Dayton To Lose Several Free Agents at end of season...

It stands to reason that there will be more changes in Dayton after this season. Aside from any new acquisitions that are made over the next several weeks to set up the roster for the 2018-19 CCHL Season, there will be some who leave after this regular season wraps up.

Let's take a look and see who is likely leaving via free agency and who, if anyone might be resigned...

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Francois Beachemin - The veteran defenseman has played a long time in the CCHL, but his best days are behind him. While the surplus talent that the team had in 2016-17 allowed him to be used selectively, this year has been a different story totally. Three goals and seven assists for ten points in his 42 games so far this season. The 23+ minutes per game is well over his sweet spot. Good leadership has been vital this year but he'll be elsewhere in 18-19.

Matt Irwin - The soon to be 30 year defenseman has played in 37 games so far this season and has struggled trying to be part of the top pairing. 8 points so far this season, despite his 3rd worse +/- rating of -27 on Dayton, his biggest contribution has been in shot blocking. Irwin is tied for 1st in the CCHL with 42 blocks in 37 games. A candidate to be moved before the trade deadline, Irwin can be a contributing dman in the CCHL, but, probably not for Dayton.

John Mitchell - Zero goals, zero assists means zero points in his thirteen games with Dayton this season. Signed as an emergency fill in player when injuries left the Musicmen short, Mitchell's career with Dayton and likely his time in the CCHL comes to a close whenever the season ends or he gets waived to make room for someone else. Now in Germany, he did play in over 500 NHL games so props to him...

Jason Pominville - 675 points in over 900 NHL contests, established Pominville as a steady and above average NHL talent. With career winding down, he found himself shipped to Dayton earlier this year to help cover some shifts and calm the younger players who had to be shocked by what they found in Dayton this season. With thirteen points in 21 NHL games this season, he may find a home in the CCHL next season, but after his current $7.5 Million dollar contract runs out after this season. Pominville brings a bit of everything, some offense, some defense, some jam. We'll hopefully see him again in a CCHL uniform next season.

 Drew Stafford - This 32 year old veteran defensive forward isn't quite out of gas just yet. In his twelfth NHL season, his offense has slowed down considerably but he's still valuable on any team's 4th line or as a spot starter. Another seasoned pro who knew what was expected of him when traded from Fort Erie in late October, Stafford immediately became a stabilizing influence both in the dressing room and on the ice. He's had a decent start to the NHL season with New Jersey where he has 8 points in 17 games so far. Doing much the same for the Devils as he was asked to do in Dayton. Given his utility and affordable contract, he'll likely surface on a CCHL roster again next season.