AHL Free Agent Tracker 2020: InsideAHLHockey.com's Big Board (Version 2.0)
It's an unusual off-season and an unusual "free agent eve" heading into the second weekend of OCTOBER. Nevertheless, you didn't think we'd forget to bring back our often imitated but never duplicated AHL Free Agent Tracker, did you?
Here at Inside AHL Hockey, we are your source for all AHL-related news and information - including off-season news/notes/transactions throughout free agency and the offseason.
The best way to keep up with AHL-level free agents this unusual offseason. Below are all of the top AHL-level free agents with a player-by-player synopsis complete with stats and insights on each player.
I have ranked the Top 40 forwards, Top 15 defensemen as well as the Top 10 goaltenders. (Version 2.0 of this Big Board will be a continuously updated post for our loyal Inside AHL Hockey subscribers. See more below!)
For our full A to Z AHL Free Agency Tracker with players in alphabetical order by position, Version 1.0 is the original unedited/not updated list that will remain free for everyone to read.
For our subscribers, Version 2.0 will be out hopefully after the weekend and serve as the first update and subsequent updates to reflect recent signings. Version 2.0 will be referred to daily and updated regularly, but is behind our paywall.
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Forwards
~~1. Sam Anas, C (Iowa)~~ EDIT: Signed a two-year, two-way contract with St. Louis (AHL-Springfield) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 62GP, 9G-13A, -15, 55 PIM
The timing of the cancellation of the 2019-20 AHL season ended up being perfect for the reigning AHL MVP, who won't have a veteran designation at the AHL level when play resumes because he is one game under the 260-game threshold.
~~2. Daniel Carr, LW (Milwaukee)~~ Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 47GP, 23G-27A, +19, 20 PIM
The AHL MVP of 2018-19 put together another point-per-game season at the AHL level while also appearing in 11 NHL games with Nashville. Classic case of an elite offensive talent at the AHL level that's waiting for a fit at the NHL level. While waiting for hockey in North America, Carr is currently playing in the NLA with HC Lugano in Switzerland.
~~3. Vinni Lettieri, C/RW (Hartford)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Anaheim (AHL-San Diego) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 61GP, 25G-22A, -4, 46 PIM
A top line staple of the WolfPack the past three seasons, it was a career-high 25 goals for the skilled forward this past season who has tallied 23 or more goals in each of his three AHL seasons to date.
~~4. Austin Czarnik, RW (Stockton)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a two-year, two-way contract with NY Islanders (AHL-Bridgeport) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 32GP, 16G-17A, -5, 22 PIM
Czarnik is a dominant point per game player when at the AHL level.
5. Chris Terry, RW (Grand Rapids)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 57GP, 21G-30A, -17, 32 PIM
Terry continues to dominate offensively at the AHL level, leading the Griffins in scoring this past season and finishing ninth in the AHL's scoring race.
~~6. Alan Quine, C (Stockton)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, one-way contract with Edmonton (AHL-Bakersfield) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 38GP, 14G-32A, +9, 14 PIM
Quine was over a point per game with Stockton this past season.
7. Matt Puempel, LW (Grand Rapids)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 46GP, 17G-22A, -18, 26 PIM
Puempel is still a gifted scorer at the AHL level and was on pace for another 20-goal season before the pandemic canceled the remainder of last season.
~~8. Taro Hirose, LW (Grand Rapids)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Detroit (AHL-Grand Rapids) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 35GP, 5G-22A, -3, 12 PIM
A bit of a surprise Hirose wasn't qualified by Detroit after appearing in 26 NHL games with the Red Wings this past season, tallying two goals and five assists in NHL action in 2019-20.
~~9. Jeremy Bracco, RW (Toronto)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina (AHL-Chicago) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 44GP, 4G-30A, -10, 2 PIM
Bracco scored 22 goals a year ago, but appears to be in need of a change of scenery.
~~10. Seth Griffith, RW (Manitoba)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a two-year, two-way contract with Edmonton (AHL-Bakersfield) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 58GP, 21G-20A, -12, 28 PIM
The veteran scorer is always near a point per game at the AHL level. Griffith led the Moose in scoring this past season.
~~11. Jayson Megna, C/RW (Colorado)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Colorado Avalanche (AHL-Colorado) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 43GP, 18G-16A, +4, 22 PIM
A top-six scorer at the AHL level, Megna was a near point per game player with the Eagles this past season. Also appeared in eight NHL games with the Avalanche in 2019-20, going pointless with 2 PIM.
~~12. Curtis McKenzie, LW (Chicago~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with St. Louis (AHL-Springfield) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 61GP, 17G-25A, -1, 36 PIM
The Wolves' alternate captain in each of the past two seasons, McKenzie is an AHL top-six staple at this point in his career, two years removed from his last NHL action but still a top-tier player at the AHL level.
~~13. Danny O'Regan, C/RW (Hartford)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Vegas ( AHL-Henderson) Veteran-Exception2019-20 AHL Stats: 62GP, 11G-27A, +2, 24 PIM
A free agent again for O'Regan after a 1-year deal with the New York Rangers organization where he was a top-six forward for their AHL affiliate in Hartford.
~~14. Riley Barber, RW (W-B/Scranton/Laval)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a two-year, two-way contract with Detroit (AHL-Grand Rapids) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 46GP, 16G-21A, -17, 25 PIM
The veteran offensively-minded forward was traded from Laval to W-B/Scranton prior to the trade deadline.
15. Greg Carey, LW (Lehigh Valley)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 57GP, 15G-15A, -14, 22 PIM
It was a bit of a down year for Carey in the goals department, but it was a down year for the Phantoms as a whole in 2019-20. The winger has a lethal shot and when paired with a playmaking center can score at will at the AHL level. Potential bounceback candidate for his next team.
~~16. Dryden Hunt, LW (Springfield)~~ Veteran-ExceptionEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Arizona (AHL-Tucson) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 35GP, 13G-16A, +3, 22 PIM
Hunt appeared in 21 NHL games with Florida this past season but did not receive a qualifying offer.
~~17. Byron Froese, C (Stockton)~~ VeteranEDIT: Re-signed a two-year, two-way contract with Calgary (AHL-Stockton) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 46GP, 19G-23A, -7, 44 PIM
Froese was near a point per game with Stockton this past season as the team's captain.
18. Valentin Zykov, RW (Chicago)*Veteran-Exception 2019-20 AHL Stats: 29GP, 10G-5A, -2, 22 PIM
With just over 260 pro games experience, the former Carolina Hurricanes prospect and one-time 33-goal scorer at the AHL level, Zykov will enter 2020-21 with a "veteran-exception" tag moving forward as he continues to be a classic NHL/AHL floater.
19. Boo Nieves, C (Hartford)2019-20 AHL Stats: 43GP, 5G-22A, +5, 16 PIM
Nieves has been back and forth between the NHL and AHL in his four seasons with the Rangers organization, but it was only four NHL games for Nieves last season. Nevertheless, he's still a more than capable offensive forward at the AHL level that plays a well-rounded game.
~~20. Mike Vecchione, C (San Antonio)~~ 2019-20 AHL Stats: 61GP, 21G-15A, -4, 23 PIM EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Colorado Avalanche (AHL-Colorado)
A streaky scorer, Vecchione can score goals in bunches and create offense with regularity at the AHL level.
~~21. Josh Currie, RW (Bakersfield)~~ Veteran-ExceptionEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh (AHL-WB/Scranton) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 56GP, 24G-17A, Even, 60 PIM
Led the Oilers' AHL affiliate in scoring this past season. His 24 goals ranked 13th best in the entire league this past season. Important to note that Currie's 318 pro games experience allow him to slide under the AHL's veteran rule stating no more than five skaters on a team's playing roster can have entered the season with more than 320 games of pro experience. However, a team can only field six skaters with more than 260 games so Currie will now fall under that "veteran-exception" spot.
22. Beau Bennett, RW (Tucson)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 55GP, 12G-28A, +8, 18 PIM
The veteran forward returned from a one-year stint in the KHL to show he can still create offense at the AHL level.
23. Adam Johnson, LW (W-B/Scranton)2019-20 AHL Stats: 48GP, 10G-24A, -6, 12 PIM
Small but skilled Penguins forward tallied his first NHL goal in 2019-20.
24. Erik Condra, RW (Colorado)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 53GP, 16G-19A, +4, 22 PIM
The veteran scorer is still a solid addition for an AHL team looking for secondary scoring help. He's been around a 50-point per season AHL'er his last few seasons in the league.
25. Max McCormick, LW (Charlotte)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 56GP, 16G-19A, +6, 120 PIM
The speedy undersized forward was hard to play against in 2019-20 with Charlotte, regaining his scoring touch as his 16 goals nearly matched his totals from the two previous seasons combined (17).
~~26. Buddy Robinson, RW (Stockton)~~ VeteranEDIT: Re-signed a one-year, one-way contract with Calgary (AHL-Stockton) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 45GP, 18G-14A, +9, 60 PIM
The big power forward is often too much to contain at the AHL level.
27. Kevin Roy, LW (W-B/Scranton/Springfield)2019-20 AHL Stats: 58GP, 14G-21A, -14, 23 PIM
Shifty, offensively creative forward switched teams midseason and made the most of it with the Penguins down the stretch.
28. Travis St. Denis, C (Bridgeport)2019-20 AHL Stats: 60GP, 13G-16A, -18, 75 PIM
With 259 pro games of experience, the four-year pro doesn't have any veteran designation at the AHL level which should make it easier for the all-situations forward to find a new home in free agency.
29. Michael Mersch, LW (Texas)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 61GP, 14G-13A, -1, 53 PIM
The veteran power forward had five power play tallies this past season with Texas.
30. Chris Conner, RW (Binghamton)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 53GP, 12G-18A, -7, 6 PIM
Over 700 AHL games of experience to go along with over 550 career points for the longtime small but elusive scoring forward, who still managed 30 points in a pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season with the Devils last season.
31. Matthew Ford, RW (Grand Rapids)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 52GP, 10G-17A, -7, 33 PIM
The 36-year-old is still an effective winger at the AHL level.
32. Steven Fogarty, RW (Hartford)Veteran-Exception2019-20 AHL Stats: 54 GP, 13G-24A, +2, 30 PIM
After a breakout year offensively in 2018-19, Fogarty's offensive numbers dipped a little this past season but by all accounts the player has continued to improve upon his game in each of his four seasons at the AHL level.
~~33. Tyler Sikura, LW (Rockford)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year AHL contract with Cleveland Monsters. 2019-20 AHL Stats: 63GP, 14G-20A, +10, 22 PIM
Sikura led the IceHogs in scoring this past season while on an AHL contract.
34. Tanner MacMaster, LW (Toronto)2019-20 AHL Stats: 56GP, 11G-19A, -7, 50 PIM
MacMaster was traded to Toronto in 2018-19 but re-signed an AHL deal with the Marlies last off-season. Lots of unknowns for AHL-contract free agents.
~~35. Jonny Brodzinski, RW (San Jose)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with NY Rangers (AHL-Hartford) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 44GP, 14G-16A, -1, 26 PIM
Signed to a one-year deal by San Jose last July, Brodzinski heads to free agency after a solid AHL season with the Barracuda.
~~36. David Gust, RW (Charlotte)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Carolina (AHL-Chicago) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 60GP, 11G-20A, +11, 8 PIM
Gust has been a complimentary scorer in each of his three AHL seasons following a productive four-year career at Ohio State University.
~~37. Tomas Jurco, LW (Bakersfield)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, one-way contract with Vegas Golden Knights (AHL-Henderson) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 8GP, 4G-3A, -2, 10 PIM
Jurco underwent hip surgery back in December, limited to just 8 AHL games and 12 NHL games with Edmonton last season. Could be an offensive boost for an AHL forward group if he returns to form after previously being a key addition in Charlotte's 2019 Calder Cup Championship run.
38. Morgan Klimchuk, LW (Belleville)Veteran-Exception2019-20 AHL Stats: 49GP, 12G-14A, +10, 14 PIM
Klimchuk was an all-situations player for Belleville last season while also wearing an alternate captain's A on his sweater, tallying a pair of power play goals and three shorthanded goals on the year. The 25-year-old was on an NHL contract this past season with Ottawa.
39. Joseph LaBate, LW (Belleville)Veteran-Exception2019-20 AHL Stats: 47GP, 10G-16A, +19, 53 PIM
The 6-5, 213 pound physical forward was also effective offensively, doubling his point totals from the previous season in 23 less games played. Was on an AHL deal this past season, his second with Belleville.
40. Jordan Nolan, RW (San Antonio)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 60GP, 11G-16A, -13, 52 PIM
The captain of the Rampage this past season, the veteran has shifted gears to full-time AHL duties after a long run in the NHL.
Defensemen
~~1. Derrick Pouliot, LD (San Antonio)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Philadelphia (AHL-Lehigh Valley) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 58GP, 7G-32A, -21, 34 PIM
Offensively gifted defenseman (power play QB) that was an AHL All-Star this past season. Unrestricted free agent after St. Louis didn't extend qualifying offer.
~~2. Matt Donovan, LD (Milwaukee)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed an AHL contract with Milwaukee Admirals. 2019-20 AHL Stats: 62GP, 5G-27A, +16, 58 PIM
The veteran puck mover still creates offense and gets it to the net, which has helped him remain a top-tier defenseman at the AHL level the past several seasons.
3. Cameron Gaunce, LD (Syracuse)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 52GP, 4G-28A,+12, 38 PIM
The veteran defender can still work an AHL power play and put up points from the blueline.
~~4. Gavin Bayreuther, LD (Texas)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Columbus (AHL-Cleveland)
2019-20 AHL Stats: 59GP, 6G-23A, -8, 28 PIM
Bayreuther completed his third season with the Stars organization with another 25+ point season from the blue line for the AHL affiliate.
~~5. Paul LaDue, RD (Ontario)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, one-way contract with Washington Capitals (AHL-Hershey) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 48GP, 9G-18A, +11, 30 PIM
The two-way defender is an all-situations guy at the AHL level and has 69 NHL games of experience under his belt.
6. Zac Leslie, LD (Stockton)Veteran-Exception2019-20 AHL Stats: 50GP, 5G-23A, -9, 41 PIM
After gaining Calder Cup Finals experience with Chicago, Leslie moved on to Stockton where he led all Heat defenders in scoring while on an AHL contract.
~~7. Cameron Schilling, LD (Manitoba)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Washington Capitals (AHL-Hershey) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 54GP, 5G-19A, +7, 24 PIM
Schilling has been the backbone of the Moose defense snice his arrival in 2017-18. He's still a capable two-way defender at the AHL level.
~~8. Andy Welinski, RD (Lehigh Valley)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, one-way contract with Anaheim (AHL - San Diego) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 42GP, 8G-13A, +2, 10 PIM
Hampered by injuries to begin the season, but was one of Phantoms' best offensive defensemen this past season and adept puck-mover.
~~9. Dillon Simpson, LD (Cleveland)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year AHL contract with Cleveland Monsters. 2019-20 AHL Stats: 62GP, 9G-14A, -11, 22 PIM
Simpson brings six years of AHL experience to the table after hitting career highs in goals and points this past season with Cleveland.
~~10. Mark Alt, RD (Colorado)~~ VeteranEDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Los Angeles (AHL-Ontario) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 55GP, 5G-8A, +19, 35 PIM
The Eagles' captain the past two seasons, Alt is a capable two-way defender at the AHL level in all situations.
11. Joey LaLeggia, LD (San Antonio)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 50GP, 7G-14A, +2, 16 PIM
Two-way puck mover saw a little dip in offensive production in his second season in San Antonio.
12. Jaycob Megna, LD (Chicago)Veteran2019-20 AHL Stats: 60GP, 3G-7A, +12, 40 PIM
A dependable depth defender that can slide between the NHL and AHL, Megna has worn a letter on his jersey at the AHL level for each of the last two teams he's been on.
13. Jordan Schmaltz, RD (Bridgeport/Toronto)Veteran-Exception2019-20 AHL Stats: 43GP, 2G-12A, Even, 26 PIM
With 265 games of pro experience, Schmaltz now falls under the veteran-exception tag moving forward. Spent most of 2019-20 with AHL Toronto before being traded to the Islanders in exchange for forward Matt Lorito in late February before the trade deadline.
14. Kyle Wood, RD (Grand Rapids)2019-20 AHL Stats: 49GP, 4G-7A, -8, 32 PIM
Acquired in a mid-season trade, Wood appears far removed from his 43-point AHL All-Star rookie season with Tucson in 2016-17, but not counting as an AHL veteran and being a right-hand shooting defenseman should keep him an attractive option for a team in need of depth on the back end.
~~15. Tyler Lewington, RD (Hershey)~~ Veteran=ExceptionEDIT:Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Nashville (AHL-Milwaukee) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 43GP, 4G-9A, +17, 76 PIM
The hard-nosed physical defender got his first extended NHL time in 2019-20 in getting six games stint with the Capitals.
Goalies
~~1. Troy Grosenick (Milwaukee)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Los Angeles (AHL-Ontario) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 33GP, 20-9-3, 2.29 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO
Grosenick formed a nearly unstoppable duo with Connor Ingram on a Milwaukee team that was dominant in 2019-20.
2. Dustin Tokarski (W-B/Scranton)2019-20 AHL Stats: 18GP, 9-5-2, 1.97 GAA, .924 SV%, 1 SO
Tokarski followed head coach Mike Vellucci from Charlotte to the Penguins and the veteran performed really well in limited duties behind Casey DeSmith.
~~3. Christopher Gibson (Bridgeport)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Pittsburgh (AHL-Syracuse) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 25GP, 10-8-5, 2.78 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO
The Sound Tigers' #1 goalie for what feels like forever, but with Ilya Sorokin on his way over might be looking for a new home when AHL returns as he hits the market as an unrestricted free agent.
~~4. Kasimir Kaskisuo (Toronto)~~ 2019-20 AHL Stats: 27GP, 14-9-2, 2.79 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO
Kaskisuo was in a 1A/1B situation with then-rookie Joseph Woll in AHL Toronto this past season.
5. Garret Sparks (Chicago)2019-20 AHL Stats: 26GP, 8-14-4, 2.75 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO
Record aside, Sparks is still just two years removed from being a Calder Cup winning goalie (Toronto, 2018) and at 27 is still more than capable of handling things at the AHL level.
6. Zane McIntyre (Binghamton/Utica)2019-20 AHL Stats: 28GP, 15-10-2, 2.80 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO
Acquired by New Jersey from Vancouver, McIntyre was slated to help man the net down the stretch for Binghamton as they were in a playoff chase. The veteran AHL netminder is a reliable and capable #1 at this level.
~~7. Anton Forsberg (Charlotte)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Edmonton (AHL-Bakersfield) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 27GP, 15-9-2, 2.95 GAA, .905 SV%, 0 SO
Forsberg split time with Alex Nedeljkovic last season in Charlotte but is more than capable to handle an AHL workload in net as a true #1.
~~8. Jon Gillies (Stockton)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with St. Louis (AHL-Springfield) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 30GP, 14-10-4, 2.69 GAA, .907 SV%, 1 SO
Gillies split time in AHL Stockton with rookie Artyom Zagidulin this past season and is an unrestricted free agent.
~~9. Scott Wedgewood (Syracuse)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey (AHL-Binghamton) 2019-20 AHL Stats: 26GP, 13-8-2, 3.01 GAA, .893 SV%, 1 SO
Wedgewood split time with Spencer Martin in Syracuse this past season finishing up his eighth year of pro hockey.
~~10. Philippe Desrosiers (Springfield)~~ EDIT: Signed a one-year, two-way contract with Florida 2019-20 AHL Stats: 29GP, 16-10-2, 3.05 GAA, .916 SV%, 0 SO
Desrosiers ended up with the most appearances in net for Springfield this past season.
