Dallas Stars Sign Gavin Bayreuther
The Dallas Stars have signed Gavin Bayreuther, ending the undrafted blueliner’s three-year stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The contract is a one-year, one-way deal with a $775k cap hit.
The 29-year-old is an undrafted player who actually began his pro career with the Stars organization. He earned an entry-level deal in March 2017 from the Stars, and had a strong rookie season in the American league scoring 32 points in 71 games as the Stars made a run to Game Seven of the Calder Cup Final.
Bayreuther earned his first NHL call-up the year after and while he got into 19 games in Dallas he didn’t do enough to remain in the team’s plans for the following season.
He spent 2019-20 entirely in the AHL before signing in Columbus. The Blue Jackets have given Bayreuther a much longer look in the NHL than what he received in Dallas, and he’s played over 100 contests as a Blue Jacket.
He’s averaged bottom-pairing minutes in that time but did sneak onto the Blue Jackets’ penalty kill this season, averaging just under a minute played short-handed per game. Getting a one-way deal in Dallas is a nice reward for Bayreuther after a season where he played in the most NHL games of his career, and getting that deal from a familiar team is a valuable bonus.
Now Dallas gets a familiar face back to bolster their blueline at the AHL level while also serving as valuable depth for the NHL organization. While he’s unlikely to unseat a veteran like Joel Hanley as Dallas’ seventh defenceman, he’s surely going to end up a premier call-up option for head coach Peter DeBoer should the Stars run into defensive injury issues.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Los Angeles Kings Sign Joe Hicketts
The Los Angeles Kings have added a depth defenseman, signing Joe Hicketts to a one-year, two-way deal. The Kings have made improving their defensive depth a priority in this early stage of free agency, and Hicketts is the third blueliner the team has added in the past two days, joining Andreas Englund and Steven Santini.
Hicketts is a 27-year-old offensive defenseman who lacks size but has grown into an impactful offensive defenseman at the AHL level. While he last played in the NHL in 2019-20, Hicketts is coming off of his best season at the AHL level. He scored 48 points in 72 games for the Iowa Wild, and also wore a letter on his jersey for the first time in his pro career.
A Calder Cup champion as a rookie, Hicketts will likely play an important role on the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He’ll get a chance to quarterback their powerplay and have another strong, productive season that would allow him to push for another NHL call-up.
Day One Free Agent Recap: Atlantic Division
The NHL’s Atlantic Division was one of the busiest yesterday, as each team (minus the Montreal Canadiens) spent quite a bit to improve their clubs. Of all 166 signings made yesterday by teams, the Atlantic Division accounted for 33.73% of that. Of the largest contracts handed out in the division, J.T. Compher‘s $25.5MM contract with the Detroit Red Wings and Joonas Korpisalo‘s $20MM with the Ottawa Senators tops the list.
Boston Bruins
F – Morgan Geekie (2-year, $4MM, $2MM AAV)
F – Luke Toporowski (2-year, $1.9MM, $870K AAV)
F – Patrick Brown (2-year, $1.6MM, $800K AAV)
F – Milan Lucic (1-year, $1.5MM)
D – Kevin Shattenkirk (1-year, $1.05MM)
F – James van Riemsdyk (1-year, $1MM)
F – Jayson Megna (1-year, $775K)
D – Parker Wotherspoon (1-year, $775K)
F – Anthony Richard (1-year, $775K)
Buffalo Sabres
D – Connor Clifton (3-year, $9.99MM, $3.33MM AAV)
D – Erik Johnson (1-year, $3.25MM)
F – Tyson Jost (1-year, $2MM)
F – Justin Richards (1-year, $775K)
G – Devin Cooley (1-year, $775K)
G – Dustin Tokarski (1-year, $775K)
Detroit Red Wings
F – J.T. Compher (5-year, $25.5MM, $5.1MM AAV)
D – Justin Holl (3-year, $10.2MM, $3.4MM AAV)
D – Shayne Gostisbehere (1-year, $4.125MM)
F – Klim Kostin (2-year, $4MM, $2MM AAV)
F – Daniel Sprong (1-year, $2MM)
G – Alex Lyon (2-year, $1.8MM, $900K AAV)
D – Brogan Rafferty (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
G – James Reimer (1-year, $1.5MM)
D – Gustav Lindstrom (1-year, $950K)
F – Timothy Gettinger (1-year, $775K)
F – Matt Luff (1-year, $775K)
Florida Panthers
D – Niko Mikkola (3-year, $7.5MM, $2.5MM AAV)
D – Oliver Ekman-Larsson (1-year, $2.25MM)
F – Grigori Denisenko (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
G – Anthony Stolarz (1-year, $1.1MM)
F – Kevin Stenlund (1-year, $1MM)
D – Dmitry Kulikov (1-year, $1MM)
D – Mike Reilly (1-year, $1MM)
D – Lucas Carlsson (1-year, $775K)
C – Alexander True (1-year, $775K)
Montreal Canadiens
D – Brady Keeper (1-year, $775K)
F – Philippe Maillet (1-year, $775K)
Ottawa Senators
G – Joonas Korpisalo (5-year, $20MM, $4MM AAV)
D – Erik Brannstrom (1-year, $2MM)
D – Jacob Bernard-Docker (2-year, $1.61MM, $805K AAV)
F – Rourke Chartier (1-year, $775K)
F – Josh Currie (1-year, $775K)
F – Matthew Highmore (1-year, $775K)
F – Bokondji Imama (1-year, $775K)
Tampa Bay Lightning
F – Conor Sheary (3-year, $6MM, $2MM AAV)
F – Luke Glendening (2-year, $1.6MM, $800K AAV)
F – Josh Archibald (2-year, $1.6MM, $800K AAV)
G – Jonas Johansson (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
F – Mitchell Chaffee (1-year, $775K)
F – Logan Brown (1-year, $775K)
Toronto Maple Leafs
D – John Klingberg (1-year, $4.15MM)
F – Ryan Reaves (3-year, $4.05MM, $1.35MM AAV)
G – Artur Akhtiamov (3-year, $2.555MM, $852K AAV)
D – Marshall Rifai (2-year, $1.55MM, $775K AAV)
D – William Lagesson (1-year, $775K)
D – Maxime Lajoie (1-year, $775K)
Washington Capitals Sign Matthew Phillips, Dylan McIlrath
The depth signings continue today with the Washington Capitals, who have announced contracts for both Matthew Phillips and Dylan McIlrath. Phillips will sign a one-year, $775K, one-way contract, while McIlrath will sign a two-year, $1.55MM, two-way contract.
Given that it is a one-way contract, it’s a reasonable expectation that Phillips will start the year with the Capitals, for good reason. Over the past two years, he has been one of the best forwards in the AHL, scoring 67 goals and 77 assists in only 131 games played for the Flames’ AHL affiliates, also earning a First Team All-Star nod last year. Unfortunately for Phillips, over those two years, he hasn’t gotten a serious look at the NHL level, only appearing in three games for the Flames.
In now what will be his third season in the Capitals organization, McIlrath brings a hard-hitting defenseman to the blue line. He’s not much in the way of points, evidenced by his 23 points in 134 games for the Hershey Bears, but McIlrath is an intimidating force nonetheless. One of the AHL’s most elite brawlers, McIlrath has racked up 201 PIMs in his two years with the Bears.
Calgary Flames Sign Three Players
The depth signings continue for a few teams on day two of free agency, and the Calgary Flames have now joined the fray. The team has announced a two-year, $1.55MM, two-way contract with forward Dryden Hunt, as well as separate one-year, $775K, two-way contracts with Martin Pospisil and Colton Poolman.
Hunt headlines the group, as he was brought over as a trade deadline acquisition from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. It would end up being Hunt’s third team of the season, as he originally started the 2022-23 campaign off with the Colorado Avalanche. It’s not a surprise that Calgary wanted to keep him, as Hunt got off to a torrid start with Calgary Wranglers of the AHL. In 17 games played following his acquisition, Hunt scored five goals and 10 assists as well as chipping in another six points in nine playoff games.
Unfortunately for Pospisil, he wasn’t as big of a factor in the Wrangler’s season last year. Only suiting up in 20 games, Pospisil scored four goals and six assists, failing to appear in any playoff games. The Zvolen, Slovakia native has gotten more playing time in the past with the Stockton Heat, but figures to be a depth scorer at the AHL level at best.
Much like Pospisil, Poolman doesn’t put up earth-shattering offensive numbers but has shown to be a very disciplined shutdown defenseman. The former captain at the University of North Dakota, Poolman put up two goals and 12 assists last year for the Wranglers, carrying a +18 rating and serving only eight minutes in the penalty box. The ability to defend against the opposing team’s top players will always serve as a benefit in any league.
Florida Panthers Sign William Lockwood, Gerald Mayhew
Already signing forward Evan Rodrigues earlier today, the Florida Panthers continue to add to their forward depth, announcing the signing of forward William Lockwood to a two-year, $1.55MM, carrying an AAV of $775K. Shortly thereafter, the team also announced they have re-signed forward Gerald Mayhew, signing him to a one-year, $775K, two-way deal. PuckPedia later reported Mayhew’s minor-league salary is $450K.
Lockwood was originally drafted in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, and stayed within the organization until a trade to the New York Rangers at last year’s deadline. The University of Michigan product has primarily played in the AHL for the Canucks organization but also carries 28 games of NHL experience.
Producing the best offensive output of his minor league career last season, Lockwood played in 43 games split between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Abbotsford Canucks, scoring 17 goals and 13 assists. In the event that Florida runs into injury trouble next season, Lockwood should serve as a serviceable call-up option for the team.
In the case of Mayhew, the Panthers are continuing their due diligence to keep their AHL team competitive. In his first season with the Panthers organization, Mayhew played 69 games for the Charlotte Checkers, scoring 24 goals and 20 assists. It’s not quite the offensive outburst compared to his 2019-20 campaign with the Iowa Wild, but any 20-20 player will still carry tremendous value to any team.
Colorado Avalanche To Sign Jack Johnson
Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports that the Colorado Avalanche are bringing back defenseman Jack Johnson on a one-year, $775K deal for the 2023-24 NHL season. This will mark Johnson’s third season with the team in as many years.
Despite a brief stint with the Chicago Blackhawks last year, Johnson has spent the better part of the last two seasons with Colorado, being a part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Not the player he used to be, Johnson still has the ability to take on around 15-17 minutes of ice time per game.
His run with the Blackhawks at the beginning of last season was not great by any means, only tallying four assists in 58 games, carrying a horrid -25 rating. After a midseason trade that sent Andreas Englund back to Chicago, Johnson played considerably better with the Avalanche. Johnson replicated his point totals in about as half as many games with the Avalanche and carrying a +10 rating along the way.
Jets, Sharks Make Minor Deal
Ken Weibe of Sportsnet reports that the Winnipeg Jets have traded the rights to Leon Gawanke to the San Jose Sharks for Artemi Kniazev. Kniazev is the biggest name in the deal, having been drafted 48th overall by the Sharks back in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Over the last two years, Kniazev has been a quality defender for the Sharks AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. In a combined 121 games at the AHL level, Kniazev has scored 12 goals and 44 assists. Only standing at six feet tall, Kniazev is not a physically imposing force on the blue line by any means but does move the puck very well and possesses strong acceleration, giving him the ability to drive the play. Kniazev has one year remaining on his entry-level contract which will pay him $789K at the NHL level this season.
Gawanke, on the other hand, was a much lower draft pick compared to Kniazev, going 136th overall to the Jets in the 2017 NHL Draft. Even though his rights are now owned by the Sharks organization, it is unlikely he will play in San Jose, given that he has already committed to playing for Adler Mannheim of the DEL next season. However, as the team looks to incorporate exciting young players into its development structure, the team could convince Gawanke to return. Over the past four years playing for the Manitoba Moose, Gawanke has played in a total of 207 games, scoring 35 goals and 79 assists.
Florida Panthers Sign Evan Rodrigues
The Florida Panthers announced that the team has agreed to a four-year contract with forward Evan Rodrigues. In a follow-up report, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet shares that Rodrigues will earn an AAV of $3MM.
Although coming off of nearly a 20-goal campaign during the 2021-22 season, Rodrigues had to wait until September to eventually sign a one-year, $2MM contract with the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche. Playing a high-speed game, Rodrigues’ versatility fit very well into Colorado’s lineup.
Bouncing around the top three forward lines for the Avalanche, Rodrigues nearly replicated his best season, scoring 16 goals and 23 assists, while averaging almost 18 minutes of ice time per night. With a staggering amount of injuries in Colorado, Rodrigues even found himself on their second power-play unit for much of the year.
In the move to South Florida, Rodrigues is joining another team with its sights set on the Stanley Cup. His versatility should be able to factor in very well to that lineup, as General Manager Bill Zito said, “Rodrigues brings skill and the ability to compete in three zones of the ice. A culture fit and someone who adds versatility to our lineup, we can’t wait to welcome Evan to the Panthers”.
Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Three Players
As the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to build up their organizational depth, the team has announced three signings, bringing in forwards Marc Johnstone and Radim Zohorna, as well as goaltender Magnus Hellberg. Johstone’s contract will be a two-year, $1.55MM contract, while Zohorna will earn a one-year, $785K deal, both contracts being two-way deals. Shortly thereafter, the team announced that Hellberg would also be making $785K over a one-year deal.
Hellberg becomes the second goalie the Penguins have poached from the Detroit Red Wings, after having also signed goalie Alex Nedeljkovic yesterday. Starting last season with the Ottawa Senators, Hellberg was acquired by Seattle Kraken via waivers on November 22nd, and then subsequently claimed on waivers by the Red Wings the next day. Serving as the primary backup for Detroit last year after Nedeljkovic was sent down to the minors, Hellberg posted a 4-8-1 record, managing a .885 SV% and a 3.29 GAA.
Zohorna is back to the Penguins for his second stint with the organization, after a brief stint split between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames organizations during the 2022-23 season. Zohorna spent much of the year playing for the Flames AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, but would then finish the year with the Toronto Marlies after a midseason trade between the two teams. At the AHL level last year, Zohorna played in 51 games, scoring 12 goals and 22 assists.
Lastly, Johnstone has the least amount of experience in the group, having only spent the last two years playing for the Toronto Marlies. A Sacred Heart University product, Johnstone has a total of 73 games played in the AHL, scoring nine goals and 13 assists throughout his short career.