Despite many more additions to the COVID protocol, the NHL actually does have three games on the schedule for this evening. With a full slate of games coming on Tuesday as well, teams around the league will be preparing their rosters for action. As they do, we’ll keep track of all the minor league and taxi squad shuffling right here.
Atlantic Division
- The Montreal Canadiens have returned Jean-Sebastien Dea and Michael McNiven to the Laval Rocket, as they start to get some players back from the COVID protocol. The Canadiens haven’t played since January 1 and won’t be involved in a game until Wednesday, when they finally get their nightmare season back underway.
- The Ottawa Senators have sent Filip Gustavsson back to the Belleville Senators, suggesting that Anton Forsberg is ready to return. The interesting part is that Matt Murray is staying up for the time being, with the younger Gustavsson returning to play in the minor leagues.
Metropolitan Division
- The Pittsburgh Penguins will need another goaltender, as Casey DeSmith has been placed in the COVID protocol and is unavailable. DeSmith hasn’t been good this season anyway, meaning it shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Penguins. Later in the day, the team recalled Anthony Angello and Radim Zohorna to the taxi squad, while reassigning Drew O’Connor to the AHL after his bout with COVID.
- Goalie Tyler Wall is now up with the New York Rangers taxi squad. Serving as the third man while Igor Shesterkin is in COVID protocol, Wall has a .900 save percentage in eight ECHL games this season.
Central Division
- Riley Damiani and Adam Scheel have been returned to the AHL by the Dallas Stars, after the former failed to get into his second NHL game yesterday. Damiani took warmup with the team but then sat out and will have to wait for his next opportunity with the club.
Pacific Division
- The Anaheim Ducks have made several moves, sending Lukas Dostal, Olle Eriksson Ek, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Greg Pateryn, Jacob Perreault, Buddy Robinson, and Brayden Tracey back to the AHL for the time being. Dostal made his NHL debut yesterday and stopped 33 of 36 shots for the win, but will likely be moved up and down whenever there’s an off day for the Ducks. Several of these players will likely be recalled again tomorrow, either to the main roster or taxi squad.
- The Los Angeles Kings have made several transactions, including recalling Alex Turcotte, Samuel Fagemo, activating Alex Iafallo from the COVID list, and moving Martin Frk to it.
This page will be updated throughout the day
Frk can’t catch a break, just Covid.