Confirmed Signing with Link: [SJS] F Collin Graf signs ELC with the Sharks (3 years, $941.667 AAV)

[BKarchitect]

Looks like he wanted to be handed a spot in the NHL

He will definitely get an extended audition to end this season - there’s no reason not to and far, far worse end of season college free agents have spent April with their NHL club.

But he will have to earn a spot next fall just like anybody else. And you shouldn’t confuse a bad team with a lack of NHL depth or lack of prospective NHL depth. There is quite possibly a quicker route here to a top 6 role and PP time but there is nothing guaranteed and to say “he’s just looking to be handed a spot” is absurd. I’d wager that on several cap-strapped contenders who don’t have prospect depth, he’d have just as good a path to a solid role next fall.

There’s zero reason to be dismissive about his choice here. Zero. Seems odd that a Rangers fan would try and poke holes at the freedom a highly-sought NCAA free agent has at choosing his own destination and labeling it as “he wants to be handed a spot”.

 

[Kcoyote3]

I'd be curious to see a comparison of how NCAA free agents who sign with bottom feeders vs competitive teams pan out.

A College FA is more likely to burn out than not, so getting a few years of guaranteed NHL time is understandable as a priority, but I wonder if their career might be longer if brought along by a competent org

These poor, poor hockey players.

 

[captainpaxil]

These poor, poor hockey players.

With a degree from a major university there's less stressful ways to make 80 grand than ahl hockey . Guys in the echl can't afford a home in most major American cities .

 

[BKarchitect]

With a degree from a major university there's less stressful ways to make 80 grand than ahl hockey . Guys in the echl can't afford a home in most major American cities .

I’d say a lot if not most recent grads are certainly very stressed at making ends meet in “normal” jobs these days and probably enjoying their jobs way less.

Your statement pretty much applies to everybody. The majority of kids in college aren’t on a scholarship either. Buying a house is a ludicrous proposition for most under 30 even with their “major university” degrees.

 

[Kcoyote3]

With a degree from a major university there's less stressful ways to make 80 grand than ahl hockey . Guys in the echl can't afford a home in most major American cities .

Well he's earning 95k per year in signing bonuses (including this very very short year), a 25k bonus if he plays 5 games before the end of the year (he's gonna), and then around 80k in actual salary if he stays with the club the rest of the season (probably). So about 200k in 3 weeks, then 170k in guaranteed signing bonus over 2 years, and if he never touches the NHL again, 165k in salary in the AHL. So end of 2026 season he's bare minimum at 200k+170k+165k = 535k. Plus the opportunity to play in the NHL a lot more with a worse team. More money, more eyes on him for his next contract, etc.

 

[captainpaxil]

These poor, poor hockey players.

With a degree from a major university there's less stressful ways to make 80 grand than ahl hockey . Guys in the echl can't afford a home in most major American cities .

I’d say a lot if not most recent grads are certainly very stressed at making ends meet in “normal” jobs these days and probably enjoying their jobs way less.

Your statement pretty much applies to everybody. The majority of kids in college aren’t on a scholarship either. Buying a house is a ludicrous proposition for most under 30 even with their “major university” degrees.

That's my point aside from guys on one way deals it's 100 days of travel and a ton unpaid training for a regular paying job. Hockey players are seen as down to earth guys because they are

 

[hohosaregood]

Well he's earning 95k per year in signing bonuses (including this very very short year), a 25k bonus if he plays 5 games before the end of the year (he's gonna), and then around 80k in actual salary if he stays with the club the rest of the season (probably). So about 200k in 3 weeks, then 170k in guaranteed signing bonus over 2 years, and if he never touches the NHL again, 165k in salary in the AHL. So end of 2026 season he's bare minimum at 200k+170k+165k = 535k. Plus the opportunity to play in the NHL a lot more with a worse team. More money, more eyes on him for his next contract, etc.

And if it doesn't work out here, maybe he shows enough that he can spend the rest of his 20s in beautiful Sweden or Switzerland or Germany.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Outside of Bedard the Chicago farm system sort of sucks.

Oh really? Damn that sucks

 

[ElLeetch]

took the short cut instead of wanting to win.

 

[Kcoyote3]

took the short cut instead of wanting to win.

Maybe? Maybe he likes San Jose?

 

[EXTRAS]

took the short cut instead of wanting to win.

he's not Bedard. He needs to maximize his potential pay.

 

[Patty Ice]

he's not Bedard. He needs to maximize his potential pay.

Probably just bitter that he didn't sign with the Rangers.

They've become accustomed to getting those big name college FAs. I'm surprised the response wasn't "He's fat and ugly anyways."

 

[pld459666]

If the 1st year burns regardless, play the kid down the stretch

 

[pld459666]

This was a good move for him.

Would I have liked him signing with the NYR'S, absolutely.

This was a better decision for him short and long term.

Wish him all the best

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Outside of Bedard the Chicago farm system sort of sucks.

The Blackhawks prospect pool is solid but nowhere near as good as it should be. The Blackhawks (like the Sharks) could have Seamus Casey and Lane Hutson if they didn't draft worse players ahead of both

Looks like he wanted to be handed a spot in the NHL

That's the point, man. Guys want to get NHL money instead of getting 75k in the A going on bus rides to Allentown and Bridgeport. If he was only guaranteed time in the A, he's going back to Quinnipiac. This is why it would be smart for Jackson Blake to go back to UND unless Carolina guarantees him time in the league with them.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

The Blackhawks prospect pool is solid but nowhere near as good as it should be. The Blackhawks (like the Sharks) could have Seamus Casey and Lane Hutson if they didn't draft worse players ahead of both

Meh I wanted Casey at the draft but we got Havelid and eventually Cagnoni. Undersized offensive D are relatively cheap to acquire.

The Hawks have drafted alot of smaller forwards though. Bedard, Moore, Nazar, etc.

 

[ElLeetch]

Maybe? Maybe he likes San Jose?

why would anyone?

 

[Cas]

why would anyone?

Because it has great weather and is close to everything.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Meh I wanted Casey at the draft but we got Havelid and eventually Cagnoni. Undersized offensive D are relatively cheap to acquire.

The Hawks have drafted alot of smaller forwards though. Bedard, Moore, Nazar, etc.

Casey & Hutson >>>>>>>> Havelid and Lund

took the short cut instead of wanting to win.

Fox took the short cut going to the Rangers when they weren't close to a Cup back in 2019 as opposed to "wanting to win" and demanding a trade to the Lightning and getting multiple "free" Cups.

Graf just wants ice time and NHL money, pretty simple

 

[Juxtaposer]

Wow, sour grapes Rangers fans.

 

[weastern bias]

I bet the ticket makes the chocolate taste terrible

 

[pld459666]

Wow, sour grapes Rangers fans.

It's not a good look really.

He'd be buried here.

The kid made the right choice for him.

I wish him all the best with the Sharks.

 

[Hire Sather]

He certainly wouldn't play this year for NYR but easily could have next year.

 

[pld459666]

He certainly wouldn't play this year for NYR but easily could have next year.

Where?

Lavy's not going to thrust him on the top line?

In SJ, hes going to get more TOI both at ES and on the PP.

Our own 1OA is not getting PP time here.

There is no sense for tjat young man to sign with the NYR'S

 

[DarrylshutzSydor]

Because it has great weather and is close to everything.

good weather, but worst travel in the nhl.