Late Monday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche swapped fringe defenders Cody Goloubef and Ryan Stanton.
The 27-year-old Stanton played one NHL game last season and has been assigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. His NHL cap hit is $600,000, but he’s on a two-way deal that pays just $275,000 in the AHL.
That runs in stark contrast to the one-way deal Goloubef plays under, carrying a value of $750,000. Not only did Goloubef play Avs coach Jared Bednar in Cleveland last season, but he’s probably a superior defenseman. That may mean that the financial aspect played a large hand in this deal.
If Columbus felt they weren’t going to call up Goloubef as confidence grows in Zach Werenski and Markus Nutivaara, giving up a better player to lower their actual cash salary helps a team that isn’t as flush as, say, a major market team like Toronto. Meanwhile, Colorado gets an insurance policy while some defenders — like Eric Gelinas — struggle.
Goloubef has been assigned to the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage.
Tomas Jurco. Photo: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jurco Returns
Detroit forward Tomas Jurco has not yet laced up this season, but that’s about to change. The team has taken Jurco off long-term injured reserve and recalled him from a conditioning stint with AHL Grand Rapids.
Jurco has been on the shelf following offseason back surgery. He posted four goals and six points through 44 games last season.
Additionally, following injury reports Monday morning, the Red Wings have officially placed Tyler Bertuzzi and defenseman Brendan Smith on injured reserve. Smith is expected to miss four weeks, while Bertuzzi is out three-to-five weeks according to coach Jeff Blashill on Monday.
Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Eichel’s Back
Buffalo’s Jack Eichel is expected to make his season debut Tuesday when the Sabres face the Senators.
Eichel sustained a high ankle injury in the final practice before the start of the regular season, preventing him jumping into the fray early. It left him out of the conversation about the impact young forwards are having this season, but he’s poised to jump into that discussion, even if he missed the first 21 games of the campaign.
We're on the ice in Ottawa.
@Jack_Eichel11 is out there for morning skate. pic.twitter.com/p8MeFQUzeZ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 29, 2016
Travis Moen Retires
34-year-old veteran Travis Moen has announced via the NHLPA that he is retiring from hockey.
The Swift Current native scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 2007 for the Anaheim Ducks.
He’ll retire a veteran of 747 NHL games with 59 goals and 136 points to his name. He spent time with the Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.
Patrick Still Not Back
Projected number one overall draft pick in the 2017 NHL draft Nolan Patrick has suited up just six games with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings this season. He’s been sidelined most of the year with an upper-body injury and was expected to return soon. However, it won’t be this week according to Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province.
Via text, Brandon GM Grant Armstrong says C Nolan Patrick (UBI) is not on B.C. trip and has no update on status. Brandon at Vic Wednesday.
— Steve Ewen (@SteveEwen) November 28, 2016
Mudry Passes Away
The IIHF announced Tuesday morning that former Swiss national team player Oscar Mudry has died at the age of 91.
Mudry was a part of the 1953 Swiss national team when they won bronze in Zurich and Basel at the World Championship. That was the last time the Swiss team took home a medal at Worlds up until they grabbed a silver in 2013.
Cunningham Progressing
Tucson Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham has been unconscious in the hospital since collapsing during warm-ups on Nov. 19. However, he’s progressing in the right direction, according to an update at NHL.com.
He remains in stable but critical condition, according to the update. Former teammate Milan Lucic visited Cunningham and offered news. “The good news is he’s progressed a lot from the state he was in last weekend,” Lucic said. “He’s heading in the right direction, but obviously there’s a lot more progression and healing to be done. I can’t go into [details] too much more than that.”