The Hershey Bears continue to turn the page from their back-to-back Calder Cup championship teams from 2023 and 2024.
Henrik Rybinski was the latest longtime Bear to move on, signing a two-year, $1.75 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 3. The two-way deal has an average annual value of $875K in the NHL, and if Rybinski plays in the minors, he will make $450K in Year 1 and $900K in Year 2.
Rybinski recorded 30 points (10g, 20a) in 59 games for the Bears last season, hitting double digits in goals for the second consecutive year. The speedy, two-way center spent nearly the entire season in the top six after carving out a role in the checking line to start his Bears career.
Rybinski joins a Leafs organization where three of their top four centermen are 31 or older (John Tavares, Colton Sissons, and Teddy Blueger). The Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, also won the Calder Cup in 2026.
The 25-year-old forward registered 99 points (30g, 69a) in 222 career games with the Hershey Bears, adding 13 points (6g, 7a) in 28 Calder Cup playoff games. A former roommate of Hendrix Lapierre and Vincent Iorio, Rybinski gave Hershey especially big minutes in the 2024 postseason when they repeated as champions.
Rybinksi received his first and only NHL call-up in December of the 2024-25 season, but did not make his NHL debut.
“I think he’s been one of the big surprises of someone that wasn’t necessarily on our radar to make the Washington Capitals,” Carbery said in late September 2024 when Rybinski was one of the team’s final cuts in training camp. “We’ve followed him and what he’s done in Hershey, becoming a bigger part of their Calder Cup-winning team last year. So, coming into camp, you know, you’ve watched him a little bit in the American League, seen him, and now he really impressed our staff.
“I know management feels the same way. That’s why he’s earned the opportunity that he’s gotten into games, and I thought he’s done a tremendous job of excelling in the games that he’s played in, and he’s been good in the practices. Feels like he’s trending [up] in our organization.”
The only players that remain in the organization from those Bears championship teams include Ivan Miroshnichenko, Bogdan Trineyev, Ethen Frank, Aliaksei Protas, Dylan McIlrath, and Clay Stevenson.
Rybinski was one of three Bears players to officially move on since NHL free agency started. Forward Brett Leason, who returned to the Capitals organization in October after Sheldon Rempal returned to the KHL, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 2. The deal will pay Leason the veteran minimum of $850K in the NHL and $425K in the minors.
Defenseman Corey Schueneman signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 2 worth $1.75 million. The rearguard’s cap hit is $875K per season. He’ll make $450K in the minors.
The Capitals traded for the 30-year-old Schueneman on November 3, sending rearguard Calle Rosen back to the St. Louis Blues in return. Schueneman scored six goals and assisted 25 others in 71 combined games for Hershey and the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Other Bears to depart this offseason include team captain Aaron Ness, who retired at the beginning of June. Longtime Capital Sonny Milano signed with SC Bern of the Swiss National League after finishing the season in Hershey while Milton Gästrin was dealt to the St. Louis Blues as part of the Jordan Kyrou trade on June 23.
Goaltender Garin Bjorklund is also unlikely to return after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Capitals on June 29. Matt Strome, the scorer of the Calder Cup championship goal in 2024, is an unrestricted free agent and seems a longshot to return.
