Joseph Blandisi

February 2020 – Blandisi was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Jake Lucchini in exchange for Phil Varone and Riley Barber. Blandisi gets the fresh start with a new organization. He likely provides little more than AHL depth at this time. Tony Ferrari

December 2019 – Returned in mid-month to the AHL, Blandisi is becoming accustomed to shuttling up and down. His one goal and two assists in 13 big-league games compares to three goals and four assists in the same number of AHL outings. The 25-year-old, an RFA in the coming off-season, is a fringe NHLer who will get a contract from someone, but shouldn’t expect much more than his current $700,000 AAV. Mark Allan

November 2019 – He was recalled from the AHL for the second time this campaign as a result of Pittsburgh’s latest two long-term injuries to Sidney Crosby and Nick Bjugstad. In just 7:33 in a 5-4 OT loss to the Islanders, Blandisi had two shots on goal and won four of seven faceoffs taking Bjugstad’s place as third-line center. If fragile Penguin forwards continue to fall, Blandisi could be up and down all season, although Sam Lafferty is the No. 1 callup option. Mark Allan

November 2019 – After filling in capably if unspectacularly when multiple Pittsburgh forwards were sidelined early in the campaign, Blandisi was returned to the AHL with a goal and an assist in seven NHL games. The 25-year-old, a restricted free agent after the season, has two scores in three outings with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He needs to catch the eyes of Pittsburgh’s braintrust if he wants another contract with the organization. Mark Allan

October 2019 – A line of Blandisi with fellow AHL promotees Sam Lafferty and Adam Johnson produced three goals and six assists in a 7-4 victory over Minnesota. In 13 shifts totaling 7:37, Blandisi scored once, was plus-1 and won three faceoffs in six attempts. In a 7-2 victory over Winnipeg the next day, Blandisi added a goal and finished plus-2 on the LBJ Line. Mark Allan

October 2019 – Blandisi, pointless in his only AHL game, was recalled to replace Andrew Agozzino, pointless in his lone NHL game as an injury replacement. Blandisi is unlikely to get more than limited bottom-six usage with Pittsburgh, but it’s a big-league opportunity nonetheless. Mark Allan

September 2019 – Blandisi was one of 17 players assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL in the second round of cuts from Pittsburgh’s training camp. He must pass through waivers first. Mark Allan

July 2019 – Without bargaining power, RFA Blandisi re-signed with Pittsburgh for one year with a $700,000 AAV. Fortunate to have a one-way contract, the 24-year-old enters a pivotal campaign that could be his last with the Penguins. Mark Allan

June 2019 – The somewhat-skilled agitator did enough to earn a qualifying offer, although it might have been a tough call for Pittsburgh’s braintrust. The 24-year-old RFA, a veteran of five AHL schedules with 80 NHL outings to his credit, might have to accept a two-way contract if he’s willing to remain with the organization. His time to prove he’s a full-time NHLer is running out. Mark Allan

April 2019 – The 24-year-old had two seasons, one with Anaheim’s organization and one in Pittsburgh’s system after a January trade brought him east. His campaign was also split between the NHL, where he had no points in nine games (six with Pittsburgh), and the minors. After posting 23 points in 27 games with the San Diego Gulls, Blandisi added 20 points in the same number of outings for Wilkes/Barre/Scranton. That totaled 17 goals and 26 helpers in 54 AHL appearances. Cementing his reputation as an agitator with some skill, the 5-11, 187-pounder amassed exactly 100 AHL penalty minutes. It remains to be seen whether Blandisi, one of many Pittsburgh free agents, did enough to earn a new contract. Mark Allan

March 2019 – Blandisi was recalled from the AHL on an emergency basis, although he didn’t dress for a crucial 5-3 win over Washington. Acquired from Anaheim for Derek Grant in January, the 24-year old forward is pointless in two Pittsburgh outings, although he earned the promotion with seven goals and eight assists in 17 games with Wilkes-Barre-Scranton. That’s him in a nutshell – a good AHLer but a player on the fringe of the big time. Mark Allan

February 2019 – Competing for a contract with numerous looming free-agent prospects in the system, Blandisi has 33 points in 37 AHL outings this season. Notable peripherals include plus-14, 61 penalty minutes and a 16.7 shooting percentage. He needs to be his best to get another contract with Pittsburgh. Mark Allan

January 2019 – Blandisi was unsurprisingly demoted to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL after getting just 6:49 of icetime in his Pittsburgh debut, a 3-2 OT win over the Coyotes. Mark Allan

January 2019 – Acquired from Anaheim for little-used center Derek Grant, Blandisi might find new life with the Penguins as an agitating winger with some skill. However, considering GM Jim Rutherford got the 24-year-old just to get an asset instead of exposing Grant to a waiver claim by trying to demote him to the AHL, it’s more likely Blandisi will add to his minor-league stats. After playing almost twice as much of his pro career in the AHL rather than the big time, the original sixth-rounder will find it hard breaking into Pittsburgh’s organizational depth up front. With 23 points in 27 recent outings with the San Diego Gulls, Blandisi might top out as an AHL top-sixer. The 5-foot-11, 187-pounder will be an RFA in a few months. Mark Allan

December 2017 – Blandisi was involved in a trade that sent him to the Anaheim Ducks with Adam Henrique in exchange for Sami Vatanen. Peter Harling

July 2017 – The Devils made a commitment to developing Blandisi by signing him to a two-year, two-way contract. The speedy center will play a large scoring role for Albany in the AHL this season and should be expected to be one of the first players called up if New Jersey suffers any injuries. Grant Frey

April 2017 – Blandisi had a difficult NHL year to read, following his 41-game, 17-point 2015-16 with 27 games, three goals and six assists. Missing time due to an oblique injury didn’t help, but the promising forward seemed poised for an NHL breakout or at least an increased role. Posted respectable numbers in limited time at AHL Albany (7 G, 17 A, 60 PIM, 30 games). A restricted free agent this off-season. Kevin Wickersham

January 2017 – After an impressive half-season with New Jersey during 2015-16, Blandisi has thus far spent the entire 2016-17 campaign with AHL Albany. This is somewhat surprising given the frequent forward call-ups the parent Devils have made due to injuries and other roster moves. Nonetheless, he is again putting up impressive numbers (six goals, 14 assists, 44 penalty minutes in 24 games), and has provided stability and leadership at the center position for an Albany squad that has undergone many roster changes. Recently named a 2017 AHL All Star, Blandisi has currently missed a few weeks of play due to an oblique injury. Kevin Wickersham

October 2016 – Blandisi starts the season for Albany after getting a good look with the Devils last year. He put up a respectable 17 points in 41 games, often moving up and down the lineup. Blandisi is someone who can supply some offense for his team and compete physically despite his lack of size. Look for him to be one of the first players called up to New Jersey if injury strikes. Trevor Behrends

January 2016 – Blandisi, one of the many rookie AHL players on the Albany Devils roster has been fantastic. Prior to his call up to the NHL, Blandisi was centering the first line and flourishing. In 24 games Blandisi has scored seven goals and 14 assists. His great play earned him a second chance to play in the NHL. In eight games Blandisi has scored two assists. While those numbers do not pop out at all, Blandisi has been doing everything but scoring. Recently he has been playing on the second line and does not look out of place. He has the speed and creativity offensively that the Devils desperately need. If he continues playing the way he has there is no doubt that the numbers will start to come. Justin Nobre

November 2015 – Blandisi had a solid rookie camp and training camp with the Devils. He was one of the last cuts in training camp due to his great play. This did not affect Blandisi at all as he has continued to produce for Albany. Blandisi earned the role as the top center on Albany playing with Mike Sislo and Matt Lorito on his wings. Not bad for a rookie in the AHL. In 15 games played Blandisi has six goals and 14 points. That is good for 3rd among AHL rookies for scoring and 3rd among Albany skaters as well. Blandisi will most likely be one of the first players to be called up from Albany. Justin Nobre

August 2015 – The Devils signed Blandisi this summer after the Avalanche declined to offer him a contract this summer. Blandisi finished the year in Barrie as the fourth leading scorer in the OHL, with 58 goals and 112 points in 68 games. Blandisi also was awarded the Leo Lalonde memorial trophy for the best overage player in the OHL. Blandisi will be battling for a spot on the Devils roster come training camp. Blandisi immediatlely becomes one of the Devils most talented offensive prospects. Justin Nobre