As the NHL season reaches its end, prospects from around the world have begun to sign their NHL entry-level contracts in the hopes of pushing their careers to new heights. Tony Ferrari analyzes seven of them.

With NCAA and CHL seasons coming to an end, we have seen an influx of prospects signing their entry-level contracts and officially joining their NHL clubs by putting pen to paper. Sometimes this means NHL teams are bringing guys in to get a look at the NHL and other times it rewards a player for development and progression toward their pro careers.

Let’s take a look at some of the most notable recent entry-level contracts signed around the NHL, ranging from high-end college prospects to junior players who have had fantastic seasons to a player earning an ELC after a fantastic AHL season.

Scott Morrow, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Back in the 2021 NHL Draft, Morrow was one of the most intriguing players in the class because he was among the most fluid players, created offense at insane rates, and showed everything you could have wanted from a defender. The issue was that rather than playing in the USHL, he played at Shattuck St. Mary’s. With the world thrown into a flux with COVID, Morrow opted to stay where he was comfortable and probably fell in the draft because of it.

The Canes were happy to benefit from everyone else’s concerns as Morrow has developed into one of the premier prospects in college hockey. His skating is upper echelon and he has never been accused of lacking confidence. While at Shattuck, Morrow was a creation machine, even if it came down to doing a little too much at times. When he jumped to the college ranks, he seamlessly reined things in and showed poise with the puck that many had wondered if he had in his arsenal. Morrow should get into a game or two down the stretch and could play an important role for Carolina as a rookie next season.

Collin Graf, RW, San Jose Sharks

One of the top players in college hockey over the last couple of years and a key member of Quinnipiac’s national championship team last year, Graf could have left the NCAA last year but stayed in school to round out his game and become a bit better in all areas of his game. After helping Quinnipiac push Boston College to overtime with a trip to the Frozen Four on the line, Graf’s college career came to and end and he was instantly one of the hottest names on the market.

Graf is an impressive playmaker who is always trying to thread the needle and find teammates in prime positions to score. He isn’t the most fleet of foot but he’s improved his skating over the last couple of years. His game is heavily offensive leaning but as he’s matured, his defensive effort and awareness have improved as well. Graf will step into the San Jose lineup and play a depth-scoring role right away and could be a valuable depth piece in the rebuild going into next season.

Jacob Quillan, C/W, Toronto Maple Leafs

A teammate of Graf and the championship-winning goal scorer in overtime last year, Quillan was a solid get for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He isn’t the most skilled or fastest player on the ice. He won’t be the biggest player on the ice and he isn’t going to be a regular on the highlight reels. What Quillan can be though is a hard-working, versatile bottom-six player who can play off of his teammates and give the Leafs a solid AHL player who could end up being a call-up in a year or two.

Quillan certainly isn’t guaranteed an NHL future but if he does get there, it will be because of his work ethic and ability to adapt. If the Leafs want a puck possession, scoring fourth line he has the ability to play in that structure. If they want a heavy forechecking fourth line that makes life difficult for their opponents, Quillan can do that. He needs to develop his on-puck skill but he won’t be rushed and should get quality opportunities with the Marlies in the AHL.

Tomas Suchanek, G, Anaheim Ducks

Coming into the season, Suchanek signed an AHL deal with the San Diego Gulls after finishing his junior hockey career. The Czech netminder was undrafted despite solid numbers at the WHL level and putting up solid performances internationally, including helping Czechia win the silver medal at last year’s World Junior Championship where he posted a .934 save percentage in seven games.

This season with the Gulls, Suchanek has gone 13-9-3 with three shutouts and a .912 save percentage and it earned him an entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. It’s a fantastic story of perseverance and hard work. The Czech goalie should be a factor in the future of the Ducks crease where Lukas Dostal looks to be the future starter. If Suchanek can be a solid backup and even push Dostal for starts, the Ducks look like geniuses thanks to the low-risk, high-reward signing.

Sam Lipkin, LW, Arizona Coyotes

Lipkin was the second-last pick in the 2021 NHL draft and since then he has secured a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship with the American squad last year, won a national championship with Quinnipiac and put up a point-per-game NCAA career together over two years. To say that he’s outperformed his draft slot would be an understatement.

He will report to the AHL’s Tuscon Roadrunners on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the season. Lipkin has some work to do to get to the NHL but he has size and work ethic on his side which could help him carve out a bottom-six role eventually.

Landon Slaggert, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

Already playing NHL games after a solid NCAA career at Notre Dame, Slaggert has had a number of close calls when it comes to getting his first NHL goal but massive saves and called-back goals have prevented it from happening. With that said, he’s been playing on the fourth line and certainly doesn’t look out of place in the NHL.

Slaggert plays a mature game and should fit in on the Hawks in the bottom six heading into next season. With so many injuries on the Hawks, Slaggert has been given some runway at the tail end of this season to get used to the NHL pace of play which will only help him get ready to compete for a spot in training camp.

Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Calgary Flames

The key prospect heading to Calgary in the Elias Lindholm trade, Brzustewicz had a fantastic season in the OHL. His 92 points were second among defenders and 10th in the league overall. The Kitchener Rangers defenseman has been a force in the OHL since coming over from the U.S. NTDP, showcasing his offensive skill and creativity. His defensive game needs some work still but he’s made strides in his own end over the last year.

The Flames were ecstatic to get Brzustewicz in the trade and he has his sights set on making the team next year. Even if that’s a bit of a long shot, his confidence is a welcome sign for the Flames who don’t have a ton of high-end offensive blueliners. He is in the middle of the OHL playoffs and looks to help Kitchener on a deep run. After this year though, there isn’t much more for Brzustewicz to prove at the junior level.