Stephens has chipped in two goals, one assist and 16 shots on net in 23 NHL outings this season. If he clears, Stephens will probably be sent down to the minors. That could pave the way for Tanner Pearson's return to the lineup from an upper-body injury.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Helps in win
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Stephens had an assist and one block over 10:15 of ice time in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers.
Stephens and Michael Pezzetta combined to set up Joel Armia's strike that beat Jonathan Quick five-hole for Montreal's third goal. Stephens has been a staple on the fourth line since being called up in early December. The Canadiens have sustained injuries to three centers -- Kirby Dach (knee), Christian Dvorak (pectoral) and Alex Newhook (ankle) -- so Stephens should continue to be a regular going forward. Two of those three injured centers are done for the season.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Starts comeback
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Stephens scored a goal on one shot and had a block over 9:08 of ice time in Thursday's 5-3 loss to Carolina.
A Jayden Struble shot from the point deflected off Michael Pezzetta onto the stick of Stephens, whose backhander eluded Antti Raanta. The Hurricanes had jumped to a 2-0 lead early before Stephens initiated Montreal's comeback. It was the second goal of the season for Stephens and his second in as many games. He's played 11 games in a fourth-line role since being called up to replace Alex Newhook (ankle).
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Nets first goal of 2023-24
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Stephens found the back of the net in a 5-2 win over Chicago on Friday.
Stephens' marker came early in the second period to narrow the Blackhawks' lead to 2-1 and begin Montreal's comeback effort. It was the 26-year-old's first goal and point in 10 contests with the Canadiens this season. Although Stephens has stuck with Montreal since being summoned from AHL Laval on Dec. 1, he's playing in a fourth-line capacity and consequently is unlikely to contribute much offensively.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Up from AHL
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Stephens was called up from AHL Laval on Friday.
Alex Newhook suffered a lower-body injury during Thursday's 5-1 loss to Florida, so Stephens' promotion is likely a reaction to that. If Newhook can't play Saturday versus Detroit, then Stephens might make his NHL season debut. The 26-year-old has three goals and 12 points in 16 outings with Laval in 2023-24.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Placed on waivers
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Stephens was put on waivers by the Canadiens on Saturday.
Stephens has played in 72 NHL games during his career, but he failed to play at the top level in 2022-23. Stephens had 20 goals and 41 points in 68 AHL contests last season with Laval.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Re-ups with Habs
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Stephens signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens on Tuesday, per CapFriendly.
It's not a great sign that Stephens didn't play in an NHL game in 2022-23 despite the Canadiens' numerous injury problems. He was fairly solid with AHL Laval, posting 20 goals and 41 points over 68 contests. He's a veteran of 72 NHL games, but it's likely the 26-year-old opens 2023-24 in the minors.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Cut by Canadiens
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Stephens was placed on waivers by Montreal on Tuesday.
The Canadiens are hoping Stephens will pass through waivers unclaimed so he can be assigned to AHL Laval for the start of the season. Stephens picked up six helpers through 27 appearances with the Red Wings in 2021-22.
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Canadiens' Mitchell Stephens: Signs two-way deal
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Stephens signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens on Wednesday.
Stephens spent the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign with the Red Wings, picking up six helpers through 27 appearances. The 25-year-old forward will likely split the 2022-23 season between the minors and the big club.
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Mitchell Stephens: Free agency bound
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Stephens was not given a qualifying offer by the Red Wings and will become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, MLive.com reports.
Stephens hasn't scored a goal at the NHL level in two seasons, though he did manage six helpers in 27 games last year. Given his limited offensive upside, the Ontario native figures to continue splitting his time between the NHL and AHL this upcoming campaign and shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of fantasy value.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Slides helper in win
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Stephens contributed an assist in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Hurricanes.
Stephens is performing well following a 55-game injury layoff, as he's registered two assists in three games since returning. However, between his fourth-line role and lack of NHL experience, fantasy managers are going to look elsewhere for help at the center position down the stretch.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Cleared to return
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Stephens (lower body) will be activated off injured reserve and return to the lineup Saturday versus Columbus, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Stephens should return to a bottom-six role following his nearly five-month absence. He's picked up four helpers through 16 contests this campaign.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Facing months-long absence
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Stephens (lower body) will be out at least until Feb. 23, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.
Stephens has already missed four contests and will miss many more, but at least he doesn't require surgery. He recorded four points in 16 games prior to suffering the injury against Montreal on Nov. 13.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Placed on IR retroactively
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Stephens (lower body) was placed on IR on Monday.
The move was retroactive to Nov. 13. With Stephens expected to "miss some time," this move doesn't substantially alter his outlook. Joe Veleno has been recalled from AHL Grand Rapids and should fill in while Stephens recovers.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Expected to miss time
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Stephens (lower body) "will miss some time" after leaving Saturday's game against Montreal.
A better look at his timeline could be available in the coming days but this should rule him out for Monday's game against Columbus and Tuesday's tilt with the Stars. The 24-year-old Stephens has four assists through 16 games this season.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Injured Saturday
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Stephens left Saturday's game against Montreal with a lower-body injury and will not return.
Stephens crashed into the boards and was in noticeable pain when heading back to the bench. An update on the severity of his injury should be available before Monday's tilt with the Blue Jackets.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Records assist Friday
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Stephens posted an assist and two PIM in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Panthers.
Stephens helped out on a Sam Gagner goal in the second period. The 24-year-old Stephens is up to three assists, nine shots on net and a minus-1 rating through eight contests. He looks like a lock for a fourth-line role, but the Red Wings' offense isn't deep enough for him to be considered a consistent producer.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Produces pair of helpers
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Stephens recorded two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Blackhawks.
Stephens played a key role in the Red Wings taking control early in the second period. He helped out on goals by Carter Rowney and Vladislav Namestnikov. The 24-year-old Stephens had struggled until Sunday. He has just the two assists, nine shots on net, five blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through six contests. The second-round pick from 2015 has done little to earn anything more than a fourth-line role so far.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Sure bet to make team
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Stephens is considered a lock to make the Opening Night roster for the Red Wings, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.
Stephens is tabbed as the permanent replacement for fourth-line grinder Luke Glendening, whom the Wings surprisingly let walk as an unrestricted free agent. It cost the Original Six club a 2022 sixth-round draft pick to acquire Stephens, which isn't a big price to pay for a 24-year-old who was actually a second-round pick with the Lightning back in 2015, when GM Steve Yzerman had been making roster moves for the Bolts.
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Red Wings' Mitchell Stephens: Traded to Motor City
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Stephens was flipped to the Red Wings from the Lightning on Friday in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick.
Stephens garnered one assist, three shots and eight hits in seven games for the Lightning this past season. The 24-year-old center should be in the mix for a spot on the Opening Night roster with his new club and could top the 38 games he played during the 2019-20 campaign.
