Taxi Squad Shuffle: 02/04/21

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

• After Braydon Coburn cleared waivers, the Ottawa Senators flipped him down to the taxi squad and brought up Erik Brannstrom. The 21-year-old Brannstrom played 31 games for the Senators last season and is expected to make his debut tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.
• The Vancouver Canucks have sent Loui Eriksson to the taxi squad while activating Justin Bailey. It is cheaper for the team to keep Bailey on the taxi squad whenever the team isn’t playing, given his two-way deal earns less money when off the active roster. Eriksson hasn’t played yet this season but continues to be the team’s highest-paid forward.

West Division

• The Los Angeles Kings have made several moves again today, recalling Tobias Bjornfot and Boko Imama from the minor leagues to the taxi squad. Arthur Kaliyev has been sent back to the AHL, despite scoring in his NHL debut two nights ago. The Kings are traveling to Vegas to take on the Golden Knights twice in the next three days.
• The Arizona Coyotes have recalled Michael Chaput from the taxi squad, moving Jordan Gross down in the process. With Ilya Lyubushkin back in the lineup, Gross can resume his role as the extra defenseman. Chaput meanwhile hasn’t played yet this season and actually only saw NHL action on two occasions during 2019-20. The 28-year-old did have 16 goals and 29 points in 47 AHL games last year but has never been able to bring that kind of offensive production up a level.

Central Division

• The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed Elvis Merzlikins on injured reserve while bringing up Matiss Kivlenieks from the taxi squad. Cam Johnson has been recalled from the AHL to the taxi squad to fill in as the third goaltender while the team deals with a minor injury to Merzlikins. The Blue Jackets have listed the goaltender as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
• Jason Robertson is back with the Dallas Stars, recalled from the taxi squad today. The 21-year-old forward has played in two games so far this season but is still looking for that elusive first NHL goal. He’ll be back in the lineup tonight when the Stars take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

East Division

• The Washington Capitals have sent Pheonix Copley back to the minor leagues, though that doesn’t necessarily mean Ilya Samsonov is coming off the COVID Protocol list right away. The team still has three goaltenders with the NHL team as Zach Fucale sits on the taxi squad. The Hershey Bears start their season tomorrow and will likely have Copley in net.
• The New York Rangers have recalled Libor Hajek from the taxi squad, giving the young defenseman another chance now that they have moved on from Tony DeAngelo. Hajek, 23, played 28 games for the Rangers last season but wasn’t all that successful and has yet to suit up for a game this season. Selected 37th overall in 2016, he has just 33 NHL games under his belt thus far.

This page will be updated throughout the day.