College Free Agent Frenzy to start soon!

[DelHowLich]

Some Wingers:

Collin Graf, Quinnipiac

Viewed as one of the best if not the best player in this free agent class after finishing third in NCAA scoring, Graf had strong interest a year ago before deciding to return for his junior year. He produced at a similar level on a per-game basis while his defensive game improved. If he opts to turn pro, he will almost certainly burn the first year of his contract right away and as a player who has middle-six potential instead of projecting as a lower-end piece, many teams will have interest once again. With Quinnipiac being eliminated earlier today, watch for his market to move quickly.
He scored 2 in the game against BC in a losing effort today.

And 2 MI natives:

Dylan Wendt, Captain of Western Michigan, born in Grand Haven MI, 6' 1" 185 lbs

After the Broncos lost several key forwards to the pros, Wendt was one of the players who took on a much bigger role and made the most of it, scoring more goals this year (23) than he had points a year ago (22). His offensive game is farther along than his defensive one so some AHL time will be needed but the time should be right for the 23-year-old to turn pro.

Joey Larson, Michigan State, from Brighton, 6' 1" 194 lbs

Larson was one of the better scorers in the NCAA in the first half of the season before his output fell off when the calendar flipped to 2024. Still, he’s one of the better pure shooters in this class, a skill that should be intriguing to teams. That said, with two years of eligibility remaining, the 23-year-old might be better off sticking with the Spartans for another year to refine his all-around game.

[DelHowLich]

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free-agent college forward Jacob Quillan to a two-year entry-level contract. A native of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Quillan spent the last three seasons at Quinnipiac University where he posted 38 goals and 55 assists in 116 career NCAA games.
The contract begins next season and will carry an average annual value of $875K at the NHL level. Quillan will spend the remainder of this season with the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies. He will play out the year on an amateur tryout to be eligible for the AHL playoffs.

He should be a good middle sixer.

[DelHowLich]

The Bruins have signed top college free agent center Jaxon Nelson to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2024-25 season, per a team announcement. He will finish this season on an ATO with AHL Providence.
Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal reported yesterday that Boston was in on Nelson. The Penguins and Red Wings were also finalists for his services, per Jess Myers of The Rink Live.
Nelson, 24, finished his five-year run at the University of Minnesota last weekend when they were bounced by Boston University in the regional finals of the NCAA tournament. Serving as one of the team’s captains this season, Nelson broke out for a career-high 19 goals and 31 points in 39 games. Interest in him on the open market spiked over the last few weeks, as he closed out the season with a ridiculous 11 goals and two assists for 13 points in his final eight games. Over 169 games with the Golden Gophers, the Minnesota native scored 42 goals and 47 assists for 89 points with 69 PIMs and a +22 rating.

6' 4" 225 LB Center, Stevie likes those big guys!

[DelHowLich]

How about a bigger goalie than Cossa?
Cooper Black, Dartmouth, from Alpena MI

There is a ‘skill’ that Black has that can’t be taught, a 6’8 frame (some sites have him at 6’9). That makes him hard to miss. His sophomore year was an improvement although his numbers with the Big Green (2.60 GAA, .909 SV%) are still a little on the pedestrian side. Still eligible for two more seasons, NHL teams will have to decide if the time is right to try to sign him now or if they should give him another year in college. While he’s still raw in terms of his development, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some teams try to sign Black now.

He signed with FLA today.

The Panthers have agreed to terms with undrafted free agent goaltender Cooper Black on a two-year, entry-level contract beginning next season, GM Bill Zito announced Tuesday. His ELC boasts the maximum allowable base salary ($855K) and signing bonus ($95K), carrying a cap hit of $950K, per PuckPedia. He’ll earn a minor-league salary of $80K.
Black becomes the fifth goaltender under team control for 2024-25, joining Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight, as well as minor-league options Evan Cormier (pending RFA) and Mack Guzda (10.2(c)). Guzda has missed most of this season with injuries but could be in line for the starting role with Charlotte if the Panthers feel Knight is ready for full-time NHL action again next season. Knight, a 2019 first-round pick, is in the first season of a three-year, $13.5MM extension that still costs Florida $3.35MM against the cap when buried in the minors. He’s rebounded well in the minors after a slow start, posting a .905 SV% in 42 games on the year.

[DelHowLich]

The Boston Bruins are reportedly not in on prolific winger Collin Graf, says NHL.com’s Mark Divver (Twitter link). Graf is now on the open market after a strong collegiate career, managing 130 points across 112 collegiate games. He is an MA native. He also can play center. C'mon Stevie!

[Zattaman]

Griffins signed 25-year-old Hunter Johannes. Looks like a physical 3rd/4th liner for them. Probably no chance of ever getting a contract from the Wings.

Johannes recently finished his fifth year of NCAA eligibility with the University of North Dakota and logged 19 points (12-7—19), 29 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 31 games.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/3 ... r-johannes

[DelHowLich]

Winger Collin Graf is widely expected to sign his first professional contract in the coming days. Regarded as one of the top college free agents available, most of the league had made inquiries and he’s in the process of whittling down his list. To that end, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports (Twitter link) that the Rangers are no longer in the mix for the 21-year-old. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Michael Russo adds (Twitter link) that the Wild are believed to still have a chance at signing him. Graf is coming off another strong season at Quinnipiac where he recorded 22 goals and 27 assists in 34 games. Wherever he signs, it’s quite likely he burns the first season of his entry-level deal this year; he’d be eligible to play down the stretch in the regular season but not in the playoffs.

[DelHowLich]

The San Jose Sharks have won the Collin Graf sweepstakes, signing the top free agent to his entry-level contract on Thursday per The Athletic’s Chris Johnston (Twitter link). Johnston adds that the deal begins immediately, opening the door for Graf to make his first NHL appearance before the year’s end. San Jose has eight games left in their season and sit confidently at the bottom of the standings, making now a great time to test out young players.

Graf gets to burn a year of his 2 yr deal by playing a couple games this year. Not too many teams were able to do that.

[DelHowLich]

The New Jersey Devils are expected to sign Western Michigan University’s Dylan Wendt, per Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald

[DelHowLich]

Colin Graf was reportedly pursued by 24 NHL teams!

https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-s ... inn-debut/