Category: Free Agent Signing

Nic-Dowd

Washington Capitals‘ 6th year center Nic Dowd(26) posted a career high 8 goals and tying 22 points in 64 NHL games to earn a nice 3-year deal at a very conservative $750,000 AAV, but decent enough for the deep draft pick who just played his 200th game.

He started that ascension just after posting 48 points in his second AHL season to earn a spot on the opening night roster heading into 2016/2017 and despite a trade to Vancouver Canucks before being signed on the opening day of unrestricted free agent to move to the nation’s capital, he’s not looked back.

In 6 appearances so far this season the former senior captain, scoring machine at St. Cloud State University Husies has 2 goals and an assist so the 29-year old may just put up some new bests right away.

Just 1 year removed, he put up career bests 14 goals and 13 assists in a full slate of 82 games with a +7 rating.

He has 7 seasons of 10+ assists, but gets traded to Vegas Golden Knights for the 2nd run of the 2025/2026 season.

After a four-year career at Quinnipiac University, finishing with a 2020/2021 season NCAA Division 1 best 39 assists, center Odeen Tufto(26) signs a 1-year entry level deal as an unrestricted free agent with Tampa Bay Lightning and will report to affiliate Syracuse Crunch to see if he can add to that helpers stat.

The small 5’7″ 175 lbs. forward has always connected with the scoresheet in college play, 3 times with 30+ assists and 40+ points.

A Minnesota-native he spent a year in the BCHL before heading back “home” to join the USHL and skated with three different club s in a campaign before heading off to school.

He’s small but we have a feeling he will find his space to grab numbers.

Mostly shipped as a rookie to ECHL affiliate Orlando Solar Bears, where he was close to point-per-game player.

In 2022/2023, he was signed by Tuscon Roadrunners, but played 13 games with Atlanta Gladiators before heading to DEL2, signing with Krefeld Pinguin, getting 15 points in 12 games, then 11 in 12 through the playoffs.

He’ll return in 2023/2024, agreeing to terms with Iowa Heartlanders.

Through 29 games, he managed 3 goals and 19 assists, but isn’t great with his plus/minus and maybe gets a little bored, looking elsewhere and signs with EHC Olten of the tier 2 Swiss League, SL.

He will return for 2024/2025 after a successful little run through Switzerland’s hockey and signs with Fort Wayne Komets.

A point-per-game player again during regular season, he returns for 2025/2026 and scores 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 games, but decides to head back to DEL2 and signs with Ravensburg Towerstars.

With 8 goals and 17 assists in 25 games, including a nice +12 rating, he is asked to return for 2026/2027 as a Towerstars.

After spending the last 6 of his 7 NHL days in an Anaheim Ducks‘ uniform, 13th year right wing Derek Grant(27) will take his game overseas for a 1st time, signing a 1-year deal with ZSC Lions of NL, which should be a lot of fun for the 33-year old.

The 6’3″ 209 lbs. forward tower has 3 times had 10+ goals and twice 10+ assists in a frame.

From Abbotsford, BC, he played 2 BCHL seasons before committing to Michigan State University Spartans, where he stayed for 2 years before turning pro.

Originally an Ottawa Senators‘ 4th round pick in 2008 (#119 overall), he spent the 1st 4 years of his career in their system.

He takes 427 games in the big league and 320 in the AHL over to his new venture, which should keep him smiling out there.

The 35-year old is scoring very well and signs on for a 4th season to continue a Lions for 2026/2027.

13th year center Andy Miele(51) finishes up another decently successful run through the SHL, this time as assistant captain for HV-71.

For 2023/2024, he decides to head off on a new adventure, signing a 1-year deal with Grizzlys Wolfsburg and he will skate his 1st season in Germany’s top league, DEL.

The small 5’9″ 170 lbs. forward started overseas in Sweden after 15 NHL games (2 assists, +2 rating) and 478 AHL and won himself a 2018 Championship with Vaxjo Lakers.

His biggest success was likely the 3 seasons he spent in the KHL with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

The 35-year old, former Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks is likely to continue to do well.

Scoring 44 assists 3 straight seasons in the league below the show indicates he can score and as he’s getting older he shows little signs of slowing, grabbing 14 goals and 32 assists in 52 games to earn the now 36-year old another look in Germany with the Grizzlys.

He grabs 16 goals and 16 assists in 52 games as a now 37-year old and continues to want to skate and signs with rivals, Fischtown Pinguins for 2025/2026.

With another productive season, 7 goals and 20 assists, he is asked to return to be a Pinguins for 2026/2027.

JYP left wing C.J. Smith(29) quickly signs up for a 1-year extension after 1 goal and 4 assists through 5 games looks like a lock for him to score goals in Liiga after starting the season late with the team.

After 3 years at UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks, the 5’11” 183 lbs. forward signed an NHL entry level deal as an unrestricted free agent with Buffalo Sabres and stayed in their system for 4 years.

The 29-year old from Des Moines, IA is said to be coming back from surgery due to an injury, so this is a nice landing spot for him to re-stake his game.

He comes away with 8 goals and 12 assists in 33 games, which gains interest from Barys Astana of the KHL for 2024/2025.

So much for the tryout in Germany, as he will head home under contract to Charlotte Checkers, where he should do well and help.

He definitely help his new team win games, going into the playoffs, but waits a moment before signing 2025/2026 and agrees to terms with Bridgeport Islanders.

After 17 AHL games with 8 assists, he decides to head of to DEL and signs with Fischtown Pinguins for the 2nd half of 2025/2026.

Undrafted 4th year center Jake Lucchini(19) signed with Montreal Canadiens for 2020/2021 and has agreed to continue in the system on a minor league deal to affiliate Laval Rocket.

The former Michigan Tech Huskies‘ senior captain jumped in quick upon signing his first deal on an ato with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, grabbing a quick 6 goals and an assist in 15 AHL games.

He had a similar breakout upon the trade, scoring 4 goals and 1 assist in 6 games after being obtained in a trade with Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 5’11” 183 lbs. forward will need to get back on the scoring tear but could easily play his way into another NHL contract.

A product of Trail, BC, he played for hometown juniors Trail Smoke Eaters popping the lid leading the team with 35 goals and 48 assists in 58 BCHL games.

The 26-year old is still climbing.

After 2 almost 20 goal (19) sessions with Belleville Senators and a 2nd 30+ assist frame, he signs as an unrestricted free agent for 2023/2024 with Minnesota Wild and will help their affiliate Iowa Wild climb into the rankings.

He also skated 11 games with Ottawa Senators and potted a 1st big league goal.

After 40 games in the big league and 30 in the minors, he would move on to sign a 1-year deal with Nashville Predators.

He only skated 3 games with them, but 70 in the minors with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals.

It appears his time is good there as, after a 2nd 20+ assist season, signs for 2026/2027.

9th year defenseman Kevin Gravel(5) has got to be feeling the same way he did when he was a rookie with Manchester Monarchs making an unlikely AHL run to capture the 2015 Calder Cup trophy.

The now 31-year old is locked in with his team, Milwaukee Admirals in a Western Conference battle to head to the Finals.

He has contributed 1 goal and 2 assists in 9 games with a +4 rating.

The 6’4″ 203 lbs. blue liner is signed on a 2-year 2-way deal to Nashville Predators and skated 23 games with them this past season.

He has played 132 NHL games and 332 in the lower league.

Originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 5th round pick in 2010 (#148 overall), he initially was on a minor league contract, when helping his team to the title, but quickly upped on a 2-year entry level deal heading into the next frame.

The St. Cloud State University Huskies‘ 4-year d-man exploded in his senior year with 10 goals, seemingly out of nowhere.

He’s got another year left on his current deal, so he should settle in nicely.

Playing super well as team captain for the affiliate, Admirals with great plus numbers, despite maybe not scoring huge points earns him 2 more seasons at nice little pay bump to stay.

He is definitely well-liked and asked to stay for another 2 years to remain an Admirals.

Schwenninger Wild Wings‘ 3rd year defenseman Will Weber(78) will hang around for a 4th frame, as he signs a 1-year extension through 2024/2025.

The big 6’4″ 227 lbs. blue liner doesn’t necessarily put up a lot of points, but is a fairly accountable, very large presence out there.

Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft (#57 overall), he only twice had 10+ assists.

The first time was his sophomore season at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks and the 2nd was his 1st session of DEL for Fischtown Pinguins.

At 35-years old, he has to be glad he’s still pulling down good contracts to play pro hockey.

Add another season, as he will skate for a 6th frame in a Wild Wings‘ jersey that he is looking mighty comfortable in lately.

And yup, he may not be playing as many games as a 37-year old, 23, but will return for more Wild Wings in 2026/2027.

New York Islanders‘ 1st round pick in the 2016 draft (#19 overall), left wing Kieffer Bellows(81) signs a 1-year deal as a restricted free agent to stay.

The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward play the entire 2020/2021 session up with the big club, but only skated 14 games, scoring 3 goals, so was either a healthy scratch or reassigned to the taxi squad.

As a 2nd year player, he would score an AHL best 22 goals and 9 assists for 31 points for affiliate Bridgeport Islanders (Sound Tigers).

The former Edina High School, MN native was selected to head to Boston University Terriers and went onto 2 very successful USHL seasons before heading to college, but only lasted there for one year before deciding to split for Portland Winterhawks.

In 56 WHL games, he scored 41 goals and 33 assists with a +40 rating.

The 23-year old is son of former NHL player of 1188 games, Brian Bellows.

He would end up playing his 1st full frame in the big league, skating a healthy 45 games, scoring a not so bad 6 goals and 13 assists that would lead to his new 1-year, 1-way deal worth a tidy $1.2M AAV.

For 2022/2023, he would start on the roster, but it was decided to waive with the intention of reporting to the minors, but Philadelphia Flyers didn’t let him sit long and pulled him in.

He’s played 3 games with his new team, and although all loses, he’s kept it simple in his 10+ minutes of play and is only a -1.

We think the now 24-year old finds his footing, sticks and starts to make an impression.

He actually doesn’t really find his footing with 3 goals through 27 games.

For 2023/2024, he signed a pto with Toronto Marlies, is scoring big, not looking back and gets a deal for the current season.

Nashville Predators see something for their weighted 2024/2025 lineup that may start with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, but could get a call up for the 1st time in a couple of frames.

He takes some solid regular season play and point-per-game playoff looks to something new on his pro hockey playing career, a deal overseas with Brynas IF of the SHL, which should heed good results for him.

In 43 games, he has 7 goals and 7 assists with a +3 rating to earn himself an invite to be with Brynas again for 2027/2028.

Merrimack College Warriors‘ senior defenseman Christian Felton(53) is looking like he is ready to set up a collegiate career best season, already 1 goal and 1 assist in 11 games.

He had 2 goals and 4 assists as highs last season.

The 6’1″ 195 lbs. blue liner from Medina, OH is maybe leaning in a little looking for scoring opportunities.

Transferring after 1 year at Bentley University Falcons, the 23-year old seems to have found his style in Hockey East play.

In his senior year, he would score new college bests 3 goals, 4 assists for 7 points, which he takes to a 1st pro contract, a 1-year NHL entry level deal with Vancouver Canucks.

He appears in only 13 games with affiliate Abbotsford Canucks and 7 in the ECHL before the injury bug takes him off his game.

For 2025/2026, he signs with Utah Grizzlies and should do really well.

He actually is loaned up to the AHL for 6 games, but is traded to Cincinnati Cyclones, where we think will continue good play.