Minor Transactions: 08/05/21
The NHL’s having its biggest news day in a while today, as top stories include the New Jersey Devils’ acquisition of Tomas Tatar as well as clarity on future salary cap increases. And while it’s a banner day for the NHL news cycle, the rest of the hockey world is making some noise too. Every move made has some form of ripple effect, and that’s evident more in no other place than a list of minor transactions. Today is no different.
- Per CapFriendly, the Calgary Flames are inviting enforcer Alex Gallant to their training camp on a professional try-out. Gallant, who carries no relation to New York Rangers coach Gerard Gallant, is somewhat of a minor league journeyman. Never drafted, he’s only tallied more than 10 points in a season once at any level. His willingness to fight and leadership in the room is what’s kept his career alive, and the Flames have taken notice. Gallant’s actually spent the last two seasons in the Calgary organization, playing a combined 61 games with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. He’s put up 10 points and 171 penalty minutes across those two years, and a return to Stockton is likely for Gallant if he gets an NHL contract out of the experience.
- Also broken by CapFriendly today, netminder Evan Fitzpatrick has been invited to attend the Florida Panthers’ camp on a PTO. It’s actually certain that Fitzpatrick will spend time within the Panthers organization next season, after the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers inked him to an AHL deal on August 2. Fitzpatrick, who’s a former second-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, was left unqualified this summer after he struggled to get consistent playing time in any league over the past few seasons. And while his numbers have been largely unimpressive since turning pro, Fitzpatrick did post a .930 save percentage last season in a small sample size with the AHL’s Utica Comets. He’ll now take his talents to the Southeast, where there’s still hope for the 23-year-old goalie.
- Perhaps the most unlikely netminder to see NHL action this season, goalie Michael Houser has re-signed with the Rochester Americans on a one-year AHL contract. As Buffalo’s top four netminders in Linus Ullmark, Carter Hutton, Dustin Tokarski, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen were all out with injury at the end of this season, Houser got the call-up to the big show. Playing in four contests, he played admirably, posting a .901 save percentage and a 2-2-0 record. The seasoned AHL veteran will likely be a mentor to Luukkonen in Rochester next season, but more NHL action seems unlikely for Houser.
AHL Announces Expanded Playoff Format
In 2022, 23 of 31 teams will qualify for the AHL playoffs as the league announced its revamped postseason structure today. The minor league will play five rounds to award the Calder Cup, including a best-of-three divisional series. AHL CEO Scott Howson released a short statement:
Our clubs and their National Hockey League partners recognize the importance of playoff races and postseason experience on overall player development. Expanding the Calder Cup Playoff field will allow some 150 additional players to play more meaningful games in pursuit of a championship.
All but two teams in each division will qualify for the postseason, meaning six Atlantic, five North, five Central and seven Pacific teams will be in the playoffs in 2022. The top two teams in the Atlantic, the top three in the North and Central, and the first-place team in the Pacific will all receive byes through the first round. That round will be a best-of-three between divisional opponents. The following round, which will include 16 re-seeded teams, will be a best-of-five, as will the third round. The Conference Finals and Calder Cup Finals will both be best-of-seven series to crown an AHL champion.
The AHL playoffs will start after the regular season concludes on April 24 and are expected to finish by June 23. The Calder Cup hasn’t been handed out since 2019, when the Charlotte Checkers took home the league championship.
Washington Capitals Sign Michael Vecchione
The Washington Capitals have added some minor league depth, signing free agent forward Michael Vecchione to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will carry an NHL salary of $750K and an AHL salary of $195K.
In the spring of 2017, Vecchione was being chased by more than half the NHL following his 63-point senior season for Union College. He ended up signing with the Philadelphia Flyers and played two games for the team down the stretch, but has still not seen even a minute of NHL ice time since. Over the last four seasons, he’s been stuck in the minor leagues, posting strong—but not outstanding—numbers for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, San Antonio Rampage and Colorado Eagles.
Now 28, it’s unlikely that Vecchione will ever be an impact player at the NHL level, but he’s certainly a nice minor league piece for the Hershey Bears. Washington has always tried to provide their AHL affiliate with veteran talent, and this year is no different. Vecchione should step directly into a leading role with the team, while also serving as some injury insurance for the Capitals.
Montreal Canadiens Sign Michael Pezzetta
The Montreal Canadiens have reached a new contract with minor league forward Michael Pezzetta. The one-year, two-way contract will pay him $750K at the NHL level and $82.5K at the AHL level.
Pezzetta, 23, is coming off his entry-level contract signed in 2018, two years after he was selected 160th overall. Over three seasons in the AHL he has scored just 10 goals and 19 points but is known much more for his fighting ability and physicality than offensive production. In his 107 career AHL games, Pezzetta has been involved in 18 fights, including four this season before a facial fracture ended his year prematurely.
Though his offensive numbers don’t suggest he should be playing in the NHL anytime soon, don’t be surprised if Pezzetta gets a few games for the Canadiens should they decide they need some added toughness in the lineup. Either way, he’ll be in the Laval Rocket lineup on a regular basis this season after signing his new deal.
Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Joseph Duszak
Aug 5: The Maple Leafs have officially announced the contract, at the reported terms.
Aug 4: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Joseph Duszak to a one-year, two-way contract according to CapFriendly. The deal will pay Duszak $750K in the NHL and $150K in the AHL.
Signed as an undrafted college free agent in 2019, Duszak was one of the country’s most productive offensive defensemen at the time. With 47 points in 37 games, the only real questionable part of Duszak’s season was the competition, given he was playing at Mercyhurst College.
Finding out whether he could continue to perform at that level in a professional league was worth it for the Maple Leafs, and Duszak hasn’t disappointed. In his first full year of pro hockey he scored 35 points in 34 games with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL, while adding 18 points in 23 games with the Toronto Marlies. Those numbers dropped this season in the COVID-shortened schedule, but he still racked up 12 points in 25 games with the Marlies.
Now 24, it’s unlikely that the 5’9″ Duszak really ever makes a considerable impact at the NHL level, but at the very least he’s a strong depth option for the Toronto minor league system.
Front Office Notes: Penguins, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Rangers
Once a model organization for goaltending performance and depth, the Pittsburgh Penguins play in net has largely gone downhill since the departure of goaltending coach Mike Bales in 2017. His replacement, Mike Buckley, watched as young starters Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry suffered through struggles and was unable to right the ship. The Penguins have decided that it is time for a new voice, especially after failing thus far in free agency to add a veteran mentor for Jarry. The team has announced that Buckley has been relieved of his duties and former Pittsburgh keeper Andy Chiodo has been hired as his replacement. Though new to the job, Chiodo has been with the organization in a development role since 2018. He has also previously worked as a goalie coach in the OHL and Canadian college ranks. Chiodo was considered a high-IQ goaltender during his playing days and will look to take his knowledge of the game and use it to improve the Penguins’ young, inconsistent net.
- Across the state, the Philadelphia Flyers have made some new additions of their own. The team announced that ten new names have joined the organization, five in hockey operations, two to the Flyers’ coaching staff, and three to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ coaching staff. The headliner of the group is veteran executive Mike O’Connell, named Senior Advisor to the General Manager. A former GM of the Boston Bruins, made infamous as the architect of the Joe Thornton trade, O’Connell has quietly made a very positive difference for the Los Angeles Kings for the past 15 year in various roles in scouting and player development. O’Connell contributed to two Stanley Cup champions and has now helped to draft and develop arguably the best prospect pipeline in the NHL. Among the other front office hires were Pro Scout Nick Beverley, who has spent the past 16 years with the Nashville Predators and Amateur Scout Matt Bardsley, a former GM of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers. In Lehigh Valley, the team named two assistants to Ian Laperriere‘s staff, former WHL coach Jason Smith former ECHL coach Riley Armstrong.
- While the New York Rangers have lost some big names from their front office this off-season, they just poached a notable name for themselves. The Toronto Sun’s Lance Horsby reports that Toronto Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting John Lilley has decided to leave the team to become Director of Player Personnel in New York. Lilley has been with Toronto since 2006, including the past three years as leader of amateur scouting and therefore the Maple Leafs’ drafts. His new title means even more responsibility with the Rangers, though Lilley will still be in charge of amateur scouting and will run the draft. The Maple Leafs have not named a replacement.
Carolina Hurricanes Sign Josh Jacobs
There is no such thing as “too many defensemen” when it comes to the Carolina Hurricanes. With a dozen defenders with NHL experience already under contract for next season, the team has decided that there was still room for more. Enter Josh Jacobs. The Hurricanes have announced that they have come to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the long-time New Jersey Devils prospect. Jacobs will make the minimum $750K NHL salary and a $75K AHL salary, with $100K guaranteed.
Jacobs, 25, was a Group 6 unrestricted free agent this off-season after five plus seasons with New Jersey that resulted in just three NHL opportunities. A 2014 second-round pick, Jacobs always seemed to be on the fringe of an NHL role with the Devils, especially after a 2019-20 season in which he recorded five goals, ten points, and a team-leading +16 rating in 54 games with the AHL’s Binghamton Devils and saw two games with New Jersey. Alas, he did not make one NHL appearance this season and decided to try his hand elsewhere.
Carolina is an interesting choice for a player seeking a longer NHL look given the Hurricanes’ immense defensive depth. However, it is easy to see why the Hurricanes liked Jacobs as a depth addition despite their blue line gluttony. Jacobs is everything you want in an AHL replacement defenseman: size, a right-handed shot, sound defense, decent offensive numbers, young legs, considerable pro experience, and a desire to prove himself. Jacobs has shown little to no upside as an NHL regular just yet, but he is a safe plug-and-play option in an emergency and in the meantime will be a dependable minor league player. Jacobs just hopes he can take a step forward from this depth label this season before hitting the market again next summer.
Minor Transactions: 08/04/21
The offseason has reached a slow crawl as we wait for arbitration hearings later this month, but minor league teams are still filling out rosters. As always, we’ll keep track of the notable minor signings right here.
- The Rochester Americans have signed Michael Mersch to a two-year AHL contract. The 28-year-old Mersch has played the last five full seasons in the minor leagues, moving between the Ontario Reign, Texas Stars and Americans. He scored 19 points in 28 games for Rochester this year and will add a strong offensive presence to the lineup again for the next while.
- The Springfield Thunderbirds have signed Blake Christensen to an AHL deal, bringing him back to where he experienced so much college success. A star for the American International College, Christensen split last season between Norway and the Bakersfield Condors, where he had just two goals in ten games.
- Jerry D’Amigo, who actually played 31 games in the NHL a few years ago, is returning to Germany to sign with Dusseldorfer EG for the 2021-22 season. Now 30, D’Amigo was once a World Junior star, part of the U.S. team that took home the 2010 gold medal, but has let his hockey career take him all over the world in recent years. The last time he suited up in the DEL, he had 22 points in 41 games.
- Skyler McKenzie, who spent the last three seasons with the Manitoba Moose, is heading to Sweden to play for Vasterviks IK of the second tier. The 23-year-old forward did not receive a qualifying offer from the Winnipeg Jets this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- The Texas Stars have signed Josh Melnick to an AHL contract, bringing him back after parts of three seasons with the club. The 26-year-old forward was first signed out of Miami University (Ohio) and scored 22 points in 38 games last season for Texas.
- Ryan Stanton is on his way back to the Rockford IceHogs, signing a one-year AHL contract. Stanton has played a decade in the minor leagues, including 35 games for the Bakersfield Condors last season. The 32-year-old defenseman will add some experience and leadership to the Blackhawks’ affiliate, something they lost when Cody Franson signed with the Hershey Bears.
Coaching Notes: Condon, Kowalsky, Guite
The Northeastern Huskies have added former NHL goaltender Mike Condon as a voluntary assistant coach for the upcoming season, giving the 31-year-old netminder a chance to start a new chapter of his hockey career. Condon last played professional hockey during the 2019-20 season, when he split time between the Syracuse Crunch, Charlotte Checkers, and Orlando Solar Bears.
A veteran of 129 regular season appearances, Condon actually signed a three-year $7.2MM contract with the Ottawa Senators in 2017 after he burst onto the NHL scene. After playing in 55 games as a rookie during the 2015-16 campaign with the Montreal Canadiens, he appeared in 40 for the Senators the following season and recorded a .914 save percentage. Things would quickly go downhill in Ottawa, with Condon finding himself in the minor leagues before the end of the second year, and he will now give coaching a go.
- The Bridgeport Islanders have hired Rick Kowalsky as an assistant coach, bringing him over from the New Jersey Devils staff. Kowalsky had previously been the head coach of the Trenton, Albany, and Binghamton Devils, spending more than a decade in the organization. A recipient of both the ECHL and AHL coach of the year awards, he’ll join Bridgeport head coach Brent Thompson as an experienced voice behind the Islanders bench.
- The Maine Mariners are now the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, and they’ll be led by a man who once suited up for the NHL squad. Ben Guite, who played nearly 200 games in the NHL (including one for the Bruins), has been named the second head coach in Mariners history. Guite spent the last eight seasons with the University of Maine, serving as associate head coach the last four.
Minor Transactions: 08/03/21
The free agent frenzy is over and now the slow grind of the offseason is upon us. Though the wait for next season will be shorter than normal, hockey fans will have to cling to any kind of news for the next month. Luckily, the minor leagues still have rosters to fill, meaning we’ll still have some notable AHL signings to cover. As always, we’ll keep track of those right here.
- The Manitoba Moose have signed Jimmy Oligny and Trent Bourque to minor league contracts. Oligny has signed a two-year AHL contract, while Bourque will continue with the organization on a one-year deal. The 28-year-old Oligny served as an alternate captain this season in Manitoba, while scoring just three points in 21 games. Though not an imposing figure at 5’10”, the veteran defenseman is one of the more physical players in the league and has racked up 32 fighting majors in his minor league career.
- Jake McLaughlin has signed an AHL contract with the Milwaukee Admirals, following his first professional season in 2020-21. The UMass alum played in 28 games for the Henderson Silver Knights, registering two goals and three points. Undrafted, McLaughlin spent four years with the Minutemen, playing 138 games at the college level and racking up 42 points.
- After failing to receive a qualifying offer from the Edmonton Oilers, Theodor Lennstrom is heading back overseas. This time, he has signed a one-year contract with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. Lennstrom, 26, played one season with the Bakersfield condors, scoring seven points in 19 games and was always just a lottery ticket for the Oilers coming out of the SHL.
- At least the Bridgeport Islanders know how to announce contracts. The AHL team has signed Jeff Kubiak, Erik Brown, Felix Bibeau, Cole Coskey, Kyle MacLean and Chris Terry to AHL contracts for the 2021-22 season. The group includes relative newcomers to the professional scene and veteran minor leaguers like Terry, who has played more than 600 games in the AHL. The 32-year-old spent last season in the KHL, but attended the AHL All-Star game in both 2018-19 and 2019-20.