The Ontario Reign are entering a critical offseason, facing the challenge of reshaping a roster that has been hit by a wave of free‑agent departures. The club finished the campaign with 13 players whose contracts have expired, each of whom must now be evaluated for a potential return.
General manager and player development staff have been poring over performance metrics, injury histories and the team’s depth chart to determine which contracts can be offered. The decisions will hinge on a mix of on‑ice contributions, salary‑cap considerations and the organization’s long‑term plans for its AHL affiliate.
Key Re‑Signings
Among the most likely to stay are forward Glenn Gawdin, who emerged as a first‑line center and whose offensive output made him a cornerstone of the Reign’s attack. Veteran defenseman Jacob Doty, known for his physical presence and leadership in the AHL, is also expected to receive an AHL contract. Young blueliner Jack Millar, who has become a reliable penalty‑killing specialist, should be retained in the same role, while goaltender Isaiah Saville, who posted solid numbers in net, is slated for an AHL agreement as well.
Prospect forward Francesco Pinelli faces a now‑or‑never moment; his performance in the latter part of the season has put him squarely in the conversation for a new NHL contract. The organization views his development as essential to adding depth at center, making a re‑signing appear probable.
Players Likely to Move On
The list of players who are expected to leave includes forward Logan Brown, whose name has surfaced in rumors of a move to the KHL, and Nikita Alexandrov, whose inconsistent production and a minor injury late in the season reduced his appeal. Jan Jenik’s two‑game stint yielded modest numbers, leading the staff to conclude that a contract renewal would not be justified.
Other departures include Keaton Mastrodonato, who spent the majority of the year in the ECHL, and defenseman Kyle Burroughs, whose role as a seventh‑man in the NHL made him expendable. Tim Rego and Mattias Sholl, both primarily ECHL contributors, are also projected to be released as the Reign trim their depth chart.
The goaltending situation adds another layer of complexity. With Pheonix Copley still under contract with the Los Angeles Kings, the Reign’s depth chart is crowded, making a return for Copley unlikely. The team will instead rely on Saville and potentially promote younger net‑minders from the affiliate.
Overall, the Reign’s front office is balancing the need to maintain a competitive AHL squad with the desire to allocate resources to players who can push for NHL opportunities. The final decisions will shape the team’s identity for the upcoming season and could have ripple effects on the parent club’s roster planning.