As you all probably know, it has been announced that Collin Graf will sign an an NHL deal in April.
He will be the most highly sought after NCAA free agent in years.
----
Who is Colin Graf?
Right wing for Quinnipiac. He was a late birthday and went undrafted in 2021. In a redraft today, he would probably go around 10-15 range (after Beniers, McTavish, Johnson, Johnston, Eklund, Stankoven, Guenther…in same range as Knies, Coronato…ahead of Othmann, Rosen, Lysell, Lucius, Sillinger).
In 2022-23, as Sophomore transfer from Union, he was NCAA champ and a 1st All-American (along with Levi, Faber, Hughes, Hutson, Fantilli, Cooley, Knies, Farrell). He was also top-3 in scoring (only behind Fantilli and Cooley). Last Spring, he was reportedly offered full NHL deals from a majority of NHL teams (usually the top undrafted players out of NCAA will have a handful to chose from…maybe 10 at most). He will likely get his choice of landing spots.
In 2023-24, he returned for his second Quinnipiac season and was said to have gained 20 lbs in off-season. His year started slowly, missing a few games due to injury. Since, he has compiled 19 goals, 23 assists, 42 points in 26 games. He is among top-10 in NCAA in points (7th), goals (8th), ppg (2nd). And he is the only player with 100+ points over last two seasons. (Rizzo is next with 90, Blake, Gauthier, Snuggerud all in low 80s). And he has done it in a highly defensive-oriented program.
----
Which NHL team will get him?
Nearly every team will try. And its been hard to get information on his preferences, but based on what we do know, we can guess some favorites.
Here are some of the teams that might become front runners for him. Boston may be favorite as they are hometown team and friends have said that would be his dream. He grew up playing for Jr Bruins. But he also wants to play right away and it may be a crowded lineup. He attended his first training camp in Florida in summer of 2022 and went all out to try and sign him last year. Nashville has often been aggressive with NCAA free agents under previous regime and had Graf to their development camp last summer.
Vegas has been scouting him heavily this year and reportedly attempted to sign him last year. Colorado is one of the few contenders that could probably find a spot on lineup. Unknown if they made offer last year. Vancouver has had frequent scouts at his games this year and was among teams to make an offer last year. Carolina attempted to sign last year and were successful in inking his teammate Perets. San Jose has been rumored to be sniffing around and can probably guarantee playing time right away. Arizona is likely to sign his linemate (Lipkin) and there has even been some talk about bringing Graf, Quillon, Lipkin, one of the best lines (if not, THE best line) in NCAA to Arizona as a unit (Quillon is probably among the top-5 NCAA free agents this year).
Rough guess at what I'd think Odds would look like:
I think the Hurricanes might take a shot at him. His former teammates father is the head coach and his teammate Yaniv Perets is already in the Hurricanes system
I think the Hurricanes might take a shot at him. His former teammates father is the head coach and his teammate Yaniv Perets is already in the Hurricanes system
I thought of that. It probably helps. But two issues, one, can they give him a spot in NHL lineup? (He will have options...many will guarantee NHL roster spot). Two, if he doesn't get spot...Carolina has no AHL team...so could be an issue (I think it could be factor for Morrow too)
I thought of that. It probably helps. But two issues, one, can they give him a spot in NHL lineup? (He will have options...many will guarantee NHL roster spot). Two, if he doesn't get spot...Carolina has no AHL team...so could be an issue (I think it could be factor for Morrow too)
We'll almost certainly figure out the AHL situation and we have enough spots in our rosters free due to expiring contracts that we can probably find a third or fourth line spot for him