Undrafted College Free Agents That Toronto Maple Leafs Should Target
Leafs forward Tyler Bozak was picked up by the Toronto Maple Leafs mid-way through the 2009-2010 season – he was a highly touted Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA). Now, with the Leafs rebuilding, they should look down that same route for a few players.
Other notable NHL players who have been UDFA’s out of college are retired defence man and retired Detroit Red Wings defence man Brian Rafalski, Sidney Crosby’s partner in crime in Pittsburgh Chris Kunitz and Dan Boyle, longtime Tampa Bay Lighting and San Jose Sharks defenceman, currently playing for the New York Rangers.
Three goalies by the names of Ed Belfour, Curtis Joseph and Joe Mullen went onto have Hall-of-fame caliber careers, so there is value in scouting out undrafted college talent.
Undrafted players who are currently too old to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft and play in U.S. college hockey (or anywhere in North America) are eligible to be signed to entry-level contracts as unrestricted free agents – which is what happened to the players listed above.
In this slideshow – we will look at five college prospect the Leafs should sign if they go the UDFA college route.
Next: #5 Ahti Oksanen Defenceman
Ahti Oksanen
The 21 year-old offensive defence man is a great puck mover, but has also been moved to left wing with Boston University this season.
He went undrafted, but has shown a lot of promise the last two years, thriving alongside Noah Hanifin – who is projected to go third overall in this years NHL Entry Draft.
Oksanen is a defenceman from Finland, and has all the skills to be a great offensive defenceman in the NHL, whether it be skating, puck handling, passing and vision, and a cannon of a shot.
I would refrain from signing him because after B.U, the Finnish prospect may want to return home to continue his career, but if the Leafs manage to sign him, fans will not be disappointed.
The first goal B.U scores was a play where Jack Eichel made a beautiful pass to Oskanen, #2, who was playing wing at the time, and he deposits it to the back of the net.
Next: #4 Matthew Zay, Left Wing
Matthew Zay
Matthew Zay put up some respectable points Mercyhurst University, but the competition level in the Atlantic Conference is nothing to be feared of with Robert Morris being #1 in the division.
Zay has recorded 125 points in 144 NCAA career games, and the captain of Mercyhurst has 29 points in 32 games – 11 goals and 18 assists. The offence runs through him, and is very good along the boards, corralling pucks and has the smarts to make the right play. His shot is more accurate than powerful.
Here’s some highlights of Zay and what he can bring to the team.
Next: #3 Austin Czarnik, Centre
Austin Czarnik
Austin Czarnik is a small player 5’9″ 165 lbs. at 22 years old and was drafted in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Windsor Spitfires, but decided to go the NCAA route. He has since played on year for the Green Bay Gamblers, and the was transferred to the University of Miami (Ohio) where he developed his soft hands, a good shot and release to go and strong skating ability.
The captain of the Miami RedHawks has amassed 117 points in 109 games through his three years at U of Miami, as well as participating in the U-18 and U-20 World Junior competitions totaling 10 points in 13 games. He was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, given to Johnny Gaudreau, who currently plays for the Calgary Flames.
Despite his size, he’s an outstanding playmaker, finding players everywhere on the ice and has top-end vision. If he decides to leave school – Leafs management should take a strong look at Czarnik. If you think he is too small, tell that to Gaudreau, who has similar size and skill set and should be on President Brendan Shanahan’s shopping list.
Watch the move he puts on in the shootout.
Next: #2 Kenney Morrison, Defenceman
Kenney Morrison
Kenney Morrison hails from Lllyodminister, Alberta and is a similar prospect to that of Justin Schultz coming out of college, but more upside.
The Western Michigan defence man, like Schultz has elite speed and skating ability, and also shows sparks of Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner, Schultz’s good friend. Morrison gauged a lot of interest from numerous NHL teams, and can quarterback any AHL power play right now.
At 23-years of age, he has an absolute cannon from the point and can hit the net with accuracy. He plays and excellent defensive game, with the ability to read forwards and what their next move, intercept the pass and either make a heads up pass, or look to bang the puck to the quiet zones.
There is no doubt a bidding war will begin once he decides to join the NHL, and the Leafs should make a strong effort to attain him.
This video shows how hard of a shot Morrison has.
Next: #1 Matt O'Connor, Goalie
Matt O’Connor
Matt O’Connor turned heads this year, and has been reported by Sportsnet in the 9th thought of 30 that the Edmonton Oilers will meet with the 22 year-old Boston College goalie, in order to get to know him and offer a possible contract.
The 6’6″ goalie is a homegrown talent from Toronto, ON and posted great numbers this year. In 25 games started, he recorded a 2.10 GAA and .929 SV% and backstopped Boston University to the Beanpot Championship with. It also helped that two top five prospects in this years draft, defence man Hanifin and froward Jack Eichel were playing in front of him.
I realize the Leafs have two goaltending prospects in Antoine Bibeau and Christopher Gibson who currently play for the Marlies, but with Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer shaky play and lack of help from Leafs defenceman – it would be smart to sign O’Connor and create a healthy competition in the minors for time in net with Bibeau and Gibson.
Take a look at this save
Other teams rumoured to be interested in O’Connor are the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes.
Notable players left off the list include forwards Sam Warning, Minnesota, Mike Szmatula, Northeastern and goalie C.J Motte, Ferris State.