Today is supposed to be about significant others, and the NHL did their part with just two games on the docket, but there are some significant moves worth paying attention to as well, both at home and abroad. Keep up with all of the day’s minor transactions right here:
- In some surprising news that will certainly require a follow-up, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers have released Nick Pastujov from his AHL contract, according to league’s transaction log. Pastujov, a New York Islanders 2016 draft pick, signed with Bridgeport this fall following a successful four-year stint at the University of Michigan. Although the Isles seemingly felt he was not ready for an entry-level contract, they wanted to keep the prospect winger within the organization. Yet, without having even played a game for the Sound Tigers, Pastujov has been released from the team. It is unclear whether this was his decision or if the move was prompted by the club. The oldest of three brothers, with Michael also at Michigan and Sasha bound for Notre Dame and looking like a potential first-round NHL draft pick, Nick looked primed to begin the Pastujov era in pro hockey. It will be interesting to see what comes next for the young forward.
- Another problem prospect for the Islanders, Joshua Ho-Sang is on the move again. Still technically under contract with New York, Ho-Sang was loaned to the SHL’s Orebro HK last month. After just five games – and one point – that relationship has already been terminated. Ho-Sang has now signed on with another Swedish club, Linkoping HC, hopefully for the rest of the season, the team announced. Ho-Sang will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season, but it seems unlikely that the Islanders will extend a qualifying offer.
- After bouncing around the AHL over the past few seasons, former Winnipeg Jets defenseman Julian Melchiori has found a home in Germany. Melchiori, who had played on an NHL contract in each of his first eight pro seasons, became an unrestricted free agent this off-season when his contract with the New Jersey Devils expired. Unable to find another NHL deal, Melchiori first signed in the KHL but terminated his deal in favor of a contract with the DEL’s Grizzlys Wolfsburg. Germany’s top league also had a delayed start to their season, but in just 15 games so far Melchiori has apparently impressed his new club and has enjoyed the fit himself. Wolfsburg has announced that the two sides have already agreed to a one-year extension. The team’s release called Melchiori a “leader” and “top performer” who “integrated very quickly”.
- Another former NHL defenseman, Marc-Andre Gragnani, has signed a new contract in Europe as well. Gragnani has inked a deal for the remainder of the SHL season with Djurgardens IF, the team announced. Since he last played in the NHL as a member of the New Jersey Devils in 2015-16, Gragnani has been stellar for the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk and Kunlun Red Star as one of the better offensive defensemen in the league. Even at 33, it would not be a surprise if Gragnani’s late signing this season was due to his desire to find a contract in the NHL. A journeyman in his North American days who was always far more effective in the AHL than the NHL, Gragnani no doubt has more confidence after several high-scoring seasons in Europe. He will have to re-focus now on helping his new Swedish club, as Djurgardens is still fighting for a playoff spot despite severely lacking talent on the blue line.
Not that anyone doubts that the Yang/Snow led Isles were a joke, but…they let Ho-Sang wear #66. He thought it was a good idea to do it and they thought it was a good idea to let him.
Maybe there’s a league in Argentina or something that will take him.
He can wear #66 while making $66 a month.
@forwhomjoshbelltolled – “Word on the street” has Ho-Sang destined for that notorious powerhouse, the Argentinian Gauchos! Ho-Sang has definitely proven to embody the “unruly” part of the Gaucho legend. ;)
What’s the difference what number he wore?
@bruin4ever – More than a few people believed then and still believe now that #66 should be off-limits, even though the league hasn’t officially retired it for all teams. While I, personally, was never a big fan of his, even I thought that anybody who had ideas of taking that number, should have been “discouraged”, at the very least (one of those *unwritten* rules types of things). Of course, you can name many other NHL legends’ numbers that could/should be retired league-wide, but that’s a conversation for another day.
You can’t be upset because a player wears a number which isn’t retired. That’s ridiculous to hold it against him and there’s literally no limit where you would cut that off considering it’s completely subjective.
I sure can.
I sure will.
I watch his career wither with great pleasure.
He thought was worthy of comparison to the best player to ever play this game and he can’t even make it in a Swedish beer league.
Are you confusing 99 with 66? Lol
No, but you are confusing the most accomplished player for the best player.
Lemieux was better and it wasn’t even close.
And set aside the disrespect to Lemieux, strictly from the Isles’ perspective…how did it benefit them to feed the ego of a player who slipped in the draft because of his perceived arrogance and resulting lack of work ethic?
How did that work out for all involved?
Not so well, right?
Didn’t Mario tell him it was okay to wear it?
Fair question…
After Ho-Sang made the mistake of asking to wear it and the Islanders made the mistake of allowing it, Mario was asked a question about it. At that point, he had two choices…say yes it was OK and be considered magnanimous even though it’s absurd BS or say no and be considered petty even though it’s absurd BS.
But again…Ho-Sang’s career is basically over and the Isles wasted a high draft pick and years of wasted time dealing with the headaches he created…so how was it ever a good idea for anyone? It was not.
Sounds about white
So no one should be allowed to wear it? It’s not retired league wife. Why should #66 never be worn again? He doesn’t own the number
@bross16 – As I stated in my comment above, many people, including a few players who spoke out briefly at the time, believe that #66 should be off-limits to all current/future players. The strong Pens fan base’s sentiment is understandable, naturally, but I remember hearing a small number of players express “displeasure” at the idea of anyone (not just Ho-Sang) wanting to wear it. The fact that the NHL hasn’t officially retired it for all teams is seen as an oversight by some. They’re fans of Mario and don’t like anyone dumping on him. Depending who you’re talking to, it’s a big deal or a “so-what.”
Yeah but there’s so many great players that don’t have their number retired either. Should players not be allowed to wear #9 or #4? At the end of the day it’s just a number