The New Jersey Devils have re-assigned Blake Speers from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to the Albany Devils for their playoff run, reports Andrew Gross of The Record. The 20-year old forward played three games with New Jersey to start the year before heading back to the OHL and suiting up for Canada at the World Juniors. After tallying just a single goal in the OHL playoffs, he’ll try to help Albany get past the second round for the first time in their history.
Last year, the Devils were the second best team heading into the postseason but were dethroned by an devastating Toronto Marlies team that was carrying half the current Maple Leafs team. Speers will try to fit in alongside John Quenneville and the rest of the young Devils this time around.
- The Anaheim Ducks have signed Giovanni Fiore to a three-year entry-level contract, though no financial details were released. Fiore played this season Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and easily led with 52 goals and 90 points in 61 games. The 20-year old undrafted forward led the entire QMJHL in goals, making him an easy target for teams looking at overagers in the CHL. He’ll try to keep that scoring touch at the next level, where time and space are reduced. Unlike many overlooked talents, he actually has the size 6’1″ 195-lbs to make it in the NHL should he ever develop his game that far.
- The Everett Silvertips of the WHL have declined to extend Kevin Constantine past this season, a very unexpected move after going 44-16-12. Constantine was a head coach of the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils for a time, but never could get past the second round of the playoffs. Perhaps that’s the same thing that has haunted him here in Everett, as the Silvertips were knocked out—swept in fact—in the second round for the third consecutive year. Constantine shouldn’t have trouble finding work as an assistant in the NHL should he desire, and will be an interesting name to keep an eye on with the other vacancies around the league.