It’s the dog days of summer, and while many prominent free agents, restricted and unrestricted, remain unsigned, major NHL signings are few and far between. Yet, minor league teams, foreign clubs, and college programs continue to make make moves in preparation for the coming season. Keep up with all of those minor transactions here:
- The Rochester Americans have signed John Wiitala to a one-year AHL contract, giving him his first opportunity at the professional level. Wiitala played four years at Ohio State University, scoring 17 points in 36 games as a senior. The undersized forward will try to help the Americans repeat their excellent 2018-19 season which ended in a 46-23-7 record.
- Ara Nazarian has signed a one-year AHL deal with the Binghamton Devils, following four years at the University of New Hampshire. The 23-year old forward scored 12 goals and 23 points in 33 games as a senior and will get a chance to test himself at the next level.
- Nashville Predators draft pick Vladislav Yeryomenko has signed a three-year contract with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL, ending any speculation that he might sign an entry-level deal in the NHL. The 20-year old defenseman was picked 151st overall in 2018 and played the last three seasons in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen. The Predators will now hold Yeryomenko’s draft rights indefinitely.