2016 college free agents

[Da_Chief]

Guys that intrigue me, that I have paid attention to for last couple of years:
F Drake Caggiula (shifty small forward with skill), really like him.
G Alex Lyon (good glove and lower body strength)
D Troy Stecher (skilled dman, needs to work on his D)
D Shane Hanna (good 2-way dman)

[Roof-Daddy]

This likely won't be the year, but it sure would be nice if the Flames could land a legitimate free agent out of college or Europe one time.

Guys like Krug, Dekeyser, Sustr are all top 4 D-men and a guy like Panarin? Wow that would have been nice. We always seem to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to these types. Would be great if for once the Flames could snag a big fish.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

This likely won't be the year, but it sure would be nice if the Flames could land a legitimate free agent out of college or Europe one time.

Guys like Krug, Dekeyser, Sustr are all top 4 D-men and a guy like Panarin? Wow that would have been nice. We always seem to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to these types. Would be great if for once the Flames could snag a big fish.

Cervenka was a big one when we got him. He just didn't work out.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Cervenka was a big one when we got him. He just didn't work out.

That's what I'm saying. Wish one would work out for once. Boston, Tampa, Detroit, Chicago, the Rangers, annoys me that these teams hit pay dirt with these types of signings.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Mark Giordano was a free agent signing by the Flanes that turned out decent.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Mark Giordano was a free agent signing by the Flanes that turned out decent.

Well, that almost didn't. We were fortunate that the trip to Russia didn't sour the relationship. We caught a break there.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I don't see anyone worth signing this year except Lyon, Oksanen, and Bayreuther.

Most of the rest of the guys are just org. filler guys like Brady Lamb from a few years ago.

I think Brandon Tanev has a future in the NHL personally.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I think Brandon Tanev has a future in the NHL personally.

Brain skipped over that name entirely. I agree.

[sureLoss]

Mark Divver @MarkDivver
John Ferguson Jr. & Jay Pandolfo of Bruins are here tonight. Expecting Boston to be among teams in hunt for PC free agent Brandon Tanev.

[sureLoss]

RW Brandon Denham's college career came to an end tonight in the Atlantic Conference Finals. His college team will NOT be going on to the national tournament.

The former Flames development camp invitee will likely go Pro in the next few days.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97080

edit: or will come to an end shortly... scoreboard I was watching said game was final, but 10 mins left in 3rd.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Cross Casey Nelson off the list

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
NHL teams are watching Minnesota St junior D Casey Nelson. He has informed them the "plan right now" is to stay in school.

Looks like he might be considering going pro now.

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Hearing Minnesota St D Casey Nelson -- one of top available NCAA FAs -- is listening to NHL offers. Can go back to school for one more year.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

RW Brandon Denham's college career came to an end tonight in the Atlantic Conference Finals. His college team will NOT be going on to the national tournament.

The former Flames development camp invitee will likely go Pro in the next few days.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97080

edit: or will come to an end shortly... scoreboard I was watching said game was final, but 10 mins left in 3rd.

Wow good size 6'4" and a RW. His numbers were good but he was playing for Robert Morris?? I don't think I ever heard of that school before.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by OzSome

Wow good size 6'4" and a RW. His numbers were good but he was playing for Robert Morris?? I don't think I ever heard of that school before.

From what I've read he can skate well for a big guy and parks himself in front of the net. He started off as a depth guy in the NCAA, but eventually climbed the ranks, however, it's been against super weak competition in an Atlantic division in the NCAA.

His notable weakness is his effort. He's been to Jets, Flames and Penguins prospect/development camps.

[sureLoss]

Sabres sign Casey Nelson, who was considered by some to be the best college free agent

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/03/22/...-d-man-nelson/

[sureLoss]

Alex Petan, brother of Nic looks to start his pro career

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...85/?cmpid=rss1

“We’re about the same height, and if you look at guys around the [NHL] and the way the game has become in the last little stretch, I don’t feel size is a [problem] at all,” said Alex, who adds that Nic was also told many times he was not big enough to play in the NHL. “The size of your heart is a little bit more important than anything else. If you’re good enough and you’re willing to work hard, anyone of any size deserves to play professional hockey.”

Michigan Tech head coach Mel Pearson describes his captain as a goal-scorer with “real soft hands,” but also as a late-bloomer who is not part of the conversation when this year’s top NCAA free agents are discussed. Still, Petan hopes to land a professional contract as he finishes out his senior year. He is on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in sports and fitness management.

Petan was selected the Western Collegiate Hockey Association player of the year after scoring 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points in 35 games, but his season ended in disappointment. The Huskies were expected to advance to the NCAA tournament, but instead were upset 1-0 last weekend by Ferris State in the WCHA semi-finals.

[sureLoss]

Billy Jaffe tells Steinberg that 20-22 teams have an interest in Drake Caggiula.

[Canada 02]

old article on Caggiula

http://www.tsn.ca/a-tale-of-two-ncaa-prospects-1.243662

He’ll play a game in the NHL, there’s no doubt of that in my mind," Hakstol added. "When it happens or what he does with it once he gets there, that will be up to him. He’ll have to prove he can handle the step up in pace. NHL players are so big but they’re also so fast. I think he can do it. Drake is not big but he’s hockey strong. He competes hard, too hard sometimes. He hits with a purpose, loves to really hit people, but he’s a veteran and we need him to be scoring goals. He plays the game hard. He plays the 200-foot game. You can tell he’s a coach’s son, he gets it."

[druetetective]

Petan signed a ATO with the Wild this morning. Weird no one really picked up on it on twitter. I don't think he is one of the more sought after guy's.

http://thehockeywriters.com/wild-giv...-petan-an-ato/

[sureLoss]

Besides Petan, another Hobey Baker Finalist free agent - Zach Lynch signed an ATO the Portland

https://twitter.com/PortlandPirates/...91666373586944

[Heavy Jack]

Hey Sureloss is there any chatter about Tyler Kelleher?? Another pint sized winger who seems to have loads of skill on a bad UNH team.