Let’s Go College Free Agent Shopping

Trade deadline has come and gone in the NHL and the next thing on the calendar is the NCAA free agent signing period which begins as soon as a player’s NCAA season is over, should they wish to turn professional.

We are all aware that the Boston Bruins prospect cupboard is thin, not completely bare but approaching critical. At least we should. There are no all-stars, no blue-chip prospects but, there are a few that will carve out an NHL career.

What should be more concerning is the lack of draft capital. The Bruins have already traded away their first, second, third and seventh round picks in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. In 2025, it’s slightly better having traded their second and fourth round picks.

The Bruins have never been shy about trading draft picks. Why? Because they are one of the top NHL teams at attracting college free agents. Georgii Merkulov, Brandon Bussi, John Farinacci and Marc McLaughlin are four in the stable now. Luke Toporowski (now traded), Ethan Ritchie and Adam Mechura are three they brought in as CHL free agents (we will cover that on a later date). And they’ve had multiple success stories in the past.

The Entry Draft is just one way of building a team. The current composition in the NHL has 40.6% of players being first-round picks and 16.6% being second round picks. Undrafted players make up 12.7% followed by third-round picks at 8.4%.

One of the best negotiating tactics a team has at their disposal is signing a player and having them “burn a year” of their ELC immediately. The Bruins have 49 players under contract so that only leaves them one open contract spot to use the tactic. That means they will be looking to sign players to an AHL contract for this season with their ELC taking effect next season.

There are literally hundreds of players available, and we can’t list them all. On this list, I look at those that I have different levels of interest in joining the Bruins.

With that in mind, we will look at some of the possibilities ahead for the Bruins as we get closer to the free agent signing period. I’ve broken it down between forwards and defencemen but in no particular order:

Collin Graf – Center/Wing – Quinnipiac

Graf will be the top prize in this year’s pool for one lucky team and there will be several teams vying for him. After transferring from Union to Quinnipiac two seasons ago, there has not been a player that has produced more than Graf in the NCAA. He won a National Championship a year ago and was named a Hobey Baker finalist and All-American and you can bet your bottom dollar he will get the same honors this season.

Graf is still young by NCAA free agent standards with plenty of room still ahead of him for further development. He possesses elite level hockey IQ with excellent vision but also a knack for scoring goals. At 6’1” and just over 190 pounds, he has matured physically with room to add some bulk to his frame.

Camps Attended: Nashville (2023); Florida (2022)

Jacob Quillan – Center – Quinnipiac – SIGNED WITH TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS APRIL 2, 2024

The 6’, 200-pound forward is nearing the end of his junior season that saw his goal production drop from a year ago but his overall production increase. He attended the Bruins development camp in 2023 but was unable to participate in on-ice activities due to injury. He scored the game winning goal for Quinnipiac in the national title game last season that saw Quinnipiac win their first title.

Quillan is an energy bug who goes full out every time he is on the ice. He is an aggressive puck pursuer who battles at every opportunity. Despite the drop in his goal production, he has shown he can score at this level.

Camps Attended: Boston (2023)

Riese Gaber – Center – North Dakota

Fans are going to look at his 5’8” size and say “no thanks.” And that may turn off some NHL teams who prefer big bodies that can skate and produce. There was plenty of interest in Gaber last season and he probably would have been better off turning pro then. He’s 24 now and at the top end of the age bracket that turns pro.

Despite his size, his motor never quits and his work ethic is matched by only a few. When you watch North Dakota play, you notice Gaber and his commitment to engage. He’s produced at both the USHL and NCAA levels but he will find it more difficult at the pro level.

Camps Attended: Florida (2023); Boston (2022)

Dylan Wendt – Right Wing – Western Michigan

Wendt is another player with a high compete level. Had a great breakout season with Western Michigan as a junior. He’s got good size at 6’1” and skates very well with good mobility.

Despite being a good puck handler, Wendt is more of a goal scorer than playmaker. I think it is more of a hockey IQ issue than a vision issue with him. There might be just enough there that he will draw some interest from NHL clubs. In the end, I’m not sure I’d be willing to take the chance, but he deserves consideration.

Camps Attended: None

Carter Wilkie – Right Wing – RIT

There are whispers that Wilkie will return for his senior year at RIT but the 6’2”, 190-pound right winger is sure to get some phone calls after reaching the 30-point mark for the third consecutive season.

Wilkie has size, a little bit of grit and a sheer determination to get to the front of the net with or without the puck. He has a good shot with an excellent release, good vision and playmaking skills. He will need to fine tune some aspects of his game, but no doubt, the effort to improve will be there.

Camps Attended: Vegas (2023); Calgary (2022)

Liam McLinskey – Center/Wing – Holy Cross

After playing just 2 games with Quinnipiac during the 2021-2022 season, McLinskey transferred to Holy Cross and that’s where things got pretty interesting. As a sophomore he scored 21 times but notched just 4 assists in 40 games. Questions arose about what type of player he was. Then this season he scored 16 times while assisting on 28 in 36 games.

At 6’3” he has size, but really needs to add some bulk. He’s an excellent skater with surprising speed who will only get stronger on his blades. His lateral mobility is also very good and he has an ability to slow things down. He’s known as a goal scorer first, but he proved this season that he can also make plays. All that and he comes from a school known to have an excellent culture. And the Bruins know a thing or two about that.

Camps Attended: Detroit (2023)

Luke Grainger – Center/Right Wing – Western Michigan

At 5’10” and 180-pounds, Grainger lacks the size that the Bruins have been drawn to lately. Some might say that his defensive game is just average and the Bruins will shy away from him for that as well. But we’ve heard that before.

He’s got the leadership qualities that the Bruins covet, he can skate and he’s an excellent playmaker. And he’s a tenacious forechecker who gets on top of the opposition with quick feet and a will to create turnovers. His tools suggest that his offence could translate to the pro game.

Camps Attended: New Jersey (2023)

Luke Krys – Defence – Providence – SIGNED WITH DALLAS STARS MARCH 19, 2024

With only three defencemen under contract for Providence next season and two of them rookies, defence might be a position the Bruins take a run at. The 6’2” right shooting Krys is the type of blueliner that has attracted the Bruins over the past few years.

Krys is a mobile skater who has a high compete level and is very good at defending. However, don’t expect much in the form of offence at the next level. If you’re looking for a defensive guy who can transition the puck, he may draw interest. But the offence is limited.

Camps Attended: Rangers (2023); Vegas (2022)

Drew Bavaro – Defence – Notre Dame – SIGNED WITH BOSTON BRUINS

The 6’3”, 200-pound right shooting defenceman has put up decent numbers over two seasons with Notre Dame. He’s a very good skater with good mobility and for defencemen his size on this list, probably the best skater.

Bavaro can execute a breakout, jump into the rush and can set up on the point with a very good shot. Defensively, he has an active stick, can force people wide and can win his board battles. He can kill penalties and at least at this level, can quarterback a powerplay.

Camps Attended: Ottawa (2023); Detroit (2022)

John Prokop – Defence – Union

Prokop could always put up points but the knock on him in three seasons in the USHL was that he couldn’t defend. This season, the 6’3”, 185-pound left shooting defenceman led Union College in scoring as a sophomore defenceman – and by a wide margin.

The big defenceman has all the tools to take his offensive abilities to the next level, but how has his defence come along? Well, he has made good strides and there is still some work to be done. There is no doubt he has put in the effort and that is going to have to continue. I believe NHL teams will have interest in him.

Camps Attended: Calgary (2023)

Jacob Bengtsson – Defence – Boston College

The 6’3”, 203-pound left shot defenceman is a native of Stockholm Sweden and has been playing in the USA since 2018-19 beginning with 2 seasons in the USHL. He spent 3 seasons with Lake Superior State University where he put up good numbers, but the offence plummeted when he transferred to Boston College this season.

Skating is a concern, but I think with the right coaching, he can improve enough that it won’t hinder him at the next level.

Ryan Bischel – Goaltender – Notre Dame – SIGNED WITH PROVIDENCE BRUINS (MARCH 18)

Having already signed Bischel’s teammate Bavaro out of Notre Dame, you’d figure the Bruins head college scout Brett Harkins and the staff have done their homework on Bischel. What he’s done the past two season really is a surprise. Last year, for a .500 team he posted a sparkling .931 save percentage. Then this season a .924 save percentage on a sun .500 team.

Bischel may be lacking in the ideal size NHL teams look for, but he’s not small. He’s confident in his crease and seems to never get rattled while also being a calming influence on his teammates. He is technically sound (as sound as you can expect at this level) with above average athleticism. He never gives up on pucks and is very good in second chance opportunities. The coaching tandem of Mike Dunham and Bob Essensa could really help bring Bischel along.

As you can see, there aren’t many goalies on this list. I am reserving that when I do my CHL free agents in the coming days. But there are literally hundreds of college players available. This list covers the players I am most interested in.

Follow me on X @dominictiano. Follow the blog and never miss a post.