The Toledo Walleye’s 2019-2020 season roster will remain in flux until later this fall, when the Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins’ respective rosters are determined, but the Walleye have built the foundation for their ’19-20 team, re-signing a handful of veterans and inking several free agents over the course of this summer.
The Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe spoke with Walleye coach Dan Watson regarding the shape of the Walleye’s roster thus far, with Watson suggesting that the Walleye will continue to build an elite team as the summer comes to a close:
“Toledo is the prime place in the ECHL to play,” Watson said. “This is the most phone calls I’ve fielded from agents and players. I’ve had some high-profile players calling me.”
Significant roster turnover is a major part of the game at the ECHL level. A whole host of high profile and productive players will not return to the team, including forwards Dylan Sadowy, Zach Gallant, and Bryan Moore, along with defensemen Matt Register, Kevin Tansey, and Ryan Obuchowski.
“There are a lot of guys moving on,” Watson said. “That’s just the nature of the beast.”
However, Watson also said he anticipates signing several other players who are still awaiting offers from American Hockey League teams. Last season’s team that fell in six games to Newfoundland in the Kelly Cup Finals was filled with players on the fringe between the higher level American Hockey League and ECHL. Many players received call ups to the AHL during the season and the Walleye organization always abides by a policy of allowing players to move up during the season.
“Those are the kinds of players we want,” Watson said. “They make our practices more competitive.”
