[Sandman]

Here's a few interesting CHL free agents, courtesy of Elite Prospects (I posted this March 6th):

1) Alexandre Doucet, 21, C, 6'0", 187lbs (Val D'Or/ Halifax): 61gp/48g/49a/97pts,+40, 36 PIM. Has changed from a flashy playmaker in his draft year to a defensively responsible, inside-driven player. One of the best in the CHL. Mobility issues may keep him out of the NHL.

2) Avery Hayes, 20, C/RW, 5'10", 174lbs (Hamilton/Peterborough): 56gp/37g/27a/64pts,+14, 48 PIM. Creative playmaker, but good finisher with a heavy shot. Skating is improving, but plays with pace.

3) Ben Allison, 20, LW, 6'2", 187lbs (Acadie-Bathurst): 59gp/30g/39a/69pts,-12, 30 PIM. Skilled, imposing physically, power game- must improve skating.

4) Ben Zloty, 21, D, 6'0" 187lbs (Winnipeg); 57gp/11g/61a/72pts,+59, 30 PIM. Calgary-born high risk, high reward D, passing skill, good transporter of the puck. Good at killing entries. I liked him in his Draft year.

5) Brett Brochu, 20, G, 6'0" 186lbs (London): 2.66 GAA, .907%. Reads the game well, technically efficient, and athletic. Hurt by lack of size at times.

6) Chase Wheatcroft, 20, C, 6'2" 176lbs (Prince George): 59gp/41g/49a/90pts,+4, 40 PIM. Calgary-born F is one of the flashiest players in the 'dub, destroys opponents with his small-area game, drives play, accurate wrister, good release. Cougars record-holder for all-time PP goals. Skating could use a little work, but not bad. I like this kid.

7) Chris Sedoff, 20, D, 6'1" 196lbs (Red Deer): 55gp/4g/43a/47pts,+11, 24 PIM. Attended Flames rookie camp this past summer, and was one of the best players there- he's a Sandman favorite. Excellent defender, especially in the neutral zone- play-stopping force on the rush, and good in front of his own net. Numbers are good, considering Red Deer doesn't allow much activation by D.

8) Connor McClennon, 20, RW, 5'8"163lbs (Winnipeg): 55gp/41g/38a/79pts,+44, 35 PIM. Sniper who finds the open seams. Average skater, and small.

9) Dante Gianuzzi, 20, G, 6'1" 183lbs (Portland): 3.21 GAA, .899%

10) Evan Vierling, 20, C, 6'0" 176lbs (Barrie): 53gp/34g/48a/82pts,+18, 12 PIM. Fifth-rounder in 2020 by the Rangers, his rights expired. Off-puck play is impressive, plays with intensity, reliable two-way presence, high motor, but average skater.

11) Jackson Berezowski, 21, RW/C, 5'9" 185lbs (Everett): 53gp/40g/28a/68pts,+20, 35 PIM. Goal-scorer with not much of a supporting cast. Shooting skill, bruising net-front presence, non-stop defensive motor, and robust physical game. Only flashes of playmaking ability, average skater.

12) James Hardie, 21, LW, 5'11" 173lbs (Mississauga): 57gp/36g/36a/72pts,+15, 21 PIM. NHL-calibre shot, wicked release, strong puckhandler, decent distributor. Skating limits his effectiveness on the rush, and the forecheck.

13) Jeremie Biakabutuka, 21, D, 6'4" 203lbs (Charlottetown): 47gp/16g/23a/39pts,+1, 49 PIM. Rangy defenseman with mobility, but still raw. Long wingspan and uncommon agility. Physical and aggressive. Needs time to learn to read the defensive side of the game. Still a long-shot.

14) Josh Lawrence, 21, C/RW, 5'9" 179lbs (Blainville-Boisbriand/Halifax): 60gp/43g/54a/97pts,+51, 12 PIM. Speedy, dynamic playmaker. Mostly an open-ice player, his hunched-over stride and size make it hard for him retrieve and shield pucks.

15) Landon Kosior, 20, D, 5'11" 190lbs (Prince Albert): 51gp/17g/36a/53pts,+5, 20 PIM. Might be the smartest player on this list. Great in transition and activation, shows projectable skills defensively. Needs more separation speed, and most of his tools are average.

16) Logan Morrison, 20, C, 6'0" 179lbs (Hamilton/Ottawa): 52gp/37g/47a/84pts,+25, 12 PIM. NHL-average tools, but very high motor. Pushes the pace of play, attacks the inside, good forecheck/backcheck, battles hard. Unlikely to be a big scoring threat in the NHL.

17) Owen Pedersen, 20, LW, 6'3" 205lbs (Winnipeg): 57gp/29g/39a/68pts,+20, 34 PIM. Excellent off-puck game- finds the seams and inside spaces to capitalize on opportunities. Plays a calculated game to make up for lack of foot speed.

18) Riley Piercey, 20, RW/LW, 6'3" 205lbs (Flint): 60gp/19g/44a/63pts,+17, 57 PIM. Intriguing skillset, but all aspects of skating hold him back. Good puckhandler who can dangle through defenders, uses his frame along the boards, in front of the net, and in puck-protection.

19) Theo Rochette, 21, C, 5'11" 172lbs (Quebec): 57gp/36g/55a/91pts,+48, 24 PIM. I'm surprised he wasn't drafted, although he was a lot smaller in his draft year, and lost a chunk of that season to Mono. 99 points last year, he's a wizard when it comes to playmaking. Signed to go to Switzerland next year.