One of the biggest struggles for the Checkers this past season was their overall lack of scoring. The Checkers averaged 2.26 goals per game in 2014-15, the lowest season average in franchise history. This offseason will undoubtedly be about shoring up their fire power, and with a large contingent of free agents on their current roster, next season’s corps of forwards could look much different. In fact, six of the team’s top 10 scorers from last year are not under contract for the 2015-16 campaign.
In that mix of free agents are proven elite AHL talent (Zach Boychuk, Chad LaRose), established leaders (Ben Holmstrom, Kyle Hagel, Greg Nemisz) and young prospects that took a big step this year (Justin Shugg, Brody Sutter). With that wide array of options, how the team proceeds in reconstructing their roster this offseason will arguably be the biggest storyline throughout the summer.
Below, we will take a player-by-player look at each free agent forward in the organization, divided into unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents and expiring AHL contracts.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Ben Holmstrom
2014-15 stats: 62 GP, 5g-15a-20pts
In his first season in Charlotte, Ben Holmstrom was a key part of a strong veteran core on an overwhelmingly young hockey team. Of the three players named captains at the start of the year, Holmstrom was the only one to play more than 30 games with the team, and he established himself as not only a leader in the locker room, but an agitator on the ice, endlessly flustering his opponents with physical play. His offensive numbers did take a hit, with his 20 points marking his lowest total in an AHL season where he played over 22 games, but the impact he made on the team went beyond the boxscore. Case in point: several players and coaches pointed out that Holmstrom played the final two home games of the season, games that had no meaning in the grand scheme of things, on what was essentially a broken leg. That perseverance will undoubtedly be in the mind of the team as they begin to build next year’s roster.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Zach Boychuk
2014-15 stats: 39 GP, 12g-12a-24pts
Coming off a 2013-14 campaign that saw him win the Willie Marshall Award for leading the AHL in goal scoring, Boychuk spent the majority of the first half of this season in the NHL. He was eventually returned to Charlotte and, despite the obvious disappointment, stepped in and produced, with his .62 points per game average ranking second on the team among skaters with over 25 games played. There is no doubt that Boychuk, who became Charlotte’s all-time goals leader this season, is an elite player at this level, but his future heading into the offseason is uncertain. His goal remains to stick in the NHL, though the 25-year-old said his agent has already been contacted by several teams in Europe interested in his service, making Boychuk one of the most interesting players to keep an eye on this offseason.
Greg Nemisz
2014-15 stats: 21 GP, 8g-6a-14pts
Another huge question mark heading into the offseason is Nemisz, who continues to be plagued by terrible luck. For the second year in a row, the 24-year-old had his season cut short due to injury, this time just 21 games in. The most frustrating part, however, is that Nemisz has been lights out when healthy. He recorded 14 points in those 21 games, leading the team at the time of his injury, and now has 25 points (11g, 14a) in 35 games in a Charlotte sweater. Nemisz made enough of an impression prior to this season to be named an alternate captain, but the question moving forward will be whether he can stay healthy, and if he can, if he will be able to consistently produce like he has in spurts.
Justin Shugg
2014-15 stats: 65 GP, 21g-22a-43pts
Shugg’s offensive game took a huge step this season, as he led the team with career highs in goals and points, and he was arguably one of the most impactful players all year. For a team that struggled so mightily to put pucks in the net, Shugg was a bright spot, and at 23-years-old his game could continue to grow. He also helped kickstart a horrendous power-play unit when head coach Jeff Daniels moved him to the point. The way he played this season, Shugg looks like he could absolutely be a focal point of the offense moving forward.
Jared Staal
2014-15 stats: 63 GP, 7g-4a-11p
Staal has never been known as an explosive offensive weapon, but he began this season with one of his best stretches of his career, setting a new career-high for goals by notching his fifth marker midway through January. Staal also set a new career-high in points with 11, but they all came before Jan. 22, as he was held scoreless in the 29 games he played from that point on. Despite the scoring drought, he was a mainstay in the lineup, with his 63 games played marking another career-high.
Brody Sutter
2014-15 stats: 45 GP, 12g-13a-25pts
The young forward had a rough start to his third pro season, suffering an injury in November that sidelined him for two months. But once he was able to return to the lineup, Sutter became one of the biggest offensive threats on the team, recording a career-high in goals and ending his campaign with 14 points in his last 15 games. Aside from the strides he took offensively, the 23-year-old used his 6-foot-5 frame and became a more physical presence on the ice, as well as one of the team’s top centers.
EXPIRING AHL CONTRACTS
Alex Aleardi
2014-15 stats: 48 GP, 12g-11a-23pts
Aleardi spent much of the season alternating in and out of the lineup alongside Carter Sandlak. But when he was in the lineup, Aleardi provided a spark. The 22-year-old was able to use his speed to create scoring chances seemingly at will, though his undersized frame sometimes made it difficult for him to get into the tough areas of the ice. Aleardi also spent time in the ECHL during the year, which seemed to help him get comfortable at the AHL level. Moving forward, if he can continue to provide that offensive spark, he could force his way into the lineup more consistently.
Kyle Hagel
2014-15 stats: 73 GP, 2g-2a-4pts
Hagel’s contributions to the team have been well documented this season. From his being named the AHL’s Man of the Year for his outstanding work in the Charlotte community to becoming one of the premier leaders on a team full of players just starting their careers to his role as one of the most revered fighters in the league, Hagel has made an impression. Every team could use a player of Hagel’s mold in their locker room, a multi-faceted enforcer/grinder with enough skill to make things happen with the puck. Hagel made it clear that he would like to rejoin the club next season, so whether the team indulges that will be something to watch for over the offseason.
Chad LaRose
2014-15 stats: 64 GP, 20g-18a-38pts
LaRose was perhaps the biggest storyline throughout the season, returning to the game of hockey after a year off and fitting right back in. Once he was able to get his legs back under him, LaRose turned into one of the most consistent producers for the Checkers, spending most of the season as the team’s scoring leader. A late-season injury derailed that, but LaRose proved that he could score at this level, as well as be a solid veteran leader to young players starting off their career. But with an NHL comeback still in his sights, LaRose’s future remains to be determined.
