Ice Chips: Canucks send Lekkerimäki back to AHL
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Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks assigned Jonathan Lekkerimäki back to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks on Wednesday, one day after he made his NHL debut.
The 20-year-old winger drew strong reviews from teammates after going without a point in 14:07 of ice time in Tuesday's win over the Calgary Flames.
“There’s definitely a lot there to like,” head coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s a smart player. When he has the puck, there’s not a lot of panic. He’s just going to get better. There’s a lot of stuff to build off.”
“He played really well today,” forward J.T. Miller added. “He makes a lot of little subtle plays and he played fast. He seemed to be in the right spot most of the time. I’m very impressed and hopefully he can get more and more comfortable as we go.”
Forwards Arshdeep Bains and Aatu Raty were also assigned to the AHL Canucks on Wednesday.
Washington Capitals
After dividing starts this season between Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren this season, the Washington Capitals are ready to scrap their goalie rotation.
Thompson was the first goaltender off the ice during Wednesday's skate and will start against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It marks the first time either netminder has started consecutive games this season.
Thompson, who was second in the rotation after Lindgren started the Capitals season opener last month, has a 7-0-0 record this season with a .910 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average. He is in his first season with the Capitals, having been acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in June for two third-round picks. Thompson, 27, is a pending unrestricted free agent, carrying a cap hit of $766.667 this season.
Lindgren has not enjoyed the same level of success in his third season with the Capitals. Also a pending UFA, he has a 3-4-0 record with a .897 save percentage and a 2.76 GAA as he plays out the last of a three-year, $3.30 million contract.
The Capitals are not expected to have newly-acquired forward Lars Eller in the lineup for Wednesday's game. The Capitals traded two draft picks to get Eller, who was a part of their 2018 Stanley Cup team, from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Eller's addition will not come at the cost of Jakub Vrana's roster spot as he revealed the Capitals told him he will be staying with the NHL club. Vrana, also a part of that 2018 team, signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Capitals after attending training camp on a professional tryout contract.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks placed defenceman Cam Fowler and forward Robby Fabbri on injured reserve Wednesday.
Fowler is considered day-to-day, while the team listed Fabbri as out with a lower-body injury.
The Duckss recalled Jansen Harkins and Drew Helleson from the AHL's San Diego Gulls to fill their roster spots.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs recalled defenceman Jani Hakanpää from his LTIR conditioning loan to the AHL and activated him off of LTIR.
Toronto cleared a roster spot for Hakanpää on Tuesday as veteran Matt Benning was assigned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies after clearing waivers.
Montreal Canadiens
Goaltender Sam Montembeault will start Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Alex Nedeljkovic will start Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, while Tristan Jarry will serve as his backup.
This marks the first time Jarry has dressed for the club since returning from a stint in the AHL.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues recalled defenceman Leo Loof from the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds on Wednesday.
Loof has one assist in 11 games with the Thunderbirds this season.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche recalled T.J. Tynan and Nikita Prishchepov from the Colorado Eagles of the AHL on Wednesday.