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Category: NHL

10Jul

Landon Ferraro(29) Detroit Red Wings

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Detroit Red Wings‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#32 overall), 3rd year center Landon Ferraro(29) received his first NHL recall from farm club Grand Rapids Griffins in the final season of his entry level contract.

He skated 13 shifts for 9:45 total minutes on ice, including 1:45 of penalty kill time and :13 on the power play in a 3-2 regulation win over original 6 rivals Toronto Maple Leafs. He also registered a shot on net and left his debut with an even rating.

The 6′ 179 lbs. forward has skated in 190 regular season AHL games scoring 46 goals and 49 assists and added another 5 tallies and 11 helpers on the way to helping the Griffins secure the 2013 Calder Cup Championship.

He may not have the biggest power forward size but he plays a relentless skating style game that gives him scoring opportunities and causes opposing teams to cough up the puck.

The 22-year old son of former hockey great Ray Ferraro (21 years, 1258 games) is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign.

It seems highly likely he’ll be qualified for another season in the prospect system or even re-upped for two additional seasons.

Original story: 3/19-14

He finished 2013/2014 playing 4 games for the parent club with no points and inked a one-year extension early into restricted free agency.

Even though he was one of the final cuts from training camp, he played almost the entire 2014/2015 campaign in the minors scoring a new career high 27 AHL goals before being recalled for the last three games of the regular season.

He pocketed his 1st NHL goal, then skated in 7 Stanley Cup Playoff match-ups.

Almost a bit oddly he didn’t return to the farm club for their Calder Cup push, because he would have to clear waivers, which was considered risky.

It took little time heading into the summer to re-up for another season and although the soon-to-be 24-year old may start his 5th term with Grand Rapids, he could grab a roster spot or receive a longer look in the show to prove what he can do.

09Jul

Greg Pateryn(64) Montreal Canadiens

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Montreal Canadiens‘ 3rd year defenseman Greg Pateryn(64) appeared in his 7th NHL game this season.

He skated in six games on his first recall of 2014/2015 before being reassigned and recalled just a few weeks later to rest a veteran blue liner down the stretch.

The rugged style 6’2″ 222 lbs. blue liner was on the ice for 18 shifts playing 10:16 with :25 in a short handed situation in a 2-1 win over the other first place in the Eastern Conference team, New York Islanders.

He had a shot on net, a pair of hits but also coughed up the puck a couple of times; rookie pressure error.

Signed initially to a tw0-year entry level deal after a four year stint at University Of Michigan, where he won a NCAA/CCHA Championship as a sophomore in 2010, he is in the prospect system through 2016.

The 24-year old can definitely put up numbers: 2nd in goals last season and has done better in 3 years of the AHL with affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs than he did in college and has that rugged battler upside as well.

A late cut from training camp this season, it’s almost a sure bet that he ends up with a good amount of time at Bell Center in the future.

Original story: 3/15-15

Upon his 2nd recall he stayed through the end of the regular season appearing in a total of 17 NHL games scoring no points, and then skated 7 Stanley Cup Playoff contests getting his first three points, all assists with a +2 rating.

Impressed enough with his performance, the Canadiens made sure the sturdy blue liner didn’t look elsewhere and got him under a new 2-year contract that extends him into 2017/2018.

The recently turned 25-year old is expected to make the big club out of training camp for 2015/2016 and will become a presence to be reckoned with on their blue line.

08Jul

Matt Gilroy(97) Spartak Moskva

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Undrafted 4th year defenseman Matt Gilroy(97) was an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2012/2013 season.

With no deal (or NHL) in the offseason, he inked an AHL contract with Connecticut Whale, a team he skated in 5 games with in his rookie campaign while signed with New York Rangers. He was with the Blueshirts for a couple of years before last season’s ride started with Tampa Bay Lightning and ended with an underdog playoff bid by Ottawa Senators that brought him back to MSG for some postseason play against his former team.

The 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner displayed an offensive-minded upside in his college career but has yet to ignite the same sort of chemistry in the show. He was the Hobey Baker award winner in 2009 as the top player in college hockey.

In 13 AHL games this season he has 3 goals and 6 assists but more importantly brings some big league experience and accountability to the ice in every game.

Once/if the NHL gets their sides to meet somewhere in the middle, the 28-year old could find himself with a suitor or two for what will probably be a two-way deal at the league minimum salary cap.

Original story: 11/25-12

After 34 games with the farm team scoring 6 goals and 9 assists with a -16 rating, he was signed for 2013’s post-lockout season with New York Rangers and skated 15 games getting no points.

He parlayed that into a one-year contract with Florida Panthers and opened the 2013/2014 campaign with 16 games for the team until getting reassigned for the balance of the stint to affiliate San Antonio Rampage, where he did pretty nicely popping in 10 goals and 11 assists in 42 contests.

For his sixth pro season he inked an overseas deal with Atlant Moscow Oblast and had some of his best offensive production yet connecting for 9 goals and 24 assists in 60 KHL games.

The 30-year will stay in the country for 2015/2016 and play for Spartak Moskva.

It will be interesting to see if he can maintain his new affinity with the score sheet.

07Jul

Kyle Wilson(7) MODO

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After 7 seasons of pro hockey in North America, 28-year old center Kyle Wilson(7) opts for a 1-year contract to join 2012 and 2013 KHL champs Dinamo Riga.

He was most recently signed to a two-year deal by Nashville Predators with the second year of the deal on a one-way contract.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward was moved in the off season to Tampa Bay Lightning, playing only 22 games for their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch but was once again on the chopping block after scoring only 5 goals.

He was traded to Anaheim Ducks, where he was reassigned to Norfolk Admirals and seemed to regain some of his scoring touch with 3 goals and 9 assists in 16 games.

In 427 AHL games, he has amassed an impressive 319 points (149 goals and 170 assists) with an outstanding +48 rating and won back-to-back Calder Cup Championships with Hershey Bears.

Originally a Minnesota Wild 9th round pick in the 2004 draft (#272 overall), he has skated in 39 NHL games with 3 different teams recording a modest 4 goals and 9 assists.

He was set to become an unrestricted free agent upon deciding to take his game overseas.

Original story: 6/12-13

He had an exceptional first season with Dinamo Riga scoring close to point-per-game numbers (17-27-44) in 49 games but was sidelined late in the campaign with a back injury.

The Oakville, ON native would switch KHL teams in the offseason on a pair of occasions and start 2014/2015 with Traktor Chelyabinsk but returned to Dinamo Riga after 22 contests.

His production suffered greatly, as he was possibly still recovering from surgery, only connecting for 2 goals and 13 assists.

Heading into his 9th season the 30-year old moves on to join MODO of the SHL for 2015/2016 and should be able to get his mojo back.

See related: 3/8-11, 3/12-13

06Jul

Sam Carrick(53) Toronto Maples Leafs

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Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#144 overall), center Sam Carrick(16) is heading into the final season of his three-year entry level deal.

The 6′ 205 lbs. plays like a power forward and was definitely looking to make a statement as he heads into 2014/2015.

Skating in 62 AHL games he managed to put 14 in the back of the net and help out on another 21, good enough to tie for team 5th in assists and he was a best +17 plus/minus.

His chippy nature also lands him in the penalty box for long stretches. Hockeyfights has him listed with 9 fights to his credit in the 2013/2014 season.

He also puts a decent amount of shots on net; his 142 tied for 3rd. Needless to say, he’s pretty active in the game.

He seemed to put an exclamation point on all those career highs in the Calder Cup Playoffs, where he helped his squad along with 5 goals, 4 assists and a +2 rating. in 14 games before bowing out in the Western Conference Finals.

Not bad for a guy that spent his first 50 pro games in the ECHL with Idaho Steelheads grinding his teeth, putting up points: 16-21-37 with a +15 before being put on permanent recall.

Next it’s time to step up. He’s yet to receive his NHL summons.

You can bet the still young 22-year old is going to be putting a lot of pressure on the parent club at 2014 training camp.

Original story 6/6-14

He got his chances in the 2014/2015 with the Maple Leafs on three recalls from the farm club Toronto Marlies.

The tough nut skated 16 games scoring his first NHL goal and adding an assists playing what was an average 9 shifts for 6:30 of total ice time.

The now 23-year old appeared in 59 AHL games scoring a low 9 goals and 18 assists in slightly less games but it’s easy to excuse due to his time up with the big club.

Wasting no time the pending restricted free agent was signed to a 1-year extension before the 2015 playoffs finished to keep pushing for a spot.

05Jul

Justin Vaive(23) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

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3rd year 6’5″ 237 lbs. left wing tower Justin Vaive(23) earned his first call-up from Hartford Wolf Pack to hopefully help the team turn the corner on a woeful season.

Not exactly a prolific goal scorer, he got his first on the 2013/2014 campaign recently, which has him at or surpassing modest career highs in all point categories with a current +6 rating on a team that’s near the Eastern Conference cellar.

He’s off to a fast start in the ECHL this year with Greenville Road Warriors posting a new goals scored mark at 10 and tied for overall points, done in one-third as many games from his rookie season with Cincinnati Cyclones.

In 4 years of college hockey at Miami University he was never really much of a point production guy but was fairly accountable on ice with a healthy +16 plus/minus and won a NCAA (CCHA) Championship in 2010 before turning pro.

He signed his first deal, an AHL contract with San Antonio Rampage and inked an extension for another year despite the absence of any points.

The still young 24-year old was originally an Anaheim Ducks‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft (#94 overall).

His father Rick Vaive played 876 NHL games at almost a point-per-game pace.

Original story: 2/27-14

After finishing the 2013/2014 establishing new AHL career highs for assists (4) and points (5) he was sent back to Greenville Road Warriors to help them with their postseason push.

In 13 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoff games he lit up the score sheet with 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points before bowing out in the Eastern Conference Finals.

To start 2014/2015 he was given a contract to continue with Hartford Wolf Pack.

The huge power forward found his scoring touch as he connected for a best 14 goals, 18 assists and 32 points in 62 games and added another helper in 8 playoff contests.

The now 26-year old has been rewarded for his career campaign by scoring an NHL contract, a 1-year, two-way deal with New York Islanders.

He’ll almost assuredly will start with their affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers but could get a recall if he can keep up the scoring pace and use that huge frame to make a difference out there.

03Jul

Jason Bacashihua (35)

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In his 10th season, veteran goaltender Jason Bacashihua(35) was originally a 1st round draft pick in 2001 for Dallas Stars (#26 overall) but they never played a game in net for them.

After a couple of not so successful seasons with their AHL team, Utah Grizzlies he was traded to St. Louis Blues and tended goal for Worcester IceCats for a season and Peoria Rivermen before getting his chance in the NHL.

He didn’t exactly step up at the opportunity and his stock dropped causing him to get traded to Colorado Avalanche for a bag of rocks.

Two calendars years later he signs a one-year deal with the always fantastic Hershey Bears and posted his first winning record since 2005/2006.

From here he starts his vagabond journey signing another deal and a great year for him later with Colorado. He backstops their AHL affiliate Lake Erie Monsters with a winning record and career highs in GAA 2.29 and SV% .917 and he’s on a roll at 28-years old.

He signed another one-year deal with Philadelphia Flyers but has and probably will only play with Adirondack Phantoms in the AHL. But once again, he’s winning more games than losing with decent GAA and SV%.

Original story: 1/24-12

After three seasons tending net in DEL for Straubing Tigers playing 137 games with a 2.80 GAA and a .911 SV% the soon-to-be 33 year old has decided to switch things up and moves on to Slovak Extraliga joining HC Banska Bystrica for 2015/2016.

It will be his 14th professional season.

03Jul

James Livingston(28) EC Dornbirner Bulldogs

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Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#70 overall), 3rd year right wing James Livingston(26) signed a 3-year entry level deal by San Jose Sharks and played with their minor league affiliate Worcester Sharks for the past 2 and a half years.

He was recently picked up by Los Angeles Kings‘ organization at the trade deadline for a future draft pick, giving him a new start.

The 6’1″ 210 lbs. always hard-skating digger is already making an impression with his new squad he’s already very familiar with from playing games against in the AHL, Manchester Monarchs.

In his first outing he got into a scrap late in the first period. In his second skate (on his birthday) he posted the game-winning goal and an insurance marker raising his yearly totals closer to modest career highs, which he should surpass.

At his current pace, it seems like a good prospect for the restricted free agent to get a qualifying offer to stay where he is for a complete season look.

The 24-year old has yet to appear in an NHL game but with some more hard work could be a great fourth line grinder to start.

Original story: 3/12-14

For the final year of his initial contract, he ended the season posting career high totals: 8 goals and 15 assists in 67 games but it wasn’t enough to gain interest from another club.

He would decide to take a step back and sign for a season with Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL posting a handy 13 goals and 21 assists.

Surveying the landscape the now 25-year old has decided to pursue pro hockey elsewhere and agreed to play in Austria’s Erste Bank Eishockey Liga with EC Dornbirner Bulldogs.

He should be able to increase his point totals overseas and may find renewed energy in his game.

03Jul

Chris Breen(8) Providence Bruins

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Undrafted 6th year defenseman Chris Breen(8) re-signed to stay on for another stint on a two-way contract with Boston Bruins.

The mammoth 6’7″ 224 lbs. blue liner played the entire season, 52 AHL games with affiliate Providence Bruins getting a career high 8 assists with a pair of goals and a best +8 rating.

With the parent club being thin on manpower in their own zone, he is being looked to contribute as a depth player and will almost certainly see his first NHL action since 2013/2014 as a Calgary Flames‘ prospect.

He started that season on the opening night roster and appeared in 2 games before being reassigned to farm team Abbotsford Heat but would rejoin them on three other occasions and get his first points in the league, a pair of assists before being returned for a Calder Cup Playoff run.

In four postseason contests he notched two helpers.

Heading into his first unrestricted free agency status, he was targeted and signed immediately by Boston and although he stayed in the minors his ability to be a shutdown presence obviously didn’t go unnoticed.

03Jul

Reid McNeill (3)

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Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#170 overall) defenseman Reid McNeill(3) plays an almost unassumingly solid stay-at-home style.

He’s in the final season of his three-year entry level deal, signed after skating a few campaigns of junior hockey in the OHL.

The towering 6’4″ 215 lbs. d-man has never put up much on the score sheet but is showing an increasing upward tick to his penalty minutes and fighting majors.

He was credited with throwing down the gloves 11 times in 55 AHL games last season.

All that time in the box has yet to sour his accountability on the ice either, as he’s currently holding a +12 rating.

The young 22-year old is definitely being looked as an up-and-comer working his way up from his rookie season start in the ECHL with Wheeling Nailers.

Now that he’s become a fixture on the blue line for minor league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins it still may take a bit more seasoning until he finds a spot on the parent club’s roster.

Original story: 10/24-14

Following a career season with high marks of 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points, the big stay-at-home d-man re-signs for two more years to stay in the prospect system.

His shutdown style game could score the recently turned 23-year old a first NHL recall on a parent club that may be looking for some help in their own zone.

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