6th year defenseman Joel Chouinard(49) re-signed at the beginning of 2015/2016 to continue with Toledo Walleye.
Loaned late to Iowa Wild, he finished out last year on the bottom dwelling squad before being returned to participate in the postseason , where he notched 8 assists in 19 Kelly Cup Playoffs match ups.
He’s notching career high marks in the current campaign scoring 6 goals and 19 assists for 25 points as he seems to be settling into a leadership role before once again being called up to the higher league.
He first played just one contest with Chicago Wolves, then returned to Grand Rapid Griffins, who he skated two games for in 2014/2015.
Getting off to a good start, he blended into their system nicely as he recorded a goal and two assists in 7 games before being signed to a two-way deal for the rest of the season.
The soon-to-be 26-year old could be looking to split playoff hockey time between the two squads but there’s still a little time to see if that occurs.
Regardless, this is a player that seems to be getting better as a veteran skater and deserves to be playing at the higher level, but could also be looking overseas to continue.
Washington Capitals signed 8th year versatile defenseman Taylor Chorney(4) to a one-year one-way deal after he was inked to a contract with Pittsburgh Penguins but played all but 7 games with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins through 2014/2015.
This season he’s played a career high 51 games with the big club scoring his 2nd NHL goal and 5 assists with a +9 rating on the league’s top team.
His play has been deemed so consistent that he was recently given a tw0-year extension through 2018, keeping him with the team through his 31st birthday.
Not bad for the former University Of North Dakota standout that won the 2006 NCAA/WCHA Championship.
Boston Bruins‘ undrafted rookie center Noel Acciari(55) has been just the kind of spark plug the team was looking for to complete their roster.
Playing mostly limited minutes on an average of 15 shifts per contest, he’s effectively making his presence felt using his small-ish 5’10” but wide 208 lbs. frame to break up plays and agitate the opposing offense despite only notching an assist in 7 NHL games.
He has 6 penalty minutes and a +1 rating.
The team has also magically posted a 5-0-2 record in his time up with the big club.
He has proven he knows how to win as the Providence College squad he skated with for four years won the 2014 NCAA Championship and he was regionally voted as the best defensive forward.
The 24-year old has seemingly played a similar role on reassignment to affiliate Providence Bruins but has also decently affected the score sheet in his first season with 7 goals, 12 assists and a +8 rating in 42 AHL games.
Signed to a 2-year entry level deal he likely just looking forward to become a fixture on the roster.
Calgary Flames‘ 2nd year left wing Kenny Agostino(51) was a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ deep 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#140 overall) but was traded, then finished up the fourth-year of his college career at Yale University.
He won the 2013 NCAA Championship and before he knew it upon graduation was playing in his first games at the highest level of hockey.
The 6′ 200 lbs. forward scored his first NHL goal and added an assist in 8 games at the end of the 2013/2014 session.
Signed to a 2-year entry level contract he was reassigned to affiliate Adirondack Flames to start his official rookie campaign.
He would prove himself as an effective scorer much like he did at school, leading the team in points with 43 (15 goals and a best 28 assists) in 67 AHL games.
Heading into his sophomore season, he would continue effectively marking up the score sheet with new farm squad Stockton Heat.
He was tied for second in goals at his new high 17 and sits one away from tying his earlier assists and point totals in significantly less contests.
In his so far single appearance with the parent club in 2015/2016 he had no points but contributed with 1 shot, 3 hits, 2 takeaways, 1 giveaway and even 1:55 of power play time over 19 shifts for 14:20 total ice in a 4-1 loss.
The soon to be 24-year old is set to become a restricted free agent for the 2nd time and looks likely to stay in the system with another qualifying offer.
Toronto Maple Leafs‘ undrafted Russian rookie right wing Nikita Soshnikov(41) is turning heads.
The not exactly huge 5’11” 185 lbs forward was a late training camp cut to be reassigned to affiliate Toronto Marlies.
After two pro seasons in the KHL for Atlanty Mytishchi scoring 14 goals and 18 assists with a +5 in 57 games last season, he appears to be ready for the big league.
Upon his first recall after putting up a rookie tied for first 18 goals and 10 assists with a crazy +24 in 50 AHL games, it was like he was just waiting for his chance to show his abilities.
He definitely skates with a lot of passion and popped in his 1st NHL goal in his second appearance, then got another one a couple nights later, and since added an assist in 6 contests.
The 22-year old will likely stay up through the remainder of the regular calendar but once the playoff starts he’ll be battling with the farm team for the Calder Cup.
They have time as he’s signed on a three year entry deal through 2017/2018.
Pittsburgh Penguins‘ just signed undrafted 3rd year right wing Carter Rowney(17) to a 2-year 2-way contract starting next season.
Previously agreeing to a series of single season deals with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he’s improved with each successive campaign to the point where he’s currently 2nd in goals at a career high 19 and holds a monster, team leading +25 rating. No other player is even close.
He also has more assists (23), points (42) and shots on net (102) than ever before.
With impressive stats like these, it’s easy to see why the parent club stepped in quickly to get the always hard skating, tough to play against forward that can obviously affect a score sheet aboard.
If not, the 26-year old would have almost easily found another suitor, as he’s a skater that works for every inch out there.
Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 1st round pick in the 2014 draft (#8 overall) Swedish center William Nylander(39) is getting an opportunity to shine in the big league.
In 6 games he has his first pair of NHL goals.
The speedy and crafty stick handling 5’11” 169 lbs. forward is getting plenty of ice time, including power play minutes to show off his abilities.
He’s been absolutely tearing up the minors with Toronto Marlies.
Arriving during the middle of last season after being loaned to MODO of the SHL (8-12-20 in 21 games) the youngster immediately started putting up points scoring 14 goals and 18 assists in 37 AHL games.
A late reassignment to their affiliate after an extended training camp look heading into 2015/2016, he has been hard at work inserting more intensity into his game and his offensive numbers are popping with new career highs 18 goals 27 assists for 45 points.
His scoring prowess coming to North American hockey makes sense considering he played his first pro contests at age 16 in tier two league Allsvenskan with Sodertalje SK.
Turning just 20-years old in a couple months, he is signed through 2017/2018 and will likely see his last time with the farm club in the upcoming Calder Cup Playoffs.
His dad is former 20-year veteran Michael Nylander.
Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th round pick in the 2010 draft (#117 overall) 4th year defenseman Morgan Ellis(4) is starting to elevate his game to the next level after signing a one-year two-way extension just before the final bell of 2014/2015, as a restricted free agent.
The big-ish 6’1″ 211 lbs. blue liner has blown the lid of his previous year totals with new affiliate St. John’s IceCaps.
His 12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points and +8 rating through 56 AHL games this season are better than the combined efforts of his first three campaigns.
This offensive surge easily gained the notice of the parent club, who recalled him from the minors for his NHL debut.
He had excelled in helpers with 20+ through his final three years in the QMJHL, first with Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, then traded to Shawinigan Cataractes, where he won the 2012 Memorial Cup.
Playing limited shifts and minutes he was at least reassigned back down with a 0 rating in three team losses.
The 23-year old will once again enter into restricted free agent status but the big club has to like what they’re seeing to re-up for another look.
Vancouver Canucks‘ 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#26 overall) 2nd year center Brendan Gaunce(5o) has taken his game to the next level in his sophomore season with affiliate Utica Comets.
He’s already surpassed his goal mark with 15, tied his assist high at 18, has a new best 33 points and a +9 rating in just over half the AHL games since his rookie campaign.
The 6’2″ 207 lbs. power forward that also fires his fair share of pucks on the net received his big league debut early in the 2015/2016 for a couple of contests and was interestingly returned after his 1st NHL goal.
He stayed with the farm team for the next four months before recently receiving a second summons up to the show and looks like he’s fitting in pretty nicely.
Although he’s yet to add to his totals on the score sheet, he is 100% in the face off dot and adds spark plug energy depth in roughly 10 minutes of ice time, including short-handed situations.
The soon-to-be 22-year old former Belleville Bulls‘ point-per-OHL game player is signed to a 3-year entry level deal through 2016/2017.
You can expect him to compete for a permanent spot on the parent club next season.
A pair of 21’s struggling to win the face off: Bridgeport Sound Tigers‘ captain Ben Holmstrom(21) leans in to pull the puck back in the defensive zone battle vs. Springfield Falcons‘ Dustin Jeffrey(21).
It looks to be dead even.
Jeffrey was since traded at the deadline back to his first team of five seasons, Pittsburgh Penguins.
