Stars Activate, Reassign Luke Krys
The Stars activated defenseman Luke Krys from season-opening injured reserve on Sunday and subsequently reassigned him to the AHL’s Texas Stars, according to the minor league’s transaction log.
Krys, 25, will make his 2025-26 debut this week after completing his recovery from Achilles surgery. After helping Texas to a Western Conference Final appearance in last year’s Calder Cup Playoffs, Krys sustained a minor tear in rookie camp that ended up sidelining him for nearly four months.
Undrafted, the 6’2″ righty signed with Dallas out of Providence College in 2024. Now in the final season of his two-year entry-level contract, Krys has recorded four goals, 15 assists, 19 points, and a +8 rating in 73 AHL appearances since turning pro.
A smooth outlet passer with good two-way instincts, his development track doesn’t point toward him holding down a full-time NHL role, but he could be a capable call-up option down the line if the Stars opt to issue him a qualifying offer and retain him this summer. The Connecticut native’s +11 rating was second among Texas Stars defenders last year.
His return is a bit of a breath of fresh air for a Stars team that isn’t overflowing with organizational depth on the blue line, at least professionally. Dallas only had four NHL-contracted defenders in the minors who were available for recall before Krys’ return.
Maple Leafs Place William Nylander On IR, Recall Marshall Rifai
The Maple Leafs placed right winger William Nylander on injured reserve Monday, according to a team announcement. The placement is retroactive to Dec. 27, so he is eligible for activation at any time. Nylander’s roster spot will go to defenseman Marshall Rifai, whom the team said has been recalled from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Nylander has now missed four games since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Senators nine days ago. He’s back on the ice and skated Monday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports, but he will presumably miss at least one more game.
Toronto has not lost in regulation during Nylander’s latest absence, collecting six out of eight possible points with a 2-0-2 record. The 29-year-old previously missed four games in October and November due to a lower-body injury and an illness, limiting his season total to 33 appearances.
Despite the recurring inavailability, Nylander’s 27 assists and 41 points still sit atop the Leafs’ leaderboard. He’s also been Toronto’s best finisher at 20.6% (min. 50 shots on goal).
Rifai’s recall indicates there’s legitimate concern about Jake McCabe‘s status for Tuesday’s clash with the Panthers. Head coach Craig Berube said after Saturday’s overtime loss to the Islanders that McCabe would need to undergo evaluation for an undisclosed injury he sustained in the third period (via Alter).
The fact that Nylander, instead of McCabe, is landing on IR to make room for the Leafs to add another defenseman likely isn’t an indicator of the latter’s return timeline one way or another. There’s simply added roster flexibility by placing someone who’s already missed more than a week on IR, removing any potential restrictions on activation.
Rifai, 27, only recently got his season underway with the Marlies after needing wrist surgery due to a preseason injury. In five games, the 6’2″ lefty has recorded two assists with eight penalty minutes and a +2 rating.
The Quebec native only has two NHL games to his name and none since February 2024, but that could change tomorrow if the Leafs opt to continue playing lefty Oliver Ekman-Larsson on his off side while keeping righty Philippe Myers in the press box. Myers was scratched for the first time in several days against the Islanders after posting two assists and a -8 rating in 21 appearances this year.
Hurricanes Assign Ivan Ryabkin To Juniors
The Hurricanes assigned center prospect Ivan Ryabkin to the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League on Monday, according to a team press release.
Ryabkin, 18, had begun the season in the pros with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. A second-round pick this year (No. 62 overall) from the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League, he was not subject to the NHL’s transfer agreement with the Canadian Hockey League. He was thus eligible for a full-time minor-league assignment.
However, today’s news means Ryabkin cannot be called up to Carolina (unless under emergency conditions) or reassigned to the Wolves until his junior season is over. Charlottetown picked up Ryabkin’s CHL rights in this year’s import draft and will now reap the benefits of that selection, albeit a few months later than most expected.
Carolina sending Ryabkin to the AHL to begin his post-draft season was a surprise. While often touted as a first-round talent based on skill alone, there were league-wide concerns over the Russian pivot’s conditioning and two-way game.
Nonetheless, the Canes saw enough of his offensive ceiling in Muskegon, where he scored 19 goals and 30 points in 27 games, to at least give him some initial reps in the pro game. He filled a role as an agitator in Chicago, averaging north of two penalty minutes per game, but it’s clear his offensive game needs more development before he’s ready to shoot for a top-six job in the AHL.
In 25 games with the Wolves to begin his pro career, the 5’11”, 205-lb Ryabkin scored one goal and six assists with a -2 rating. Tabbed as the No. 6 prospect in Carolina’s system by Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff and No. 8 by Elite Prospects, the Canes will look for Ryabkin to feature among Charlottetown’s top offensive producers – if not their points-per-game leader – down the stretch.-
Red Wings Recall John Leonard
This evening the Detroit Red Wings shared that John Leonard has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids. No corresponding transaction was required.
The forward was sent back down on New Year’s Eve, not due to performance, but more a technical move to avoid waiver requirements. Had he stayed up for longer, the former sixth-round pick would become waiver eligible, where he’d become a surefire claim candidate. In his rehab stint of sorts, Leonard not surprisingly continued his elite AHL production, posting three more points in as many games with the Griffins. Now with seven fewer games in hand, Leonard has been surpassed as the AHL’s top scorer, but he impressively remains sixth despite spending notable time in the NHL now.
Originally earning the call up as a result of icon Patrick Kane‘s injury, Leonard made an immediate impact, with four points in seven games. Many such high scoring AHLers struggle to get top six opportunities at the highest level, but Detroit has made sure to avoid burying theirs. The sniper got to play on the second line with Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat, but once Kane returned, he was naturally bumped down, playing over five minutes less, at 7:31.
Plucking such a high level performer from their affiliate is never easy, but even without him, Grand Rapids has continued their all-time great results. They boast an insane 28-1-2 record, with 11 more points than the second-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Even if Leonard can establish himself with Detroit as a secondary scorer this season, the team would likely replenish their AHL club with a top prospect such as Nate Danielson or Marco Kasper, who would may benefit from such a role on a dominant team.
Detroit takes on Ottawa tomorrow, where Leonard may re-enter the lineup. An UFA at season’s end, the 27-year-old has remained patient in his efforts to become a full time NHLer for the first time in five years, and at this rate, it hopefully may pay off.
Sharks Sign Alexander Wennberg To Three-Year Extension
This afternoon, the Sharks locked up pending free agent center Alexander Wennberg, as first reported by Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. The team officially announced that the deal is for three years at a $6MM AAV.
Signed to a two-year deal worth $5MM per season in 2024, Wennberg has enjoyed playing a larger role on a lesser team of late. An eventual deal to a top contender was likely in mind, but today’s news indicates that San Jose sees Wennberg as much more than merely a veteran placeholder. In a thin trade market for centers, GM Mike Grier could have added even more futures to his loaded cupboard. Yet, especially given their step forward this season, the Swede will stay with the Sharks for the foreseeable future and help them blossom into a serious contender in the late 2020s. After so much turnaround in recent years, the core is starting to solidify.
At a $6MM price tag through his age-34 season, the figure for Wennberg is indicative of a limited free agent market, especially down the middle. With another forward now erased from the board, Utah’s Nick Schmaltz remains the likely top center available. The 29-year-old is peaking at the right time, with 36 points in 42 games, and would be wise to hit the market with another counterpart now out of the picture.
As for Wennberg, AFP Analytics predicted that he’d be due for a four-year extension worth $4.8MM per season. Therefore, the more favorable three-year term came with an added cost, enough to sway Wennberg away from the open market, and San Jose comfortably has the cap room to do so. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith remain on their entry-level deals for one more season, and the Sharks will also have Jeff Skinner‘s $3MM coming off the books this summer, along with over $15 million across practically their entire defense core.
Once a high-end prospect for Columbus, Wennberg broke out in 2016-17 with 56 points, seemingly on his path to becoming a high-end offensive top-six driver. Since then, he’s had no more than 38 points in a season, becoming a more defensive center with playmaking ability. He made stops in Florida, Seattle, and New York before coming to San Jose on a generous deal, which helped the rebuilding club fill the void of Logan Couture while reaching the cap floor.
Wennberg posted 35 points in 77 contests last season, but especially with the team playing much better overall, he’s taken a step forward with 26 in 41 games. On most contenders, Wennberg would be a true third-line center, but clearly, he enjoys playing a key role on a dynamic young team, earning more salary to do so. He posts strong defensive and playmaking metrics, proving to be a highly valued supporting piece.
Above the .500 mark at the midway point, San Jose sneaking into the playoffs still seems unlikely, but considering their progress under Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky, the team will be a threat for the duration of Wennberg’s deal. With an abundance of assets and the unique opportunity to overhaul their back end this summer, Grier checks a big box today, with his forward corps mostly sorted out.
Today’s news is a nice morale boost for the group as they return to action on Tuesday, aiming to maintain their playoff push and cap off the rebuild ahead of schedule.
Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron – Imagn Images.
Panthers Recall Tobias Bjornfot
Ahead of their game this evening against Colorado, the Florida Panthers announced that defenseman Tobias Björnfot has been recalled from AHL Charlotte. Although official word has yet to be provided, the move suggests that Seth Jones will not play, after his Winter Classic injury. The Panthers had an open roster spot, and no corresponding transaction is required.
The 24-year-old is in his second full season with the Panthers organization, where he has spent most time in the AHL, after being claimed off waivers from Vegas in March of 2024. Björnfot was already called upon earlier this season, in mid October, but did not get into a game, and has yet to debut in the NHL this season.
Selected 22nd overall by Los Angeles in 2019 with the pick acquired from Toronto in the Jake Muzzin deal, Björnfot was thought to be a well-rounded two-way defender with top-four upside. After proving unable to break through with the Kings, he was waived, where the Golden Knights took a flyer. Björnfot had a very short stay there, before finding himself back on the wire, catching on with Florida.
Björnfot’s AHL play has not jumped off the page, but he is the undisputed most NHL capable defensive option in Charlotte, with 134 games at the highest level. Florida offers Donovan Sebrango as their current seventh defender, another lefty, who will likely join the lineup today. A pending RFA, Björnfot figures to be no more than organizational depth at the NHL level, but with Uvis Balinskis and Jeff Petry as pending UFAs, the door may be cracked for him to stick around as a bottom pair option in 2026-27.
In the meantime, it is thought that Jones dodged a more serious injury and should return sometime this week, so Björnfot’s latest stint with the big club is likely brief.
Carolina Hurricanes Reassign Gavin Bayreuther
Shortly before puck drop between the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, the former shedded a defenseman from their active roster. The Hurricanes announced that they’ve assigned Gavin Bayreuther to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Carolina originally recalled Bayreuther on December 29th as a corresponding move to placing netminder Pyotr Kochetkov on the injured reserve. It was the second time Bayreuther had been brought to the NHL roster this season.
Still, he has yet to be featured in any games for the Hurricanes. To this day, his last playing experience in the sports’ highest league was in the 2022-23 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, when he scored two goals and 14 points in 51 games.
After spending the entire 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, Bayreuther looked for a different opportunity overseas, signing with the NL’s Lausanne HC. It was a productive year for the 31-year-old blue liner, scoring five goals and 23 points in 52 games with a +5 rating, before returning to North America last summer. He has registered four goals and 13 points in 24 games with the Wolves.
Meanwhile, Bayreuther’s reassignment means that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has returned to the Hurricanes’ lineup. He’s missed Carolina’s last three games due to injury. Throughout the year, he’s been a stud for the Hurricanes, scoring four goals and 29 points in 28 games. He joins Zach Werenski and Cale Makar as the only defensemen who have averaged over a point per game this season.
Egor Zamula Suspended In AHL
It appears that some controversy has already started with one of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent acquisitions. According to the AHL transactions log, the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have suspended defenseman Egor Zamula.
There’s minimal reporting on Zamula’s status, and the AHL Penguins have yet to announce the decision. Still, regardless of the reasoning behind the suspension, it certainly throws a wrench in the Penguins’ plans after trading for Zamula only three days ago.
Zamula may be continuing to posture that he should be on an NHL roster and is refusing to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Shortly before the trade to Pittsburgh, Zamula changed his representation to Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey and was considering mutually terminating his contract to explore other opportunities.
Still, refusing to report to the AHL doesn’t necessarily mean that Zamula is unhappy about his newfound home with the Penguins. There may be a potential handshake agreement between Zamula and Pittsburgh for a future recall, but the team is currently unable to implement it. If that’s the case, the AHL Penguins would have to suspend him for failing to report, regardless of any potential agreement.
Although that situation is plausible, it’s unclear how Zamula fits into the Penguins’ roster as currently constructed. The team has seven defensemen on the active roster, with Caleb Jones on the injured reserve. Given how they’ve been playing lately, it wouldn’t make much sense for Pittsburgh to make a change to their defensive core unless they trade a defenseman off the team.
For the sake of his continued development, Zamula and his representation will have to find a longer-term solution sooner rather than later. Despite being healthy this season, he’s only appeared in 13 games for the Flyers and three games for the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Fortunately, even if Zamula is unhappy with a continued stay in the AHL, the Penguins don’t stand to lose much even if he ultimately leaves the organization. Initially, they traded Philip Tomasino for Zamula in the deal with Philadelphia. He has primarily been playing for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, with limited chances to return to NHL games with the Penguins.
Blackhawks Assign Dominic Toninato To AHL
Saturday: Toninato’s promotion was short-lived as the team announced that he has been sent back to Rockford. The Blackhawks now have one open spot on their active roster.
Wednesday: Earlier this afternoon, the Blackhawks announced that Dominic Toninato has been recalled from AHL Rockford. Toninato is on the move again after being sent down just two days ago, where he did not yet make an appearance back with Rockford. The forward got into five games for Chicago throughout December, notching one assist on 9:12 a night. No corresponding transaction is required.
Now 31, the former fifth-round choice of Toronto signed with Chicago on a two-year, two-way contract, able to produce at a high level in the AHL and be a trustworthy depth option to call upon when needed. Originally unsigned by the Maple Leafs, Toninato latched on with Colorado eight years ago upon conclusion of his collegiate career. After short stints there, and in Florida, he stuck around in the Winnipeg organization for the past five years, spending most of his time in the AHL.
At 6’2”, Toninato brings a mostly defensive skillset to the highest level, with just 36 points in 194 career NHL games. Meanwhile, he is a true standout in the AHL, with 17 points in 25 games, good for third best on the IceHogs. Players in such a mold are not necessarily the most exciting call ups, but the ability to fill in, not needing development and not being a likely waiver threat, is valuable to any club.
The Blackhawks are back in action tomorrow, playing host to Dallas. Forward Jason Dickinson left in last night’s shootout loss to the Islanders, and Toninato figures to be an insurance policy if he’s unable to go. The veteran will likely find himself back in the AHL shortly, but in the meantime he will enjoy a nice salary boost and try to help the struggling Connor Bedard-missing Hawks pick up a big divisional win tomorrow night.
Blue Jackets Activate Zach Werenski, Place Brendan Smith On IR
Saturday: Werenski’s activation is now official, per a team announcement. The team also revealed that they’ve converted Dysin Mayo‘s emergency recall to a regular one.
Friday: Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski will return to the lineup Saturday against the Sabres, he told reporters today (including Aaron Portzline of The Athletic). The team also announced they’ve placed defenseman Brendan Smith on injured reserve, opening the roster spot for Werenski’s pending IR activation.
Werenski, a reigning Norris Trophy finalist, hasn’t played since Dec. 20 against the Ducks. He took a hard shot to the ankle late in the third period after racking up two points in the loss, leaving him unable to get to the room without assistance.
Four games later, he’ll be back in the lineup. With Columbus also down Smith, Sean Monahan, Miles Wood, Isac Lundeström, and Erik Gudbranson, their top player missing any more time would be even more problematic than usual.
The languishing Jackets did well not only to tread water without Werenski but even gained ground in the Eastern Conference wild card race. They’ve gone 3-1-0 in their last four to get themselves back over .500, although they’re still second-last in the conference ahead of the Rangers by points percentage (.513).
While he won’t get much consideration if Columbus doesn’t sniff the playoffs, Werenski has built a solid MVP case yet again after getting votes for the first time last season. He’s the Jackets’ leading scorer, tracking for his second season over a point per game with a 14-26–40 scoring line in 35 games. Only Cale Makar has been more productive this season among defensemen, and he’s done so while posting a team-high +6 rating.
Smith’s IR placement is both expected and solely procedural. He’s already been listed as week-to-week with a lower-leg injury and will miss more than the seven-day IR minimum.