In a normal year, the middle of August usually represents the dullest time of the hockey calendar. Free agent frenzy is almost completely over, there are still a few weeks until training camp really gets underway and there isn’t even ice at many local rinks. 2020 is not a normal year.
This time around the NHL is playing multiple games every day, eliminated teams are preparing for a condensed offseason and Rod Brind’Amour is getting fined daily. Almost all of the regular dates on the NHL’s calendar have been shifted, but at least one threshold is about to pass normally. That’s the college signing deadline, when those drafted players who have spent four years in the NCAA but failed to sign an NHL entry-level contract can become free agents. These players will hit the open market if not signed by August 15th at 4pm CT.
CapFriendly as always has the full list:
Arizona Coyotes
Dean Stewart – 188th overall, 2016
Boston Bruins
Cameron Clarke – 136th overall, 2016
Carolina Hurricanes
Matt Filipe – 67th overall, 2016
Luke Martin – 52nd overall, 2017
Luke Stevens – 126th overall, 2015
Max Zimmer – 104th overall, 2016
Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Shea – 121st overall, 2015
Colorado Avalanche
Cameron Morrison – 40th overall, 2016
Denis Smirnov – 156th overall, 2017
Columbus Blue Jackets
Carson Meyer – 179th overall, 2017
Edmonton Oilers
Graham McPhee – 149th overall, 2016
Florida Panthers
Karch Bachman – 132nd overall, 2015
Miguel Fidler – 143rd overall, 2014
Benjamin Finkelstein – 195th overall, 2016
Patrick Shea – 192nd overall, 2015
New York Islanders
Nick Pastujov – 193rd overall, 2016
Ottawa Senators
Christopher Wilkie – 162nd overall, 2015
Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan Jones – 121st overall, 2016
Nikita Pavlychev – 197th overall, 2015
San Jose Sharks
Karlis Cukste – 130th overall, 2015
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Zuhlsdorf – 150th overall, 2015
One of the names that sticks out the most will be Morrison, who was a high second-round pick and has had an excellent career at Notre Dame. The 21-year old forward recorded 27 points in 37 games this season and should find his way into a professional program at some point, even if it’s not the Avalanche. Many of the other names will transition to pro hockey in the next few weeks as well, though most will not receive an NHL contract at this juncture.