Category: NHL

steve_pinizzottoEdmonton Oilers‘ 8th year undrafted right wing Steve Pinizzotto(13) got his first NHL goal recently after appearing in 34 games over the last three years.

He added his second tally a month later to go along with a pair of assists he notched in one game earlier in 2014/2015, and now has new career highs for goals and points but will need to add another helper to pass his previous mark set in only 6 games late last season.

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward plays a gritty power forward style that has been fairly successful in the minors.

In 9 AHL games to start the current campaign with affiliate Oklahoma City Barons, he has no goals but a pretty nice 6 assists.

His best seasons in the league were 40+ efforts in 2010 & 2011 with Hershey Bears, while under contract with Washington Capitals.

He also won consecutive Calder Cup Championships with them in 2009 & 2010.

If he can continue to contribute there is little reason to believe the 30-year old won’t stick around on a team that could use some swagger.

He has easily worked hard for any inch of ice his been given and was the first player out of Rochester Institute Of Technology to sign a big league deal.

Original story: 12/27-14

He would stay with the big club for another month before being returned to the farm team but managed to play in a career high 18 games (36 total) getting a 2nd goal and 2 assists, both new bests.

The now 31-year old was likely looking at a decent contract in the minors for 2015/2016 but has chosen to take his game elsewhere signing a one-year deal with EHC Red Bull Munchen of DEL.

It may not be out of the question to see him put up some big numbers overseas.

Peter Andersson(40)

Peter-Andersson

Vancouver Canucks‘ 5th round pick in the 2009 draft (#143 overall) Swedish-born defenseman Peter Andersson(40) announced near the end of 2014/2015 while skating for affiliate Utica Comets of his intentions to return to his home country having signed a deal with his last team Orebro HK, which moved up a level to the SHL from Allsvenskan two years ago, a month before the season had even wrapped up.

Undeterred by the news he was still in the lineup all the way through the Calder Cup Playoffs that ended in a Finals‘ round exit for the farm team.

Almost oddly, his play in the postseason scoring one goal and 7 assists with a +6 rating in 17 games was the kind of activity they thought he would be capable of when selected.

He already had a pair of seasons experience with Frolunda Indians and Boras HC before being loaned for one more campaign in the first year of his entry level deal.

Starting his North American pro career with then minor league club Chicago Wolves, he managed decently getting his first tally and 7 assists in just 42 games.

He would extend those totals in the final year of his contract moving up to a pair of goals and 11 assists in 54 games with a +3 rating on a first year team with one of the worst records in the AHL.

The 6’4″ 199 lbs. blue liner although still maybe a ways from a recall was still considered to be viable and signed for another year.

Heading into his 2nd restricted free agency the 24-year old either got homesick or just thought he’d reached the highest level where he was at and it was time to pull up the stakes for now.

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Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets‘ 3rd pick in the 2010 draft (#87 overall), second year defenseman Julian Melchiori(44) proves third time is the charm for a recall. He was summoned on a couple of occasions but returned without cracking the lineup.

Appearing in his first NHL game, he logged 14 shifts for 8:41 minutes total ice time with a -1 rating, 1 block shot, 1 hit and 1 giveaway in the team’s 6-4 victory.

The big 6’5″ 215 lbs. blue liner is mostly a stay-at-home style player but is noticing a bit of an uptick in point production in his sophomore season with 5 helpers in 18 AHL games with affiliate St. John’s IceCaps.

He managed only a goal and 7 assists in 52 games through his rookie campaign.

The 22-year old is signed through 2015 after only a pair of seasons in junior hockey and although he was reassigned back to the farm club, he will probably see more time in the show to continue to prove he has what it takes to stick.

Original story 12/28-13

The fairly huge d-man appeared in only the single game and seemed to fall on the team’s prospect depth chart spending the rest of the season in the minors collecting one goal and a new career high 10 assists with a second best +19 rating but was never inserted into the lineup through 21 postseason match-ups.

He would stay with the farm team for a new season high 70 AHL games but fell to a -16 plus/minus on a squad that was mostly out of the playoff picture for the entire run of 2014/2015.

With his 3-year entry level deal reaching its conclusion he was set to become a restricted free agent and it was looking like the Jets would be giving up on him but have elected to sign him to another 1-year two-way extension.

It will be interesting to see how he emerges from training camp to see if he can find his way back onto the parent club’s future plans but is bound to spend the majority of his playing time with new affiliate Manitoba Moose.

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Stephen Johns(4) Dallas Stars

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Dallas Stars‘ picked up 2nd year defenseman Stephen Johns(4) as sort of a spare part in the Patrick Sharp trade but at 6’3″ 229 lbs. that’s an awfully big part.

Originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft (#60 overall) he played the entirety of his rookie season with affiliate Rockford IceHogs and put up more assists at 17 than he had in two years of juniors with the US Development Team or four years of college at University Of Notre Dame.

His final totals through 51 games (time was lost due his first concussion) included 4 goals and 21 points with a team best +30 rating.

Then he would go on and score 3 tallies and dish 4 helpers in 8 Calder Cup Playoff games. His 7 points was another team best and he tied with three others for most goals and assists.

When he first arrived out after finishing his last year of college, he scored his first pro goal and added 4 assists in 8 AHL games.

The 23-year old is signed through 2015/2016 and although he may spend most of his playing time with affiliate Texas Stars the thought is he should be ready to go in the show.

Corban-Knight

Calgary Flames‘ 2nd year center Corban Knight(10) has already found himself happily involved in the parents’ club early season recalls after his hot start with minor league affiliate Adirondack Flames, where he’s recorded 5 goals and 3 assists in 16 AHL games.

He recently appeared in his first pair of games of 2014/2015, getting 10 shifts in each contest with just over 6 minutes total ice time and was fantastic in the face off dot, although was held without a point.

Originally a Florida Panthers‘ 5th round pick in the 2009 draft (#135 overall), he was obtained by Calgary in an off season trade before he even got out of the gate.

The 6’2″ 195 lbs. forward was a strong skater in four years at University of North Dakota posting at least a point-per-game average in his last three seasons, winning consecutive NCAA/WCHA Championships from 2010-2012 and being named a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a senior.

He managed to continue his strong play upon turning pro on reassignment with then farm club, Abbotsford Heat finishing his rookie campaign in the top five scoring (18-27-45).

The now 24-year old also got the nod for his first NHL action and potted his first big league goal in 7 games.

He was recently sent back to Adirondack but it proved to be more of a paper transaction and he was once again summoned mid-trip and back in the lineup, although marked as healthy scratch, for now.

Even though he’s at the end of his 2-year entry level contract and set to become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season, if he can start to produce may stay where he is.

Original story: 11/28-14

Dealt in a mid-season transaction that sent him back to draft team Florida Panthers he was reassigned to affiliate San Antonio Rampage, where he stayed for the remainder of the regular season and skated in all three playoff contests scoring one goal.

He concluded 2014/2015 with 16 goals and 20 assists in 58 AHL games with a +2 rating.

Going into restricted free agency, the Panthers signed him up for another season on a two-way deal.

Set to turn 25-years old just before the start of the forthcoming season, he may start with Portland Pirates, the new affiliate of his new team but if turns up the scoring early again could find himself as part of an early recall.

Jerry-DAmigo

After scoring 15 goals in the 2011/2012 AHL regular season, Toronto Marlies‘ 2nd year left winger Jerry D’Amigo(29) is another player netting goals in pairs in consecutive Calder Cup Playoff games. He is also credited with the game-winners on both team victories.

The 21-year old Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 6th round pick in the 2009 draft (#158 overall) was fifth on the Marlies in scoring this season with a +13 plus/minus.

At 5’11” 213 lbs. he mostly plays a bit of an unassuming style of checking game but effectively gets the job done when he’s out there.

No doubt, if his team keeps winning and he continues to put up markers, he should get a long look for a spot on an NHL roster that has struggled to claim a place in the postseason since 2004.

Original story: 4/22-12

His 26 assists were tied for third during the regular season of his sophomore campaign and then his 8 goals in the playoffs were a team second.

In his third year he struck for a new record high goals of 17 but his overall points came down slightly as he may have been eying a role on another level.

He received that call-up after a couple of months in the minors heading into 2013/2014, where he would increase his goal production to another new level scoring 20 in far less AHL games and then exploded for a point-per-game (6-8) in 14 postseason contests.

In 22 games with the big club he scored his first NHL goal and added a pair of assists.

On the first day of 2014 free agency he would be traded to Columbus Blue Jackets and signed to a one-year two-way contract a month later.

He was a late cut from training camp but when he went to affiliate Springfield Falcons he would stay there until he was eventually dished again in a minor deal that sent him to Buffalo Sabres.

Starting with their farm team Rochester Americans he scored 13 goals and 9 assists in 31 games earning his late season recall.

He played 9 games getting no points but the now 24-year old has been given another opportunity for his 6th pro season.

No doubt he’ll be drilling in the minors for another chance to prove he can skate at the next level.

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Josh-Manson

Anaheim Ducks‘ 6th round pick in the 2011 draft (#160 overall) defenseman Josh Manson(38) decided to leave a final year at Northeastern University on the shelf after captaining the team in his third season.

He signed a two-year entry level contract at the conclusion of his college hockey schedule and was reassigned to finish the regular season with farm club, Norfolk Admirals.

In 9 regular season AHL games he notched his first pro goal, while helping backbone the team into the postseason for the first time in a couple seasons.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner has been quick to show he belongs out there in this bonus time of hockey.

He scored his second goal in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The 22-year old is the son of hockey great Dave Manson and should follow in his dad’s footsteps into the NHL but may have to spend at least one season in the minors before he gets there.

Original story: 5/12-14

He was a late cut from training camp, recalled less than a month into the season and got into his first NHL action on Halloween night.

Reassigned six weeks later he would spend the next couple months in the minors before heading back up and was send back down late in the season to finish out his rookie season with Norfolk, where he struck for 3 goals and 6 assists in 36 AHL games.

In the big league he notched three assists with a +1 rating, while skating mostly on average 20 minutes per game and proving his size was going to be tough to play against.

He went up once again to help out the team for the playoffs but did not make an appearance.

He’ll turn 24-years old just as 2015/2016 starts and the Ducks signed him to a two-year 1-way contract extension and he’s expected to stick with the big club.

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Keaton-Ellerby2

Former Florida Panthers‘ 1st round pick in the 2007 draft (#10 overall) defenseman Keaton Ellerby(4) accepted his first 2-way contract since his three-year entry level deal from Winnipeg Jets to continue with the team after scoring just 2 goals and 4 assists in 51 NHL games last season.

The big 6’4″ 220 lbs. blue liner has never been much to connect with the score sheet producing only 4 goals and 22 assists in 211 contests with a -12 rating.

Through three early career AHL stints he fared slightly better  in 152 games (11-36-47).

Now that he’s beginning a new season in the lower league with affiliate St. John’ IceCaps, he’s off to a quick start two assists in 2 games and looks to be a valuable leader on a somewhat young roster.

With the parent club faltering some out of the gate, the still super-young almost 26-year old could get another look early, especially if he can continue contributing.

Original story: 10/12-14

He did get a one game NHL appearance during his second recall of 2014/2015 notching one assist while skating 22 shifts for 16:58 time on ice with one hit, one breakup and one giveaway.

In the AHL he managed to score 3 goals and 13 assists in 41 games.

The still 26-year old will play his 8th season in the KHL with Barys Astana. It will be interesting to see how he does switching shores.

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Konrad-Abeltshauser

San Jose Sharks‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#163 overall) German-born defenseman Konrad Abeltshauser(10) is expected to make a big splash, which would make sense considering he stands 6’5″ and currently weighs 212 lbs.

He’s starting his pro career with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks after an impressive four-year run in the QMJHL patrolling the blue line for Halifax Mooseheads.

He won the 2013 league championship in his final season of junior hockey and also went on to capture the Memorial Cup in what was thought to be an outstanding run by the team.

The 21-year old has shown a tremendous offensive upside especially when it comes to setting up goal scoring opportunities.

He finished juniors with 122 assists in 219 games and is already making his presence felt in minor league preseason play.

His 3-year entry level deal with the Sharks takes him through the 2014/2015.

Original story: 9/30-13

In his rookie campaign he would get a very respectable 6 goals and 15 assists in 57 games.

Although he seemed to establish himself as a regular on the farm team’s blue line, he somehow fell out of favor and was listed as a healthy scratch more often than even he thought possible despite putting up a career high 16 assists in 50 contests.

He was reassigned down the ladder to affiliate Allen Americans, possibly asking to be sent so he could play and got right to establishing himself as a force in the lower league.

In just 6 ECHL regular season games he scored 5 goals and 2 assists but really got to work in the playoffs, where in 25 games on the way to the 2015 Kelly Cup Championship he recorded 5 goals and 11 assists (tied for third best) with a +3 rating and 73 shots on net.

With a title in hand, he was set to enter his first restricted free agency but was dealt to St. Louis Blues for a deep draft as the Sharks seemed to be all set with the big blue liner.

The soon-to-be 23-year old was quickly signed to a one-year, two-way extension and will start 2015/2016 with his new farm team Chicago Wolves but one can almost expect the change of scenery is going to do great things for this still untapped, young d-man.

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Striking for 13 goals and 19 assists in his rookie campaign, 4th year center Michael Chaput(16) would put himself on the parent club’s radar through 73 AHL games earning his first recall early in his 2nd season.

He would skate with the big club for 17 games getting an assist as he played mostly under 10 minutes of total ice time in each contest.

His game elevated to a whole other level on reassigned to the minors.

He posted a career high 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in only 55 games.

In the last year of his entry level deal he made the opening night roster and put up assists in the first two games of the season and finally notched his first NHL goal in his second recall.

He ended up appearing in 33 games scoring 1 tally and four helpers, while still playing roughly 10 minutes per outing and was usually above 50% on the face off dot giving him extra value.

On reassignment to finish out the year his numbers weren’t what he accomplished in his sophomore season but he still managed 10 goals and 11 assists in 45 games with a +2 rating.

The Blue Jackets like what they see in the now 23-year old’s development and have re-upped with him extending him for another run on a two-way contract.

If he succeeds making the team out of training camp again he will likely need to prove he’s ready to contribute on a regular basis.