Breaking: Maple Leafs Sign Top Undrafted College Free Agent
The two sides became familiar with each other last summer with a stint at the Toronto Maple Leafs' Development Camp, and now 21-year-old top unsigned NCAA free agent Luke Haymes has signed on with the Buds, with a two-year contract. 🖊 We've signed centre Luke Haymes to a two-year contract beginning in the 2025-26 season. He will join the @TorontoMarlies for the remainder of the 2024-25 season on an amateur tryout. pic.twitter.com/fLfXNBqs40— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 25, 2025Haymes will immediately join the AHL's Toronto Marlies on an ATO (amateur tryout) for the stretch drive and the playoffs. It's a real coup for the Leafs, who were short on viable center prospects in the organization, especially after trading Fraser Minten to the Boston Bruins in a deadline deal for Brandon Carlo.Elite Prospects' latest report on Haymes calls him "The Best NCAA Free Agent In Years".As noted by David St-Louis, Haymes really started to blossom as a playmaker and scorer in his age-20 season. "He generates more scoring chances than 99% of college players... He's one of the very best players in college hockey."His defensive impact and physical skills also grade as elite."The 6'1", 203-pound center missed some time due to injury this season, and finished with 12 goals and 18 points in 22 games with Dartmouth College. He recorded 36 points in 31 games the year before, and in 83 career NCAA games in three seasons with Dartmouth, he has a total of 41 goals and 70 points. A very nice signing for the Maple Leafs. Photo: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images ...
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