Kyle Garcia 
An AHL roster sees turnover every season. The next wave of prospects turning pro makes their way. Many players on NHL contracts get poached by other clubs to serve as depth for their organization. Those on AHL contracts sign AHL contracts elsewhere. Some of those free agents on NHL and AHL contracts have signed overseas lately because of the AHL veteran rule.
The Ontario Reign have many free agents on the roster, whether they are players signed to NHL contracts by the LA Kings or on AHL contracts with the Reign. Not every single one of those players will be brought back. It’s nearly impossible to run back the same roster in the AHL on a year-to-year basis.
As we discussed last week, the Reign could potentially see six players on entry-level contracts by the Kings. That means the organization will have to make room for them to play. In total, I counted 13 players who played at least one game with the Reign who will be free agents in two weeks.
The Kings have already re-signed restricted free agent forwards Martin Chromiak and Aatu Jamsen to identical one-year, two-way NHL contracts, so they are off the free agent board. Those two signings got me thinking, who could be brought back into the organization?
This is where I make my predictions. Today, I will make wild guesses about who could be brought back within the organization on NHL or AHL contracts for players who only played for the Reign (not players who played all year for the Kings).
Glenn Gawdin (Forward)
Stats: 71 games, 16 goals, 35 assists, 51 points
Current contract: two-year NHL contract
Glenn Gawdin’s two-year NHL contract with the Kings expires in 13 days. His offensive production took a dip this year, but he still proved to be a valuable first-line center for the Reign in all situations. The Kings don’t have a 1C turning pro nor within the pipeline, so they will have to look at the depth market of free agency to fill that void in Ontario.
Gawdin falls under the veteran rule, having played over the 260 AHL game limit, but I could see a scenario where he is brought back unless a team overseas offers more money or another organization gives him a slight chance in the NHL.
PREDICTION: RE-SIGNED (NHL CONTRACT)
Logan Brown (Forward)
Stats: 31 games, 1 goal, 15 assists, 16 points
Current contract: one-year NHL contract
Logan Brown missed a good chunk of the first two months of the season with an injury and didn’t find his footing until March. Brown played both center and wing and excelled using his size along the wall to protect the puck. Although Brown was one of a few bright spots in Ontario’s forward group in the playoffs, rumors before the series swirled that he could be headed to the KHL next season. I would be shocked to see him back in the organization, whether he wants to continue his career overseas or not.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Nikita Alexandrov (Forward)
Stats: 48 games, 13 goals, 29 assists, 42 points
Current contract: one-year NHL contract
Nikita Alexandrov was acquired by the Kings in a 1-for-1 swap with Akil Thomas, with both players getting a change of scenery. Alexandrov’s honeymoon phase got off to a strong start with him averaging a point per game through his first 23 games (24 points). From February on, his production was a little sporadic, and he dealt with a minor injury late in the season. I don’t see him having a future in LA.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Francesco Pinelli (Forward)
Stats: 65 games, 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points
Current contract: entry-level contract (RFA)
Francesco Pinelli wrapped up his entry-level contract and set a career high in points with 35. Once thought of as a second-round steal by the Kings, Pinelli finds himself in a now-or-never situation for the Kings, looking for a new contract.
PREDICTION: RE-SIGNED (NHL CONTRACT)
Jan Jenik (Forward)
Stats: 2 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points
Current contract: one-year NHL contract
Jan Jenik was acquired one week after the deadline from the Ottawa Senators organization in exchange for Samuel Bolduc; the move was strictly for AHL purposes (trades can happen after the deadline, but players can’t play in the NHL). In his two games with the Reign, Jenik didn’t impress and never saw the ice again. I believe the decision on him this offseason will be an easy one.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Jacob Doty (Forward)
Stats: 48 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points
Current contract: one-year AHL contract
Jacob Doty’s role on the Reign has always been simple: be physical, drop the gloves, and provide veteran leadership. He has seen prospects come through the system and graduate to the Kings as well. Doty will never put up a high amount of points, but the longest-tenured Reign member always seems to have a home on the team with one-year AHL contracts.
PREDICTION: RE-SIGNED (AHL CONTRACT)
Keaton Mastrodonato (Forward)
Stats: 4 games, 0 goals, 1 assists, 1 point
Current contract: one-year AHL contract
This one will be quick and short. Keaton Mastrodonato was signed to an AHL contract for AHL depth purposes. He spent the majority of the season in the ECHL and also played four games with the Reign. You can always find players like Mastrodonato at the end of every free agency.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Kyle Burroughs (Defenseman)
Stats: 18 games, 1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points
Current contract: three-year NHL contract
Kyle Burroughs started the season on injured reserve (IR) with the Kings and, unfortunately, finished the season with a lower-body injury with the Reign in December. After being activated off the IR, Burroughs was placed on waivers with the intention of being assigned to the Reign. In 18 games, he scored 7 points. Burroughs’ role in the NHL is a seventh defenseman, but you can easily find plenty of those types of players in free agency.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Jack Millar (Defenseman)
Stats: 40 games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points
Current contract: one-year AHL contract
Jack Millar has played a vital role on the defensive side of the ice for the Reign these past two seasons. His play has earned him an everyday spot on the right side of the backend. The Reign are projected to have plenty of depth on the left side of the defense, but not the right. I think there is an avenue where Millar is brought back.
PREDICTION: RE-SIGNED (AHL CONTRACT)
Tim Rego (Defenseman)
Stats: 15 games, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points
Current contract: one-year AHL contract
Tim Rego played in 15 games for the Reign but spent the rest of the season in the ECHL with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. AHL teams can always find players like Rego and sign them to AHL contracts for depth purposes for the AHL club.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Mattias Sholl (Goalie)
Stats: 1 game, 0-1-0 record, 0 shutouts 4.05 GAA, .840 SV%
Current contract: one-year AHL contract
Mattias Sholl, a Southern California native and former Jr. King, played in one game for the Reign and allowed four goals on 25 shots. Signed to a one-year contract, Sholl served as depth in cases the Reign needed it due to call-ups or injuries. Being low on the AHL depth chart, he may have to look elsewhere for a contract.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Isaiah Saville (Goalie)
Stats: 8 games, 6-1-1 record, 2 shutouts, 1.91 GAA, .916 SV%
Current contract: one-year AHL contract
Isaiah Saville turned out to be a nice surprise in net for Ontario. Signed to a one-year AHL contract after missing the 2024-25 season with an injury, Saville put up solid numbers with Ontario when called upon, and in the ECHL as well. I like to see him brought back in the same role (depth) if the opportunity arises.
PREDICTION: RE-SIGNED (AHL CONTRACT)
Pheonix Copley (Goalie)
Stats: 33 games, 21-11-1 record, 1 shutout, 2.59 GAA, .901 SV%
Current contract: one-year NHL contract
Pheonix Copley had another strong season in Ontario and played one game in the NHL with the Kings. The Kings have a logjam in goal at the moment, and Copley finds himself in an odd spot. The Kings have Hampton Slukynsky and Carter George, their top two goalie prospects, ready for a full pro season, and still need to figure out future plans with Erik Portillo while having Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg currently under contract. The abundance of goalies may be the deciding factor in Copley not returning to the organization.
PREDICTION: NOT RE-SIGNED
Featured image credit: Bailey Holiver/Ontario Reign
Why would we let Alexandrov go..?? 42 points in 48 games and a decent defender for a Russian player. I hope we’re not in the habit of giving good players away.