And you thought the Flyers were done on free agency day. Well, I guess that’s accurate. They only signed Michal Neuvirth today. But they did make three minor deals that likely won’t impact their NHL roster just after 5 p.m. ET on July 1, signing center Tim Brent, winger Chris Conner, and defenseman Davis Drewiske to two-way deals.
All three guys are AHL depth for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Brent and Drewiske are signed to one-year deals, while it’s a two-year deal for Conner. Money is unknown at this time. So, OK. Who?
Brent, 31, played the last two seasons in with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL. He has 207 NHL games under his belot with the Ducks, Penguins, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes. Returning to North America has become a trend among former KHLers — especially Canadian and American players — since the Russian economy has slowed. He probably feels that playing in the AHL is a better option for him than playing in the KHL at this point.
Conner, also 31, played two games with the Washington Capitals last season and has 180 NHL games under his belt, but has mostly been an AHL player throughout his career. A graduate of Michigan Tech, he’s played for the Stars, Penguins, Red Wings, Coyotes and Caps. He’s a decent AHL player but hasn’t played consistently in the NHL since 2010-11 in Pittsburgh. Wouldn’t expect him to make a play for the Flyers roster.
Drewiske, 30, has played for in the Montreal Canadiens‘ organization and the Los Angeles Kings organization. (So Ron Hextall is familiar with him.) Last season he played 62 games for Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, and he has 135 games under his belt.
