Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Catching Up — NHL Free Agency – Day 1

Leave a comment Posted by on July 1, 2024

Debated even doing this, but since it’s mid-July I want to see if I still have zip on my fastball.*

First things, first, congrats to the Hershey Bears for going back to back and winning their thirteenth title over Coachella Valley in six games last week. Hershey’s road was a bit bumpy to get to 13 but the issue was never in doubt. They nearly lost the Conference Finals and needed overtime in Game 7 to advance past a game Cleveland Monsters team who came back from 0-3 to force Game 7.

Coal Street has a Head Coach. Kirk MacDonald is his name (e-i-e-i-o) (sorry, I had to) – we will see what type of team MacDonald has in the fall.

Monday was Day 1 of NHL Free Agent Signing Day. Here‘s a rundown of the signings that will likely impact the AHL team this upcoming season:

  • AHL All Star for Hartford this past season.
  • Power play point machine.
  • Assist merchant.
  • This is a big addition to the WBS blueline.

  • Just won a Calder Cup with Hershey. Carried the Bears at times and if you ask anyone in Hershey, they don’t win 13 without him.
  • 33 points in the regular season, 14 more in the postseason.
  • I liked his game with Hershey. Good addition.

  • You will fall in love with this guy by the end of October. Put him on a line with Marc Johnstone and let them cook.
  • Hits like a truck.
  • Fights like a grizzly bear. Penguins have their enforcer.
  • One concern I have on him is he’s prone to suspensions a lot because he oversteps sometimes and the League smacks him.

  • Defensive defenseman. Played with Colorado Eagles last year.
  • Blocks shots.
  • Solid addition.
In addition, a while ago, Pittsburgh signed G Filip Larsson who had a sub 2 goals against and a .920 save percentage playing in the Swedish league last year. Pittsburgh also re-signed Alex Nedeljkovic so your night one pairing projects to be Joel Blomqvist and Larsson.
  • Jonathan Gruden also re-signed.
  • Jack St. Ivany also, but he’s likely an NHL-er.
  • Gabe Klassen, Atley Calvert and Jack Beck to American Hockey League contracts.

They will all need waivers.
Guaranteed dates:
  • Saturday, October 12
  • Friday, November 29
  • Saturday, December 14
  • Saturday, January 18
  • Saturday, February 15
  • Saturday, March 22
Schedule should be out soon. No surprises here, sadly but I will break it down when it gets here.

If there is anything worthwhile in Day 2, I will drop in again, if not talk to you again when the schedule drops. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

* – yeah, I still got it.

Pittsburgh, WBS

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