The Islanders traded Thomas Vanek to Montreal at the wire, bringing back Sebastian Collberg, a 20-year-old right winger, under contract per CapGeek but playing at home with Frolunda (SHL). There are conditional draft picks reported in a few different directions contingent on the Habs’ making the playoffs. Collberg was the 33rd pick in the 2012 draft.
Awaiting word if the Islanders paper-transactioned anyone down to Bridgeport, or who they may be recalling, since they’ve got two open spots now.
5:07 p.m.: Garth Snow wouldn’t say who, if anyone, was papered down. Arthur Staple reports Mike Halmo and Matt Donovan are on their way up.
5:30 p.m.: Snow on Collberg: “Sebastian Collberg is a prospect our scouts have liked for a few years now, going into his draft year. Our scouts projected him as a potential first-round pick. … He’s got good speed, good hands, great hockey sense. He has the potential to be a top-six forward.”
Over there, Collberg’s a teammate of Robin Figren’s. They’re in the upper echelon of the SHL so could be playing into April.
In not talking about who may’ve been papered down, Snow referred to next week’s AHL trade deadline (after last year’s changes, there’s no more Clear Day, just an eventual playoff roster) and that they’d be making assessments between now and then. He did say there’s nothing else waiting (edit: nothing for them, to be clearer) to be announced trade-wise that could trickle out. Like this one, that popped out about an hour ago: Columbus sends Jonathan Marchessault and Dalton Smith to Tampa Bay for Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina.
So Bridgeport will bring 23 players (14-7-2) to the Rock.
6:15 p.m.: Just to make the point: It’s conceivable they didn’t paper anyone, that the assortment of waiver-exempt players are NHLers the rest of the way. Was told earlier that Lee and Strome were both converted from emergency recalls to regular recalls, for what it’s worth.
Another minor deal affecting the upcoming schedule: Worcester’s James Livingston to the Kings (and Tim Thomas’ wasn’t the only bobblehead night affected today).