The list of players in an NHL organization doesn’t end with those actively signed. AHL and ECHL affiliates can have players under contract, too, so while they’re playing with an affiliated farm team, their signing rights aren’t directly tied to their NHL parent.
That doesn’t stop NHL clubs from snapping up talent that was initially brought in on minor-league deals, though. It’s common for teams to do at the trade deadline, making them eligible for a recall down the stretch or participate in playoff action if needed. There are a few standout names worth monitoring this season that might be worthy investments for teams to add as options on two-way deals.
Ben Berard, LW (Vancouver Canucks)
At 27, Berard doesn’t have the upside of anyone else here. The 6’0″ winger is in his third pro season after a lengthy run at Cornell. He entered the year with just six points in 34 career AHL games on his resume and spent nearly all of last season in the ECHL.
He’s been one of the better stories on an Abbotsford team that’s had a dreadful follow-up season to last year’s Calder Cup championship, though. On a club that’s scoring just 2.18 goals per game, he’s tied for the team lead in points with 23 in 46 games. There isn’t much of an NHL future for him given his age and development curve, but considering Vancouver might sell off more assets for futures ahead of the deadline and they’re light on capable recall options, a two-way deal might be in the cards to reward his efforts.
Atley Calvert, C (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The 22-year-old Saskatchewan native has no relation to former NHLer Matt Calvert. He’s nonetheless made an impression in the Pens organization in his second professional season. Undrafted, he played his junior hockey for his hometown Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL before signing with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2024.
As a first-year pro on a minor-league deal, few batted an eye when Calvert spent a good chunk of 2024-25 in the ECHL. He was impressive in his AHL call-ups, though, recording 14 points in 26 games. He carried that momentum through to this season, where he’s stuck on WBS’ roster full-time and ranks fourth on the team in scoring with a 9-17–26 line in 48 games. He’s got good size at 6’0″ and 194 lbs. Breaking through a crowded Pens prospect pool for a full-time NHL role is unlikely, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the organization reward one of their depth breakout talents with an NHL commitment.
Philippe Daoust, C (Ottawa Senators)
Daoust will be a familiar name to Sens fans. He was under contract with the club for the last three seasons, signing his entry-level deal after being selected in the sixth round in 2020. He was non-tendered in June, ending his formal NHL relationship with Ottawa, but he chose to stick around in the organization on an AHL-only deal with Belleville.
The 24-year-old center has now exploded for 12 goals and 40 points in 46 games. He’s tied for second on the team in scoring behind Arthur Kaliyev and is top-30 in the AHL in points. That’s a remarkable spike for a player who looked like a non-factor throughout most of his entry-level deal, with injuries limiting him to just 18 combined AHL and ECHL appearances from 2022-24.
Kyle Keyser, G (Colorado Avalanche)
There aren’t many non-NHL contracted goalies who have played more than 10 games in the NHL this season. In fact, there are only two of them.
Keyser, at 11 games, leads the league with a .943 SV% and has an 8-1- 1 record with two shutouts. For an Avs team with largely unproven and young depth options behind their two bona fide NHLers, he’d be a shrewd signing to serve as their emergency backup in the postseason.
The 26-year-old is in his seventh AHL season, most of which were spent in the Bruins organization. He’s got a .907 SV% in 84 career games at the level.
Gabe Klassen, C (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Klassen wasn’t drafted despite being a junior standout with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. His stock was harmed by his draft year coming after the truncated 2020-21 season. After that, though, he was the Winterhawks’ captain for two years and rattled off three straight 30-plus goal seasons, including a 106-point dominant showing in 2023-24.
The undersized pivot caught on with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year but was buried in the ECHL – a product of being at the bottom of the ladder as a first-year pro on a minor-league deal. He’s avoided any time with ECHL Wheeling this season, though, and is now a regular contributor in the Baby Pens’ top nine. With 12 goals and 22 points in 40 games, he ranks fourth and eighth on the team in those respective categories. His 5’10” frame will be his biggest obstacle to being an NHLer, but it’s clear he produces more with increased opportunities.
Is Gabe Klassen related to the late Ralph Klassen? Both are Saskatchewan natives.