Kraken Recall Ben Meyers
Ben Meyers’ stint in the minors wound up being relatively short-lived. After being sent down before the holiday break last month, he’s now back up with the Kraken as the team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled him from AHL Coachella Valley.
It’s the third recall of the season for the 26-year-old. Meyers has played in four games so far this season with Seattle and has been held off the scoresheet while winning nearly 46% of his faceoffs. He has been quite productive with the Firebirds, however, collecting 10 goals and 12 assists in 25 games with them. The threshold for Meyers needing to clear waivers again is when he reaches either 10 NHL games or 30 days on the active roster so he’s six away on the games played front and is around halfway there on NHL days.
Meyers is on a one-year, $775K contract and can easily be fit within Seattle’s remaining LTIR pool for Vince Dunn. He’s eligible for Group Six unrestricted free agency once again this summer but if he gets into nine more NHL games this season, he’ll revert to RFA status with arbitration eligibility.
Seattle had an open roster spot so no corresponding move needed to be made to elevate Meyers to the NHL roster.
Sharks Activate William Eklund, Place Jake Walman On IR
The Sharks have made a pair of roster moves heading into their game tonight versus New Jersey. The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve activated forward William Eklund off injured reserve. To make room on the roster, blueliner Jake Walman has been placed on IR.
Eklund has been dealing with an upper-body injury sustained just before the holiday break. After a strong rookie year that saw him record 45 points in 80 games, the 22-year-old is on pace for a more productive campaign, notching seven goals and 20 assists through his first 36 appearances this season.
While it’s the fourth straight year in which Eklund has seen NHL action, his first two years didn’t see him burn a year of his entry-level deal since he played under ten games in each one. Accordingly, he’s signed through the 2025-26 campaign but will be extension-eligible this summer and it wouldn’t be shocking to see the two sides try to work out an early long-term deal.
As for Walman, he has been out with a lower-body injury that also occurred a little before the break. After being acquired in a salary cap dumping trade from Detroit, the 28-year-old has had a breakout year with the Sharks, recording five goals and 20 assists in 31 games while logging nearly 23 minutes a night of playing time. He leads all San Jose defenders in points with 25 while his ATOI leads all Sharks players.
Despite the IR placement, Walman may not be there for long. Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now notes that Walman skated before practice for the second straight day today, suggesting that he might not be too far from a return. San Jose is eligible to back-date the placement to December 22nd and if they do so, he’ll be eligible to be activated at any time.
Utah Hockey Club Recalls Kevin Connauton, Places Robert Bortuzzo On IR
After losing Dakota Mermis on waivers yesterday, Utah has brought up some extra defensive depth. The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled blueliner Kevin Connauton from AHL Tucson. While not announced by the club, rearguard Robert Bortuzzo was placed on IR to make room for Connauton on the active roster.
It’s the second recall of the season for the 34-year-old whose first stint with the big club didn’t last too long and was ended when Mermis was initially claimed off the waiver wire last month. A veteran of 360 career NHL appearances, Connauton last played in the NHL back in the 2021-22 season, splitting time between Florida and Philadelphia.
Connauton inked a two-year, two-way deal with Utah last summer, a contract that pays $775K in the NHL and $325K in the minors. He has played in 24 games with the Roadrunners this season, picking up five goals and four assists.
As for Bortuzzo, he returned from injured reserve on Thursday against Calgary after recovering from a lower-body injury but only played 8:25 in that game before landing on IR today. Speculatively, he may have had a recurrence of that injury. The 35-year-old has a pair of assists along with 26 blocked shots and 20 hits through 16 games so far this season but is averaging a career-low 10:53 per game.
Detroit Red Wings Recall William Lagesson
Defenseman William Lagesson will join the Detroit Red Wings for their game tomorrow night as an insurance option. The organization announced they’ve recalled Lagesson from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Lagesson’s recall is likely in response to Jeff Petry‘s status tomorrow night. Petry sustained an undisclosed injury in the team’s recent win against the Columbus Blue Jackets last night limiting him to 17:17 of ice time despite averaging nearly 20 minutes for much of the season.
Even if Petry’s injury keeps him out of the lineup tomorrow night, his minutes will likely go to Albert Johansson, who hasn’t factored into Todd McLellan‘s scheme since taking over behind the bench on December 26th. Johansson has largely skated in a depth role for Detroit this season, tallying one assist in 17 contests.
That’s more than Lagesson can say. This roster move marks Largesson’s fourth recall to the Red Wings’ active roster this season but he’s only appeared in two games. He skated on a third-pairing role in those contests averaging 15:57 of ice time without finding the scoresheet.
His real value has come in AHL Grand Rapids where Lagesson continues to be a defensive boon. He’s only scored three goals and nine points in 23 games for the Griffins this year but leads the team with an impressive +13 rating.
If Detroit is sure that Petry can suit up against the Jets by tomorrow morning, there’s a real chance that Lagesson could head back to Grand Rapids as early as tomorrow. The Griffins line up against the Milwaukee Admirals tomorrow night but won’t have another game until January 10th meaning Lagesson may not participate in a game for a week.
Winnipeg’s Mason Appleton Out Week-To-Week With Injury
Jan. 3rd: According to a team announcement, the Jets have placed Appleton on injured reserve (retroactive to Dec. 28th) as expected. Winnipeg takes on the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night so there may be a corresponding roster move to fill the open roster spot.
Dec. 31st: The Winnipeg Jets will have a major hole on their third line for the foreseeable future. Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reported yesterday evening that forward Mason Appleton would miss the next few weeks with a lower-body injury.
Appleton didn’t play in last night’s contest against the Nashville Predators. This likely means the lower-body injury was suffered at practice considering Appleton skated in nearly 16 minutes of the Jets’ game against the Ottawa Senators on December 28th.
It’ll be the first time in nearly two years that Appleton has missed an extended period. He played in all 82 games for Winnipeg last season scoring 14 goals and 36 points for the highest-scoring campaign of his career.
The Jets will have big shoes to fill on one of the most consistent third lines over the last several years. Appleton typically plays on the right wing next to Adam Lowry and Nino Niederreiter, so they may need to make a roster move to fill the void.
Winnipeg hasn’t dealt with too many injuries this season but has leaned on Brad Lambert and Nikita Chibrikov for recalls when Nikolaj Ehlers lost time with an injury a few weeks ago. The Jets could again recall one of these better prospects from their system or move stagnating forward Rasmus Kupari to the third line to create an offensive jolt in his game.
Canucks Place Elias Pettersson On IR, Recall Arturs Silovs On Emergency Basis
There will be a small change to the goaltending position for the Vancouver Canucks tonight. The organization announced they’ve recalled netminder Arturs Silovs on an emergency basis and placed Elias Pettersson on injured reserve retroactive to December 23rd.
Vancouver hasn’t issued any formal updates regarding Thatcher Demko‘s status. He left yesterday’s game against the Seattle Kraken during the second period and didn’t join the team’s practice this morning per Jeff Paterson of Canucks Army. There are some obvious concerns with Demko given that he went nearly eight months without participating in an NHL contest due to a popliteal muscle injury.
Still, one player’s misfortune is another player’s opportunity. Silovs will look to rebound on a disappointing start to the 2024-25 NHL season. He filled in for Demko at the beginning of the year but struggled immensely with a 1-4-1 record in seven games with a .847 save percentage and a 4.11 goals-against average.
Silovs has understandably been much better with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. He’s managed a 2-3-0 record in five games with a .900 SV% and 2.44 GAA. It’s a far cry from the performance of a netminder that took the eventual Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers to seven games in the 2024 playoffs. Still, Silovs will look to show he can be a long-term answer to Vancouver’s backup role.
Pettersson’s move to the injured reserve is largely a formal transaction. He’s been out with an undisclosed injury since the team’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks before the holiday break but is expected back soon. The Canucks haven’t offered much context regarding Petterson’s injury but he will join the team for their upcoming five-game road trip starting next Monday. He’s already eligible to be activated during any of those contests.
Pittsburgh Penguins Activate Owen Pickering
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have their top defensive prospect back in the lineup tonight. The organization announced they’ve activated defenseman Owen Pickering off the team’s injured reserve shortly before their matchup against the Florida Panthers.
Pickering hasn’t played since late December after succumbing to a concussion against the New Jersey Devils. He’s missed Pittsburgh’s last six games but will re-enter the lineup tonight in a third-pairing role next to Ryan Graves.
The next week or two may be Pickering’s last few NHL contests for some time. The recent injury to veteran blue liner Kris Letang likely saved Pickering’s spot in the lineup. Still, there’s an argument to be made he could use more seasoning in the American Hockey League.
He’s primarily played in the NHL over his first full professional season. Pickering played the entirety of the 2023-24 season with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos scoring seven goals and 46 points in 59 games. He started the year with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins but was called up in mid-November due to a combination of injuries and poor play in the Penguins’ defensive core.
It hasn’t been the smoothest transition, either. Outside of a mild concussion, Pickering has suited up in 14 games this season for Pittsburgh scoring one goal and one assist averaging 15:47 of ice time per game. His 40.4% CorsiFor% and 88.5% on-ice save percentage in all situations also show a lack of maturity on the defensive side of the puck.
None of his production, or lack thereof, negates his value as a top prospect. He’s only a few days away from his 21st birthday and has plenty of time to become a fixture in the Penguins’ blue line. To preserve his development, it would be wise for Pittsburgh to reassign Pickering back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to build upon his one-goal effort in 12 games this season.
Avalanche’s Scott Wedgewood Out Week-To-Week
The Avalanche will be down one-half of their new goaltending tandem for more than a few games. Netminder Scott Wedgewood will likely be listed as week to week after leaving the third period of Thursday’s win over the Sabres with a lower-body injury, head coach Jared Bednar told Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now.
No. 3 option Trent Miner will be recalled from AHL Colorado to back up Mackenzie Blackwood for the time being, Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports reports. With no open active roster spots, Wedgewood will likely land on injured reserve.
Wedgewood, 32, sustained the injury when Sabres winger Zach Benson fell on his right leg while in a crease battle with Colorado forward Parker Kelly. Buffalo scored on the play, which officials did not blow dead, and Bednar ended up fielding an unsuccessful goalie interference challenge.
Acquiring Wedgewood was the first of two trades Colorado made earlier this season to replace their struggling opening-night tandem of Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev. They sent Annunen and a 2025 sixth-rounder to land the veteran from Nashville, where he’d struggled to the tune of a .878 SV% in five games after signing a two-year, $3MM contract in free agency.
Wedgewood’s play has improved drastically since arriving in Denver. The Ontario native, now with his fifth NHL franchise, has a 4-2-0 record with a .917 SV%, 2.35 GAA and one shutout in seven appearances so far as an Av.
But that rebound has been overshadowed by Blackwood, who was picked up from the Sharks a couple of weeks later in a trade that sent Georgiev the other way. The 28-year-old recently played his way into a five-year, $26.25MM extension with Colorado and now has a 6-1-0 record with a sparkling .932 SV% in seven showings since the trade.
They should be fine with Blackwood handling the overwhelming majority of starts in the interim given how well he’s played this season, but a workload that heavy may be a struggle for a goaltender who’s only started more than 40 games twice in his career. Miner arrives as an inexperienced but intriguing option, stopping 12 of 13 shots he faced in his NHL debut in relief of Annunen against the Capitals on Nov. 15.
Miner, a 2019 seventh-rounder, has a .903 SV% and a 2.47 GAA in 16 AHL games this season, good for an 8-5-3 record. He’s set to be a restricted free agent next summer.
Predators Place Adam Wilsby On IR, Recall Fedor Svechkov
The Predators placed defenseman Adam Wilsby on injured reserve on Friday with an upper-body issue retroactive to Dec. 30, Nick Kieser of 102.5 The Game reports. Nashville recalled center Fedor Svechkov from AHL Milwaukee in a corresponding transaction, Kieser said, keeping their roster at the 23-player maximum.
Wilsby, 24, has already missed one game with the UBI, which he presumably sustained in his most recent appearance against the Jets on Monday. He logged 18:29 of ice time in that contest, his 15th of the season and of his NHL career.
Initially recalled from Milwaukee in November, Wilsby has been on the transaction wire a few times this season but was beginning to get a look as a regular amid a demotion for Marc Del Gaizo and injury troubles for Jeremy Lauzon. He remains day-to-day but will miss at least two more games with the injury until he’s eligible to return against Winnipeg next Tuesday.
Things have largely gone well for Wilsby, who the Preds selected 101st overall in the 2020 draft. He’s posted a goal and two assists with a +3 rating, averaging 18:43 per game and limiting himself to one minor penalty. The 6’1″ lefty has spent most of his time with veteran Luke Schenn at even strength to good results. The pairing has been one of Nashville’s best at preventing quality chances against, controlling 56.5% of expected goals and allowing only 1.52 xGA/60, per MoneyPuck. Both rank second on the team among pairings with at least 50 minutes together this season.
His third-pairing spot with Schenn will go to Spencer Stastney, who’s set to make his season debut tonight against the Canucks after being recalled from Milwaukee yesterday. The 24-year-old has three points and a +2 rating in 10 AHL games this season after missing the first few months of the campaign due to personal reasons.
Meanwhile, Svechkov comes up for the second time this season but may not get a look in tonight’s game, with Ozzy Wiesblatt slated to make his NHL debut after being recalled alongside Stastney. Wiesblatt will slot in for winger Zachary L’Heureux, who’s set to serve the first game of a three-game suspension handed down for slew-footing Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon.
Nashville selected Svechkov, 21, with the 19th overall pick of the 2021 draft. The Russian pivot played nine games earlier this year on his first career recall, scoring twice while averaging 11:57 per game and winning 46.2% of his faceoffs. His 0.92 points per game with Milwaukee are second on the team this season.
Penguins, Sabres Swap Bennett MacArthur, Colton Poolman
The Penguins traded winger Bennett MacArthur to the Sabres on Friday in exchange for defenseman Colton Poolman, both teams confirmed. The swap of minor-leaguers comes in conjunction with a corresponding trade between Pittsburgh’s and Buffalo’s AHL affiliates in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Rochester, which saw 25-year-old winger Jagger Joshua head from WBS to the Sabres’ system for future considerations.
MacArthur’s short stint in the Penguins organization comes to an end with the move. An undrafted free agent signing by the Lightning in 2022, the 23-year-old spent most of his time in the ECHL before the Bolts traded him to Pittsburgh for Lukas Svejkovsky last June. Svejkovsky and Tampa Bay have since mutually terminated his contract.
As he had in Tampa, MacArthur failed to crack the AHL roster in the Penguins organization. He’s spent the entirety of this season on assignment to ECHL Wheeling, where he’s struggled immensely with only three goals and seven points in 28 appearances. He had 32 points in 55 games for ECHL Orlando and Allen last season while under contract with the Lightning.
MacArthur will report to the Sabres’ AHL affiliate in Rochester for now, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him assigned to their ECHL affiliate in Jacksonville in short order. The Prince Edward Island native will be a restricted free agent this summer and has no points in six career AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch.
Coming to Pennsylvania is Poolman, the younger brother of LTIR-bound Avalanche defenseman Tucker Poolman. The 29-year-old inked a two-way deal with Buffalo over the summer after four seasons in the Flames organization but hasn’t established himself as a regular in Rochester, logging just one assist and a -2 rating in five appearances thus far.
He heads to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in search of more playing time, while the Pens organization hopes he can rediscover the strong stay-at-home play he exhibited with the Flames’ AHL affiliates in Stockton and Calgary. He’s two years removed from a career-high 14-point, +18 rating season in 64 games.