In the midst of a four-game losing streak, and winners of only three games in the last ten games, the St. John’s IceCaps will be able to count on some major league reinforcements, as Daniel Carr, Sven Andrighetto, Nikita Scherbak, and Ryan Johnston all get inserted back into the lineup for Saturday night’s game versus the AHL-leading Toronto Marlies, according to The Telegram.
Scherbak came into the season with a lot of hype as the Canadiens first-round pick in 2014, however two prolonged stints on the injured list have limited the youngster to only nine games this season. The team shut him down in mid-November to allow a nagging ankle injury to fully heal.
Carr and Andrighetto make their return after being re-assigned from the Montreal Canadiens on Friday morning. Carr played 17 games with the Habs, scoring five goals and seven total points, and being one of the more productive forwards during the difficult month of December. Previously Carr had played 21 games with the IceCaps, recording eight goals and 17 points.
Andrighetto had a more difficult time with the Habs, being a scratch more often than not. He was sent back down to the IceCaps long enough to miss the Winter Classic as a result of Brendan Gallagher’s return, but was recalled almost immediately due to the injury to Dale Weise. In 17 games with the Habs, Andrighetto has four goals and one assist.
Johnston has been on the shelf since October when he underwent back surgery for a herniated disc that was affecting his length strength. The defenceman really impressed during the rookie tournament in September, so he is an interesting prospect to follow as the IceCaps will look to strengthen a shaky defensive corps that allows close to 40 shots against per game.
There are a few notable subtractions from the IceCaps line-up as well, as Jacob de la Rose was called up to the Canadiens to fill a fourth-line role according to coach Michel Therrien, and Brandon McNally and Mac Bennett were loaned to the ECHL’s Brampton Beast. In addition, Stefan Fournier was part of the three-team trade that brought Victor Bartley and John Scott to the Habs organization. Scott won’t be available for Saturday’s game against the Marlies, but should be in the line-up for the IceCaps on Sunday, adding another body to the team.
Finally, the IceCaps released Eric Neilson from his PTO. Neilson was on his second 25-game tryout with the IceCaps this season, but only played in six games all season, earning no points.
