Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Martin Reway

Minor Transactions: 08/01/23

at CDT | by 1 Comment

As the calendar turns to August, more and more clubs across the hockey world are putting the finishing touches on the roster they’ll bring into their training camps for next season. Most major European pro leagues begin in early to mid-September, including Liiga, the DEL, the Swiss NL, and the SHL. Liiga preseason actually begins on Friday, meaning we’re quickly reaching the point when the 2023-24 season truly begins overseas. As always, we’ll keep track of notable player movement in minor and foreign leagues here.

  • 27-year-old defenseman Bobby Nardella has found success pretty much everywhere he’s played over the last decade, from being a star USHLer to a second-team All-American at Notre Dame to now a Calder Cup Champion in the AHL in just his fourth season of pro hockey. But despite his strong play in the AHL regular season with the Hershey Bears, the undersized left-shot blueliner hasn’t yet earned his first NHL game, and now he’s guaranteed that he won’t receive that chance at least until 2024-25. Nardella signed a one-year contract with HV71 in the SHL. Nardella heads to Jönköping with 47 games of SHL experience already under his belt, as he played there on loan during the COVID-19-impacted 2020-21 campaign. He led Djurgårdens IF in scoring with 33 points in 47 games and will likely be a key player next year for HV71.
  • Like Nardella, Sami Lepistö played a key role as a defenseman during a Hershey Bears Calder Cup championship, scoring 42 points in 70 games during the team’s championship season in 2008-09. Unlike Nardella, Lepistö played in 14 career NHL games by the end of that season and the following season he broke into the NHL full-time with the Coyotes. Lepistö would ultimately play in 176 NHL games before embarking on a long and extremely successful career in Europe that would see him win two Olympic medals and be named to three consecutive KHL All-Star games. Today, Lepistö, 38, announced his retirement due to medical considerations, ending his storied career that saw him last play for the SCL Tigers in the Swiss NL, where he helped the club avoid relegation.
  • A stunning goal from 32-year-old defenseman Miks Indrašis sent the home crowd in Riga into a frenzy earlier this summer, lifting Latvia to an upset victory over heavily-favored Sweden in the quarterfinals of the IIHF Men’s World Championships, one of the biggest wins in the history of Latvian hockey. Now, Indrašis is headed to the country he upset to continue his pro career. He’s signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second tier of Swedish hockey. Indrašis is a lanky six-foot-four blueliner who scored 29 points in 53 games for the DEL’s Schwenningen Wild Wings and is likely to play a regular role for Brynäs during what will be his first campaign playing in Scandinavia.
  • 2007 Nashville Predators second-round pick and former ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs MVP Jeremy Smith has signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star through his age-36 season.  The American netminder has played for Kunlun since 2019-20 and is the franchise’s all-time leader in wins and saves. Smith represented China at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and is coming off of a strong bounce-back season as Kunlun’s number-one goalie, posting an impressive .914 save percentage despite a grisly 10-24-2 overall record.
  • Veteran DEL defenseman Jonas Müller, a regular representative of Germany in IIHF play, has signed an early four-year contract extension to remain with his club Eisbären Berlin. Although Berlin endured a difficult 2022-23 season, Müller ended his campaign on a highly positive note as he played a role in Germany taking home a silver medal at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championships. Müller also has a silver medal from the 2018 Winter Olympics and despite being just 27 years old already has over 400 DEL games on his resume and two league championships. Müller averaged the most nightly minutes of any Berlin player and this contract ensures he’ll be the team’s defensive centerpiece moving forward.
  • Former Montreal Canadiens prospect Martin Réway finished his 2022-23 campaign on a high note, scoring 12 points in 13 playoff games for Slovakia’s HK Spisska Nova Ves. Per a social media announcement from the club, Réway has signed a contract for next season with HK 32 Liptovský Mikuláš. Réway, 28, was a 2013 fourth-round pick who starred in the QMJHL but only managed five games playing in the AHL for the Canadiens’ affiliate. Réway’s last few years have been among the most productive in his career and this signing with Liptovský Mikuláš will potentially help the club avoid relegation to the second tier of Slovak hockey.

This page may be updated throughout the day.

Minor Transactions: 01/01/23

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With the new year now upon us, today features the first slate of games of 2023. With the Winter Classic coming up tomorrow, there’s quite a bit on the calendar for NHL fans to get excited about. As these games go on, teams in minor and overseas leagues are making tweaks to their rosters. We’ll keep track of any notable moves here:

  • 2016 Vancouver Canucks draft pick and established SHL scorer Rodrigo Abols will be changing clubs this summer. The Latvian forward has announced that he will be leaving his current club, Orebro, to sign with Rogle for next season. Abols has 20 points in 27 games this season and last played in North America in 2019-20, scoring 23 points in 36 games for the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds.
  • Former Montreal Canadiens prospect Martin Reway has parted ways with his current club, EHC Freiburg of the German DEL2. Reway arrived in the German second division after playing last year in the Czech second division. He has scored 23 points in 20 games this year for Freiburg.
  • The Erie Otters have completed a trade with the Niagara IceDogs, landing Pano Fimis, the number-two pick of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Fimis, who went undrafted last year, has scored 24 points in 28 games this year. He’ll arrive in Erie likely that this trade can spark increased production and give him a shot at getting drafted in the summer.
  • Tim Soderlund, perhaps best known for being a part of the 2021 trade of Duncan Keith to the Edmonton Oilers, has parted ways with his current club, Djurgardens IF. The 24-year-old winger, a 2017 fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, has scored 14 points in 29 HockeyAllsvenskan games this season. He last played in North America in 2021-22, splitting time between the AHL and ECHL before heading to Djurgarden.

Minor Transactions: 09/06/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While the NHL season is still a few weeks away from commencing, many European leagues are in the process of starting their regular seasons as we speak. With those starts come a flurry of roster moves, and we’ll keep track of those here today.

  • Martin Reway, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2013, has been released by HC Kosice of the Slovakian Extraliga, Slovakian outlet Sportnet reports. Reway no longer remains on Montreal’s reserve list after the team terminated his entry-level contract on October 29, 2017. Reway had played just five professional games in North America at the time, scoring two points in five games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket after missing the entire 2016-17 campaign. Reway’s shown the ability to produce at every level, including his 30 points in 39 games with Kosice just last season. While unlikely he’ll be a factor at the NHL level, it’s unknown whether Reway is interested in a return to North America.
  • HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga announced the signing of winger Martins Dzierkals to a one-year contract.  The 24-year-old spent last season in the KHL, notching 24 points in 52 games with Dinamo Riga.  Dzierkals’ NHL rights were traded to Vegas as part of the Robin Lehner move back in 2020 and the Golden Knights continue to hold his rights.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

Minor Transactions: 09/05/19

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

It’s now September and teams are still filling out their organization depth charts as they wait on the restricted free agent market to heat up. With moves being made daily in the minor, professional, collegiate and European leagues, we’ll keep track of all the notable ones right here. Check back often for an updated list:

  • Former Montreal Canadiens prospect Martin Reway will be playing in the Czech Republic again this season, signing a one-year deal with Kladno for 2019-20. The 24-year old was a fourth-round pick of the Canadiens in 2013 and signed his entry-level deal in 2016, but ended up terminating it the next year. Reway was a dominant junior player for Slovakia for several years internationally, but has had a very up-and-down professional career so far that included an illness which sidelined him for an entire season.
  • 17-year old defenseman Victor Mancini has committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for his collegiate future, after he’s done developing his game overseas. Mancini will play for the Frolunda junior program in Sweden this season as he continues to try and grow his draft prospects. The 6’3″ defenseman from Saginaw, Michigan will be eligible for the 2020 draft and could put himself on the map by performing well in the Swedish leagues.

Reway Clears Unconditional Waivers, To Be Terminated

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Sunday: CapFriendly reports that Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Martin Reway has cleared unconditional waivers and the team is terminating his deal.

Saturday: The Canadiens have placed Reway on unconditional waivers for the purpose of mutual contract termination, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link).

Reway missed all of last season with a heart ailment but had made a return to playing this season with Montreal’s AHL affiliate in Laval.  The team was easing him into the lineup by avoiding playing him in back-to-back situations but he still suited up in five games, collecting two assists and six penalty minutes along with a -5 plus/minus rating.

However, the 22-year-old left the team on Thursday to ponder his future and with this move, it appears that his preference may be to return to playing overseas at this time.  This isn’t the first time this month that the Canadiens have utilized a contract termination as they did so with defenseman Mark Streit after he declined to report to the minors.

Assuming he clears, the Canadiens will be off the hook for the remaining two years of his contract, one that carries a cap hit of just over $700K.  It will also drop them to 45 contracts on of the 50-contract limit.

Canadiens Place Martin Reway On Waivers

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Canadiens have placed prospect Martin Reway on unconditional waivers for the purpose of mutual contract termination, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link).

Reway missed all of last season with a heart ailment but had made a return to playing this season with Montreal’s AHL affiliate in Laval.  The team was easing him into the lineup by avoiding playing him in back-to-back situations but he still suited up in five games, collecting two assists and six penalty minutes along with a -5 plus/minus rating.

However, the 22-year-old left the team on Thursday to ponder his future and with this move, it appears that his preference may be to return to playing overseas at this time.  This isn’t the first time this month that the Canadiens have utilized a contract termination as they did so with defenseman Mark Streit after he declined to report to the minors.

Assuming he clears, the Canadiens will be off the hook for the remaining two years of his contract, one that carries a cap hit of just over $700K.  It will also drop them to 45 contracts on of the 50-contract limit.

Training Camp Cuts: 09/24/17

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The more than fifty cuts made from training camps around the league yesterday was only the beginning. Weekend or not, expect the announcements to keep flooding in, and we’ll keep track of it all right here:

Arizona Coyotes
F Michael Bunting – Tucson (AHL)
D Kyle Capobianco – Tucson (AHL)
F Conor Garland – Tucson (AHL)
D Joel Hanley – Tucson (AHL)
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph – Charlottetown (QMJHL)
F Jens Looke – Tucson (AHL)
D Dysin Mayo – Tucson (AHL)
F Lane Pederson – Tucson (AHL)
F Mike Sislo – Tucson (AHL)
D Jalen Smereck – Tucson (AHL)
D Tyson Strachan – released from PTO

Boston Bruins
D Christopher Breen – Providence (AHL)
D Connor Clifton – Providence (AHL)
D Taylor Doherty – Providence (AHL)
F Zachary Senyshyn – Providence (AHL)

Carolina Hurricanes
F Patrick Brown – Charlotte (AHL)
F Julien Gauthier – Charlotte (AHL)
D Brenden Kichton – Charlotte (AHL)
D Roland McKeown – Charlotte (AHL)
F Andrew Miller – Charlotte (AHL)
D Dennis Robertson – Charlotte (AHL)
D Philip Samuelsson – Charlotte (AHL)

Dallas Stars
D Gavin Bayreuther – Texas (AHL)
G Landon Bow – Texas (AHL)
G Philippe Desrosiers – Texas (AHL)
F Sheldon Dries – Released from ATO
F Max French – Released from ATO
F Austin Fyten – Released from PTO
D Shane Hanna – Released from ATO
D Niklas Hansson – Texas (AHL)
D Dillon Heatherington – Texas (AHL)
F Samuel Laberge – Released from ATO
D Matt Mangene – Released from PTO
F Colin Markison – Released from PTO
F Cole Ully – Texas (AHL)

Edmonton Oilers
F Mitch Callahan – Bakerfield (AHL)
F Grayson Downing – Bakersfield (AHL)
D Caleb Jones – Bakersfield (AHL)
F Joey Laleggia – Bakersfield (AHL)
D Keegan Lowe – Bakersfield (AHL)
D Ryan Mantha – Bakersfield (AHL)

Montreal Canadiens
F Daniel Audette – Laval (AHL)
F David Broll – Laval (AHL)
G Zachary Fucale – Laval (AHL)
F Jeremy Gregoire – Laval (AHL)
D Brett Lernout – Laval (AHL)
F Martin Reway – Laval (AHL)
F Nikita Scherbak – Laval (AHL)

Read more

East Notes: Green, Reway, Djoos

at CDT | by 2 Comments

Red Wings defenseman Mike Green is the highest paid blueliner that is currently slated to hit the open market next summer with a salary and cap hit of $6MM.  Craig Custance of The Athletic (subscription required) spoke with an agent regarding what Green’s next contract should cost.  Although Green doesn’t exactly have the reputation of being a particularly strong defensive player, he has consistently been a strong offensive producer and between that and his right-handedness, he could still be in line for a contract around $4.5MM.

Detroit already has just shy of $20MM committed to their back end for 2018-19 as things stand so locking Green up on a new deal wouldn’t allow them much flexibility in terms of trying to upgrade what is already not a strong unit.  Accordingly, if they find themselves out of the playoff race by the trade deadline, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Red Wings offer him up as a rental player.

Elsewhere in the East:

  • After missing all of last season due to a heart condition, Canadiens prospect Martin Reway is set to suit up in Montreal’s upcoming prospect tournament, notes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. The former fourth round pick averaged better than a point-per-game in stints in the Czech Extraliga and the Swiss NLA back in 2015-16 and will likely start in at the AHL level this season.
  • Although he was given a mandate to bulk up over the offseason, Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos checked in at almost the same weight he did last training camp, writes Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. The 23-year-old finished third in AHL scoring by blueliners last season and is expected to contend for a roster spot following the departures of Nate Schmidt, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Karl Alzner.  However, at just 168 pounds, Djoos stands to be one of the leanest NHL defenders which could be a concern against stronger competition.

Atlantic Notes: Senators, Marchessault, Reway

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

New Senators coach Guy Boucher intends to reduce players’ shift times this season, writes Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun.  Last season, the two Stanley Cup finalists (San Jose and champion Penguins) had an average shift length of 41 seconds which didn’t go unnoticed by Boucher:

“It’s a pace game now. Can you sustain it, can you maintain it. The only way to maintain it is with energy.  “Who won the Stanley Cup? The team that had the most pace. Period. That’s where we need to go.” 

The trend towards short shifts was also present at the World Cup of Hockey, particularly with Team Canada who routinely had their players take shifts under 40 seconds (sometimes even under 30).

Ottawa had 23 players with an average shift length higher than 41 seconds last season, including defenseman Erik Karlsson, who led the league with an average shift of 1:04, eight seconds higher than any other player.  While Karlsson has led all NHL blueliners in scoring in each of the last three seasons, the restrictions will apply to him, although Boucher noted that the 26 year old should still play the full two minutes on the power play (which will inevitably bring his shift average well about the league average once again this year).

Boucher hopes that keeping his players fresh will have some benefits on the defensive end as well:

“Usually problems happen in the extended part of your shift. That’s where you get tired, that’s where you get turnovers. That’s what we don’t want to get into.”

Other news from the Atlantic:

  • Jonathan Marchessault’s decision to leave Tampa Bay for state rival Florida came down to playing time, he told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. Marchessault spent parts of the last two years with the Lightning but was in and out of the lineup frequently and was often scratched to allow the team to dress a seventh defenseman.  With the Panthers, Marchessault is eyeing a spot on the third line as the team looks to bring more skill into their bottom six.  He signed a two year, $1.5MM deal in Florida at the beginning of free agency.
  • Montreal Canadiens prospect Martin Reway may not be able to play at all this season, reports Louis-Andre Lariviere of TVA Sports (link in French) who spoke with one of the 21 year old’s agents. Reway was hospitalized last month with a virus and at that time, it was announced that he wouldn’t be participating in training camp.  The team would not comment on the report, only noting that there is no new information at this time.
  • Senators right winger Mark Stone skated on Friday for the first time since he suffered a concussion last week, notes the Ottawa Citizen’s Ken Warren. He still hasn’t been green lit to receive contact nor has he passed the baseline test but he’s hopeful that he will be able to get into a preseason game next week.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top