Every year, a number of league veterans who are without a home and could still offer some value sign professional tryout agreements allowing them to practice and play exhibition matches. Teams often sign players to PTOs to encourage competition between a veteran still trying to prove he belongs and younger prospects gunning to secure their first NHL job; many times it’s just that — preseason competition.
Some players will eventually earn an NHL contract for their persistence, often as a depth addition to the roster — Lee Stempniak, skated with the Boston Bruins last year until February before the team signed him for the rest of the season. Alex Chiasson, who signed a new two-year deal on July 1 with Edmonton, was on a PTO last year before signing at the start of the regular season and had a career year.
Current Flames defenseman Brandon Davidson started off with Chicago last season on a PTO and Drew Stafford, who originally had a PTO with the Devils before signing a one-year deal, signed a PTO with Minnesota for this season.
Below are all the players who have been announced or are reportedly attending teams’ 2019 training camps on PTOs.
Boston Bruins
Calgary Flames
Dallas Stars
Florida Panthers
Minnesota Wild
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Jets
This post will be updated as more PTO signings are announced.
