Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
With NHL coaching camps set to open subsequent week, a number of names acquainted to AHL followers stay out there.
They’re notable ones, too. NHL groups would possibly want a number of additional faces to spherical out their preseason rosters. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to get an up-close have a look at somebody who can fill a key place someplace inside a company come October. And for these gamers, a few of whom lifted the Calder Cup fewer than three months in the past, maybe an opportunity exists to go earn a contract now after spending the summer time in profession limbo.
NOT SET IN NET?
The New Jersey Devils are bringing in two skilled goaltenders on skilled tryout offers. The pair may complement New Jersey’s organizational depth chart after prospect Isaac Poulter signed with the Winnipeg Jets this summer time.
Georgi Romanov spent the previous two seasons within the San Jose Sharks group, together with 50 video games with the San Jose Barracuda. The 25-year-old went 11-6-3 with a 3.10 GAA and .905 save share in 21 AHL appearances final season and in addition has 10 profession NHL video games. Additionally coming east to New Jersey is 26-year-old Adam Scheel from the Colorado Eagles. Scheel registered a 10-2-2 file in 14 video games with the Eagles and cut up time within the ECHL as nicely. He has performed 101 profession AHL video games with the Eagles, Texas Stars, and Chicago Wolves.
Aaron Dell’s current retirement together with New Jersey bringing within the Romanov-Scheel duo helped to ease glut within the goaltending market, no less than a bit. Nonetheless, a number of top-flight netminders nonetheless are on the market.
Jack Campbell has been making an attempt to place his profession again collectively within the AHL, and stays unsigned after being restricted to 14 video games final season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. If a group brings Campbell aboard, they’d be getting a goaltender with 176 video games of NHL expertise.
Malcolm Subban (Belleville Senators) and Dustin Tokarski (Chicago Wolves) are on the market unsigned as nicely. Tokarski is a two-time Calder Cup champion, and Subban reached the Japanese Convention Finals with Rochester two years in the past. Troy Grosenick, who missed final season with a knee damage, and Oscar Dansk are different veteran choices with prolonged resumes.
DEPENDABLE DEFENSIVE DEPTH
For many groups, it’s not too lengthy earlier than accidents and NHL recollects check their depth on the blue line.
Christian Wolanin, final seen elevating the Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks on June 23, wants a deal. Wolanin gained the Eddie Shore Award because the AHL’s high defenseman in 2022-23 and has remained a high-end expertise. He had 40 factors (4 targets, 36 assists) in 58 regular-season video games in 2024-25 earlier than producing 10 factors (two targets, eight assists) in 17 playoff contests whereas taking up heavy minutes. Wolanin’s Abbotsford teammate, Akito Hirose, additionally stays unsigned after taking a daily activate the blue line for the Canucks this previous spring.
Jake Livingstone is coming off two sturdy seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals. Scott Harrington (Springfield Thunderbirds), Colton Poolman (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins), Robbie Russo (Tucson Roadrunners), Joakim Ryan (Chicago) and Jarred Tinordi (Calgary Wranglers) all are confirmed names for a group’s blue line.
FINDING FORWARDS
Relying on the place NHL organizations are of their prospect cycle, jobs could be exhausting to seek out even for high veterans.
There may be Brett Murray, who recorded 27 targets for the Rochester Individuals and went to the AHL All-Star Basic final season. Murray is reportedly attending Pittsburgh’s coaching camp on a tryout. Rochester’s captain final season, Mason Jobst, stays out there as nicely. Syracuse Crunch fixture Daniel Walcott is looking for a brand new residence after 10 seasons with that group, and can reportedly get a camp tryout with Florida. For any group out there for a reliable ahead, top-tier chief, and group star, Walcott simply suits that job description.
The Calder Cup finalist Charlotte Checkers noticed relied closely on all-purpose forwards Kyle Criscuolo and Will Lockwood. They don’t have offers signed but, both. Chase De Leo, who has 10 years in on the AHL stage, joined Milwaukee midseason in 2024-25 and located his kind for the Admirals. He brings a hard-working motor every evening.
Jujhar Khaira, additionally a member of Abbotsford’s championship membership, got here to the Canucks final March in a commerce with Syracuse; the facility ahead shortly supplied that group with the additional little bit of brawn wanted to undergo 5 rounds of playoff hockey. Former Abbotsford teammates Ty Glover and Nathan Smith are additionally on the free agent market.
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally at present covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
