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NHL Transactions & Roster Moves

Mattias Norlinder(D)|FA
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Mattias Norlinder has been loaned to the Laval Rocket (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season.

Norlinder was making a strong case to crack Montreal's top-six defense to enter the season but was informed Monday that he is being loaned to Laval (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old defenseman was the Canadiens 2019 third-round pick (64th overall) and will return to Laval where he had two goals, 17 assists, 20 PIMs, and a -7 plus/minus in 67 games in 2022-23.

Source:
Montreal Canadiens 2023-10-09T14:42:01.595Z
Mattias Norlinder
Emil Heineman(LW)|NYI
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Montreal has loaned prospect Emil Heineman to Laval (AHL).

Heineman was fighting for a final spot on Montreal's opening night roster but unfortunately has been informed Monday that he will be returned to Laval (AHL) on loan for the start of the 2023-24 season. The 21-year-old winger was drafted by Montreal in the second round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft (43rd overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut. He returns to Laval where he had seven goals, two assists, six PIMs, and a +5 plus/minus in a short, yet impressive 11-game debut in 2022-23.

Source:
Montreal Canadiens 2023-10-09T14:46:59.673Z
Emil Heineman
Denis Gurianov(RW)|FA
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The Predators assigned Denis Gurianov to Milwaukee (AHL).

Gurianov, the former 12th overall pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, has failed to make the opening night roster for the Predators. Last season, Gurianov recorded only 17 points (7G / 10A) in 66 games between the Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He will likely see some NHL action this season but his effectiveness at the NHL level remains to be seen as his goal totals have decreased each year since the 20 he scored in his rookie campaign in 2019-20.

Source:
@PredsNHL 2023-10-09T17:40:44.440Z
Denis Gurianov
Simon Edvinsson(D)|DET
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The Red Wings assigned Simon Edvinsson to Grand Rapids (AHL).

Edvinsson made his NHL debut last season, tallying two points (2G / 0A) in nine games with the Red Wings but will begin this year's campaign in the AHL. The former sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will likely see some time in the NHL this season but, barring any injuries, is unlikely to be a regular in the lineup.

Source:
Max Bultman 2023-10-09T14:24:34.607Z
Simon Edvinsson
Elmer Soderblom(LW)|DET
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The Red Wings assigned Elmer Soderblom to Grand Rapids (AHL).

The 6'6 Swedish power-forward opened last season with the Red Wings, recording eight points (5G / 3A) in 21 games before playing the remainder of his season in the AHL. Soderblom will look to continue his growth and further adapt to the North American game as he begins his season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Source:
Max Bultman 2023-10-09T14:35:51.759Z
Elmer Soderblom
Jonatan Berggren(RW)|STL
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The Red Wings assigned Jonatan Berggren to Grand Rapids (AHL).

After an impressive first year in North America, scoring 64 points (21G / 43A) in 70 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, Berggren became a regular in the lineup for the Red Wings last season where he recorded 28 points (15G / 13A) in 67 games. The talented winger will begin his campaign in the AHL but will likely make his way into the Red Wings roster at some point this season.

Source:
Max Bultman 2023-10-09T14:42:28.112Z
Jonatan Berggren
Logan Stankoven(C)|CAR
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The Stars assigned Logan Stankoven to Texas (AHL).

Despite having an impressive preseason, recording five points (2G / 3A) in six games, a logjam of offensive talent on the Dallas Stars' roster has prevented Stankoven from cracking the opening night roster. Stankoven will likely see some time in the NHL this year but as he awaits his callup, the Stars' top prospect should see top-line minutes playing with the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Source:
@DallasStars 2023-10-09T14:54:54.646Z
Logan Stankoven
Mavrik Bourque(C)|DAL
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The Stars assigned Mavrik Bourque to Texas (AHL).

Bourque had a successful first year of professional hockey last season, scoring 47 points (20G / 27A) in 70 games with the Texas Stars (AHL). The 30th overall pick from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has yet to make his NHL debut and will have to continue waiting as he begins this season in the AHL. Bourque is a high-end prospect for the Stars and could see some time in the NHL this season.

Source:
@DallasStars 2023-10-09T15:03:27.387Z
Mavrik Bourque
Dylan Guenther(RW)|UTA
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The Coyotes assigned Dylan Guenther to Tucson (AHL).

Guenther made the Coyotes roster out of training camp last season, tallying 15 points (6G / 9A) in 33 games before finishing his season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. This year, the ninth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft will debut the season in the AHL. Guenther proved that he could compete in the NHL last season and could find his way back with the Coyotes at some point this year.

Source:
@AZCoyotesPR 2023-10-09T16:00:30.581Z
Dylan Guenther
Olen Zellweger(D)|ANA
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The Ducks assigned Olen Zellweger to San Diego (AHL).

Zellweger will have to wait to make his NHL debut as he will begin the 2023-24 campaign with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. He spent last season in the WHL, splitting time between the Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers, where he scored a combined 70 points (32G / 48A) across 55 games.

Source:
Eric Stephens 2023-10-09T16:16:47.710Z
Olen Zellweger
Brandt Clarke(D)|LAK
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The Kings assigned Brandt Clarke to Ontario (AHL).

Clarke was the No.8 overall pick in 2021 and had a shot to make the Kings out of training camp. Ultimately he will start in Ontario, where he had two points (1G / 1A) in five games last season after graduating from the OHL. The 20-year-old blueliner posted 61 points (23G / 38A) in just 31 games for the Barrie Colts last season.

Source:
Russell Morgan 2023-10-07T11:58:18.487Z
Brandt Clarke
Spencer Knight(G)|CHI
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Spencer Knight has been loaned to Charlotte (AHL) to get consistent action.

Knight will look to regain his form while playing regularly with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Last season, Knight played only 21 games for the Panthers before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in February posting a 9-8-3 record with a .901 SV% and 3.18 GAA. Anthony Stolarz will serve as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup to start the season.

Source:
Elliotte Friedman 2023-10-06T17:26:14.896Z
Spencer Knight
Rhett Gardner(C)|FA
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Rhett Gardner has been recalled from Texas (AHL).

Gardner had 10 goals, 30 assists, 75 PIMs and a +26 plus/minus through 71 games with Texas (AHL) during the regular season and has been recalled to Dallas for the first time prior to Game 4 vs. Vegas. The 27-year-old right-winger is not expected to suit up but is joining the roster with the recent loss of Jamie Benn (suspension) and Evgenii Dadanov (LBI injury).

Source:
Owen Newkirk 2023-05-25T19:24:08.835Z
Rhett Gardner
Mavrik Bourque(C)|DAL
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Mavrik Bourque has been recalled from Texas (AHL) ahead of Game 4 vs. Vegas.

Bourque had 20 goals, 27 assists, and 18 PIMs through 70 games with Texas (AHL) this season and has been recalled to Dallas for the first time ahead of Game 4. Bourque has a chance to dress as the Stars are without Jamie Benn (suspension) and Evgenii Dadonov (LBI injury), but Dallas has stated they will be keeping their lineup a secret until game-time. The 21-year-old has never played a game in the NHL.

Source:
Owen Newkirk 2023-05-25T19:28:51.033Z
Mavrik Bourque
Tye Kartye(LW)|SEA
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Tye Kartye has been recalled from Coachella Valley (AHL).

Kartye had 28 goals, 29 assists, 74 PIMs and a +17 plus/minus through 72 games with Coachella Valley (AHL) this season and will make his NHL debut in Game 5 as he replaced the injured Jarrod McCann on Seattle's top-line. The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent from the Soo Greyhounds (OHL) a year ago.

Source:
Sound of Hockey 2023-04-26T18:13:31.040Z
Tye Kartye
Brandon Bussi(G)|CAR
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Brandon Bussi has been reassigned to Providence (AHL).

Bussi has been acting as Boston's number-three goalie for the playoffs and did not see any game action during his stint with the club. He was reassigned to Providence (AHL) on Tuesday but will be a candidate to be recalled throughout the playoffs to fill the third goaltender role for the Bruins.

Source:
Shawn Hutcheon 2023-04-25T19:58:27.343Z
Brandon Bussi
Oskar Steen(C)|FA
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Oskar Steen has been reassigned to Providence (AHL).

Steen did not see any NHL playoff action despite the call-up and will head back to Providence (AHL) on Monday after being reassigned. Steen played in 64 games with Providence during the season, picking up 14 goals, 31 points and 34 PIMs.

Source:
Boston Bruins 2023-04-24T19:41:54.798Z
Oskar Steen

NHL Roster Moves

NHL roster moves are essentially transactions that alter a team’s lineup. The roster move could make the team better or worse. In some cases, the move is inconsequential. Fan favourites could leave for greener pastures. A struggling player could get sent down to the farm team. A lousy contract might get put on waivers. Even worse, players may get strategically buried on the long-term injury reserve list because they’re not worth the cap hit. The possibilities are somewhat endless.

Types of NHL Roster Moves

Don’t worry; Daily Faceoff has you covered when trying to grasp the concept of a league ruled by the complexities of the almighty salary cap. Below, we break down the strategy behind roster moves so you can get a leg up in your DFS league.

Free agent signings

NHL rosters are primarily constructed by player signings. The front office reaches out to what are referred to as “free agents.” Both the front office and the player’s agent work out the terms of a deal. How teams sign deals varies depending on what type of free agents they’re dealing with.

Rookie Deals

Rookie’s sign something called an entry-level contract which is usually capped at a certain amount of money per year. Under the NHL’s current collective bargaining agreement, the longest an entry-level contract can be signed is three years.

Restricted Free Agent Contracts

After that, a player becomes a restricted free agent (RFA). Technically, they can sign with teams outside of who they played for in the past season by accepting an offer sheet. That said, if the player’s first team extends a qualifying offer, any team competing for the player’s services will have to offer up a certain amount of compensation in the form of draft picks. Of course, that’s if the player agrees to the offer sheet and their current team doesn’t match it.

Unrestricted Free Agent Contracts

Players can become unrestricted free agents (UFA) when their current RFA deal is up and they can go wherever they want. If they sign a contract extension, they can sign for up to eight years. Alternatively, they can sign a seven-year deal if they test the open market. Fun fact: pending UFAs might be motivated to play their hearts out to secure the bag in their next deal. Keep that in mind, fantasy players.

Blockbuster trades

Trades make for some of the most interesting NHL roster moves. To this day, the infamous Patrick Roy deal still gets talked about in NHL circles. What happens in a trade is that two or maybe even three teams link up and iron out a deal. There might be deals that are referred to as “hockey trades,” meaning that both teams get something of equal value. For example, one team gives up a first-line centre for a top-pairing right-handed defenceman. Some NHL trades involve bad teams selling off their moveable assets, such as upcoming free agents, for future considerations, including draft picks or prospects.

Injuries

Depending on how badly a player gets injured, several things can happen. They can be out of a game or two, with the team opting to keep the severity of the injury private (a common pet peeve for fantasy players). Players can be put on the injury reserve for injuries that can keep them out for a calendar week. This frees up a roster spot so someone from within the team’s system, or sometimes outside of it, can come in and replace them while they’re getting back in tip-top shape. If the player needs over a week to recover after a serious injury, they will get put on long-term injury reserve.

Waivers

In typical NHL roster moves jargon, when a player goes on waivers, other teams can claim them from their current team. A player usually goes on waivers when they’re signed to a one-way deal, meaning they can’t be sent down to the minors willy-nilly like a rookie on a two-way deal. Before the player gets sent down, other teams can claim the player on the “waiver wire.” If the player isn’t claimed, they go to the minors to play in the AHL.

Call Ups

Outside of signings, player callups are one of the most popular NHL transactions. Most teams call up players when they’re performing well in the AHL or if there’s an injury on the main roster. Usually, when a player gets called up to the NHL, one gets sent down to the minors.

Contract Buyouts

Of course, you’ve probably worked with someone who’s pretty lazy. People from afar think that person is a “good fit,” but internally, everyone hates the person. Oftentimes, that person finds a way to get fired. Well, newsflash: the same thing happens in NHL dressing rooms. Sometime players who have a history of poor performance have the audacity to ask for more money come contract time. Their team has the option to buyout their contract, or in extreme cases of misconduct, their contract can be terminated. If they’re not being bought out, the front office is laughing while the player’s agent is showing themselves out of the building. For the players who are actually good and could command big bucks on the open market, teams hustle to get them signed up for a new deal. If the player hits the open market, all bets are off…. Coaching Changes

Losing a head coach that sucked at their job and replacing them with a new one can ignite a team. Historically, decent teams perform strongly when they get a new coach. For how long those “strong performances” sustain themselves over the course of a season is a whole other story.

Rules Around NHL Roster Moves

NHL rules aren’t made to be broken. If they’re written in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), you may as well say they’re written in stone. Let’s talk about those “set in stone” rules.

Trade Deadline

Teams have a certain amount of time each season to make NHL trades and signings. The date varies from season to season, but it usually falls between the end of February and early March so that roster’s are set before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin. After the deadline, players can still be moved, but they will not be eligible to play for the rest of the regular season or playoffs. You’ll usually see prospects who are playing abroad get dealt after the deadline, if any trades are made at all.

[Editor’s note: can include link to new DFO Stanley Cup page here]

Strategy Behind NHL Roster Moves

General managers and hands-on hockey ops executives are always thinking about the future. If their team is going to miss the playoffs and it’s a good draft year, they might be inclined to sell, meaning they’ll try to offload decent players in return for cap space, draft picks and younger players. The opposite can be said for good teams. They’ll be looking to add to what they already have to make a run for the cup.

If you’re a DFS player or even in a dynasty league, you can exploit that by buying low on players who are playing for bad teams but have the potential to increase their production if they get traded to a good team. Having access to a good data set can help ease the trouble of anticipating how good a player will be going to and from a certain team.

The Salary Cap

When general managers sleep at night, they probably have nightmares about the salary cap. “The cap,” as hockey insiders like Frank Seravalli refer to it when discussing NHL transactions, dictates how much a team can spend on its roster. There’s a “floor,” meaning a team has to spend at least this much per year. Then, there’s a “ceiling” that teams can’t go over lest they pay the price in draft pick compensation and fines, amongst other things. The salary cap makes it difficult for teams to trade players with high cap hits. It also creates a market in itself for teams that want to get over the “floor” by taking on other teams’ bad contracts. In a world beyond reality, most would favour a luxury tax system like the one Major League Baseball implements.

How NHL Roster Moves Impact Sports Betting

Look, if you don’t want to put up with another year of getting beat by your co-worker’s child in fantasy, you have to put as much effort into your team as that 10-year-old weasel will. That means keeping up with the news. Changing your lineups on a daily basis. Trading players at their peak value. Buying them from others when they’re at their lowest. For the love all of things good, change your injured players out for healthy ones. If you’re a sports bettor, any NHL roster can change the money line or the total in a game, especially if a star player is hurt or a team is playing its third-string goalie. Staying in the loop will give bettors a better chance at finding an edge.