The Most Impactful PTO Signings in Recent NHL History

As the NHL’s 2026‑27 regular season approaches, another wave of professional tryout agreements is expected, with some players securing roster spots while others fall short.

Only a handful of PTOs have been reported so far, but more are anticipated as clubs finalize training‑camp rosters.

Early signings tracked by the PuckPedia 2026 NHL PTO Tracker include goaltenders Cal Petersen and Chris Driedger joining the Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks, respectively, and forward Alex Nylander landing with the Calgary Flames.

That raises a compelling question: which PTO signings have genuinely paid off in recent memory?

Although most tryout invitees fail to make the opening‑night roster, several NHLers have seized the opportunity, earned a contract, and made a meaningful impact during the season.

Matt Grzelcyk – Chicago Blackhawks

In 2025, Matt Grzelcyk signed with the Chicago Blackhawks following a 40‑point campaign (one goal, 39 assists) in 82 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Grzelcyk had accumulated 175 points (26 goals, 149 assists) in 527 regular‑season games for the Boston Bruins and Penguins before his tryout, and he contributed 12 assists in 69 games for Chicago.

That output wasn’t enough to attract a guaranteed deal this summer; he remains an unsigned free agent and will likely pursue another PTO. Nevertheless, he made the team—an achievement many tryout hopefuls cannot claim.

Daniel Sprong – Seattle Kraken

Daniel Sprong exemplifies how a tryout can spark a breakout season.

After the Kraken declined to qualify him as a restricted free agent in September 2022, Sprong attended camp on a PTO, secured a one‑year, two‑way contract, and posted a career‑high 21 goals and 46 points in just 66 games.

He parlayed that performance into a $2‑million deal with the Detroit Red Wings, adding another 18 goals. His production subsequently declined during stints in Vancouver, a return to Seattle, and New Jersey before he departed for the KHL.

Still, Sprong’s trajectory demonstrates how a PTO can extend an NHL career by several seasons.

Jimmy Vesey – New York Rangers

Jimmy Vesey entered the 2022‑23 campaign with modest expectations after struggling to meet the hype that surrounded him as college hockey’s top undrafted free agent.

He had spent three seasons moving among four organizations. A PTO with the Rangers—his second stint in New York—yielded a strong preseason, earning him a one‑year, league‑minimum contract.

Vesey appeared in all 81 games as a reliable fourth‑liner, recording 11 goals and 25 points while excelling on the penalty kill. His play merited a two‑year, $800,000 AAV extension midway through the season.

Mason Raymond – Toronto Maple Leafs

Mason Raymond joined the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout in September 2013, won a roster spot, and tallied 19 goals and 45 points in 82 games.

That performance secured him a three‑year, $9.5‑million extension from the Calgary Flames—a payday that would not have materialized without a successful tryout.

In pure financial terms, this may rank among the most lucrative outcomes of a PTO.

Alex Chiasson – Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings

Alex Chiasson has earned a reputation as a PTO specialist.

He made four different NHL clubs via tryouts, converting each opportunity into a productive season.

In 2017, he cracked the Capitals’ lineup and scored nine goals. In 2018, he impressed the Edmonton Oilers, notching 22 goals and 38 points in 72 games. He made the Canucks in 2021, adding 13 goals in 67 games. His final PTO with Arizona did not pan out, but an AHL stint led to 20 games with the Red Wings in 2022‑23.

Source link