Dayton says goodbye to some players, welcomes two vets...

AFTER MUCH DEBATE within the Dayton Musicmen headquarters, decisions have been made.

With a last-place finish, everyone knows changes are on the way. Since the season ended, there was a list UFA and pending RFA players that were unlikely to return to the Musicmen next season and those changes have begun.

DAY turned in its contract resign information into league office on February 26th, the first CCHL team to do so. To no one's surprise, UFA Mike Smith was resigned to a two-year deal worth $3.85M per year. Not offered contract and being released into free agency were Matt Irwin, John Mitchell, Mark Barberio, Reid Boucher, Phil DiGiuseppe, Luca Sbisa and Matt Tennyson.

Mike Smith was then traded to the CCHL Champion Calgary Chinook, along with prospect Emile Pourier for netminder Jimmy Howard, prospect Maxime Comtois and Calgary's 2nd round in 2019.

Citing a need for adding some players to the Dayton roster, the word went out from the Musicmen that affordable players, with good games played, would be of interest. After 48 hours, the team welcomed two veteran NHL-ers to Southwest Ohio.

First aboard was defensive-minded Zemgus Girgensons. who was then followed by the likewise defense first, Marcus Foligno.

Girgensons, 24, has two years remaining on his $1.6M / year deal.

Foligno, 27, enters the final year of his $2M contract.

Of the $3.6M dollars due to the two new Musicmen, the out of pocket financial expense in the 18-19 season will be just $2,000,000 dollars. Also moved out were a 4th, a 6th, a 7th and a 12 rounder in the coming 2018 CCHL Entry Draft.

"We knew we'd need to add a few forwards this UFA session and we felt we could acquire a couple at a lower cost this way than we would've through the free agent bidding process. We like our depth and feel we've improved our defensive skill level up front. We'd still like to improve at Center if we can and we'll be seeking 1-2 dmen to help us through next season. We have our core guys, but we know there will be injuries that come up, and we want to have an answer for those times instead of resorting to signing free agents. The waiver draft will also be an opportunity for us to add up to three additional players." said General Manager Bill Corfield.