Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
July 1 is the start of the free agency period in the NHL and AHL, a big first step for teams building their depth charts with an eye toward improving prospects and winning.
Whether it’s an NHL two-way deal or an AHL contract, an organization’s deep pool of talent is essential to both individual development and putting together a team capable of competing for the Calder Cup. Veterans can step in to help an AHL team win, help develop younger teammates, and provide valuable recall assistance. With the right opportunity, either by design or form, free agency could be their way to make themselves NHL regulars.
Take it Alex Steves. Coming off a 2024-25 season with the Toronto Marlies where he scored 36 goals, he signed with the Boston Bruins. He spent the first half of the season with the Providence Bruins and did well. Soon came a memorial to Boston, reliable performance, and now he is a regular NHL player.
Or Brandon Bussiwho entered free agency last year after a solid season in Providence. Bussi’s career took a very special path from there, of course. He signed with the Florida Panthers as a free agent last summer before the Carolina Hurricanes acquired him via waivers in training camp. From there he established himself as a full-time goaltender for the Hurricanes, holding the net during the Stanley Cup Finals, and making a save in Carolina’s Cup-clinching win.
You never know in hockey.
Early start
Three players avoided free offers with new contracts on Tuesday.
The Vancouver Canucks hold a defenseman Guillaume Brisebois in a new one-year, two-way contract. The move returns the veteran defenseman to his 10th season – all in the Vancouver organization, where he played 306 AHL regular season games and 30 more in the NHL. He was a key part of the Abbotsford Canucks’ 2025 Calder Cup run, but injuries kept him out for most of the 2025-26 season.
Captain of the Tucson Roadrunners Austin Poganski returned to a two-year AHL deal after a career season in his eighth professional campaign. He scored the most goals (23), assists (33) and points (56) for the Roadrunners.
Providence ahead Alexis Gendron will remain with the team on an AHL contract after being acquired by Boston from the Philadelphia Flyers on March 6. He finished the 2025-26 season with 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 57 games between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Providence.
The AHL All-Stars hit the market
Several AHL All-Star selections will try their fortunes on the open market.
Two options for the First All-Star Team, Jack Ahcan (Colorado Eagles) and Zac Jones (Rochester Americans), each available. Jones led all AHL defensemen with 62 points (10 goals, 52 assists) in 60 games. Behind him in second place was Ahcan with 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists). There’s offensive help, too. Endless player Alex Barré-Boulet of Colorado had another outstanding season. Arthur Kaliyev of the Belleville Senators tops the AHL with 40 goals. Tanner Laczynskiwho made the AHL Second All-Star Team with 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 62 games for the Henderson Silver Knights, should be an attractive target.
It starts on the net
While it would be a stretch to expect another free agent goaltender to copy Bussi’s approach, he has shown just how important goaltending depth is to an NHL organization.
Veterans Laurent Brossoit (San Jose), Pheonix Copley (Ontario), Louis Domingue (Charlotte), Brandon Halverson (Syracuse), Kaapo Kähkönen (Laval), Jiří Patera (Abbotsford), Cal Petersen (Iowa), Calvin Pickard (Bakersfield), Ivan Prosvetov (Calgary), Hunter Shepard (Laval), Mads Søgaard (Belleville) and Matt Villalta (Tucson) are among some of the established options. Zach Sawchenko took Cleveland’s first job in the postseason and did well. Amir Miftakhov he joined the Chicago Wolves during the postseason and helped them reach the Calder Cup final. Samuel Hlavaj (Iowa) showed well in the international competition representing Slovakia, too.
Strengthening the blue line
Besides Ahcan and Jones, there is a wide selection of defenders to be found. This group has quality, value, and diversity.
An interesting name is found with Henderson’s Dylan Coghlan to free agency. He joined the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and quickly became a part of their backcourt. His 13-game Stanley Cup Playoff showing followed a 44-point regular season with the Silver Knights, and he may be on his way back to full-time NHL duty.
Ahcan, Coghlan, and Jones are among the defensemen ranked in the AHL’s top 20 in scoring at the position. That collection and features Domenick Fensore (Chicago), Erik Gustafsson (Grand Rapids), Daniel Miromanov (Calgary), Jordan Oesterle (Milwaukee), and Scott Perunovich (Tucson).
Benning brothers, Calder Cup champion Matt Benning (Toronto) and Mike Benning (Charlotte), they each need new contracts. In Colorado Jacob MacDonald he returned from hip surgery late in the regular season and quickly adapted to help the Eagles reach the Western Conference Finals. Christian Wolanin (Providence) and Jett Woo (San Jose) each had strong seasons after winning the Calder Cup with Abbotsford in 2025. Casey Fitzgerald (Hartford), Kevin Gravel (Milwaukee) and Jarred Tinordi (Syracuse) were all AHL captains.
As always, the defense represents the deepest pool of talent available. Depth is very important at this position, and defenders are always moving quickly in July.
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Vinnie Lettieriwho just helped Toronto to the Calder Cup with a league-leading 26 points in the postseason, is here.
Back to the market and Providence’s Matěj Blümel. Injuries slowed him down a bit this past season, but he led the AHL with 39 goals in 2024-25. You are a sniper. That’s right Martin Frk (Calgary), and Raphael Lavoie (Henderson). Lavoie also missed time before returning in the second half to finish with 30 goals in just 45 games. Adam Beckman (Bridgeport), Trey Fix-Wolansky (Hartford) and Riley Tufte (Providence) all scored 30 goals or more.
TJ Tynan he is one of the best players in the AHL in the last decade. So is Barré-Boulet, who knows how to find the net. George MerkulovProvidence’s leading scorer, may find a new home.
In the American Hockey League for two decades, TheAHL.com features writer Patrick Williams and currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the league’s top scorer in 2016.
