Maple Leafs fail to re-sign two NCAA prospects making them free agents

The deadline has passed and the Maple Leafs did not sign two of their top NCAA prospects, which has now led both of them to become free agents.

Mike Koster and Veeti Miettinen appear to be on their way out from the Toronto Maple Leafs organization after the deadline passed for the team to sign them. Both players are now free agents, after having had very good seasons in the NCAA.

Kyle Dubas, former GM of the Leafs, drafted both players a few years ago. Mike Koster was taken in the 5th round in 2019, whereas Veeti Miettinen was selected in the 6th round during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Matthew Knies who is currently on the Leafs team will remember Mike Koster fondly, as they were teammates at the University of Minnesota in 2022. Veeti Miettinen wasn't too far away either, as he was just down the road at St. Cloud State.

The Leafs currently have 45 contracts locked up, with room for five more and have almost $1.3M in cap space to spend. GM Brad Treliving may want to allow himself some wiggle room leading up to the season, which could be the reason he chose not to sign both players at the moment.

Mike Koster finished last season with two goals and 12 assists in 33 games with the University of Minnesota. Veeti Miettinen, on the other hand, played in 37 games for St. Cloud State last year and tallied 20 goals and 15 assists, which was a very solid season for him that no doubt left a lasting impression on his coaches. Clearly, the Leafs didn't feel the same way it seems.

Source: Maple Leafs DailyMaple Leafs officially lose the rights to two promising young prospects

Source: HockeyDBVeeti Miettinen & Mike Koster Stats

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