NHL Free Agency: Top 10 CHL UFAs to watch

Not everyone develops at the same speed.

That’s especially true for players affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in minimal CHL action during the 2020-21 season. Proving yourself in a two-year window is difficult enough, but it’s even more of a hassle when you’re trying to play catch-up due to something out of your control.

That’s what makes the CHL UFA class interesting again this year. It’s not an overly deep group, but some of them are players that really came into their own this year after losing NHL Draft eligibility.

We’ve already seen a handful of the top CHL free agents sign NHL deals – Connor Punnett (Dallas Stars), Mikael Diotte (New Jersey), Max McCue (Columbus), Gabriel Szturc (Tampa Bay), Zac Funk (Washington) and Milo Roelens (Tampa Bay) all are set to turn pro this summer.

For the most part, we’re talking about depth players who might have a cup of coffee in the NHL, at best. Other times, you’ll have cases like Tye Kartye; the late-bloomer has become a notable piece of Seattle’s NHL future. But with these players set to be 21 come 2024-25, the extra few years of development allows them to be inserted into an AHL or ECHL lineup next year.

That might not be the sexy option, don’t forget that NHL teams value their farm teams. They want them to win, too. Building a winning culture is important, and teams that look to stock their minor clubs with quality talent often get rewarded for it in the long run.

With teams able to sign CHL free agents for the 2024-25 NHL season, here’s a look at some of the best names on the market:

Sam Sedley, RHD (Owen Sound Attack, OHL)

Many at the Philadelphia Flyers’ development camp last year loved what Sedley brought to the table. While he doesn’t score a ton, he has skill to burn with the puck. He’s so clever, using a high level of deceptiveness to beat players in 1-on-1 situations. He’s a play starter, often controlling the pace with the puck on his stick. With the Attack, Sedley is a big piece of the team’s power play, using the open space to trick opponents into a false sense of security before making a pass. His skating needs to improve, but he’s an all-around solid late-bloomer who should draw some serious attention in the coming weeks.

Brett Mirwald, G (Vancouver Giants, WHL)

Of this list, there might not be a player who mattered more to their team than Mirwald. The six-foot goaltender has played 50 games, winning more than half of them on a club that hasn’t had an easy road to playoff contention this year. Mirwald has been busy, making more than 50 saves in a game once while facing 40 or more on 14 occasions. Even in some of those losses in the lopsided affairs, Mirwald has found a way to stand out. Mirwald peaked at the right time – so much so that I’d expect him to get some heavy AHL work next year with the right club.

Hudson Thornton, LHD (Prince George Cougars, WHL)

In my opinion, the PCG captain should have been drafted back in 2022. He’s just so confident, with a great shot and solid footwork. He’s on track for a second consecutive 70-point season, showing some of the best offensive chops of any defenseman in the CHL. The biggest issue is that he can be an absolute loose cannon out there, just trying to do too much with the puck, which can get him into trouble. But with the right pro coaching, I think Thornton’s upside is enough for him to earn an NHL deal this time.

Samuel Mayer, LHD (Ottawa 67’s, OHL)

At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Mayer brings plenty of size. He can get nasty, landing huge hits and doing everything possible to get in your head. Mayer has played well for Ottawa, with his hard shots receiving a ton of attention from scouts. He’s not going to be a big-time offensive producer in the pro ranks, but he has a shot capable of beating goalies from the point. What he’s lacking, though, is pro-level skating. He’s not quick enough right now to be a realistic NHLer, but coaches can fix that. That has to be priority No. 1 this summer.

Trevor Wong, C (Saskatoon Blades, WHL)

It was never about a lack of skill for Wong, who had an impressive 86-point campaign a year ago with Saskatoon before playing a big part in the team’s playoff push. He’s the best playmaker on this list, with the 21-year-old chasing a whopping 90 assists this season. For me, his lack of size at 5-foot-9 hurts him because he doesn’t have the physical nature to make up for it. Wong was once viewed as a top 60 candidate for the 2022 draft thanks to his heads-up passing, but he never added the muscle needed to excel in the pro ranks. Still, will a team take a chance on someone who can make a pass work out of thin air?

William Rousseau, G (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL)

Rousseau had a good showing with Boston at the Buffalo Prospect Challenge, exhibiting good athleticism and a quick glove hand. The 21-year-old has been a win machine in the QMJHL with a career record of 92-26-3, 15 shutouts and a .910 save percentage. He had some great teams in front of him—as shown by the Memorial Cup title with Quebec last year—but he has been crucial to Rouyn-Noranda’s success this year, with a league-leading eight shutouts.

Deni Goure, C (Owen Sound Attack, OHL)

Goure emerged as one of the CHL’s most dangerous overage forwards, battling within the top five of the OHL scoring race for most of the season. He’s a blast to watch with the puck, showing a nice mix of creativity and energy to create chances consistently. His hockey sense is among the best in this group, too – and that might be the one thing that helps him develop into a meaningful prospect somewhere. It’s one thing to score at a high rate as one of the oldest players in junior hockey – it’s another to outthink pros with the puck.

Robert Orr, RW (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL)

Yes, that’s his real name. Orr was previously drafted 136th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021 but wasn’t signed after an uneventful third season of junior hockey. But the 20-year-old has looked excellent for the Titan this year, putting him on pace to smash the 80-point mark for the first time in his career. Of course, a player Orr’s age having a breakout season is hardly breaking news, but he looks much closer to the type of player we once thought he could be – a quick-moving, energetic forward capable of being a bottom-six NHLer one day.

James Stefan, RW (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)

It can’t be easy being the son of someone labeled as one of the biggest busts in NHL Draft history, but Stefan has a good head on his shoulders. Offense has never been a problem, with the winger set to crack the 50-goal, 100-point club this season. Stefan had a decent showing with Ottawa at the Buffalo Prospect Challenge last summer, showing a nice combination of puck skills, physicality and defensive awareness. I don’t see him being a full-time NHLer but he’s rounded enough to be a potential call-up option.

Matthew Sop, LW (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)

Watching Sop at Toronto’s development camp last year, I saw someone who loves having the puck on his stick. The Kitchener native has exploded for 40 goals and 85 points through 62 games, demolishing his previous best of 56 points a year ago. Sop always seemed to have the potential to excel, putting up good numbers in his OHL Draft season with the Jr. Rangers. The lost 2020-21 season put Sop on the outside looking in, but he started showing signs of being a legit depth-scoring option for an NHL team.

Other notables: Nathan Darveau, G (Victoriaville Tigres, QMHL), Israel Mianscum, LW (Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL), Jax Dubois, RW (Kingston Frontenacs, OHL), Tyler Palmer, G (Everett Silvertips, WHL)

Discover Betano.ca – a premium Sports Betting and Online Casino experience. Offering numerous unique and dynamic betting options along with diverse digital and live casino games, Betano is where The Game Starts Now. 19+. Please play responsibly.