Playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) is an achievement in itself, but staying there is a different story. Some players had to convince a team to create a small space for them through professional testing.
Here are five players who took full advantage of their training camp this fall:
• Also read: Maxime Comtois cannot convince the Knights
• Also read: A big absence for the Hurricanes
• Also read: The Oilers feared losing Raphaël Lavoie
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Noah Gregor, Toronto Maple Leafs
The former San Jose Sharks were without a contract at the end of last season, but the Leafs invited him to compete for a spot on the fourth line. Gregor, 25, had a strong camp, notably scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in a preseason game. The one, who agreed to the terms of a one-year, $775,000 contract, has 40 points in 120 games over the past two seasons.
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Austin Watson, Tampa Bay Lightning
The 31-year-old slugger has proven he has his place with the Lightning, who will somehow replace Patrick Maroon, who moved to Minnesota. Watson is a player who likes to disrupt things and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. With the Ottawa Senators, he was the fourth-most penalized player in the NHL last year. Remember, he was drafted 18th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2010.
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Colin White, Pittsburgh Penguins
White, a center, agreed to a two-way contract with the Penguins. The 26-year-old Pivot is holding out as best he can: The six-year contract, which is expected to pay him $28.5 million, was purchased by the Senators before the last campaign. The American proved his usefulness with the Florida Panthers in 2022-2023 by collecting 15 points in 68 games and taking part in their 21 playoff games.
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Zach Aston-Reese, Detroit Red Wings
This is the second year in a row that Aston-Reese has won. By October 2022, the Leafs had fallen in love with him, but not enough to give him a second contract. The versatile striker completed training camp with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, he was released on Friday and the Red Wings signed him two days later. The 29-year-old skater will begin the year in the American League.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Max Willman, New Jersey Devils
Willman isn’t the most well-known of this group, but he will be an asset to the Devils’ depth. The 28-year-old played 50 games for the Philadelphia Flyers, despite spending most of last season with their affiliate. With his future secured in the short term, he was traded to the Utica Comets after a period on waivers.
They still have a chance: Sam Gagner and Adam Erne (Edmonton Oilers), Libor Hajek (Pittsburgh Penguins), Danton Heinen (Boston Bruins), Jackson Cates (New York Islanders).