Just because the NHL trade deadline has passed doesn't mean general managers across the league are sitting on their hands. In fact, many of them will be putting in some extra hours on the recruitment trail.
Now the focus turns to undrafted free agents, particularly from the major junior and college ranks. A few major junior UFAs have already signed, most notably Alex Barre-Boulet (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Brayden Burke (Arizona Coyotes). However, there are often more players signed out of the NCAA ranks this time of year, as they're often older and slightly easier to project within a team's system. There are a few above average prospects who will get a ton of attention from a lot of NHL teams, along with probably a few dozen players teams will give strong consideration to signing.
Over the past two seasons in particular, there have been a few high-profile signings that have provided immediate help. Los Angeles Kings rookie Alex Iafallo led the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs all the way to the national championship game last year. This year, he has seen time on the Kings' top line and has provided some decent secondary scoring for them behind their more established players. The Pittsburgh Penguins recently called up Zach Aston-Reese, who was one of the top scorers in college hockey last year with Northeastern. He posted four goals and six points in his first 10 games with the Penguins this season.
The year before that, the Vancouver Canucks signed Troy Stecher from the University of North Dakota. He almost instantly became an everyday player for Vancouver and registered 24 points in 71 games as a rookie. This year, he has nine points in 51 games while bouncing between the bottom two pairings for Vancouver.
Sometimes you get lucky and find the next Martin St. Louis or Adam Oates as an undrafted UFA, but that's especially rare these days. More often, you're getting bottom-pair defensemen and versatile third- and fourth-line forwards. Even more often than that, you've taken a chance on a guy who will simply be a quality farm system player. The return is rarely as exciting as the chase, but teams do battle over these players because they have extra contracts to burn and there's little risk involved in seeing what these players can do at the next level.
This year's class has a lot of intrigue because of the wide variety of talent available. The top of the class features three defensemen who look close to being able to contribute to NHL teams. That group is led by the consensus top UFA Daniel Brickley, a junior blueliner out of Minnesota State. One scout says there are at least 15 players teams are keying on.
Here's a look at some of the top players available.
Daniel Brickley, D, Minnesota State Mavericks
He was one of the most sought-after free agents last season, but Brickley decided to return to school for his junior season. A year later, it appears that little has changed. He still appears to be the consensus No. 1 undrafted free agent among college players.
Brickley was a second-team All-American last year and will likely be at least that this season. He was named the WCHA defensive player of the year as a sophomore and could go back-to-back in that category as well. The WCHA is not what it once was in terms of strength of competition, but Brickley has been one of Minnesota State's top performers in nonconference play. Brickley's 33 points in 36 games and boatload of minutes have helped Minnesota State compete for a WCHA playoff title and prepare for the NCAA tournament -- for which the Mavericks are already a lock.
Time on ice isn't a publicly tracked stat in the NCAA, but estimates I've heard have him around 25 minutes per game, which wouldn't surprise me in the least. He's a detailed player who can be counted on in a lot of situations. His transition to the pro game will be aided by his physical strength and hockey sense. He also got a taste of the pro level at last year's Men's World Championship, in which he appeared in five games as a depth defenseman for Team USA.
Teams are obviously interested in Brickley because of his size and two years with more than 30 points from the blue line. He just looks like a pro. He makes confident decisions with the puck, has good mobility and seems to pick his spots really well in terms of getting involved offensively. That extra year of school allowed him to refine his game a bit more and get more of an idea of what he needs to do to be successful at the next level. You could see Brickley sliding into an everyday lineup on a team lacking defensive depth as early as next season. Depending on when Minnesota State's season ends, he could even get a few games in this season if there's time.
Potential fits include the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks and Canucks, but really, take your pick. Brickley is going to get a lot of calls and will pick wherever he feels he fits best.
Zach Whitecloud, D, Bemidji State Beavers
Another player who drew quite a bit of attention last season and has only gained on that this year, Whitecloud saw his sophomore season come to an end last weekend. Teams will undoubtedly be after the big right-shot defenseman now that he is available to sign, should he choose to. In a recent interview with his hometown newspaper, Whitecloud expressed that he hasn't made a decision about whether he'll turn pro this year or return to school.
If he does, there should be a big lineup to talk to him. Whitecloud was listed at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds to start the season and boasts a heavy shot, good lateral mobility and solid hockey sense. One college scout noted that Whitecloud is a rangey defender with a good stick, making him more difficult to get around. The scout also thinks he's a fine puck mover.
This was a big development year for him, and though the numbers aren't eye-popping, with 19 points in 36 games, it's a slight improvement over last season. He also was in the mix for a spot with Team Canada at the Olympics, as he was invited to play in the Karjala Cup tournament to see if he'd be a fit. He didn't end up making the team, but getting that kind of opportunity only intensified the interest in the 21-year-old.
Should Whitecloud return to school for next season, following a similar path to Brickley's, he'd still get a lot of teams keeping tabs on him. He doesn't look like the kind of player who could immediately make the jump to the NHL, but there is absolutely good pro upside there if he keeps developing as he has.
The Kings have been one of the teams most frequently tied to Whitecloud after he attended their camp last year. Others include the Blackhawks, Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights.
Jimmy Schuldt, D, St. Cloud State Huskies
Schuldt is another talented defenseman who drew interest last season but opted to return to St. Cloud. He has helped lead the Huskies to a conference regular-season title and has them in the driver's seat to be the top overall seed in the NCAA national tournament. Schuldt is third among all defensemen in the nation with 36 points in 34 games and should be one of the few blueliners to receive strong Hobey Baker consideration.
It is pretty difficult for defensemen to average more than a point per game anywhere in college hockey, but that is especially true in the nation's most competitive conference. Schuldt can really bomb it from the point. He's aggressive enough to be engaged offensively but doesn't take himself out of plays. Another selling point for NHL teams is that Schuldt was named SCSU's captain as a sophomore and served in that role again this season.
You could see him in the NHL as early as next season, depending on where he goes and if he chooses to sign, due to his advanced hockey sense. Teams will have to wait a while, though. St. Cloud State is a good candidate to make a deep postseason run. Expect chatter from the Montreal Canadiens, Canucks, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild.
Max Veronneau, RW, Princeton Tigers
It has been an interesting season for Princeton, which has been a middle-of-the-pack team in the ECAC despite having a really impressive junior class scoring in bunches for them. Veronneau is the team's leading scorer with 50 points in just 31 games and is currently second in the country behind Vancouver Canucks prospect Adam Gaudette.
Players from Ivy League schools can sometimes be more difficult to pry away before graduation, but Veronneau is arguably the most sought-after forward right now. One scout I spoke to likes the way Veronneau battles for pucks on top of his obvious playmaking skills.
Recent reports have Veronneau leaning toward a return to Princeton, but it's still possible that he will be convinced otherwise. However, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he leaves college after this season. If he were to change his mind, potential fits might include the Calgary Flames and Golden Knights. Veronneau attended development camps for both of those teams last offseason.
Ryan Kuffner, LW, Princeton Tigers
Teammates with Veronneau for much of his career, Kuffner has been more of a shooter. With 28 goals, Kuffner is one behind Gaudette and Erik Brown of RIT for the national lead. Having a playmaker such as Veronneau helps, but Kuffner gets to the net well and has good touch when he gets there.
Princeton is still alive in the ECAC playoffs but has to win the conference tournament to make the NCAA tournament. If Kuffner and Veronneau want to sign, they could be available as early as Sunday. I like the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators as potential landing spots for the junior.
Jordan Gross, D, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
With four full years under his belt at Notre Dame, it would not be surprising to see Gross end up getting a few offers at the end of the season. Gross does not have the same size as the other UFA defensemen, but he's a smart player who has been a huge part of Notre Dame's vaunted back end. He has been a solid two-way blueliner throughout his collegiate career and could help provide some organizational depth.
I don't view him as a lock to make an impact in the NHL, but I could see him as a good call-up option with a chance to grow into more.
Brogan Rafferty, D, Quinnipiac Bobcats
After a standout freshman season at Quinnipiac, Rafferty was starting to draw interest. That attention hasn't died down much now that he's a sophomore. He's a 22-year-old right-shot defenseman with good size and puck-moving abilities.
There's no guarantee that he signs at this point, and he might actually help himself a little by sticking around for another year, but you can bet teams will be inquiring before his season ends. Rafferty attended the Blackhawks' development camp last season.
Grant Hutton, D, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
Another big, right-shot defenseman with some solid upside, Hutton has been a particularly key player at Miami the past two seasons. Teams are going to like the fact that he has continually improved and has been a solid performer for a team that has struggled a bit more recently. He still has another year of eligibility, but he attended development camps for the Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason.
Nick Halloran, RW, Colorado College Tigers
Halloran is a sophomore who kind of came out of nowhere this season to find himself among the national scoring leaders. Since he won't turn 21 until May, Halloran would be among the youngest free agents. He also could potentially return to school with two years of eligibility left.
That said, he's having a remarkable season, with 44 points in 34 games, including 31 in 24 NCHC tilts. He has a really strong skill set and has seen his game take off. I think it's more likely that he goes back to school for at least one more season, but he's definitely a name to know.
Other names to be aware of:
Tony Calderone, Senior, RW, Michigan Wolverines
Sebastian Vidmar, Junior, LW, Union Dutchmen
Alec Rauhauser, Sophomore, D, Bowling Green State Falcons
Josh Teves, Junior, D, Princeton Tigers
Eric Robinson, Senior, LW, Princeton Tigers
Tanner Jaillet, Senior, G, Denver Pioneers
Mason Jobst, Junior, C, Ohio State Buckeyes
Zeb Knutson, Senior, C, Minnesota State Mavericks
Sheldon Rempal, Sophomore, LW, Clarkson Golden Knights
Cale Morris, Sophomore, G, Notre Dame Fighting Irish