March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes (13) handles the puck during the third period at Yost Ice Arena. (Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/10419606-f471-4d00-a2d9-11df29e0f667.jpeg] March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes (13) handles the puck during the third period at Yost Ice Arena. (Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images) With the NCAA regular season in the rearview, NHL teams have begun signing college players as part of the annual Spring free agent frenzy. Of course, many NHL teams will be vying for the services of the top remaining NCAA free agents. But given the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins]' need to continue injecting high-upside youth into their system, they should certainly be in the mix. Here are five of the top NCAA free agent players that the Penguins should target. Kelsey Surmacz of The Hockey News discusses why the Penguins should look into Dartmouth defenseman C.J. Foley on the latest edition of the "Pucks N'at Podcast." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TJ HUGHES - CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Mar 7, 2025; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes (13) skates with the puck against Penn State during a Big Ten Tournament quarter final game at Yost Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7e2d1b22-424d-46e0-93ad-8d821b0d0716.jpeg] Mar 7, 2025; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes (13) skates with the puck against Penn State during a Big Ten Tournament quarter final game at Yost Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) Hughes is the cream of the crop in terms of the remaining NCAA free agents. The native of Hamilton, Ontario has scored around or above a point-per-game in each of his seasons with the University of Michigan Wolverines, including 15 goals and 38 points in 36 games this season. In three seasons with Michigan, Hughes has registered 47 goals and 122 points in 116 games. His two-way skills, his knack for physicality, and his playmaking smarts make the 6-foot, 185-pound forward an attractive option, as he is capable of slotting up and down the lineup. He certainly showed top-six capability for one of the NCAA's most perenially prominent teams, and he is worth a gamble to see if those skills can translate to a top-nine role at the NHL level. And another bonus? He spent two seasons from 2022-24 playing with Penguins' top prospect Rutger McGroarty for Michigan [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/sid-and-the-kids-mcgroarty-koivunen-skate-with-crosby-top-six-in-practice] - a connection that could be worth exploring. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RILEY THOMPSON - CENTER, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Ohio State Buckeyes forward Riley Thompson (9) fights for the puck against Notre Dame defenseman Drew Bavaro (24) in the third period at the Value City Arena on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/36b17e6b-59c7-4627-87a3-c696ae6aa26f.jpeg] Ohio State Buckeyes forward Riley Thompson (9) fights for the puck against Notre Dame defenseman Drew Bavaro (24) in the third period at the Value City Arena on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Thompson is a bit more of a wild card at this stage, but he is an intriguing one at the very least. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Orleans, Ontario transferred from the University of Alaska - Anchorage to Ohio State prior to the 2024-25 season, and he became OSU's second-leading goal-scorer, putting up 17 goals and 33 points in 40 games. Thompson still has some facets of his game to develop, and it's unclear whether his skating would translate to the NHL level. Nonetheless, the 22-year-old center's size, production, two-way game, and defensive details should be enough to warrant at least an AHL contract by an interested team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARTER KING - CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF DENVER Apr 13, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Denver Pioneers forward Carter King (15) and forward Rieger Lorenz (14) have a moment after defeating the Boston College Eagles for the national championship at the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Xcel Energy Center. (Nick Wosika-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/dc71f353-7c89-4e7b-aaa4-2af375892af4.jpeg] Apr 13, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Denver Pioneers forward Carter King (15) and forward Rieger Lorenz (14) have a moment after defeating the Boston College Eagles for the national championship at the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Xcel Energy Center. (Nick Wosika-Imagn Images) Like Hughes, King is certainly one of the top college free agents available. And it's not a bad idea for the Penguins to shoot higher in this arena, especially given the cap flexibility they'll have this summer. King, 23, has spent the past four-plus seasons with Denver, and he got better and better the more prominent a role he played. He was part of the 2024 National Champion team with fellow Penguins prospect Tristan Broz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/tristan-broz-brings-middle-six-game-pittsburgh-penguins] last season, and he has won two national championships with Denver. WBS Penguins Sign NCAA Free Agent To AHL Contract [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/65f9ce3e-5336-4610-bfc8-d2e4f046d003.jpeg] WBS Penguins Sign NCAA Free Agent To AHL Contract It is officially free agent frenzy season for the NCAA, and it appears that the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> organization has already started to dabble in the market. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/wbs-penguins-sign-ncaa-free-agent-to-ahl-contract] In 2024-25, King had his best season with Denver as its primary first-line center, recording 21 goals and 43 points in 43 games. His goal-scoring ability is something that has rounded into form, and it's making him all the more intriguing for potential NHL suitors. In four-plus seasons with Denver, King posted 50 goals and 112 points in 157 games. He's someone to keep an eye on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CJ FOLEY - RIGHT DEFENSEMAN, DARTMOUTH Dartmouth defenseman CJ Foley. (Credit: Dartmouth Sports) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6a96af56-3d5a-493c-b014-582134cbe489.jpeg] Dartmouth defenseman CJ Foley. (Credit: Dartmouth Sports) Foley is, perhaps, one of the most intriguing college free agent options, as he has exploded onto the scene in just two seasons at Dartmouth. Although a bit undersized for a blueliner at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, the 21-year-old native of Hanover, Mass. is as dynamic as any blueliner - and most forwards - in this class. He finished the 2024-25 season eighth overall in NCAA scoring among defensemen with 11 goals and 30 points in 33 games - and first in even-strength points-per-game - and many of those around him have either already been drafted or have signed contracts. His skill and hockey sense are already refined, but he does need to develop better defensive habits, particularly in his gap control and net-front defense. There is still room to grow - and he may choose to continue refining his game in the NCAA for another season - but he is certainly one to watch. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUINN HUTSON - RIGHT WING, BOSTON UNIVERSITY Apr 11, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Boston U forward Quinn Hutson (17) carries the puck in the semifinals of the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament during the second period against Denver at Xcel Energy Center. (Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5c3799cf-f129-4200-b92b-ac74e5c915cf.jpeg] Apr 11, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Boston U forward Quinn Hutson (17) carries the puck in the semifinals of the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament during the second period against Denver at Xcel Energy Center. (Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images) Not only do the Penguins have some BU connections in the organization - head coach Mike Sullivan being one of the most prominent - Hutson would, likely, immediately become one of the Penguins top prospects if signed. Hutson - older brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/lane-hutson-should-have-more-room-to-move-on-the-power-play] - is currently aiding BU in their quest for a national championship, as his overtime goal on Saturday against Cornell sent them to the Frozen Four. Penguins Forward Emil Bemstrom Placed On Waivers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/08975c2b-7621-451c-a1c9-d55ad9598951.jpeg] Penguins Forward Emil Bemstrom Placed On Waivers The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> have made a move, seemingly, to clear up a spot on their active NHL roster. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-forward-emil-bemstrom-placed-on-waivers] The 23-year-old does nothing but score, as he was ninth overall in NCAA scoring this season (23 goals, 50 points, 36 games played), edging out Washington Capitals top prospect Ryan Leonard by a point. In three seasons at BU, Hutson has 56 goals and 114 points in 115 games. Hutson's deception, creativity, hockey sense, and ability to create space in the danger areas is remniscent of Penguins' prospect Ville Koivunen. He still needs to work out some details in his game, but he is - without a doubt - the most high-upside option on this list. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
