On Campus: 10 players who could make NHL impact next season

Former college players are at the top of the list of this season's best NHL rookies.

Colorado Avalanche defensemen Cale Makar (University of Massachusetts), Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (University of Michigan), and New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman John Marino of the Pittsburgh Penguins, each from Harvard University, are among the first-year former NCAA players who have made a splash.
With more than three dozen college players signing NHL contracts since the end of the college hockey season, here is a look at 10 who could have an impact in the NHL as soon as the 2020-21 season (players listed in alphabetical order).

Mitchell Chaffee, F, Minnesota Wild

Chaffee (6-foot, 205 pounds)
signed a two-year, entry-level contract
with the Wild on March 24. The 22-year-old had 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 30 games this season, his third at the University of Minnesota.
At his best Chaffee plays a heavy game in the mold of Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari, who excelled at Providence College before signing as a free agent with the Boston Bruins in 2015.

John Leonard, F, San Jose Sharks

The 21-year-old (5-11, 183) is a dynamic scorer who led NCAA Division I with 27 goals in 33 games.
A left-handed shot who played right wing at the University of Massachusetts, the 2020 Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist was selected in the sixth round (No. 182) of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Sharks. He
agreed to a contract with San Jose
on March 31, passing up his senior season.

Connor Mackey, D, Calgary Flames

Mackey, a free agent defenseman from Minnesota State University,
signed a one-year, entry-level contract
with the Flames on March 20.
Calgary defensemen TJ Brodie, Travis Hamonic, Derek Forbort, Erik Gustafsson and Michael Stone are unsigned beyond this season, meaning there could be immediate room for Mackey in 2020-21.
Mackey (6-2, 205) had 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 36 games this season.

Tyler Madden, F, Los Angeles Kings

One of the most dangerous offensive players in Hockey East, Madden's season was cut short by a hand injury sustained Feb. 14. The 20-year-old still led Northeastern University in scoring with 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists) in 27 games as a sophomore.
Madden (5-11, 152), the son of three-time Stanley Cup champion John Madden, was sent to the Kings by the Vancouver Canucks as part of the trade for Tyler Toffoli on Feb. 17. Madden was selected by Vancouver in the third-round (No. 68) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
He
signed a three-year, entry level contract
with Los Angeles on March 30.

Marc Michaelis, F, Vancouver Canucks

A slick offensive forward who never was drafted, Michaelis
signed a one-year entry-level contract
with the Canucks on March 19.
He led Minnesota State University with 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 31 games and was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association offensive player of the year.
In four seasons at Minnesota State, the Germany-born forward had 162 points (71 goals, 91 assists) in 148 games.
The 24-year-old was a linemate of Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers in junior hockey in Germany.

Ian Mitchell, D, Chicago Blackhawks

The 21-year-old appears ready to contribute at the NHL level for the Blackhawks after three seasons at the University of Denver. He
agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract
April 13.
A skilled offensive defenseman, Mitchell had 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 36 games.
Mitchell (5-11, 173) was selected in the second round (No. 57) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Scott Perunovich, D, St. Louis Blues

Perunovich's superb skating and vision could earn him a place in St. Louis next season.
The 21-year-old defenseman
agreed to a two-year, entry level contract
March 27.
Perunovich (5-9, 172) had 40 points (six goals, 34 assists) in 34 games for the University of Minnesota Duluth this season. He won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the best NCAA Division I men's hockey player.
He was picked by the Blues in the second round (No. 45) of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Justin Richards, F, New York Rangers

Richards, a versatile forward, was named the best defensive forward in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference this season and had 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 34 games for Minnesota Duluth. The undrafted junior was fifth in Division I in face-off wins (434), and his 59.0-percent success rate was seventh among players to take at least 300 face-offs.
The 22-year-old (5-10, 190)
agreed to an entry-level contract
with the New York Rangers on April 2.

Dylan Samberg, D, Winnipeg Jets

The Minnesota Duluth defenseman, who
signed a three-year, entry-level contract
with the Jets on April 7, has the size (6-3, 190) and skill set to step into Winnipeg's lineup immediately.
A two-time NCAA champion, the 21-year old had 21 points (one goal, 20 assists) in 28 games this season.
The Jets selected him in the second round (No. 43) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Trevor Zegras, F, Anaheim Ducks

A dynamic playmaker, the 19-year-old
signed a three-year, entry-level contract
with the Anaheim Ducks on March 27.
Zegras (6-0, 169) had 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 33 games in his one season at Boston University.
Selected by the Ducks with the No. 9 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, Zegras projects as a top-six forward once he gains some pro experience.