NHL Player News

Samanski was reassigned to AHL Bakersfield on Wednesday.

This is functionally a paper move, as Samanski will spend the Olympic break in Italy representing Germany. The 23-year-old will need to play in one AHL game before being recalled to the NHL roster, but that's unlikely to happen until the NHL schedule resumes. Given Germany's underdog status, Samanski should have the time to get back to the Condors and get in a game before the Oilers face the Ducks on Feb. 25.

Patera was recalled from AHL Abbotsford under emergency conditions on Wednesday.

Patera swapped places with Nikita Tolopilo, who will be Abbotsford's primary goalie during the NHL's Olympic break. Patera will likely get some practice time in when the Canucks regroup prior to the end of the break, but he'll probably return to the AHL when games resume.

Tolopilo was reassigned to AHL Abbotsford on Wednesday.

Tolopilo went 1-2-1 with a .909 save percentage over five games during January with Vancouver. The 25-year-old will spend the Olympic break in the AHL. However, he has outplayed both Kevin Lankinen and Jiri Patera, which puts Tolopilo in a good position to return to the big club ahead of the team's Feb. 25 game versus the Jets.

Mancini was reassigned to AHL Abbotsford on Wednesday.

Mancini got into the lineup in just one of the five games he spent on the NHL roster. The 23-year-old defenseman has mostly filled a depth role at the NHL level this season. He'll get steady playing time during the Olympic break while with Abbotsford.

Lekkerimaki was reassigned to AHL Abbotsford on Wednesday.

Lekkerimaki had one goal over five games during his latest stint with Vancouver. The 21-year-old will get steady playing time in Abbotsford during the NHL's Olympic break. He'll likely be back with the big club ahead of its Feb. 25 game versus the Jets.

Brzustewicz was reassigned to AHL Calgary on Wednesday.

Brzustewicz was scratched for a third straight game Wednesday versus the Oilers. The 21-year-old defenseman will get consistent playing time at least through the Olympic break while with the Wranglers, but it's likely he'll be back with the big club when the NHL schedule resumes.

Gridin was reassigned to AHL Calgary on Wednesday.

Gridin had a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Oilers. The 19-year-old will get to carry his momentum at a lower level while the rest of the Flames' lineup gets some rest during the Olympic break. More than likely, Gridin will be back with the big club prior to the team's Feb. 26 game versus the Sharks. Gridin has six points in 13 outings for the Flames this season.

Martin logged three assists in WHL Spokane's 7-2 win over Penticton on Wednesday.

Martin has earned five points over his last three games, but that follows a stretch of eight contests where he was limited to two points. He's been streaky all season, and he's now at a total of 29 points in 45 appearances. The Jets prospect has taken a step back from last season, though offense isn't going to be where he makes his money in the long run.

Poitras was reassigned to AHL Providence on Wednesday.

Wednesday's game versus the Panthers was the last one before the Olympics for the Bruins. Poitras will continue to play in the AHL while the NHL team is on a multi-week break. He has one goal over three NHL outings this season.

Bjornfot (undisclosed) was injured Wednesday versus the Bruins and is unlikely to play Thursday versus the Lightning, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

It sounds like the Panthers' lineup will be rotated pretty heavily for the second half of the back-to-back, but Bjornfot looks to be the least likely to play. That should open the door for Donovan Sebrango to check into the lineup on the third pairing. Bjornfot's status for after the Olympic break is unlikely to be determined until the team reconvenes in the latter half of February.