There has been some interesting player movement the past couple of days from AHL to NHL. Below are a few situations that I am keeping an eye on for now and the rest of the season.

 

JAKE GUENTZEL (PIT) – Has been recalled to the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has played two games since his recall and has two more points, and he now has seven points in his first seven NHL games. I have a feeling he is going to stick with the Penguins for a longer period of time. If you have a roster opening, picking up Guentzel could be quite helpful in the short term and if he sticks around he will be helpful long term, as well.

 

ALEX NEDELJKOVIC (CAR) – Was recalled and was called upon in his first game dressed as the Hurricanes backup. Cam Ward was replaced by Nedeljkovic on Tuesday night, and stopped all 17 shots. The Hurricanes lost 4-1, but Nedeljkovic was definitely not the reason there. He could see some time, but I have a feeling they sent Leighton to the AHL to get some playing time and they will swap these two in a week or so. Nedeljkovic could get a spot start, keep an eye on if he does get a start and how well he plays.

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ONDREJ PAVELEC – By no means is Pavelec a prospect, but it is interesting to see his recall from the Manitoba Moose. I believe he will take minutes away from Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck, but it will be Hutchinson who loses more of the playing time. Hopefully the better competition will awaken Hellebuyck’s ‘A’ game that we all expect him to have.

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TIM HEED (SJS) – Our very own Sharks prospect scout, Zachary Devine, has been covering the Sharks defensmen’s NHL debut.

Tim Heed talks about his #NHL debut with the #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/tqheB6Paxr

— Zachary DeVine (@zakkthebear) January 14, 2017

Tim Heed has been yo-yoed up and down from NHL to AHL in 2017. He has been productive on the PP with the San Jose Barracuda and has scored 32 points in 29 games played this year. He has only drawn into the lineup for one game this year. Hopefully Heed can get a few more NHL games under his belt.

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KEVIN FIALA (NSH) – Has been sent back own to the Milwaukee Admirals. Fiala has played 32 games this year and only has nine points to show for it. I was expecting more offense out of his game, playing 13 minutes and the majority of the time on a scoring line, with either Mike Ribeiro and Craig Smith or Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg. He should have more points to show getting ice time with those four guys. In his last 10 games, he has one goal and one assist, sending him to the AHL may boost his confidence, keep an eye out if he gets recalled later in the season.

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SHEA THEODORE (ANA) – His situation is driving us all crazy, if he was given regular NHL minutes he would be useful to fantasy owners. The Ducks keep sending him back and forth from NHL to AHL and giving him one or two games in each league and then a healthy scratch some nights. As of right now, it is too hard to tell if he will stick in either the NHL or AHL for a long period of time. Keep him on your watch list and pounce at any opportunity where he plays four or more games in the NHL.

 

The St. Louis Blues placed defenseman Brad Hunt on waivers on Monday. He was claimed by none other than the defensemen factory Nashville Predators. Hunt played nine games with the Blues and scored a goal and four assists. Playing for the Chicago Wolves (AHL) he has 29 points (9-20) in 23 games played. Hunt’s defensive game needs some fine tuning, but he has an excellent breakout pass and a big shot from the point. Nashville could give Hunt some significant ice time with Roman Josi and PK Subban currently out with injuries. Keep watch of if/when Hunt gets put into the Predators lineup.