Top 10 CHL free agents to watch in the NHL

Credit: Brandon Taylor/OHL Images

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Earlier today, we looked at 10 NCAA free agents to watch as teams start to drop out for the season. The CHL is in a similar spot, with many of the top unaffiliated 20-year-olds looking for work for 2023-24.

The biggest domino – Halifax’s Alexandre Doucet – has already signed a deal with the Detroit Red Wings. After a couple of just solid years in the QMJHL, he has exploded for nearly 100 points already with one of the most dangerous forward groups in the CHL. So once teams were able to start signing players in the CHL on March 1, he was an easy target.

So, who’s left? Here’s a look at the top unsigned prospects to watch as the CHL’s regular season nears the end the road:

Avery Hayes, RW (Peterborough Petes)

Hayes attended Toronto’s development camp last year and received some solid marks from those in attendance. The energetic winger had 41 goals and 79 points during the regular season to earn some attention from scouts. Then, he went on an absolute tear during the playoffs, scoring 14 goals and 34 points en route to a championship with Hamilton. Hayes has always had some scoring acumen, but he’s much more effective in 1-on-1 situations thanks to added layers of deception and creativity. So while he’s only projected for 75 points this year, he’s doing a lot of heavy lifting for the Petes and has done enough to warrant an NHL contract.

Owen Pederson, LW (Winnipeg Ice)

Pederson is more of a secondary scorer with Winnipeg, and is often overshadowed by guys like Zach Benson and Matt Savoie. But his 6-foot-3 frame, mixed in with his excellent release and ability to cause issues around the net makes him intriguing. He’s not a great skater, but most other concerns from his draft days – namely defensive-zone play and decision-making with the puck through the neutral zone – seem to be less of an issue these days. With the right coaching, I like Pederson’s future.

Ben Zloty, D (Winnipeg Ice)

A ton of people use the word “fun” to describe a prospect, and I hate it. But I’d be lying if it’s not the word that first comes to mind when watching Zloty play. He’s not afraid to go end-to-end with the puck, and is one of the better play-driving blueliners in the WHL. It helps that he plays on a stacked offensive team, but Zloty can hang with the best, and there’s a reason why he has 61 assists and 72 goals this year. It’s something that was projectable after putting up good numbers over the past three seasons. You’ll get mixed results from him defensively, but there’s still some interest in Zloty.

Connor McClennon, RW (Winnipeg Ice)

Only four players have more points than McClennon (161) over the past two seasons, and nobody is in spitting distance of Connor Bedard’s 111 goals and 224 points in that span. But McClennon’s name raised some eyebrows last year after the Philadelphia Flyers elected to not sign him after his 43-goal, 81-point season, He’s on pace for just under 50 goals and 100 points this year while being the veteram voice on a dominant offensive squad. He’s all offense, all the time, and his below average defensive play doesn’t help. And neither does his 5-foot-8 frame. Still, the way he produces, and the how he thinks the game while in the offensive zone, should at least give him a chance to excel in the AHL.

Logan Morrison, C (Ottawa 67s)

After recording a whopping 100 points a year ago, Morrison is on pace to do the same in a season split between Hamilton and Ottawa. The mid-sized forward is dynamic with the puc and should break the 40-goal barrier once we’re all said and done this year. Scoring is clearly not an issue for Morrison, but does he have enough translatable skills? His play away from the puck has improved, especially his own-zone defensive awareness. Skating is still an issue, though. Morrison loves having the stick on his puck, but won’t get the same opportunities at the NHL level. Still, the numbers can’t be written off.

Evan Vierling, C (Barrie Colts)

Drafted 127th by the New York Rangers in 2020, Vierling wasn’t signed and ended up back in fray last year. He wasn’t taken after an average season with Barrie, meaning he had just one chance to really elevate his game and prove he’s worthy of another shot. He took that personally, with the dual-threat forward scoring 34 goals and 48 assists for 82 points in 53 games with Barrie this season, his fifth year in the OHL. That was the type of offense scouts were expecting when he was one of the best Ontario-based U-16 players in 2017-18 before getting drafted second overall by Flint in 2018. His off-puck play has always been valuable, and now the offense is there, too.

Dante Giannuzzi, G (Portland Winterhawks)

Scouting CHL goaltenders can be so challenging, given the wonky stats and the often poor defensive play. So, Giannuzzi’s sub .900 save percentage might not look great on the surface, but he faces 30-plus shots more often than not on a team that allows a lot of high-danger scoring opportunities. Giannuzzi has a 23-11-2 record with two shutouts this year and has stolen more than a few games this year that could have gone the other way. He has decent size at 6-foot-1, and he’s very flexibile and fluent in the crease, so he could be a decent depth option you let simmer in the AHL or ECHL for a bit to see what he can do.

Théo Rochette, C (Quebec Ramparts)

While a lot can change during a player’s junior career, Rochette was once viewed as a cant-miss prospect. He was dominant with Switzerland in international play, and, given he has never played in an official IIHF tournament before, has actually represented the Swiss and Canada at different events as a dual-citizen. After a strong rookie season with Chicoutimi, he had just an OK 2019-20 season and didn’t blow the doors off during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign. The Ramparts captain finished with just under 100 points a year ago and should surpass in shortly this season while lining up with St. Louis’ Zachary Bolduc. A big concern was his lack of high-end speed and decision-making under pressure, but I feel like there’s been enough improvements in his game to warrant a real look from NHL teams.

Brett Brochu, G (London Knights)

Brochu’s story is an interesting one. After getting drafted in the sixth round by London in 2018, Brochu went straight to Jr. C to get sufficient playing time with the Dresden Jr. Kings. The Belle River, Ont. native then turned that opportunity into a starting role with the Knights in 2019-20, where he led the league in many major statistical categories. He then followed that up with the OHL’s goaltender of the year award in 2021-22 and made a start in the short 2022 World Junior Championship before it was canceled. On top of that, he also made an AHL start with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while still being draft eligible. He had another solid season with London, but a knock on him is his slender 6-foot-0 frame, and how he specifically doesn’t cover the top of the net well. Still, he’s a battler, and could be a nice depth piece for someone needing some help.

Landon Kosior, D (Prince Albert Raiders)

When dealing with junior players, you’re always looking at projectables. Scoring as an overage is one thing. So is playing heavy minutes against top talent. But when watching Kosior, his brilliance you can tell he’s a brilliant defenseman. He is not the most consistent by any means, but he reads opponents well and doesn’t get caught passing to an empty space. Players that think the way he does get opportunities, and his added offensive output is a nice touch.