Leafs announce the signing of an NCAA free agent forward
With August 15th having come and gone, there are now a bevy of NCAA free agents who are ripe for the picking. For those who are unaware of the significance of August 15th, it's a date on which college free agents who have been drafted see their rights expire, allowing them to sign with any team they please. Obviously, this only impacts draftees who have played four years in the NCAA.
The Leafs always seem to be interested in college free agents, as the risk is very low and college players can sometimes be found money. Need an example? Does the name Adam Fox ring any bells? He's been an absolute stallion for the New York Rangers, after seeing his rights traded twice - first from Calgary to Carolina and then from Carolina to New York. Other players like Jimmy Vesey, Zach Aston-Reese and Matt Kiersted have also experienced varying levels of success at the NHL level after going the college UFA route.
Why is this pertinent? Well, the Leafs have elected to sign NCAA standout Brandon Kruse to a one-year AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies. The 23-year-old forward posted 142 points in 189 games, 151 of which were played with Bowling Green State University from 2017-2021 and 38 of which were played with Boston College last season. Kruse was the 73rd player in Bowling Green program history to reach 100 career points.
Kruse was a 5th round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights back in 2018. After finishing college this spring, Kruse signed a professional tryout with the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Hendersen Silver Knights. He played just 3 games for Henderson, notching one assist.
Nothing here other than a low-risk signing. Just another dart that they hope can find the dart board. Just don't tell anyone he's 5'9, 154 lbs.
