14th year Russian-born left wing Vladimir Zharkov(25) re-signs to stay with Salavat Yulaev UFA after posting a career high 6 goals and 10 assists in 56 KHL games with a +5 rating, then added another 3 points in a deep 17 contest playoff run.
Almost oddly the one-time New Jersey Devils‘ 3rd round pick in the 2006 draft (#77 overall) has never been all that much of a scorer.
He only had 2 goals and 10 assists in 82 NHL games and was obviously a bit more prolific in the minors with affiliates Albany/Lowell Devils, where he scored 41 goals and 72 assists in 185 AHL games but even through 8 seasons for CSKA Moskva, he seemed to struggle to notch even 10 points.
At 31-years old, it difficult to say how much he has left to continue or would even consider leaving to what pro hockey elsewhere is like.
6th year defenseman Jake Chelios(84) leaves Detroit Red Wings‘ organization after just one year and his first 5 NHL games at the end of the 2018/2019 season.
The 28-year old unrestricted free agent may have thought a new deal wasn’t in the cards so reached over to Kunlun Red Star of the KHL to secure a two-year deal.
The fairly big d-man should do well in Russia’s top league.
Washington Capitals‘ 6th round pick in the 2013 draft (#174 overall) 2nd year center Brian Pinho(28) gets a one-year extension to stay on in the prospect system.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward scored 4 goals and 8 assists in 73 AHL games as a rookie for affiliate Hershey Bears, then added another goal and an assist in 8 playoff games.
He’s not quite at the levels he set at Providence College as captain and assistant scoring 10+ goals and 20+ assists, while also being a part of the 2015 NCAA Championship as a 1st year skater but should see an uptick as a sophomore skater.
If the 24-year old can get hot early in his 2nd session, he may score a first, early recall from the parent club.
Montreal Canadiens‘ 6th year defenseman Brett Kulak(17) gets re-upped to stay another three years in the system.
It’s actually his first contract with the club after being obtained in a trade from draft team Calgary Flames , who signed him to a one-way deal upon completing an NHL season in the prior campaign.
The versatile blue liner scored a career high 6 goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 57 games with a +12 rating on a non-playoff squad.
The 25-year old seems to be arriving with a new deal worth a very comfortable 1.85M AAV but did spend 19 AHL with affiliate Laval Rocket, so definitely needs to be always stepping it up.
Carolina Hurricanes‘ 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft (#67 overall), center Morgan Geekie(19) has almost quietly put up good numbers through his rookie season with affiliate Charlotte Checkers (19-27-46 with a +24 rating) then has fully extended the streak into the Calder Cup Playoffs scoring 7 goals and 8 assists in 14 AHL games, including two game winners and the one to clinch the Eastern Conference Finals in double overtime.
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. forward has done all this while at times playing limited minutes.
He was a more than point per game player in his last pair of WHL seasons for Tri-City Americans and had most playoff goals in the campaign before he left to turn pro.
The 21-year old is signed to a 3-year entry level deal and you have to think is being scouted for a 1st recall and NHL game.
Undrafted 8th year center Alex Belzile(22) signs his first big league contract with Montreal Canadiens after leading affiliate Laval Rocket with a career high 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 74 AHL games.
Not bad for a player who signed his 3rd ECHL contract just a few years ago.
Initially discovered by San Antonio Rampage after having a breakout scoring campaign for Idaho Steelheads (28-41-69 in 63 games), he initially was acquired by and signed to join Fort Wayne Komets for 2015/2016 until the team from Texas stepped in, but he would split time between the two clubs.
He was re-signed but once again spent significant although less time in the lower league.
Re-upped for a third time is when he graduated full time putting in 14 goals and 20 assists to suggest he may be arriving at scoring levels he reached in three years with Rimouski Oceanic.
The 6′ 205 lbs. forward will turn 28 before the new season starts but if he can continue marking up the stat sheet could garner a first, early NHL recall.
Undrafted 6th year German-born left wing Maximillian Kammerer(9) opts out of his three-year NHL entry level deal with Washington Capitals to head back to the hometown team he’s been with since he was 19, Dusseldorfer EG of DEL.
Word had it he was unhappy with his one season for affiliate Hershey Bears, where he was a bit in and out of the lineup scoring a modest 4 goals and 9 assists in 33 AHL games with a +1 rating.
The 6’1″ 173 lbs. forward had been a decently proficient in his earlier campaigns at home before heading to North America for a test and is expected to turn that up a notch upon his return.
He’ll turn just 23-years old before the start of the new session and may have not found his one and only place to play but can mostly be welcome back whenever he wants.
7th year defenseman John Ramage(55) takes a career high 12 goals and 31 points for Binghamton Devils as an assistant captain, while under contract with New Jersey Devils to Eisbaren Berlin of DEL, his first foray away from home.
The 2014 ECHL Kelly Cup, as a rookie, 2016 AHL Calder Cup Champion and even a 2009 NAHL Robertson Cup winner takes an impressive resume to Germany.
The 28-year old will likely find new life in his game overseas.
Undrafted 4th year defenseman Travis Walsh(23) takes 3 very decent ECHL seasons over to Metal Ligaen signing with Esbjerg Energy for 2019/2020.
The 5’11” 185 blue liner had a career high 25 assists and 31 points with a +13 rating last season for Manchester Monarchs.
He started his pro career on an ato with Kansas City Mavericks for three games and was also loaned up to Chicago Wolves to skate his only 3 AHL games after graduating from Michigan State University, where he was a three-time 10+ assist player and twice assistant captain.
As a rookie, he was signed by Idaho Steelheads and collected a best 7 goals.
The rugged d-man should do very well in Denmark’s top league and should be able to climb the overseas hockey ladder.
Washington Capitals‘ 5th round pick in the 2014 draft (#134 overall), left wing Shane Gersich(10) appeared in his first 3 NHL games (1 assist) and also a pair of Stanley Cup playoff appearances, but did not get his name included on the coveted prize at the end, fresh off three years at University of North Dakota, where he popped 21 goals as a sophomore, had two 16 assist campaigns before he left, and won the 2016 NCAA Championship in his first year of college hockey.
As a rookie, he scored 8 goals and 16 assists in 66 AHL games for affiliate Hershey Bears with a +5 rating, then added 3 more points in 9 playoff contests.
The 5’11” 174 lbs. forward seems to be a bit generously listed but plays a speed skating, agitators game, always seemingly to be in the face of an opponent.
He will look to make a bigger impression on the parent club hoping to find a spot on the big league roster for 2019/2020, but if not the 22-year old, signed to a one-year extension, will continue to try to play his game and gain notice.
