Leason started his career in the Capitals organization but spent the previous three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Capitals on Monday, his second stint with the team, providing some organizational depth on a two-way contract. The 26-year-old forward has 54 points (25G / 29A) in 220 career NHL.
An injury to Adam Gaudette (upper body) has prompted the Sharks to recalled Giles from the Barracuda (AHL). The undrafted 25-year-old Giles has one goal in 17 career NHL games.
Victor Mancini (undisclosed) was placed on Injured Reserve, freeing up a roster spot for Vancouver to recalled Willander from Abbotsford (AHL). The 20-year-old Willander was the 11th-overall pick of the Canucks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He has yet to play an NHL game and is in his first professional season, tallying two points (1G / 1A) in five AHL games with Abbotsford.
Shepard was recalled from Belleville (AHL) on Monday to serve as the backup to Leevi Merilainen, allowing Linus Ullmark to rest before returning to the crease on Tuesday. The undrafted Shedpard played one NHL game with the Washington Capitals last season but spent most of the campaign in the AHL, posting a 2.80 GAA and .891 SV% in 39 games (23-11-4) with the Hershey Bears.
Pickering was drafted 21st-overall by the Penguins in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games. He has four points (1G / 3A) in seven games at the AHL level this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Pitre had been dealing with an upper-body injury since the beginning of the season and has been activated from the Injured-Non Roster and been assigned to San Diego (AHL). The 20-year-old forward is entering his second professional season in San Diego after having three goals, 16 points and 19 PIMs in 61 GP last season.
Metsa appeared in four games since his call-up on October 20th but failed to pick up a point and has been loaned back to Rochester (AHL) on Monday. The 27-year-old undrafted defensemen made his NHL debut this season and will likely be Buffalo's first call up should they have anyone out of the lineup. Metsa going down is a good indication Michael Kesselring is ready for his season debut on Tuesday.
The writing was on the wall for Brandsegg-Nygard's demotion to Grand Rapids (AHL) after he played only 6:37 TOI in Detroit's game on Saturday. The 20-year-old heads to the minors after picking up an assist, two PIMs, 14 SOG and a -5 plus/minus across nine games played.
Luchanko was held off the scoresheet in four games with the Flyers this season and will spend the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign with the Guelph Storm in the OHL. The 19-year-old Luchanko was the 19th-overall pick by the Flyers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Bjornfot was drafted 22nd-overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old has 15 points (1G / 14A) in 134 career NHL games but has been unable to establish a full-time presence at the NHL level, spending most of the previous five seasons either as a seventh defenseman or playing in the AHL.
Ottawa's coaching staff emphasized that there is no injury to Linus Ullmark, but he will have the day off on Monday, with the recently recalled Shepard serving as the backup to Leevi Merilainen. Ullmark is scheduled to return to the crease on Tuesday, at which point Shepard will likely return to Belleville (AHL).
Frank was recalled for precautionary reasons on Monday due to the injury of Dylan Strome (lower body), who exited Saturday's game and did not return. The 27-year-old Frank made his NHL debut in 2024-25, playing 24 games with the Capitals and recording 7 points (4G/3A).
