Jim Nill made a quiet move in March (unless you’re the Buffalo Sabres), signing college free agent defenseman Gavin Bayreuther from St. Lawrence University.
For Bayreuther, major junior was never an option. He wanted to get his degree, and play for the team he felt wanted him the most once he became an educated man. Bayreuther’s story is a nice counterpoint to the way college free agents are usually characterized (even by NHL players) - as money grubbers and “draft dodgers”.
Funny how we never demand that coaches or GM’s take a paycut or relinquish control for “love of the game”, nevermind an NCAA strength and conditioning coach making $600,000 a year.