Speculation: 2024 NCAA/Europe/Juniors Free Agents

[Jersey Fan 12]

Not sure if this is too soon - but there are a number of undrafted players likely to draw attention once their respective seasons end.

In particular curious about Nebraska-Omaha goalie Simon Latkoczy. A bit undersized but has already represented Slovakia internationally at the men's level.

With a number of teams in need of goaltending prospects thought he might garner attention.

Click to read more...

 

[Brodeur]

Podcast with Chris Peters from last month name dropped a few undrafted NCAA guys (~57 minute mark): Talking Hockey Sense - 2023-24 Men's College Hockey Season Preview Special with Brad Schlossman

LD Dylan Anhorn (turns 25 in January though), RW Riese Gaber, C Ben Steeves, G Victor Ostman, LW Christian Fitzgerald, RW Josh Eernisse, RD Luke Krys, RW T.J. Hughes, G Cooper Black, G Noah Giesbrecht.

I wouldn't anticipate any of those guys immediately fighting for NHL spots, but they mentioned that each guy had varying degrees of offers to turn pro after last season.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Podcast with Chris Peters from last month name dropped a few undrafted NCAA guys (~57 minute mark): Talking Hockey Sense - 2023-24 Men's College Hockey Season Preview Special with Brad Schlossman

LD Dylan Anhorn (turns 25 in January though), RW Riese Gaber, C Ben Steeves, G Victor Ostman, LW Christian Fitzgerald, RW Josh Eernisse, RD Luke Krys, RW T.J. Hughes, G Cooper Black, G Noah Giesbrecht.

I wouldn't anticipate any of those guys immediately fighting for NHL spots, but they mentioned that each guy had varying degrees of offers to turn pro after last season.

Thanks. Look forward to listening.

 

[barriers]

Collin Graf deservedly should garner attention again.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

John Waldron, 21, Miami University. Sophomore forward attended Flyers development camp last summer; tied for second in scoring for the Red Hawks with 3 goals, 7 assists in 12 games.

 

[Guttersniped]

To put NCAA goalies in perspective, here’s every undrafted NCAA goalie signed to a ELC since 2015 that I found on Cap Friendly. (If I missed any lmk.)

I also included their heights since that’s an obvious factor in these guys getting a NHL contract vs a minor league deal.
(“CF Info” is their Cap Friendly page.)

Apr 12, 2023 Yaniv Perets CAR, 23 CF Info
6’1”
Apr 19, 2022 Strauss Mann SJS, 24 CF Info
6’0”
Mar 30, 2022 Brandon Bussi BOS, 24 CF Info
6’4”
Mar 29, 2022 Ryan Fanti EDM, 22 CF Info
6’3”
Mar 28, 2022 Clay Stevenson WSH, 23 CF Info
6’4”
Mar 23, 2022 Jaxson Stauber CHI, 23 CF Info
6’3”
Apr 2, 2021 Adam Scheel DAL, 22 CF Info
6’4”
Sept 29, 2020 Devin Cooley NSH, 23 CF Info
6’5”
Apr 3, 2019 Andrew Shortridge SJS, 24 CF Info
6’4”
Mar 18, 2019 Mat Robson MIN, 23 CF Info
6’3”
Mar 24, 2018 Cam Johnson NJD, 24 CF Info
6’1”
Jul 28, 2017 Collin Delia CHI, 23 CF Info
6’2”
Apr 15, 2017 Hunter Miska ARI, 22 CF Info
6’1”
Apr 10, 2017 Shane Starrett EDM, 23 CF Info
6’5”
Mar 31, 2017 Angus Redmond ANA, 21 CF Info
6’2”
Marc 23, 2017 Chris Nell NYR, 23 CF Info
6’2”
Apr 29, 2016 Michael Garteig VAN, 24 CF Info
6’1”
Apr 7, 2016 Nick Ellis EDM, 22 CF Info
6’1”
Apr 5, 2016 Alex Lyon PHI, 23 CF Info
6’1”
Mar 30, 2016 Charlie Lindgren MTL, 22 CF Info
6’1”
Mar 30, 2016 Kevin Boyle ANA, 24 CF Info
6’0”
Mar 28, 2016 Adam Carlson WSH, 22 CF Info
6’3”
Mar 28, 2016 Kasimir Kaskisuo TOR, 22 CF Info
6’3”
May 16, 2015 Matt O’Connor OTT, 23 CF Info
6’6”
Mar 29, 2015 Brody Hoffman MIN, 24 CF Info
6’4”
Mar 26, 2015 Joel Rumpel SJS, 24 CF Info
6’3”
Mar 25, 2015 Rasmus Tirronen CAR, 24 CF Info
6’3”
Mar 22, 2015 Colin Stevens FLA, 22 CF Info
6’2”

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Not all that familiar with the WHL but should Everett goalie Tyler Palmer be in this category?

Always tough to gauge a goalie by his numbers on a strong team.

Tyler Palmer at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tyler Palmer, 2003-06-27 Fernie, BC, CAN Canada. Most recently in the WHL with Everett Silvertips. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[barriers]

Tracking the top 10 NHL-drafted NCAA players slated to become UFAs this summer

These 10 players could hit the market in August if they don’t get contract offers from their draft clubs.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

 

[Kaibur]

Gabriel Seger at Cornell. Senior, 6'4" 216lbs. Has put up 9-11-20 in 15GP after putting up a ppg last year during his junior season. Attended Montreal's camp last year I believe.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Teague Patton - Not uncommon for a 20-year-old to have his best season in his fourth year in the WHL - particularly in a stacked lineup. But curious to see if Patton's numbers are just due to playing for the Silvertips or if there is something to his game.

 

[Caser]

Maxim Tsyplakov was scouted by the Rangers' pro scout today. Previously it also was reported that Bruins, Coyotes, Red Wings and Leafs are showing interest.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Matias Mantykivi was a sixth-round selection by the Bruins in 2019 but was never signed to a contract. Now with first-place Ilves he has already matched his career-high point total from last year through 42 games.

He'll be 23 in June. Is he worth taking a look?

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Jukurit Mikkeli coach Olli Jokinen has done a nice job of blending veteran players with young prospects and there are some intriguing players worth a look.

Defenseman Niilo Romppanen isn't overly physical but is a big player (6'4", 210) who skates well. He turns 22 in March and could be scratching the surface in terms of his potential.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Maxim Korpimaki is someone that seems intriguing to me.

Long shot to be sure since he has never played for the Finnish junior national teams nor played in Liiga during his four years in A, B and C juniors in Tappara's club.

Now in his first year in Oulu, he is an assistant captain with 39 points in 29 games (14 goals, 25 assists) and has played 14 Liiga games for a club that rarely plays teenagers.

More than likely, he is the equivalent of an overage player in junior or a super senior in college hockey.

But would love to know more from those who have seen him play.

 

[Son of Petter]

He’s not a free agent but Sasha Chmelevski has an expiring KHL deal and apparently there’s some interest in team’s trading for his rights. Otherwise I could see him back with team other than the Sharks next year.

 

[Johnny Danger]

what about Stephane Charlin? Great numbers in switzerland, great size ...

 

[SanDogBrewin]

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Diminutive Juuso Maenpaa is KalPa's leading scorer in his third full season. He turns 22 in April and could be of interest to team in need of playmaking ability.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Marcus Sylvegard (RW) will be 25 in May - not exactly the prime age for a prospect.

But he leads first-place Vaxjo in scoring with a career-high 20 goals in the SHL.

Any talk of him signing?

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Will Massimo Rizzo go the free agent route?

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Will Massimo Rizzo go the free agent route?

Would hope not. Philadelphia is putting together a nice group of forwards. And why wouldn't a guy named Rizzo want to play for Tortorella?

 

[Guttersniped]

Adam Najman, F, Bílí Tygři Liberec (free agent)​

You won't find many more fearless forwards than Adam Najman. He's always right in the thick of the action, willing to pay a price to generate offence, whether that's planting himself in the crease or battling for loose pucks. With the puck on his stick, it's Najman's playmaking that stands out the most, as exemplified by his five points (four assists) in his last five games. Najman has aged out of the draft, but this is someone you may read about in this year's European free agent guide.

From an Elite Prospects article from 2/3/24:

Central European Stock Watch: Matěj Maštalířský making a case for himself as a draft re-entry

The latest edition of the Central European Stock Watch highlights the play of Matěj Maštalířský, Jakub Kos, Adam Najman, Daniel Pekař, and Jaromír Pytlík.

eprinkside.com

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Mans Forsfjall, the older brother of Kraken draft pick Zeb Forsfjall (C), has topped 20 minutes in ice time several times this season as a left shot defenseman for Skelleftea. He is a 2002-born player who turns 22 in July.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Oskari Laaksonen was never able to crack the NHL lineups for Buffalo or Dallas in three AHL seasons.

Now in the SHL he is averaging over 21 minutes of ice time and is putting up decent offensive numbers for Orebro; he was also picked to play for Finland in the Europe Trophy Tournament.

He turns 25 this summer so his window may be closing.

 

[Brodeur]

Pronman: Top college, CHL and European free agents for NHL teams

Ranking this year’s class of free agents coming out of the CHL, NCAA and major European leagues.

theathletic.com

Pronman has Collin Graf in the "Middle six NHL upside" tier by himself, followed by a "Probably play NHL games" tier with Maxim Tsyplakov, Oscar Eklind, Jacob Quillan, Cooper Black, and Victor Ostman. I haven't watched but did notice that Ostman hadn't been starting as frequently for Maine. Seemed like his backup was outplaying him recently.

Pronman intentionally didn't list somebody like Vasily Atanasov who is under KHL contract for another season.