With the 2019-20 college hockey season over, attention turns to what underclassmen will be leaving school early to sign NHL entryl-evel contracts.
After the 2018-19 season, 21 Hockey East players turned pro with eligibility remaining. That number will almost certainly be lower this offseason.
Having spoken to numerous scouts and agents, my best guess is six players leaving school early, mere formalities.
After that, another handful of players could opt to forgo eligibility to sign pro deals.
Definitely leaving
Mitchell Chaffee
Massachusetts, jr., RW
Chaffee, along with Minnesota State junior defenseman Connor Mackey, is considered a top undrafted free agents in college hockey. The Rockford, Mich., native has put up double digits in goals in all three of his seasons at UMass, including this year with 16. Chaffee’s skating has gotten better, but it’s still considered an area that could use improvement. He plays hard and is a strong north-south power forward with goal-scoring ability. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t bolt for the pros.
Jack Dugan
Providence, so., RW
John Leonard
Massachusetts, jr., RW
Leonard, an Amherst, Mass., native, led Division I in goals with 27 in 34 games. The San Jose Sharks prospect will almost certainly sign. He was drafted after a solid freshman campaign, and he’s put up two even better seasons since then. Leonard’s play away from the puck is still a work in progress, but his shot and ability to put the puck in the net makes him a coveted prospect.
Tyler Madden
Northeastern, so., C
Madden missed the last seven games of the season after breaking a finger in mid-February. The value of the Los Angeles Kings prospect can be measured in Northeastern’s record: With him in the lineup, the Huskies went 16-8-3. In the seven games Madden missed, Jim Madigan’s team went 2-5. Madden drove NU’s possession and was a threat to score every time the puck was on his stick. Madden finished the season with 19 goals and 18 assists in 27 games. His father, veteran NHL player and now AHL coach John Madden, stayed all four years at Michigan, but most reports from around the rinks see the younger Madden turning pro.
Jeremy Swayman
Maine, jr., G
It can be argued that Swayman is one of the most valuable players of the past 20 years in college hockey. He’s right up there with BU’s Jack Eichel and UMass’ Cale Makar, in recent memory. The Anchorage, Alaska, native finished the year with a .939 save percentage, which was second best in the country. However, the other top goaltenders in save percentage had far superior teams in front of them. A Boston Bruins prospect, he’s surely to bolt. The organization, in need of goaltending depth, won’t want to lose him to free agency, and he’s surely ready for the AHL.
Trevor Zegras
Boston University, fr., C
Zegras, a 2019 first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, had 11 goals and 25 assists in 34 games as a rookie with the Terriers. His 36 points were good for a tie for third nationally in scoring by a freshman. Zegras could certainly stand to put on more muscle and maturity as he was a healthy scratch for one game after a selfish penalty. Still, the Bedford, N.Y., native is believed to be looking to take the next jump in his development. His skill and hockey sense are elite. The way he saw the ice had viewers on the edge of their seats every time he touched the puck.
Potential flight risks
David Farrance
Boston University, jr., D
No defenseman in the country had more goals or points than Farrance did during the 2019-20 season. The Victor, N.Y., native was a third-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2017 NHL Draft. As a junior, he could return for his senior season and go the free-agency route. On the other hand, if Nashville believes in his pro upside as an offensive defenseman, they will be more inclined to sign him.
Vladislav Firstov
Connecticut, fr., LW
A few Huskies could be in this category as potential flight risks, but Firstov is probably at the top of the list. The freshman is a 2019 second-round pick of the Minnesota Wild. In 34 games as a freshman, he posted 11 goals and 12 assists. If Mike Cavanaugh and his staff can retain all these talented Europeans, 2020-21 could be another positive season for the Huskies.
Max Gildon
New Hampshire, jr., D
Gildon finished in a tie for 11th nationally in points by a defenseman. The Plano, Texas, native had seven goals and 22 assists in 34 games. A Florida Panthers pick, Gildon can have a positive impact on his own team, but he’s a high-risk, high-reward player. Gildon is likely ready to make the jump to the AHL, but the only question here will be whether Florida wants to sign him or if he’d rather go the free-agency route.
Logan Hutsko
Boston College, jr., RW
Hutsko, another Florida Panthers prospect, could leave, as his two linemates are both graduating seniors. He had 19 goals and 14 assists this season. Injuries have always been an issue with Hutsko, a Tampa, Fla., native.
Spencer Knight
Boston College, fr., G
Knight is one of the best American goaltending prospects in years. As a freshman, he posted a .931 save percentage, good for 12th in the country. The National Team Development Program alum and Darien, Conn., native was picked in the first round, 13th overall, by Florida in 2019. Reports have said the Panthers offered him to come out. Sometimes goaltenders can simmer in college longer than forwards and defensemen.
Alex Newhook
Boston College, fr., C
Newhook, a first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche, had a monster second half. He scored 19 goals and 23 assists in 34 total games. His skill, skating and compete are all off the charts. I’m sure the Avalanche would sign him, but he might opt for a chance to win a national championship with the Eagles.
Greg Printz
Providence, jr., LW
Printz, an undrafted free agent, put up 15 goals and 12 assists. It was his second consecutive season reaching double digits in goals. Rumors of his pro interest have been no secret. He’s a big power forward who plays physically. He sometimes oversteps that line, but he’s an intriguing prospect who has gotten much better since his days at South Kent Selects Academy. He’ll certainly get at least one offer to turn pro. It was a tug of war whether to leave him in this category or to move him up to the definitely leaving category.
Tyce Thompson
Providence, so., C/RW
Thompson scored 19 goals and 25 assists in 34 games in his second season with the Friars. That comes on the back of his terrific freshman season that helped him get drafted by the New Jersey Devils. A coach’s son, he plays like it with his terrific hockey sense. With New Jersey’s front office being college-friendly and the fact he still needs to put on some weight, I could see him coming back for his junior season.
