Future Considerations: Reports on NCAA players coming to the NHL

As we enter the final days of the NHL regular season, the Western Conference has its eight playoff teams locked in for the post-season while the Eastern Conference is coming down to the wire for its final two spots.

Elsewhere, some teams have signed NCAA prospects to contracts and the players I’m about to list have appeared — or are scheduled to appear — in NHL games this week.

In these cases, both the player and the organization have elected to “burn a year” off their entry-level contract, a strategy used so that the prospects will become restricted free agents a year sooner than they would have if their contract clock started in the fall. Most NCAA prospects request to play at least one game at the end of the NHL season as part of the decision to leave school and turn pro.

I’m waiting to see what the Winnipeg Jets and top prospect Rutger McGroarty to do. McGroarty’s scenario is different than the other players on this list below. The Jets are still positioning themselves for the playoffs, trying to stay ahead of Colorado for home-ice advantage in their series. With something still to play for, it makes it more difficult to guarantee a college prospect game(s) at this time of year when coaches are assembling their playoff rosters and looking for synergy throughout the lineup.

In the meantime, four other players did sign with their NHL teams over the weekend who've caught my eye. Here are my scouting reports on them:

Cade Webber, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Webber, 23, is a hulking six-foot-seven, 209-pound left shot defenceman. He’s easily defined as a defensive defenceman and a proficient shot blocker. I honestly can’t recall a defenceman at the college level, outside of a young Chris Tanev several years ago at RIT, who blocks shots the way Webber does.

Webber was credited with 133 shot blocks this season at Boston University. His long reach, and huge frame, assist in cutting down plays and taking away time and space. Webber skates well in straight lines and presents above average agility in open ice. His small area cuts and turns are predictably longer than smaller players. His most uncomfortable position is moving laterally, and that's where a team could expose him right now, especially off the rush.

Webber isn’t going to bring any offence. He’s simple with the puck on his stick and takes what is given. If options break down, he will simply chip the play to open ice.

Here’s an example of Webber fronting a shot from distance. He ends up with two shot blocks in the sequence.

Luke Tuch, F, Montreal Canadiens

Tuch, brother of Alex, is a six-foot-two, 203-pound forward who was part of the leadership group for Boston University. He ended the season with 10 goals and 20 assists playing at even strength and on the power play.

On the power play, Tuch generally sets up around the crease, creating screens and looking for rebounds and tips.

He's heavy set and hard to move off the play. At times Tuch displays a sneaky extra gear in transition and an ability to gain the edge and take the play to the net.

Consistent compete level and reliable hockey sense. Recognizes his responsibilities in all situations. Although he is heavy in the trenches, he isn't a punishing body checker. He pushes, but doesn't punish. Tuch leans fourth line utility forward at the NHL level.

Cutter Gauthier, F, Anaheim Ducks

Gauthier is an interesting study from a scout’s perspective. The six-foot-two, 200-pound forward is an elite shooter who led the entire NCAA with 38 goals. He also chipped in 27 assists in the 41 games he dressed for Boston College this season.

Gauthier was originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers fifth overall at the 2022 draft. For whatever reason(s), the Flyers didn’t see a path forward with Gauthier and decided it was best to trade his rights to the Anaheim Ducks, and they got defenceman Jamie Drysdale in return (plus a 2025 second round selection).

Gauthier’s elite element makes him an attractive prospect. He has top line scoring upside, but his three-zone detail and effort off the puck will have to be more consistent at the pro level.

Here’s a look at my summary scouting report on Gauthier and a few clips to support what I see in his game:

Here’s a play that illustrates how, at times, Gauthier stops moving his feet on the back check. He needs to be more active when reading, reacting, and tracking back to his net to assist defensively:

Conversely, here is a sample of the elite scoring ability Gauthier has and what he's celebrated for.

This sequence occurred at the world juniors in Sweden this year:

Frank Nazar, F, Chicago Blackhawks

Lastly, Frank Nazar has a jump start on the other players on this list. The former USNTDP and Michigan Wolverine forward scored his first NHL goal for the Blackhawks over the weekend.

Nazar turned pro after two seasons at the University of Michigan. He missed the majority of his freshman year with injury, only suiting up for 13 games in 2022-23.

His 2023-24 season went more to plan. Nazar produced 17 goals and 24 assists in 41 games for Michigan this season, where he generally played between 17 and 21 minutes a game and deployed in all situations.

The first thing that stands out about Nazar's game is his speed. He's quick out of the blocks and a threat off the rush. The same is true when he is fully engaged pressing back to assist on defence.

Nazar isn't shy about driving to the net, or lurking around the crease looking for loose pucks.

He's capable of playing the wing and down the middle. He has benefited from experiencing high leverage games at the world juniors and college level.

Defensively, his awareness is generally sound, but he will need to use his quickness to defend with more consistent purpose and detail at the pro level.

Nazar projects to be a potential middle six NHL forward and the kind of player who will be deployed as a second or third liner at the next level.