Future Considerations: College free agents to watch, and what Levi brings to Sabres

The process of identifying, recommending and signing college free agents is a delicate process. Every NHL team looks for prospects outside of the draft, and signing a free agent presents an opportunity to invest in a prospect without using up draft capital. It can add to the depth of the organization. In some cases, teams who have mortgaged their draft picks in trades become more dependent on finding (and investing) in free agents from college and Europe.

It's a stroke of luck, this year, having multiple prospects playing on the same teams in the NCAA tournament.

Here’s a look at some intriguing players who could be signed to NHL contracts this spring:

School: Minnesota State
Position: Defence
Shot: Right
Height: Six-foot-four
Weight: 205 pounds
NHL Projection: (6D) – (5D) / 2-way / Distributor / Second unit power-play / Second unit penalty-kill

NHL teams are always on the lookout for right-shot D. Livingstone projects as a two-way defender who can slot into one of the power-play units. He sees the ice very well and distributes accordingly. Livingstone is a big body, but he isn’t overly physical. I refer to players like him as “bumpers” not “bangers.” He has a good release, from distance, in the offensive zone and the ability to slide through back-door seams on his weak side. Overall, I’m more comfortable describing him as a distributor instead of a shooter.

Here’s my report from recent viewings of Livingstone:

School: Western Michigan
Position: Forward
Shot: Right
Height: Six-foot
Weight: 198 pounds
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward / Second unit power-play / Secondary scorer

Polin is the leading goal scorer in the NCAA. He logs a ton of ice time at WMU. He’s deployed in all situations. He’s scored goals at even strength, power play, short-handed and overtime. He plays the game quick. Polin is the kind of player who always seems to be in motion. He rarely stops and starts, but he’s consistently around the puck. His goal-scoring speaks for itself. He’s aggressive off the rush and on the power play, directing the play on net. I’m not concerned about his defensive awareness or commitment. His three-zone detail is better than average.

School: Bowling Green
Position: Forward
Shot: Left
Height: Six-foot
Weight: 185 pounds
NHL Projection: Recall / Depth scorer

Swankler is an outlier to some degree. He spent time in the OHL with the Erie Otters before changing direction and going the college route. It’s a path that rarely occurs. The main reason is the player has to sit out a year before becoming eligible for the NCAA. The process actually has a lot of moving parts. This isn’t the forum to break it all down, but the fact Swankler made the decision and is now thriving at Bowling Green is interesting, nonetheless. Swankler will be a junior next season if he doesn’t sign a deal with a team this spring.

Here is a look at my most recent report on Swankler:

School: Minnesota State
Position: Forward
Shot: Right
Height: Five-foot-11
Weight: 186 pounds
NHL Projection: Recall forward / Power-play specialist / Playmaker

Silye is a prospect who could draw attention but I would take a pause and make sure what he is doing this season is not merely a career year. He’s a sophomore, so it might be a case where he returns to Mankato for another season and has established himself as a player to watch next season.

Here’s a look at his report and stats:

Here's a look at player cards, analysis and statistics of other NCAA free agents:

School: Quinnipiac
Position: Forward
Shot: Right
Height: Five-foot-10
Weight: 150 pounds
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward / Second unit power-play / Darting and creative

School: Western Michigan
Position: Forward
Shot: Left
Height: Five-foot-11
Weight: 182 pounds
NHL Projection: Middle-six forward / Potential top-six / Power-play / Better than secondary scorer

School: Boston University
Position: Forward
Shot: Left
Height: Five-foot-10
Weight: 190 pounds
NHL Projection: Recall / Depth scorer / Potentially second unit power-play

School: North Dakota
Position: Forward
Shot: Right
Height: Five-foot-eight
Weight: 160 pounds
NHL Projection: (13F) / Secondary offence / Second unit power-play / Leadership

School: Quinnipiac
Position: Goaltender
Catch: Left
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 189 pounds
NHL Projection: (3G) / Call-up

School: Western Michigan
Position: Forward
Catch: Left
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 180 pounds
NHL Projection: (13F) / Secondary scorer / Energy / Potentially second unit power-play

The Buffalo Sabres inked Devon Levi to an entry-level contract last week. The former Northeastern goaltender had a phenomenal two years playing for the Huskies. His goals-against average and save percentage (see card below) are statistical anomalies. Levi is a butterfly/athletic goaltender who has worked tirelessly to improve his game. He’s on the smaller side for the NHL and it will take time to adjust to the best shooters in the world.

NHL Projection: (2G) trending (1B)