Future Watch: Eight NCAA Free Agents NHL Teams Should Follow

For years now, we've seen lackluster returns from NCAA free agents in the NHL.

This isn’t to say you can’t find talent in college hockey – far from it – but most of that talent has already been drafted by NHL teams. And while NHL teams are still looking for late-bloomers and potential gems in free agency, they’re being more realistic.

The ideal candidate is a bottom-six forward who can kill penalties, a surly power forward or a third-pairing defenseman with size.

This year is light on goaltender speculation, but you know netminders: there’s always a surprising one who was overlooked.

Here are eight NCAA free agents who could sign pro deals once their seasons are finished.

Gleb Veremyev

LW, 21, Colorado College (NCHC)

Veremyev put up great numbers as a sophomore, and while he hasn’t produced at the same level as a junior this season, he’s better known for his nasty streak. He’s a big winger who likes to throw his weight around, and his intimidating reputation goes back to his USHL days, where he was in the top 10 in penalty minutes two years running.

Dalton Bancroft

RW, 24, Cornell (ECAC)

The power forward has seen his numbers drop as a junior on a middling Big Red squad, but Bancroft is the type of crash-and-banger whose game would translate nicely to the NHL. His father, Steve Bancroft, had a cup of coffee in the NHL during a long career as a minor-league journeyman defenseman who was known for his snarl.

Karsen Dorwart

C, 22, Michigan State (Big Ten)

Dorwart is a two-way center on a Spartans team that is one of the best in the country. His skating and pace are seen as drawbacks, but he’s got a great 200-foot game and plays in all situations. He gets consistently good results in the faceoff circle as well, so he could wind up as a complementary bottom-six pivot at the NHL level.

Josh Eernisse

RW, 23, Michigan (Big Ten)

Eernisse is big, strong and mobile. When NHL teams look at college free agents, they’re typically conservative in their expectations. Getting a fourth-liner who can kill penalties at the NHL level is considered a win. Eernisse, who started his college career at St. Thomas before becoming a Wolverine last season, fits the mold.

Harrison Scott

LW, 24, Maine (HE)

With Bradly Nadeau leaving for the pros after one season, the Black Bears needed someone to pick up the slack on offense, and Scott has delivered as their leading producer. Overall, he’s an energy guy who can score, and he’s been a little better than a point-per-game player this year. Scott spent his first two seasons with Bentley University.

Jack Williams

C, 23, Northeastern (HE)

Williams, a top-25 scorer in the NCAA, is a little undersized, but he shows a great compete level and is the type of determined player who could find his way to a pro job. Coaches love him, and he’s been a scoring threat in all situations for the Huskies. He really found his range as a sophomore and has been even better as a junior.

Caleb MacDonald

D, 22, North Dakota (NCHC)

MacDonald is a 6-foot-3, 224-pound defenseman who blocks shots and plays a tough game. It’s not a strong year for free-agent blueliners, which means he has been in demand. Coming out of the Alberta Jr. A League, he wasn’t afraid to fight, and though there are no fisticuffs in college hockey, it’s good to know he has that in his back pocket.

Liam McLinskey

RW, 24, Holy Cross (AHA)

McLinskey is wiry at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, but he has the skills to make him a top-15 scorer in the nation. He’s always around the net, and he can make plays, too. His first offensive explosion came last season as a junior, when he had 47 points in 39 games, and there’s a chance he helps the Crusaders get into the national tournament for more exposure.

This article appeared in our 2025 Future Watch issue. Our cover story focuses on Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we look at the top-10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL clubs.

It's available on newsstands now, or you can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.