The NHL preseason and training camps are getting closer by the day. They present not only an opportunity for young prospects to try and make a roster but older players as well, who look for opportunities via a professional tryout.
Professional tryouts, or PTOs as they are commonly referred to, are handed out to those that a club deems have not earned a standard NHL contract yet, but could potentially get one with a strong training camp. It’s an opportunity for a player to earn their next deal by showcasing their talents in the preseason.
In some cases, a PTO may be handed out as a way to navigate the cap. Teams may have a mutually agreed to contract in place, but have to move some money and contracts around to the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) before signing the deals. A PTO allows a team to navigate their cap space, while still allowing the player to participate at camp.
Mike Hoffman and the Blues did this two years, and with many teams trying to crunch the numbers to make their cap space work, it could be a commonality this preseason. A few names have already agreed to PTOs in the hopes of making an NHL roster for the 2022-23 season.
This story will be updated.
What is a professional tryout (PTO)?
A professional tryout is exactly what it sounds like — a tryout for a player to make an NHL team.
These are usually handed out to veterans who have not earned a standard contract. Instead, they will report to training camp for an NHL club and try to earn their contract during the preseason.
Players who are not signed to a professional contract are released and become free agents.
NHL players signed to PTOs in 2022-23
As training camps approach, there are a number of players who have been signed to PTOs.
The players with the highest chance of making their respective teams out of camp are Calvin de Haan and Zach Aston-Reese. De Haan is a shot-blocking defenseman and would be a steady presence on the Hurricanes’ third-pairing. Aston-Reese is a defensive-minded forward who would be a solid option on the fourth line for the Maple Leafs.
Below are the top players who have been announced or are reportedly attending teams’ 2022 training camps on PTOs:
| Player | Team | Position | Last Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Hammond | Panthers | G | Canadiens/Devils | — |
| Eric Staal | Panthers | F | Wild (AHL) | — |
| Derek Stepan | Hurricanes | F | Hurricanes | — |
| Jimmy Vesey | Rangers | F | Devils | — |
| Danny DeKeyser | Canucks | D | Red Wings | — |
| Calvin de Haan | Hurricanes | D | Blackhawks | — |
| Zach Aston-Reese | Maple Leafs | F | Ducks | — |
| Scott Harrington | Sharks | D | Blue Jackets | — |
| Cody Eakin | Flames | F | Sabres | — |
| James Neal | Blue Jackets | F | Blues (AHL) | — |
| Tyler Pitlick | Blues | F | Canadiens | — |
| Nathan Beaulieu | Ducks | D | Jets |