The 2025 free agent signing period for undrafted NCAA players is well underway as many teams have seen their seasons come to an end. NHL teams are often looking for players that can potentially help the depth of their lineup or at least find some new, older prospects for their farm system. 

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Each spring, dozens of players sign with NHL teams or their AHL affiliates in hopes of reaching the big leagues in the near future.

The 2024-25 college free agent class is relatively shallow. There are fewer players than normal that NHL teams are going to significantly pursue. Even with that in mind, NHL teams are eager to make this low-cost additions to fill some of the gaps that may exist in their prospect system.

Why do NHL teams sign so many long-shot prospects? The biggest reason is that the cost is low. These players all can be handed an Entry-Level Contract which is under $1 million if the player makes the NHL roster, and has a significantly lower cost if the player ends up in the AHL. 

On top of that, these players are a little older and more advanced. There's less mystery to what they are as a player and what they could potentially be. 

The vast majority of signed undrafted free agents do not reach the NHL for a significant period of time. That said, notable college free agents include Torey Krug, Chris Tanev, Brandon Tanev, and most recent big-time college free agent Collin Graf has done well in his NHL opportunities this year.

There are very few players that appear to have the same upside as a Graf or the other mentioned players, but the chance to find out at a relatively low-risk is an easy use of assets for most NHL teams.

Throughout the spring as these players sign NHL and AHL contracts, FloHockey's Chris Peters will analyze the signings and keep track of the latest additions for NHL teams. Stay tuned for frequent updates!

NHL College Free Agent Signings 2025

Updated: March 31, 5:40 p.m. ET

Harrison Scott, C, Maine (Dallas Stars)

After a four-year collegiate career including two years with Bentley and two with Maine, Harrison Scott earned a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars that will kick in next season. The 24-year-old who will be 25 at the beginning of next season is a late-bloomer who played a leading role at Maine for each of the last two seasons. He had a career year as a senior with 35 points including 18 goals. He's got just enough edge to him and can make plays in the hard areas of the ice. He has a good work ethic with strong two-way skills that made him an asset in all situations for Maine. He played major minutes for Maine, centering their top line. With his physical maturity and versatility, he might be able to play a depth role in the short term. He'll join the Texas Stars for the rest of the season and we'll get to see how his overall game translates to the pros.

Damien Carfagna, D, Ohio State (Edmonton Oilers)

A talented puck-mover, Carfagna had a career year with the Buckeyes. The 22-year-old, left-shot blueliner posted 28 points in 38 games as Ohio State reached the Big Ten championship game and NCAA tournament. HIs college career was a bit up and down, starting with a solid freshman season at UNH before moving to Ohio State for years 2 and 3. This season, he played some of his best hockey as a leader in ice time for Ohio State, averaging over 21 minutes a night. Going back to his USHL days, Carfagna has always found ways to contribute offensively. While he has good skill, Cafagna doesn't shirk on his defensive responsibilities and was one of Ohio State's most trusted blueliners. He is aggressive and can close down plays. Carfagna has good footwork and can make good decisions with the puck, extending plays and finding the right options. His NHL outlook is murky as he is below average in size and, while very skilled, may lack the dynamic ability required to be an offensive defenseman in the NHL. That said, Carfagna can spend time in the AHL, be part of the power play and be productive for Bakersfield. That seems like a minimum expectation for a player that has his skillset and track record. Carfagna's two-year NHL deal kicks in next year and at 22, he's got some time to prove himself and maximize the potential he still has.

Joey Larson, RW, Michigan State (New York Islanders)

After three highly-productive collegiate seasons, 24-year-old Joey Larson landed a one-year deal with the Isles. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound winger is a right-shot who plays an energetic style and can make plays on both sides of the puck. He put up 83 points in 111 NCAA games, spending his first two seasons with Northern Michigan before transferring to Michigan State. As an older college UFA, he will have a short amount of time to impress New York and earn a longer term contract. He will likely spend more time with the Bridgeport Islanders over that one-year deal than with the big club, but his consistent effort and ability to impact games on a regular basis both on the score sheet and in the trenches makes Larson a player worth checking in on.

Karsen Dorwart, C, Michigan State (Philadelphia Flyers)

The player many viewed as the No. 1 prospect in the college free agent market did not last long. Less than 24 hours after his season ended, the Flyers were able to ink the talented two-way center to an entry-level deal. The 22-year-old is 6-foot-1 and nearing 200 pounds. He is strong and can be physical, creating space and winning battles in the hard areas of the ice. His offensive skill is average, but he is able to outwork the opposition and has enough hand skills to produce in a depth role. He is likely a bottom-six energy line kind of player at the NHL level, but those are often the most valuable college free agent signings. He's a really good complementary piece with what looks to be a relatively short NHL timeline. His ELC kicks in this year and the Flyers look like they will burn the first year by getting him into games now. It's been a tumultuous few days for the Flyers, but landing Dorwart is a nice bright spot amid the chaos.

Caleb MacDonald, D, North Dakota (Columbus Blue Jackets)

A big shut-down defenseman that played two years in the NCAA, MacDonald was not among the players on my radar to be signed this offseason. A physical blueliner, he spent his first year at Alaska Fairbanks before transferring to North Dakota, where he played against a lot of top competition as a top-four defenseman. He can block shots and play well in his own zone, but points are not going to come in bunches. MacDonald had 10 points in 35 games. Prior to entering college, MacDonald was a point-per-game defenseman in the AJHL with Whitecourt, who he can move pucks adequately enough. As a pro, however, I would not expect him to produce much. The 22-year-old signed a two-year entry-level deal with Columbus that kicks in next season. My expectation is MacDonald will play mostly in the AHL with a chance to reach the NHL as a depth defenseman who can bring some physicality, penalty killing prowess and shot blocking.

Isak Posch, G, St. Cloud State (Colorado Avalanche)

Colorado's goalie pipeline has been fairly shallow and they've added an intriguing player to the mix to help address that. Posch was one of the best goalies in college hockey before an off-ice injury took him out for an extended period. When healthy, he was lights out for St. Cloud State who really faltered without them. Posch is a 6-foot-3, 209-pound goaltender with good mobility and a high level of competitiveness. He posted a .923 save percentage in 22 appearances with two shutouts. Posch will need plenty of time in the AHL and likely has a longer-term run with the Colorado Eagles and perhaps even some time in the ECHL as he gets his pro bearings. His NHL ELC kicks in next year. I thought Posch may return for another season with SCSU given the time lost to injury, but it's hard to turn down an NHL deal when one is presented.

Cooper Gay, RW, St. Thomas (Colorado Avalanche)

Cooper Gay has been on an upward trajectory for each of the last four seasons and had his most productive campaign in 2024-25 with STU. He posted 30 points in 35 games including 19 goals. That point total was higher than any he put up during his two years of junior hockey. The 23-year-old is 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, with an abilityh to get to the interior and make plays in tight. Gay is still a bit of a raw prospect who will have to find his game in the pros, but the upward trajectory he has been on is especially intriguing when you consider his physical tools as well. His ELC starts next season. I would expect Gay to spend substantial time in the AHL with a chance to blossom into a bottom six, scoring depth option. It's a low-risk, high-reward proposition.

Noah Beck, D, Arizona State (San Jose Sharks)

Noah Beck was not on our undrafted free agents list from last week because he wasn't undrafted. Beck was a 2020 selection by the St. Louis Blues, but went unsigned and took a fifth year of NCAA eligibility with Arizona State. His draft rights had expired, making him a UFA. He ended up having his best collegiate season, posting 33 points in 37 games with ASU reaching as high as second place in the tough NCHC conference. The 24-year-old is a 6-foot-3, left-shot defenseman who has shown enhanced puck-moving skills, solid defending and good mobility to go along with pro-level strength. He played massive minutes as one of ASU's most relied-upon players, which sets him up well to help make an impact. I think he could be a depth defenseman in the NHL if everything goes well, but won't have a ton of runway to fight his way into San Jose's NHL mix. He should be an effective player for the AHL squad in the interim, though. His one-year NHL deal begins next season

Tyler Kopff, C, Brown (Buffalo Sabres)

Players out of Ivy League schools don't always come out as early as Kopff did, completing his sophomore season with Brown in 2024-25. But the Buffalo Sabres came calling and the 21-year-old forward put pen to paper on a two-year ELC that kicks in next season. Kopff will head to the Rochester Americans. Kopff is big and saw his production jump this season with 28 points in 32 games. He also was a highly-productive player in junior hockey with a 52-point season for the Coquitlam Express in the BCHL before going to Brown. He's a 6-foot-4, 205-pound forward that is starting to learn how to impose his will on games. Because of his being a sophomore at an Ivy, he wasn't on my radar as a player that would be signing this offseason, but his profile projects well for a bottom-six role as a pro if everything goes well. If nothing else, the Rochester Americans have another depth piece going forward.

Jack Williams, C, Northeastern (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Among the college UFAs with the highest offensive upside, Williams has been a top scorer for Northeastern for the last two years. He helped lead the Huskies to an upset win in the Hockey East quarterfinal against No. 1 Boston College. Williams had a career-best 41 points for Northeastern this year, showing good flashes of higher-end skill and offensive sense. He has a good work ethic off the puck. Williams is an average-sized forward who can still afford to get a bit stronger to be more effective as a pro. One of the most sought-after UFAs, he signed a two-year deal that begins this season. He will join Columbus to closer out the 2024-25 campaign, burning the first year of his ELC. Williams is 23 years old and will very likely spend some time in the AHL next season before attempting to earn a full-time role with Columbus. He projects as a potential middle-six forward who provides secondary scoring.

Luke Haymes, C, Dartmouth (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Luke Haymes had certainly had his fans in the scouting community and the Maple Leafs ended up winning the long game to land his services. The 21-year-old junior was a leading player at Dartmouth over the last two seasons under head coach Reid Cashman. Haymes is a gritty two-way player who engages physically and can win his share of battles. He has enough skill to provide scoring depth and may manage to find a bottom-six role at the NHL level. His production dipped slightly from his sophomore season when he had 36 points in 31 games. Toronto had invited him to their development camp last year and obviously left enough of an impression to get him under contract. At just 21 years old, Haymes has plenty of time to get up to NHL speed. His two-year deal with Toronto kicks in for 2025-26 and he'll spend the rest of this season with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL on an ATO.

Trey Taylor, D, Clarkson (Dallas Stars)

In a relatively light crop of free agent defensemen, leave it to the Dallas Stars to nab one of the best in the class. Taylor improved every single season at Clarkson and was averaging major minutes for one of the ECAC's top teams this season. He also had a career year numbers wise with 29 points in 39 games for the Golden Knights. He'll be joining his Clarkson teammate Ayrton Martino, who signed his entry-level deal with the Stars who selected him in the third round of the NHL Draft three years ago. Taylor could be a bottom-of-the-lineup defenseman who gives you quality minutes and can contribute the odd point. He has been on a gradual, but upward trajectory as a player. The 23-year-old signed a two-year deal that begins next season and will join the Texas Stars for the remainder of the season on an ATO.

Owen Say, G, Notre Dame (Calgary Flames)

The Flames have had some really solid goaltenders run through their organization of late, especially talented rookie Dustin Wolf. They've added a new masked man to the fold by signing Owen Say to a one-year ELC starting next season. Say is a 6-foot-2 netminder who started his collegiate career at Mercyhurst before transferring to Notre Dame. Despite the Irish struggling a bit this season, Say was a bright spot with a .920 save percentage in 27 appearances. He played his best hockey at the end of the season, helping the Irish oust Minnesota in the Big Ten quarterfinals before dropping a 1-0 decision to eventual Big Ten champion Michigan State during which Say had 45 saves. He turns 24 in June, and is likely destined for significant time with the Wranglers in the AHL.

Gleb Veremyev, Colorado College (New York Islanders)

A big forward with a punishing physical game, Veremyev inked a two-year ELC with the Islanders on March 21. The big man saw his point totals decrease this season and that has led to questions about his offensive sense and if his skill will translate. But teams weren't after him to produce. He is a good faceoff man, plays well off the puck and engages physically. At the NHL level, he could be a serviceable fourth-line player who grates on the opposition and increases the toughness quotient. His NHL contract begins next season.

#Isles Transaction: The New York Islanders have signed Gleb Veremyev to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 21, 2025

John Prokop, Union College (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The Maple Leafs became the first team to jump into the free agent mix this year, handing a free agent contract to 6-foot-3 defenseman John Prokop. A solid puck-mover who was among the top producing defensemen in college hockey over his three years at Union, Prokop's offensive game was late to blossom. He defends adequately enough and has built some strength over his time in the NCAA. The best case scenario is likely a No. 5 or 6 defenseman who can provide some points and solid defensive shifts at the NHL level. In the short-term, he will help improve defensive depth for the AHL Toronto Marlies. His one-year NHL contract begins in the 2025-26 season.

🖊 We’ve signed defenceman John Prokop to a one-year contract beginning in the 2025-26 season.

He will join the @TorontoMarlies for the remainder of the 2024-25 season on an amateur tryout. pic.twitter.com/oVRzdNWcw3

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 20, 2025

AHL College Free Agent Signings 2025

The following players either were undrafted or had draft rights expire, making them free agents. Players who signed with the AHL affiliate of the team that drafted them are not included in this list.

• Carter Wilkie, C, North Dakota (Calgary Wranglers)
• Ben Meehan, D, UMass-Lowell (Iowa Wild)
• Ryan Kirwan, LW, Arizona State (Toronto Marlies)
• Artem Shlaine, LW, Arizona State (Texas Stars)
• Josh Prokop, RW, University of Alberta (Bakersfield Condors)
• Liam McLinskey, C, Holy Cross (Charlotte Checkers)
• Noah De La Durantaye, D, Princeton (Syracuse Crunch)
• Mark Estapa, F, Michigan (Laval Rocket)
• Drew Elliott, F, University of New Brunswick (San Diego Gulls)
• Liam Malmquist, C, St. Thomas (Manitoba Moose)
• Anthony Kehrer, D, Wisconsin (Springfield Falcons)
• Brett Chroske, F, Colgate (Charlotte Checkers)
• Tommy Bergsland, D, Colgate (Texas Stars)
• Blake Biondi, F, Notre Dame (Chicago Wolves)
• Max Dorrington, F, Sacred Heart (Bridgeport Islanders)
• Owen Lindmark, F, Wisconsin (San Diego Gulls)
• Ryland Mosley, F, Wisconsin (Cleveland Monsters)
• Will Dineen, F, Yale (Laval Rocket)
• John Gormley, D, Long Island University (San Jose Barracuda)

Top College Free Agents Available For 2025

• Karsen Dorwart, C, Michigan State (Age: 22)
• T.J. Hughes, C, Michigan (Age: 23)
• Luke Haymes, C, Dartmouth (Age: 21)
• Joshua Eernisse, C/W, Michigan (Age: 23)
• Jack Williams, RW, Northeastern (Age: 23)
• Trey Taylor, D, Clarkson (Age: 23)
• Jack Stockfish, C, Holy Cross (Age: 22)
• Ryan Kirwan, LW, Arizona State (Age: 23)
• Liam McLinskey, C, Holy Cross (Age: 24)

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