Upcoming NCAA free agents that could interest the Maple Leafs

August 15th is the deadline for players that have graduated or left college to be signed by the team that drafted them before their rights expire. It’s not the most important day on the NHL calendar but has given us notable moments such as the Justin Schultz and Jimmy Vesey frenzies. While neither of those players might standout as having exciting careers, both had long runs as serviceable NHLers and for prospect starved organizations like the Toronto Maple Leafs, finding any entry level contract candidates that can turn into NHLers is a lottery ticket worth buying, especially when they are seven contracts below their maximum (albeit with Robertson, Hildeby, and Villeneuve still needing to be re-signed.)

Most of the players have completed their full four years of NCAA eligibility and in some cases overlapped the COVID year meaning that there are some five year players in this mix as well.

On the Leafs side of things, they will need to decide what to do with Mike Koster (already a free agent thanks to his five year), John Fusco, and Wyatt Schingoethe. The fact that the Leafs aren’t losing sleep over these players being signed also serves as context for the level of prospects available from other teams as well.

You can point to where the Leafs have gotten it wrong recently. Dakota Joshua was drafted in the fifth round, the Leafs happily dealt him to the Blues so they could sign him before August 15th, and now the Leafs just paid a 4th to bring him back. Joshua’s numbers and career to date didn’t have anyone up in arms over moving on from Dakota Joshua and this isn’t damning the Leafs organization for that decision. Rather it is a reminder for the Leafs to use their resources, either NHL or AHL contracts to get a better look at some of these players that they think could be a fit in their organization.

Here are some potential targets for the Leafs (via PuckPedia)

Jack Hughes (the other one) (C, 21 y/o, Boston University)

The non-Hughes brother has a big name to live up to and his college career has shown how difficult that can be. His last season at Boston University was his best with 25 points in 40 games (seven goals). As a former second round pick, he has the highest draft pedigree of this lot and that is bound to generate a bit of curiosity around the league.

Boston University is a deep program and just because Hughes wasn’t the top performer on his team doesn’t exclude the possibility that he is capable of developing more in professional hockey.

For similar reasons, the Leafs might also want to look at Matt Copponi, who put up almost identical numbers to Hughes in a nearly identical role. He’s a little shorter (5-foot-11), a little older (22), and is a 7th round pick instead of a second round pick, but he is another centre depth option for the Leafs system.

Jack Bar (D, 22 y/o, Harvard University)

When first looking at the list of players about to become free agents, the 6-foot-2 right shot defenceman was the name that leapt out at me. Bar is a former Chicago Steel player that is likely very familiar to Ryan Hardy, the Marlies’ boss and former Chicago Steel GM, and could be someone he still has confidence in working with.

Bar’s numbers in the NCAA say defensive defenceman and that likely works with the direction the Leafs have gone development wise in recent years. The fifth round pick might not have statistical selling points but the familiarity is a reason to remember the name and not be surprised if he at least sees an AHL deal.

If familiarity doesn’t matter but size does, the 6’5 Alex Gagne out of the University of New Hampshire might draw some interest. He’s a left shot, but also statistically better with 17 points in 35 games last season.

Cameron Berg (C, 23 y/o, University of North Dakota)

Berg might be the best statistical option of this group as he scored two goals in first three AHL games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after having a 22 point in 26 game season following up a 37 point in 40 game season in the prior year.

Berg can produce offence and as a rarity in this free agent class, often it is goals rather than assists. At 6’0 and 192 lbs, he has pro hockey size and seems like he’s worth a flyer.

Dominic James of the University of Minnesota-Duluth is a similar option although one that spent more time on the wing.

Justin Janicke is a younger option at 21, who had a breakout 34 point in 38 game season for Notre Dame last year after not exceeding 16 points in his first three seasons.

Red Savage (C, 22 y/o Michigan State University)

Son of Brian Savage, a long time Canadien, Red has one of the most notable names from the 2021 draft, and after a big junior year after transferring from University of Miami (Ohio), he put up 27 points in 38 games for Michigan State. Those numbers dropped down dramatically to 11 points in 20 games in 2024-25 largely due to injuries.

The positive junior year might be enough to make him worth a look.

Jackson Kunz is another player that took a bit of a step back in 2024-25, but at 6-foot-3, 227 lbs, he seems like the kind of power forward project that Brad Treliving is often interested in.

Some final things that need to be said on the NCAA free agents. These players shouldn’t be looked at as not good enough to get a contract from their current team and the Leafs are dumpster diving for prospects. NCAA is more complicated than that and to some degree these are players that have finished out school now how the luxury of free agency over simply hoping that the team that drafted them wants them back.

None of them might be Adam Fox, Zach Hyman, or Isaac Howard. There isn’t a GM in a cold sweat about one of these players reaching free agency and because of that all of these players should be looked at through the lens of being AHL projects. That’s still not an avenue the Leafs should ignore as next year they are slated for only draft pick in the top 100 selections (a third round pick) and presently own only three picks in the entire draft.

If these players are looking for a fast track to the NHL, that’s not the Leafs. If they are looking for opportunities to play meaningful AHL minutes, Toronto has something to offer and if the Leafs aren’t looking to offer up NHL contracts, a second pass of some of the lesser options listed above or some of the players on the overall list are certainly worthy of AHL deals.