The Oilers and Avalanche stayed undefeated and the Senators stunned the Lightning on Saturday, which featured a busy slate of 14 games. As usual, Sunday is somewhat quieter, but tonight’s three match-ups feature two Pacific Division rivalry games and a battle between injury-bitten clubs as the Jets host the Penguins. As teams react to yesterday’s games and prepare for tonight and the week ahead, follow along with all of the roster transactions right here:
- Fresh off of an inspired first win of the season over the reigning President’s Trophy winners, the Ottawa Senators are getting ready to welcome a veteran asset back to the lineup. The team announced that rookie forward Vitaly Abramov has been reassigned to AHL Belleville. In his place, Mikkel Boedker is expected to return to the lineup, reports the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch. Boedker left the team’s season opener with an injury and has not played since, but seems ready to return and contribute. The 29-year-old is hoping to re-discover his 50-point form as he’s expected to play a larger role in Ottawa this year compared to last.
- The Minnesota Wild are still searching for their first point on the season – they are the only team without one – and are calling in reinforcements. The team announced that they have recalled forward Gerry Mayhew from the minors. Mayhew’s recall has been much-anticipated after he broke records in AHL Iowa last year with 27 regular season goals and nine postseason goals in just eleven games. A standout at Ferris State University, Mayhew’s production has actually improved at the pro level. The 26-year-old recorded 60 points last year for Iowa and already has six points through five games this year. The Wild hope that he again excels against elevated competition in his first NHL call-up. The team could certainly use the help. The Minnesota Wild also announced that prospect Ivan Lodnia has been assigned from the Iowa Wild of the AHL to his junior team, the Niagra Ice Dogs of the OHL. The 20-year-old hasn’t played a game with the Iowa Wild and will instead play an overage season in the OHL. Drafted in the third-round of the 2017 draft, Lodnia appeared in just 41 games last year, posting solid numbers, however, 17 goals and 45 points. Lodnia appeared in six regular season games at the end of the 2018-19 season, but failed to register a point.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans of the AHL, according to The Athletic’s Joe Yerdon. With a four-game schedule coming up this week, which includes a three-game road trip to California, the team needed some extra forward depth, especially after the injury to Conor Sheary. Lazar spent all of last season in the AHL with the exception of one game with the Calgary Flames. He’ll likely be used as a healthy scratch, but could work his way into one game.
- The Carolina Hurricanes announced they have recalled forward Brian Gibbons from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. The 31-year-old forward has fared well in the AHL with a goal and four points in four games. He spent all of 2018-19 in the NHL, playing 44 games (two goals and five points) with the Anaheim Ducks before being traded to Ottawa where he posted six goals and 14 points in 20 games. He will likely be there to provide depth after the injury to Jordan Martinook.
jdgoat
Just what’s needed, more Mikkel Boedker, less high upside prospects.
MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend
Yeah, but JD, doesn’t Melnyk think they’re already in playoff contention right now? Or is it their idea that Boedker is a “valuable veteran presence” who can teach the kids how to win and be good pros? I’d go with Hainsey on that one, myself. At least he knows how to break the tension in the locker room. Maybe their new idea is going to deviate from “draft and develop” to “draft and stifle.” I’m sure this won’t be the last head-shaker this season…
MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend
Oh, and maybe this is just coincidence, too:
link to twitter.com
Calling off search for new Pres. of Hockey Ops. New ownership is definitely needed, so that candidates will actually want to return calls from OTT brass. Pity Daniel Alfredsson doesn’t have a money pit to tap into, eh?
riverrat55
More like draft lottery mode. too bad Boedker has that $4 million is hard to move out from under contract, not all teams have the space or is not interested in him. Mom told me to be nice about Borowiecki , so want go there.
jdgoat
They should honestly just release him. Sure, he’ll help them get a better pick when compared to Abramov or Batherson or Brown or whoever hes taking ice time from, but cmon, let the kids play.
riverrat55
Logan Brown, I guess your speaking of since Sens want give him a chance when he made club 2 years in a row. With a few cups call ups in last 3 years, Want be a high end pick for Boedker with that contract, have to do a buyout or pay part of salary and add a prospect , to acquire a higher pick. you have $7,366,619 in cap space
riverrat55
few cups of coffee with Sens, my bad