New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd year defenseman Colton White(68) has been putting in the hard work with affiliate Binghamton Devils, scoring a new career high 6 goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 61 AHL games with a -13 on a cellar dwelling team.
His hard work and new bests earned him a first NHL recall.
In his debut he skated a fairly high 20 shifts for 13:10 total ice time with 1 shot, 2 hits, 2 penalty minutes was a +1 rating in a big 6-3 victory.
The still super-young 21-year old is only in the 2nd season of his 3-year entry level deal, so it’s probably a good bet that we’ll be seeing more of him at the highest level of hockey.
Hartford Wolf Pack 3rd year defenseman John Gilmour(3) gets a breakaway in overtime to pot goal #4 for the win over visiting Binghamton Devils.
He was extended for another season by the only team he knows New York Rangers but is set to become a group 6 ufa at the end of the current calendar.
Although, he has yet to appear in the NHL this season, he closed out last year with a career high 28 games scoring 2 goals and 3 assists but was a bit of a lowly -11 rating.
Reassigned to their affiliate in Connecticut, he’s on a tear for scoring with 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points in 64 AHL games, so is letting the higher ups know he’s ready for another look.
The 25-year old could potentially go hunting for another team and better opportunities or could be on the cusp on more time, if he stays.
We shall see..
Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 6th year center Boone Jenner(38) gets a 1st career hat trick for a 101th goal of his pro career.
Signed to a brand new 4-year extension worth $3.75M AAV, the very decently-sized power forward has been counted on for 10+ goals on four occasions, as a third year skater reached a new best 30, while also gaining 10+ assists 5 times, had 30+ points thrice and 49 once.
The more than a point-per-game player in the OHL and as captain of Oshawa Generals in his final two seasons is still only 25-years old and has a pair of gold medals in international play.
He’s played 407 games in the big league and has close to 1000 shots on net with the only thing missing from his collection being a Stanley Cup trophy.
Florida Panthers‘ 3rd year left wing Dryden Hunt(73) pots his 1st NHL goal to go along with 4 assists in his career high 22 appearance in the big league.
He had one assist in 11 games last season.
The 23-year old is set to become a restricted free agent as the current calendar comes to a close but should receive a nice extension to stay, quite possibly of the one-way variety.
He’s been equally solid for affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds scoring 21 goals and 17 assists in 46 AHL games, just slightly off his 23-23-46 stats of last campaign but so far in 12 less contests.
7th year left wing Tomas Jurco(9) was not given a qualifying offer to stick with Chicago Blackhawks despite playing 29 NHL games scoring 6 goals and 4 assists with a +1 rating, while striking for 13 goals and 12 assists in 36 AHL contests for affiliate Rockford Icehogs.
He was on his third one-way contract at just over the league minimum, which is likely why his services weren’t retained.
It took him a few months into the new session before deciding to sign a minor league deal with Springfield Thunderbirds.
The fairly sizable forward marked up the scoresheet as predicted getting 6 goals and 4 assists in 14 games but was a bit of a lowly -10 rating.
Just ahead of the trade deadline, even though he wasn’t under a big league contract was traded to Carolina Hurricanes‘ system, reassigned to Charlotte Checkers, the still young 26-year old will be another weapon in pursuit of a personal 2nd Calder Cup and may even possibly net himself a higher level deal.
He already has 3tallies in 4 games with his new club.
Would be tough to see him stick around for another season, as he’ll likely net much more money hooking up with an elite team overseas.
Boston Bruins‘ 7th year right wing Chris Wagner(14) is having a career year with his new club, scoring a new best 11 goals and 17 points including one game winning tally with a +4 rating.
Signed on the opening day of unrestricted free agency, the 27-year comes home.
He was born in Walpole, MA.
The decently-sized, feisty forward is on a two-year one-way deal worth $1.25M AAV doubling his pay from the last contract he signed with draft club Anaheim Ducks.
He spent 6 years in their prospect system.
It truly appears that he’s found a solid place to lace up his skates that could become a long-term fit.
Carolina Hurricanes‘ 1st round pick in the 2014 draft (#7 overall) 3rd year defenseman Haydn Fleury(4) is splitting time between the parent club and affiliate Charlotte Checkers.
The big 6’3″ 208 lbs. blue liner played a career high 67 NHL games as a sophomore skater recording 8 assists with a -2 rating.
He’s appeared in 14 games in the current calendar with only one assist but is a handy +4.
As a rookie, he played 67 AHL games in the minors, scoring 7 goals and 19 assists for 26 points with a +16.
These numbers were more in line with stats he was able to put up through 4 years with Red Deer Rebels (30-104-134 in 259 WHL games).
He also won a 2013 Hlinka Memorial Gold Medal in his 2nd year of juniors.
The 22-year old is in the final season of his entry level contract and will likely be looking for a decent extension, which could become a sticking point to getting a new deal in his first restricted free agency.
Manchester Monarchs‘ rookie right wing Nic Pierog(61) is having a heck of a first season scoring a team high 27 goals and 45 points in 59 ECHL games with a -6 rating on a squad headed to the playoffs.
The 6’1″ 209 lbs. power forward, two-time captain at Clarkson University was never really much of a goal scorer through his college career but did pot a monster 31 goals and 18 assists in the last year of juniors with Penticton Vees and Surrey Eagles, who he won the 2013 BCHL Championship with in his first year.
For his efforts, he gained notice of Providence Bruins, who signed him to a pto for a pair of games.
Heading into next season we should see the 25-year old score an AHL training camp tryout and he just might stick.
5th year net minder Chris Driedger(60) signed an AHL deal to start 2018/2019 and was splitting time between contract club Springfield Thunderbirds and affiliate Manchester Monarchs putting up some career marks in both leagues.
His 19 games at the higher level gained notice of parent club Florida Panthers, who have stepped in offering a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of the season.
It would be little surprise to see the 24-year old look overseas for his next deal to continue playing pro hockey.
Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2nd year right wing Spencer Watson(11) was a obtained in a minor trade with draft club Los Angeles Kings (7th round 2014, #209 overall) and reassigned to affiliate Rockford Icehogs.
He’s skated most of a 2nd season in the ECHL with Manchester Monarchs, where he left as a point-per-game player scoring a career high 25 assists and 47 points, up just a notch from the 25-20-45 marks he set as a rookie.
In his 2nd game with the new team he netted a first AHL goal for 2018/2019.
He started the season on the opening night roster of Ontario Reign but was reassigned after just a couple contests.
The not exactly sizable 5’11” 180 lbs. forward may not be the biggest guy out there but always plays with an extra serving of spunk.
He’s also always had a knack for scoring.
Through 274 OHL games for Kingston Frontenacs and an overage campaign with Mississauga Steelheads he amassed 301 points (147-154) but failed to win a title.
He did however contribute big when Canada won the 2013/2014 Hlinka Memorial Gold Medal scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in 5 matchups.
The 22-year old is in the final year of his entry level deal but could easily be given an extension to stick.
We really think he has the potential to become an NHL 4th line role player.
