perry back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  The veteran recorded an assist against Calgary on Thursday night but was sent down today for cap purposes.  He’ll be recalled on Saturday for the second game of the set against the Flames.
• The New York Islanders have recalled Ilya Sorokin from the taxi squad, reports Arthur Staple of The Athletic.  He had been sent down to free up money for Oliver Wahlstrom’s recall for Thursday’s game but the winger has been moved back to the taxi squad as has Kieffer Bellows.
• Karson Kuhlman and Anton Blidh have been recalled from the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  With Jack Studnicka not participating in practice, there could be an opening for one of those two to suit up tomorrow.  Meanwhile, Daniel Vladar was re-assigned to the taxi squad with Callum Booth dropping down to the minors in a corresponding move.
• The Calgary Flames have papered Derek Ryan back to the taxi squad according to Ryan Pike of the Sporting News.  He has been shuffled back and forth all season to free up cap room and he’ll almost certainly be recalled in advance of Saturday’s game against Montreal.
• The Colorado Avalanche made several moves today according to CapFriendly.  Logan O’Connor was recalled on an emergency basis while Matt Calvert was transferred to injured reserve.  Meanwhile, Sheldon Dries, Shane Bowers, and Jacob MacDonald were all recalled to the taxi squad.
• Jaret Anderson-Dolan has been moved from the Kings to the taxi squad per a team announcement.  Meanwhile, Lias Andersson was also shuffled back to the taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  It is the fourth time already this season that Andersson has been sent down though on two of the other three occasions, he was recalled the next day.
• The San Jose Sharks were quite busy today, according to CapFriendly.  Kurtis Gabriel and Josef Korenar were recalled to the taxi squad from the AHL while Noah Gregor went from the Sharks to the taxi squad.  Meanwhile, Jacob Middleton, John Leonard, Fredrik Handemark, Joel Kellman, Alexei Melnichuk, Nicolas Meloche, Brinson Pasichnuk, and Jeffrey Truchon-Viel were all sent to the minors.  The first three were from San Jose and the rest were from the taxi squad.
• After being recalled under an emergency exception yesterday, Christopher Gibson was returned to the Lightning’s taxi squad, per CapFriendly.  He has been serving as Tampa Bay’s backup goalie while Curtis McElhinney was on the CPRA list.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their daily cap movement as CapFriendly reports that Jason Spezza and Michael Hutchinson were sent to the taxi squad while Joey Anderson was added to the active roster.  Spezza is on a three-game point streak and is expected to be recalled for Saturday’s game against Edmonton.

It appears as though there will be daily movement this season between the active roster and taxi squad. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of shuffle news each day.

• The New Jersey Devils have sent Nick Merkley to the taxi squad to make room for Jesper Bratt, who is out of the COVID protocol and will play his first game of the season tonight. Merkley cleared waivers before the season and does not need to clear them again until he plays in 10 games or spends 30 days on the NHL roster.
• Philip Tomasino, one of the top prospects in the Nashville Predators organization, has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for the time being. Tomasino, 19, normally wouldn’t be eligible to play in the AHL, but since the OHL is still not operating the young forward can hone his game at the professional level. The Predators have also moved Mathieu Olivier from the main roster to the taxi squad.
• The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Connor Bunnaman and Nate Prosser from the taxi squad and are expected to have both in the lineup tonight when they take on the Devils. Prosser, 34, will be making his Flyers debut after spending the entire 2019-20 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL. The undrafted defenseman has carved out a 354-game NHL career with all but one of those games coming with the Minnesota Wild.
• Filip Chlapik has been recalled from the taxi squad of the Ottawa Senators, as the team retroactively places Christian Wolanin on injured reserve. Chlapik, who cleared waivers earlier this month, is still just 23 years old and played in 31 games for the Senators last season.
• Taro Hirose and Givani Smith are back up for the Detroit Red Wings, recalled off the taxi squad for game day. Since both are on entry-level contracts, the Red Wings save some cash by moving them to the taxi squad—where they earn AHL pay—between games. They also technically bank some extra cap space, though given how much room Detroit has under the $81.5MM ceiling, that seems like an unlikely motivation.
• The Minnesota Wild have brought goaltender Dereck Baribeau up from the AHL to their taxi squad, giving them another goaltender as they deal with a minor injury for Cam Talbot. The 22-year-old goaltender played four games for the Iowa Wild and 15 for the Allen Americans last season and isn’t expected to dress for Minnesota anytime soon.
• Joel L’Esperance and Rhett Gardner have both been recalled from the taxi squad as the Dallas Stars place Jamie Benn on injured reserve, retroactive to January 22. The pair of young forwards will give them some extra options, but don’t provide much NHL experience to replace Benn.
• Patrick Russell and Jujhar Khaira have been sent back to the Edmonton Oilers taxi squad, while the team recalled Joakim Nygard and Devin Shore. The Oilers are back in action tonight as they welcome in the Toronto Maple Leafs, trying to right the ship on the rocky early-season waters.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

It appears as though there will be daily movement this season between the active roster and taxi squad. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of shuffle news each day.

• The Detroit Red Wings have moved Taro Hirose and Givani Smith back to the taxi squad after their overtime loss last night. The team is now 2-4-1 on the season and have scored just four goals in their last three games, but should be getting some reinforcements back off the COVID Protocol list at some point in the near future.
• Connor Bunnaman and Samuel Morin were moved back to the Philadelphia Flyers taxi squad following their win last night. Bunnaman, 22, has yet to record a point this season in his three games, while Morin is still waiting to make his debut at forward after switching positions in the offseason.
• Hunter Jones has been moved back to the AHL by the Minnesota Wild, likely meaning Andrew Hammond will be returned to the taxi squad. Hammond had been called up on an emergency basis as Cam Talbot dealt with a lower-body injury.
• The Winnipeg Jets have sent Logan Stanley and Kristian Vesalainen back to the taxi squad, saving money on off days by moving the entry-level deals off the roster. The Jets don’t play again until Saturday, giving them some rest and practice time after playing seven games through the early part of the season. With that extra practice time in mind, they have added 2020 first-round pick Cole Perfetti to the practice squad switching out C.J. Suess who head to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. The Jets will get another chance to see what the talented young forward can do against his NHL teammates.

It appears as though there will be daily movement this season between the active roster and taxi squad. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of shuffle news each day.

• Following the news that Evan Rodrigues is out “longer-term,” the Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Drew O’Connor from the taxi squad today. The forward will make his NHL debut this evening against the Boston Bruins after signing an entry-level contract last March. O’Connor, 22, was an undrafted college free agent signing after he scored 33 points in 31 games for Dartmouth last season. In seven games for Manglerud of the Norweigian league earlier this season, he recorded ten points.
• The Washington Capitals have called up Michael Sgarbossa from the AHL to the taxi squad, giving them another experienced hand as they continue to navigate a COVID-stricken roster card. Sgarbossa has 50 games of NHL experience but has played eight years of professional hockey and could step into the lineup if necessary. Later in the day, Sgarbossa was elevated again, this time to the NHL roster along with Daniel Carr. Connor McMichael and Brian Pinho have been sent to the taxi squad.
• Dylan Cozens has been recalled from the Buffalo Sabres taxi squad, with Casey Mittelstadt replacing him there. Remember that if Cozens plays in two more games this season, his entry-level contract will officially kick in for the 2020-21 season, making him an RFA in 2023. Should he play just one more game and spend the rest of the year in the minor leagues or junior, the contract would slide a year forward again.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent Nathan Gerbe back to the taxi squad, meaning Stefan Matteau is on his way back to the AHL. Gerbe has played in just one game so far this season, but did manage to record a point. He’ll remain a strong depth option for the team throughout the year.
• The St. Louis Blues have recalled Jacob de La Rose from the taxi squad, while recalling Scott Perunovich from the AHL. The Blues will take on the Vegas Golden Knights later tonight. Perunovich, who had previously been rehabbing an injury, could be ready to go after taking the optional skate this morning with St. Louis.
• Jordan Gross is going back into the Arizona Coyotes lineup, recalled from the taxi squad today. That means Victor Soderstrom is back out, moved back to the taxi squad as he continues his development. Soderstrom played two games for the Coyotes but is still looking for his first NHL point.
• The Winnipeg Jets could make a lineup change this evening, after recalling Kristian Vesalainen from the taxi squad. The Jets will take on the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch of Sunday’s loss. Winnipeg is currently sitting in third place in the North Division, two points back of the tied leaders.
• Taro Hirose and Givani Smith have both been recalled from the Detroit Red Wings taxi squad, giving them another few options as they continue to deal with a COVID-19 situation. As of yesterday, the team had five players on the CPRA list, including four forwards.
• The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Connor Bunnaman and Samuel Morin from the taxi squad, while also activating Shayne Gostisbehere. The veteran defenseman is expected to make his season debut after spending the last stuck in the COVID protocol. Gostisbehere recorded just 12 points last season, far from his career pace and a significant disappointment. With the Flyers struggling to find the right mix of defensemen though, he’ll be welcomed back with open arms.
• After Tyler Ennis cleared waivers earlier today, the Edmonton Oilers have moved him and Devin Shore to the taxi squad. Forwards Juhar Khaira and Patrick Russell have been recalled, giving the group a different look in the bottom-six.
• The Nashville Predators have recalled Mathieu Olivier back from the taxi squad, reversing the move they made three days ago.  As a waiver-exempt forward, Olivier, who has played in three games for the Preds this season, will likely continue to be shuffled back and forth throughout the season.