Noted NHL enforcer Brian McGrattan is back with the Calgary Flames organization, joining the team today as a player development coach. The veteran of 317 games actually played last season for the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in England, where he registered 19 points and 138 penalty minutes in 47 games.
- J.T. Miller will begin camp with the New York Rangers as a center, in order to get him used to the position again should they need him to take on that role. The Rangers currently project to have Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes as their top two options, while the third line pivot is something of a mystery. Miller, Lias Andersson, David Desharnais and Boo Nieves are the leading candidates, though Vinni Letieri and Andrew Desjardins could be options as well. Miller was outstanding as a winger last year, but definitely has the skill to lead the third line if it’s asked of him.
- The Philadelphia Flyers have sent four players back to junior, cutting Morgan Frost, Isaac Ratcliffe, Matthew Strome and Maksim Sushko from their training camp roster. All four took part in the rookie camp, but will now head back to their respective OHL teams to continue their development. Frost was the team’s second first-round pick this year, and is coming off a breakout season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Undersized but already a capable two-way player, he’ll try to improve his offensive game and come into next summer’s training camp with something to prove.