After just three seasons at UMass-Amherst, Mitchell Chaffee has decided to turn pro. The undrafted free agent forward has signed with the Minnesota Wild, receiving a two-year entry-level contract that will begin next season.
The 22-year old Chaffee was pursued by several teams this offseason as one of the top college free agents. In three NCAA seasons he posted 95 points in 109 games and was named captain as a junior. Chaffee led all Hockey East players in scoring during the 2018-19 campaign, posting an incredible 42 points in 40 games. Though those numbers dropped a tiny bit this year, there’s still plenty of upside in the former USHL forward.
In fact, there’s a good case to be made that Chaffee could compete for a roster spot as soon as next season. The Wild could see some substantial change at forward if both Mikko Koivu and Alex Galchenyuk are allowed to test unrestricted free agency (or retirement, in the case of the former), and a Zach Parise trade is revisited in the offseason. That would open up spots for some younger options, including perhaps a 22-year old Chaffee who has shown a well-rounded game at the college level.
It’s been a big week for GM Bill Guerin and the Wild, who also signed Damien Giroux and Adam Beckman yesterday. The club is obviously trying to restock the cupboards and provide a little more depth at the forward position.