Former Worcester Sharks‘ now Colorado Avalanche center Freddie Hamilton(12) faces off against one of the NHL‘s best, current Norfolk Admirals‘ Dave Steckel(26).
Category: NHL
Detroit Red Wings‘ 4th round pick in the 2010 draft (#111 overall) Finnish-born right wing Teemu Pulkkinen(6) has been playing with affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins for most of his sophomore season and is throwing fists in the air as he leads the AHL in goal scoring by almost double digits and is tied for most points with 61 through 46 games.
The not exactly huge 5’10” 185 forward is finding his space out there to collect a season high 34 goals and his point total is also a career best, because he’s also one to shoot the puck an absolute crap load on the net with 189 already this season, going to top the former most 201.
He helped his farm club squad to the 2013 Calder Cup Championship skating in 14 postseason contests scoring 3 goals and 2 assists and finished 2nd in scoring as a rookie last year with 31-28-59.
He played his first NHL games late in 2013 but didn’t connect on the score sheet.
The 23-year old comes in with 3 seasons of pro experience in Finland’s top league Liiga, where he did pretty well playing for Jokerit. So it’s just a matter of time.
It took him six games on his first recall to the parent club to get his first and added two more with a pair of assists.
He recorded his first multi-point game 3/9.
He is set to become a restricted free agent but that should be a no-brainer.
Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft (#85 overall) goaltender Matt Murray(30) is having a spectacular first season with minor league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
He’s recorded an 18-8-2 mark in his rookie campaign, which started with a shutout in his first appearance of the season.
The 6’4″ slim 174 lbs. net minder just set a new AHL scoreless streak at 3:04:11 without letting in a goal.
He blanked the competition four straight games in the process and then was only scored on with 1:11 remaining in his fifth straight win. He managed to stop 130 shots on net before letting one in.
The former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound is signed through 2016/2017 and with continued good play and a strong playoff showing could find himself suited up as the NHL back-up for the parent club in his sophomore season.
7th year center Dustin Jeffrey(20) finds himself switching teams at the trade deadline, becoming part of New York Islanders‘ prospect system from Vancouver Canucks, where he was playing exclusively in minors.
Up until so far this season he has always skated games in the NHL in each campaign of his pro career, mostly with Pittsburgh Penguins, the team that selected him in the 6th round of the 2006 draft (#161 overall).
He played 100 contests through 5+ seasons with them scoring 15 goals and 13 assists before being claimed off the waiver wire by Dallas Stars in early 2013.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward was able to transfer between affiliates and sent to Texas Stars on five different occasions, returned the final time to help their playoff run.
In 254 AHL games he’s a sniper scoring 75 goals and 132 assists with a +51 rating.
He would add 7 goals and 5 assists in 19 postseason contests to help the farm team win the 2014 Calder Cup Championship.
The 27-year old was picked up quickly as an unrestricted free agent and has performed very well with Utica Comets on reassignment registering for almost a point-per-game (17-24 in 49).
Now with his fourth team that takes the bus, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he has a goal in each of his games plus one assist.
He’s the type of player that really just needs to keep getting chances and shoot the puck on the net.
He could find himself fitting in nicely wherever he lands for the remainder of 2014/2015 and could be retained.
12th year veteran defenseman Brendan Bell(14) was acquired by Chicago Wolves from Norfolk Admirals to help boost their back line heading into a potential playoff berth.
In his debut with his new team the 31-year scored a goal and an assist in a tough 4-3 overtime loss against division rival Lake Erie Monsters.
He had only one tally in 47 games with his former team but did compile a sturdy 22 helpers.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. d-man has almost always consistently put up 20+ assists in each AHL season played through 487 games.
Through his pro career, the former Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 3rd round pick in the in the 2001 draft (#65 overall) has appeared in 102 NHL contests (7 goals, 21 assists) with the last time being 1 game in 2011/2012, when signed with New York Rangers.
After that season, he left for a couple of spins through Europe, his second foray overseas, landing in Sweden’s SHL with Frolunda and then last year skating again for Biel in the Swiss Elite NLA.
Now that’s he’s returned to North America proving he still has plenty left in the tank, his presence definitely helps the youngsters out on any squad he joins.
Anaheim Ducks‘ 9th year defenseman Mark Fistric(7) was reassigned to affiliate Norfolk Admirals after 9 games and no points.
It’s his first significant time in the minors since 2008/2009, when he played 35 AHL contests for Manitoba Moose while under contract with Dallas Stars, the team that selected him in the 1st round of 2004 draft (#28 overall).
The sizable 6’2″ 230 lbs. blue liner spent his first six years in the prospect system and played three full NHL seasons with the team before being traded to his hometown Edmonton Oilers.
He played with them for a single season before signing for one-year with the Ducks as an unrestricted free agent. He would re-up mid-season for another three-year deal through 2017.
Never known as a big point getter, the 28-year old is a hard-nosed, stay-at-home style defensive specialist that isn’t afraid to mix it up.
Although he may be spending some extended time with the farm team this season, he could be recalled at any point, and with his +28 rating through 325 games in the big league he’s at the very least accountable on ice.
What happens for the former Vancouver Giants‘ 2006 WHL Champion’s future in the off-season is a bit of a wonder.
He’s not on the books for much money and could be kept around for insurance and to help out the youngsters but that’s purely speculation.
14th year veteran defenseman Matt Carkner(3) has played in the NHL exclusively for the last 5 years. He’s played 237 games scoring 4 goals and 23 assists.
It also took him 5 seasons to crack a big league lineup through his entry level deal with San Jose Sharks. He appeared in one game with them.
Originally a Montreal Canadiens‘ 2nd round pick in the 1999 draft (#58 overall), the unrestricted free agent spent most of his playing days in the system with the defunct Cleveland Barons.
Currently signed through the end of this season, he’s in the last of his three-year deal with New York Islanders, but after coming off injured reserved was sent directly to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
It’s his first appearance in the minors since 2011 when he played three games on a conditioning reassignment to Binghamton Senators while under contract with Ottawa.
The big 6’4″ 226 lbs. wide body may be best remembered for his five campaigns with the Canadian nation’s capital team. He had his best offensive production with them in 2009/2010 when he got 2 goals and 9 assists and scored a triple overtime gwg in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 34-year old may be playing out his time in the AHL but could get a recall as the postseason draws nearer and the parent club needs to rest some players.
As far as continued playing time in his pro career, he’ll likely have to shift his game overseas or maybe sign a one year deal to continue to help develop prospects on a farm team.
Two heavyweights wait for the puck to drop, remove their helmets and settle the score to start the contest.
Worcester Sharks‘ enforcer Jimmy Bonneau(43), who didn’t appear in either game in Newfoundland, and St. John’s IceCaps‘ leveler Blair Riley(25) take care of business for the ill will that started at the teams’ last meeting a couple weeks prior.
They fought relentlessly but you had the sense when it was all done both combatants sort of just shrugged it off as another day at the office.
And then both got tossed for good measure in a call that still has analysts scratching their heads.
Vancouver Canucks‘ undrafted Lativian-born rookie forward Ronalds Kenins(41) is certainly showing the parent club that he’s made to be there since being recalled from minor league affiliate Utica Comets just over a month ago. He left with 5 goals, 8 assists with a +7 rating in 36 AHL games.
In his first big league game he failed to get a point but by his second appearance he got his first point, an assist.
He added another helper in his next contest and by his seventh game he had 3 assists and scored his first NHL goal.
The 6′ 201 lbs. power forward added another pair of assists in his 9th shot on the ice against New York Rangers no less.
In 14 games he has 3 goals and 7 assists with a +2 rating.
Before arriving here to play, he already had three years of pro experience in the Swiss elite NLA with ZSC and won two league championships. His three previous years were playing in the NLB, second tier in Switzerland, so that’s 6 total.
At 24, he’s a bit older than most first year players and plays like his been competing at this level for awhile, yet it’s only his debut at the highest level of hockey.
What’s apparent about his style is he plays a complete game and skates like he’s loaded with a stick of dynamite.
6th year undrafted center Zach Sill(22) was probably a bit surprised and happy to be dealt before the trade deadline from Pittsburgh Penguins to the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 6′ 205 lbs. fourth line agitator started his pro career in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for two seasons before scoring his first major contract, which was extended twice.
It’s up at the end of the current campaign so he’ll have to prove himself with his new team to earn another deal.
2014-2015 has been the 26-year old’s first full run in the show but he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
Not exactly know for his scoring prowess, although he did score his first NHL goal and added a pair of assists, he’s mostly used to get under the skin of opponents and welcomes any encounter.
He has 5 fighting majors this season and will likely battle his way into a new contract.
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