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Brad Hunt Signs With AHL’s Hershey Bears

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The Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, have landed veteran free agent defenseman Brad Hunt on a one-year deal, a team announcement reads. The blue liner settles for a minor-league contract after spending the last two seasons on a two-way deal with the Avalanche.

Hunt, 36 later this month, saw NHL action in 10 straight seasons from 2013-14 onward before spending all of last year in the minors. The left-shot defender’s NHL upside has always been limited because of his diminutive 5’9″, 176-lb stature, but he was one of the more offensively talented defenders available that was still unsigned.

It’s a nice move for the Capitals organization. Washington doesn’t acquire Hunt’s signing rights with today’s news, but they (or any NHL team) can still sign Hunt to a contract at any time if they wish. He adds 288 games of NHL experience to the pipeline and immediately becomes the top defenseman for a Bears team that’s won back-to-back Calder Cup championships.

Hunt spent the last two seasons captaining the Avs’ affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Last season, he led the team in scoring with 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 70 games and was named to the AHL’s year-end First All-Star Team. Dating back to his professional debut over a decade ago, Hunt has 279 points (80 goals, 199 assists) in 381 AHL games in parts of eight seasons.

His last extended run in the NHL came in the front half of his now-expired two-year deal with the Avalanche, suiting up in 47 contests for them in the 2022-23 campaign. He wasn’t given any special teams usage and averaged just 11:13 per game, but still contributed 10 points (four goals, six assists) with a +4 rating. The British Columbia native has 88 career points (26 goals, 60 assists) with a -32 rating in parts of 10 NHL seasons for the Oilers, Wild, Golden Knights, Predators, Blues, Canucks and Avs.

International Notes: Keeper, Bergman, Asselin

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After spending last season on a two-way deal with the Canadiens, defenseman Brady Keeper is headed to Slovakia on a one-year deal with HK Poprad, the team announced.

Keeper, 28, was an undrafted free agent signing by the Panthers out of Maine in 2019 and stayed mostly in the minors, only suiting up for the big club twice before his entry-level contract expired in 2021. Injuries have limited him to 57 combined regular-season AHL games over the past three years, during which he’s spent time in the Canadiens and Canucks organizations.

He had a goal and three assists with 53 PIMs and a +1 rating in 22 games for Montreal’s affiliate in Laval last season. Poprad, which had the best regular-season record in the Slovak Extraliga last season, will be his first overseas stop.

Some other notable international signings to come across the wire today:

  • Former Sharks prospect Julius Bergman is continuing his tour of his native Sweden, now landing with Nybro Vikings IF on a three-year contract. The 28-year-old Stockholm native had his rights dealt to the Senators and Rangers before opting to return home in 2019 after a four-year professional career spent entirely in the AHL. He’s played mostly for Swedish clubs but finished last season in Slovakia with HC Slovan Bratislava, where he had three points in 10 games. He’ll suit up for Nybro now, which plays in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan. The 2014 second-round pick of San Jose previously had 19 points in 75 Allsvenskan games for Karlskrona HK and Sodertalje SK.
  • Center Samuel Asselin, once an undrafted free agent signing by the Bruins, is heading over to Switzerland’s HC Sierre on a two-year deal. Asselin, 26, spent last season on an AHL contract with the Islanders’ affiliate in Bridgeport after being non-tendered by Boston in 2023. He wasn’t much of a factor, contributing six goals and 16 points in 52 games on one of the AHL’s worst teams. The 5’11”, 183-lb forward will look to play a pivotal role for Sierre, which suits up in the second-tier Sky Swiss League.

Maple Leafs Sign Ben Danford To Entry-Level Contract

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The Maple Leafs have signed 2024 first-round pick Ben Danford to his entry-level contract, according to a team press release. It’s a standard three-year ELC, and PuckPedia later reported the full structure of the deal, which carries a cap hit of $964K:

Year 1: $862K base salary, $95K signing bonus
Year 2: $864K base salary, $96K SB
Year 3: $877.5K base salary, $97.5K SB

Danford, 18, was the 31st overall pick in June’s draft, which the Leafs acquired in a draft-day swap with the Ducks. The 6’1″, 190-lb defenseman is coming off his second season in juniors with the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals, where he served as an alternate captain. In 64 regular season OHL games, the agile stay-at-home defender scored just once but recorded 32 assists for 33 points, finishing third among Gens blue-liners in scoring. His +27 rating was one short of the team lead for defenders, trailing Luca Marrelli, who was selected two rounds later by the Blue Jackets.

Danford had a strong finish to the season on both sides of the puck, breaking out for four goals and six assists in 21 playoff games as Oshawa advanced to the OHL final, where they were swept by the London Knights. Still, he was drafted earlier than expected, with most (including TSN’s Bob McKenzie’s polling of NHL scouts) projecting him as a mid-to-late second-round pick.

It’s the second year in a row the Maple Leafs have taken a player earlier than expected with their first-round pick. But last year’s selection, forward Easton Cowan at 28th overall, has worked out quite well. He was instrumental in dismantling Danford’s Generals in the OHL championship, leading the league’s playoffs in scoring with 34 points in 18 games for London and being named the playoffs MVP.

Danford is a bit of a project and is likely a few years away from NHL action, so he’ll likely be heading back to Oshawa in the fall. Doing so will slide the beginning of his ELC to 2025-26, and if he plays fewer than 10 NHL games next season, the contract will slide again to 2026-27. Regardless, the right-shot defender will be an RFA upon expiry.

Michael McLeod Signs With Barys Astana

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Free agent center Michael McLeod has signed a one-year contract with Kazakhstan’s Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League, the team announced. The former Devil is one of five players awaiting trial after being charged with sexual assault in connection to an alleged 2018 assault involving members of the Canadian men’s national junior team. McLeod is the only one of the group facing two counts’ worth of charges, the London Police Service confirmed in January.

Four of the five players charged were signed to NHL contracts last season – McLeod, Callan Foote, Dillon Dube and Carter Hart. All were slated to become RFAs at the end of the season, but none were given qualifying offers by their respective teams, who relinquished their signing rights.

McLeod is the second player facing charges to sign a contract to play in the KHL this season. Dube signed a one-year deal with Dinamo Minsk last month.

There’s no set date for a jury trial for the five players in question yet, although it may come soon. After a virtual pre-trial hearing in June, the justice overseeing the case told the players’ legal representatives “to return to the courtroom on August 13 to ’potentially’ firm up the dates for the jury trial” (via Ian Mendes of The Athletic).

The KHL’s preseason is already underway. The league’s regular season starts in early September.

McLeod, who the Devils drafted 12th overall in 2016, had 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 45 games last season before taking leave from the team in advance of the charges.

No Extension Talks Planned For Stars And Evgenii Dadonov

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Veteran winger Evgenii Dadonov proved to be a valuable addition for the Stars at the 2022 trade deadline, adding another offensive threat to a deep roster.  He made a good enough impression to land a two-year, $4.5MM extension a few days before free agency opened up last year.

As he’s now in the final year of that agreement, Dadonov is now technically extension-eligible.  However, it doesn’t appear as if he’s interested in holding any extension talks, telling Sport-Express’ Mikhail Skryl that he wants to wait and see what happens after the season.

The 35-year-old wasn’t quite as impactful offensively as he was when he was first acquired.  He missed 31 games due to a lower-body injury; his 51 games played were his lowest since the 2011-12 campaign.  Nevertheless, Dadonov was still a capable secondary contributor, notching 12 goals and 11 assists while logging a little over 13 minutes a night in what was a largely bottom-six role.  He chipped in with seven points in 19 playoff appearances before Dallas was eliminated in the Western Conference Final.

At this point, it’s likely that Dadonov will be deployed in a similar role in 2024-25 with the Stars returning the bulk of their forward group from the playoffs.  Accordingly, he could be in line for more limited playing time once again compared to what he played with Florida, Ottawa, and Vegas in recent years.

To that end, Dadonov didn’t rule out the possibility of returning to Russia after this coming season.  Going back overseas is something he’s already done once as he left for the KHL in 2012, only returning in 2017.  Finishing up his career back home in a role he’s more accustomed to could certainly be tempting.  At this point, Dadonov would only say that he expects to field both NHL and KHL interest next summer but it appears the prospect of leaving the NHL is already on his mind.

Slow-Developing Trade Market For Patrik Laine

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Late last month, Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine exited the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program which allows for there to be contact between Laine and Columbus.  With a known desire for a change of scenery, the team has granted permission for the winger to talk to other teams as well.

However, there hasn’t been much interest in Laine’s services just yet.  GM Don Waddell told Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch earlier this week that at this point, only one team has contacted him to express interest in acquiring his services.  Given where we are in the offseason, Waddell isn’t particularly surprised nor does he expect the situation to change in the near future:

At this time of the year, people are less responsive. So, I don’t really know. I think it’s going to play out for a while.

Laine’s situation is well-known at this point.  He played in just 18 games last season before being shut down due to shoulder surgery in December; he entered the assistance program a little more than a month after that.

The 26-year-old has been a high-end scoring threat in the past and is only two years removed from recording 56 points in as many games; he came close to the point-per-game mark in an injury-marred 2022-23 campaign as well.  However, Laine struggled in his limited action last season, notching just six goals and three assists.  Suffice it to say, this isn’t a situation where Columbus could be trading him at peak value.

Further complicating things is his contract, one which carries an AAV of $8.7MM for the next two years while his actual cash payout each year is $9.1MM (though $2MM of that has likely already been paid in the form of a signing bonus for this year).  Very few teams have that much cap space to absorb the contract outright.  Waddell has indicated his preference would be to make more of a pure ‘hockey trade’ but that might be hard to come by at this point.  To that end, the GM acknowledged that some retention might be required to ultimately push a move over the finish line:

We might end up eating some money. If I wanted to eat half, I could’ve traded him by now, but that’s not my first choice.

With rookie camps about six weeks away, executives will likely try to take some time away before getting ready for training camps.  Based on the tepid interest thus far, there’s a good chance that’s already the case.  As a result, while Laine is now free to speak to potentially interested teams, it looks as if it will take some time for a potential market to materialize.

Minor Transactions: 8/1/24

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The calendar has flipped to August where transaction activity (at least outside the KHL) will slow down even more.  However, there have been some recent moves with an NHL connection; we’ll run those down here.

  • Edmonton’s AHL affiliate was busy today, signing four players, goaltender Brett Brochu, defensemen Darren Brady and Tyler Inamoto, and forward Alex Swetlikoff. Brochu posted a .920 SV% in 20 ECHL games last season while Brady had 21 points in 50 ECHL contests.  As for Inamoto, he was limited to just 16 games in 2023-24 between the AHL and ECHL due to injury, spending time in Los Angeles’ system.  Swetlikoff spent the last two years in Vegas’ system, primarily in the ECHL but he did have three goals in 19 AHL contests last season.
  • Vancouver’s AHL team in Abbotsford recently made a trio of signings, announcing that they’ve signed forward Cooper Walker to a one-year extension while adding forwards Lee Lapid and Ben Berard on one-year deals. Walker spent most of last season with ECHL Kalamazoo but did get into 13 AHL appearances, picking up a goal.  Lapid also spent the bulk of last year in the ECHL but also spent time in Finland with SaiPa, collecting a pair of tallies in 14 games.  Berard, meanwhile, had a limited role with AHL Texas last season, notching four points in 30 contests.
  • Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka has committed to WHL Edmonton for the upcoming season, per an announcement from the Oil Kings. The 18-year-old was a fifth-round pick at the draft in June, going 151st overall while he was selected 14th overall in the CHL Import Draft a few days later.  Holinka spent last season in Trinec in Czechia, splitting time between the Extraliga and junior levels.  At the top level, he had three points in 16 games while adding 41 more in 29 junior contests.
  • Originally expected to go to Providence College for the 2025-26 season, Canadiens prospect Logan Sawyer has had a change of heart and will play there next season, relays Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal (Twitter link). The 18-year-old was the 78th overall pick in June after a good showing with Brooks of the AJHL and BCHL (the franchise changed leagues midseason), combining for 78 points in 59 games.

Snapshots: Krebs, Pekarcik, Ducks

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It’s been nearly three years since the Buffalo Sabres acquired Peyton Krebs as the centerpiece prospect in a deal that sent franchise icon Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. Unfortunately, as things would play out, Krebs has yet to become the player that Buffalo has needed him to be and he remains the only player on the team without a contract for the 2024-25 NHL season.

In an article from Michael Augello of The Hockey News, he asserts that Krebs may have lost a spot in Lindy Ruff’s lineup entirely after the Sabres acquired Ryan McLeod, Beck Malenstyn, and Sam Lafferty over the offseason. After a poor offensive showing last year, it is difficult to ascertain where exactly Krebs fits into the lineup. He spent much of last year on Buffalo’s fourth line with Eric Robinson and Zemgus Girgensons where he became akin to an irritating player who lacked offensive punch.

There hasn’t been much word surrounding negotiations between Krebs and the Sabres brass, but the silence from both sides is becoming noticeable. Krebs shouldn’t expect to earn more than his qualifying offer of $874K on a new deal with Buffalo so the lack of a contract may indicate a move is in the making. Augello opines that the Sabres could look to move Krebs in a deal to acquire Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers but his supposed value in that hypothetical feels off-base. If Buffalo does move on from Krebs before the start of next year, it will be to a team looking to round out their bottom six for a much milder return.

Other snapshots:

  • St. Louis Blues prospect Juraj Pekarcik was a part of a deal in the QMJHL earlier today as the Moncton Wildcats acquired him from the Acadie–Bathurst Titan in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026. Pekarcik has yet to play a game in the QMJHL as he spent last year with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL after being selected 76th overall by the Blues organization in the 2023 NHL Draft. In his first season after being drafted, Pekarcik suited up in 43 games for the Saints and scored nine goals and 49 points.
  • In a write-up regarding the Anaheim Ducks, David Satriano of the NHL relays that the Ducks will lean more heavily on their young stars next season. Anaheim has not qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs since the 2017-18 season and has not finished higher than sixth in their division in the same amount of time. The team should open up more minutes for the likes of Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger so the Ducks can firmly transition into the future. Although Anaheim is not expected to compete for playoffs next season, they hope to play meaningful games well into March and April while being led by their young players.

Sharks Sign Igor Chernyshov To Entry-Level Contract

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The San Jose Sharks have signed another player from their excellent 2024 draft class as the organization announced they have signed forward Igor Chernyshov to his entry-level contract. It was reported only yesterday that Chernyshov had terminated his contract with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL and would be heading to North America for the 2024-25 season.  PuckPedia reports that the deal will carry a $975K AAV and breaks down as follows:

2024-25: $852.5K salary, $97.5K signing bonus, $25K games played bonus, $85K AHL salary
2025-26: $877.5K salary, $97.5K signing bonus, $85K AHL salary
2026-27: $877.5K salary, $97.5K signing bonus, $85K AHL salary

Even with the entry-level contract for Chernyshov, there is little to no chance he will crack the Sharks’ opening night roster. San Jose will either loan Chernyshov to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit or allow him to play with their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. The Spirit selected Chernyshov with the 56th overall selection of the most recent OHL Import Draft.

The young Russian forward slipped quite a bit in the 2024 NHL Draft, as TSN’s Bob McKenzie projected that he would land in the mid-to-late first round. As things would turn out, Chernyshov fell out of the first round entirely and landed with the Sharks in the second round with the 33rd overall pick. As his developmental path plays out, Chernyshov could be one of the sneakier selections in a very deep draft class.

Chernyshov spent much of the last three seasons with the MHL’s Dynamo Moscow where he recorded 38 goals and 77 points in 78 games. After nearly averaging a point per game in Russia’s top junior league, Dynamo Moscow of the KHL gave Chernyshov an opportunity before he had turned 18. Playing in arguably a top-three professional league in the world, Chernyshov scored four goals and one assist in 39 games.

A Russian prospect signing this quickly after being drafted is a good sign for the Sharks as it is apparent Chernyshov is excited about getting an opportunity in the NHL. After playing against some of the best talent in Russia for the last two years, sending Chernyshov to the OHL for a year may be a step back for the forward. Curtis Pashelka of San Jose Hockey Now reports the Sharks organization is set to decide on his future in the next couple of weeks.

AHL Notes: Demek, Syracuse, FloSports

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In what will be his final development camp with the Vegas Golden Knights, prospect Jakub Demek hopes to refine his game enough to make his NHL debut next year. In a write-up from Paul Delos Santos of the NHL, it was made clear that Demek is ready to be a leader both on and off the ice with the Golden Knights organization.

He was originally drafted 128th overall by Vegas in the 2021 NHL Draft and participated in his first professional season last year. The Golden Knights have a requirement that its prospects participate in development camp after their first full professional season and Demek quickly became one of the group’s leaders. This is one of the main pillars of Vegas’ development path as director of player development, Will Nichol, remarked, “[When you’re at your last developmental camp], there’s that last piece of development — leadership. That’s a huge part of the development as you keep passing the baton on with culture“.

Demek suited up in 55 games for the organization’s AHL affiliate in Henderson last year where he scored seven goals and 16 points. The Golden Knights recalled Demek from the AHL last year in late February but he did not make his NHL debut. The young Slovakian still has a few key developmental items to take care of before he becomes a full-time member of Vegas’ roster but that is where he is aiming for the 2024-25 NHL season.

Other AHL notes:

  • The AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Syracuse Crunch made a couple of hires today as the team announced it would bring in Alex Maring as the head athletic trainer and Tyler Bacarro as a physical therapist. Maring moves on from the New York Islanders as he served in the same role with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Worcester Railers for the last two years. It will be Bacarro’s first shot in hockey as he previously served as a physical therapy fellow with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Maring is preceded by Brad Chavis, who served as the Crunch’s head athletic trainer for the last 12 years.
  • According to Tony Androckitis of Inside AHL Hockey, the top affiliate of the NHL will have a new streaming platform for the 2024-25 season. Androckitis reports that AHLTV will be migrating to FloSports; the streaming platform deals in many athletic competitions including baseball, football, lacrosse, gymnastics, etc. AHLTV previously served as the ’one-stop shop’ for all AHL games for the last several years including many archived matchups.

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