Over the course of the offseason more and more players will accept invitations to join team training camps. Usually these are players trying to resurrect their career or to show that they have one or two more years left before retirement. Notable training camp invites last year included Lee Stempniak and Jonas Gustavsson.
Making a team as an invitee is harder than just being one of the top-12 forwards or top-6 defensemen. Teams are usually looking for specific needs, such as a speedy second line forward or a defenseman who can eat minutes. Teams may want to save their bottom roster spots for developing prospects, so invitees risk being cut unless they meet a team’s identified need.
Here are the notable players who have been invited to training camps thus far. The list excludes players that are attending camps but are already signed to minor league contracts or prospects who are hoping to earn a minor league deal. Check here often for updates.
Training Camp Invites
Anaheim Ducks:
Sean Bergenheim
David Booth
Yann Danis
David Jones
Arizona Coyotes:
Zach Boychuk
Boston Bruins:
Peter Mueller
Calgary Flames:
Luke Adam
Jamie Devane
Matt Frattin
Nicklas Grossmann
Chris Higgins
Lauri Korpikoski
Colby Robak
Carolina Hurricanes:
Raffi Torres
Colorado Avalanche:
Gabriel Bourque
Rene Bourque
Jiri Tlusty
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Keith Aule
Marc-Andre Bergeron
Mike Brown
Aaron Palushaj
Jarret Stoll
Edmonton Oilers:
Eric Gryba
Kris Versteeg
Ryan Vesce
Florida Panthers:
Justin Fontaine
Adam Pardy
Los Angeles Kings:
Lucas Lessio
Tom McCollum
Devin Setoguchi
Minnesota Wild:
Ryan Carter
Tomas Fleischmann
New Jersey Devils:
Brian Gibbons
Anders Lindback
New York Islanders:
Steve Bernier
Stephen Gionta
New York Rangers:
Maxim Lapierre
Ottawa Senators:
Matt Bartkowski
Philadelphia Flyers:
Corban Knight
St. Louis Blues:
T.J. Galiardi
Eric Nystrom
Chris Porter
Yan Stastny
Mike Weber
Tampa Bay Lightning:
James Wisniewski
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Jeff Glass
Raman Hrabarenka
Brandon Prust
Vancouver Canucks:
Jack Skille
Tuomo Ruutu
James Sheppard
Washington Capitals:
Drew MacIntyre