The Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, and Toronto Maple Leafs have all made minor signings early Saturday morning.
Garret Sparks, Kenny Agostino Among First Batch of Minor Signings
Boston
The Bruins have reportedly come to terms with AHL MVP forward Kenny Agostino on a one-year, $800,000 contract. Agostino is an unrestricted free agent at noon on Saturday.
Kenny Agostino led the AHL in scoring with a whopping 83 points in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves. Drafted by the Penguins in 2010, Agostino was one of the pieces sent to Calgary in the Jarome Iginla trade back in 2013. He was not qualified by the Flames following the 2015-16 season, in which he scored 57 points with the Adirondack Heat. The 25-year-old signed with the St. Louis Blues as an AHL piece, where he blossomed into an elite minor league scorer. In 17 career games in the NHL, the native of Morristown, New Jersey has five points.
Florida
Forward Micheal Haley has reportedly come to terms with the Florida Panthers. Haley is an unrestricted free agent at noon.
Haley has spent the last three seasons in the San Jose Sharks organization. Undrafted, Haley has worked his way up to be one of the few enforcers left in the NHL. Last year with the Sharks, Haley recorded 12 points in 58 games, as well as 128 PIM. With Shawn Thornton retiring, the Panthers were looking for a similar player to fill the void. Haley will come in at a cheap AAV on a short term deal. The 31-year-old from Guelph, Ontario will likely be the 13th or 14th forward next season down in Sunrise.
The Panthers have also signed forward Corban Knight.
Knight was on an AHL contract in 2016-17 with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In 72 games, the 26-year-old recorded 40 points. Knight was drafted by the Panthers back in 2009 but was traded to the Calgary Flames before playing a game in the Florida system. However, he would return to the Panthers in 2015. Knight has played 29 career games in the NHL, recording eight points.
Minnesota
The Wild have reportedly come to terms with forwards Cal O’Reilly and Landon Ferraro.
O’Reilly spent most of the 2016-17 season in the Buffalo Sabres organization. The younger brother of Ryan played 11 games in the NHL, recording one assist. He played 47 games with the Rochester Americans, scoring 42 points, but voiced his displeasure with upper management. They sent him on loan to the Toronto Marlies, where he would become their number one centre. In 15 games, the 30-year-old recording eight assists.
Ferraro was held to just 22 games in 2016-17 due to ACL surgery. In his limited action, the 25-year-old recorded 15 points with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Ferraro has played 75 games in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. He will be a solid, young depth piece for the Wild, whether on the roster or with the Iowa Wild.
Nashville
The Predators have reportedly signed goaltender Anders Lindback. Again, Lindback is an unrestricted free agent at noon.
On Friday, GM David Poile announced that 25-year-old Marek Mazanec would not be returning to the Predators organization. As such, Nashville has gone about addressing their goalie depth. It was reported earlier in the week they had come to terms with Matt O’Connor, and it appears they have brought in Anders Lindback as well.
The 29-year-old was originally drafted by Nashville back in 2008. For the most part, Lindback has struggled in the NHL over his career, with a career save percentage of .904. However, Lindback will come in from Rogle BK to solidify the net down in Milwaukee, where he has had success in the past. After a disappointing tryout with the Ontario Reign, Lindback signed in the SHL to finish out the 2016-17 season. In 23 games, the native of Gavle, Sweden posted a 2.63 goals-against average and a .915 SV%.
Toronto
The Maple Leafs have re-signed restricted free agent Garret Sparks to a two-year, $1.35 million contract. He will carry a $675,000 cap hit in the NHL. The first year is two-way, while year two is one-way.
Garret Sparks was lights out for the Marlies in 2016-17, posting a 2.16 GAA and a .922 SV% in 31 games. With the departure of Antoine Bibeau, Sparks is undoubtedly the starter in the AHL heading into the season. The 24-year-old from Elmhurst, Illinois has played 17 games in the NHL, all of which coming in the 2015-16 season. He had a 3.02 GAA and a .893 SV% on the last placed Toronto Maple Leafs.
Leaving North America
Reportedly leaving North America is 23-year-old Darren Dietz. Signed last summer by the Washington Capitals, Dietz played 39 games for Hershey before being sent on loan to the Texas Stars. He has signed with Barys Astana of the KHL.
Also leaving to Russia is 25-year-old Sergey Kalinin. Kalinin was traded by the New Jersey Devils to the Maple Leafs in exchange for Viktor Loov just prior to the 2017 Trade Deadline. Kalinin had a poor season, both in the NHL and AHL, and was left without a qualifying offer at season’s end. He has reportedly signed a three-year contract with KHL giants SKA St. Petersburg.
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