12th year center Rob Schremp(44) makes a late decision to return to EC Salzburg of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga for 2017/2018, a team he did well with late in 2012/2013 after leaving the KHL.
He registered 9 goals and 27 assists in 26 games, then added a league leading 11 assists and 2 tallies in 11 playoff contests.
The speedy, good passing forward finished up another 20 goal season in the AHL overseas for 2nd tour and did well in his second stint in the NLA with SCL Tigers, then switched over to Nurnberg Ice Tigers of DEL and once again took it up a notch in the postseason connecting for 3 goals and 10 assists in 12 games.
There is little doubt the now 31-year old will continue to light it up big in Austria.
The big question is whether he’ll stay past one campaign or move onto a 17th team.
Bentley Falcons‘ Connor Brassard(7) and teammates are all smiles after the absolute fluke 4-3 go ahead goal late in the third period of Friday night’s match-up vs. rivals Mercyhurst University Lakers.
11th year defenseman Jakub Kindl(46) heads home after ten years playing North American pro hockey to skate with his brother Denis Kindl for HC Plzen of Czech Extraliga.
He leaves having played another 39 NHL games with Florida Panthers taking his total to 331 and even started the campaign with 13 AHL games with affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds but has been under some handsome contracts for the past seven years.
The 32-year old will likely have a lot of fun back where it all first started in juniors.
11th year defenseman Tyson Strachan(23) decides it’s time to try something new, signing a one-year deal with Cardiff Devils of the EIHL.
It’s the veteran blue liner’s first foray overseas after spending 186 NHL and 404 AHL games.
He last spent time in the show playing a full campaign of 45 contests in 2014/2015 under contract to Buffalo Sabres before signing a minor league deal last year with affiliate Rochester Americans.
The almost 33-year old will likely have a good run in the United Kingdom but could return for one more run as he transitions into life after playing pro hockey.
Philadelphia Flyers‘ 1st round pick in the 2014 draft (#17 overall) defenseman Travis Sanheim(6) played a full slate of 76 AHL games as a rookie for affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms without so much as getting a sniff from the parent club to see what he could do.
The big but wiry 6’3″ 187 lbs. former top scoring WHL blue liner in his second campaign with Calgary Hitmen was able to make the big league squad out of the gate as a sophomore skater but hasn’t been in the lineup for all 10 games.
He’s been playing some decent minutes and has his first NHL point, an assist, but is also a -5 rating.
There’s little doubt the 21-year old will need to start connecting soon like he was able to do last year in the minors (10 goals, 27 assists with a +7) or either be sidelined or sent down for more seasoning.
Boston Bruins‘ 4th round pick in the 2014 draft (#116 overall) Danton Heinen(43) is making a statement that he belongs on the big league roster full-time for his sophomore season.
He started the new campaign playing with the parent club and got a first assist in his 2017/2018 debut, then added two more helpers in his next outing but as top offense weapons started to heal was sent down to affiliate Providence Bruins.
The 6’1″ 185 lbs. forward took his demotion in stride and got to work with the farm team scoring a goal and seven assists in 4 AHL games with a +5 rating.
That was plenty enough to get the attention of the brass and he was summoned back up less than 10 days later.
In his first game back, the smart, stick handling pivot scored his first NHL goal, a short-hander and then added the game-winning tally in a 2-1 win.
That would be good enough to earn him top star of the game.
The 22-year old has basically won every scoring mark ever set out in front of him at one time or another and it’s come time to do it on the pro level and start making a difference.
4th year goalie Oscar Dansk(35) was not tendered a qualifying offer to stay in Columbus Blue Jackets‘ system despite being recalled from loan to Rogle BK of the SHL, where he’d spent two seasons of his entry level deal.
The newly unrestricted free agent didn’t stay without a contract for long as Vegas Golden Knights swooped in to offer him a one-year two-way deal, which was accepted.
He reported directly to affiliate Chicago Wolves and played in one AHL game with less than glowing results.
Regardless of the outcome, the parent club was forced into their own compromising situation as starting goalies were dropping like flies.
Acting as back-up in his first game with the big club, he was pressed into action as their second net minder would fall to injury mid-game.
He would stop 10-11 shots on his way to a first NHL victory in overtime.
The 23-year old would get the nod to see it was a fluke, which it turned out not to be as he would blocked 29-31 shots for a second win and currently sits at 2-0 with a 2.43 GAA and .929 SV%.
He may be starting to settle into his game in less than ideal circumstances but there’s nothing like being a pro than proving your ready despite what the situation.
Ottawa Senators‘ 1st round pick in the 2015 draft (#18 overall) rookie defenseman Thomas Chabot(5) started on reassignment to affiliate Bellville Senators but barely lasted a couple of appearances before he was returned to the parent squad playing his first NHL games.
He went on to record a pair of assists with a +4 rating in 3 games but because of a glut of good blue liners in the system, the 6’2″ 196 lbs. was once again sent down.
In an almost related move, he actually started last season on the big league roster but only got to skate one game before it was determined it would be best of his development to send him back for his final junior year.
A move that would pay off, as he’s now the former 2017 QMJHL Champion with Saint John Sea Dogs, who twice had 20+ assists in his first two years and +30 in his final two, so he knows how to head man the puck.
At still just 20-years old, this is a player that could use some valuable time in the minors and will probably put up big numbers in the AHL but also show effectiveness when needed with the big club.
11th year goaltender Nathan Lawson(51) won himself a first title last season after appearing in 6 regular season games with HC Banska Bystrica posting an impressive 1.94 GAA and .936 GAA, then took those numbers even lower to a shut the door .93 GAA and .962 GAA in three playoff games to the 2017 Slovak Extraliga Championship.
Almost in the land of unbelievable he doesn’t stick with his cup winning squad but agrees to a one-year deal with fierce opponents HK Nitra.
It’s possible that he was considering retiring at 34-years old but in the last minute decided to stay on in the country.
The 6’2″ 196 lbs. net minder has played games in 6 leagues, including 11 NHL games, 180 in the AHL and 2 years and 77 starts in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga.
He spent three years at University Of Alaska-Anchorage before turning pro and no doubt a minor league club would be lucky to have him serve as goalie coach but we shall see what happens.
