Top 10 NCAA free agents to watch in the NHL

Credit: Ryan McAllister (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

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It’s college szn, baby.

The undrafted free agent market is open for business, with teams looking to ink pro-ready players after some extra development time. The goal is to build up inexpensive depth that can, in theory, step in right away.

Cam Talbot, Troy Stecher and Nate Schmidt are a few that come to mind that managed to have solid careers in the NHL after getting signed out of the NCAA. These players are late-bloomers – ones that might have been on the radar in their draft years but weren’t fully developed, or others that truly started to shine once they hit college. The likelihood of one of these players becoming a noteworthy top-six player, for example, is very low, but you can find some hidden gems at a solid price this way.

There isn’t a big standout this year, but these are 10 players that teams will be looking to target as NCAA teams finish off their seasons:

Jake Livingstone, D, 23 (Minnesota State)

Teams love big defensemen, which helps when they’ve got some offensive literacy, too. Livingstone stands tall at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, making him a big, daunting presence on the Mankato blueline. He has also put up decent points with 30 points in 36 games, his second consecutive 30-point campaign. The junior will be 24 in April, so he’s definitely on the older side of things, which might help him transition into a bottom-pairing role relatively quickly. Livingstone is the best UFA in the class right now, depending on who you talk to.

Ryan McAllister, RW, 21 (Western Michigan)

McAllister was challenging Adam Fantilli for first in the NCAA’s scoring race for a while. He’s eighth now with 45 points in 36 games, but there’s a five-point gap between second and 10th, so it’s close. The 21-year-old took the long route to the NCAA, starting in Jr. B in 2018-19 before spending three years in British Columbia and Alberta. McAllister had a whopping 57 goals and 139 points with the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits last year and wasted no time making an impact with WMU as a rookie. He’s an older freshman, and extra seasoning wouldn’t hurt, but there will be significant interest in the winger.

Jason Polin, RW, 23 (Western Michigan)

The 23-year-old Western Michigan captain is having an excellent season, scoring 45 points as a senior alongside McAllister. He’s always been a goal-focused winger, with 59 of his 94 career points coming thanks to his great release and his nose for the net. He has good speed, is an excellent puckhandler and knows how to put pucks past goaltenders. Away from the scoresheet, scouts have noticed his 200-foot game being much more consistent than in years past. He has good potential as an energetic bottom-six forward who can step up and play a bigger role in pinch situations.

Sam Malinski, D, 24 (Cornell University)

Malinski’s name has been popping up everywhere recently, and for a good reason. Compared to most of the NCAA UFA class, Malinski has to be the most well-rounded defenseman, one that excels as a shooter, passer and, most importantly, a defender. Keep in mind that Cornell sat out 2020-21 due to COVID-19, so he had to spend some significant time catching back up the past two years. The result is an increased work ethic, good mobility and the offensive numbers to go for it. As a skilled right-shot defender, Malinski should be able to find some work this year.

Akito Hirose, D, 23 (Minnesota State)

The younger brother of Detroit’s Taro Hirose, who was also a notable college free agent at one point, Akito has had another excellent season at Mankato. His name has been thrown around for at least three years as a potential free agent signing thanks to his hockey sense, high-end skating and puck-moving abilities. It’s the way he thinks the game that makes him stand out, to me – he’s deceptive and quick. His own-zone plays leaves me a bit concerned, but I like that he’s become more physical this year to at least bring more to his overall game.

Hunter McKown, C, 20 (Colorado College)

Count me among the many surprised to see McKown not snagged by an NHL team during his eligibility. He’s so skilled, scoring a handful of highlight-reel goals throughout the year. McKown has shown some solid improvements in the consistency of his game and his overall skill level doesn’t get enough credit. That’s partly because he played a more defensive role with the USNTDP and didn’t start to get comfortable as a goal-scorer until last year when 13 of his 21 points were goals. This year, make it 19 goals in 34 games. McKown is a depth-scoring forward with good defensive zone play and a solid frame – teams like him.

Parker Ford, C, 21 (Providence College)

The 22-year-old has showed some steady improvement year after year with Providence and leads a team with nine NHL prospects on it in scoring with 25 points in 35 games this year. What Ford lacks in high-end offense and size, he makes up for in other elements of his game. He’s quick on his feet and gives opponents headaches with how much he attempts to force mistakes. In a word, Ford is “competitive” and someone who should be able to find work on a fourth line somewhere.

Justin Hryckowian, C, 22 (Northeastern University)

An attendee of Washington’s development camp last year, Hryckowian has worked well with Vancouver Canucks prospect Aidan McDonough to create a nice scoring punch at Northeastern. The 2022 Hockey East champion was named to the all-rookie team last year, but has upped his consistency, spacial awareness and defensive play this year, too. Scouts love his ability to win faceoffs in key times and his quick hands. He’d be a solid depth forward if signed, but he still has another two years of college eligibility.

Victor Ostman, G, 22 (University of Maine)

When it comes to goaltenders, size matters. Ostman stands tall at 6-foot-4, so he has that covered. He has a solid .919 save percentage and five shutouts this season while dragging Maine out of the bottom of the standings. The 22-year-old junior wasn’t on anyone’s radar when he came to North America but put up good numbers with the Chicago Steel in 2019-20. Ever since, it’s been about finding consistency and getting a ton of shots. He should have a solid pro career.

Austen Swankler, C, 21 (Bowling Green)

Swankler’s path to the NCAA was extremely unique. He played a full season with the OHL’s Erie Otters but was still allowed by the NCAA to play American college hockey, which is typically not allowed. According to New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver, the NCAA made a mistake in admitting Swankler, but decided not to reverse the decision. Swankler has turned into quite the prospect, recording 19 goals and 44 points in 35 games as a sophomore. He still has two years of eligibility left, so teams don’t need to make a decision yet – some scouts want to see further skating improvements, for example. But offensively, especially as a puck-handler on pressure, Swankler’s talent level was noticed this season.