Undrafted NCAA Free Agent Market, Sylvegård Weighing Options, More

A few thoughts on some of the names that I like on this list:

Collin Graf, C/RW, Quinnipiac

After transferring from Union College, the 21-year-old finished his first season with the Bobcats as a Hobey Baker Top 10 honoree. Graf tied the program’s Division I record with 59 points (21-38-59). He missed some time earlier this year due to injuries. Otherwise, he would have been on track to pass last year’s numbers. Still, Graf has racked up 20 goals and 46 points in 29 games.

Jacob Quillan, C, Quinnipiac

The hero from last year’s National Championship game, Quillan finished with an even 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points last year. At 6 feet, 200 pounds, the 22-year-old is not the biggest player, but he plays with a ton of energy. This season, Quillan has already surpassed last year’s numbers, with 39 points (13-26-39) in 34 games.

Justin Hryckowian, C, Northeastern

Hryckowian is an undersized centerman at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, but he plays an excellent defensive game. The Northeastern junior has 11 goals and 36 points in 29 games this season. If the Avalanche want a guy that can win faceoffs, look no further than Hryckowian, who is winning draws at an absurd 61.7% clip this year. It is not a one-off either, as the forward won nearly 60% of his faceoffs last season as well.

Cooper Black, G, Dartmouth

The Avalanche are already familiar with Black, having invited him to their 2023 Development Camp. The 22-year-old fills up a lot of the net, standing at a towering 6-foot-8, 223 pounds. Unlike the previous three, Black does not draw a lot of national headlines. That said, he has the potential to be a solid goaltending depth piece. In 27 games this season, Black owns an 11-7-8 record to go along with a 2.60 GAA, 0.909 SV%, and two shutouts. Dartmouth has struggled to score this season, but Black has been a big reason why his team has surrendered the second-fewest goals (82) in the ECAC.

Sticking with potential hidden gems, Marcus Sylvegård is drawing interest from a number of NHL clubs. The Colorado Avalanche are among them. The 24-year-old winger is playing for the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League this season. He leads the team in goals (23) and points (41). Per the report, the Avalanche, Flames, and Panthers are among the teams linked to Sylvegård. However, Florida appears to be the front-runner for now.

The Avalanche have recently utilized the international undrafted talent to acquire talent. The organization landed forward Ivan Ivan on an AHL contract over the summer. Ivan was inked to a two-year entry-level contract on Tuesday.

Seattle Kraken forward Alex Wennberg was held out of the lineup again on Tuesday in what the team identified as “trade-related issues.” Obviously, the Kraken are looking to move the 29-year-old before Friday’s trade deadline. The Avalanche and Rangers have been the two teams linked to the forward. However, New York seems to be the front-runner now.

The Wennberg-less Kraken topped the first-place Winnipeg Jets in regulation on Tuesday. The Avalanche remain four points back and will look to close the gap with the Red Wings in town on Wednesday evening.