With the Olympic break now on the back burner, we turn our attention to what’s next on the calendar: the NHL Trade Deadline and NCAA Free Agency watch.

In the NCAA, the playoff season begins earlier than it does in most leagues. With some conferences wrapping up regular-season play as early as late February, elimination games are already on the horizon. And as teams fall out of contention, attention inevitably shifts to what comes next for their top unsigned talent.

For the Vancouver Canucks — currently navigating one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory — this portion of the calendar is worth monitoring closely. While they haven’t consistently landed headline-grabbing NCAA free agents in recent memory, the Canucks have long been willing to take calculated swings on undrafted college players.

Each year, a handful of names emerge as intriguing bets, and this crop is no exception.

Of course, when you are looking into NCAA free agent options, context always matters when it comes to expectations. These are typically 22- to 24-year-old players who were passed over in multiple NHL drafts. Most are not destined to become top-line NHL stars, but that doesn’t mean value isn’t there. Sometimes it’s about identifying a no-risk addition who can strengthen organizational depth, and occasionally, hit. Just ask Max Sasson, who went from NCAA free agent to Calder Cup champion and everyday bottom-six NHL contributor. Or, San Jose’s Colin Graf, who has contributed nearly half a point-per-game while averaging 16:31 as a full-time NHL deployer.

Generally, NCAA free agents take several factors in cosnidertaion. But this year, the Canucks can offer something that many NHL teams cannot at the moment: an opportunity. The Canucks have been vocal about turning the ship around and focusing on bringing in fresh blood, and the NCAA pool is the first opportunity to act on those claims.

Last year, five of the seven names that we targeted secured professional deals. With that in mind, here are eight forwards worth watching as the college season winds down.

We have a feeling there may be a fairly considerable market for Tyson Gross, who comes in as one of the nation’s top scorers and a player who can potentially slot into an NHL team’s bottom-six out of the gate.

There is a lot to like about the Calgary, Alberta native, who is now creeping toward the point–per-game mark through three years with St. Cloud State. Currently enjoying a career year, he sits tenth in the nation and fourth among the entire free agent crop with 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) through 34 games to put him up to 86 (34 goals, 52 assists) in 104 games all-time. Like many on this list today, he’s a Hobey Baker nominee.

With a rangy frame, he’s able to contribute in multiple ways. He boasts an incredibly heavy snap shot, which he’s shown he can pull off on the rush, slot and from a one-timer option off the flank. He’s also a competitive player who’s not afraid to be at the netfront to jam away as the netfront/bumper option. His shot map is dominated by shots from the slot. We’re not entirely convinced that his high offensive numbers will translate seamlessly as a middle-six option, but there is enough in the peripheries of his game to suggest there is potential.

A natural centre, he’s also one of the NCAA’s premier faceoff options. Leading the nation with 464 wins, he’s put together a near 60 percent win rate. Although he’s fast in transition, his skating looks to be a slight work in progress. But considering most need work in one area or another, that can be something that’s worked out. He’s the Huskies’ top-used forward and plays in all situations for them.

The Canucks can offer a job out of the gate, giving them a strong advantage among those interested. That said, there is a good chance that he’s going to be a popular target once the season has wrapped up.

Third time’s the charm?

T.J. Hughes once again headlines the NCAA free-agent conversation. Now in his fourth season and serving as captain of the Wolverines, he is a near lock to sign a professional contract this spring.

Hughes (no relation to Quinn) is in the midst of a potential career year, sitting tied for third nationally and first in the Big Ten with 44 points in 32 games. That production builds on an impressive collegiate résumé of 166 points (63 goals, 103 assists) in 148 games. His big year has earned him a Hobey Baker nomination.

He impacts the game in all situations. Hughes sees time on the power play, penalty kill, and at even strength, frequently operating along the half wall or rotating into the bumper spot. While his skating may not be the cleanest among this group, he makes up for it with his competitiveness and willingness to attack interior traffic. His faceoff numbers — 58.9%, 60.7%, 52.2%, and 57% this season — reinforce his projection as a reliable centre with offensive touch.

Scouts consistently highlight his maturity and leadership, traits that should ease his transition into professional hockey. Whether that’s in a depth NHL role or in a high AHL role remains to be seen.

Like Tyson Gross, Ellis Rickwood has built his profile and intrigue around dominance in the faceoff circle. He’s clicking at 61.2 percent on 483 draws this season — second-best in the NCHC — after posting a 57.5 percent mark a year ago. That consistency alone will attract NHL attention.

Now at North Dakota after three seasons at Clarkson, Rickwood has significantly elevated his stock. He leads the Fighting Hawks with 31 points and recently earned NCHC Forward of the Month honours for January. Earlier in his collegiate career, Rickwood struggled to generate NHL buzz despite solid underlying traits. But after breaking out last season and reinforcing it with another strong campaign in one of college hockey’s premier conferences, that perception should shift into some interest this spring.

There are BC ties here as well. As captain of the Victoria Grizzlies, he finished second in the BCHL with 80 points in 50 games, including a league-high 59 assists, playing alongside Nashville prospect Matthew Wood.

Rickwood projects as an honest, two-way centre with size, faceoff reliability, and defensive detail and the type of player who could transition smoothly into a professional bottom-six role. We see a lot of Ty Mueller in his game.

If you’re looking for a reference point to gauge whether Dylan Hryckowian could carve out an NHL role, start with his brother.

Justin Hryckowian recently signed a two-year extension with the Dallas Stars after a strong rookie season in the AHL with Texas. Abbotsford followers may remember him from last year’s playoff run.  From skillset to development path, Dylan is following a remarkably similar blueprint, and the similarities between the two are hard to ignore.

Hryckowian’s game is built on high-end skill and creativity. Now approaching the 100-game mark in his NCAA career, he’s producing at better than a point-per-game clip with 103 points in 95 games at Northeastern. This season, his 33 points have him tied for second in Hockey East scoring, while his goal total ranks among the conference’s best.

As you’ll notice, he does carry an undersized frame that will likely raise concerns among NHL scouts. But he plays with a solid motor and rarely looks static on the ice. His hands are soft, allowing him to create in tight spaces and generate offence off the rush. Having already attended NHL development camps, he’s already built a few relationships.

Sitting right up there in Hockey East scoring is Jack Musa, who leads UMass with 31 points in 28 games this season. Similar to Hryckowian, Musa doesn’t let his undersized take away from his above-average motor. He works hard in all three zones, and complements that with high-end speed and offensive skill. He plays the game with a ton of pace and can beat netminders with crafty hands or a heavy release. In fact, he slides into the bumper spot often on the power play and doesn’t shy away from heading to the net front for his cookies.

Now in his third season, he has proven he can produce each season and sits at a near point-per-game pace through 105 games. Another Hobey Baker nominee, Musa, represented the US Collegiate team at this Spengler Cup and contributed two goals. He seems to be a high-octane player who doesn’t let his size factor into his game and has never missed an NCAA game. He’s UMass’s go-to penalty killing forward and an absolute problem for defenders.

He’s attended NHL Development Camps in the past, so NHL interest is already there and should make him a popular name over the next few weeks. The big question is whether his size will negate that hard-working motor, as many forwards do when making their case. Without question, he’s one of the more entertaining options among this year’s class…full stop.

With J.J. Wiebusch, the word is upside.

The sophomore, who recently turned 22, has already matched his freshman production in ten fewer games. Playing on a high-octane Penn State squad certainly provides opportunity, but Wiebusch isn’t riding coattails. He’s having a strong season and steadily gaining traction among NHL scouts.

A decent skater with a quick, efficient stride, Wiebusch consistently finds soft spots in coverage. Despite being on the lighter side, he generates a surprising amount of offence from the slot and netfront as he bangs away at loose pucks. His release is quick and deceptive, and he doesn’t need much time or space to beat goaltenders. There’s also a subtle edge to his game. He competes in traffic and isn’t shy about attacking high-danger areas.

With added strength and continued offensive growth, there’s a legitimate bottom-six, with some goal scoring projection here.

When evaluating NCAA free agents, conference strength always factors into the conversation. Jack Stockfish has produced consistently in the Atlantic Hockey Association, a conference typically considered weaker than most, but his profile still warrants attention.

Now a junior, Stockfish has recorded at least 25 points in each of his three collegiate seasons and continues to trend as one of the better faceoff men in his conference. This year, he leads the AHA with a 58.6 percent win rate while taking the fourth-most draws (633).

It’s the combination of faceoff ability and sheer size that makes him intriguing. At 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, he boasts the biggest frame among this group and brings the type of rangy presence teams covet down the middle. He skates surprisingly well for his size and can produce off the rush or at the netfront.

While he doesn’t carry the same offensive skill as some of the higher-upside names on this list, Stockfish projects as a dependable bottom-six or AHL centre and the kind of player organizations look to add for depth and structure.

The NCAA transfer portal allows players to find new homes and greener pastures. For Bennett Schimek, a transfer from Providence College to Arizona State did just that.

Since the move in the summer of 2024, he’s been an offensive machine, scoring 79 points in 68 games, and is one of the more coveted Hobey Baker nominees in 2025-26. This season alone, he sits near the top of national scoring with 42 points and ranks second among undrafted free agents. He’s earned several NCHC Forwards of the Week and was awarded the Conference Forward of the Month in December.

Like the others on this list, we like Schimek because of his work rate and willingness to go to all areas. He’s fifth among NCHC forwards with 28 blocks, to go along with his impressive point totals and is the Sun Devils’ most utilized forward and is even their go-to penalty killer.

He blends soft hands, vision, and a legitimate release with a competitive edge. It’s a combination that should attract NHL attention.

Honourable Mentions:  Hayden Stavroff (F), Lucas Wahlin (C), Matthew DiMarsico (F), and Grant Slukynsky (C).