7th year defenseman Chris Wideman(6) returns from a season-ending torn hamstring injury in 2017/2018 to resume his spot in the lineup on Ottawa Senators but 19 NHL games into the new frame with 2 goals, 3 assists and a -9 rating gets traded to Edmonton Oilers for a 6th round pick in the 2020 draft.
His now former team does have a surplus of guys for the blue line stepping up, so he may he’s found himself on the outs occasionally sitting as a healthy scratch.
The 28-year old has spent the last four years of his pro career in the big league and should be able to find a spot that needs filling on his new club but needs to step it up as the unrestricted free agent is only signed through the end of the current campaign.
12/30: after only 5 games in Canada (2 assists), he continues to be a player on the move as he’s dealt in a one-for-one transaction to Florida Panthers.
Undrafted 6th year defenseman Mike Bergin(2) decides to shift gears after a third successful season with Adirondack Thunder, bowing out in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 6’3″ 190 lbs. blue liner leaves with 187 ECHL games played and an uptick to 111 penalty minutes in his final campaign with 7 goals, 28 assists and a +24 rating.
Maybe a little out of nowhere, he started his pro career with a pair of years for Sodertajle of Allsvenskan putting up almost identical numbers before returning to play for Elmira Jackals in 2014/2015.
He played his college hockey at RPI and the next phase of his life keeps him in the area as he’s accepted an assistant coaching position at Skidmore College.
You have to figure the 30-year old likes living in the area.
Undrafted 4th year right wing Mark Bennett(83) strikes out on a new path for 2018/2019 signing a one-year deal with Fehervari Titanok.
The former Union College 2014 NCAA Champion and two-time 2012 & 2013 ECAC title winner is off and running, marking up the score sheet nicely with 9 goals and 13 assists with a +2 rating in 21 Erste Liga games.
This is a dramatic shift for the 6′ 183 lbs. forward, who posted 20+ points in his first pair of seasons for Elmira Jackals.
He started his third campaign for Brampton Beast but was released after 10 ECHL games and went on to agree to terms with Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL before being loaned up to Tulsa Oilers, then joining Reading Royals for the remainder of the calendar and 3 postseason contests.
Undrafted third year left wing Kevin Morris(27) took two solid years for Manchester Monarchs scoring 30 goals and 35 assists in 112 ECHL games with a +9 rating and another 27 Kelly Cup Playoff matchups with 14 points (7-7) over to the United Kingdom hooking up with Coventry Blaze for 2018/2019.
The big 6’4″ 205 lbs. forward was also loaned up to Binghamton Devils for 12 AHL games last season, where he notched a pair of assists.
He becomes captain of his new club, a very good call for the former Miami University assistant captain as a senior, and he’s already off to a quick start grabbing 4 goals and 7 assists in 13 EIHL games.
The 25-year may find a nice new hockey home over there but could also absolutely light it up and move on to a higher league.
Boston Bruins‘ 1st round pick in the 2015 draft (#13 overall) Czech-born defenseman Jakub Zboril(67) earns a 1st NHL recall as the blue line for the parent club has been depleted due to numerous injuries.
In 2 appearances he skated 21 shifts for roughly 11 minutes of ice time, taking one shot on net, dishing out 3 hits and giving up the puck on two occasions.
The former 2017 QMJHL Champion with Saint John Sea Dogs began playing junior hockey in his own country but came across just before he was selected, possibly to increase chances of getting on a team’s radar moving forward.
It obviously worked and he spent his rookie campaign with affiliate Providence Bruins scoring 4 goals and 15 assists with a +4 rating in 68 AHL games.
The 6′ 200 lbs. d-man has definitely shown he knows how to head man the puck and be accountable in his own zone.
This is likely only the beginning of a step up for the 21-year old, who has one more year left on his entry level deal.
Boston Bruins‘ 2nd year defenseman Connor Clifton(75) earns a 1st NHL recall as the blue line has been decimated early in the season with injuries and plays some big minutes skating 25 & 30 shifts for 18:53 and 20:02 of ice time with 11 penalty minutes, including a fight, a big 9 hits, 1 play breakup, 3 giveaways and 1 takeaway in an overtime loss and a victory.
That’s a lot of work from a guy that was playing big minutes in his sophomore campaign with affiliate Providence Bruins.
In the early going he has 4 assists in 14 AHL games with a +4 on a team that has struggled to string together wins.
The 23-year old deep draft pick may be showing off early trying to make a lasting impression to stick.
Undrafted 3rd year center Matthew Lane(21) signs a third AHL contract for 2018/2019 but adds Milwaukee Admirals to the list.
He started on the opening night roster of Atlanta Gladiators this season getting a goal and was quickly recalled.
As a rookie, his first deal was with Rochester Americans, where he played 15 games early in the campaign and late but spent most of his time with affiliate Elmira Jackals scoring 24 points (11-13) in 41 ECHL matchups.
The 5’10” 180 lbs. forward next signed to Bridgeport Sound Tigers but spent the entire season skating for Worcester Railers in their debut season grabbing a career high 14 goals and 25 points.
He’s a tenacious smart-minded player that comes from a great pedigree at Boston University and left after four years as an assist captain notching 14 goals and 14 assists.
The 24-year old definitely has to start grabbing points or playing a shut down style that works in the higher league or he may be looking elsewhere, overseas for a next contract.
Regardless, he’s definitely got some talent on the ice.
Boston Bruins‘ 9th year defenseman John Moore(27) signed a nice new deal worth $2.75M AAV as an unrestricted free agent to spend the next 5 seasons of his pro career in black & gold.
He was coming off a solid three years in New Jersey Devils‘ system.
The former Columbus Blue Jackets high draft pick looks to eclipse the 500 NHL game mark with his new club by the end of the current campaign.
He currently sits at 465.
Drafted after a very strong 2nd tour for Chicago Steel of the USHL, he was sent up to the OHL signing with Kitchener Rangers before turning pro.
At 27-years old he may be on his last big league contract but has surely seen some good times at the highest level of hockey.
Undrafted 6th year Swedish-born left wing Michael Lindqvist(34) opts out of his two-way one-year NHL contract with New York Rangers.
He was an early release from training camp to affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, where he’s connected for 3 goals and 4 assists in 16 AHL games.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. forward came in with 5 years SHL and Allsvenskan pro experience in his own country’s top hockey and put together a very nice 20 goal, 14 assists for the team he’ll return to Farjestad BK.
At 24-years old, unless he explodes in scoring will likely play out his career in his homeland or maybe try his hand at Russia too, if offered.
