KEEPING AN EYE ON AMERKS FREE AGENCY
Sep 12, 2022By Suzie Cool
After a thrilling 2021-22 campaign from the Rochester Americans, it’s no secret that everyone in the Flower City is ready for the 2022-23 hockey season to kick off at The Blue Cross Arena come October 14.
However, before we even get to Opening Night, we have to make it through the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge, two training camps and establish a roster before the Amerks kick off their 67th season in the American Hockey League against the Toronto Marlies.
So, who do we have to look forward to seeing in an Amerks sweater come the 2022-23 campaign? Well, there are 11 returning players either still under contract or re-signed with the organization over the last few months, nine players who are still finishing out their entry-level contracts, six newcomers ready to begin their careers in pro hockey and 10 free agency acquisitions.
Here's a closer look at the players we could potentially see in Rochester this upcoming season and a brief description of what their contracts can entail. Keep in mind that this list of players is certainly no indication as to who will make up the Amerks roster going into next season, it’s simply to keep everyone up to date on the moves that have been made within the organization and which players we can possibly see with the Amerks in 2022-23.
PLAYERS STILL UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE 2022-23 SEASON
FORWARDS
Michael Mersch – two-year, one-way AHL contract (2023-24)
PLAYERS WHO RE-SIGNED FROM THE 2021-22 ROSTER
FORWARDS
Brandon Biro (RFA) – two-year, two-way NHL contract (2024-25)
Sean Malone (UFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
Brett Murray (RFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
Brendan Warren (UFA) – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
DEFENSEMEN
Mitch Eliot (UFA) – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
Ethan Prow (UFA) – two-year, one-way AHL contract (2024-25)
Peter Tischke (UFA) – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
GOALTENDERS
Michael Houser (UFA) – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (RFA)– two-year, two-way NHL contract (2024-25 – year two contract is just one-way)
Malcolm Subban (UFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
PLAYERS ON ENTRY-LEVEL DEALS FROM THE 2021-22 SEASON
FORWARDS
Peyton Krebs – entry-level contract (2024-25)
Matej Pekar – entry-level contract (2023-24)
JJ Peterka – entry level contract (2025-26)
Jack Quinn – entry-level contract (2025-26)
Lukas Rousek – entry-level contract (2023-24)
Linus Weissbach – entry-level contract (2023-24)
DEFENSEMEN
Casey Fitzgerald – entry-level contract (2023-24)
Oskari Laaksonen – entry-level contract (2023-24)
Mattias Samuelsson – entry-level contract (2023-24)
NEW PLAYERS ON ENTRY-LEVEL DEALS
FORWARDS
Josh Bloom – entry-level contract (2025-26)
Filip Cederqvist – entry-level contract (2025-26)
Alexander Kisakov – entry-level contract (2026-27)
Tyson Kozak – entry-level contract (2026-27)
Jiri Kulich – entry-level contract (2026-27)
Isak Rosen – entry-level contract (2026-27)
FREE AGENCY PICK-UPS
FORWARDS
Mason Jobst – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
Kohen Olischefski – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
Josh Passolt – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
Riley Sheahan – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
DEFENSEMEN
Zach Berzolla (UFA) – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
Kale Clague (UFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
Jeremy Davis (UFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
Lawrence Pilut (UFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
Chase Priskie (UFA) – one-year, two-way NHL contract (2023-24)
GOALTENDERS
Beck Warm (UFA) – one-year, two-way AHL contract (2023-24)
CONTRACT DESCRIPTIONS
A player that is a restricted free agent (RFA) has reached the end of their initial entry-level contract but is not yet an unrestricted free agent. Their rights are still held by the NHL team.
A player is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) if older than 25 (or after 7 years, whichever comes first) and his contract ends. UFAs can sign with any team.
All new players, under the age of 25, are required to sign an entry-level contract. Entry-level contracts are three years if the player is age 18-21, two years if age 22-24 and one year if age 24.
If a player signs an AHL contract, he can still sign an NHL contract with any team that expresses interest.
If a player is currently on a two-way contract, then his pay is dependent on if he is assigned to the NHL or the AHL. All entry-level contracts are two-way contracts.
If a player is currently on a one-way contract, then he is paid the same amount of money regardless of whether he plays in the NHL or AHL.