NCAA Free Agent Watch

[Berserker*]

This is a thread designed to track statistics and provide scouting reports on NCAA free agents.

Click to read more...

 

[Berserker*]

Woodruff Hudson had an assist and three shots as St Lawrence defeated Maine 3-1.

Hudson is a big body (6'3 220 lbs) and was one of the top heavyweight enforcers in the USHL the last two years. Last season he had 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in 55 games played. This will be his first year playing in the NCAA.

 

[MainDotC]

I remember this guy:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/woodlief/2003-05-22-woodlief_x.htm

One note for teams looking for a tough guy in the draft: Matt Nickerson, the nasty 6-5/223-pound defenseman with Texas in the NAHL, has made the decision to enter this year's draft. Nickerson, a hulking physical specimen who was suspended twice this year for his role in on-ice altercations, has drawn the interest of several teams (though they all play it coy when his name is brought up) who are hoping to steal him in the mid-rounds. We don't think that will happen. Though his actual playing talent is only mid-round level, he is one of the few truly legitimate heavyweight tough guys, so his perceived value is much higher. For anyone wishing to grab him, don't expect him to last past the end of the third round.

That didn't really pan out as expected.

 

[Berserker*]

Also another player to keep an eye on is Hudson's teammate Greg Carey. Carey is entering his 4th year at St Lawrence University and lead the NCAA in goals last season. Here is his highlight clip:

 

[Berserker*]

Luke Curadi is a 6'5 255 lb shutdown d man at RPI. He is entering his third year in the NCAA and was most recently invited to take part in the Chicago Blackhawks development camp. He was also a notable fighter back in the USHL and BCHL.

 

[Berserker*]

The following is a profile on Ryan Walters



Walters put up 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 39 games last season. He is entering his 4th year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and was considered one of the top NCAA free agents last year.

Walters doesn't have overwhelming size, generously listed at at 6'0" 188 lbs, but he's been the most dangerous scoring threat in the NCAA this season, with a nation-leading 42 points through 30 games. He's a decent skater with great hands and offensive instincts. Walters has toned things down physically this year because he's been so valuable offensively, but can play with a nasty streak if need be.
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2013/2/13/3985172/top-15-nhl-free-agent-prospects-in-the-ccha-wcha

 

[Berserker*]

Woody Hudson had a goal and Greg Carey scored an assist as St Lawrence was defeated by Ferris State 5-3.

 

[Berserker*]

Luke Curadi had an assist as RPI defeated Sacred Heart 7-1.

Ryan Walters scored a goal and an assist as the University of Nebraska Omaha was defeated by Northern Michigan 6-3. Walters now has 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 4 games played.

 

[John Holmes*]

After Winchester, Butler, Da Costa and missing out on Bozak and Schultz...

Why does anyone care about these kinds of players?

Has there ever been one worth the hype?

 

[Berserker*]

After Winchester, Butler, Da Costa and missing out on Bozak and Schultz...

Why does anyone care about these kinds of players?

Has there ever been one worth the hype?

Dustin Penner, Chris Kunitz and Curtis Glencross turned out pretty good. There are probably a handful of other players who ended up becoming solid NHL players that I can't think of at the moment.

Also Cory Conacher looks like he has solid potential and Buddy Robinson looks promising.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

St. Louis, Sustr, Conacher.

 

[Quo]

Mar. 2013- College hockey players increasing in number, importance in NHL

Of those 301 former college players in 2011-12, 84 were undrafted free agents. Notable undrafted former collegians include Conacher's Tampa Bay teammate Martin St. Louis, San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle (Miami University), Boston Bruin Rich Peverley (St. Lawrence), L.A. King Dustin Penner (Maine) and Pittsburgh Penguin Chris Kunitz (Ferris State) just to name a few.

 

[Stylizer1]

For our team at least it's a waste of a pick.

 

[Ice-Tray]

For our team at least it's a waste of a pick.

free wallet, no picks are used

 

[Berserker*]

UPDATE

Luke Curadi (D)
14 GP 1G 3A 4PTS

Greg Carey (F)
14 GP 9G 15A 24PTS

Ryan Walters (F)
14 GP 4G 11A 15PTS

Jack Berger (F)
11 GP 3G 3A 6PTS

Woody Hudson (F)
14 GP 2G 4A 6PTS

Trevor Van Riemsdyk (D)
15 GP 3G 12A 15PTS

Ahti Oskanen (D)
13 GP 2G 9A 11PTS

Michael Young (D)
14 GP 0G 10A 10PTS

 

[Berserker*]

So aside from the players already mentioned in this thread, the other players to keep an eye on are:

Kenny Brooks F 6'1 210lbs
Zach Saar F 6'5 236lbs
Ralfs Friedbergs D 5'11 190lbs
Kevin Goumas F 5'10 160lbs
Daniel Carr LW 6' 190lbs
Chris McCarthy F 6'1 190lbs
Matthew Zay W 6'1 190lbs
Ryan Haggerty F 6' 180lbs
Matt Carey F 6'1 172lbs

 

[83DIZ65]

Kenny Brooks and Zach Saar are at the top of my list...also greg carey

 

[Sens Rule]

After Winchester, Butler, Da Costa and missing out on Bozak and Schultz...

Why does anyone care about these kinds of players?

Has there ever been one worth the hype?

Well Bozak and Shultz? Duh. Adam freaking Oates came out of college like this. Had a huge bidding war the Wings won. Too bad they did not keep him. Dustin Penner.... huge part of a big line that won the Stanley Cup (Over the Sens) shortly after he was a college UFA.

Winchester was actually effective here... though he could have been and was replaceable.

Of course we should look at College UFAs. Why wouldn't we? You get a free player without having to use any draft picks and that player is much farther into his development then a typical draft pick.

 

[Micklebot]

Well Bozak and Shultz? Duh. Adam freaking Oates came out of college like this. Had a huge bidding war the Wings won. Too bad they did not keep him. Dustin Penner.... huge part of a big line that won the Stanley Cup (Over the Sens) shortly after he was a college UFA.

Winchester was actually effective here... though he could have been and was replaceable.

Of course we should look at College UFAs. Why wouldn't we? You get a free player without having to use any draft picks and that player is much farther into his development then a typical draft pick.

The only reason I don't see us making a run for a top College FA is money. They typically get max $ on their contract, and with all the crying poor/money in=money out talk, we may not bother. That said, max on an entry contract isn't that high, so who knows, it's no worse than signing Corvo at 800 to sit on the bench.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Van riemsdyk's bro.... I don't know these prospects I lost hope after the Schultz sweepstakes, broke my heart but getting JR VR would be cool

 

[Busboy]

The only reason I don't see us making a run for a top College FA is money. They typically get max $ on their contract, and with all the crying poor/money in=money out talk, we may not bother. That said, max on an entry contract isn't that high, so who knows, it's no worse than signing Corvo at 800 to sit on the bench.

So we're using money as an excuse for everything now?

If we're signing a college player then it will be a 2 way entry level contract. No players would be signed unless they are AHL calibre players and they won't make the NHL team unless they're an NHL calibre player.

What's next? Are fans worried The team will start forfeiting draft picks to save money?

Signing college players who can play on the NHL team is the exact type of move to make for a team with financial struggles.

 

[KasparsHipCheck]

Luke Curadi is a 6'5 255 lb shutdown d man at RPI. He is entering his third year in the NCAA and was most recently invited to take part in the Chicago Blackhawks development camp. He was also a notable fighter back in the USHL and BCHL.

This guy is a beast on the RPI blueline. If the Sens are looking for someone big and physical to take "care" of Karlsson, if somebody goes after him. One thing that is part of his game at RPI is that he'll float down float down from the point to the front of the net when he has a good opportunity and set up camp, which really raises hell for the goalies and other teams D-men. He plays a very solid defensive game.

Also RPI's Ryan Haggarty--this guy is intense. He produces every game. So if nothing else, you would be signing a guy who's always mentally ready and locked in for the game.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Also RPI's Ryan Haggarty--this guy is intense. He produces every game. So if nothing else, you would be signing a guy who's always mentally ready and locked in for the game.

Sold.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Sold.

haha yea mentally ready, intense..thats all a sens fan needs to hear

 

[Berserker*]

This guy is a beast on the RPI blueline. If the Sens are looking for someone big and physical to take "care" of Karlsson, if somebody goes after him. One thing that is part of his game at RPI is that he'll float down float down from the point to the front of the net when he has a good opportunity and set up camp, which really raises hell for the goalies and other teams D-men. He plays a very solid defensive game.

Also RPI's Ryan Haggarty--this guy is intense. He produces every game. So if nothing else, you would be signing a guy who's always mentally ready and locked in for the game.

Thanks for the scouting report. Do you think that Curadi projects better as a d man or a forward at the NHL level?

Also, do you have any more info on Haggerty? He seems to fit what the Sens are looking for.