Matt Donovan News
Donovan has been a healthy scratch in the Sabres first three games and they have placed him on waivers with the intent of sending him to Rochester.
Donovan has not played since January 6th, but he will play tonight with Visnovsky taking a seat. He has three assists and plus-3 rating in nine games this season.
Donovan, 24, was the 96th overall pick in 2008, but 2013-14 was his first full NHL season. He recorded 16 points (2G / 14A) with a minus-9 rating in 52 games with the Isles. Donovan will enter camp and fight for a regular role on a fairly young blueline.
Donovan has one goal and six assists in 36 games with the Islanders this season. He deserved to be recalled after playing very well in the AHL. Donovan had 21 points (7G / 14A) in 27 games on the Sound Tigers blueline.
His assignment suggests that Travis Hamonic (concussion) will in fact return on Saturday. Donovan has split time between the Islanders and the Sound Tigers this season. He has seven points (1G / 6A) in 36 games with the Isles and 14 points (3G / 11A) in 17 games with Bridgeport.
With Lubomir Visnovsky being activated from IR on Monday, Donovan had to be sent down, but this morning they placed Travis Hamonic (concussion) on IR so Donovan is back. He will serve as the team's eighth defenseman, but will likely see some action as Matt Carkner and Radek Martinek typically shuffle in and out of the lineup.
Donovan had one goal and five assists with a minus-10 rating in 32 games with the Islanders.
Donovan has a goal and assist in four games. He was averaging 16:29 TOI per game.
Donovan had no points and a minus-3 rating in his first three NHL games.
Look for Donovan to make his NHL debut on the third pairing tonight.
Donovan scored 10 goals and 42 points in 69 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.