The 2025–26 NCAA season is nearing its end, with most programs already eliminated from contention, and 16 others chasing a National title.

With that comes the annual wave of undrafted free agents preparing to put pen to paper and make the jump from college to the professional ranks.

In fact, we’ve already seen several of the top names sign. We’ve highlighted several players at CanucksArmy, and many have already been taken off the market.

From our lists, the Vancouver Canucks did land one, snagging Bennett Schimek from Arizona State. The 22-year-old forward signed a one-year AHL deal and has already made an immediate impression in Abbotsford. Although he has just three assists to show statistically, the underlying impact has been noticeable. Deployed on the top line and top power play unit, Schimek has brought a new offensive spark to the lineup and looks dangerous in most of his shifts. With time to adjust, he could prove to be a strong addition to the organization.

While some may downplay the impact of an AHL contract, it’s important to view it through a broader organizational lens. At the top, the Vancouver Canucks currently sit 32nd in the NHL standings and tied for last in goals scored (174). And that lack of production stems even further. Down on the farm, Abbotsford has faced similar offensive struggles, sitting 32nd in the American League with the second-worst goals-for record (146). Heck, even at the ECHL level, consistency has been a challenge for the Kalamazoo Wings.

The takeaway in all of this is crystal clear: this organization needs an offensive injection at multiple levels. So why not continue taking swings on offensive-minded free agents?

Look no further than Hayden Stavroff as a potential target. We’ve covered Stavroff in our lists, but his season and recent accomplishments have warranted an even further dive.

Simply put, few players in this year’s NCAA class are producing — or being recognized — at the level the Dartmouth winger is right now. As a sophomore, Stavroff has more than doubled his freshman point total in the same number of games and nearly tripled his goal output.

Now, scoring a vital goal in a 2-1 win, he adds an ECAC Conference Championship to his list of accolades, with Dartmouth advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

Looking through his ledger, the production speaks for itself. Stavroff currently leads the nation in goals (29) and sits among the top five in total points (48), establishing himself as one of the most dangerous offensive players in college hockey this season.

But it’s not just the numbers, as his accolades do most of the talking. The sophomore forward has now been named Ivy League Player of the Year, ECAC Player of the Year, and named to the ECAC First All-Star Team, and a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award — becoming just the second player in Dartmouth program history to earn that final distinction. As mentioned, you can now add ECAC Champion to that list.

Before his NCAA breakout, Stavroff was already a known offensive juggernaut in British Columbia. Across two BCHL seasons with Salmon Arm and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, he posted 90 points (49 goals, 41 assists) in 86 games. His final season saw him lead the league in goals with 35 and pace the playoffs with 13 goals, despite his team falling in the semifinals.

By now, the profile is clear, and Stavroff is a natural goal scorer. He possesses one of the better releases in this year’s free-agent class, with the ability to beat goaltenders from multiple areas. Whether it’s from the halfwall, the slot or with soft hands in tight, he’s a player who can score in a variety of fashions, sliding away from coverage to utilize his quick and heavy one-timer. While he is an obvious threat on the power play option, just six of his goals have come on the power play, with much of his production coming at even strength. He also sits second in the ECAC and tied for third in the nation with five game-winning goals.

At 5-foot-11 and around 185 pounds, he’s not physically imposing, but he compensates with pace, energy, and competitiveness. Stavroff plays with a high motor, pressures defenders on the forecheck, and isn’t afraid to attack the interior as a player who plays bigger than his frame may suggest. He bumps and grinds for his possessions and doesn’t slack in his defensive responsibilities. He’s competitive and in your face, with the ability to make you pay for your mistakes.

Like many NCAA free agents, his skating isn’t elite, but it’s effective. His first step is strong enough to challenge (NCAA) defenders and support play in all three zones, and should be enough to maintain his scoring touch at the professional level.

All things considered, his profile projects well to the AHL as a scoring winger. His willingness to compete for every puck suggests there may be more to his upside (NHL), but it will come down to his size and whether it hinders his transition. It’s safe to say that if he were just a few inches tall, he might be one of the top targets in this year’s crop.

For a Canucks organization searching for offence, a right-shot goal scorer with ties to British Columbia may be exactly what the system needs.