The Elite Prospects 2025 NCAA Free Agency Guide

Prospect free agency season has begun, opening the door for NHL teams to add new prospects to the system at negligible cost. 

Most of the time, these prospects amount to organizational depth – AHL scorers and occasional call-ups – but there are at least a couple of players per year who strike big. 

In recent years, Sam Malinski has become an NHL defenceman, Collin Graf looks like a key part of San Jose’s future, and Bobby McMann has become integral to the Maple Leafs. 

In total, 75 NCAA free agents have played an NHL game this season, headlined by Christopher Tanev, Trevor Moore, Cam Talbot, and Neal Pionk. 

While this year might not have the depth of previous years, there are a handful of players who could play in the NHL. And, ultimately, the cost for entry into the market is so low that it’