Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
The opening week of free agency has some of the NHL’s top players putting pen to paper.
Now, many of them will compete for NHL jobs in training camp in September.
Forward after scoring lead in Calder Cup playoffs for champion Toronto Marlies Vinny Lettieri He was able to stay put thanks to a new one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The veteran forward is part of Toronto’s redesigned depth chart, which includes newly signed goaltender Samuel Hlavage (Iowa State), defenseman Cole McWard (Bridgeport) and forward Henrik Rybinski (Hershey).
The AHL’s top three defensive scoring players will all have new homes. Zach Jones He received a two-year, two-way contract from the Utah Mammoths after winning the 2025-26 Eddie Shore Award with Rochester. Jack Akan After a 50-point season (11 goals, 39 assists) with the Colorado Eagles, he received a two-year, two-way contract from the Nashville Predators. And Tucson’s Scott Perunovich After scoring a career-high 49 points for the Roadrunners, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
With former Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris McFarlane Now president of hockey operations and general manager in Nashville, former Eagle finds new home with Nashville Predators, adds goaltender Isaac Bosh Acquired former Eagles forward from Avs in trade on June 15 Chase Bradley He was signed on Friday after being acquired in a multi-player trade on June 24.
General managers are clearly taking notice of the Hawks, who are one win away from the 2025-26 Western Conference title. forward Alex Barre-Bright and Tye Fairhaber Goalkeeper joins Kyle Keizer From Colorado to the San Jose Sharks; Bright finished second in the AHL in scoring with 70 points (26 goals, 44 assists) in 70 games last season. The Eagles also lost their two-time AHL MVP TJ TynanSigned a one-year AHL contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds, as well as defenseman Jacob McDonald (Washington) and the future Jason Paulin (buffalo).
Avalanche replenish their cupboard by signing All-Star guard Christian Wolanin (Providence) and Dominic Fenthal (Chicago), and 30-goal scorer Adam Beckman (Bridgeport).
Vegas Golden Knights retain some top offensive talent, re-sign AHL All-Star forward second team Tanner Raczynski and 30-goal scorer Raphael Lavoie. Vegas also signed three AHL defensemen Adam Kinning (Lehigh Valley), Wille Heinola (Manitoba) and Anti Tomisto (Grand Rapids) and forward Mark Gatcomb (Bridgeport).
Several other proven scorers have also found new homes. Trey Fix-Wolansky (Hartford) has joined the Vancouver Canucks and Riley Tuft (Providence) Signed with the New Jersey Devils. Glenn Godin After spending two seasons in Ontario heading to the New York Rangers, Boston signed Brian Halonen (Utica) and Brendan Gaunce (Cleveland), and James Hamblin (Bakersfield) to Anaheim. Matthew Pekar (Syracuse) signed AHL deal with Rochester, and Hugh McGinn (Springfield) has joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Goaltenders, who are important to NHL organizational depth, are also in constant flux.
Laurent Brosuite (San Jose) went to the Anaheim Ducks organization. Phoenix Copley Signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets after four seasons in Los Angeles. Brandon Halvorson Heading to the Dallas Stars after a strong performance against the Syracuse Crunch. Tampa Bay Lightning signing Mads Sogard (Belleville) and Olivier Rodrigo (Rockford) at the time of the transaction Dennis HilderbyLast season’s teams were divided into the Maple Leafs and Marris. Jiri Patera (Abbotsford) went to the Boston Bruins and Matthew Villalta Signed with Buffalo.
These are just some of the initiatives that have been taken. In the first two days of free agency, more than 75 players have found new jobs. There’s more action to come.
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
