Category: NHL Draft Pick

22Aug

John Farinacci (26)

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Boston Bruins‘ sign unrestricted free agent center John Farinacci(26) to a 2-year NHL entry level deal after finishing up his 4th year at Harvard University Crimson as senior captain.

He was originally an Arizona Coyotes‘ 3rd round pick in the 2019 draft (#76 overall), but went oddly unsigned.

The 6’ 190 lbs. forward from Red Bank, NJ came north for his high school hockey, but played little junior hockey before committing to school.

He is the Crimson coach Ted Donato‘s nephew.

In his 2nd season in the minors, he scores 9 goals and a new best 28 assists to earn himself a 1st recall.

He skates 16 shifts for 10:58 ice time with 1 shot that equaled a 1st NHL goal and 3 hits for his debut, a 5-4 overtime loss.

In his 2nd season in the minors, he matches his 1st year totals with 38 points with a +9 rating and plays a 1st game in the big league to score himself a new deal with the Bruins for 2025/2026, as a restricted free agent.

The restricted free agent going into 2026/2027 isn’t re-upped, so signs a 1-year AHL deal with Milwaukee Admirals that we know is under the radar of the parent club.

19Aug

Ross Colton (79)

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Former 2-year University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ rookie center Ross Colton(79) pocketed the only goal, the game-winner in game 5, to help Tampa Bay Lightning win their 2nd straight Stanley Cup Championship.

The 6′ 191 lbs. forward had 4 goals and 2 assists through 23 NHL Playoff contests with a +4 rating, while playing only an average of just over 10 minutes per appearance.

He also had 4 tallies to win games throughout the 2020/2021 season.

The 24-year old is set to become a restricted free agent for the first time in his pro career and will likely expect a nice, healthy increased pay day for his next likely long-term contract.

As his contract is set to expire, off a season where he scored 16 goals and 16 assists, he gets dished to Colorado Avalanche, as he’s set to make too much money for his original club to be able to afford and grabs a nifty 4 year $4M AAV deal to step it up with his new club.

After 3 years productive in the system, he gets traded to Nashville Predators f0r 2026/2027.

18Aug

Hudson Fasching (24)

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Arizona Coyotes‘ 6th year right wing Hudson Fasching(24) took a strong start with affiliate Tucson Roadrunners, scoring  4 goals and 6 assists in 10 AHL games to a first recall and NHL appearance.

The 6’3″ 204 lbs. forward skated a very conservative 12 shifts for 5:44 ice time with 2 hits thrown.

He played his first big league games with Buffalo Sabres, right after completing a third season at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, scoring highs of 20 goals and 18 assists in 37 games to an entry level deal and his first 7 games, getting a goal and an assist.https://www.facebook.com/monstershockey/posts/%EF%B8%8F-%EF%B8%8F/1825077585063272/

The 26-year old has been with his current club for the past four years and seems relatively content.

After 3 seasons, playing games for New York Islanders, he heads to Cleveland Monsters last season under an NHL deal.

For 2026/2027, he stretches for a 1st time and signs with Skelleftea AIK in the SHL, where he just may score better than he did here.

18Aug

Alexander Campbell (27)

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Northeastern University Huskies‘ senior center Alexander Campbell(27) has a team best 9 goals and 16 points so far this season.

He had already been spotted by Nashville Predators to pick him up in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft (#65 overall) after a rather impressive BCHL session with Victoria Grizzlies.

The 5’10” 176 lbs. forward came over after 3 seasons at Clarkson University Golden Knights, scoring 10+ goals twice and 10+ assists 3 times.

From Chateauguay, QC, the 22-year has the scoring touch.

He finishes with a team high and new college best 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points in 36 games with a +13 rating and signs an AHL deal with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals and will join them immediately on an ato, but either this club or another smart one will enter into the fray and sign him after August 15.

In 7 games, he already has his 1st 2 goals in the league.

He keeps those 2 goals and adds 4 assists in 19 games with a +3 rating, but signs with Adirondack Thunder for 2026/2027.

In 46 games, he scores 10 goals and 24 assists with a +9 rating and for 2026/2027 Calgary Wranglers are paying attention and sign him to a contract.

 

14Aug

J.D. Dudek (18)

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3rd year center J.D. Dudek(18) returned to these shores after spending 2020/2021 overseas with Bodens HF doing quite well with 7 goals and 4 assists in 16 HockeyEttan games with a +7 rating and re-signed to Worcester Railers, who he spent 27 ECHL games with as a rookie (2-10-12).

Originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 6th round pick in the 2014 draft (#152 overall), he signed an ato with affiliate Binghamton Devils upon graduating 4 years at Boston College Eagles, but that’s about how far it went.

The Auburn, NH native was quickly dished to Allen Americans after 1 game back in central MA.

Soon to be turning 26, he has to have his eye on what might be more possible for his playing career overseas.

He would get 6 goals and 10 assists with a +4 rating in 62 games last season and decides maybe return as thought, signing for 2022/2023 with Tranas AIF, where once again he should put up strong numbers in Sweden’s tier 3 league.

After 14 games, scoring 4 goals and 4 assists with a +2 rating, he decides to head elsewhere, joining Coventry Blaze for the remainder of 2022/2023.

He walks away from last season with 9 goals and 8 assists in 29 games with a +5, which is favorable enough to score 2023/2024 to once again play in the EIHL.

After almost 2 seasons with the English team, he decides to head back home and signs with the Railers once again for a hopeful improved outcome.

He does decently in his time back close to home, but maybe misses the overseas action more and is a better payday for him to join Manchester Storm for 2025/2026.

In 53 games, he scores 14 goals and 10 assists, then adds another 2 points in the playoffs to secure an invite back for 2026/2027 as a Storm.

13Aug

Joe Miller (12)

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Harvard University Crimson freshman forward Joe Miller(12) gets the game-winner in the Gatling gun 8-4 Sunday afternoon battle vs. sometime Beanpot nemesis Northeastern University Huskies.

The 5’9″ 146 lbs. doesn’t look that small forward is a Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 6th round pick in the 2020 draft (#180 overall).

At 20-years old, he looks to be the type of skater to finish out his college term, hopefully add to his size some and be ready, when the time calls for it.

In 13 games this season he has 6 goals and 4 assists with a +8 rating for the Minneapolis, MN native.

For his rookie season, he signs a 1st pro contract with Cincinnati Cyclones for 2026/2027 that we feel will yield good results.

12Aug

Jeremy Bracco (97)

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5th year right wing Jeremy Bracco(97) is off to a hot start with his new club overseas, Krefeld Pinguine. scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in 15 DEL games.

He had 17 points (2-15) last season with KalPa in just 24 Liiga games.

The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward was originally a Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 2nd round pick in 2015 (#61 overall) and spent his 1st 3 pro years in their system, playing for affiliate Toronto Marlies. but somehow amassing 145 points in 169 AHL games isn’t good enough to score a qualifying offer.

He was signed to play with Carolina Hurricanes last season, but when he was to be sent to the minors, entertained and accepted a more lucrative offer and was released on unconditional waivers to Finland.

It seems likely that if the still young 24-year old, former 5-game Boston College Eagle (3 assists), who quickly left for a pair of very solid OHL campaigns before turning pro will get pick up by an NHL team for a one-way contract if he keeps scoring big.

He may not be making his way to the big league in North America quite yet, but does take it up another level overseas, joining Bary Nur-Sultan of the KHL after putting up a career 2nd best 40 assists in Germany’s top hockey.

We do think the Freeport, NY native and 2018 Calder Cup Champion will return.

He starts his 2nd year with the team after 14 goals and 26 assists last season, but records only 1 goal in 6 games and maybe they get nervous and deal him to HC Sochi.

We do believe he will do just fine.

In 33 games, he scores 8 goals and 7 assists that he will take with him to his new league, Slovak Extraliga, where he signs with HKM Zvolen for 2024/2025.

He almost oddball takes 7 assists in 6 games to a new deal with HC Innsbruck and will head over to IceHL for his next hockey.

Scoring pretty well in Austria, he wants to head back to the tougher Slovakia and signs with HK Poprad.

Once again, putting up points is not a problem and he notches 8 assists in 5 games, then 3 goals and 1 helper through 6 in the playoffs, so he’s an easy re-sign to return with Poprad.

After 9 games with 1 goal and 4 assists, he decides to head for DEL2 and signs with Eisbaren Regensburg, where we know he will score well.

He comes away with 14 goals and 24 assists in 37 games, then another 9 points in the playoffs to earn another deal to return to Eisbaren.

12Aug

Macklin Celebrini (71)

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Boston University Terriers‘ freshman left wing Macklin Celebrini(71) is considered to be a potential #1 NHL draft pick for the 2024.

The 6′ 190 lbs. forward is from Vancouver, BC.

He completely blew up scoring for Chicago Steel last season with 46 goals and 40 assists in 50 USHL games with a +27 rating.

At just turning 17-years old over the summer, he has entered his freshman year of college early and already has 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 games with a +2 rating.

San Jose Sharks draw the 1st choice and he is adopted.

He scored 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games last season with a +25 rating, so we have to wonder how long he will stick around.

Coming fresh off his 1st development camp, he signs a 3-year entry level deal to become a full-time Sharks in 2024/2025.

In his debut, he nets a 1st NHL goal in his 1st 7 minutes of ice time and also lands an assist in 22 shifts for 17:35, 2 giveaways, 1 takeaway and needs to be better on the face-off dot in a 5-4 overtime loss.

After 45 goals and 70 assists in his 2nd season, he is signed to a massive $18.8M AAV deal for 5 years to stay a Sharks.

11Aug

Sean Farrell (57)

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Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th round pick in the 2020 draft (#142 overall), Harvard University Crimson sophomore center Sean Farrell(57) leaves 2 years of school on the shelf to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal.

The 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward is set to join the team on their upcoming road trip.

Last season he put in a college career best 20 goals and 33 assists with a phenomenal +21 rating in 34 games.

He spent an extend run in junior hockey, starting with 2 sessions for USNTDP, followed by 2 runs with Chicago Steel, where in his 2nd stint with the team won the 2018 USHL Clark Cup and he donned most assists (72), most points (101) and was voted Player Of The Year in the league.

The 21-year old from Hopkinton, MA is set to play big time hockey.

A restricted free agent, he signs up for 1-year to stay a Rocket in the system after 20 goals and 24 assists with a +8 rating, then another 10 in 13 playoff games.

After a new high 36 assists and 53 points, Anaheim Ducks take notice and trade for him 2026/2027.

09Aug

Josiah Didier (44)

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9th year defenseman Josiah Didier(44) was an unrestricted free agent after signing a 2-year AHL deal with 4 season team Providence Bruins, where he served as team captain in his last two.

For 2023/2024, he steps off on a new route and signs a 1-year deal with Grand Rapids Griffins to help them shore up their back end.

The rather big 6’3″ 223 lbs. blue liner played 4 years at University Of Denver Pioneers, leaving the program with a +20 rating before turning pro with the final frame of Hamilton Bulldogs‘ storied career in Burlington, ON.

The former Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th round pick in the 2011 draft (#97 overall) would start his pro career with 2 years skating for St. John’s Ice Caps before trading that in for 2 campaigns including a 2019 Calder Cup Championship with Charlotte Checkers, which definitely brought him some attention.

From Littleton, CO, the 30-year old has worked hard for every inch he’s earned.

In 61 games, he scores 4 goals and 4 assists with a +6 rating serving as the team captain and will return in a Griffins‘ jersey for 2024/2025.

He scores 2 goals and 6 assists in 58 games with a +10 rating, but is an unrestricted free agent, so signs with Laval Rocket for 2025/2026.

In 6 games, he already has 2 assists with a +2 rating.

He scores 5 assists in 43 games last season with a +4  that he will take to a new hockey in the SHL, signing for 2026/2027 with IF Bjorkloven.