Troy Grosenick (G): On Wednesday, the Flyers signed 32-year-old Troy Grosenick to a one-year, one-way contract for the NHL minimum $750,000.
Grosenick has been a very good goaltender at the AHL level for the Worcester Sharks/San Jose Barracuda, Milwaukee Admirals and Providence Bruins. In 2016-17 while in the San Jose organization, Grosenick won the Baz Bastien Memorial Award; the AHL's version of the Vezina Trophy. In 2021-22 with Providence, he led the AHL with a .933 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average. Grosenick posted a 16-6-4 record for Providence.
AHL success is one thing and translating it to the NHL is quite another. A former Union College teammate of former Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Grosenick has spent most of his nine-year pro career at the AHL level. He's dressed as a starter in four NHL games -- two apiece with the San Jose Sharks in 2014-15 and with the LA Kings in 2020-21.
According to Chuck Fletcher, the plan is for Grosenick and Felix Sandström to compete in training camp for the No. 2 job on the NHL depth chart at least for opening night of the regular season. Second-year pro Samuel Ersson, who is a well-regarded prospect but whose 2021-22 season was limited by recurring groin injuries to five games (only three of which he was able to complete), likely needs more AHL experience before he'd be in the mix for an NHL recall.
Kevin Connauton (D): The Flyers have brought back 32-year-old depth defenseman Kevin Connauton on a two-year, two-way contract worth $762,500 at the NHL. He will compete in training camp with Nick Seeler for the No. 7 spot on the Flyers' blueline depth chart, with the player who does not win the roster spot battle going down the AHL's Phantoms after clearing waivers. A veteran of 360 NHL games, Connauton played 26 games for the Flyers last season (1g, 2a, 3 points, 2 PIM. -7) after he was off waivers from the Florida Panthers.
Cooper Marody (C): Originally drafted by the Flyers during the Ron Hextall era (6th round pick in 2015), 25-year-old Cooper Marody signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $762,500 at the NHL level. A high-end scorer at both the collegiate level for the University of Michigan as well as a point-per-game AHL scorer for the Bakersfield Condors while the Edmonton Oilers system, Marody's rights were acquired by the Oilers from the Flyers in March 2018 when it became clear that the prospect was not going to be signed.
Marody posted 51 points (16g, 41a) in 40 games during the 2017-18 NCAA season as a junior at Michigan before he turned pro. In 2021-22 with Bakersfield, Marody racked up 55 points (21g, 34a) in 52 games; the second time in his AHL career that he's averaged more than a point per game. Marody has appeared in seven NHL games for the Oilers (0g, 1a) including one game this past season.
While Marody is not a speedster, he is a savvy playmaker. He is a player who figures to dress regularly on the upper end of Phantoms coach Ian Laperriere's lineup, seeing regular power play time, and perhaps earning a chance to play for the Flyers.
Louie Belpedio (D): The Flyers added 26-year-old former Minnesota Wild defenseman Belpedio to a one-year, two-way contract ($750,000 at the NHL level). Belpedio spent last season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. He appeared in four NHL games with the Wild over parts of three seasons.
Adam Brooks (C): 26-year-old forward Brooks was signed to a two-year, two-way contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $762,500 at the NHL level. Brooks split the 2021-22 seasons between the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets organizations. He had an assist in four games with the Canadiens, posted two goals in seven games with Vegas and dressed in 14 games for the Jets. Back in his junior hockey days, he was a prolific over-age scorer for the WHL's Regina Pats under John Paddock.
