Anaheim Ducks winger Sonny Milano made hockey highlight history last season, scoring an all-time great goal on a lacrosse-style assist from linemate Trevor Zegras.
The goal was an exclamation point of a season where Milano tallied career highs in goals (20) and points (34).
However, the 16th overall pick in the 2014 draft was not re-signed, leaving Milano to look for greener pastures elsewhere.
With his career apparently on the upswing, it begs the question, “Why is Sonny Milano a free agent?” We’ve isolated a few reasons that could be factored in Milano’s quest for a new team.
How Good Is Milano Really?
Sonny Milano has yet to truly carve out a role at the NHL level to this point in his career. He was first called up to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016 but spent more time with the club’s AHL affiliate than with Columbus.
It wasn’t until the 2018-19 season that Milano encroached a point-per-game pace at the AHL level, which is traditionally a benchmark to determine a player’s readiness to compete at the next level.
Columbus traded Milano to the Ducks in 2020 in a deal for Devin Shore shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the season.
Shore played in two playoff games in Columbus before being released and has since signed on with the Dallas Stars.
Upper-body Injury Kept
As for Milano, an upper-body injury kept him sidelined in 2022, limiting him to 66 games. He’s yet to play an 82-game season at the NHL level, which could be scaring teams away. Milano has a concussion history, which always gives teams pause.
However, when he’s been on the ice, we’ve seen flashes of what led to Milano’s first-round selection. Milano’s skating ability is excellent, with a quick first step to get up to speed and a good motor when at top speed. He’s creative with the puck on his tape and is a solid puck-handler.
But with the inability to put it all together and polish his game, Milano’s next deal is likely a one-year, $1 million “prove it” contract. With no steam at the moment on a new contract, it may be training camp time before Milano finds a home.
Who Are Some Potential Suitors?
Given the projected inexpensive nature of Milano’s next contract, nearly every team would be able to fit him in on the roster if there were interest.
However, with a few other big-name free agents still unsigned, including Nazem Kadri, Phil Kessel, and Patrice Bergeron remaining on the market, teams could be waiting for more chips to fall before inking Milano.
Milano is likely a bottom-six forward as well, meaning he’ll have to compete for power play time and more minutes wherever he ends up. He has the skills but needs to show significant improvement to his all-around game to be in the mix.
Top 3 Potential Suitors
Dallas Stars
Dallas is in an interesting position, trying to get younger and faster as a team while remaining competitive in a loaded Central Division.
Milano would be an interesting fit in the bottom six and could sign on with the Stars once the team re-signs restricted free agents Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson.
Not accounting for Robertson, Dallas has just four forwards signed beyond the 2022-23 season. If they can land Milano on a short-term deal, he could latch on and lock up a bigger contract after next year.
The Stars finished fourth in the Central last season and are a popular choice among NHL expert picks to return to the postseason this year. Adding a player like Milano could be good depth move to help keep the pace.
New York Islanders
The Islanders are still trying to shuffle the deck and free up money to land star center Nazem Kadri, and they also need to get new deals in place for defensemen Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov.
Still, Milano would be a solid fit for a team that has struggled with offensive production and team speed.
New York will need to squeeze every ounce of production out while up against the cap, and with eight of the top 12 forwards currently on the roster on the wrong side of 30, Milano could be a spark plug. A deal with the Isles may be the best opportunity for Milano to see power play time.
Boston Bruins
This one is a bit of an off-the-wall selection. Typically, Boston Bruins relies on their third and fourth lines to play a more physical style, grinding out play along the wall and in the corners to wear down opponents.
This would be antithetical to what we’ve seen from Milano’s game so far, and in most years, he likely wouldn’t be on Boston’s radar.
However, the Bruins are in a tight spot entering the 2022-23 campaign. Center Patrice Bergeron hasn’t yet re-signed with the team, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy both needed off-season surgery and will be out until at least December, and there’s still no word on the David Krejčí front.
NHL betting odds have the Bruins at -130 to make the playoffs and +100 to miss.
Injury Statuses
Knowing the injury statuses across the roster (especially defensively as Mike Reilly and Matt Grzelcyk also needed offseason surgery), getting someone who can provide some offense, especially in the early month, will be important for Boston to keep pace in a stacked Atlantic Division.
Ottawa and Detroit missed the playoffs last year but took major strides forward this summer and will be nipping at the Bruins’ heels.
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