A year ago, the Rochester Americans’ top nine scorers returned, a remarkable number for an AHL team. This upcoming season, that number might be three.
The Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate was bound to experience some overturn in free agency this offseason after enjoying stability rarely seen in the minors. Some updates are below.
– Defenseman Joseph Cecconi signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $775,000 in the NHL and $325,000 in the AHL.
Cecconi, 27, compiled one goal and 13 points in 58 games last season while often playing big minutes alongside Jeremy Davies on the No. 1 defense tandem.
After playing 275 games in the AHL, Cecconi, a Youngstown native, could be close to earning his first recall to the big leagues. He spent a season and a half in Buffalo’s organization.
– Davies signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators worth 775,000 in the NHL and $350,000 in the AHL.
Davies, 27, registered 12 goals and 35 points in 66 games last season, his second with Rochester. He played one game for the Sabres in 2022-23.
– Center Brandon Biro signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Seattle Kraken worth $775,000 in the NHL and $385,000 in the AHL, according to PuckPedia.
Biro, 26, scored 16 goals and 43 points in 59 games last season. He also recorded two goals in five appearances for the Sabres.
The Penn State product, an intriguing and often overshadowed prospect, spent four seasons with the Amerks, compiling 46 goals and 140 points in 171 outings.
– Winger Linus Weissbach signed a two-year contract with Frolunda HC, a team in the Swedish Hockey League.
Weissbach, 26, registered 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games last season.
The Swede compiled 52 goals and 117 points in 192 games with the Amerks over three seasons.
– Defenseman Riley Stillman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes worth $775,000 in the NHL and $150,000 in the AHL.
Stillman, 26, compiled two goals and six points in 46 games last season before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a lower-body injury.
He played 18 games for the Sabres in 2022-23 after they acquired him in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks.
– Defenseman Calle Sjalin signed with Rogle BK, a team in the Swedish Hockey League.
Sjalin, 24, compiled one goal and four points in nine games after arriving from the Florida Panthers organization in the Kyle Okposo trade.