Julie Robenhymer: College Hockey Free Agents of Note

julie, i've heard several rumours that da costa is close to signing with ottawa. have you heard anything about this?

i wonder if Burke has any connections with the guys at Miami because of Brendan. it would be cool to give some of these guys a shot with the marlies next season since these signings seems like low risk moves.

There is something amusing about mentioning kids who are getting excellent opportunities out of university and then using Ottawa, who is likely going to be dead last after tonight, as the example of said opportunities.

Another highly touted kid out of university who was undrafted is Jesse Winchester, who also was signed here. Had zero use for him originally, but he's growing on me.

julie, i've heard several rumours that da costa is close to signing with ottawa. have you heard anything about this?
- sensarmy_11

I've heard that he's narrowed it down to Ottawa and Philly.

i wonder if Burke has any connections with the guys at Miami because of Brendan. it would be cool to give some of these guys a shot with the marlies next season since these signings seems like low risk moves.
- MetroidPrime

Burke will only offer a guy a contract if he feels he can add something to his team, reardless of his feeling towards that player as an individual. The only Miami UFA that I could see fitting the Burke mould is Cannone. He's big, strong, plays with an in-your-face attitude and score.Carter and Miele are too small to fit into his plans for the Leafs.

I expect both Paul Thompson and Stephane De Costa to get a shot with Ottawa if they want it.

this is the luxury of open roster spots and cap space, the ability to find gems in alternate development programs.

There is something amusing about mentioning kids who are getting excellent opportunities out of university and then using Ottawa, who is likely going to be dead last after tonight, as the example of said opportunities.

Another highly touted kid out of university who was undrafted is Jesse Winchester, who also was signed here. Had zero use for him originally, but he's growing on me.
- Lohaus

Why is it amusing? Outside of Murray going bonkers on July 1 and blowing the budget, he's going hard after these college guys to fill out the roster next year and because of the opportunity to earn a roster spot right out of the gate, guys will want to sign there.

I've heard that he's narrowed it down to Ottawa and Philly.
- jules

no idea why he'd choose philly over ottawa. it would take him a few years to even come close to getting a roster spot with philly, while with the sens he'd almost surely be put into the lineup (maybe even the top six) almost immediately. i understand the philly is a much more successful franchise right now, but it's not like he'd actually be playing with the flyers.

There is something amusing about mentioning kids who are getting excellent opportunities out of university and then using Ottawa, who is likely going to be dead last after tonight, as the example of said opportunities.

Another highly touted kid out of university who was undrafted is Jesse Winchester, who also was signed here. Had zero use for him originally, but he's growing on me.
- Lohaus

At the beginning of the season, when he was up here taking zack smiths spot i was upset. But he's really progressed this year. Def want to see him here again next year.

I've heard that he's narrowed it down to Ottawa and Philly.
- jules

So polar opposites? A team that will suck where he'll have a chance to shine. Or a team with insane depth where he'll have less of a role. Very interesting

At the beginning of the season, when he was up here taking zack smiths spot i was upset. But he's really progressed this year. Def want to see him here again next year.
- david22

With the losses of Fisher AND Kelly, I think he becomes a must have in our lineup next year. I never wanted to see both of those guys dealt, but with the emergence of Winchester as being a useful player, it hurts a bit less. I think Butler and Greening stick as well (keeping with the college theme, although Greening was drafted) but I'm doubtful Condra is in our starting 12 in game 1 of next season.

With the losses of Fisher AND Kelly, I think he becomes a must have in our lineup next year. I never wanted to see both of those guys dealt, but with the emergence of Winchester as being a useful player, it hurts a bit less. I think Butler and Greening stick as well (keeping with the college theme, although Greening was drafted) but I'm doubtful Condra is in our starting 12 in game 1 of next season.
- Lohaus

where is this winchester love coming from, they guy is barely a 4th liner. Winchester doesnt play a physical game like Smith does on a consistent basis and thats what you want on your 4th line. Plus he has hands of cement.

You dont need both Zach smith and Jesse Winchester, only one of them and Zach Smith is better at everything hockey related.

id rather see guys like condra, greening, butler then winchester anyday.

where is this winchester love coming from, they guy is barely a 4th liner. Winchester doesnt play a physical game like Smith does on a consistent basis and thats what you want on your 4th line. Plus he has hands of cement.

You dont need both Zach smith and Jesse Winchester, only one of them and Zach Smith is better at everything hockey related.

id rather see guys like condra, greening, butler then winchester anyday.
- Paul99

You're both off base with on one point:

Lohaus, Condra is a vastly superior player than Greening, and if anyone is going back down, it's CG. Hands of stone, no vision, no talent. Greening is a great athlete with an elite skating stride, but you need more than that for Hockey. Condra has great vision and is the type of guy who could get better with time in the bigs.

Paul99, same idea, Greening IS basically Jesse winchester, only JW is more proven and has some of the best hustle on the team. Agreed that Smith is more talented, but he's also a dumber player who can cost you with giveaways and bad penalties.

Out of all the young Fwds on the roster, I rank them like this:

Butler
Foligno
condra
Winchester
Smith
Regin
Greening

You're both off base with on one point:

Lohaus, Condra is a vastly superior player than Greening, and if anyone is going back down, it's CG. Hands of stone, no vision, no talent. Greening is a great athlete with an elite skating stride, but you need more than that for Hockey. Condra has great vision and is the type of guy who could get better with time in the bigs.

Paul99, same idea, Greening IS basically Jesse winchester, only JW is more proven and has some of the best hustle on the team. Agreed that Smith is more talented, but he's also a dumber player who can cost you with giveaways and bad penalties.

Out of all the young Fwds on the roster, I rank them like this:

Butler
Foligno
condra
Winchester
Smith
Regin
Greening
- TommyDeVito

I guess the easiest way I can sum up what I said was who I think stick next year.

It isn't really about ranking them, especially from a talent perspective. I said both Butler and Greening stick (and I stand by that) because as I project my forward lines for next year, I see Butler being in the top 6 and I see Greening being in the bottom 6. I never said Condra is better or worse than anyone, I just think come game 1, he'll be the guy in Bingo. Only time can/will prove me wrong.

My reasoning for that is basically that I see him as a guy who needs offensive minutes. I saw your other post about Condra and while I can see him as a secondary scoring guy, sure, but I don't think he will be to start next season... actually, i hope we upgrade enough that he doesnt have to be.

I like Greening a lot, similar to Zach Smith, similar to WInchester, that they go out and stir the pot. Hockey sense aside, Greening forces turnovers and causes issues with his speed and size combo. I don't think he's a headliner or anything to that degree, but he fits the role of a quality 4th liner more so than Condra. I'd rather see Condra develop his touch than be getting 6 minutes a game in the bigs.

In the future, sure, maybe Condra is a better player, but I see Greening as already having a role presented for him next year that I doubt Murray, or whoever plans to fill via trade or FA. Why would he? I think that is not the case in regards to our top 6 where COndra should be, but I fully expect the spot won't be available.

Right now we have Spezza as our top line center. We have Alfie, Michalek, Foligno, Butler all auditioning for top 6 minutes for next year. We have our first rounder, who likely is in that mix and that makes 6 right there. We also have Regin, who fits in how, I don't know, but I'm sure he wants in that top 6. Maybe even Svatos signs on? I doubt it, but we'll see. Can Condra beat out those guys? My initial reaction, no. Is Condra a fit to play third line minutes in a checking role? I doubt it. Winchester, Zach Smith, and Neil are locks for the bottom 6.

Time will tell, thats all I know. I like arguing things, but the reality is it won't be known until next year if I am right or wrong.

As for the other reply about my love of Winchester, my exact quote was he is a "useful" player. I think a screw driver is a useful tool, I don't love it but it serves its purpose.

Great article - thanks JR

Good list to compile! I was looking for one everywhere with the recent signings, and couldn't find one until this one.