This is the final installment of a three-part series covering hockey free agents from the NCAA, Canadian Hockey League and now European Leagues.
The signing period for CHL players has begun while the NCAA period begins as soon as a player’s season is over. We saw the Bruins do just that when they signed Drew Bavaro to an ATO for the remainder of this season and an ELC for next season. and Ryan Bischel to an AHL contract for next season.
Technically, European free agency begins on May 1 since that is the day their contracts expire and the NHL has a transfer agreement in place with almost all leagues not to sign players under contract. But there are ways around that which we won’t get into here.
It’s not a deep pool but one to take a look at. I’m sure PJ Axelsson and his European scouting staff have been keeping tabs on these players. It is important to note that some of these players are already signed through next season with their current clubs or have already signed an extension (but are free agents in the NHL). However, the IIHF allows them to opt out of those deals by June 15 (except KHL players because they don’t fall under the IIHF umbrella), but it’s going to cost an NHL team more money to sign them.
Maxim Tsyplakov – Right Wing – Spartak – KHL
Tsyplakov is arguably the most NHL ready player on this list or my NCAA and CHL free agent list. It was rumored back in January that the Bruins were one of four teams that were showing interest in him at a time when NHL teams could not express interest.
Tsyplakov is a speedy winger (plays all 3 forward positions) who has great size at 6’3” and 200-pounds but is at his best playing on the wings. He is defensively responsible and plays in all situations including the penalty kill. He has some physicality averaging just over 2 hits per game. He’s no David Pastrnak but he likes to shoot the puck averaging 2.5 shots per game and that shot comes with some mustard and accuracy.
Oscar Eklind – Left Wing/Center – Lulea – SHL (signed through 2024-2025)
Eklind got off to a great start for Lulea early in the SHL season and a few NHL scouts began courting him then. Eklind himself says it “would be a dream to play in the NHL.” He is coming off his best season with 17 goals and 11 assists in 48 games that saw him spend 64 minutes in the sin bin.
Eklind is a big bodied winger at 6”4” and 220-pounds that can play down the middle or the wing. He’s a very good skater with a little speed. He plays a physical game and is willing to go through opponents to get to the opposition net. He has good hands in front of the net. He has a good shot and playmaking skills. I don’t think he projects higher than third line, but could fill in on upper lines with spot duty.
Marcus Hardegard – Left Defence – Lulea – SHL (signed through 2024-2025)
Hardegard had 6 goals and 18 assists this season and his 24 points were 8th among SHL defenders. Over the past two seasons he has 15 goals and 30 assists in 101 games. However, I don’t believe that offence translates to the NHL.
I do believe the 6’1” and 203-pound defender has the defensive game that does. He’s a very good skater who can keep opponents to the outside, is positionally strong, keeps his gaps very tight and gets his stick into lanes. He is also very adept at puck retrieval, escaping the forecheck and pressure and transitioning to offence with a very good first pass. I don’t know if that is enough to get a shot in the NHL but these are the type of sleepers I like.
Marcus Sylvegard – Right Wing – Vaxjo – SHL (signed through 2024-2025)
Although they play on different teams, Sylvegard and Eklind know each other well, having played together in the past. Both have spoken openly at times about joining the NHL together. This season, he has been one of the top players in the SHL.
He’s 6’0” and 190-pounds and skates well speed but really needs to add some speed. He isn’t just flash as he relishes the physical game. His most dangerous asset is his shot. He can absolutely rifle the puck and he can beat goaltenders from anywhere in the zone. That shot will be an asset to an NHL team especially on the powerplay where he has more space. He can be a middle six winger with his skill set, if he can add some speed.
Arttu Hyry – Right Wing – Karpat – Liiga (signed through 2024-2025)
I still keep close tabs on old friend Matias Mantykivi in the Finnish Liiga so I’ve seen plenty of Hyry. He’s a little like the version of Danton Heinen we are seeing now in that you can plug him in anywhere as a safe bet and you know what you are going to get.
But Hyry is bigger, stronger, more physical and faster on his blades. He just completed his third season in Liiga and it was a breakout year with 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 games. That doesn’t translate to much offence at the NHL level, but he has all the tools to be an effective bottom six player who provides grit, energy and can tag in with a little offence.
Tsyplakov will be the most coveted and the only true free agent on this list. I don’t expect many, if any to be signed but I find them intriguing nonetheless.
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Dom - Hockey 