The EliteProspects Rinkside NCAA Free Agent Watch List for the 2019-20 Season
While smaller players have made larger and larger impacts at the NHL level in recent years, NHL teams still value size. That’s why some of this year’s better NCAA free agents may not get as much interest — such as Quinnipiac’s 5-foot-7 junior Odeen Tufto and Denver’s 5-foot-7 senior Liam Finlay. Those guys have skill, for sure, but unless it’s lights out skill like Cam Atkinson or Johnny Gaudreau, you may still not get coveted right away.
Those guys, to be sure, will get signed, and they’ll get a chance to prove themselves. But here’s a list of what’s sure to be a highly-coveted group of players by NHL teams when this NCAA season ends. Of course, this list is subject to change as the season goes on, and as new names emerge as impact players.
Alec Rauhauser, Sr., D, Bowling Green
