AHL-Only UFA To Keep An Eye On Heading Into July 1

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While some of these notable AHL-level free agents might end up signing an NHL contract later this month, here's a list of some players on AHL-only contracts that had strong/standout seasons in 2022-23 to keep an eye on:

DEFENSE

LD Nikolas Brouillard (San Diego)2022-23 AHL Stats: 72GP, 6G-33A, -27, 120 PIM

An offensive defenseman with a little bit of snarl to his game, Brouillard can QB an AHL power play and help provide offense from the back end.

LD Noel Hoefenmayer (Toronto)2022-23 AHL Stats: 65GP, 11G-27A, -2, 114 PIM

Hoefenmayer enjoyed quite a bit of success while on an AHL deal with the Marlies this past season, spending his first full season in the AHL in his third year at the pro level. A former 2017-4th round pick of Arizona, Hoefenmayer is definitely a player trending in the right direction.

LD Griffin Mendel (Chicago)2022-23 AHL Stats: 72GP, 9G-10A, -11, 24 PIM

The big, rangy, 6-foot-6 defender uses his size/reach to his advantage on the PK, but also quietly put up nine goals as a rookie blueliner in the AHL last year - tied for fourth most among first year defensemen in 2022-23.

LD Jimmy Schuldt (Coachella Valley)2022-23 AHL Stats: 71GP, 8G-24A, +22, 31 PIM

Schuldt was a reliable player on the backend for the Firebirds all the way through to the Calder Cup Finals.

LD Vincent Sevigny (Bridgeport)2022-23 AHL Stats: 53GP, 5G-12A, -1, 28 PIM

Sevigny was catching a lot of attention in the first half of the 2022-23 season as one of the better defense prospects on an AHL contract in the Eastern Conference. Is it possible an NHL deal is in his future?

FORWARDS

C Cole Cassels (Belleville)Veteran2022-23 AHL Stats: 64GP, 12G-39A, +3, 35 PIM

The 28-year-old nearly doubled his 26-point career high in the AHL last season, while also adding two assists in 13 games in Sweden's 2nd tier pro league in 2022-23.

RW Adam Cracknell (Tucson)Veteran2022-23 AHL Stats: 64GP, 21G-32A, +12, 34 PIM

A reliable veteran that can still put up points at the AHL level, Cracknell would be a welcomed addition to a young team in need of a veteran voice to guide a team's prospects.

RW Rocco Grimaldi (Rockford/San Diego)Veteran2022-23 AHL Stats: 70GP, 33G-40A, -8, 43 PIM

A small, speedy forward that is shifty/elusive and a player to watch night in and night out at the AHL level. A point-per-game top line player at this level.

C Mason Jobst2022-23 AHL Stats: 61GP, 14G-24A, -3, 23 PIM

Playing at his natural position of center for the first time as a pro in 2022-23, Jobst put himself back on the AHL map with a breakout year in addition to a really strong showing in the playoffs this spring.

RW Jeremy McKenna (Coachella Valley)2022-23 AHL Stats: 27GP, 5G-7A, -3, 6 PIM

The regular season statline might not stand out, but his 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 18 playoff games this spring tell me he's a big game performer that has made the most of his very limited opportunities in the AHL. McKenna had 2G-1A in winner-take-all Game 5 in second round, and two goals in the winner-take-all Game 5 in Pacific Division Finals - including game-tying third period goal that forced OT.

LW Mason Morelli (Hershey)2022-23 AHL Stats: 72GP, 12G-29A, +19, 72 PIM

Morelli possesses the kind of skill set that NHL GM's love. He's fierce on the forecheck, reliable in all three zones, finishes checks, kills penalties and plays a direct - and often times called simple - game. He goes to the net and got rewarded for his hard work as a bit of an unsung hero on the Calder Cup champion Bears.

LW Gage Quinney2022-23 AHL Stats: 66GP, 25G-39A, -3, 22 PIM

Quinney overachieved on a Henderson team that largely underachieved in 2022-23 as a group. Quinney is a Las Vegas, Nevada native so it wouldn't be surprising to see him re-sign to stay close to home.

LW Nolan Stevens (Utica)2022-23 AHL Stats: 48GP, 15G-18A, +9, 17 PIM

Stevens kind of quietly put together a solid season with Utica overshadowed by high-end prospects in the New Jersey Devils system. Make no mistake, he's a reliable player at this level and could be a great sneaky addition to an AHL team looking for complimentary players to place with their younger prospects.

LW Chris Terry (Bridgeport)Veteran2022-23 AHL Stats: 67GP, 27G-51A, Even, 72 PIM

Terry turned 34 in April, but it didn't stop him from another point-per-game season in the AHL. The type of player who can still create offense at this level. 691 points (290G-401A) in 754 career AHL games.