Will they or won't they turn pro after this season? The NCAA's top point-getters and potential NHL stalwarts must make that decision soon, including some top prospects.
The NCAA season is coming to an end as teams battle to decide the conference champions. The best of the rest will also put their best foot forward in hopes the Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee names them to the 16-team national championship.
The NCAA has long been a fantastic avenue for players to develop their games. We’ve seen so many more high-end players — especially Americans — opt for the college hockey route instead of going to the CHL. Many of the best prospects in hockey at the moment are in the NCAA, including Macklin Celebrini, the near-consensus top player eligible for the 2024 NHL draft.
The decision to leave college and start a professional career is a massive moment for NHL prospects in the NCAA. Some huge names will face that decision this year. With the Frozen Four on the horizon, it’s a great time to look at what each of the NCAA’s top scorers could do after their college year ends.
Will Smith, C, Boston College (San Jose Sharks)
College hockey’s top scorer with 58 points in 35 games has been one of the most exciting players in the NCAA. He and his linemates from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, have continued to put up massive point totals together. The trio has played together for a couple of years now, and the blend of skill sets and chemistry makes them arguably college hockey’s best line.
Smith is a dynamic playmaker who can dazzle on any given shift. He has wicked hands that can put defenders in a blender. The Sharks' fourth overall pick at last year’s draft just turned 19 days ago.
With the Sharks in the NHL’s basement and a tough season ahead next year, it makes all the sense in the world to go back to school for another year. Smith still has room to grow, especially defensively. Staying at Boston College will allow him to develop the rest of his game and refine his craft offensively.
Jackson Blake, RW, University of North Dakota (Carolina Hurricanes)
Blake is one of college hockey’s best stories of growth and development. His sophomore season has been everything he and the Carolina Hurricanes could have hoped for.
Sitting just one point behind Smith for the national scoring lead, Blake has made strides in all aspects of his game. He seems to be more comfortable in open ice with the puck on his stick, but his bread and butter remains his ability to pick apart opposing teams with one-touch passes or smart reads.
Blake isn’t the most dynamic player, but his skill has improved each season since his first year in the USHL when he split the campaign between Minnesota High School and the Chicago Steel. The 20-year-old has become one of the most interesting prospects in hockey because of his growth.
With no clear spot on the roster as the Hurricanes continue to be one of the NHL’s best teams, Blake will likely need to start his professional career in the AHL. As of right now, Carolina has no AHL affiliate, so one more season in the NCAA with NoDak will do him wonders as the Hurricanes figure out their affiliate situation for next season.
Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (2024 NHL Draft)
This year’s top NHL draft prospect has done nothing but impress in his NCAA run as a 17-year-old. He plays a very solid, complete game with great instincts and the ability to play off of his teammates regardless of their strength. He has proven to be a capable play-driver everywhere he has played whether it was the USHL, college or the World Junior Championship.
The Boston University star doesn’t have much to prove at the NCAA level, especially considering his age. Celebrini will likely play in the NHL next season unless a team decides to leave him in college for the year, which would be unorthodox.
Erik Johnson and Owen Power both went back to college after they were selected first overall, but both were defensemen. The last forward not to jump right into the NHL after being taken first overall was Alexander Ovechkin due to the NHL lockout in 2004-05. Before that, it was Eric Lindros in 1991-92, which was due to his refusal to go to the Quebec Nordiques.
You can expect to see Celebrini in an NHL club’s uniform next season.
Jack Devine, RW, University of Denver (Florida Panthers)
Devine is a high-energy player who plays to the middle of the ice whenever possible. His third NCAA season has seen an offensive explosion. With a hot finish, Devine could double his point total from last season as the University of Denver looks to compete for the national championship. His 27 goals and 54 points have been a welcome development for Denver and the Florida Panthers, who drafted him in the seventh round in 2022.
Devine seems poised to sign an entry-level contract and step into pro hockey. The AHL is likely where he will spend next season, proving he can continue to blend his developing skill with a high work ethic. His motor should allow him to play lower in the lineup if need be, but with the Panthers in their Stanley Cup window, there won’t be a rush to get Devine into the lineup.
Cutter Gauthier, C, Boston College (Anaheim Ducks)
After not wanting to play for the Philadelphia Flyers and getting traded to the Ducks, Gauthier said on the Ducks' podcast he plans to go pro when his college season ends. The fifth overall pick by Philadelphia in 2022 is set to join Leo Carlsson, Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish and the young, promising core in Anaheim at season’s end.
Gauthier blends power and skill as well as just about any player in college hockey. His shot should be a legitimate weapon as soon as he steps into the NHL, and the Ducks will look to use it right away. Gauthier can play center or wing, which will be an asset for the Ducks, as Carlsson and McTavish are already occupying the top-six center spots.
Gavin Brindley, RW, University of Michigan (Columbus Blue Jackets)
There is no need to rush things for Brindley, the 34th overall pick in 2023. The highly competitive, undersized forward has been an offensive driver for the Wolverines this year. He has proven he can do it with best friend and former linemate, Adam Fantilli, whom he will eventually join on the Blue Jackets.
Allowing Brindley to play a third NCAA season next year allows him to build his physical strength, continue to round out his two-way game and grow into an even more lethal play-driver. On top of that, the situation in Columbus is a bit of a mess right now in the standings, so there's no need to jump right into that.
Rutger McGroarty, LW, University of Michigan (Winnipeg Jets)
He captained the American world junior squad to a gold medal and dealt with injuries earlier this season, but McGroarty remains one of the NCAA’s top scorers. The 19-year-old sits tied for sixth in points with fellow Wolverine, Brindley.
McGroarty seems ready to make the jump to pro hockey, but the Jets may not have room for him on the NHL squad right away. An AHL stint could give him a chance to adjust to pro hockey.
This decision seems more on the player than the team. The Jets would surely welcome him onto the AHL club, but McGroarty may opt to go back to Michigan for one final season. This is as much of a toss-up as any decision on this list.
Gabe Perreault, RW, Boston College (New York Rangers)
Although he has been out of the lineup recently with an injury, Perreault led the NCAA in scoring before his absence. The cerebral winger has been the ultimate play-connector.
As mentioned earlier, Perreault plays with familiar linemates in Smith and Leonard, which has given the trio a seamless transition into college hockey.
Perreault’s physical tools aren’t elite, but he thinks the game as well as anyone in college from a play creation perspective. He should and likely will head back to BC for at least one more season.
Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College (Washington Capitals)
The physical presence of the BC freshman trio, Leonard has proven that even with the step up to a bigger, faster and stronger college game, he will still attack opponents head-on and go through them when necessary. Leonard is a bull with the puck on his stick. He looks like an NFL running back bowling over defenders en route to the net.
He’s probably the most pro-ready of his linemates, but he could stand to play one more college season, refining his game and getting even stronger so he can hit the pro game running just as he did in college.
Collin Graf, RW, Quinnipiac (Unsigned Free Agent)
He almost left college after his sophomore year with Quinnipiac when he won a national title, but he returned to the team and has been even better this season. He is beginning to round out his off-puck game, which will help NHL clubs believe he can contribute in a depth role if he doesn’t work out in the top six.
He is a slick playmaker who has grown each year in college. At 21 years old, Graf is in prime position to sign on with an NHL club. Depending on which team he signs with, there could be an opportunity for him to get into some NHL games late in the season or compete for a job in training camp.
Lane Hutson, D, Boston University (Montreal Canadiens)
Montreal Canadiens fans have been salivating over the thought of Hutson running their power play and bringing an offensive punch to their blueline for two years now. He tied for the NCAA scoring lead among defensemen last year, and he is in a three-way tie heading into the homestretch this year.
He still has growth ahead of him defensively, but he may have reached the peak of what he can do in college. Jumping into the NHL for a few games at the end of this season could give him a glimpse at what he needs to improve next year in what would be his first full professional season, even if it’s primarily in the AHL.
Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver (2024 NHL Draft)
Arguably the most well-rounded defender in this year’s draft, Buium is tied with Hutson for the scoring lead among blueliners and has a chance to surpass Hutson’s U-19 season from last year, which ranks as the most productive season for a U-19 blueliner in 40 years.
It is bonkers what Buium is doing offensively this year, and his defensive game is more mature than Hutson’s already. With that said, another year at the University of Denver would do him wonders as he would have the chance to get bigger, faster, stronger and become an even more dominant defender.
Whichever team drafts Buium this June should be more than happy to leave him in college for at least one more year.
Seamus Casey, D, University of Michigan (New Jersey Devils)
Casey is tied with Buium and Hutson but has played more games. What he has done offensively this year has been impressive, though, taking over the full load from Luke Hughes, who was the puck-dominant defender on the Wolverines last year before joining New Jersey.
Now, Casey faces the same decision. New Jersey owns his rights, but the path to NHL playing time isn’t as clear with Hughes and 2022 second overall pick Simon Nemec in the way. That’s not even considering John Marino or Dougie Hamilton, who are entrenched veterans on the team.
Casey may ultimately find himself heading back to college next season and eventually looking elsewhere with no room in New Jersey.