It's becoming more difficult to call the AHL the 2nd best league in the world. Players tell Inside AHL Hockey the league's development rule has diminished the AHL's competitive nature & isn't necessarily setting up prospects for success in the NHL. insideahlhockey.com/article/harsh-…

It seems we've reached the portion of #AHLFreeAgency where the league's top players head overseas because they've reached 'veteran' status & cannot get any NHL or AHL contract offers. Wrote about it last year Inside AHL Hockey. Sadly, it still applies in 2025...

Two+ weeks into #AHLFreeAgency25 & several recent Calder Cup champions unsigned: Abbotsford LHDs Akito Hirose & Christian Wolanin & C Jujhar Khaira (2025) Hershey LHD Jake Massie (2023, 2024), RHD Chase Priskie (2024), LW Alex Limoges (2024), Riley Sutter (2023, 2024) & Mike

Another AHL contract for Lehigh Valley: I'm told #LVPhantoms signed forward Carson Golder to an AHL deal for 2025-26. Golder, 22, had 32 points (18G-14A) in 41GP with ECHL-Norfolk as well as two assists in 10GP with AHL-Manitoba in 2024-25. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

Not that PuckPedia needs my confirmation, but source confirms to Inside AHL Hockey that the Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Jake Leschyshyn to a two-way deal. Solid pickup for AHL-Rochester. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

Another day, Another AHL ➡️ 🌎 NY Rangers UFA goalie Louis Domingue signed a one-year deal with Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL). Domingue went 7-20-1 with a 3.32 GAA, .896 SV% & 0 SO in 28GP with AHL-Hartford in 2024-25. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

Missed an AHL ➡️ 🌎 from Wednesday: Columbus Blue Jackets UFA LHD Samuel Knazko signed overseas with HC Vitkovice (Czechia) after recording 4G-12A in 55GP with AHL-Cleveland in 2024-25. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

AHL ➡️ 🌎 Washington Capitals UFA RW Pierrick Dube signed a one year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) for 2025-26. Dube, 24, had 40 points (19G-21A) in 58GP with AHL-Hershey in 2024-25. Surprised he couldn't find work in North America. Not even a veteran by AHL rule.

AHL ➡️ 🌎 Carolina UFA LHD Ty Smith has signed a one-year deal with Dinamo Minsk (KHL) after 5G-23A in 36GP with AHL-Chicago in 2024-25. The 2nd-ranked free agent defenseman Inside AHL Hockey's 'Big Board', Smith turned 25 before July 1st so he counts as a veteran by AHL rule.

I'm told #Flyers org. has signed former LA Kings 2020-5th rounder LHD Ben Meehan to an AHL contract for 2025-26. Meehan, 24, captained UMass-Lowell for second straight season in 2024-25 - recording 3G-14A in 36GP. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

AHL ➡️ 🌎 Former Hershey Bears RHD Chase Priskie signed a one-year deal with Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL). Coming off a career-high 12 goals & 35 points last year, Priskie also reached AHL veteran status after appearing in 61GP last year. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

Ty Smith yesterday. Chase Priskie today. Don't think this is the end of big AHL level free agents being squeezed out of North America, either. It sounds like quite a few more of the top remaining AHL level free agents are signing overseas for 2025-26 as well. #AHLFreeAgency25

Missed Cameron Hebig's two-year contract to return to Utah/AHL-Tucson yesterday. That's a big add for Tucson Roadrunners getting their AHL All-Star from 2024-25 back in the fold for 2025-26. #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

AHL ➡️ 🌎 Bridgeport Islanders captain Cole Bardreau signed a one-year contract with HC Pustertal (ICEHL). #AHLFreeAgency25 Inside AHL Hockey

Get caught up on #AHLFreeAgency this weekend Inside AHL Hockey! Our 'Big Board' ranking our top-100 AHL level free agents has been pretty picked through at this point, but there are still 24 players (5G/8D/11F) available among the high-end free agents. insideahlhockey.com/article/2025-a…

Nothing like a Friday night 🏒 news dump in the middle of July... The AHL is going back outdoors! The Iowa Wild (MIN) are hosting the Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) on Friday, January 23rd in Hastings, MN as part of the 20th annual Hockey Day Minnesota. Inside AHL Hockey

ICYMI last night because you were out enjoying your Friday night: AHL outdoor game in 2025-26 in Hastings, Minnesota on January 23, 2026 ⤵️ Inside AHL Hockey