While this time of year is often thought of as college free agency season, plenty of drafted prospects have been signing contracts in recent weeks with more to come later this month. It’s also a time when senior players who haven’t signed with their drafting teams yet starts to become more notable.
One of those is Bruins prospect Andre Gasseau. The 22-year-old was a seventh-round pick by Boston back in 2021, going 213th overall. But while it appears that the Bruins would like to sign him, he seems to have other plans. Earlier this week, Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal reported (Twitter link) that there are rumblings that the center wanted a contract that started right away if he was going to sign with Boston. Meanwhile, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in the latest 32 Thoughts podcast (audio link) that Gasseau isn’t expected to sign, which suggests that the Bruins aren’t offering a deal that begins now. That has him on track for his signing rights to expire on August 15th which would make him a free agent.
Gasseau had a very productive career at Boston College. While injuries limited him to just 23 games this season, he still averaged a point per game with six goals and 17 assists while winning a little over 49% of his faceoffs. Over his four seasons with the Eagles, Gasseau had 43 goals and 68 assists across 135 appearances.
Between those numbers and a six-foot-four NHL-ready frame, it’s fair to suggest that Gasseau will attract interest if he ultimately does hit the open market in mid-August. Alternatively, if there is a team that is willing to play him now, it’s possible that they might flip an asset to Boston to acquire his signing rights although he wouldn’t be eligible to play in the postseason if he were brought in by a playoff-bound team. Either way, it looks like Gasseau will be turning pro with an organization that wasn’t the one that drafted him.
I like Gasseau, but he isn’t ready to jump right to the NHL. A 7th round pick making those demands is a bit ridiculous in my opinion. Gasseau’s a solid player, but if Hagens can go to Providence before coming to the NHL, then so can Gasseau. Hagens is a far more talented player than Gasseau is.
I’m disappointed. I thought he might take over for Kuraly as the 4C in a year or two.
He probably sees BC teammates Hagens and Letourneau, also centers, ahead of him and feels he is not going to be in Boston for a while. There is also Moore behind him. He is from Calif so may want to sign out west also. His rights may be worth a 4th-5th round pick to someone though.