13th year veteran center Josh Hennessy(11) decided to head back home after 3 seasons in the SHL with Vaxjo Lakers.
He signed a tryout agreement with Providence Bruins that was recently upped to a standard player contract to finish out 2017/2018 with the team.
In 38 AHL games he has 7 goals and 5 assists with a -3 rating on a playoff bound club.
At 33-years old with 23 NHL games to his credit scoring his only point, a goal, he may decide this is a last hurrah playing close to home.
Needless to say, he would be a pretty tremendous coach for any team that needs his services.
New Jersey Devils‘ undrafted sophomore right wing Nick Lappin(25) has new AHL career high marks in games played (44), goals (18) and points (32) earning in a pair of recalls.
He didn’t score any points in a recent 4 game visit to the big club but got a goal in his 2nd appearance on his first visit.
The 6’1″ 175 lbs. forward skated 43 NHL games as a rookie (4 goals, 3 assists) and was a late training camp cut to be reassigned to affiliate Binghamton Devils this season.
He had four strong seasons for Brown University with a pair of 20 and 30 points campaigns, then signed an ato to join Albany Devils and pockets 3 goals and 4 assists in 12 games before adding another 5 tallies and 2 helpers in 11 Calder Cup playoff matchups.
Signed to a two-year entry level deal through the current calendar, he seems like an easy candidate to re-up for another look but also could demand too much and go unqualified.
17th year right wing Brian Gionta(12) signed a one-year deal with Boston Bruins after captaining the USA team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
He was practicing with his last contract club Buffalo Sabres‘ affiliate Rochester Americans without a contract, received a one game contract and got a goal.
His last appearance in the the AHL was 15 games for Albany River Rats during the 2004/2005 lockout.
In his debut with the new squad, he ups his total to 1007 NHL games.
The mini 5’7″ 178 lbs. forward recorded two assists in his Black & Gold debut, an 8-3 victory.
If the 39-year old can help lead his new club deep into a playoff run, it would seem the former Boston College Eagle could be offered another transaction to stay.
16th year left wing Rick Nash(61) gets traded from his team of the last 6 seasons, New York Rangers to Boston Bruins.
Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 1st round pick in the 2002 draft (#1 overall) he played 9 years with the team before being dealt during the summer before a 2nd NHL lockout in his career, where he split for time in the NLA with Davos.
It took him only a couple games with his new club to get on the scoresheet, where he recorded a goal for his 800th (435 goals, 365 assists) point.
His overall stats are definitely in decline with only 29 points in 62 games but he was picked up more to energize the Black & Gold as they push for a Stanley Cup quest and may not be retained to continue.
The 33-year old could suffer a slight pay cut heading into his new contract but will still command some good money for what could be his shortest term.
Still, he’s been an amazing player/leader that will no doubt end up in the Hockey Hall Of Fame.
Ottawa Senators‘ 9th year center Jim O’Brien(14) picks up a new 2-year 2-way deal with original draft team, where he spent the first five years of his career before leaving for half a season to the KHL Metallurg Novokuznetsk then returning to Hershey Bears.
He next in 2015/2016 signed a one year contract with New Jersey Devils but played all of his time expect 4 appearances with affiliate Albany Devils.
The fairly large forward agreed for the follow-up campaign with Colorado Avalanche but stay with farm squad San Antonio Rampage.
His only minor league contract was signed for 2017/2018 with new AHL club Belleville Senators, where he leads the team in scoring with 28 points and is the only full-time plus player with a +3 rating.
It seems likely they will make the 29-year old captain for the 2nd year of his contract but he’ll also get his first NHL chance in couple seasons (67 games, 8 goals, 4 assists) as he’s been recalled to join the parent club.
New York Islanders‘ 3rd year center Tanner Fritz(56) is playing under the first year of a new 2-year contract and receives his first crack at the show just after the new year after leading affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers in scoring with 10 goals and new career high 27 assists in 33 AHL games.
It took him 14 games but he finally connected for his 1st NHL goal skating roughly 15 shifts per nights for around 12 minutes total ice time.
He’s a -8 but they must like what he brings to the table as he’s staying put.
Carolina Hurricanes‘ 9th year Swedish-born center Marcus Kruger(29) was reassigned to affiliate Charlotte Checkers for his first appearance in the the AHL since early 2013.
Originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 5th round pick in the 2009 draft (#149 overall) he helped the team win a pair of Stanley Cups in 2013 & 2015.
He played 398 NHL games in the Windy City.
Traded on the day after the first year of his extension to Vegas Golden Knights to free up cap space, he bounced further a few days later to arrive in North Carolina.
The 5’11” 182 lbs. forward played his first two seasons in the SHL for Djurgardens IF, where he skated junior hockey.
Never the biggest scorer (his best season was 2013/2014 putting up 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points) he has always been considered strong on the face-off dot and good on the penalty kill.
The 27-year old has one more year left on his 3-year extension but could be in a position for a buyout or may up his game to fit back on the big league squad but after that will likely leave to head up to wrap up his career, having done very well in North America as a deep selection.
Crazy to think New York Islanders‘ sensational right wing Josh Bailey(12) is skating his 10th professional season after getting drafted ninth overall in 2008.
He has a career high 47 assists and 62 points in 2017/2018.
The 6’1″ 203 lbs. forward signs a new 6-year $5M a year deal to stay on with the only team he’s ever known.
Philadelphia Flyers‘ 5th round pick in the 2014 draft (#138 overall), Swedish-born 4th year left wing Oskar Lindblom(54) is the leading scorer amongst rookies with affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 54 AHL games with a +4 rating and 119 shots on net to lead all first year players.
The 6’1″ 198 lbs. forward was recently recalled for his big league debut.
In his 1st pair of appearances he skated a average of 17 shifts for 15+ minutes of total ice including 0ne shot, 3 hits in 2 wins.
He started his pro career with 3 years in his country’s top league with junior team Brynas IF after lots of accolades, and pocketed 22 goals and 25 assists in 52 SHL games before heading to North America.
The 21-year old has a three year entry level deal through 2020, so has plenty of time to develop but we’re guessing he becomes a full-time member of the NHL sooner than later.
New York Rangers‘ undrafted Russian-born rookie goalie Alexandar Georgiev(90) gets the nod for his 1st NHL start.
The 6’1″ 180 lbs. net minder put in some good work backstopping 38 of 40 shots on net for that ended up a 3-1 loss.
He leaves his first appearance with a .950 SV%, which seems like a fairly nice stat to get strong consideration for a next outing.
Playing his third year in Liiga, he posted a 1.70 GAA for league best mark in 27 games for TPS.
He’s doing a stellar job with affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, holding down a 12-11-6 record with a 2.97 GAA and .908 SV% through 31 AHL games for a team that has struggled to string together wins.
At 22-years old, the goaltender that did his junior time in Russia and Finland seems poised to compete for some time between the pipes.
