After getting let go by the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of free agency, once-promising prospect Elliot Desnoyers has resurfaced, signing a one-year deal with the AHL Iowa Wild, the minor-league affiliates of the Minnesota Wild, on Monday.
On June 30, one day before the start of NHL free agency, the Flyers announced that Desnoyers, Zayde Wisdom, and Jakob Pelletier would all not receive qualifying offers, making them unrestricted free agents free to leave Philadelphia.
Wisdom ultimately returned to the Flyers organization, signing a one-year AHL deal of his own with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Pelletier inked a three-year pact with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2.
Only two years ago, Desnoyers, 23, seemed on the cusp of making the NHL on a permanent basis. The Flyers' former fifth-round pick scored 23 goals, 21 assists, and 44 points in 65 games in his first professional season with the Phantoms in 2022-23, earning himself a four-game NHL cameo in the process.
But, an unimpressive training camp doomed Desnoyers to another year in the minors, during which he managed just six goals, 16 assists, and 22 points in 63 games.
This past season saw much of the same for the 5-foot-11 forward, as he struggled to the tune of an even worse five goals, 14 assists, and 19 points. All in all, an 11-goal, 41-point output in two seasons after nearly making the NHL.
It's a shame for Desnoyers, but perhaps the new change of scenery will allow him to get his career back on track.
Winners Hockey Agency announced on July 9 via Telegram that Desnoyers had joined their clientele and was ready to continue his playing career in the KHL, but it would appear that the ex-Flyer has elected to stay in North America for the time being.
Fans may recall that the 23-year-old was once part of the 2021-22 Canada U20 squad that won gold at the World Juniors – a team that featured Flyers teammate Tyson Foerster, Connor Bedard, Sebastian Cossa, Carson Lambos, Ridly Greig, Mason McTavish, Logan Stankoven, Kent Johnson, and Will Cuylle.
Desnoyers isn't the first player of that team to change NHL teams, of course, but he's on the verge of being amongst those lost in the crowd going forward.
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