It’s a quiet Monday in the NHL, with only two games on the schedule for this evening. The New York Islanders will try to right the ship with a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the Detroit Red Wings try to continue their impressive start in a battle against the Columbus Blue Jackets. As those teams and others prepare for action this week, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Detroit Red Wings have placed Mitchell Stephens on injured reserve, retroactive to November 13. In his place, the team has recalled Joe Veleno, who had been up earlier this year when Tyler Bertuzzi was unable to travel to Canada. Veleno, 21, registered a goal and an assist in four games with the Red Wings and will now get another chance to show he can compete at the highest level.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent Joey Anderson back to the AHL, a curious move given they are in long-term injured reserve relief and not accruing cap space anyway. Perhaps someone else is coming up in his place, or just that they want him to get back into game action with the Toronto Marlies while they are at home. Anderson hasn’t gotten into an NHL game yet this season.
- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Brett Murray from the AHL, giving them an insurance option as they hit the road for one game. The team will play in Pittsburgh tomorrow before returning to Buffalo.
Metropolitan Division
- As they head out for a road trip to the west coast, the Washington Capitals have recalled Garrett Pilon from the AHL. The 23-year-old will be the team’s only reserve forward, meaning he could potentially enter the lineup to make his season debut. With just a single NHL game under his belt, Pilon came flying out of the gate this season in the minor leagues, scoring five goals and 11 points in 13 games for the Hershey Bears.
- The New York Rangers have assigned Greg McKegg to the AHL, suggesting that Filip Chytil may be ready to go for tomorrow’s game. McKegg has played in eight games for the Rangers this season and has failed to register a point, averaging exactly 11 minutes of ice time.
- Josh Leivo is on his way back to the AHL, after playing twice for the Carolina Hurricanes over the weekend. With Martin Necas and Nino Niederreiter both on the ice today for practice, the Hurricanes are getting closer to full health upfront.
Central Division
Pacific Division
- With the Vancouver Canucks on their way back to Canada for a game on Wednesday, the team has sent Jack Rathbone back to the AHL. Travis Hamonic will likely be recalled tomorrow, as he’s eligible to play again given the home date. (UPDATE: In fact, Hamonic has been recalled today, with Madison Bowey also going down to the AHL).
- The Los Angeles Kings have recalled both Kale Clague and Austin Strand, after only sending them down yesterday. The Kings have consistently performed “paper transactions” this season to bank cap space on off days, accruing cap space even though they have Drew Doughty on long-term injured reserve. While their accruable cap space limit is still less than the $81.5MM upper limit, the Kings are still preparing for the possibility of a midseason addition should they be in a competitive position.