Top five NHL prospects who could turn pro after NCAA championship

Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Denver is a legitimate NCAA powerhouse, winning their second national title in three years over the weekend.

And the best part? They did it without a single first-round draft pick, beating a Boston College team that was loaded with some of the top prospects in the game today. That’s what hard work, great coaching and a cohesive unit will get you.

But with the end of the college season, it’s time to expect more entry-level signings, and it’s exciting. This past weekend, we saw Montreal ink Lane Hutson, only for Frank Nazar to score his first NHL goal about 24 hours after signing his first pro deal with Chicago on Sunday. And then there’s Cutter Gauthier heading to Anaheim in a year that saw him create significant buzz after Philadelphia traded him for Jamie Drysdale shortly after winning the World Junior Championship with USA.

That’s three big dogs out of the way, and there’s more to come.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room – the Boston College trio of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. All three have legitimate cases to go pro, with the first two having the best chance of being full-time impact NHLers next year. But from talking to people around the Frozen Four, it seems like there’s a belief that the three could choose to remain in college in an attempt to go for the national title next year. Boston College was the top team throughout the season, but falling flat hurt.

The Eagles have a legitimate chance of being just as good, if not better next year. Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect James Hagens should be all ready to go after graduating high school to give the team a legitimate star center to replace Cutter Gauthier. Teddy Stiga is a potential first-round pick that could give the team some skill, and Michael Hagens and Will Skahan are both solid blueliners. Most of the team’s core – including forward Oskar Jellvik (Boston Bruins), defenseman Aidan Hreschuk (Columbus Blue Jackets) and goaltender Jacob Fowler (Montreal Canadiens) are eligible to return. The chance of running things back and potentially winning both the World Juniors and NCAA national title has to be exciting for the big three, even if, selfishly, I want to see them in NHL lineups come October.

“There’s extra motivation to go back and finish what they started,” a scout said. “You look at Smith – what’s he going to accomplish on a team like San Jose next year? Leonard has more to give, and Perreault could work on his skating a bit. There’s really no wrong answer for three legit standouts, but why rush? They’re only going to be 19 next year.”

Put it this way: had Boston College beat Denver, I think all three sign. I’m not so sure anymore.

So, who else is left? Here’s a look at five notable skaters who could sign their ELCs sooner rather than later, and join the likes of Jackson Blake, Scott Morrow and Sam Colangelo after inking their respective contracts earlier this month:

Gavin Brindley, RW (Columbus Blue Jackets)

UPDATE: Brindley signed his ELC on Monday afternoon.

Named Big Ten Player of the Year earlier this year, it’s hard not to call Brindley one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NHL Draft so far. After a solid 38-point freshman season, he finished 25 goals and 53 points in 40 games, including two points in the game that sent Michigan to the Frozen Four. Add in his incredible performance at the World Juniors with USA, and you can see someone has very little to prove at the college level right now. According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, the Blue Jackets have told Brindley that they feel he’s ready to turn pro. The biggest question – will the coaching staff let him flourish next year?

Rutger McGroarty, LW (Winnipeg Jets)

UPDATE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that McGroarty will return to college for another season

McGroarty just edged out Brindley for first in scoring on Michigan despite missing time with an injury prior to the World Juniors. He finished the year with 52 points in 36 games, making him one of the most productive forwards in the NCAA. They really missed his presence when he was out – McGroarty just does so much with the puck, driving the play so consistently, that you really need him healthy out there. He’s one of Winnipeg’s best forward prospects and I fully believe his mix of speed, skill and muscle should allow him to adjust to the pro game without issue.

Massimo Rizzo, C (Philadelphia Flyers)

It was nice to see Rizzo back in the lineup for the Frozen Four after missing time with a lower-body injury. The creative pivot was one of the NCAA’s top forwards for a second consecutive year, so his presence gave Denver a huge boost when it mattered most. Originally a seventh-round pick by the Carolina Hurricanes, Rizzo was traded last year in a move that quickly boosted Philly’s depth chart. He isn’t big and needs to improve his skating, but he has great hands, excellent hockey IQ and a solid shot. After three years at Denver, it’s time for him to challenge for a spot in Torts’ lineup.

Jack Devine, RW (Florida Panthers)

Now a two-time NCAA national champion with Denver, Devine erupted with 27 goals and 56 points in 44 games this year. The quick, energetic forward looked more dynamic than ever this year, while also adding a bit more physicality to his game. Despite the uptick in offense, I think the 21-year-old is more destined to be a bottom-six player who can step up on the power play if needed. A seventh-round pick in 2022, Devine is best as a defensive forward, and could use a few years in the AHL to further develop his decision-making with the puck to excel at the NHL level. Regardless, given he was drafted 221st overall two years ago, he has come a long way.

Sean Behrens, LHD (Colorado Avalanche)

Colorado’s depth chart is a bit crowded, but after two national titles, Behrens could give the franchise a nice kick. Taken 61st overall in 2021, Behrens can hit and move the puck and is an incredibly smooth skater. Behrens uses his footwork to help him generate offense, but his own-zone play is what’ll make him the most valuable in the NHL. Behrens consistently found a way to make himself relevant on the scoresheet this year while still playing the solid defensive and physical style that made him an exciting draft prospect. Avs fans are excited, and for good reason – but if he signs, I’d expect at least one year with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles to allow him to maximize his ice time as quickly as possible.

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