After a busy Saturday slate, it’s a quiet day across the NHL. Just two games are on the schedule, though the results could be impactful nonetheless. Two teams currently in playoff position and two teams just outside the postseason picture square off as the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars meet this afternoon in a Central Division clash and the Anaheim Ducks host the Detroit Red Wings later tonight. For the other 28 teams, today will be used to plan for the week ahead, which could produce a busy day for roster moves even without much action on the ice. Keep up with these transactions here:
Atlantic Division
- While many of the Montreal Canadiens’ COVID Protocol placements were back on the ice for practice today, several more remain out leaving the club shorthanded for a while longer. As a result, forward Jean-Sebastien Dea has been recalled from the AHL’s Laval Rocket, the Habs announced. The Laval native has eight goals in 24 AHL games so far this season, but has not yet had an opportunity to make his mark in Montreal. Later on, the team announced that Michael McNiven has gone to Laval, while Cayden Primeau will be assigned to the taxi squad.
- The Florida Panthers have added Chase Priskie and Matt Kiersted to the taxi squad, two depth defenders that have filled in when necessary this season. Priskie, 25, has played his first two NHL games, while the 23-year-old Kiersted has suited up in five.
Metropolitan Division
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned goaltender Jean-Francois Berube to the taxi squad. Berube had been up with the NHL group on an emergency recall with Elvis Merzlikins dealing with a minor lower-body ailment, but will now resume his No. 3 role. While the veteran keeper is seemingly on an NHL depth chart every year, Berube has in fact not played in an NHL game since 2017-18.
- Veteran defenseman Colin White and rookie forward Nolan Foote are on their way to the taxi squad in New Jersey. The Devils announced that the duo has been assigned to their reserve group. The pair have only played in nine combined games this season, but could have more opportunities while on the taxi squad.
Central Division
- The Winnipeg Jets were busy this morning, announcing the movement of six talented young players. Forwards Cole Perfetti, Kristian Reichel, and C.J. Suess have been reassigned from the NHL roster to the taxi squad. In a corresponding reshuffling, goaltender Mikhail Berdin and defensemen Ville Heinola and Dylan Samberg have been reassigned from the taxi squad to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
- The Dallas Stars have recalled Riley Damiani from the taxi squad and will have him in the lineup this afternoon against the St. Louis Blues. Damiani, 21, scored in his NHL debut earlier this season and has 18 points in 23 games for the Texas Stars this year.
- The Nashville Predators have reassigned Matt Luff to the taxi squad once again while moving Matt Tennyson and Tomas Vomacka to the AHL. Luff continues to be bounced up and down between the taxi squad and active roster on a near-daily basis.
Pacific Division
- Justin Bailey has lost his spot on the Vancouver Canucks’ taxi squad, at least for now. The team announced that the forward has been reassigned to AHL Abbotsford, where he has 13 points in 18 games this season. However, it’s Bailey’s zero points in ten NHL games that has him back in the minors.
- The Los Angeles Kings have completed their usual daily transactions, loaning Martin Frk to the taxi squad, activating Alex Turcotte from the COVID protocol, and Austin Wagner was loaned to the AHL.
- The Anaheim Ducks have recalled Brayden Tracey from San Diego of the AHL while removing Ryan Getzlaf from COVID protocol. To make room for them on the roster, Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Jacob Perreault were assigned to the taxi squad. Tracey, a 2019 first-round pick, will make his NHL debut tonight.
This page will be updated throughout the day.