As the NHL enters its second month, the league is filled with disappointments and surprises. Expected favorites have fallen, while new contenders rise. As always, we’ll keep track of all the league’s minor transactions right here. Keep refreshing the story throughout the day.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Nicholas Baptiste from the Rochester Americans ahead of their two-game road trip to the Western Conference. Buffalo will take on Arizona and Dallas as they try to climb out of their early season funk. Baptiste, who made his NHL debut last season, has five points in eight games this season for the Amerks and represents an interesting offensive piece.
- Jason Dickinson has been recalled by the Dallas Stars, filling the spot opened up when Julius Honka was sent down. Dickinson, the Stars’ first-round pick in 2013 has six goals in nine AHL games this season, and could add some more size and scoring touch to the Dallas offense. The 6’2″ forward has versatility at all three forward positions, and can move up and down a lineup for the coaching staff if needed. Though he has just three points in 11 career NHL games, they’re all goals—a good example of his excellent nose for the net.
- The Arizona Coyotes have recalled Louis Domingue and sent both Joel Hanley and Hunter Miska back to the AHL according to Craig Morgan of AZ Sports. Morgan explains that Domingue is up just for cap reasons, and Antti Raanta is expected to be activated of injured reserve. Remember that the salary cap also comes with a minimum floor of $55.4MM, a number that the Coyotes are much closer to than the ceiling this season. Since Domingue is on a one-way deal and will earn the same amount no matter where he plays, they can use his hit to help them get to that floor without doling out any actual extra cash. The team also announced that defenseman Dakota Mermis has been recalled from AHL Tucson. He has yet to play in the NHL and is in his third season at the minor league level.
- Speaking of paper transactions, the Minnesota Wild have re-assigned Mike Reilly and Luke Kunin to the AHL for cap purposes. The Wild are tight to the cap ceiling, so use the pair’s waiver-exempt status to bank room whenever they can. They’ll likely be back up for the team’s game tomorrow against the Montreal Canadiens.