We saw a few NHL transactions today that awarded two PTOs. Meanwhile, a few former NHL contract players recently signed deals that are among the deals in our recent roundup of minor transfers.
- Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley officially announced the previously reported signing of the goalkeeper Keith Petruzzelli to a one-year deal. The 24-year-old was originally a prospect from Detroit but did not sign there, instead signing a minor league deal with Toronto that was eventually upgraded to an entry-level contract. Last season, Petruzzelli played in 17 games with the Marlies in the AHL, posting a 3.55 goals-against average and .867 save percentage, which led to him not being signed in late June. Since there is some uncertainty surrounding the Flyers prospect Alexei KolosovAccording to the plans for the coming season, Petruzzelli will serve as a kind of security between the posts.
- Forward Blake McLaughlin has signed a one-year deal with AHL Hartford (Rangers affiliate), according to a team release. The 24-year-old played between the AHL and ECHL last season, recording two assists in 29 games with AHL San Diego, but was much more productive with ECHL Tulsa, scoring 25 points in 21 appearances, but that wasn’t enough to earn a qualifying offer earlier this summer.
- The Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford announced the signing of striker Zach Okabe and defender Zach Berzolla to one-year deals. Okabe turned pro late last season after finishing his college career with 24 points at St. Cloud State and recording three points in nine games with AHL Cleveland. Berzolla, meanwhile, has spent the majority of his four professional seasons in the ECHL but appeared in 17 games with AHL Hartford last season.
- Seattle’s farm team in the Coachella Valley announced the re-signing of the goalkeeper Jack LaFontaine to a one-year deal. The 26-year-old was originally drafted by Carolina and left college early to sign with them. He played one NHL game before spending the last two years exclusively in the minors. LaFontaine played primarily with ECHL Kansas City (the Kraken’s affiliate at that level) last season, posting a 2.77 goals-against average with a .911 save percentage in 23 regular season games.