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Arizona Officially Terminates Emerson Etem’s Contract

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The Arizona Coyotes placed Emerson Etem on unconditional waivers on Sunday, and today officially announced that they had terminated his contract according to Craig Morgan of AZ Sports. Etem had informed the team that he didn’t want to continue playing in the AHL, and is now looking at other options to continue his playing career.

Etem, 25, signed a one-year deal with the Coyotes this summer and has played 16 games for the Tucson Roadrunners this year recording just five points. That’s a long way from the first-round, top prospect status he held when drafted by the Anaheim Ducks 29th-overall in 2010.  Etem never did fulfill that promise for Anahiem, though there were certainly flashes. In 2013-14 he scored 11 points in 29 games for the Ducks, while leading their AHL affiliate with 54 points in 50 contests. In 173 career NHL games, the winger has 46 points.

He’ll now likely look at Europe or the KHL, but there is another interesting opportunity that could arise. USA Hockey could potentially look at Etem as a late addition to the Olympic team if they deem him still fit enough to compete on the international stage. A native Californian, he was once a star in the US Development Program and participated in two World Junior tournaments, taking home a bronze medal. Team USA revealed their roster at yesterday’s Winter Classic, but could still make changes up to the February tournament.

Minnesota Wild Place Zack Mitchell On Waivers

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Tuesday: Mitchell has cleared, and will be assigned to the Iowa Wild.

Monday: The Minnesota Wild have placed Zack Mitchell on waivers, continuing what has been a transaction-filled season for the forward. The 24-year old cleared waivers before the season, and bounced up and down throughout the first month of the year. Now that he’s been up for some time, he’ll have to clear again before heading to the Iowa Wild. The team needed a roster spot to make room for Zach Parise’s imminent return from injured reserve.

Mitchell has played 21 games for the Wild this season, registering his first NHL goal and recording five points so far. The undrafted forward signed with Minnesota after an impressive end to his junior career, and has continued showing some offensive skill in the minor leagues. He made his NHL debut last season, and is now an interesting option for the team as a depth forward with the ability to fill several roles. If he does make it back to Iowa, he’ll likely retake his role as a key offensive contributor—he has 16 points in 11 AHL contests this season. That versatility could actually make him an interesting claim for another team, as he has experience on both the penalty kill and powerplay at the minor league level.

For Minnesota, activating Parise has been part of the plan all along. The team had banked salary cap room whenever possible, knowing that Parise would make his return at some point and bring his $7.54MM cap hit with him. For a team trying to crawl back into the postseason, they certainly don’t have a lot of roster flexibility. They’ve been right up against the cap all season, and are at the limit of 50 contracts. That’ll be tough to deal with as they head towards the trade deadline and navigate any new opportunities.

Arizona Places Emerson Etem On Unconditional Waivers

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The Arizona Coyotes have placed winger Emerson Etem on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract, according to Elliotte Friedman. The 25-year-old was signed by the Coyotes this summer, but did not make the team out of training camp and was placed on waivers back on Sept. 27. He was recalled for one game this season on Oct. 11, but was a healthy scratch and was sent back down two days later. He played 16 games for the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL and has had four goals and an assist.

A former first-round pick back in 2010, Etem has struggled, especially recently. He has played 173 games, but has never played what constitutes a full NHL season to date. The most NHL games he’s played in a season was back in the 2015-16 season when he played 19 games for the New York Rangers and then traded at midseason to the Vancouver Canucks, where he played another 39 games. He combined for seven goals and 15 points that year, his best in the NHL. Vancouver had hoped he would become a regular from that point on, but Etem failed to earn a spot in their lineup the following season and was placed on waivers. He was picked up by Anaheim last year, but only saw three NHL games.

Friedman also says that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Eric Gryba, who was placed on waivers Saturday, cleared. He will likely be assigned to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL unless the team finds a trade partner.

Edmonton Oilers Activate Klefbom, Place Gryba On Waivers

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The Edmonton Oilers have activated Oscar Klefbom off injured reserve, and to make room have waived Eric Gryba. Gryba wasn’t on waivers when they were reported earlier today, which means he’ll likely have to wait until Sunday to clear and be assigned to the minor leagues.

It’s a tough break for Gryba, who hasn’t suited up in the AHL since 2012-13. The 29-year old defenseman has played 21 games for the Oilers this year, and could be an option for another team around the league. Making just $900K this year and next, a big-bodied veteran could be of use for another team dealing with defensive injuries.

Getting Klefbom back is a step in the right direction for the Oilers, who still find themselves near the bottom of the Pacific Division despite better play of late. For a team that was expected to compete for the Stanley Cup, they’re in danger of dropping right out of the playoff race if they don’t get back on track quickly.

Philadelphia Flyers Place Mark Alt On Waivers

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The Philadelphia Flyers have placed Mark Alt on waivers today, likely in hopes of sending the defenseman back to the minor leagues. Dalton Prout and Dennis Rasmussen, who were both waived yesterday, have cleared and can now be assigned to the AHL for their respective teams.

Alt has played eight games for the Flyers this year, but is likely the odd man out if Brandon Manning is nearing a return. The 26-year old has shown some ability to play at the NHL level, but has never grabbed a full-time spot and held onto it. Selected in the second round in 2010, his career has been almost exclusively spent in the minor leagues.

There is a chance someone puts in a claim if they’ve seen something in Alt’s game that warrants a longer look, but it’s more likely he’ll return to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms tomorrow. They’ll welcome him back as they continue their Calder Cup chase, which is going well so far this season. The Phantoms currently have the most points in the Atlantic Division and sit at 20-9-4 on the season. A healthy Alt will only strengthen their defensive unit, and push them closer to the playoffs.

Minor Transactions: 12/29/17

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After another wild night in the NHL that saw the Vegas Golden Knights defeat their division rival Los Angeles Kings to secure top spot in the Pacific and second in the entire league, you can be sure there will be some roster movement. As always, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves throughout the day right here. Make sure to refresh regularly.

  • Gabriel Carlsson has been sent back to the minor leagues by the Columbus Blue Jackets, which could signal a return for Zach Werenski. Werenski had been skating as part of the scratch pair for a few days alongside Dean Kukan, who is the other option to enter the lineup in Carlsson’s absence. The Blue Jackets take on the struggling Ottawa Senators tonight.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Calvin Pickard from the minor leagues, announcing that Curtis McElhinney has a lower-body injury. McElhinney was the backup last night when the Maple Leafs took on the Arizona Coyotes and didn’t enter the game, but was expected to start in the second half of a back-to-back against the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Instead, it seems likely that Pickard will make his Maple Leafs debut against his old team.
  • After recording an assist in his return to action for the the Iowa Wild last night, Zach Parise has been recalled by the Minnesota Wild. His conditioning stint was not expected to be very long, but he remains on long-term injured reserve as he continues to work his way back. It’s not clear when he’ll be activated by the Wild, but it was a good step towards recovery yesterday for the veteran forward.
  • With Lee Stempniak not ready to go for the Carolina Hurricanes, the team has recalled Lucas Wallmark from the minor leagues. Wallmark played eight games for the club last season, but hasn’t yet suited up this year. In 20 AHL contests, Wallmark has 23 points and continues to prove that he can nearly score at will in the minor leagues.
  • Dalton Prout, having cleared waivers, has been assigned to the minor leagues by the New Jersey Devils. Prout could be called back up in case of injury, but for now will need to ply his trade in the minor leagues.
  • With Martin Hanzal dealing with a minor injury, the Dallas Stars have recalled Jason Dickinson from the AHL. Dickinson, 22, has played five games for the Stars this season but is still looking for his first point.
  • Washington has once again sent Madison Bowey and Jakub Vrana to the minor leagues, but it is likely just a paper transaction. Both players have full-time roles with the Capitals, and are only sent down on off days as a cap saving measure.

Dennis Rasmussen, Dalton Prout Placed On Waivers

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As the holiday roster freeze comes to an end, two players have ended up on the waivers. Dennis Rasmussen of the Anaheim Ducks and Dalton Prout of the New Jersey Devils have both been waived, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

With Ryan Kessler coming off injured reserve yesterday to make his season debut, someone had to go for the Ducks. With only Kevin Roy, Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase waiver-exempt up front, Rasmussen was the odd man out. In 27 games this season, the former Chicago Blackhawks forward had just four points and hadn’t shown much offensive potential. The 27-year old could be claimed as a depth center around the league, as he earns just over the NHL minimum this year.

Prout was in a similar situation after Marcus Johansson came off injured reserve, but the Devils were already carrying nine defensemen and needed to make a move. Will Butcher and Steven Santini are waiver-exempt, but are too important to send down to the minor league at this point. Instead Prout, who comes with a cap hit of nearly $1.6MM, will be sent to the AHL if he clears. It’s unlikely that anyone would claim the 27-year old defenseman because of that salary, meaning New Jersey will get a prorated $1.025MM in cap space by burying Prout.

Minor Transactions: 12/28/17

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The roster freeze is over and we’re on to the next part of the season. With the trade deadline less than two months away, rumors and speculation will begin to heat up around the league. We’ll be here to sort through all the noise and bring you the most accurate, reliable information. Like always, we’ll also keep track of all the minor transactions of the day.

  • The New York Rangers have recalled Vinni Lettieri from the AHL, perhaps due to the injury Chris Kreider suffered last night. Kreider didn’t come back to the bench for the second period, and is out with an upper-body injury. Lettieri, 22, was signed out of the University of Minnesota last season and would be making his NHL debut if he gets into a game. Lettieri has 21 points in 31 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack this season, and can play both center and wing.
  • The Minnesota wild have officially sent Zach Parise down to the minors for his conditioning stint. We heard yesterday that it might just be for one day, while the Iowa Wild play Rockford.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defenseman Frank Corrado, after going without Kris Letang last night. The Penguins would end up winning the game in a shootout, but had to play with just five defenseman after Chad Ruhwedel left the game early. Corrado could get a chance right away with the Penguins heading to Carolina for a game tomorrow night.
  • With Johnny Boychuk headed to injured reserve, the New York Islanders have recalled Sebastian Aho from the minor leagues. No, not the forward who stars in Carolina but the defenseman who was a fifth-round pick in June. Aho was passed over in three drafts before finally being taken, and has made an immediate impact for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season with 20 points in 29 games. The smooth-skating, undersized defenseman would be making his NHL debut if he makes it into the lineup.
  • As expected when he was claimed back off waivers, Nathan Walker has been assigned to the minor leagues by the Washington Capitals. Walker spent some time in the Edmonton Oilers organization, but is now back with the Hershey Bears where he has made such an impact over the last few years.
  • The Colorado Avalanche have recalled Andrei Mironov from the minor leagues in time for their game tomorrow against the Maple Leafs. The team had just six defensemen up with the club, but will now have another option should one be fighting a minor injury.
  • Arizona, Toronto’s opponent tonight, also recalled Mario Kempe ahead of their matchup. Kempe has played 18 games with the Coyotes this season in his return to North American hockey, scoring four points. The 29-year old has spent the last three years in the KHL.

Minor Transactions: 12/21/17

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Who cares about a roster freeze. Despite the fact that teams can’t trade or waive players, there was quite a bit of movement around the league yesterday. Today is expected to be no different, and we’ll keep an eye on all the minor moves right here. Make sure to refresh throughout the day to keep up.

  • The Montreal Canadiens recalled Brett Lernout late last night, bringing the young defender up to the NHL for the first time this season. Lernout, 22, has three games under his belt for the Canadiens in the past, and will be another option for the team while Shea Weber nurses his foot injury.
  • The Washington Capitals have recalled Madison Bowey and Jakub Vrana back to the minor leagues once again, after executing a paper transaction yesterday to save some cap room. After reclaiming Nathan Walker off waivers yesterday, the Capitals are pushed right up against the salary cap and need to bank as much room on a day to day basis as possible. With Bowey and Vrana both playing well, neither are expected to actually leave the roster for any games.
  • The Ottawa Senators have recalled Andreas Englund from the AHL, giving them another defensive option for their three-game road trip. In a corresponding move, the team has placed Gabriel Dumont on injured reserve in order to make room for Englund on the roster.
  • The Boston Bruins have recalled Colby Cave from the AHL for the first time in his career, as Brad Marchand, Ryan Spooner and Riley Nash all deal with the flu. The trio are all game-time decisions for the team’s game against the Jets.
  • Tyler Bertuzzi is back up with the Detroit Red Wings, a week after being sent down. Bertuzzi has played just a single game with the Red Wings this season, but is a player they still hope can grow into something special. It’s not clear if Bertuzzi will get into the lineup right away, but with Luke Glendening suffering a hand injury yesterday there could be room for the young forward.

Washington Capitals Claim Nathan Walker

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The Washington Capitals have reclaimed Nathan Walker off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers and will report to the NHL squad for now, since the roster freeze is in effect.

Walker was acquired by the Oilers for a short period after being waived by the Capitals earlier this season due to a roster crunch, but was never unwanted by his previous organization. The fact that he is now back with them is no surprise.

Interestingly though, Walker’s addition puts the Capitals right up against the salary cap for the moment according to CapFriendly. The team won’t get to bank cap space for the next week the way it has this season unless they assign Madison Bowey or Jakub Vrana to the minors. Both players were sent down for just a single day earlier this week, meaning (since it was after December 11th) they can still be loaned to the minor leagues until December 23rd.

The Capitals likely don’t want to send either young player down due to their recent success, so we’ll have to wait to see what their decision is or if there is another way to get around the cap issue. For now, we know that Australian Walker is with the Capitals and will be for at least a week.

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