New York Islanders‘ 1st round pick in the 2014 draft (#28 overall) rookie center Josh Ho-Sang(66) makes his NHL debut skating a healthy 23 shifts for 17:01 total ice with 2 shots on net and a 0 rating in a come from behind 5-4 victory.
He may not stick as he’s only filling in for the time being but with continued good playing there’s nothing like making a good first impression.
The 6′ somewhat light-ish, which may add to the quickness around the net he possesses, 173 lbs. forward already has 10 goals and 26 assists in 48 AHL games with affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers as a first year skater.
This basically mirrors what he accomplished in 4 years of juniors with Windsor Spitfires and Niagara IceDogs, where he was more than a point-per-game performer (82-210-292) in 256 OHL games.
The just turned 21-year old is signed to a three-year entry level deal through 2018/2019, so has some time to develop, which he’s already promised he will.
New Jersey Devils claimed Anaheim Ducks‘ 2011 high draft pick Stefan Noesen(23) off waivers as he was to be reassigned back to affiliate San Diego Gulls.
The decently sized, hard-nosed player scored his first pair of NHL goals in 2016/2017 through 12 games with the Ducks after appearing in only one game each of the previous 2 campaigns.
He’s added to those totals since joining his new club with 2 more tallies and 2 assists in 13 games with a +1 rating.
The 24-year old is set to become a restricted free agent for the 2nd time in his career but should get re-upped for another season with his new team.
2nd year net minder Adam Wilcox(32) picks up a new zip code in a goalie swap at the 2017 trade deadline.
The 6′ 189 lbs. back stop goes from draft team Tampa Bay Lightning (2011, 6th round, #178 overall) to state rival Florida Panthers.
The deal addresses needs for both clubs guarding their cage: one received youth, the other experience.
He is having a career year with Syracuse Crunch posting an 18-9-4-1 record with 1 shutout, 2.87 GAA and a .895 SV% in 34 AHL games.
The former 2015 NCAA (B1G) Champion with University Of Minnesota will likely report straight to affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds and split goal duties.
He was also on a 2012 Clark Cup winner with Tri-City Storm of the USHL.
The 24-year old is at the end of his 2-year entry level deal and set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current calendar but you have to think he’s an easy extension for his new club.
7th year right wing Jeremy Mornin(26) bounces to his fifth team in just over a year, as he is traded from Tampa Bay Lightning organization, who picked him up on the opening day of unrestricted free agency to Arizona Coyotes.
He played short stints back with initial contract team Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks, where he was shipped exclusively to the minors for the full run of 2015/2016.
Originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#45 overall), he was sent to the ‘Hawks before he ever laced up for a regular season game in their system.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward took an interesting path to pro hockey starting with a year in tier 3 juniors, then two seasons for the USNDTP team before heading up north for a season with Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.
He also won some gold, silver and bronze hardware at the World Junior Championships along the way.
He’s appeared in NHL games through the first five years of his pro career, including a best 43 contests in 2014/2015.
After the transaction the 24-year old headed back to the minors joining Tuscon Roadrunners.
He is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current calendar but the smart move would be to get him signed to see if he can break the young lineup for 2017/2018 to see if he can contribute.
Vancouver Canucks‘ undrafted 2nd year defenseman Evan McEneny(61) scores a recall for his first NHL appearance as a rash of players from the big league club is pulled down with a rash of illnesses (mumps).
He played a very confident 23 shifts for 15:08 of ice time with one shot on net and left the 4-1 team loss with a -1 rating.
The sturdy 6’2″ 203 lbs. blue liner was just one season ago playing the majority of his games as a rookie for affiliate Kalamazoo Wings but did admirably with a goal and 24 assists in 36 ECHL games with a +17 rating.
He only skated in 2 AHL contests registering no points.
Not exactly a late training camp cut heading into 2016/2017, he stuck with direct farm club Utica Comets and has some decently impressive marks scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in 43 outings, while heavily thumping any opponents that dare to go near his net minder.
He was known as somewhat of an assist man through his last three campaigns of junior hockey in the OHL averaging 30 helpers per season.
Originally signed to a three year entry level deal in 2012, he was allowed to slide two seasons but will become a restricted free agent at the end of the current calendar.
It seems obvious to extend him for another year.
Washington Capitals‘ 6th round pick in the 2012 draft (#167 overall) 2nd year right wing Riley Barber(19) gets his first nod to join the parent club for a pair of NHL outings.
He played an average of 12 shifts for 9 minutes of total ice with 2 shots on net and one hit, which sort of points towards him not being as engaged as the coach would maybe like to see in one win and a loss.
The 6′ 193 lbs. forward was reassigned back to affiliate Hershey Bears, where in 19 AHL games he has 7 goals and 5 assists with a +1 rating.
He’s been on the sidelines for at least half the season with a nagging injury and unfortunately his numbers will probably come up a bit short of his rookie stats: 26-29-55 in 74 contests but regardless he’s an effective, feisty, hard-skating player with good puck sense.
This was on full display through three years at Miami University (Ohio), where he was a more than point-per-game contributor and helped them win the 2015 NCAA (NCHC) Championship.
He was also a part of the 2011 USHL Clark Cup winning Dubuque Fighting Saints.
The 23-year old is signed to a three year entry level deal that runs through 2017/2018 and should get more opportunities to prove his game in the big league.
Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd year left wing Nic Kerdiles(17) scored his first NHL recall.
He skated 17 shifts for 11:08 total ice time with a +1 rating in a 5-3 win with two play breakups and 2 giveaways before being returned to affiliate San Diego Gulls.
In 11 AHL games he has 4 goals and 4 assists with a +2 rating.
Through 45 contests in 2015/2016, decently sized forward scored a career high 15 goals and 12 assists.
The 23-year old is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign but seems like to be re-upped for at least another look.
Los Angeles Kings‘ 3rd year defenseman Kevin Gravel(53) started his season as one of the final reassignments to affiliate Ontario Reign.
He had a career AHL year in 2015/2016 scoring 7 goals and 13 assists with a +4 and then tacked on another 7 points in 12 playoff match-ups, while also playing his first 5 games in the big league.
Recalled just under a month into the current calendar there’s no looking back as he’s managed to stay in the lineup for 41 games.
The 24-year old has 4 assists and just added his first NHL goal to the stat sheet.
He should be able to command a nice pay bump, which ain’t bad for a kid that came all the way up from his start with Marquette Rangers of the NAHL.
7th year defenseman Michael Stone(26) skated 324 games with draft team Arizona Coyotes but as his original squad is looking at another season without a playoff berth, they are starting to dump salaries.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent after signing a lucrative one-year deal for 2016/2017 the big blue liner gets dished to surging Calgary Flames, who look to be stockpiling players for their postseason push.
He was coming off a career year in 2015/2016 doubling his best assist mark with 30 and 36 points but has a bit of a tough -40 through 4 full NHL seasons and 2 partial.
Given a new environment, it’s tough to think the still young-ish 26 year old won’t turn the corner.
If he can agree to a new deal where he is may really push some of those scoring categories into new territory much like he did in four campaigns with Calgary Hitmen, which included a 2010 WHL Championship as team captain.
4th year right wing Ty Rattie(18) was given a one-year one-way extension by draft team St. Louis Blues heading into 2016/2017 as a restricted free agent.
He was on the opening night roster and appeared in a game one week later before being sent back to affiliate Chicago Wolves but quickly recalled.
The decently sized, good skater in all zones had a few more appearances playing limited ice time but found himself a healthy scratch for much of his two months before it was decided to return him to the farm club.
He was scooped on waivers by Carolina Hurricanes, inserted directly into the line up, skating 5 games of increased action with a pair of assists and a -2 rating but then was again watching from the stands for the next month.
The 24-year was set to be reassigned for a second time in one season but the Blues stepped back in and reclaimed him to return.
He’s expected to be sent to the AHL to continue his oddball campaign and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see if he’s summoned back up and switches squads for a third time.
