On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: Coyotes GM John Chayka said they claimed forward Freddie Hamilton off waivers for added depth. It will allow them to keep some of their younger players in the AHL to continue developing and not being moved back and forth between the NHL and AHL.
On the Calgary Flames …
Kristen Odland of the Calgary Sun: Forward Kris Versteeg had hip surgery back on December 4th. He’s progressing and no longer using crutches.
“You feel good, but you also understand that you’re not ready. There’s times during the rehab process when you need to push it or you have to pull back. Or sometimes you pull back so you can push it more. It’s always a fine line of finding where you can go in the process.”
Versteeg hasn’t been cleared to start skating yet. They don’t know when he’ll be able to get back on the ice. He will meet with his surgeon on January 22nd.
On the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens …
John Shannon: The Canadiens have traded goaltender Al Montoya to the Oilers for a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick.
Chris Johnston: The condition is if Montoya plays in at least seven games for the Oilers this season, it is a fourth-round pick. If he plays in less than seven games, it is a fifth-round pick.
Jim Matheson: Coach Todd McLellan said that they want goaltender Laurent Brossoit to go to the minors and play more. They will be riding Cam Talbot from now on. Montoya will join the Oilers in Dallas. Brossoit will have to clear waivers before being assigned to the AHL.
Cap Friendly: The Canadiens currently have eight draft picks for the 2018 draft.
1st
2nd
2nd (CHI)
2nd (WSH)
3rd
5th
5th* (LAK) Can become a 4th if Kings qualify for playoffs
5th* (EDM) Can become a 4th if Al Montoya plays in 7 more regular season games
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford: Forward Zach Sanford (shoulder) has been increasing his skating sessions and is a “little” ahead of schedule. There isn’t a timetable for his return just yet.