A swap of veteran forwards dominated the headlines last night, as the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings got together on a trade. Mike Cammalleri will head north while Jussi Jokinen gets to avoid an Edmonton winter. As teams head into the holiday season, they’ll continue to tweak their rosters and try to find the right mix of players. We’ll be here updating all the minor moves of the day.
- Zach Fucale has been officially sent back to the AHL, after the Montreal Canadiens claimed Antti Niemi off waivers. The team had been using Fucale as the emergency backup given the injuries to Carey Price and Al Montoya, but will now return him to the minor leagues where he can continue his development. With Price returning before long, Niemi’s place on the team is temporary to be sure.
- As expected, the Colorado Avalanche have recalled Vladislav Kamenev now that they’re home from the Stockholm series. In the process, they’ve re-assigned A.J. Greer and Rocco Grimaldi, sending them both to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL. Kamenev came to Colorado in the Matt Duchene trade, and should get a chance to stick with the NHL club for some time. In four AHL games since the trade, he has four points.
- Jon Gillies has been recalled from the AHL to back up Eddie Lack for the Calgary Flames. The goaltender comes up under emergency conditions as Mike Smith will not be dressing for the Flames against the Detroit Red Wings. Smith did travel to Detroit (though on a flight separate from the team) according to John Shannon of Sportsnet, but won’t be on the bench. He’s considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Jason Dickinson will have to wait for his next NHL opportunity, as the Dallas Stars have reassigned him to the minor leagues. The 22-year old was held scoreless in four games with the Stars, and is still waiting for his first real break in the NHL. A first-round pick from 2013, he has three goals in 15 career games.
- Once again Chase Balisy is up with the Florida Panthers, recalled for the third time this year. Still looking for his first NHL point, the 25-year old forward is getting used to the up-and-down nature of being waiver-exempt.