Stuff to watch for, and if history is a guide, we’ll break out any big Bridgeport-related moves on a separate post:
–Players who are in the NHL at 3 p.m. today can’t be sent down again, so whether it’s actually being sent home or simply on paper, that has to happen at the deadline. Since the Islanders did recall Josh Ho-Sang (emergency conditions) again this morning, he’ll certainly be papered down at 3. Think the only other one on the NHL roster right now who could come down, again even if only on paper, is Adam Pelech.
From 3 until the end of the NHL regular season, a team can only use four regular recalls. Emergency recalls are still unlimited. There’s also no roster limit, so injured reserve becomes a nonfactor.
–Arthur Staple said this yesterday, and it meshes with a lot of the gossip we’ve heard the past month or so: Any potential Jaroslav Halak trade isn’t just about Calder Cup chances; it’s about the Islanders’ third goalie in a season that’s far from over. Christopher Gibson, his postsurgery optimism about going day to day aside, was still on crutches over the weekend. Trade Halak, and you’re a heartbeat away from calling up at least one kid still finding his consistency at this level, let alone the next. If they were to trade Halak, they may want another veteran/NHL No. 3 type, if not necessarily in the same deal.
–If the Islanders are active for Bridgeport, suspect it’d be looking for depth on the wing and more defensive depth. Of course, who isn’t. (Looking at the AHL teams far back in the race, the names that most jumped out at me last night were Joe Whitney and Kevin Czuczman. That’d be funny. Or would have: Colorado traded Whitney this morning to Arizona.)
–The AHL trade/reassignment deadline is exactly one week later. Be back here next Wednesday!
–Bits accumulated yesterday, Montreal traded onetime Sound Tiger David Desharnais to Edmonton for Brandon Davidson. A neat Conan O’Brien tribute to Bill Paxton. And RIP, Vladimir Petrov.
We’ll update as things happen.
–Joe Cannata had slipped down the depth chart in Hershey the past few months. So now he’s in San Antonio. Defenseman Cody Corbett goes the other way.
–Former Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath is in Florida’s deal to get Thomas Vanek from Detroit, Bob McKenzie reports. He’d been with Springfield.
–Not even here and making news, Josh Ho-Sang is the AHL’s rookie of the month for February with 15 points in 12 games.
–One of those No. 3/vet-AHL type goalies I’d wondered about was Mike McKenna. But Chris Johnston reports that Florida sent McKenna to Tampa Bay for Adam Wilcox.
–Didn’t catch who said it on Sportsnet, but someone said the Rangers picked up former Sound Tiger Taylor Beck from Edmonton for Justin Fontaine. So after four years in Nashville, Beck has apparently been traded for the fourth time in two years.
–The Sound Tigers are practicing in Toronto this afternoon, and from what we’re told, no unexpected absences, that Jaroslav Halak is on with them, as is Kyle Schempp.
–The AHL transactions list Josh Ho-Sang and Adam Pelech on Bridgeport’s roster. Surely just paper transactions for both so they’ll be eligible to be sent down the rest of the way.
–Steve Oleksy is reportedly part of the deal sending Eric Fehr to Toronto and Frankie Corrado to Pittsburgh. Reportedly Mark Streit, traded earlier from Philly to Tampa, is also going to the Penguins; other half unknown. Still haven’t heard anything final from the Islanders, by the way. Edit, 4:40: Corrado goes to Wilkes-barre; a draft pick for Streit.
–The Bruins added some forward depth with Drew Stafford. Arthur says nothing from the Islanders. Haven’t been told that officially myself but no reason to doubt it.
–The Devils announced they’ve traded Reece Scarlett to Florida for Shane Harper.
–Mark Divver expects that Peter Cehlarik got papered down to Providence. Did I ever mention Jordan Weal papered to Lehigh? Jordan Weal papered to Lehigh.
–Seth Lakso says the WBS group that’s down at the deadline includes Corrado, Jake Guentzel, Derrick Pouliot, Carter Rowney and Cameron Gaunce.
–Spencer Abbott and Sam Carrick went from Rockford to San Diego. Edit: And the IceHogs’ social media has a sense of humor.
–The Marlies picked up former Albany Devils forward Mike Sislo from San Antonio for Colin Smith.
–So as 6 p.m. approaches, looks like things have quieted down. We’ll do a liveblog tomorrow morning off the Internet (though if you have NHL Network, you can watch on TV).