AHL Free Agency Brings Familiar Names to New Homes
Top scorers and All-Star defensemen signed new deals across the league when the market opened July 1.
The AHL free agency period opened at noon ET on July 1, and several proven players found new homes within hours.
Zac Jones, who led all AHL defensemen with 62 points in 60 games for the Rochester Americans last season and won the Eddie Shore Award, signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Utah Mammoth, according to theahl.com. Jack Ahcan, who finished second among defensemen with 50 points for the Colorado Eagles, got a two-year, two-way deal from the Nashville Predators.
On the offensive side, John Leonard signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings after scoring 36 goals for the Charlotte Checkers. The Boston Bruins brought in Matěj Blümel, who led the AHL with 39 goals for the Texas Stars, and Alex Steeves, who tied Leonard with 36 goals for the Toronto Marlies. Both received one-way deals from Boston, theahl.com reported.
Several goaltenders also changed organizations. Laurent Brossoit moved from San Jose to the Anaheim Ducks, while Pheonix Copley signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets after four seasons with Los Angeles, according to theahl.com. The Tampa Bay Lightning added Mads Søgaard and Olivier Rodrigue.
Other notable signings included Trey Fix-Wolansky joining the Vancouver Canucks, Riley Tufte signing with the New Jersey Devils, and Glenn Gawdin heading to the New York Rangers after two seasons in Ontario. Brendan Gaunce, who captained the Cleveland Monsters to the Calder Cup Finals, signed with Boston.
Charlotte forward Chris Terry will return for his 17th pro season after signing a one-year AHL deal with the Bridgeport Islanders, theahl.com confirmed.
