Milano, Demers, DeKeyser, Virtanen trying to crack NHL rosters on PTOs

Sonny Milano had a long summer — and not just because his team missed the NHL playoffs.

Despite putting up 14 goals and 34 points in 66 games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2021-22, the winger was surprisingly cut loose and hit the open market after not receiving a qualifying offer.

All the 26-year-old could do was wait for another organization to show interest and sign him in unrestricted free agency.

The problem? A new deal never materialized.

"I was hoping for a contract," Milano said. "But that's where we are right now."

In his case, that's with the Calgary Flames at training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) — a situation a number of previously established NHLers find themselves in across the league every fall.

It's a no-strings-attached agreement for both sides.

The player gets a chance to showcase himself to a fresh set of eyes in hopes of finding a home, while teams get a free look to see if there's a fit.

The PTO signee has no guarantees or contract to fall back on, but is also conceivably auditioning for 31 other clubs if things don't work out in a specific market, or a better opportunity materializes elsewhere.

The 14th overall selection at the 2014 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Milano saw a chance to crack Calgary’s top-nine forward group.

"Stay positive," he said of his mindset. "Just got to make the best of it."

According to capfriendly.com, there are currently 42 players on PTOs at NHL camps, including 10 on Canadian rosters.

Calgary leads the way north of the border with three (Milano, Cody Eakin and Michael Stone), followed by the Edmonton Oilers (Jason Demers and Jake Virtanen), Toronto Maple Leafs (Zach Aston-Reese and Dylan Ferguson), Ottawa Senators (Derick Brassard and Michael Dal Colle) and