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Canadiens Recall Adam Engström

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The Montreal Canadiens will reward a top prospect for a five-point night in the AHL. Defenseman Adam Engström has been recalled to the NHL lineup ahead of a three-game road-trip. The 23-year-old leads AHL defenseman with five goals, and leads the Laval Rockets defense with 14 points. Eight of those points have come in his last four games.

On the other side of his hot streak, Engström will now receive the first call-up of his professional career. He signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens, and joined Laval, last season. His rookie AHL year had its ups-and-downs and ended with 32 points and 50 penalty minutes in 79 total games. Engström was no stranger to pro hockey before his time in the AHL, having already scored 38 points in 95 SHL games between 2021 and 2024. But breaking into North America, and getting year-one out of the way, seems to have a new layer of confidence to his game that’s paying off this season.

Montreal drafted Engström in the third-round of the 2022 NHL Draft, following a year where he posted 35 points in 51 games in Sweden’s junior league. He was lauded as a reliable, two-way defender capable of moving the puck in his draft year. In three years since, he’s added a strong physical frame and better jump towards the puck, bringing his game to a much higher level.

Engstrom will compete with Arber Xhekaj for a spot on Montreal’s third-pair. Xhekaj could earn a slight bit of favor, with his brother Florian Xhekaj also in the lineup. But should Montreal want a responsible play-driver, over a pure enforcer, a swap to Engström could be timely.

Oilers’ Jack Roslovic Proving A Worthwhile Signing

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Among the most discussed free agents this summer was forward Jack Roslovic, who didn’t sign a contract – not even a training camp try-out – until October 8th. The Edmonton Oilers finally stepped up to add the forward on their Opening Day, signing Roslovic to a one-year, $1.5MM contract.

Roslovic’s free agency stretching into the Fall was shocking. He scored 22 goals, a career-high, and 39 points with the Carolina Hurricanes last season – in an impactful, middle-six role. That is the exact presence he has brought to Edmonton so far. He has carved out a spot on the second-line and second power-play unit en route to nine goals and 17 points in his first 22 games with the Oilers.

His knack for making the gritty play has proven to be exactly what the high-skill Oilers were lacking. It has also helped Edmonton separate Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl onto two lines. Of the two, it’s Draisaitl’s – and, Roslovic’s – line that has dominated the competiton. Their trio, along with Vasily Podkolzin, has outscored opponents eight-to-three in 120 minutes of even-strength action. They’re also winning the battle for possession, generating eight shots for and seven shots against per game on average.

That line is vastly outperforming their expected-goals (2.50), and Roslovic himself is outperforming his career average shooting percentage (18.0% this year, 12.5% average), suggesting their red-hot scoring will slow down soon. On the same coin, it seems Edmonton isn’t getting quite all they could out of their flashy new addition. Roslovic has continued to dominate the faceoff dot despite operating on Draisaitl’s wing. He has won 58.7 percent of his 46 faceoffs this season, technically the highest on the team, just above Draisaitl’s 56.9 percent on a much more commendable 385 draws. Still, Roslovic is showing that he could stick at the center position if called upon, after posting a career-high 54.1 FO% on 355 faceoffs last year.

That could offer Edmonton a sneaky bit of flexibility as the season drags on. Previously, bumping Draisaitl up to McDavid’s flank would leave Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – and his career 44.7 FO% – as the team’s second-line center. With Roslovic, Edmonton could keep Nugent-Hopkins on the wing when he moves to the second-line.

Roslovic’s lineup impact is likely to look quite a bit different in March than it does now. His hot scoring is bound to slow, but his spot in the lineup should only become more concrete. He won’t provide McDavid with another star winger, but the security he provides Edmonton’s middle-six is invaluable. It’s a nifty bit of support for the cheap cost of $1.5MM, or only 1.5 percent of the salary cap. He is due for a new contract next summer – but it should be no issue to re-sign him with a slight pay boost if he continues to provide this kind of impact.

Edmonton is pushed up against a Stanley Cup championship. They have lost back-to-back Finals, and re-signed superstar McDavid to a three-year extension that upped the pressure to win before 2028. Any positive addition is one more body pushing towards that goal – and the Oilers have landed a discount in their October signing of Roslovic. His impact in the second-half could tilt the needle, and prove 31 other teams wrong for leaving him on the open market.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports.

Rangers Announce Multiple Roster Moves

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The New York Rangers have cycled around youngsters on the NHL roster. Winger Brett Berard and goaltender Dylan Garand have both been recalled, while defenseman Scott Morrow has been assigned back to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Morrow stepped into his first three games with the Rangers on his latest recall. He recorded no scoring and a minus-two.

To make room for Garand’s addition, defenseman William Borgen has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to his last game on November 18th, per Peter Baugh of The Athletic. He will be eligible to return as soon as he’s back to full health, but currently carries a day-to-day designation as he fights back from an upper-body injury. This move will leave the Rangers with six healthy defensemen, and only two right-shot defenders, for their upcoming schedule.

These moves will most notably help New York address the injury that backup goaltender Jonathan Quick sustained in Sautrday’s loss to the Utah Mammoth. He managed to finish the game but Garand’s call-up could indicate that Quick’s health is still up in the air. The Rangers host the St. Louis Blues on Monday, then depart for a two-game road trip on Wednesday. Garand could offer emergency support, should Quick need to step out of any portion of that road-trip.

The rookie goaltender has faced some early season struggles in Hartford’s starting role. He’s appeared in 11 of the team’s 17 games and set a 3-6-2 record and .897 save percentage. The performance is well below the 20-10-8 record and .913 Sv% he set in 39 appearances with Hartford last season.

Despite that slow step, Garand has firmly remained New York’s third-string goaltender. He will now bear the fruits of that standing with an injury call-up. Garand could even make his NHL debut on this recall, if New York wanted to keep star Igor Shesterkin from starting in three games straight.

This move will also bring Berard back to the top flight. The hard-nosed winger has had his ups-and-downs with the Wolf Pack, recording nine points and 24 penalty minutes in 17 games so far. He has spent the start of the season in the minor-leagues, despite scoring 10 points in 35 NHL games in his rookie season last year. This could be a chance for the 23-year-old to return to the NHL lineup, though it’d likely be in a bottom-six role.

Meanwhile, Morrow will return to Hartford once again. He has bounced between the NHL and AHL lineups all season long, after being acquired by New York in the summer trade that sent K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes. Morrow already has two points, four penalty minutes, and a minus-five in 11 games with Hartford. He’ll look to boost those numbers in his return.

Jets’ Neal Pionk, Josh Morrissey Leave With Injury

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The Winnipeg Jets saw their top two defenders leave Sunday’s match against the Minnesota Wild. Neal Pionk appeared to be in pain from the opening shift. He labored on the bench throughout the first period, and left the game before the start of the second. Later in the second period, Josh Morrissey had a puck riccochet up into his face. He immediately returned to the locker room but returned in the third period. Winnipeg went on to lose the game 3-0.

Morrissey appeared to be no worse for wear after returning. He finished the day with 25:49 in ice time, the most of any player in the Sunday matchup. That will be a silver lining for the Jets, who lean heavily on Morrissey as their top-defenfer. He has recorded five goals, 22 points, and a team-leading 43 blocked shots in 20 games – while averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time. He will now have until Wednesday to rest this upper-body injury.

Pionk, however, could miss time. He seemed clearly nagged by a lower-body injury sustained on a hit attempt in his first shift. He’s operated as Morrissey’s relief this season, averaging 23:46 in ice time through 20 games from the second-pair. Pionk has recorded five points, 36 blocked shots, and 41 hits in that timeframe – sticking to the hard-nosed defensive style that earned him a six-year extension last April.

Winnipeg would have to fill a role on their top defense pair and top penalty-kill unit should Pionk fall out of the lineup. Dylan DeMelo could be asked to double up his role, sticking next to Morrissey and taking on some vacant second-pair minutes. The Jets could also promote Colin Miller from the third-pair. Winnipeg will likely turn towards healthy scratch Luke Schenn to fill the remaining lineup hole. He has two points and a minus-four in 16 games this season.

However the Jets choose to shake up their defense, the resulting group will face a tough task. Winnipeg lost superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to an extended absence late last week. They have turned towards Eric Comrie and rookie Thomas Milic to fill the crease – and have now allowed three-or-more goals in six of their last seven games.

Chris Driedger Terminates Deal With KHL’s Traktor

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The rotation of goaltenders between North American and European pros is set to continue. Former Ottawa Senators goaltender Chris Driedger has terminated his deal with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk after playing in 23 games with the club. His next steps haven’t yet been laid out. Driedger has played in 67 NHL games and 217 AHL games over a 10-year pro career.

Russia was meant to offer the 31-year-old a fresh start after he managed an 11-9-6 record and .875 save percentage in 25 AHL games last season. Instead, his struggles continued overseas, with Driedger posting an 8-9-0 record and .897 save percentage with Traktor. Chelyabinsk as a club is tied for the most goals allowed (98) in the KHL through their first 30 games.

Traktor will turn to 26-year-old Sergei Mylnikov – not the -to relieve Driedger’s starting role. Mylnikov hasn’t played since late October, as Traktor tried to force Driedger onto the positive side by awarding him every start in November. Now, the career-backup will get his first chance to step into lofty minutes. He’ll be backed up by 23-year-old Saveli Sherstnev.

Meanwhile, Driedger will re-enter free agency. He seems destined for a return to the North America, where he spent the entirety of his pro career prior to this season. He has had moments of genuinely strong play, including a .933 across 35 games with the Florida Panthers between 2019 and 2021. But a move to the Seattle Kraken in 2021 knocked his save percentage below .900. He was able to get above that mark in the minors – and even reached a .917 save percentage in 39 games with Coachella Valley in 2023-24. But it didn’t stick at the top flight, pushing Driedger to move across the world this summer.

Should he return to North America, Driedger would be likely be set for a return to the AHL, where he’ll have a chance to earn a starting role once again. He’ll have to find success in that path before a return to the NHL comes into focus, especially after a down year in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Alexander Georgiev On Waivers For Termination, Headed To KHL

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Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet shared this afternoon that Sabres goaltender Alexander Georgiev has been waived with the intent of contract termination. Georgiev is set to move on to Russia and join Spartak of the KHL.

Georgiev was waived last month where he subsequently cleared and joined the AHL Rochester Americans. There, the Sabres affiliate had a wealth of goaltending, arguably at a legitimate NHL level, with Devon Levi alongside Georgiev, as well as prospect Topias Leinonen. Prior to the season, Buffalo had major question marks in net with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen banged up, and the respectable but not exactly standout Alex Lyon tasked with holding things down.

As it has turned out, Lyon has performed steadily, and waiver pickup Colten Ellis has also exceeded expectations. There was no real path forward for Georgiev in the organization. The Bulgaria native played in two games for Rochester, both ending in losses with a 3.57 GAA, but now seems onto greener pastures, joining a solid Spartak club which has needed help in net, where he will be a star at the KHL level.

Originally undrafted out of Liiga, an unusual path for most Russian players, Georgiev made an impression with the Rangers, who signed him in 2017. Making his NHL debut in 2018, Georgiev has the distinction of serving as backup for franchise icon Hendrik Lundqvist in his final season as a Ranger, gradually taking a higher workload. With the emergence of star Igor Shesterkin though, Georgiev’s future in New York became uncertain.

After the 2021-22 season, Georgiev was dealt to the freshly minted Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche for draft picks in order to replace Darcy Kuemper. Georgiev emerged as a low stakes, affordable option for a team strong enough up front to make up for any shortcomings in net. Sure enough, Georgiev posted his best season as a pro, leading the NHL with 40 wins, and becoming an NHL All Star.

Unfortunately for Georgiev, despite twice leading the league in wins, all while still remaining under 30 years old, Colorado quickly pulled the plug in 2024-25 amidst his shaky play. While unusual for a team to do so with a former All Star, it appeared the success was largely driven due to the team in front of him. Georgiev was dealt to the hardcore rebuilding San Jose Sharks, where Colorado brought back Mackenzie Blackwood in return.

In the thick of an aggressive rebuild, getting heavily outshot most nights, Georgiev naturally did not have as much success in San Jose in a role which is especially tough on any goaltender. GM Mike Grier let his contract expire after 2024-25.

Georgiev was signed in September by Buffalo, with an opportunity to re-establish himself as an NHLer, however with the emergence of other netminders in the organization, doors shut quickly. Still just 29, it is not impossible he could make an NHL return, but for now Georgiev will likely be eager to return closer to home as a major standout player in the KHL.

Montreal Canadiens Sign Alexandre Texier

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After his contract was terminated by St. Louis earlier today, Alexandre Texier has moved quickly, as per NHL agent Dan Milstein, he is headed to Montreal on a one-year deal. 

Per the team, the contract is worth $1MM, and runs to the end of the 2025-26 season.

The news does not come as much of a surprise, as Texier was long linked to Montreal throughout the process of working through his issues with the Blues. It had been thought that another Eastern Conference team was interested, perhaps Ottawa, but the Canadiens close in on Texier to slot in as a bottom-six upgrade.

Texier’s path to Montreal is not a very common one, as he did not report to AHL Springfield while still a member of the Blues and needed termination to find a fresh start. Both sides are surely happy to simply move on. Drafted by Columbus 45th overall in 2017, the French forward flashed serious skill in small sample sizes, including an 11-goal, 20-point effort in just 36 games in 2021-22. However, it became apparent Texier had a more bottom-six suited future in the NHL, still bringing valuable speed and versatility.

As the Blue Jackets turned the corner with a new wave of forwards, Texier became expendable at just 24. Given that he had set career highs in points and games played, St. Louis came calling, giving up just a fourth-round pick for Texier, and promptly signing him to a two-year deal w0rth $2.1MM per season in July 2024.

Unfortunately for both sides, it was not a fit. Texier battled through injuries at times and only played in 31 games last season. This year things have not gone any better, as he has been passed up, out of favor with Head Coach Jim Montgomery, and appearing scarcely as a pure fourth liner. While many in Texier’s situation become disgruntled from a lack of offensive opportunities, Texier lost his role as a penalty killer with the Blues which was surely frustrating, a role he’ll likely regain with Montreal with highly realistic changes of succeeding.

Whatever the case, the Blues are content to move on without anything in return, coming out respectably considering the little they paid for Texier in the first place. Meanwhile, Montreal adds a motivated speedy forward to their bottom six as their exciting young core looks to make a push for the postseason this spring. Texier will have time to become acquainted with his new team as they are out action until Wednesday, and he could look to debut at some point in the team’s upcoming three game road trip.

Injury Notes: Lindholm, McAvoy, Pageau, Dickinson

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The Boston Bruins shared updates on two key players ahead of tonight’s game in San Jose: Elias Lindholm has been activated, while Charlie McAvoy was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. 

Lindholm suffered a lower-body injury in late October, after a knee-on-knee collision with Jordan Greenway and has been absent since. His first season in Boston left some to be desired considering the $7.75MM cap hit, scoring 47 points, but Lindholm was off to a better start in 2025-26 overall, posting nine points in 13 games. Now, the veteran will be a welcome addition back to the lineup given the club’s current hot streak, as they march forward without McAvoy for the time being. 

As was noted yesterday, McAvoy underwent facial surgery after catching a puck to the face in a scary incident against Montreal on November 15th. His placement on IR is no surprise, and all things considered, it is not a terrible outcome in what could have been much worse. Boston will sorely miss their top defenseman, but the hope is that he will be back in time for the Olympics next February, if not sooner, depending on recovery. 

Elsewhere across the league:

  • After already losing Alexander Romanov long-term, the hits keep coming as the Islanders shared that forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau is week-to-week with an upper body injury. The news comes as a surprise as the veteran center played through yesterday’s game with no visible ailment. Pageau is a highly dependable all-around third line center, and a pending free agent at 33, it had been speculated that he could be a trade candidate at some point. However, given the Islanders impressive start it seems any such talks are off for the time being. Now, as they’ll move forward without a top defenseman and a key center, New York faces a huge test to close out 2025. 20-year-old Calum Ritchie will have an opportunity to step up, and his performance without Pageau may dictate the team’s direction later in the season. 
  • The Chicago Blackhawks announced Jason Dickinson has been activated off injured reserve. The veteran forward has missed all of November with an apparent upper-body injury. Dickinson had three points in eight games before going down, his Blackhawks tenure proving to be a nice example of a cap dump win. The Ontario native came to Chicago in 2022 along with a second round pick sweetener, and immediately has been a key presence in their lineup. His career high 22 goals in 2023-24 earned an extension at $4.25MM which comes in on the high end considering current production, but Dickinson remains a leader for the group with his reliable two-way game.

Alexander Romanov To Miss 5-6 Months, Will Have Shoulder Surgery

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The New York Islanders announced the fate of Alexander Romanov this afternoon after a scary hit into the boards from Mikko Rantanen last Tuesday. The defenseman will have shoulder surgery and will be out 5-6 months. Based on the timeline, any return by season’s end would be favorable.

While the 25-year-old does not jump out on the stat sheet most games, Romanov brings a very steady defense-first game, usually playing north of 20 minutes a night, which earned him an eight-year deal last summer worth $6.25MM per season.

With the Islanders exceeding expectations greatly so far this season, on a nice 6-3-1 streak in their last ten games, good for third place in the Metropolitan, it is devastating news. New York has a steady core of veterans on the backend, along with the emergence of young superstar Matthew Schaefer who remarkably is already a major minute-eater at 18-years-old, but Romanov’s stay-at-home play will be difficult to replace. The team recalled Marshall Warren earlier in the week with Romanov landing on IR, but the hope then was certainly that Romanov’s season would not be in jeopardy.

New York hosts Seattle this evening, and eyes will be on GM Mathieu Darche if he is to make an addition at some point to fill for Romanov’s void. With Pavel Mintyukov’s name floating around lately, such a move could allow the Islanders to maintain their momentum while simultaneously getting younger on the back end. Regardless, it will be critical to protect Schaefer and continue to keep him in the right situations. For now, losing Romanov is an especially tough blow from an avoidable hit which immediately caught the attention of the league.

Mikko Rantanen Suspended One Game

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This afternoon the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen has been suspended one game. As a violation under Rule 23.6, Physical Infractions Category, Rantanen incurred two game misconduct penalties in his last 41 games, which automatically carries a one game suspension. Such infractions have occurred in an especially short timeline however, just the last three games for Rantanen. It is a bit unusual for the 29-year-old, who has never been categorized as much of a dirty player.

Late in last Tuesday’s loss versus the Islanders, Rantanen was ejected after shoving Alexander Romanov into the boards in a dangerous play where the defenseman skidded into the boards with no chance to stop. The hit landed Romanov on injured reserve, but ultimately, the league chose not to suspend Rantanen.

Meanwhile, apparently unperturbed, just last night Rantanen viciously boarded Calgary forward Matthew Coronato, where he again was thrown out of the game with a misconduct. Although Coronato turned away at the last second, making himself especially vulnerable, Rantanen was already flying in, set to deliver a hard hit on the numbers. Thankfully Coronato returned to the game, but with a noticeable nose injury, as the Flames triumphed in a shootout.

Now, given that the current one game suspension is automatic with no further mention, additional discipline could come to Rantanen for the Coronato incident as well, especially considering what all transpired with the 29-year-old’s reckless play throughout the week. For now, Dallas will prepare to take on Edmonton on Tuesday without their superstar, who is tied for the team lead in points.

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