With the NHL heading into a three-week pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, teams are making their final roster moves before the break-and for many, that means sending waiver-exempt players back to the AHL. The motivation?
Keeping young legs active and in game shape, with up to a dozen AHL matchups on the schedule while the NHL hits pause. Here's a look at some of the most notable assignments and what they mean for the players and their clubs.
Matthew Wood Heads Back to Milwaukee
The Nashville Predators are sending promising winger Matthew Wood to the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, and it’s a move that makes a lot of sense. Wood’s been with the big club since late October and has more than held his own, posting nine goals and 17 points in 46 games. That puts him seventh among Predators forwards in scoring-not bad for a 19-year-old rookie.
Wood’s game is built around volume shooting and offensive instincts, and while his production has cooled a bit, the skill is still very much there. A stint in the AHL could be just what he needs to reset and rediscover his scoring touch. He already found the net once in his brief two-game AHL debut earlier this season, and now he’ll have a chance to log big minutes and help power Milwaukee's offense during the Olympic break.
Let’s not forget-this is a player who racked up 39 points in 39 games at the University of Minnesota before turning pro. Nashville clearly sees him as part of their long-term plans, and this assignment is more about development than demotion.
Capitals Reassign Garin Bjorklund as Logan Thompson Returns
With Logan Thompson coming off injured reserve, the Washington Capitals made a goaltending shuffle of their own, sending Garin Bjorklund back to the AHL. Bjorklund has split time between the AHL and ECHL this season, showing flashes of potential but still working to find consistency.
In 11 AHL games, he’s posted four wins with a .879 save percentage-not eye-popping numbers, but he’s been better in the ECHL, where he’s also picked up four wins and a .929 SV% over seven games. This move gives him a chance to stay in rhythm and continue building his AHL resume after spending most of the last three seasons developing in the ECHL. For a young goalie like Bjorklund, reps are everything.
Jon Gillies Signs PTO with Syracuse
Veteran netminder Jon Gillies is back in the AHL, signing a professional tryout (PTO) deal with the Syracuse Crunch. It’s his second stint with the Crunch this season, though the first was a brief one-game cameo. Gillies has NHL experience-five seasons’ worth-but has been plying his trade in the minors the past couple of years.
This season, he’s been with ECHL Orlando, where he’s put up a 2.91 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage across 27 games. Those are solid numbers, and with his experience, he could be a steadying presence for Syracuse while they navigate the Olympic break.
Flames Send Gridin, Brzustewicz to AHL Calgary
The Calgary Flames are keeping two of their young players active, sending winger Matvei Gridin and defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz back to their AHL affiliate. Gridin, who won’t even turn 20 until next month, has shown flashes of offensive upside with three goals and three assists in 13 NHL games this season. He’s already had two stints with the Flames, and this move ensures he’ll keep getting ice time.
Brzustewicz, meanwhile, has been making steady progress on the blue line. He notched his first NHL goal late last month and added an assist in 18 games overall. Both players are getting a valuable taste of NHL action, and now they’ll return to the AHL to keep that momentum going.
Devils Assign Hameenaho, White to Utica
After wrapping up their final pre-Olympics game, the New Jersey Devils announced that forward Lenni Hameenaho and defenseman Colton White are heading back to AHL Utica. Hameenaho made a strong first impression in his NHL debut, tallying two goals and two assists in nine games. He looked comfortable and confident, and this assignment is more about keeping him in game shape than anything else.
Colton White, on the other hand, has been a depth option on the Devils’ blue line this season. He was a healthy scratch in the final game before the break and will return to the Comets with four assists in 23 NHL games under his belt. For both players, this is about staying sharp and ready for whatever comes next once the NHL schedule resumes.
With the Olympic break upon us, these moves are all about development, opportunity, and keeping young talent on the ice. For players like Matthew Wood and Lenni Hameenaho, it’s a chance to keep building confidence.
For goalies like Bjorklund and Gillies, it’s about carving out a role and proving they belong. And for teams across the league, it’s a strategic play to maximize their depth while the NHL hits pause.
The spotlight may be shifting to the Winter Games, but there’s still plenty of meaningful hockey being played in the AHL-and for these prospects, every shift counts.