New York Rangers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft (#41 overall) rookie left wing Ryan Gropp(11) gets on the board quick with a first unassisted AHL goal for affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack on opening night of the 2017/2018 season.
The fairly big 6’2″ 194 lbs. power style forward scored big in his last campaign of juniors (35-49-84, +25) with Seattle Thunderbirds that culminated in a 2017 WHL Championship, where he exploded for another 7 goals and 12 assists in 16 playoff games to the title.
The 21-year old signed a three-year entry level deal, so he’s off to a good start and should become an exciting player to watch develop.
Florida Panthers‘ 6th round pick in the 2011 draft (#156 overall) defenseman Ed Wittchow(6) gets rewarded for a strong 2nd training camp with a one-year entry level deal for 2017/2018.
The sizable 6’4″ 215 lbs. blue liner signed a minor league deal as a rookie coming out of four years at University Of Wisconsin.
He played 38 AHL games under contract with Springfield Thunderbirds scoring 2 goals and 2 assists but was also reassigned further down to start the season with Manchester Monarchs for 14 ECHL contests, where he netted one tally and 8 assists while maintaining a nice +9 rating.
The 24-year old will likely see increases in his game and likely stick with the farm team for the full campaign.
16th year veteran center Jason Jaffray(15) signs on for a third season with EHC Red Bull Muenchen after a pair of 39 point seasons with a combined +43 rating and back-to-back DEL Championships.
He is currently riding probably the best period of hockey in his pro career that includes a slew of scoring records for a legendary Manitoba Moose squad, four years as captain with St. John IceCaps that saw them bow out only in the 2014 Calder Cup Finals and 551 AHL games to his credit with 448 points (179 goals, 269 assists).
Boston Bruins‘ 1st round pick in the 2015 draft (#14 overall) 2nd year left wing Jake DeBrusk(74) is getting his crack at the big boys’ lineup to open 2017/2018.
Making full use of his 14:05 of ice time he answers with his first NHL goal and added an assist for good measure in a 4-3 win.
The 6′ 183 lbs. hard working forward also left the game with a +2, had 4 shots on net, one takeaway and even spent 2:22 on the power play.
That’s an impressive debut for the one-time high scoring Swift Current Broncos‘ member.
As a first year pro he skated the full season with affiliate Providence Bruins‘ leading all rookies in scoring and was 2nd overall on the team.
He comes from some serious hockey loins as his dad is Louie DeBrusk and he doesn’t mind at all to take a selfie with a fan.
8th year defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka(23) was not issued a qualifying by Ottawa Senators after a trade deadline deal sent him there from Calgary Flames, where he ended up after another deal with draft squad Dallas Stars.
He was basically on a one-way contract, so based on numbers may have been in for at least a modest pay bump on his two-year deal that was originally signed by Dallas.
The fairly good-sized blue liner was thus an unrestricted free agent and signed a pto to join Washington Capitals‘ training camp but that did last too long before he was released.
With 150 NHL games mostly over the last two season, he next takes his experience to the KHL signing for the remainder of the calendar with HK Sochi.
The 26-year old may just find a better sheet of ice to fit his needs in Russia but ultimately heading back home to finish out in Liiga wouldn’t suck either.
4th year right wing Brian Ferlin(19) signs for 2017/2018 with Edmonton Oilers on the opening day of unrestricted group 6 free agency.
Originally a Boston Bruins’ draft pick he was in the system for three campaigns but has been injured for most of the last two.
He only played 2 AHL games last year.
The decently-sized 25-year old forward is definitely getting another chance, where his former GM resides and may just get an opportunity to add to the 7 games of NHL experience he has.
Even if he skates with affiliate Bakersfield Condors, we’re sure just playing is going to be a step in the right direction.
New York Rangers‘ 4th round pick in the 2017 draft (#123 overall) defenseman Brandon Crawley(6) signs his 3-year entry deal after a strong first training camp and continued hard work with affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, where he may find himself playing his rookie season.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. blue liner skated three campaigns as a member of London Knights and won both the 2016 OHL Championship and Memorial Cup as a sophomore player.
It’s possible he starts in the minors but could be sent back to finish out a fourth and final year of juniors.
The 20-year looks to have a bright future unfolding.
Arizona Coyotes wasted no time and swooped in on the opening day of free agency to reacquire 10th year unrestricted free agent defenseman Andrew Campbell(2) and sign him to a new, 2-year contract.
He had spent 2014/2015 with the team splitting time in the NHL, playing a career high 33 games and for then affiliate Portland Pirates before being released.
On a two-year deal with Toronto Maple Leafs, he was named Toronto Marlies‘ captain and posted a pair of 20+ point seasons with a combined +59 rating.
Seems like there’s only upside agreeing to the big, tough to play against blue liner, who’s a veteran of 595 AHL games and owns a +86.
Agreeing to return to such a young, energize club, it’s likely he’ll see his first time in the big league since leaving Arizona the first time but will also likely be named captain of minor league squad Tuscon Roadrunners.
4th year defenseman Nick Ebert(65) takes a career season with Texas Stars, after a trade sent him to Dallas Stars‘ prospect system, scoring a new best 9 goals, 16 assists and 25 points to the KHL signing with HC Slovan Bratislava for 2017/2018 .
Originally a Los Angeles Kings’ 7th round pick in the 2012 draft (#211 overall), he was signed to a 3-year entry level deal and played his rookie season in 2014/2015 with affiliate Manchester Monarchs, appeared in two playoff games and went onto win the Calder Cup Championship.
Almost a bit ironically he was also on the 2014 OHL Championship skating for Guelph Storm.
He’d always put up good numbers as a junior player.
The 23-year old is also a +23 rating for three different AHL clubs.
It would be no surprise to see him excel in Russia despite getting off to a slow start.
3rd year right wing Casey Bailey(25) found himself without a qualifying offer from Ottawa Senators after appearing in 7 NHL with no points and scoring an AHL high 21 goals for affiliate Binghamton Senators last season.
Undeterred he agreed to a training camp invite from New York Islanders but was released early and took up his next option with affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he appeared in two preseason games and was successful in scoring a minor league contract.
The 25-year old will turn 26 at the start of the new calendar and should find himself a solid place to skate in Connecticut, potentially leading to another big league contract.
