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Minors » 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players

2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851229]	Thu, 02 April 2026 12:41

Skookum Jim
Messages: 5991
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

5 Cups

Here's a few lists of prospective NCAA UFA's

Isaiah Nolin
https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-ncaa-free-agen t-targets-offensive-upside-6-foot-6-defenceman-isaiah-norlin -fits-edmontons-needs

Quote:

The NCAA Frozen Four is set, with all but four programs eliminated from their 2025-26 seasons. As tradition goes, this has opened a wide pool of free-agent talent for NHL teams to pursue, assuming those players haven’t already signed.

Despite the Edmonton Oilers arguably winning the 2025 NCAA sweepstakes – landing current Bakersfield Condors top goalscorer Quinn Hutson – they have yet to dip into the NCAA free-agent market this season. They have recently added a European defender in Tomáš Cibulka, however. The good news is that there is still ample time to get something done. While some of the top names have been taken off the market, several intriguing names remain available.

One of the most compelling options is Colgate University’s Isaiah Norlin. At 6-foot-6 and a right-shot defenceman, Norlin immediately checks boxes that are difficult to find. Add in flashes of offensive potential and projectable physical tools, and it’s easy to see why he’s considered one of the more intriguing defensive free agents in this year’s class.
Cole Caufield is 3 away from 50 goals!

It remains unclear whether Norlin will turn pro this spring or return to Colgate for further development. After a breakout sophomore campaign following his transfer from Nebraska-Omaha, there’s a case to be made for both paths. If he does make the jump, however, his profile is one that teams will be eager to bet on and one that the Oilers should be putting their name in.
As expected for a player of his size, Norlin’s reach and range are the defining and projectable traits at the next level. While he doesn’t play an overly physical game on a shift-to-shift basis, he uses his frame effectively to disrupt plays. He closes gaps quickly, keeps an active stick, and angles opponents toward low danger areas. When he engages physically, it can be impactful and often overwhelming for opponents simply due to his size.

And it’s that size that makes him a relatively safe bet, but it’s his offensive upside that you take the swing on. Norlin isn’t an elite skater, but his mobility is adequate and could be further refined with the right guidance. He shows confidence walking the blue line, using subtle deception and lateral movement to create space. His length allows him to protect pucks effectively, and he owns a heavy shot that makes him a threat from distance, particularly in a power play setting. There are flashes of a player who can contribute offensively while maintaining structure.
After recording just one point in 16 games as a freshman at Nebraska-Omaha, Norlin’s transfer to Colgate proved to be a turning point for him to blossom into a regular contributor. He went on to co-lead the team in scoring with 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 37 games and was named to the ECAC second all-star team.

Norlin was also a standout player in the BCHL before his commitment to the college ranks. He contributed 105 points (20 goals, 85 assists) in 143 games across three seasons with the West Kelowna Warriors, earning the BCHL top defenceman award in his third and final season with the most points among defenders (48).
Ultimately, Norlin is a projection-based bet. He will require time to develop professionally, but the combination of size, reach, and underlying tools makes him a highly intriguing option. If he does decide to leave college, expect his name to generate significant interest across the league.

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Re: 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851230 is a reply to message #851229 ]	Thu, 02 April 2026 12:41

Skookum Jim
Messages: 5991
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

5 Cups

https://oilonwhyte.com/4-potential-ncaa-free-agent-targets-t he-edmonton-oilers-could-pursue-01khq7n6ar09

Quote:

T.J. Hughes
University of Michigan standout forward, T.J. Hughes is a player that has been identified for a while as someone the Oilers -- and frankly, most teams -- could pursue as an NCAA free agent. He has been one of the top players available and at 24 years old, is close to a finished product, something that may entice a team like the Oilers who would be looking for a player to plug into their lineup as depth.

He is a good offensive player who has been a prolific scorer throughout his NCAA career and even before with the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. He possesses some two-way ability and could fit into a depth offensive role well if given the proper opportunity.

Tyson Gross
The next is St. Cloud State captain and Alberta native, Tyson Gross, he checks a lot of boxes that many teams covet. He has good size at 6'3, 194lbs and is a right-shot centre, playing a responsible 200ft game, giving him some legitimate projectability as a player who could even fill a fourth line centre role.

His scoring has taken a step this season at 23 years old, scoring 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 32 games played so far. This indicates at least some offensive potential, providing a little bit of hope that he can be a secondary option at the NHL level. As well, with his age, he has the ability to grow even a little bit but is close to a finished product.

Braden Blace
Another Western Canadian NCAA free agent, Braden Blace is a big bodied right-handed defenceman at 6'3 190lbs. Despite his size, he is a good skater and has some solid two-way elements to his game, making him an interesting potential addition to the Oilers blueline prospect pool. He has spent the past two seasons with Quinnipiac University, taking off this season offensively with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 27 games.

At just 22 years old, he would be able to sign a two-year entry-level contract and there would not be as much pressure for him to make the Oilers as quickly as the other two. This would give the club an ability to develop him in their program and develop into a depth defender at the NHL level.

Mac Gadowsky
The last and quite possibly the most likely player on this list is Penn State university defenceman Mac Gadowsky. Gadowsky spent the previous two years with the U.S. Military Academy putting up gawdy totals, setting a career high last year with 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points in just 38 games.

He has been heavily rumoured as an Oilers target, dating back to last year. Now at 24 years old, Gadowsky is on the older side for college free agents and has taken a step back in production with his new squad, with only 12 assists in 29 games. He would be a player the Oilers could take a bet on, especially if they have believed in his skillset for a long time.

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Re: 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851231 is a reply to message #851229 ]	Thu, 02 April 2026 12:52

Skookum Jim
Messages: 5991
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

5 Cups

Per AI

Quote:

Top 2026 NCAA Free Agents Linked to the Oilers
Scouts and analysts have identified several high-priority targets for the Oilers to address their lack of depth, particularly at center and on the right side of the defense.

T.J. Hughes C Michigan
Ranked as the #1 available NCAA free agent. A 24-year-old high-IQ playmaker with over 50 points this season.

Tyson Gross C St. Cloud State
6'3" Alberta native and right-shot center. Plays a responsible 200-foot game; seen as a potential NHL fourth-liner.

Isaiah Norlin D Colgate
6'6" defenseman with significant offensive upside. Identified as a specific fit for Edmonton's defensive needs.

Braden Blace D Quinnipiac
6'3" right-handed defenseman. A strong skater with two-way elements; would help bolster the Oilers' blue-line depth.

Mac Gadowsky D Penn State
24-year-old defenseman heavily rumoured as an Oilers target since last year.

Additional Notable 2026 NCAA Free Agents
Other top players in the 2026 class who may draw interest as the tournament concludes:

Josh Eernisse (RW, Michigan): 6'3", 216-lb power forward and top penalty killer.

Bennett Schimek (LW, Arizona State): Highly creative scorer and Hobey Baker nominee with 42 points this season.

Jake Livanavage (D, North Dakota): Highly mobile and intelligent undersized defenseman.

Lawton Zacher (G, Northeastern): One of the top available goaltenders, known for his poise and technical skill

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Re: 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851232 is a reply to message #851229 ]	Thu, 02 April 2026 12:54

Skookum Jim
Messages: 5991
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

5 Cups

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2026/03/2026-college-free-ag ency-preview-forwards.html

FORWARDS

Quote:

Forwards
Hank Cleaves (Dartmouth) – Two years ago, Cleaves wasn’t generating much attention in the BCHL. However, big centers tend to stand out and big centers who average well over a point per game in their sophomore year really catch the attention of the scouts. Given that he’s still a sophomore, there’s a legitimate chance that he stays for one more year. However, he should get considerable NHL interest and that might be enough to get him to make the jump.

Matthew DiMarsico (Penn State) – Generally speaking, a lot of the players who sign in college free agency are likely to be role players and not necessarily core producers. Some will look for size, some for skill, and others will prioritize smarts. DiMarsico certainly checks the latter category and as a player in the top 20 in NCAA scoring this season as a junior, the skill is there as well. There’s a high floor to work with which should appeal to some teams.

Josh Eernisse (Western Michigan) – After being limited to just one goal in his junior year, Eernisse has hovered closer to the half-point-per-game mark. That’s not why he’s on this list, however. He’s a big, physical winger with a responsible defensive game. That profile is one that would fit on some NHL fourth lines down the road.

T.J. Hughes (Michigan) – A player who has been on this list before, there is no option for Hughes to stay in college any longer. He has been one of the more skilled players in the NCAA level in recent years and it has resulted in him averaging well over a point per game for two of the last three seasons. There’s a question as to whether he can play an offensive role in the NHL but even if not, a productive AHL player would still be a worthwhile addition in free agency.

Aleksi Kivioja (Providence) – This is more of a projectable signing than some of the others on this list. Kivioja hasn’t been a top offensive producer even going back to his junior days in Finland. However, he has shown some strides this season with the Friars in that regard. He’s also a physical six-foot-five center. His ceiling might not be too high but there should be teams that see his frame and style and think there’s some fourth-line potential. Staying one more year and honing his offensive game is a viable option, however.

Jack Musa (UMass) – Viewed as a strong playmaker, Musa has also shown some scoring potential over the last couple of seasons. While he’s on the smaller side, he’s a strong enough skater and does well in transition which are elements that scouts will appreciate. He still has one more year of eligibility but after boosting his stock this season, making the jump now would make sense. Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal recently reported (Twitter link) that Musa will decide very soon about turning pro or not.

Nathan Pilling (St. Thomas) – More of a speculative add on this list, the ability to go from the CHL to the NCAA has worked well for Pilling. As a 21-year-old freshman, he put up 15 goals and 14 assists in 38 games this season, suggesting that his breakout final season with WHL Seattle wasn’t a one-off. Given that he’s a six-foot-four center who won over 53% of his draws this year, he should be on some radars now. Players don’t often turn pro after one year of college but Pilling is a candidate to do so.

Ellis Rickwood (North Dakota) – While his offensive production hasn’t been quite as high compared to his final season at Clarkson, Rickwood has been a top performer on a team loaded with NHL prospects. He has a pro frame already with a reasonable two-way game and has won over 60% of his faceoffs this season. Rickwood isn’t known as a strong skater, however, which could scare off some suitors but there’s a fourth-line NHL profile if a team thinks they can improve that facet of his game.

Hayden Stavroff (Dartmouth) – One of the youngest players in this group (he’s only 21), Stavroff showed some offensive upside in the BCHL and had a decent freshman year. This season, all he did was lead all of Division I in goals with 29 in just 34 games, a number higher than his point total (22) a year ago. Some teams might want to wait to see if this type of performance is repeatable but it wouldn’t be shocking if enough believe in his scoring ability to sign him now.

Jack Stockfish (Holy Cross) – One of a few players on this list who also appeared on last year’s version, Stockfish ultimately decided to stay in school over turning pro last season. He didn’t really boost or hurt his stock but the same elements that made him appealing a year ago are still there – he’s big, a center, and has shown enough offensive upside to make him intriguing.

J.J. Wiebusch (Penn State) – After playing big minutes in his freshman year last season, the influx of talent this year hasn’t affected Wiebusch’s output as he has been hovering around the point per game mark. He’s a strong enough skater to keep pace in the pros and brings enough skill and compete to the table to have a chance to fit as a bottom-six forward. The question is if he’ll opt to stay for one more year and try to up his production again to give himself a stronger market next spring. If not, he’ll draw some interest in the coming weeks.

[Updated on: Thu, 02 April 2026 12:56]

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Re: 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851233 is a reply to message #851232 ]	Thu, 02 April 2026 12:59

Tarkus
Messages: 9
Registered: January 1998
Location: The Speediest of Creeks

No Cups

Gross and DiMarsico have already signed elsewhere (CGY and COL, respectively).

Schimek signed with Abbotsford in the A.

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.”- Winston Churchill

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Re: 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851234 is a reply to message #851229 ]	Thu, 02 April 2026 13:06

Skookum Jim
Messages: 5991
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

5 Cups

There is also Marc Lajoie.. who came to Oiler camp a couple years ago and played for UofA Bears..
He transferred to Omaha-Nebraska last year..
22, 6'-6" LHD.. good skater..

IMHO the best D-man at the Penticton tournament a few years ago..

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Keep on Rockin' in the Free World

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Re: 2026 Undrafted-UFA College/CHL free agent players [message #851235 is a reply to message #851233 ]	Thu, 02 April 2026 13:07

Skookum Jim
Messages: 5991
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

5 Cups

Tarkus wrote on Thu, 02 April 2026 11:59

Gross and DiMarsico have already signed elsewhere (CGY and COL, respectively).

Schimek signed with Abbotsford in the A.

Thanks for the update!

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