Category: Free Agent Signing

10th year center Ryan Dzingel(80) waits until almost the end of the 2023/2024 season to sign, but does with Henderson Silver Knights and has 4 goals and 1 assist in 12 AHL games.

He played 22 games last season for Chicago Wolves.

The former Ottawa Senators‘ draft pick 3 times scored 20+ goals, twice 20+ assists.

He did 3 years at Ohio State University Buckeyes, serving as captain as a sophomore and junior year assistant.

From Wheaton, IL, the 32-year old spent the majority of 7 years in the NHL, so has done well and is playing out his string mostly it seems.

He should be a good player to have around for playoffs.

Calgary Flames‘ 8th year center Kevin Rooney(21) gets re-upped for a 1-year extension, as his 2-year deal was set to expire.

He signed for the same money $1.3M.

The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward has skated for 3 different teams, originally signed by New Jersey Devils after 4 years and an 2015 NCAA Division 1 national title with Providence College Friars.

He almost ironically seemed to do best in 2 seasons with New York Rangers before heading to his current club.

The 30-year old from Canton, MA has to be pretty happy how things have turned out.

7th year center Matthew Peca(63) signs a new 1-year, 2-way deal with St. Louis Blues for 2021/2022 after coming off one season for Ottawa Senators, which saw him play in 5 games with one assist.

Originally a Tampa Bay Lightning 7th round pick in the 2011 draft (#201 overall), the twice 10+ goals and 2-time 20+ assist Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ player has skated 78 NHL games.

The small 5’9″ 165 lbs. forward is likely to start with new affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds, but could easily score some more looks in the show for the 28-year old.

After putting up some decent stats for the farm club, the Petawawa, ON native scores a recall to his new team and has an additional assist (6-15) in now 81 games.

Coming off his former deal, which saw him re-sign for 2-years, but receive no further looks despite posting some continued impressive AHL numbers.

For his next step he signs a 2-year minor league deal to stay in western Massachusetts.

Merrimack College Warriors‘ senior defenseman Christian Felton(2) 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.

Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ junior goal scorer Jacob Quillan(16) signs a 2-year NHL entry level deal with Toronto Maple Leafs, leaving a year at school on the table.

Undrafted, he had a college best 29 assists and 46 points in 39 games with a +17 rating last season.

The Dartmouth, NS native did only 1 more than point-per-20-game BCHL COVID-busted season for Penticton Vees.

He’s ready at 22-years old for the next step.

St. Lawrence University Saints‘ graduate net minder Ben Kraws(33) transferred into his 3rd school, following 2 years at Arizona State University Sun Devils after 2 with Miami University Ohio Redhawks.

The very sizable 6’5″ 201 lbs. goalie had 2 decent USHL frames in juniors for Sioux City Musketeers and started 49 games and was shutout in the playoffs for his 2nd year.

From Cranbury, NJ, the 25-year old will be an interesting watch to see what might transpire next.

His finishes up a spectacular run to the ECAC Finals, where they are beat, but cap off a fantastic season to elevate him for his 1-year NHL entry level contract with Dallas Stars.

7th year right wing Zach Hyman(18) leaves his home for the last 6 years with Toronto Maple Leafs to sign a new 5-year deal as an unrestricted free agent with Edmonton Oilers, worth an estimated $5.5 AAV.

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. power forward has twice scored 21 goals (2018-2020) and two times 15 in 345 NHL games with a mammoth +72 rating.

Originally a Florida Panthers‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#123 overall), he was traded before ever officially wearing a jersey.

The former 4-year University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ forward was a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a senior, when he scored a cool 22 goals and 32 assists in 37 Big Ten games with a +24 rating.

He’s already 29-years old, although it seems like it was yesterday, when he donned a Toronto Marlies‘ jersey.

His goal scoring ascends to a career high 51 this season and in the process he pots his 200th overall tally.

Next season will be his 10th in the league and now 31-years old shows zero signs of stopping.

The Oilers‘ jersey fits well.

UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ Latvian-born, graduate goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals(39) signs a 1st pro deal with Milwaukee Admirals for 2023/2024, but has joined the club for the Calder Cup playoff push, although not likely to see action.

The 6’2″ 196 lbs. net minder had a 12-9-2 record with a 2.05 GAA and .924 SV%, including 2 shutouts.

He was better than any previous season he played at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, but did have 1 outstanding run through the NAHL juniors with Shreveport Mudbugs.

The 24-year old should be a standout performer as a rookie.

Parent club, Nashville Predators step in as the season is wrapping up and sign him for the current frame to an NHL contract, in a move we can only feel has implications for next season moving forward.

Undrafted rookie defenseman Jack St. Ivany(3) signs a 2-year NHL entry level deal with Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 6’3″ 195 lbs. blue liner had two solid seasons at Boston College Eagles on transfer from Yale University Bulldogs and put up a college career high 20 assists and 24 points as a senior.

Not exactly known for recording points, he did post 30 assists in his 2nd USHL season for Sioux Falls Stampede.

Originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 4th round pick in the 2018 draft (#112 overall), the 23-year old from Manhattan Beach, CA went unsigned.

He should fit right in at the AHL level with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and compete for a spot with the big club.

Through 63 games, he looks to be gaining comfort with 8 assists to his credit and earns a look from the top, skates 20 shifts for 12:28 ice time with 1 block shot and 1 hit dished in a 4-2 Penguins‘ loss.

University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish senior defenseman Drew Bavaro(24) signs a 1-year NHL entry level deal with Boston Bruins after playing his high school and 1st round of college hockey in the local market.

The 6’1″ 202 lbs. blue liner played 2 years at Bentley University Falcons before transferring after his sophomore frame.

From Brandenton, FL, the 23-year old scored a college best 10 goals and 10 assists last season.

It is reported he will sign an ato with affiliate Providence Bruins and join the AHL team.

Drew Bavaro (22)