The Boston Bruins announced the signing of Boston College senior and captain Marc McLaughlin to a two-year entry-level contract today, valued at $883,750 per season.
The North Billerica, Mass. native scored 31 goals in his final 57 collegiate games between 2020-22, and was one of the conference’s most impactful forwards in terms of his all-around game and offensive production.
As the college season winds down, NHL teams are working to sign available undrafted free agents. Several other players are on the radar who could join the big clubs for the stretch run and gain valuable experience.
Here is a quick analysis on the newest Bruin, as well as a few other players from Hockey East expected to receive NHL interest in the coming days.
Marc McLaughlin
Boston College, 7/26/99, C, right shot, 6-0/210
The former Cushing Academy star left New England for juniors with the Iowa-based Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, spending two years there from 2016-18. Although named captain in his second season, injuries limited him to just 21 games entering his freshman year at BC.
McLaughlin broke in on the lower lines with the Eagles, scoring nine goals in his first 73 college games, before finishing second to Matthew Boldy (Millis, Mass.) in 2020-21 as a junior and first as team captain. Although rumored to have been offered NHL contracts to come out early, McLaughlin bet on himself as a senior and put up a career-best 21 goals and 32 points in 33 games. BC beat UNH in the opening round of the Hockey East playoffs last week, but fell to the No. 1 seed Northeastern Huskies on Saturday.
McLaughlin attended Boston’s August development camp, impressing onlookers with supple hands and a hard shot, scoring in a variety of ways throughout the event at Warrior Ice Arena. He then more than doubled his goal output from a year ago. He goes to the net consistently, and can provide an immediate checking presence at the professional level with his effort and good habits.
He’s thick and strong through the torso, and brings solid value as a college center who could play on the wing or stay in the middle when he turns pro. Whether he has the high-end offensive instincts to develop into a top-two line staple in the NHL remains to be seen. However, with his natural strength and intangibles such as work ethic, attitude and leadership skills, he could become a valuable addition to any middle or lower part of the forward roster.
Declan Carlile
Merrimack College, 5/18/00, D, left shot, 6-2/190
Signing probability: High
After a career-best 24 points in 35 games, the two-way defender from Michigan could return for his senior season for the Warriors. But the thinking here is that he will leverage his consistency and turn pro. Because of his age, he will be eligible to sign a three-year entry-level contract.
A two-way player with size and the ability to move pucks quickly, Carlile has the kinds of attributes that NHL teams covet. Any team needing to infuse talent and bolster their depth would do well to consider him, as he projects as more of a 5/6/7 defender at the NHL level, but has enough skill and upside to eventually develop into a second pairing staple who could see power play minutes on the second unit.
That type of projection is valuable to teams who can afford to take a chance to bring him, even if it means giving up a year on his entry-level deal to secure him. If not, he can sign and go to the AHL to finish out the season on an amateur tryout agreement, with his entry-level deal kicking in to start next season. Carlile probably needs time to develop in the minors, but he has the physical attributes and playing style to become an interesting NHL prospect.
Potential suitors for Carlile could be any team with money to spend, but his hometown Detroit Red Wings make sense, as does a team like the expansion Seattle Kraken, who have just 36 contracts against their 50 limit and for whom cap considerations are of little consequence right now. A sneaky potential destination for Carlile is the Columbus Blue Jackets, who currently have just 41 contracts on the books.
Parker Ford
Providence College, 7/20/00, C, right shot, 6-0/180
Signing probability: Medium
Like Carlile, the Wakefield, R.I., native just completed his junior season, and the Friars no doubt want him back. However, he’s the kind of versatile, intelligent, and hard-working pivot with upside that should generate offers from NHL teams.
With 13 goals and 27 points in 38 games, it was a solid season, but Ford’s value goes beyond the production. Like McLaughlin, Ford showed well at Boston’s development camp, and while he doesn’t have the same kind of scoring upside, he could opt to return to school and put up the bigger totals a year from now. The chance to take another shot at a national championship on what could be a contender at Providence next season might appeal.
Pro teams who could be courting him are hoping to get him while his value is lower, so it will likely come down to the pitches. It’s a tough decision, especially if he’s offered the chance to go straight to the NHL as Boston College forward Mike Hardman (Hanover, Mass.) did a year ago with Chicago. Will he take the sure thing by signing now, or bet on himself and benefit from increased demand for his services in a year?
Wilmer Skoog
Boston University, 7/17/99, LW, left shot, 6-2/197
Signing probability: Medium
Skilled winger and junior broke out in his third collegiate season, finishing second in team scoring to Domenick Fensore with 15 goals and 30 points in 30 games. He netted a total of 15 points in his first two seasons at BU, and with his size and hands, could intrigue pro teams looking for a project who is seasoned enough to get into the system.
Turning 23 in the summer, he would have to sign a two-year entry-level contract due to his age. Having played four full years of juniors in his native Sweden and in North America in the NAHL prior to BU, his age and experience appeal to pro teams.
He would no doubt benefit from returning to school to continue to hone his all-around game and complement the nifty skill side he brings. A 23-year-old can sign a two-year entry-level contract, so going back for one more year in Hockey East would not hurt him or a prospective team.
