'I Feel Like There's More To My Game That Can Also Grow': Why the Marlies Signed Kieffer Bellows to a One-Year AHL Contract

Kieffer Bellows and the Marlies have agreed on a one-year AHL deal, meaning he'll be under contract for the remainder of this season before becoming a free agent on July 1.

Bellows was drafted 19th overall by the New York Islanders in 2016. He played parts of two seasons with the AHL Bridgeport before spending two seasons (2020-2022) in the NHL with the Islanders.

The team then placed him on waivers in Oct. 2022 and the Philadelphia Flyers claimed him. Bellows split the 2022-23 season between Philadelphia and their AHL club, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, before not being tendered a qualifying offer by the organization this past summer.

He joined the Carolina Hurricanes on a PTO in early September but wasn't able to crack the opening night roster. Following that, Bellows signed a PTO with the Toronto Marlies in late October.

During his professional tryout, Bellows played throughout Toronto's lineup, proving to Marlies management that he can be used anywhere within their forward group.

"He keeps getting better and better," Marlies head coach John Gruden said of Bellows. "He keeps working on things that are important for him to have success in the team. And I think he enjoys it. I think he likes being here and I'm glad that he's going about it the right way."

There were several routes Bellows and Toronto could've gone down regarding his future with this organization. The Maple Leafs — and the other 31 NHL teams — had a choice to sign him to a NHL contract, which we now know didn't happen.

So, with that, the choice was likely to sign an AHL deal, or, sign another professional tryout contract, as there's no limit to the amount of PTO's you can sign with a single AHL team in a season.

Bellows said last week that he was feeling good about his game, and rightfully so, as he's the Marlies leading goal getter, ahead of Alex Steeves by two. But he also feels like there's another level for him to get to.

"I feel like there's more to my game that can also grow," Bellows said last week. "I'm always trying to improve and luckily I play with great teammates and great line mates, so with their support, it's been really fun."