Category: Free Agent Signing

14Jul

Shane Gersich (29)

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Washington Capitals‘ 4th year center Shane Gersich(29) grabs another one-year, two-way deal to stick around in the prospect system.

The University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ 3-year forward has consistently put up respectable numbers for affiliate Hershey Bears.

He started his pro career with 3 NHL games fresh off his junior year at school, grabbed an assist and even skated a pair of playoff appearances en route to the 2018 Stanley Cup Championship.

The 24-year old has to be fairly happy with the way things are turning out for this 5th round pick in the 2014 draft (#134 overall).

For 2022/2023, he re-signs on a minor league deal to stay where he is after recording a career high 14 goals and 20 assists with a +4 rating.

After a 5th season where he’s been and a brand new 2023 Calder Cup Trophy to bear, he decides to look on and signs a 1-year deal with Vasteras IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, where he should do very well.

We pretty much thought what has occurred would, he takes a good frame in Sweden’s tier 2 league, scoring 19 goals and 13 assists in 48 games to a higher level of hockey next, signing with Iserlohn Roosters of DEL for 2024/2025.

He does ok with 16 goals and 21 assists in 51 games, but decides to look for another opportunity and signs with HC Bolzano Foxes for 2025/2026.

After putting up some pretty amazing scoring numbers, he decides to sign with rivals, Vienna Capitals for 2026/2027.

14Jul

Blake Coleman (20)

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Blake-Coleman2

New Jersey Devils‘ 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft (#75 overall) center Blake Coleman(20) suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out of all but 14 AHL games of his rookie campaign with affiliate Albany Devils (4 goals, 3 assists).

The 5’11” 200 lbs. pivot didn’t let that sidetrack him too much as he had a strong training camp, was one of the last cuts to be reassigned, then got right to work.

In 34 games he is tied for team lead with 13 goals and 10 assists with a best +15 rating.

He’s always been pretty good connecting the puck with the net, basically winning every scoring award category including USA Hockey Junior Player Of The Year in his 2nd season for Indiana Ice of the USHL.

Through four years of college at Miami University (Ohio) he was a point per game guy as a senior and missed a second 20 goal showing by one, while helping his squad win the 2015 NCAA/NCHC Championship.

The 25-year old skated a decent amount of shifts for at least 11+ minutes of ice time in his first two NHL appearances.

There’s little doubt he has the tenacity to become a full-time player in the show but will have to continue to work hard for his opportunities.

He has certainly earned his time as an upper league player, amassing some 693 games at this point, winning 2020 & 2021 Stanley Cup trophies with Tampa Bay Lightning and scored a career high 30 goals with Calgary Flames just a few years ago.

Well, in the off season he is dealt in the final year of his contract to Minnesota Wild for a new start.

14Jul

Matt Stienburg (36)

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Cornell University Big Red junior, center Matt Stienburg(36) is a Colorado Avalanche 3rd round pick in the 2019 draft (#63 overall) and looks to be ready for another breakout session.

In 3 games, he’s got a pair of goals and looks to score many many more in 2021/2022.

The 6’1″ 192 lbs. native of Halifax, NS originally accepted his college in his first season, then was NHL selected in the follow-up frame, where he was almost a point and a half player and served as team captain, while also heading to 3 USHL games with Sioux City Musketeers of a junior hockey career during break.

At 21-years old and one year away from finishing through some tough college hockey times without a 2020/2021 frame, he probably should just continue before signing an entry level deal, but he’s easily the style of power forward the parent club wants.

Smitten by the injury bug, his senior year as assistant captain was limited to 18 appearances with 2 goals and 5 assists.

He plows through though and signs an ato to join Colorado Eagles to hopefully get back to pushing his game forward.

In his 4th AHL game, he records a 1st point, a nice assist for himself.

He appears in 4 more playoff games and gets another helper point for himself.

It looks as though he has made a decent enough impression to score a contract for 2023/2024.

Through 54 games last season, he scores 5 goals and 8 assists with a +2 rating and in the opening 2 games of the 2024/2025 season, he grabs 1 goal and 1 assist with a +2 to earn a 1st NHL recall.

In his debut he skates 9 shifts for 4:36 of ice time, including 3 hits and 1 fight with a -1 rating in a 5-3 loss, then follows it up with 8 shifts for 5:16 ice and 2 shots on net in an overtime win.

He has been absolutely hampered by the injury bug for the past 2 seasons, playing barely 10 games, but Vancouver Canucks have him back to better health and sign him for 2026/2027.

13Jul

Angus Crookshank (9)

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Ottawa Senators step in to sign 5th round pick in the 2018 draft (#126 overall) left wing Angus Crookshank(9) to a three-year entry deal, leaving one year of school at University Of New Hampshire on the table, after scoring 9 goals and 9 assists in 20 games in a completely broken NCAA season.

The 21-year old from North Vancouver, BC has always been a fairly consistent scorer netting more than a point per game in his 2nd year with Langley Rivermen of the BCHL before committing to college and getting on the radar fully to be selected.

He has finally arrived to make his debut with affiliate Belleville Senators and notched an assist in his debut, a resounding 7-2 win.

With the season continuing and the parent club being out of the playoff hunt, he could garner a look.

He is running totals with their affiliate Belleville Senators and has 10 goals and 11 assists in 24 games this season to earn a 1st NHL recall.

In his debut, he skates 16 shifts for 10:11 ice time with 3 hits in a 6-3 loss to one of the best teams in the league.

He is basically a point-per-game player for the affiliate and gets 2 goals and 1 assist in 13 games in the big league to earn himself a 1-year extension.

Amassing 8 games in the big league, he notches an assist, but in the minors he pops for another 20+ goal campaign.

An unrestricted free agent for a 1st time, he signs a 2-year deal with New Jersey Devils, that may have him see some playing time with Utica Comets, but definitely offers him a window to earn his way up.

He scores 24 goals and 12 assists in 60 AHL games and gets 8 up in the big league, where he gets a 1st NHL goal.

For 2026/2027, he gets traded to Florida Panthers.

13Jul

Jack Drury (72)

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Carolina Hurricanes‘ rookie center Jack Drury(72) scores a first recall for his debut and pots a first NHL goal in the process to help the win.

Who had those odds?

The 5’11” 174 lbs. forward skated 23 shifts for 16:05 of ice time with 4 shots, 2 hits, 2 blocks and 2 penalty minutes, leaving the contest with +1 rating.

He’ll easily always where his former school, Harvard University Crimson on his sleeve.

As a rookie, playing in the AHL for affiliate Chicago Wolves, he wins himself a 2022 Calder Cup Championship with very good numbers.

He would split duties for just 1 more frame before becoming full-time in the show, where 8 goals and 19 assists in 74 games with a +4 rating, then adding another 5 points in 11 playoff matchups with a +7.

The restricted free agent picks himself up a nice 2-year deal to stay in a Hurricanes‘ sweater, moving forward through at least 2025/2026.

In an epic deal, he is traded to Colorado Avalanche, where in his debut, he scores a 1st goal with the team.

He comes away with a decent amount of points for his new club, but once again, he’s on the trade block headed to Nashville Predators and gets a 5-year $22.5M deal.

13Jul

Cam Thiesing (15)

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Ohio State University Buckeyes‘ junior center Cam Thiesing(15) signs a 2-year 2-way NHL contract with NY Islanders and an undrafted, unrestricted free agent, leaving a year of school on the table.

He had 15 goals as a sophomore and 17 assists in his freshman year, but also scored well with 9 goals and 7 assists in 31 games last season.

The 6′ 183 lbs. forward did 3 years junior hockey and in his 2nd USHL with Green Bay Gamblers was very close to a point-per-game scorer.

From Franklin, TN, they obviously see something in the 23-year olds game they want now.

After a new pro best 9 goals and 2nd rung of 8 assists in 63 games last season with a +4 rating, he signs with new affiliate Hamilton Hammers for 2026/2027.

13Jul

Marc McLaughlin (21)

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Undrafted center Marc McLaughlin(21) makes his big league debut just a couple weeks after signing his Boston Bruins‘ 2-year entry level deal.

In his 1st outing he scores a 1st NHL goal in an 8-1 rout.

The 6′ 210 lbs. forward skated 20 shifts for 13:01 ice time, 3 shots, 1 hit, 1 takeaway and left the game with a +1 rating.

He finished up 4 years as 2-time captain of Boston College Eagles, scoring a college career high 21 goals and 31 points as a senior.

The 22-year old from North Billerica, MA is playing hockey in his backyard and likely has a huge guest list every game.

In an easy no-brainer move, he is signed to a 1-year 2-way deal as a 1st time restricted free agent and we expect him to elevate his AHL game with Providence Bruins, but also compete for open spots with the big club.

Almost a tiny bit surprisingly, he doesn’t do as good with a 2nd full season, but does earn himself a recall and gets himself a 1st NHL goal.

For 2024/2025, he is re-signed on another 1-year, 2-way deal to stick in a Bruins‘ sweater.

He grabs 2 goals in the big league and is a pivotal player with the affiliate, but will need a new deal as an unrestricted free agent in the new year and is sought by the rebuilding New Jersey Devils.

And unrestricted free agent, he signs a new 1-year deal to remain a Devils for 2025/20226.

Despite nagging injury bug, he figures into 30 games split amongst squads and scores pretty well at the affiliate to continue his time on another 1-year 2-way deal for 2026/2027 to stay a Devils.

11Jul

Wyatt Kalynuk (3)

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Chicago Blackhawks‘ newest defenseman, rookie Wyatt Kalynuk(3) has so far steadily put up numbers with affiliate Rockford Icehogs.

In 8 AHL games, he has two goals and 8 assists with two of those points recorded in his debut and he has 4 multi-point appearances that’s turning heads with the parent club for a look.

The 6’1″ 185 blue liner, originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#198 overall), signed a two-year deal with his new team as an unrestricted free agent over the summer.

He finished his third season at University Of Wisconsin as captain and recorded a best 28 points.

The almost 24-year old Canadian export took a decidedly American route through three years of USHL and college before turning pro but has officially arrived.

He earned his recall as a rookie and appeared in 21 NHL games, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists.

As a sophomore skater, he mostly stayed in the minors, but managed 7 goals and 20 assists in 52 games, while also getting 5 games up with no points.

On the opening day of unrestricted free agency, despite not being offered a qualifying offer, was scooped quickly by Vancouver Canucks and signed to a 1-year 2-way deal that pays him pretty nicely if he skates for affiliate Abbotsford Canucks.

Nearing the end of the trade deadline, he gets dealt to New York Rangers, who will need to re-sign the restricted free agent at the end of the current session.

He could easily see more big league time with his new club.

At the end of the session, he actually becomes a group 6 free agent, so is free to sign and St. Louis Blues step in early to offer a 1-year 2-way deal to work in their system.

He steps away from a career high 66 games to sign a 1-year deal with Pelicans, where he scores 10 goals and 23 assists in 59 games, which Ak Bars Kazan sees strong enough to sign him for 2025/2026 and we think he does well in the KHL.

Drifting between 3 different clubs didn’t give him much of a chance to settle and score, so he moves on for 2026/2027 to IceHL, signing with EC Salzburg Red Bulls.

11Jul

Vinni Lettieri (10)

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Undrafted 5th year right wing Vinni Lettieri(10) re-ups for a 2nd season in Anaheim Ducks‘ organization.

He only played 5 NHL games in 2020/2021, but lit up the scoresheet with affiliate San Diego Gulls, scoring 14 goals and 12 assists in 22 AHL games, adding another 3 points in 3 playoff contests.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward was originally signed to a 2-year entry level deal by New York Rangers after graduating from University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he was a point-per-game player as a senior.

He was also a solid goal scorer in high school and one year of juniors for Lincoln Stars of the USHL.

The 26-year old has played 52 games in the big league, scoring 2 goals and 6 assists with a dismal -21 rating, but we think he’s one solid scoring line away from being an impact player.

In 2021/2022, he was given his best chance yet to become a permanent member at the higher level, appearing in a career best 31 games, scoring 5 goals and 5 assists.

Boston Bruins lean in on the opening day of free agency offering a 1-year, 2-way deal at almost a 1-way rate and he’s on board and will likely compete for any open roster spots available.

He scores a career best 26 assists and 49 points last season to earn himself a nice 2-year deal with Minnesota Wild, worth just below the average of a 1-way deal.

There’s little doubt he’ll be seeing a lot of playing time for Iowa Wild, but could score a recall as he did once last season.

He actually spends 46 games with contract club, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists and actually finds himself traded back to Boston, where he will compete for a spot once again.

An unrestricted free agent, who saw some good usefulness and an ability to connect, he is signed by Toronto Maple Leafs, who eye him for a possible spot in their lineup or he continues to score big in the minors.

After 26 points in 23 playoff games to help the affiliate to capture the 2026 Calder Cup Trophy, he is an easy invite back to work his scoring magic, which we feel will include a look up as a Maple Leafs in 2026/2027.

10Jul

Brady Keeper (25)

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Vancouver Canucks have picked up unrestricted free agent Brady Keeper(25) as his one-year extension to stay in Florida Panthers‘ system was up.

And even though the undrafted, 6’2″ 196 lbs. blue liner has only ever skated 2 NHL games, he is given a 2-year one-way deal to come play zone in the big league.

He originally came from three seasons of juniors in the MJHL for OCN Blizzard, serving as captain in his final session, before committing to University Of Maine Black Bears.

The Cross Lake, MB native played one full AHL campaign for affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds, earning 6 goals and 18 assists in 61 games.

He was loaned last season to Syracuse Crunch, where he figured into 11 games, scoring a goal and 2 assists.

They must see something in the 25-year old that looks ready to step it up full-time and it just may work.

He wouldn’t actually figure into any games for 2021/2022 after breaking 2 major bones in his leg, but returned for the next frame, contributing 1 goal and 5 assists in 35 games.

For 2023/2024, he has options and signs with Montreal Canadiens, but really is on a high-priced minor league deal with affiliate  Laval Rocket.

He only figures into 22 games last season, but his accountability is good.

For 2024/2025, he signs with HK Poprad of Slovak Extraliga, which should provide the challenge the 28-year old needs.

Instead of reporting to his new, overseas team, he elected to sit last year out and returns in 2025/2026 to sign with Glasgow Clan of the EIHL.

Injuries continue to nag him, as he tries to move towards a comeback, but it turns out to be too much and he needs to hang up the skates, having 2 goals in 4 NHL games.

Something is nagging him and he signs for 2025/2026 with South Carolina Stingrays.

He actually heads to the semi-pro SaskEHL, but with 7 goals and 2 assists in 5 games, maybe thinks he should really play, gets a trade to and signs with Rapid City Rush.

In a very short stint, he does exceedingly well, but gets traded to Idaho Steelheads, where his leadership is going to be very nicely welcomed.