As I write this article the American Hockey League should have been kicking into action.

The AHL has tentatively pencilled in a December start for 2020/21 but that looks optimistic at this point and plans are already in place for either a February or March beginning.

Regardless of the uncertainty, NHL organisations and AHL teams have to plan for a 2020-21 campaign and free agency certainly plays as important a role in the AHL as it does the level above.

There has already been a mass exodus of players heading to Europe to guarantee themselves playing in the immediate term and this has left some big gaps in free agency.

This is especially prevalent on defense with players such as Chris Wideman, Oliwer Kaski, Emil Djuse and Brennan Menell all now plying their trade in the KHL

This will be like no free agency in history, thus making it one of the most intriguing to cover as organisations have to cope with a flat cap amongst other issues.

The following are are a list of free agents pertinent to the American Hockey League to keep a keen eye on.

Forwards:

Sam Anas UFA Minnesota Wild Age: 27 Position: C/RW

Sam Anas is coming off a career year in the AHL, leading the league in scoring with seventy points (20-50-70) in 63 games.

In four season with the Minnesota organisation, he’s yet to be given a shot in the NHL despite improvements in his game every season to go along with the point tallies.

There undoubtedly will be plenty of suitors if the former Quinnipiac forward is happy to move on from the Wild.

Chris Terry UFA Detroit Redwings Age: 31 Position: LW

Chris Terry is an archetypal AHL veteran forward who is sought out by many organisations each summer. A four-time AHL All-Star and leading scorer in 2017-18, Terry is almost a shoo-in to produce at a point-per-game pace in the American League and an excellent addition to any power-play.

On a very young Grand Rapids team last season, the Brampton native put up 51 points (21-30-51) in 57 games and has 552 career AHL points to his name.

Daniel Carr UFA Nashville Predators Age: 28 Position: LW

The Alberta native has signed in Europe with HC Lugano and at the time of writing has three points in two games for his new team.

However, the deal in Switzerland is only until November at this point so there is the option for him to return to North America.

The AHL’s MVP in 2018-19 has produced at better than point-per-game pace through the last two seasons and has over a hundred game experience in the NHL.

He will be a highly sought player after if teams can convince him to return for 2020/21.

Alan Quine UFA Calgary Flames Age: 27 Position: Centre

Quine has been consistently one of Stockton Heats’ top forwards since his time with the Calgary organisation (98 points in 79 games).

His NHL opportunities have lessened since switching the eastern conference for the west but his numbers still stack up well.

In 106 NHL outings, the former Kingston Frontenacs forward has 28 points and has produced at 0.85 PPG pace through 278 AHL career games.

Vinni Lettieri UFA New York Rangers Age: 25 Position: C/RW

Since turning professional, Vinni Lettieri has spent his entire career with the New York Rangers organisation.

The Hartford Wolf Pack had regularly been one of the lesser lights in the American League until very recent times, so his career 132 points in 173 games (including 71 goals) can be upgraded somewhat. Lettieri does have 46 game experience in the NHL but those opportunities have dwindled of late and the Minnesota native may be looking for an opportunity elsewhere.

Kyle Rau UFA Minnesota Wild Age: 27 Position: C/LW Re-signed October 08, 2020

Rau was somewhat hidden by the bright lights that were Sam Anas and Gerald Mayhew with the Iowa Wild last season.

His point-per-game production has increased with each passing season and though his NHL dream might be passing him by, he would make an excellent addition as a ‘veteran’ type forward to any AHL club. His prowess on the power-play should be noted, consistently good throughout his collegiate career and in 2018-19 he potted 17 on the man advantage for Iowa.

Byron Froese UFA Calgary Flames Age: 29 Position: C/RW

Since being plucked from ECHL obscurity by Toronto Marlies General Manger Kyle Dubas, Froese has become a forward relied upon in all situations in the AHL.

His AHL number aren’t outstanding in this free agency class (205 points in 330 games) but that shouldn’t detract from his overall game and qualities including becoming a leader, having captained Laval Rocket for two seasons and Stockton Heat in 2019-20.

Curtis McKenzie UFA Vegas Golden Knights Age: 29 Position: LW

A proven goalscorer at the AHL level, McKenzie would likely have made it four consecutive twenty goal season’s in the American League if the campaign hadn’t been cut short.

An archetypal power-forward, McKenzie has produced at 0.81 PPG pace in the AHL and is vastly experienced with 355 regular-season games to go along with 99 NHL outings and anticipated the Texas Stars during the 2017-18 campaign.

Ben Street UFA New Jersey Devils Age: 33 Position: C/LW

Ben Street is a vastly experienced forward with over 500 AHL and 59 NHL games under his belt. The Captain of the Binghamton Devils last season recorded 42 points in 49 games and is a 0.83 PPG career player in the AHL.

A Calder Cup Champion in 2017 and has worn a letter in six of his last seven seasons, it’s very clear why teams would be interested in acquiring the Canadian in a mentorship role for young prospects.

Josh Currie UFA Edmonton Oilers Age: 27 Position: RW

Josh Currie has scored twenty goals in the last four AHL campaigns since fully graduating from the ECHL in 2015-16. He’s another forward on this list that excels on the power-play though his career point-per-game production is certainly not as impressive.

Andrew Poturalski UFA Anaheim Ducks Age: 26 Position: C/RW

Poturalski was the flavour of the month when the Charlotte Checkers won the Calder Cup in 2019 having been chosen as the playoff MVP with most goals and points.

After signing with Anaheim as a free agent, Poturalski’s season was limited to seventeen games due to injuries.

He’s a forward who is nigh-on guaranteed to pot twenty goals a season, likely to sustain or improve upon his 0.72 career AHL point-per-game pace but could be short of options due to his most recent truncated campaign. 

Chris Mueller UFA Anaheim Ducks Age: 34 Position: Centre

A two-time Calder Cup champion and 13-year AHL veteran, Chris Mueller’s signature will be of interest to many teams. 

The New York native has compiled 565 points in 771 AHL games and a further 74 points in 101 playoff outings.

He’s regularly used in all key situations, excellent on the power-play and has a career 14.2% shooting percentage. He’s a top earner in the league for good reasons.

Erik Condra UFA Colorado Eagles Age: 34 Position: LW/RW

Condra showed his commitment to continue playing last season by signing an AHL contract with Colorado Eagles. This after a 372 game NHL career in which he posted 99 points with Ottawa, Dallas and Tampa.

The US winger has a similar amount of AHL experience and is a career 0.68 point-per-game producer.

Tomas Jurco UFA Edmonton Oilers Age: 27 Position: LW/RW

Jurco is somewhat of an outlier in the list due to the fact he has more NHL experience than AHL.

A two-time Calder Cup Champion, most recently with Charlotte in 2019 (18 points in as many games), the Slovak forward has bounced around the NHL since departing Detroit. 

For the first time since his rookie campaign, Jurco spent the entirety of the last campaign of the AHL but the NHL dream likely still burns bright and a player with something to prove, normally provides a good result.

Seth Griffith UFA Winnipeg Jets Age: 27 Position: C/RW

Griffith is the archetypal tweener. Virtually a guaranteed point-per-game producer in the AHL (0.91 PPG career through 376 games ) but has never been able to hold down a regular NHL berth (79 career games).

Winnipeg failed to offer Griffith an NHL opportunity during the two years he’s been with the organisation and the likelihood is the Ontario native will look for a fresh start.

Others forwards to note:

Phil Varone UFA Pittsburgh Penguins

Jayson Megna UFA Colorado Avalanche

Cristoval Nieves UFA (Group 6) New York Rangers

Glenn Gawdin RFA Calgary Flames

Jayson Megna UFA Colorado Avalanche

Steven Lorentz RFA Carolina Hurricanes

Justin Bailey RFA Vancouver Canucks

Brett Seney RFA New Jersey Devils

Joel L’Esperance RFA Dallas Stars

Defensemen:

Cameron Gaunce UFA Tampa Bay Lightning Age: 30 Position: LHD

Gaunce is a highly experienced AHL defenseman with 646 regular seasons games under his belt and a further 43 playoff games to boot. 

A Calder Cup winner with the Texas Stars in 2012, Gaunce has suited up for six different AHL clubs and played 37 games in the NHL, including three in the most recent campaign with Tampa Bay, in which he recorded a goal and three assists.

His point production has been on an upward curve the last two seasons, including career-high numbers in 2018-19 (10-36-46) with Syracuse Crunch.

Matt Bartkowski UFA Minnesota Wild Age: 32 Position: LHD Re-signed October 08, 2020

Bartkowski is a veteran of over 600 professional games including 255 in the NHL.

He’s never been the overly productive offensively throughout his career and it’s a defensively responsible, physical game and leadership qualities that will endear him to prospective teams.

Other defensemen to note:

Derrick Pouliot RFA St. Louis Blues

Goaltenders:

Troy Grosenick UFA Nashville Predators Age: 31

Troy Grosenick is statistically one of the best goaltenders in the American League not to receive an extended look in the NHL.

Just two games in 2014-15 for the San Jose Sharks is the full extent of his NHL career but Grosenick will be highly sought after by teams looking for a veteran goaltender who knows how to win at the AHL level.

In 254 games the Wisconsin native has posted 132 victories, a 0.912 save percentage and sixteen shutouts. In the past three years with Milwaukee, the goaltender has a combined 0.917Sv% and won 47 of 86 games.

Max Lagace UFA Boston Bruins Age: 27

The Canadian goaltender has started to flourish in the past two AHL seasons.

With the Chicago Wolves and Providence Bruins has posted a combined 38-17 record, 0.917SV% and six shutouts.

Lagace has an impressive winning track record in the AHL (82-44) and eight shutouts to boot.

With three young goalies on Boston’s books aged 23, 21, and 21 respectively, the Bruins may decide to part ways with Lagace.

Christopher Gibson UFA New York Islanders Age: 27

Christopher Gibson’s statistics don’t make for impressive reading but they need consideration when 

he’s been suiting up one of the AHL’s lesser lights in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

In the last five years with the Islanders affiliate, Gibson has posted a combined 0.909Sv% and consistent winning records despite backing up a team who has made the playoffs in just two of the last seven seasons to be completed.

Gibson has spent some time in the NHL with New York and faired well so he will be of interest for teams looking to solidify their depth goaltending.

Kasimir Kaskisuo UFA Toronto Marlies Age: 27

Kasimir Kaskisuo might become victim to the number game in Toronto with two young prospects looking to make their mark at the AHL level.

The Finnish netminder certainly endured some struggles within the Toronto organisation but also had stretches of brilliance, including the 2019 Calder Cup run in which he carried through two rounds of the playoffs.

His career AHL statistics are a 46-32-18 record, 0.909Sv% and eight shutouts.

Andrew Hammond UFA BUFFALO Age: 32

A veteran of 165 AHL and 56 NHL games respectively, Hammond has bounced between the Colorado, Minnesota and Buffalo organisations since being traded from Ottawa.

His career statistics don’t leap off the page but as a well-respected goaltender and fairly consistent performer, they will be takers for Hammond.

Other goaltenders to note:

Zane McIntyre UFA New Jersey Devils

Jon Gillies UFA Calgary Flames

Garret Sparks UFA Vegas Golden Knights

Philippe Desrosiers RFA Florida Panthers

Hunter Miska RFA Colorado Avalanche