Maple Leafs Linked to High-Scoring NCAA Free Agent Forward

The Leafs have a very successful history of signing highly sought after NCAA players, most recently being when they signed Jacob Quillan to a two-year deal in April last season.

Most notably, however, in recent years is the signing of Bobby McMann, who worked his way through opportunities at various levels before landing a full-time role with the Leafs.

The NCAA has always been an equalizer for a team like the Leafs who often finds itself in the playoffs, and with little draft capital. It has allowed the Leafs to find some good, young pieces to build up the depth throughout the organization.

One of those pieces recently set a new Marlies record, as Alex Steeves officially became the team's all-time goal scoring leader.

As teams enter the Four Nations break, management will take the next 10-12 days to re-evaluate rosters, negotiate trades, look into potential free agents and undrafted players and try to get creative to shore up their organizational depth as they prepare for the trade deadline on March 7th.

One undrafted free agent that has recently garnered a lot of attention is Dartmouth's Luke Haymes. Haymes is in his third NCAA season, having produced 10 point in 12 games.

According to Elliotte Friedman on Monday's '32 Thoughts' podcast, Haymes was not on the radar of many until a couple of weeks ago, but Friedman believes he is garnering a ton of interest from what he considers the 'heavy hitters' in the NHL, including the Leafs.

The 6'1, 203-pound Ottawa, Ontario native is just 21-years-old and could return for a fourth season at Dartmouth, but given the recent rise in competition for his services, he may forgo that and secure, at the very least, an AHL deal while he has the opportunity to work his way up in the organization.

While many don't know who Haymes is, the Leafs are familiar with the forward as he attended the Leafs' development camp in 2023 before attending the Lightning's camp last off-season.

Should the Leafs be able to secure his services, they would add yet another big body and scoring threat to their prospect pool.