For hockey fans, September means the return of NHL action — even if the month's schedule is only filled with training camps and preseason exhibition games.
Every year, a number of league veterans who are without a home and could still offer some value sign professional tryout agreements allowing them to practice and play exhibition matches. Teams often sign players to PTOs to encourage competition between a veteran still trying to prove he belongs and younger prospects gunning to secure their first NHL job; many times it's just that — preseason competition.
Some players will eventually earn an NHL contract for their persistence, often as a depth addition to the roster — Lee Stempniak, skated with the Boston Bruins last year until February before the team signed him for the rest of the season. Alex Chiasson, who signed a new two-year deal on July 1 with Edmonton, was on a PTO last year before signing at the start of the regular season and had a career year.
Current Flames defenseman Brandon Davidson started off with Chicago last season on a PTO and Drew Stafford, who originally had a PTO with the Devils before signing a one-year deal, signed a PTO with Minnesota for this season.
Below are all the players who have been announced or are reportedly attending teams' 2019 training camps on PTOs.
Boston Bruins
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Alex Petrovic | Defense | Edmonton Oilers |
Calgary Flames
Dallas Stars
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Stefan Noesen | Forward | New Jersey Devils |
| Scottie Upshall | Forward | Did not play last season |
| Corey Elkins | Forward | Grizzlys Wolfsburg (Germany) |
Florida Panthers
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Lance Bouma | Forward | Geneve-Servette (Switzerland) |
| Troy Brouwer | Forward | Florida Panthers |
Minnesota Wild
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Drew Stafford | Forward | New Jersey Devils |
| Olivier Archambault | Forward | Syracuse Crunch (AHL) |
| Gabe Gagne | Forward | Toronto Marlies (AHL) |
| Shawn O'Donnell | Forward | Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) |
| Brett Pollock | Forward | Stockton Heat (AHL) |
| Josh Atkinson | Defense | Allen Americans (ECHL) |
| Matt Register | Defense | Toledo Walleye (ECHL) |
| Keaton Thompson | Defense | San Diego Gulls (AHL) |
New York Islanders
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Luca Sbisa | Defense | New York Islanders |
New York Rangers
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Micheal Haley | Forward | San Jose Sharks |
| Joe Morrow | Forward | Winnipeg Jets |
| Connor Brickley | Forward | New York Rangers |
Philadelphia Flyers
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Chris Stewart | Forward | Nottingham Panthers (England) |
Toronto Maple Leafs
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Michal Neuvirth | Goalie | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Matt Read | Forward | Iowa Wild (AHL) |
Vancouver Canucks
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Landon Ferraro | Forward | Iowa Wild (AHL) |
Winnipeg Jets
| Name | Position | 2018-19 team |
|---|
| Emile Poirier | Forward | Manitoba Moose (AHL) |
This post will be updated as more PTO signings are announced.