Draft Picks Rights Set to Expire for NCAA Players on August 15.

Posted byDominic TianoPosted inBoston Bruins

August 15 marks the deadline for NHL teams to sign players they’ve drafted that took the NCAA route. If those players remain unsigned by that date, they become free agents eligible to sign with any team.

Even if those players have signed an AHL contract, they will still become unrestricted free agents at the NHL level if their drafting team doesn’t sign them by the deadline—allowing them to join any NHL club.

However, such signings are exceedingly rare—rarer even than offer sheets. It often feels like there’s an unspoken code among NHL teams to avoid poaching players who are under AHL contracts.

The upcoming UFA class isn’t exactly a star-studded lineup. Setting bias aside, Bruins’ prospect Ty Gallagher might be the most promising of the group—despite being the second lowest draft pick, taken 217th overall in 2021. On the other end of the spectrum, Jack Hughes (not that one) was the highest selection, drafted 51st overall by the Kings in 2022. Yet, his collegiate career never quite took off, with two underwhelming seasons at Northeastern followed by two more at Boston University.

So, if you’re hoping the Bruins can find some help here, I think you’ll be waiting a while.

TeamPlayerPick/YearAHL Contract
AnaheimWilliam Francis163rd 2019Yes
BostonTy Gallagher217th 2021Yes
 Jake Schmaltz192nd 2019Yes
BuffaloMatteo Costantini131st 2020Yes
ColumbusAidan Hreschuk94th 2021No
ChicagoDominic James173rd 2022No
ColoradoHank Kempf208th 2021Yes
DallasJack Bar138th 2021No
DetroitRed Savage114th 2021No
EdmontonMatt Copponi216th 2023Yes
 Joel Maatta222nd 2022Yes
 Luca Munzenberger90th 2021Yes
 Tomas Mazura162nd 2019Yes
Los AngelesJack Hughes51st 2022Yes
NashvilleIsak Walther179th 2019No
 Luke Reid166th 2020Yes
IslandersCameron Berg125th 2021Yes
RangersZakary Karpa191st 2022Yes
SeattleJustin Janicke195th 2021Yes
San JoseTimofey Spitserov210th 2020Yes
Tampa BayAlex Gagne192nd 2021No
TorontoWyatt Schingoethe195th 2020No
VancouverJackson Kunz113th 2020Yes
WashingtonBrent Johnson80th 2021Yes

Published by Dominic Tiano

Following the Ontario Hockey League players eligible for the NHL Draft. I provide season-long stats, updates and player profiles as well as draft rankings.

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