The New York Islanders stayed active on Thursday night, despite their 4-3 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens. As the college hockey season wraps up for many teams, the Islanders are starting their annual process of bringing in new talent.
Bringing in college players has been a tradition under Team President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello. Notable college players signed by Lamoriello include Grant Hutton, Aidan Fulp, and Travis Mitchell. The Islanders had also pursued Collin Graf last year, but Graf opted for the San Jose Sharks, seeking a quicker path to an NHL spot.
This brings us to last night. Amid the emotional game against the Canadiens, veteran NHL Insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Islanders are nearing a deal with one of the top college free agents.
A 21-year-old center from Colorado College, is reportedly close to signing with the Islanders. The New Jersey native just completed his third season at Colorado College.
Veremyev is known for his expertise in faceoffs, with scouting reports consistently highlighting him as one of the top college players in that aspect of the game. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, scoring 15 goals and totaling 28 points as a sophomore last year. However, his performance dipped this season, finishing with just nine goals and 17 points over the same number of games. Standing at 6’4″, he plays a solid two-way game, a trait that aligns well with the Islanders’ values.
Veremyev participated in the Boston Bruins’ Developmental Camp last summer but did not sign with the team. According to Seravalli, Boston was among the teams pursuing him.
His potential is seen as a strong bottom-six center, with size and skill, while his faceoff abilities make him particularly valuable for possession. He describes himself as a true power forward, excelling in the forecheck and not shying away from the gritty aspects of the game.
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