The Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Washington Capitals have all made minor signings on Thursday, just two days away from unrestricted free agency.
Brian Lashoff, Matt O’Connor Among Minor Signings on Thursday
Anaheim
The Ducks have re-signed goaltender Kevin Boyle and defenceman Jaycob Megna. Both were pending restricted free agents.
Boyle was signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $675,000 in the NHL and $70,000 with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of UMass-Lowell last summer. Boyle split time between the Gulls and the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. In 16 games with the Grizzlies, the 25-year-old had a 2.73 goals-against average and a .908 SV%. When called up to the Gulls, Boyle played in 19 games, finishing with a 2.27 GAA and a .924 SV%. He does not require waivers in 2017-18.
Megna was signed to a two-year, two-way contract. He will make $650,000 in the NHL in both years. In year one, he will make $150,000 in the AHL. In year two, he will make $250,000.
Drafted in the seventh round back in 2012, Megna has played three years in the AHL. The 24-year-old made his NHL debut in 2016-17, playing just one game with the Ducks. An alternate captain, Megna played 62 games with the Gulls, scoring 27 points. He does require waivers to be sent back to San Diego in the fall.
Detroit
Defencemen Dylan McIlrath and Brian Lashoff have both re-signed with the Red Wings on matching two-year, two-way contracts. They will make $650,000 in the NHL and $275,000 in the AHL in both years of the contract.
McIlrath was acquired from the Florida Panthers in the Thomas Vanek trade. The former 10th overall pick played for five teams in 2016-17; the Rangers, Panthers, Hartford Wolfpack, Springfield Thunderbirds and Grand Rapids Griffins. The 25-year-old played 21 games in the Red Wings organization last year, recording four points with Grand Rapids.
Brian Lashoff has spent his entire career with Detroit. An undrafted free agent out of Kingston, he joined the Red Wings in 2010. He has played 122 games in the NHL, including five last year. As an alternate captain with the Griffins in 2016-17, Lashoff tallied 11 points in 62 games.
Both Dylan McIlrath and Brian Lashoff require waivers in 2017-18.
Nashville
The Predators have reportedly come to terms with goaltender Matt O’Connor. O’Connor was not qualified by the Ottawa Senators, making him an unrestricted free agent. The contract will become official on July 1.
O’Connor was a premier undrafted free agent out of college just three years ago. The former Boston University Terrier has had two disappointing years with the Binghamton Senators, posting a .895 save percentage in back to back seasons. The 25-year-old will likely battle for the Milwaukee Admirals’ starting job with Marek Mazanec in 2016-17.
Washington
The Capitals have re-signed forward Chandler Stephenson to a two-year contract. In year one, Stephenson will make $650,000 in the NHL and $125,000 with the Hershey Bears of the AHL. Year two is one-way, with a cap hit of $650,000.
Stephenson was drafted by the Capitals in the third round back in 2012. Although playing 13 career games in the NHL, including four last year, Stephenson has yet to record his first career point. In 2016-17, with the Hershey Bears, the former Regina Pat scored 38 points in 72 games. Stephenson requires waivers to be sent back to Hershey in 2017-18.
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