[sureLoss]

From Friedman's 30 thoughts:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...oms-canadiens/

22. Always check in on potential NCAA signings at this time of year. There are a few teams hoping John Hayden, a 2013 Chicago Blackhawks pick who is finishing his fourth year at Yale, will go the Jimmy Vesey route — not sign, choosing free agency instead. But two NHL clubs who were looking into it say they are losing hope it will happen.

The Blackhawks are now making room for young players, showing there is a route available. The Bulldogs need a big run to qualify for the NCAAs, so the opportunity is there to play in the NHL this season, which burns a year of his entry-level contract.

23. There isn’t one particular jewel. But, there are some who intrigue, although most will need AHL seasoning. There’s a wide variety of opinion; players some teams really liked and others didn’t. Union College gets scouted a bit, because the Dutchmen have at least three on the radar.

Their top two scorers are Michael Vecchione and Spencer Foo. Vecchione is a senior, so he’s ready to come out. Foo, from Edmonton, has another year, and his younger brother Parker is committed to join. So teams wonder if he wants to wait. Union has a defenceman named Nick DiSimone a few teams grudgingly admitted they were watching, but he also has another year remaining and the school wants him to stay. He may need a year or two in the AHL, but there is definitely interest.

24. One of the first to go pro is expected to be New Hampshire’s Tyler Kelleher. He’s five-foot-six, but a talented player, and, barring upsets, the Wildcats are not going far in the post-season. He’s similar to several of the other forwards NHL teams are watching. They put up good numbers but aren’t physically imposing. Others to watch: Zach Aston-Reese (Northeastern); Alex Iafallo (Minnesota-Duluth); Griffen Molino (Western Michigan); Nicholas Schilkey (Ohio State); C.J. Smith (Lowell); John Stevens (Northeastern). He is the son of Los Angeles associate coach John Stevens. Brother Nolan, a St. Louis pick, is also on the team.

25. On defence, in addition to DiSimone, there’s Daniel Brickley of Minnesota State. (Every time I hear “Minnesota State” I think of Hayden Fox coaching them in the Pineapple Bowl.) Brinkley got hurt early in the year, but has 24 points in 22 games. He doesn’t have to come out, but teams will try to get him to do it.

Add: Kristofers Bindulis (a Latvian who plays at Lake Superior State); Josh Healey (Ohio State); Michael Kapla (Lowell).

Not a great year for goalies, but tortured scouts for some names. A couple suggested Cam Johnson of North Dakota, simply because that school tends to develop potential pros. Also: Brampton’s Hayden Lavigne (Michigan); Montreal’s Brett Magnus (Sacred Heart).