For teams like the Penguins, college free agents are a good way to add talented older prospects without needing to use draft picks. For Pittsburgh, this avenue has been necessary to travel since they have often spent draft picks in trades for immediate NHL help. Over the years names like Conor Sheary, Zach Aston-Reese and Casey DeSmith have entered the organization as college FA’s and turned out to be NHL contributors.
Last summer, new GM Ron Hextall signed goalie Filip Lindberg in a similar manner, though Lindberg was drafted and chose not to sign with Minnesota, for a slightly different situation.