Category: NHL

15Dec

Tim Erixson(34) Chicago Blackhawks

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Tim Erixon2Chicago Blackhawks love their Swedes and defenseman Tim Erixson(34) becomes their latest addition via trade.

He was actually born in America but spent much of his time growing up, playing juniors and his first three years of pro hockey as a teenager in the SHL with Skelleftea.

Originally drafted in the 1st round by Calgary Flames, he was traded when he refused to sign to New York Rangers, where he spent most of his rookie season on reassignment to then differently named affiliate Connecticut Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack and went right to work on the score sheet with 3 goals and 30 assists.

The sort of smaller looking than his stats suggest 6’2″ 200 lbs. blue liner did play his first 18 NHL games in his first campaign registering two helpers.

He lasted only one season of his three-year entry level deal as he was a prospect part of the huge Rick Nash off season transaction that sent him to Columbus Blue Jackets.

He spent the first half of his sophomore campaign with their farm club, Springfield Falcons putting up more fantastic offensive marks (5-24-29).

Recalled to the parent club, where he stayed for the remainder of the season he managed to appear in 31 games with 5 assists and a +4 rating to his credit.

Not sure what the factors were that had him fall off the depth chart but even though he was summoned half a dozen times he only appeared in two games in his third season, while he increased his point totals to a point-per-game player in the minors.

The 23-year old signed a one-year one-way extension to stay put and would only skate contests in the show for his fourth run.

He finally got his first NHL goal but once again found himself on the dispensable list and lands in probably the best situation he could possibly ask for.

See related: 3/22-12

14Dec

Bobby Farnham (24)

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Bobby-Farnham-2

It was a dream come true for Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 3rd year undrafted pugulist right wing Bobby Farnham(24) to score a recall and play in his first NHL game.

He skated 9 even strength shifts for a minimal 5:31 ice time, had one hit and mixed it up in the opening frame for his first big league fighting major.

The not-so-big 5’10” 188 lbs. already has 7 AHL bouts this season and 30 in his career.

A former Brown University forward signed his first one-year deal with Wheeling Nailers.

He lasted all of 9 ECHL games (3 goals, 1 assist), including four 5-minute stays in the penalty box before being called-up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he would be offered an spc one month in to his visit and basically never left.

That is until the parent club took notice and signed him to a one-year deal for his sophomore campaign and although he played the full season with the farm team it was good enough to get him re-upped for another.

And now he’s in the show and although it may have a time limit now, if he continues to demonstrate he can contribute he’d be a low cap hit for a team that may be looking for someone that plays his style.

13Dec

Colin Miller(6) Manchester Monarchs

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colin-miller2

Los Angeles Kings‘ 5th round pick in the 2012 draft (#151 overall), 2nd year defenseman Colin Miller(6) is having a great sophomore season with affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

His point totals in 23 AHL games this season has already surpassed what he put up in 65 games as a rookie.

He has a new career high goals with 6 and points at 18 and is tied his assist mark from last year with 12.

In his last campaign of juniors with hometown team Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, he was a point–per-game player scoring 20 goals and 35 assists in 54 OHL games.

The 6′ 195 lbs. blue liner was always very accountable in his own zone, leaving after three years with a +24 rating.

He continued on that path in the minors and is currently a +7 plus/minus.

The 22-year old has yet to earn his first NHL recall but is definitely on the right path and signed with the parent club through 2016 on a 3-year entry level deal.

11Dec

Adam Morrison(31) South Carolina Stingrays

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adam morrisonBoston Bruins‘ 3rd year goaltender Adam Morrison(31) is off to his best start on reassignment with South Carolina Stingrays, where he’s spent most of his pro career.

In 8 ECHL games he has 5 wins and 3 losses with a 2.11 GAA, a .922 SV% and one shutout.

An injury that required surgery sidelined him for all but two games last season.

He was originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft (#81 overall) but signed a 3-year entry level deal as an unrestricted free agent with the Bruins in late 2012.

The 6’3″ 194 lbs. back stop is in the final year of his contract and caught in a bit of a log jam for playing time as the parent club has a pair of prospects ahead of him.

He’s only appeared in two AHL games with Providence Bruins, the first when he was initially and was between the pipes for another during the current campaign but has been recalled and served as back-up on numerous occasions.

Tough to say if the 23-year will be given a qualifying offer to stay in the prospect system but if he can put in an impressive numbers and keep his team going with a deep playoff run, it will give them something more to think about.

09Dec

Shayne Gostisbehere(14) Lehigh Valley Phantoms

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Shayne GostisbeherePhiladelphia Flyers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft (#78 overall) mini-smart defenseman Shayne Gotisbehere(14) had pretty much going his way because of the hard work and consistently aware game he plays.

He was a late cut from training camp and started what may not actually become his rookie season on reassignment to affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms putting up some handsome numbers right away, 5 assists in 5 AHL games.

The generously listed 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner also received his first NHL recall and even though he was returned with a -2 plus/minus he was part of two team wins vs Detroit and Los Angeles.

Approximately 10 days into his  joining the farm team for more seasoning, he was hit into the boards awkwardly going around the net and looked to get his leg caught a bit too much behind him as he slid down.

The prognosis was a torn acl, requiring surgery and his return is listed as indefinite.

When and if he does return, possibly some time in the Spring, maybe for any potential playoff runs but both teams aren’t exactly in that running at the moment.

The 21-year old former Union College assistant captain, 2014 NCAA Champion, Hobey Baker finalist, World Junior Gold Medalist is most definitely highly touted from his three-year career at school (averaged 7 goals, 20 assists) and will be sorely missed especially on on the farm team.

Signed through 2017 on a three-year entry level deal, he should come back stronger and probably will only be looking at plane rides in his future.

07Dec

Francis Wathier(11) Portland Pirates

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Francis Wathier10th year veteran center Francis Wathier(11) was for the first time in his long career without a contract heading into 2014/2015.

Previously he had been in Dallas Stars‘ prospect system from the get-go. He was originally their 6th round pick in the 2003 draft (#185 overall).

The sizable 6’4″ 210 lbs. forward has a lengthy 525 game career in the AHL but only 10 NHL contests to his credit with zero points.

He’s not exactly a wizard on the score sheet with the farm teams either scoring 91 goals and 107 assists but he a ceaseless battler and although keeps his time in the penalty box to a minimum is unafraid to drop the mitts, usually good for at least 6-12 fights a year.

The 30-year old unrestricted free agent was an invite to Toronto Maple Leafs‘ training camp and released early.

He next arrived in affiliate Toronto Marlies‘ camp but was also let go.

He signed at pto joining Portland Pirates a couple weeks into the new season and has found his spot as he signed his first minor league contract recently to play the entire year with the team.

04Dec

Brent Sopel(55) Chicago Wolves

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Brent SopelEnduring 17th year defenseman Brent Sopel(55) has not appeared in an AHL game since 1999-2000 with Syracuse Crunch, then affiliate of Vancouver Canucks.

He was originally a ‘Nucks 6th round pick in the 1995 draft (#144 overall) and last skated in the minors with the old Kansas City Blades in the last year of the IHL. His stint was a short 4-game stay as this would be his first complete season in the show.

The 37-year old has skated an absolutely phenomenal 659 NHL games and was a key member of the 2010 Stanley Cup win with Chicago Blackhawks.

Only one season removed hockey’s biggest prize he would disappear for three years to the KHL.

Returning to North America to be play closer to home, he entered training camp on an invite with Chicago Wolves and signed a one-year deal  as the 2014/2015 season started.

The 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner is already contributing nicely with 7 assists in 21 games and a +2 rating, plus is the senior member of his squad so his vast knowledge and leadership both on and off the ice is priceless.

He recently appeared in his 1000 pro game as his career continues and still eyes a return to the highest league of hockey.

02Dec

Kerby Rychel(52) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Kerby-Rychel

Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 1st round pick in the 2013 draft (#19 overall) rookie left wing Kerby Rychel(52) is wasting no time establishing his game in the top league.

He was one of the final cuts to be reassigned from training camp to affiliate Springfield Falcons. probably more to see where/how he was going to fit in with the parent club as he scored on his first ever shift in preseason and looked to stick.

The 6’1″ 215 lbs. forward was maybe a bit slow to start out of the gate with the farm team, but once he got on the scoreboard stayed consistent putting up 6 goals and 7 assists in 22 AHL games.

His efforts earned him the  NHL recall everyone knew was coming and after his debut with no points, he got right to work posting three assists in his last pair of contests and has a +3 rating on a team that maybe just starting to string together wins.

There’s little doubt he knows how to connect with the back of the net, as he was a more than a point-per-game player in four seasons of junior hockey in the OHL and won the 2014 Championship with Guelph Storm. He also led the playoffs in assists and points.

At only 20 years old, he is quickly proving he’s a difference maker on the ice, even sticking up for himself in a couple of throw downs and may have seen the last of any bus trips in the minors.

He’s signed through 2017 on a three-year entry level deal.

01Dec

Ian White(28) Providence Bruins

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Ian White11th year veteran defenseman Ian White(28) last played a game in the AHL in 2006 with the newly introduced Toronto Marlies, while still under his entry level contract with Toronto Maple Leafs.

He was a 6th round pick in the 2002 draft (#191 overall) and up until the 2013/2014 season he strung together 503 NHL appearances, 6 years with the Leafs, stops with Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks and most fruitfully late career two campaigns with Detroit Red Wings, where he put up a career high 25 assists and 32 points with a phenomenal +23 rating.

The not huge 5’10” 185 lbs. d-man had season ending injury in 2013/2014 limiting him to only 25 games for 2 goals and 2 assists but a tidy +5.

He was a beast on the score board in four years of juniors in the WHL with Swift Current Broncos. His totals of 77 goals and 145 assists in 246 games with a +31 is impressive for such a late selection.

Regardless, he was an unrestricted free agent was in Winnipeg Jets‘ training camp but released and found himself over in Russia with Traktor Chelyabinsk for a minimal 10 games.

At only 30 years old, he’s definitely still got a lot of game left in the tank.

He signed a pto with Providence Bruins and has appeared in 7 games scoring 1 goal and 3 assists but is a kind of bad -7 plus/minus on a team that’s been struggling.

His veteran presence works on this roster and it would be no surprise to see him score a deal.

30Nov

Ryan Malone(6) Hartford Wolf Pack

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Ryan Malone12th year veteran left wing Ryan Malone(6) has played a whopping 647 NHL games with only three teams throughout his lengthy pro career.

He was a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 4th round pick in the 1999 draft (#115 overall) and spent his first 4 years, minus the 2004/2005 lockout, with the team, where he reached the 20/20 scorer three times.

The big 6’4″ 224 lbs. forward went on to sign a lucrative 6-year deal with Tampa Bay Lightning and once again averaged the 20/20 mark through his first four seasons in south Florida.

A few seasons ago though, his numbers started to tank.

This led the Lightning to rethink their contract and eventually moved to buy out the remaining two seasons of his agreement.

After a summer of uncertainty as a freshly released unrestricted free agent, the 35-year old signed a one-year, two-way contract for virtual pennies to see if he could fill in some offensive spots lost by New York Rangers after their run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

He was on the opening night roster and was almost reassigned once until an injury kept him up. Failing to connect, he was eventually put on waivers and reassigned to minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.

It was his first time in the AHL since playing 3 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fresh out of four years of college at St. Cloud University.

He’s appeared in 5 contests thus far recording a pair of assists in one game on a veteran heavy squad that may require him to sit out more often than not.