Training Camp Buzz: Tolvanen assigned to AHL by Predators

Welcome to the 2019 preseason! This is a busy time, with rookies looking to make a name for themselves and veterans looking to lock down roster spots. Each day, we will have all the updates of note right here.
Here is the training camp news for Sunday:

Tolvanen among demotions as Predators reduce roster to 32

Eeli Tolvanen, who was selected in the first round (No. 30) of the 2017 NHL Draft, was among 21 players assigned to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League by the Nashville Predators.
The 20-year-old forward played most of last season with Milwaukee.
The Predators have 32 players remaining on their training camp roster -- 18 forwards, 11 defensemen and three goalies.

Patrick remains out for Flyers, gives opportunity to Frost, Rubtsov

Nolan Patrick, who has missed all of Philadelphia Flyers training camp because of an upper-body injury, could have his status updated by the middle of next week, general manager Chuck Fletcher said Sunday.
In his absence, rookie forwards Morgan Frost and
German Rubtsov
have received long looks and impressed coach Alain Vigneault.
"I've liked both," Vigneault said. "I thought [Rubtsov's] pace has picked up during camp and he's giving us the impression that he can be a smart player that can play a 200-foot game. [Frost], there's no doubt real good skill level, can create more offensively I think then [Rubtsov], unfortunately he hasn't gotten on the scoresheet yet but it's not from lack of opportunity. So there's a battle there."
Vigneault said Rubtsov will play against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, NESNplus, NBCSP+, NHL.TV) and Frost is expected to play against the New York Rangers on Thursday. The coach added there likely will be roster cuts after the game Monday.
Fletcher said Sept. 13 that Patrick was considered week to week and at that time surgery was not being considered as an option to repair the injury.
"We've known about it for a while," Fletcher said then. "Been working with him for a while to try to get him healthy as quickly as we can."
-- Adam Kimelman

Upshall, Noesen released from PTOs by Stars

Scottie Upshall and Stefan Noesen have been released from their professional tryout agreements with the Dallas Stars.
Upshall, a forward who will turn 36 on Oct. 7, scored one goal in two preseason games with the Stars. He has played for six NHL teams, most recently with the St. Louis Blues in 2017-18.
Noesen, a 26-year-old forward taken by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (No. 21) of the 2011 NHL Draft, was not offered a contract by the New Jersey Devils after last season.

Sparks reassigned by Golden Knights

Goalie Garret Sparks was reassigned by the Vegas Golden Knights to Chicago of the AHL.
Sparks, who was acquired by the Golden Knights in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 23, made 24 saves in a 5-0 victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Sept. 17 in his only preseason appearance.
Goalie Oscar Dansk was also sent to Chicago. He helped the Golden Knights defeat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime Sept. 19, his lone preseason appearance.
The moves mean that the Golden Knights will likely start the season with Malcolm Subban as the backup to starter Marc-Andre Fleury.

Foote brothers reassigned by Lightning

Brothers Cal Foote and Nolan Foote were among nine players reassigned by the Tampa Bay Lightning, leaving 33 players in training camp.
Callan Foote, a 20-year-old defenseman taken in the first round (No. 14) of the 2017 NHL Draft, was assigned to Syracuse of the AHL. Nolan Foote, an 18-year-old forward selected in the first round (No. 27) of the 2019 NHL Draft, was returned to Kelowna of the Western Hockey League.

Merkley sent to AHL by Coyotes

Nick Merkley, a first-round pick (No. 30) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2015 NHL Draft, was among four players sent to Tucson of the AHL.
The 22-year-old forward has been plagued by injuries while playing most of the past two seasons with Tucson. He played one NHL game with the Coyotes in 2017-18.