CollegeHockeyPlayers

6th year left wing Danton Heinen(43) doesn’t find the right fit with Anaheim Ducks, who he was traded to late in 2019/2020 to by long time club Boston Bruins and signed for another year after producing 3 goals and an assist in 9 NHL games to start.

He seemed to mostly struggle on a non-winning team and wasn’t qualified to receive another deal.

Last year was easily an anomaly for the 6’1″ 188 lbs. forward, who signed a 1-year deal for $1.1 AAV a little late into free agency with Pittsburgh Penguins for 2021/2022.

The still only 26-year old, 2-year University Of Denver standout should be able to excel with the talent around him in PA.

For 2023/2024, as an unrestricted free agent looking for a new home, he accepts a training camp invite from his old haunt in Boston.

He comes into town, takes nothing for granted, works hard to gain notice and nets himself a 1-year contract worth $775 AAV.

Coming away with 36 points in 72 games with a +16 rating is all good and Vancouver Canucks swoop in, offering a 2-year deal at $2.25 AAV to move coasts.

After 51 games, he is traded back to Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the new season, he is reassigned to affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for some games in the current frame, but is recalled to trade to Columbus Blue Jackets.

After 33 games with 5 goals, 5 assists and a +6 rating, he gets an invite back to stay a Blue Jackets for 2026/2027.

New Jersey Devils‘ 4th year defenseman John Marino(5) was involved in a trade that sent him to the team from 3-year club Pittsburgh Penguins, where he twice notched 20+ assists, with a career high 24 last season.

The 6’1″ 181 lbs. blue liner is on the hook for another 5-years for the 6-year deal he signed a year and a half ago worth an average of $4.4M AAV through 2026/2027.

Originally an Edmonton Oilers‘ 6th round pick in the 2015 draft (#154 overall), but somewhat oddly traded before he ever got started.

The North Easton, MA native spent 3 years at nearby Harvard University Crimson, amassing an amazing +/- numbers before turning pro.

6th year d-man becomes the #1 for the new Utah Hockey Club, who pick him up for some draft options and he gets a 3-year deal moving forward.

Rebranded Utah Mammoth for his 2nd season, he pots some 32 assists in 80 games with a monster +42 rating.

He signs a new to start when his current deal ends in 2027/2028 8-year $6.75M AAV deal to stay.

9th year net minder Pheonix Copley(29) has finally found his NHL team, Los Angeles Kings after some searching and a 237 journey through the AHL.

He did start the frame in the minors with affiliate Ontario Reign before his recall, which quickly netted wins and solidified his spot as the team’s starter.

The 6’4″ 200 lbs. wall has a 17-4-2 record with a 2.74 GAA and .901 SV%.

Undrafted, the former Michigan Tech Huskies‘ goalie has played 6 years in the system of initial signing club, Washington Capitals.

The 31-year old picks up a nice new 1-year deal to stay at $1.5M AAV.

He plays 1 game in the big league with not great results, but hums along nicely in 42 games in the minors with a good record to earn another year, basically at league minimum to return in a Kings‘ jersey.

We actually think there is more shine in the now 33-year old.

He is claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay Lightning, who will use him as a back-up and with affiliate Syracuse Crunch.

Mostly tending net with Ontario Reign last season, he puts up impressive numbers still and gains the eye of Columbus Blue Jackets, who sign him for 2026/2027.

St. Louis Blues‘ 2nd round pick in the 2018 draft (#45 overall), rookie defenseman Scott Perunovich(48) gets a first NHL recall after putting up a dandy 2 goals and 18 assists in 12 AHL games for affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds.

In his debut he skated an almost unreal 24 shifts for 18:26 ice time with 1 shot on net in a 3-2 loss.

They must figure the unlikely 5’10” 175 lbs. blue liner is accountable and may come to life head-manning the puck.

In his first and second years at University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs managed to capture a pair of back-to-back NCAA Division 1 Championships. and left winning Player Of The Year award and the Hobey Baker Award as a junior.

He played three campaigns recording 85 assists with an overall +49 rating.

The 23-year old, Hibbing, MN native is just getting started.

He would stay up in the big league for 19 games and record 6 assists with a +2 rating, then added another 4 assists in 7 playoff contests.

For his efforts, he gets rewarded with a 1-year, 1-way contract at the league minimum to show them some more.

He was just about a point-per-game player in the minors, playing limited games due to a season ending injury, but returned to appear only in the big guns lineup and scores 17 assists in 54 games with a +1 rating.

His efforts are rewarded to return in a Blues‘ jersey for 2024/2025.

NY Islanders are suffering injuries in their zone and inquire, pick him up in a trade and will employ his services for the remainder of the year.

He has 2 goals and 4 assists with a +1 rating.

As a free agent, he signs a new 1-year 2-way deal with Utah Mammoth that will hopefully bring his assist strength back.

He heads to affiliate Tuscon Roadrunners and runs up 9 goals and 40 assists in 64 games with a +4 rating.

An unrestricted free agent, he signs a 1-year deal with Los Angeles Kings for 2026/2027.