July 1 – the day where National Hockey League teams can sign that missing piece or two they think will help them in the pursuit of a Stanley Cup. It is also the day where teams start to fill their American Hockey League rosters with players cast off by others in order to accommodate their up-and-coming prospects. These veteran players are still good enough to compete, but can’t crack the top 14 forwards (or seven defensemen) on a regular basis. Sometimes they are late bloomers who just need the right system to produce in the NHL.
[Editor’s Note: This article was written prior to the July 1 Free Agent Frenzy.