There has been plenty of roster movement between NHL teams and the taxi squad on a daily basis this season. Although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of that shuffle news each day.
North Division
- The Calgary Flames have recalled Connor Mackey and Derek Ryan from the taxi squad, moving Buddy Robinson down in their place. The Flames have been moving Ryan off the active roster whenever they don’t have a game to play in order to save some cap and delay his waiver clock. It won’t be possible forever (once Ryan plays ten games, he’ll need waivers again to go down) but for now he’s on a constant shuffle back and forth.
West Division
- The Los Angeles Kings have recalled Jacob Ingham from the AHL and assigned him to the taxi squad while sending Matt Villalta back down in his place. This swap could be frequent throughout the season to ensure both goaltenders get some minor league game action while still providing a third goaltender for the NHL club.
- The Arizona Coyotes have finally added Ilya Lyubushkin to the active roster now that his work visa situation has been resolved. Lyubushkin played in 51 games for the Coyotes last season and signed a new one-year, $1MM deal in October. The 26-year-old defenseman has just eight points in his NHL career and is still looking for that elusive first goal.
Central Division
- With players starting to come off the COVID Protocol list, the Carolina Hurricanes have sent Drew Shore, Sheldon Rempal, and Joey Keane back to the Chicago Wolves. Only Jesper Fast remained when the list came out yesterday, meaning the Hurricanes should have nearly a full complement of players at their disposal for tomorrow’s game.
- The Dallas Stars have moved Tanner Kero to the taxi squad after the veteran forward played just under nine minutes last night. Kero had been seeing more time than ever before in his career but returned to spot duty in last night’s shootout loss against the Hurricanes. The 28-year-old has two points in five games and could be back up from the taxi squad tomorrow for the Stars next game.
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent Matiss Kivlenieks to the AHL while recalling Cam Johnson to the taxi squad. The goaltending swap is intended to keep each of them fresh and in game form through minor league action while continuing to provide a third option for the NHL.
- The Detroit Red Wings have made their daily changes, moving Givani Smith, Michael Rasmussen, and Calvin Pickard back to the taxi squad, while sending Chase Pearson, Dennis Cholowski, and Gustav Lindstrom down to the AHL. The Red Wings don’t play again until Wednesday, meaning they can save some cash and cap by moving players on two-way contracts off the active roster.
- Similarly, the Nashville Predators have recalled Mathieu Olivier and Eeli Tolvanen from the taxi squad, giving them some extra forwards on game day. The Predators play the Lightning tonight and if he gets into the lineup, it would be Tolvanen’s first NHL action since 2018.
East Division
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Jean-Sebastien Dea and C.J. Smith to the taxi squad while sending top prospect Jack Quinn to the AHL. The Rochester Americans start their truncated season later this week and Quinn appears to be in for some professional action while his junior league remains suspended. Quinn, 19, will not start his entry-level contract by playing in the AHL.
- The New York Rangers have recalled Anthony Bitetto from the taxi squad, presumably to take the spot of Tony DeAngelo who cleared waivers earlier today. In the meantime, however, Jonny Brodzinski has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL to fill the empty taxi squad spot. It’s not clear exactly where DeAngelo sits with the team, but for now the 30-year-old Bitetto is expected to make his Rangers debut.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins, who are dealing with another injury on defense, have recalled Will Reilly from the taxi squad. The 23-year-old defenseman has not played a professional game yet after completing his four-year career at R.P.I. last season. To make room on the roster, Brian Dumoulin has been moved to long-term injured reserve retroactive to January 26.
This page will be updated throughout the day.