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NHL Roster Notes: Cody Hodgson, Chris Higgins, Zack Kassian, Kevin Connauton

By Ryan Ritchie |
Dec 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Cody Hodgson (11) skates on the ice after scoring on a penalty shot during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Cody Hodgson (11) skates on the ice after scoring on a penalty shot during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Roster Notes: Flurry of Minor Roster Moves on Wednesday

Four minor NHL roster notes for Wednesday, January 13th 2016.

Nashville Predators Place Cody Hodgson on Waivers

It was a relatively low-risk, cheap signing in the offseason after Cody Hodgson was bought out by the Buffalo Sabres. Safe to say, the experiment failed. Hodgson was expected to open the season on the third line with Calle Jarnkrok and Steve Moses. Moses was sent to the AHL, while Jarnkrok continues to climb the Preds depth chart. 

More from Puck Prose

Seems the first of our “Five Bold Predictions” from the preseason is bust. We predicted Cody Hodgson would re-establish himself as an everyday NHLer. For now, it seems he’ll report to Milwaukee (if he clears waivers). After signing a one-year deal, Hodgson may be headed to Europe next season if no NHL club is interested in offering him a new deal.

Edmonton Oilers Recall Zack Kassian

Acquired last offseason in exchange for Brandon Prust from Vancouver, Kassian was forced to enter the NHL’s Substance Abuse Program for more than two months. He was cleared to play in mid-December before being traded to Edmonton for Ben Scrivens on December 28th. 

Zack Kassian hasn’t appeared in an NHL game since March 14th 2015 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kassian was once traded from Buffalo to Vancouver in exchange for Cody Hodgson (two players making headlines today).

In 198 NHL regular season games, Zack has produced 66 points and 307 penalty minutes. It’s unclear what type of impact (if any) he’ll have with the Oilers, but he’s got the potential to be an impact bottom-six forward.

Arizona Coyotes Claim Kevin Connauton from Waivers

GM Don Maloney announced the Coyotes have claimed defenseman Kevin Connauton off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets. At 6’2 200lbs, the 25-year-old d-man has 37 points in 187 regular season games.

Originally drafted by Vancouver in 2009, Connauton also spent time with the Stars organization before joining Columbus in 2014-15. More of a depth defenseman, or bottom pair blueliner, Connauton is a solid fit for the young Coyotes team.

Next: Kopitar Contract Nearly Finalized With Kings

Chris Higgins Headed to Utica After Clearing Waivers

After being publicly shamed with the report earlier this week that Vancouver was looking to trade Higgins, it appears he’ll report to AHL Utica. Rumors are that a trade could not be found with Chris Higgins limited no-trade clause of eight teams, so perhaps this is a way of making him available to all 29 teams.

He’s signed through 2016-17 with a salary cap hit of $2.5 million/year. After beginning the season on the IR, Higgins has struggled to find himself in 2015-16. For any team interested in adding depth scoring, Chris Higgins can be the answer. Time will tell if the Canucks find a trade partner for the 32-year-old veteran.

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