Written by: Tony Androckitis - Twitter/Facebook
The calendar has reached July, meaning at noon ET unrestricted free agents can officially sign with new teams for the 2017-18 season and beyond.
Here at Highland Park Hockey (and soon to be our new website Inside AHL Hockey), in-depth coverage of the American Hockey League (AHL) and how free agent signings will affect the AHL landscape is the primary focus as the free agent frenzy is set to get underway this afternoon.
For all the latest news regarding the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, make sure you're following me on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock.
For everything AHL, follow our website's account -> @InsideAHLHockey.Before the signings start pouring in, here's how you can track all the AHL-related movement:
- Today's Live Blog will serve as a rolling update of AHL-level signings, with quick hits on Twitter as well as blurbs on this post below.
- For a look at all the AHL-level free agents, our massive AHL Big Board has almost 400 names on it - including our Top 20 goaltenders, Top 40 defensemen and Top 50 forwards. I'll be updating the lists throughout the day.
- To see how your favorite AHL team is shaping up for 2017-18, or to see where former players from last year's squad have signed on with for the upcoming season there's no better way than with our team lists, separated by division:
- An overview of the Philadelphia Flyers organization with a focus on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' team needs in free agency.
After the jump, the live blog's running transactions list for today's free agent frenzy.
AHL-Level Free Agent Signings
The Iowa Wild are loading up on AHL-level free agents per Michael Russo. It's believed Minnesota has agreed to two-way deals with defenseman Ryan Murphy, forward Cal O'Reilly (#10 forward on my AHL big board), forward Landon Ferraro and goaltender Niklas Svedberg.
The Wild weren't done there either, signing the #3 defenseman on our AHL free agent big board in Alex Grant to a one-year, two-way deal.The Boston Bruins signed the AHL's reigning league MVP forward Kenny Agostino to a one-year, one-way contract. While it looks like he'll have a strong chance of making the NHL roster, he could tear it up in the AHL with Providence if he makes it through waivers to the minors.
The Chicago Blackhawks announced they have signed goalie Jean-Francois Berube and defenseman Jordan Oesterle to two-year contracts. Oesterle was #7 ranked defenseman on my AHL big board.
TSN's Ryan Rishaug is reporting that Edmonton has signed Ty Rattie (#28 forward on the big board). Rattie could be an impact player for Bakersfield in 2017-18 if this deal comes to fruition.
The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed RFA forward Mike Vecchione to a two-year, one-way contract worth $900,000. Despite his salary being the same regardless of whether he ends up in NHL or AHL in the fall, Vecchione is waiver-exempt and could end up in Lehigh Valley.
I can confirm the Flyers have signed forward Corban Knight to a two-year contract. While on an AHL-only deal with Lehigh Valley last year, Knight put up 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 72 games as a dependable two-way forward. I'd go as far to say that Knight could be a darkhorse bottom-six option for the Flyers this fall. He's that well-rounded, and is only a year removed from half an NHL season with the Florida Panthers.
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