NHL PTO Signings 2023: Contract and Trade Tracker

PTO refers to professional tryout contracts that provide veteran players an opportunity to find new teams before the regular season begins.

As the training camp begins, the unrestricted free agents can showcase their skills and impress teams en route to earning a one-year contract.

PTO is one of the unique yet effective contractual agreements used in the National Hockey League. There have been many instances of players making their way through to the regular-season roster through PTO and putting up exceptional performances for the team.

This type of deal works for both players and the teams, as these motivated athletes can speed up the intensity level in training camp battles. Not only will it make training sessions worthwhile, but also opens the window for a spot in the NHL roster.

Likewise, PTO contracts also exist in the American Hockey League (AHL). These agreements are limited to 25 games in the AHL, but they can be terminated at any time.

As such, some of the players join the team for only a game or weekend to fill up a roster spot on a team dealing with injuries or any other causes. Leaving a good impression with an impactful performance can lead to a potential call-up from not only the AHL team but parent teams as well.

Some of the notable 2023 professional tryouts along with their playing position are:

• Aaron Dell - Goaltender
• Nathan Beaulieu - Defenceman
• Alex Chiasson - Right winger
• Jordie Benn - Defenceman
• Sam Gagner - Center
• Libor Hájek - Left Defenceman
• Cameron Hillis - Center
• Scott Harrington - Left Defenceman
• Peter Holland - Center
• Joel Kiviranta - Winger
• Nicolas Meloche - Right Defenceman
• Nathan Schnarr - Center
• Brendan Perlini - Left Winger
• Cory Conacher - Center
• Mark Pysyk - Right Defenceman
• Nick Shore - Center
• Brandon Sutter - Center
• Austin Watson - Winger

Free agent Nathan Beaulieu can be a vital addition to any team, thanks to his defensive mobility and valuable experience in the league. He has played 471 NHL games so far, whilst representing the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, and Anaheim Ducks.

Aaron Dell was called for a PTO by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canadian goalie is capable of making an instant impact for the Blue Jackets.

Likewise, Peter Holland will be the next player to watch out for. The 32-year-old center can score crucial goals for the Avalanche next season.

Canadian ice hockey defenceman Nicolas Meloche spent last season with the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL. Prior to that, Meloche represented the San Jose Sharks in 50 games during the 2021-22 season registering 2 goals and 5 assists.

Austin Watson played a total of 176 games for the Senators in the past three NHL seasons, with 75 of them coming in 2022-23. The left winger can further add to his tally after putting on some impressive performances last season.

NHL PTO Tracker

Few players have already signed the professional tryout contracts ahead of the 2023-24 NHL season. The numbers will only keep on increasing.

• Aaron Dell - Signed with Columbus Blue Jackets in August 2023
• Alex Chiasson - Signed with Boston Bruins on August 21, 2023
• Sam Gagner - Currently on a professional tryout with the Edmonton Oilers
• Peter Holland - Signed with Colorado Avalanche in August 2023
• Brandon Sutter - Signed with Edmonton Oilers on August 8, 2023
• Brendan Perlini  - Signed with Colorado Avalanche on August 29, 2023
• Cory Conacher - Signed with Colorado Avalanche on August 29, 2023

NHL PTO contracts allow the teams to evaluate the players during training, assess their skills, and analyze how well they fit within the system.

Considering these contracts are usually short-term commitments, they also prove to be low-risk mechanisms for the team. They can release the player after the tryout period as they are not bound to offer a longer contract.

Likewise, they can offer a regular contract after a thorough analysis of the player regarding how well they perform during the tryout period.

PTO contracts also provide financial flexibility to the teams nearing the salary cap limit. They can later structure the contract in a way that fits within the team's financial limitations in cases of a PTO player earning a contract.

However, all the professional tryouts don't end up signing contracts with the team, as they might only fit during training camp and preseason.

Swedish defenceman Anton Strålman signed a one-year $1 million deal with the Boston Bruins on 11 October 2022 following the PTO period.

Likewise, both Nathan Beaulieu and Calvin De Haansigned a 1-year contract worth $850,000 each with Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes respectively last time round ahead of the 2022-23 season.

As the training camps for the new season have just begun, it will be worth watching how many professional tryouts can create an impression and sign with the teams for a spot on the regular season roster.