92 Rudolfs Balcers LW

Balcers scored a goal and registered an assist in Monday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche.

Balcers is on a four-game point streak with two goals and three helpers in that span. The Latvian winger has staked out a second-line role with the Sharks, posting six points, 12 hits, 11 shots on net and a minus-2 rating through nine contests. Balcers probably can't keep this production going long term, but he's worth a look in deeper formats while he's hot.

Balcers posted an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Blues.

Balcers got the puck to Timo Meier on the opening shift, and Meier's deflected shot went in just 17 seconds into the game. After that, it was a relatively quiet performance from Balcers. He has four points, 10 shots on net and 12 hits through eight games with the Sharks -- that's a solid pace that roughly matches his second-line usage.

Balcers produced an assist, four shots on goal and two hits in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Wild.

In his last five games, Balcers has a goal and two helpers. He's settled into a middle-six role for the Sharks, so there should be plenty of chances for him to contribute. The Latvian winger has already matched his NHL-level offense from last year -- he had 14 points in 36 games with the Senators as a rookie in 2018-19 as well.

Balcers scored a goal on two shot and was plus-2 in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Blues.

Balcers connected on a one-timer from deep in the slot to give San Jose a 3-0 lead less than four minutes into the second period. It was Balcers' first goal in a San Jose uniform after having spent his first two NHL seasons with Ottawa. The 23-year-old is getting some run on the Sharks' second line with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier, but with just 18 points through 56 career games, he probably isn't worth a look in fantasy circles just yet.

Balcers was called up from AHL San Jose on Thursday.

Balcers joins the big club's active roster for the first time since he was claimed on waivers from Ottawa. He isn't expected to draw into the lineup immediately. The 23-year-old Latvian had three points in 15 contests for the Senators last year.

Balcers (not injury related) will play for AHL San Jose on Friday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Balcers was held back from joining the team due to immigration issues but he'll be on the ice with the minor-league club Friday. After getting a few games under his belt, the winger could be a candidate for promotion to the taxi squad or even the active roster. In 15 games with Ottawa last year, the 23-year-old Latvian recorded one goal on 23 shots, two assists and 19 hits while logging 12:08 of ice time per game.

According to coach Bob Boughner, Balcers (not injury related) is "close," but he'll head to Arizona to work out with AHL San Jose before joining the Sharks, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Balcers has been dealing with immigration issues since being claimed by San Jose on Jan. 12, but it sounds like he's sorted that out, although he'll have to spend some time with the Sharks' AHL affiliate getting into shape before joining the big club's roster. The 23-year-old winger tallied three points in 15 games with the Senators last season.

Balcers (immigration) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, per TSN.

Balcers was claimed off waivers from the Senators and now needs to work out his visa paperwork before he can report to the Sharks. The 23-year-old Latvian could challenge for a bottom-six role, but he'll most likely end up on the taxi squad or with AHL San Jose.

The Sharks claimed Balcers off waivers Tuesday, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports.

Balcers was sent to the Senators as part of the deal that brought Erik Karlsson to San Jose all the way back in September 2018, so he'll be rejoining the organization that selected him in the fifth round of the 2015 draft following a two-year tour in Ottawa. The 23-year-old winger appeared in 15 NHL contests last season, managing just three points over that span, but he was far more productive in the minors, racking up 16 goals and 20 helpers in 33 contests with AHL Belleville. He'll likely begin the 2020-21 campaign either on San Jose's taxi squad or in the minors.

Balcers was put on waivers Monday at the conclusion of training camp, Brent Wallace of TSN.ca reports.

Balcers was a solid contributor with Norway's Stavanger Oilers, scoring seven goals in 10 games, but it looks like he'll start another season with AHL Belleville as Ottawa tries to figure out which pieces go where. With Balcers now 23 and still struggling to find his place in Ottawa, he's not an attractive option even in dynasty leagues, and it's safe to ignore him in year-long formats.

Balcers skated on the Senators' fifth line during Thursday's practice, Brent Wallace of TSN.ca reports.

Balcers played well in the minors last season, racking up 16 goals and 36 points in 33 games with AHL Belleville, but he was far less successful with the big club, managing just three points in 15 contests. He currently looks to be on the outside looking in for a regular spot in Ottawa's lineup and will likely once again bounce between leagues in 2020-21.

Balcers was sent to Norwegian club Stavanger on loan for the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

Balcers appeared in 15 games for the Senators this season in which he registered one goal, two assists and 23 shots while averaging 12:08 of ice time. The winger will rejoin the club for training camp ahead of the 2020-21 campaign where he figures to compete for a spot on the 23-man roster.

Balcers inked a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators on Friday.

Balcers was limited to just 15 games this season in which he garnered one goal, two helpers and 23 shots while averaging 12:08 of ice time. The 22-year-old winger should be given every opportunity to secure a place on the 23-man roster during training camp, though he is far from a lock for the Opening Night lineup.

Balcers' final point before the hiatus came Feb. 27 against Vancouver.

Given that Balcers had just three points all season and only appeared in 15 games, there's probably no reason to roster him in any fantasy format. He's only 22 years old, so he has time to develop, but he's a long way away from contributing.

Balcers scored his first goal of the season in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

Balcers lit the lamp just 14 seconds into the third period to give his team a 3-1 lead. That goal turned into the game-winner after Vancouver pulled back within one, but Bobby Ryan closed out the win with a pair of insurance tallies, completing a hat trick in the process. The goal was Balcers' first at the NHL level since March 26, 2019, so his fantasy value remains minimal.

Balcers was brought up to the Senators from AHL Belleville on Monday after several moves were made at the trade deadline, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Balcers might be with Ottawa for good given the Senators' fire sale, or he might return to Belleville for the Calder Cup playoffs. He's scored 16 goals and 20 assists for Belleville but hasn't scored in seven NHL games this year.

Balcers was sent down to AHL Belleville on Saturday, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Balcers will continue to see plenty of ice time with Ottawa's minor-league affiliate during the Senators' bye week. While things are always subject to change, expect Balcers to return to Ottawa in time for its next game Jan. 27.

The Senators recalled Balcers from AHL Belleville on Wednesday.

The Senators assigned Jean-Christophe Beaudin to the minors Tuesday, so Balcers will replenish the team's forward depth. The 22-year-old Balcers hasn't played an NHL game yet this year, but he's been excellent with Belleville, as he generated 24 points over 19 games.

The Senators assigned Balcers (lower body) to AHL Belleville on Tuesday.

Balcers has yet to play this season due to a lower-body injury, so he'll head to the minors to get himself into playing shape before retruning to the big club. The Latvian forward notched five goals and 14 points while averaging 12:21 of ice time per contest in 36 appearances with Ottawa last campaign.

Balcers (lower body) returned to practice in a non-contact jersey Thursday.

Balcers has yet to play this year due to a lower-body injury, but his presence on the ice Thursday suggests he's made significant progress in his recovery recently, and could be closing in on a return to game action. However, the 22-year-old winger will need to be cleared for contact before making his season debut, so he should still be considered out indefinitely until that occurs.