St. Louis Blues Sign Hugh McGing
The St. Louis Blues have found some common ground with one of their college prospects, agreeing to terms with Hugh McGing on a two-year entry-level contract. McGing recently finished his senior season with Western Michigan University, where he served as an alternate captain.
Selected in the fifth round two years ago, the undersized forward was actually a Hobey Baker nominee this season and last as one of the best college players in the country. Standing just 5’9″, the 21-year old has relied on his hockey instincts and offensive ability to carve out an impressive career for Western Michigan, scoring 117 points in 147 games.
Fans of international hockey at the junior level should also recognize McGing’s name, given that he has competed for Team USA at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and been a participant in the selection camp for the World Juniors—though he failed to make it through the final cut. With his college days over he’ll have to see what kind of production he can come up with in the minor leagues, before chasing the dream of becoming an NHL player.
College Notes: Perunovich, Poolman, McLaughlin
Among the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker award, there are several seniors that don’t have much of a decision coming for them this summer. Their college careers are over, and they’ll be starting their professional careers in one fashion or another. Some of the others however, including St. Louis Blues draft pick Scott Perunovich, still have college eligibility remaining and could return.
The potential Blues’ prospect is one of considerable intrigue, especially after making a post on Instagram yesterday thanking his teammates and the Minnesota-Duluth program. For a player as accomplished as the UMD junior, signing his entry-level contract for 2019-20 and making his NHL debut was a possibility. With the season now up in the air, it’s unclear how the negotiations will proceed. The 21-year old defenseman had 105 points in 115 games at the college level and could be an impact player quickly for the Blues.
- Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald reports that the Calgary Flames are a frontrunner for the services of Colton Poolman, an undrafted collegiate defenseman out of the University of North Dakota. The younger brother of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tucker Poolman, Colton captained UND this season and recorded 17 points in 31 games. Not quite as big as his brother, the younger Poolman is also already 24 and will have to cover a lot of development ground quickly if he wants to become a regular NHL player.
- Jake McLaughlin, another undrafted college defenseman about to turn 24, has minor league contract offers from six different teams according to AHL reporter Mark Divver. McLaughlin recently finished his senior season at UMass, scoring 14 points in 34 games. UPDATE (3/19): McLaughlin is officially off the market. The Amherst standout, who was one of the NCAA’s best defensive defenseman this season, has signed an AHL deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, per Divver. Seeing as this is a contract beginning in 2020-21, McLaughlin could technically be considered the first ever signing by the future Henderson Silver Knights, the soon-to-be-relocated version of the San Antonio Rampage, who were purchased by Vegas last month.
Vancouver Canucks Sign Will Lockwood, Marc Michaelis
The Vancouver Canucks have convinced one of their most interesting draft picks to sign well ahead of the summer deadline. Will Lockwood, who could have become an unrestricted free agent in August, has signed a two-year entry-level contract. Lockwood recently finished his senior season at the University of Michigan. GM Jim Benning released a short statement on the forward:
Will is a hard-working, two-way winger with natural scoring ability. He plays with urgency and creates chances for himself and his teammates. We look forward to adding his speed and tenacity to our roster.
The Canucks have also landed college free agent Marc Michaelis, signing him to a one-year entry-level contract. Michaelis, 24, just ended his college career with an outstanding 44-point effort in his senior season at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The German-born forward is actually a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best college hockey player in the nation. Benning also gave a short statement on the free agent signing:
Marc has exceptional offensive instincts and proven leadership. We look forward to adding his skill and play-making ability to the franchise.
Both players represent potential NHL talent for the Canucks, something that not every signing at this time of year can claim. Lockwood, drafted 64th overall in 2016, captained Michigan this year and has previously represented the United States at several international competitions. While he stands just 5’11” 172-lbs, there’s absolutely no quit in Lockwood’s game and he has proven willing to engage physically and battle in the corners when necessary. Just 21, he may be ticketed for the minor leagues to start his professional career but could very well push for a chance with the Canucks before long.
Michaelis is a very interesting prospect in his own right and has scored at basically every level. Starting in the German minor hockey system he was a star with Mannheim’s junior program before coming over to North America and producing in both the NAHL and USHL. Jumping to the college level didn’t slow him down, as Michaelis scored 36 points in 39 games as a freshman. His 162 points in 148 games for Minnesota State actually put him second on the school’s all-time scoring list, while his 71 goals put him first. Not only can he score at even-strength and on the powerplay, but Michaelis also set a school record with ten career shorthanded goals.
It’s hard to know if this kind of production will translate for the 5’11” forward, but betting against him hasn’t worked in the past. He’ll be 25 this summer, but already does have a taste of playing against professionals. In six games at last year’s World Championship, Michaelis scored twice.
Nashville Predators Sign Cole Smith
The Nashville Predators have landed an interesting college free agent, signing Cole Smith to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2020-21 season. The 24-year old Smith recently finished his senior season at the University of North Dakota. Predators’ AGM Jeff Kealty released a statement explaining the signing:
He is a big, strong guy who has gotten better every year. If you talk to the people at North Dakota, they just rave about the character traits that he has – his competitiveness, his drive, his physicality, all those ingredients he adds to a team in a winning environment. We feel like he’s going to be able to add all of that to our organization.
If you’re looking for a top-six scoring threat, you won’t find it in Smith. The 6’3″ winger recorded just 24 goals and 51 points in 137 games for North Dakota, instead playing depth energy role on teams that had their fair share of dynamic scoring threats.
That energy is exactly what the Predators are banking on as they give Smith his first professional opportunity. Given that he’ll turn 25 in October, he may actually battle for a fourth-line role in Nashville quite quickly, though he’ll almost surely start at the AHL level. If he can provide some physicality and polished checking ability, perhaps he can become a regular before long.
Peter Diliberatore Expected To Return For Junior Season
The Vegas Golden Knights won’t be signing Peter Diliberatore this spring, as according to Chip Malafronte of the New Haven Register the defenseman has turned down an NHL contract offer to return to Quinnipiac for his junior season.
If you haven’t heard of the 19-year old Diliberatore, even as a Golden Knights fan, you’re probably not alone. A sixth-round selection in 2018, he was picked out of the high school hockey circuit in Connecticut and was never a part of the major international tournaments for players of his age. That is, he didn’t actually take part in any—but he was certainly on their radar.
Diliberatore was invited to Canada’s selection camp for the most recent World Junior Championship, and though he didn’t make the cut it was a huge accomplishment for such an unheralded prospect. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (subscription required) chronicled that journey, including speaking to his high school coach who explained exactly what makes him special:
He’s elusive, he evades forecheckers really well and then he passes the puck off to a forward and who knows where it goes from there. And he quarterbacked our power play but his ability to run the breakout is much greater than his ability to run the power play. That contributed to him not having huge, huge numbers. What contributed to him being a draft pick was his skating and his compete level.
He hasn’t had huge, huge numbers at Quinnipiac either, but 40 points in 72 games over his first two seasons is still a very interesting total for a player that isn’t offense-only. It’s no wonder that the Golden Knights wanted to get him into their development system quickly, but they’ll have to wait to try and convince him next year.
Deliberatore’s exclusive draft rights will continue to be held by Vegas until August, 2022.
Arizona Coyotes Sign Ryan McGregor
It’s not just college free agents that will be signing, now that junior leagues have also called off the rest of their regular seasons. Ryan McGregor, captain of the Sarnia Sting of the OHL, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes.
McGregor, 21, was actually a sixth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017 but failed to sign with them by last summer’s deadline and became an unrestricted free agent. The forward also got a bit of AHL experience with the Toronto Marlies, a league he’ll have to prove himself in next season.
In 52 games with the Sting this season McGregor recorded 27 goals and 68 points, but his future likely comes as more of a defensive option in the middle of the ice. The pivot took more faceoffs than all but four players in the entire OHL this season, while also contributing heavily to the penalty kill.
For the Coyotes, handing out a contract to a player like McGregor doesn’t pose a lot of risk. The team is trying to build a system of success from the minor leagues up, likely valuing his leadership and competitive abilities more than any potential offensive upside.
OHL, WHL, USHL Announce Cancelations
After the QMJHL canceled the remainder of their regular season yesterday, it was expected that the other two member leagues of the CHL would do the same. Today, both the WHL and OHL have announced that they will cancel their remaining games. Interestingly, they have used different tactics to determine the final standings. While the WHL used points percentage, it seems as though the OHL instead has taken the standings through the first 61 games of the season.
It’s not just the CHL that have decided to move on from the regular season either. The USHL has also canceled the rest of the 2019-20 season and playoffs, while the NAHL took that step yesterday.
Though the CHL has left some hope to resume for the playoffs at some point, it does seem unlikely at this point. The Memorial Cup, which was set to be held in May, is also in danger thanks to a provincial recommendation to cancel all sporting events involving more than 50 people until June.
The end of the junior season means draft eligible players have even less time to impress potential NHL organizations, or continue to develop their skills for the future.
Top-10 Finalists Announced For 2020 Hobey Baker
The college hockey season may have come to an abrupt end, but award voting will go on anyway. Today, the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award were announced. The trophy is given to the top NCAA player in the country, and has an impressive line of winners over the past few years. In 2014, Johnny Gaudreau took home the award as a junior for Boston College, followed by Jack Eichel in his only year for Boston University in 2015. Jimmy Vesey, Will Butcher and Adam Gaudette don’t bring quite the same impact, but are still NHL regulars after winning from 2016-18.
Last year’s winner was University of Massachusetts defenseman Cale Makar, who has gone on to be one of the most impressive rookies in the NHL this season with the Colorado Avalanche. Makar leaves big shoes to fill by this year’s nominees.
The award also has several top NHL alumni in its small fraternity, including Neal Broten, Tom Kurvers, Paul Kariya, Chris Drury, Ryan Miller and Brendan Morrison. With that group behind them, this year’s winner is certainly not someone to take lightly.
Earlier this year, 78 players from the NCAA ranks were nominated for the award, and today that number has been reduced to just ten. These ten players will be narrowed to just three, a process that anyone can be a part of by participating in the fan vote. Votes will be added to the decision from a selection committee to produce three finalists, from which a winner will be crowned.
The top-10 finalists are as follows, with the NHL organization who owns their draft rights in parenthesis:
Morgan Barron, Cornell University (New York Rangers)
Jason Cotton, Sacred Heart University
Jack Dugan, Providence College (Vegas Golden Knights)
David Farrance, Boston University (Nashville Predators)
Jordan Kawaguchi, University of North Dakota
John Leonard, University of Massachusetts (San Jose Sharks)
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State University-Mankato
Marc Michaelis, Minnesota State University-Mankato
Jeremy Swayman, University of Maine (Boston Bruins)*
Scott Perunovich, University of Minnesota-Duluth (St. Louis Blues)
*Swayman has already signed his entry-level contract with the Bruins.
Boston Bruins To Sign Nick Wolff
The run on college free agents has started, and the Boston Bruins are getting involved today. The team is expected to sign University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman Nick Wolff according to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald. PuckPedia adds that the deal is for one year and will carry an average annual value of $925K. Wolff recently finished his senior season and was an undrafted free agent.
The 23-year served as captain this season for the Bulldogs and was a big part of both titles the team took home over the last two years. Standing 6’5″ he is a mean, physical presence on the back end that can erase opposing forwards on a regular basis. That size didn’t earn him a selection in the NHL draft, but certainly makes him an interesting addition to the Bruins organization.
Obviously there is still a long road ahead of Wolff, but he already does have some familiarity with the team. He has been at the Bruins’ last two development camps and should be present again this year—whenever that happens.
Buffalo Sabres Agree To Terms With Brandon Biro
The Buffalo Sabres have dipped into the college free agent market, agreeing to terms with Brandon Biro on a two-year entry-level contract. The young forward just finished his senior season at Pennyslvania State University, where he served as captain. Sabres GM Jason Botterill released a short statement on the signing:
Brandon will bring a combination of skill, hockey sense and character to our organization. We’re confident that his four years at Penn State with Coach Gadowsky have prepared him well for the next phase of his development.
Biro, 22, has been a standout for years now at Penn State, scoring at a near point-per-game pace since his sophomore season. The undersized forward will jump into professional hockey hoping that production continues and that he’ll be useful depth for a Buffalo team still looking for an identity.
From Sherwood Park, Alberta, Biro was the AJHL Rookie of the Year a season before Cale Makar burst into the league and took all the attention. While he likely won’t have the same trajectory as that former opponent, there’s certainly hope that Biro can make a mark at the pro level.