NHL Buzz: Vatanen claimed off waivers by Stars from Devils

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

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Dallas Stars

Sami Vatanen was claimed off waivers from the New Jersey Devils on Monday.
The defenseman has scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 30 games this season. He's averaging 17:14 of ice time and 2:33 shorthanded after signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Devils on Jan. 7.
Stars general manager Jim Nill said Vatanen was traveling to Dallas and is expected to play against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, BSSW+, BSFL, NHL.TV).
"We'll go through the protocol, but he should be fine to play tomorrow," Nill said. "We'll get him here for tomorrow morning's skate. He's a good player, he's competitive, he's got experience."
Dallas (15-14-11) is sixth in the eight-team Discover Central Division, six points behind the fourth-place Nashville Predators with three games in hand. The top four teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Though Stars defenseman Joel Hanley returned for a 3-2 loss to the Predators on Sunday after missing five games with a lower-body injury, defenseman Andrej Sekera (lower body) left in the second period. Miro Heiskanen played 32:01 in Dallas' fourth game in six nights.
"With our situation right now, with our schedule and injuries, we just thought (Vatanen) was a good player to add at the right time for our group," Nill said.
The Devils (14-20-6) are seventh in the eight-team MassMutual East Division. They traded defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2022 NHL Draft. Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler was traded to New Jersey by the Washington Capitals on Sunday for a conditional third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Forwards Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac were traded to the New York Islanders on April 7 for forwards A.J. Greer and Mason Jobst, a first-round pick in 2021 and a fourth-round pick in 2022. -- Jon Lane and Tracey Myers

Ottawa Senators

Victor Mete
was claimed off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens and made his Senators debut against the Winnipeg Jets in Ottawa.
The 22-year-old defenseman can be a restricted free agent after this season. He had three assists in 14 games for the Canadiens and was a scratch for a 5-0 loss to the Jets on Saturday.
"From everything that we're told, he's a good character person," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He wants to get better at his craft, he skates well, he moves the puck, he's the new-generation type of NHL defenseman. He might not be the biggest, but he's not afraid, and we look forward to having him in our lineup as of tonight."
Erik Gudbranson, Brown's former partner, was traded to the Nashville Predators on Monday for defenseman Brandon Fortunato and a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Senators traded defenseman Mike Reilly to the Boston Bruins and defenseman Braydon Coburn to the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Ottawa (13-25-4) is last in the seven-team Scotia North Division, 13 points behind the fourth-place Canadiens. The top four teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. -- Jon Lane and Callum Fraser

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Minnesota Wild

Marcus Foligno was cleared to return against the St. Louis Blues until the NHL and Wild postponed the game out of respect for the community following the tragic shooting that occurred in Brooklyn Center on Sunday.
The game has been rescheduled for May 12 in Minnesota. The Wild are scheduled to host the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET; BSN+, BSAZ, NHL.TV).
Foligno, a forward, missed 15 games with a broken right ankle sustained March 12 when he was hit by a shot from teammate Jonas Brodin. He scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 23 games, including eight points (three goals, five assists) in six games prior to the injury.
"He's a big presence on our hockey club on the ice, he's a big presence off," Wild coach Dean Evason said. "… He hasn't been in the locker room, getting dressed with the guys, but he has been around his teammates. That's what he does if he's playing or not. We are excited about having him on the ice and in the room full time."
Minnesota (24-13-3) is third in the eight-team Honda West Division, five points behind the second-place Vegas Golden Knights. The top four teams in the division will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's a little bit different being injured in a year that we're in right now with how many games you miss in such a short time," Foligno said. "I'm excited just to be back with the guys and just to contribute to what we've been doing. We have been playing so well since my injury. Just want to come in and help out in any way I can and have a good first game back." -- Jessi Pierce