Checking In On 14 NHL Players Who Signed Deals Off PTOs

Every year in NHL training camps, a handful of free agents join clubs on professional tryouts to show they deserve another contract.

Not every tryout (PTO) turns into a new deal, but many do.

These players are usually brought in with no guarantees of earning an NHL contract or significant playing time. But a few veterans have carved out a notable role this season with their new clubs.

Here is how some PTO players who got a contract are doing as the season flips to 2025.

Tyler Johnson, Boston Bruins

The two-time Cup winner had to wait until Nov. 4 to sign an NHL deal with the Bruins due to their cap limitations. After scoring 17 goals with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, Johnson had just two assists in nine games in limited ice time and agreed to have his deal terminated by Boston in mid-December.

Tyson Barrie, Calgary Flames

The well-travelled 33-year-old blueliner signed a one-year, $1.25-million deal by the Flames and played regularly to start the season but has been a healthy scratch since mid-November. He has a goal and an assist in nine games.

Max Pacioretty, Toronto Maple Leafs

The six-time 30-goal scorer battled back from a pair of Achilles tears to play 47 games in Washington last season but scored only four goals. The Leafs gave the 36-year-old an opportunity to play a top-six role at camp and signed the former Canadiens captain an incentive-based one-year deal. Pacioretty has played most of the season on the wing with John Tavares and William Nylander, and he has 12 points in 25 games.

Dustin Tokarski, Carolina Hurricanes

The 35-year-old journeyman goalie was invited to camp on a PTO by Ottawa but did not hook on with the Senators. In December, after injuries to Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, Tokarski signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Hurricanes and won his first NHL game in nearly two years against Columbus on Dec. 15. In three games for the Hurricanes, he has a 2.35 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.

Kevin Labanc, Columbus Blue Jackets

After attending training camp on a PTO with the New Jersey Devils, the former San Jose Sharks right winger signed a league-minimum NHL deal with the Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old is playing a depth role with Columbus but has two goals and 12 points in 27 games.

Austin Watson, Detroit Red Wings

The big, physical left winger played 33 games for Tampa Bay last season and signed a two-way deal with Detroit in October. The 32-year-old has 25 points in 29 games with AHL Grand Rapids and has played two games with the Wings this season.

Travis Dermott, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton brought in the former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick because of his affiliation with Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, who coached Dermott and Connor McDavid on the OHL's Erie Otters. After Dermott played 10 games in Edmonton, the Oilers placed him on waivers, and the Minnesota Wild claimed him. He has yet to record a point.

Matt Martin, New York Islanders

The long-time Islander enforcer went to camp on a PTO and had to wait until late October before GM Lou Lamoriello could fit him under the cap. The 35-year-old has resumed his role on the fourth line, averaging just over eight minutes per game, but he hasn't played since Dec. 15.

Eetu Makiniemi, Philadelphia Flyers

The former Carolina draft pick was signed to a two-way deal by the Flyers as a depth goalie and has played five games for AHL Lehigh Valley.

Nikita Alexandrov, St. Louis Blues

The 2019 second-round pick played 51 NHL games over the last two seasons on his entry-level contract and earned a one-year, two-way deal after attending camp on a PTO, but Alexandrov has played all season with AHL Springfield, recording 13 points in 15 games.

Steven Lorentz, Toronto Maple Leafs

The big left winger won a Cup with Florida last season but was not offered a new deal by the Panthers. The Kitchener, Ont., native signed a PTO and earned a one-year deal with the Leafs, where he has been a steady presence on their fourth line and used on the penalty kill.

Kailer Yamamoto, Utah Hockey Club

The former Oilers first-round pick struggled with the Seattle Kraken last season, but Utah brought him in on a PTO and signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, two-way deal. He has 21 points in 20 games with AHL Tucson and has seen spot duty with Utah.

Tanner Pearson, Vegas Golden Knights

The injured-plagued Cup winner has played for Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Vancouver and Montreal before winning a job with the Golden Knights, playing a bottom-six forward role. He has seven goals and 15 points in 37 games.

Jakub Vrana, Washington Capitals

Vrana won a Cup with the Capitals in 2018 and scored 20-plus goals twice before being dealt to Detroit for Anthony Mantha in 2021. After three years with the Wings and two more with St. Louis, the 28-year-old returned to Washington on a PTO. He has seven goals and 11 points in 23 games but has been scratched at times by Capitals coach Spencer Carbery for defensive issues.

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