New York Islanders to Sign Top College Free Agent Gleb Veremyev

The New York Islanders are reportedly on the verge of signing a deal with free-agent college forward Gleb Veremyev, reports Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

Veremyev, a 21-year-old defenseman, has collected nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 37 games at Colorado College this season.

The Monroe Township, N.J., native has tallied 26 goals and 26 assists (52 points) in 88 career games over three NCAA seasons, along with 50 penalty minutes this season and a plus-five rating.

Before joining Colorado College, Veremyev played parts of three seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars. His best season was 2021-22, when he recorded 16 goals, 12 assists, and 133 penalty minutes in 56 games.

In 100 USHL games, he had 41 points (21 goals, 20 assists) and 255 penalty minutes.

A big-bodied center with excellent faceoff skills, Veremyev was a highly sought-after free agent, with multiple NHL teams, the Boston Bruins among them, expressing interest, Seravalli reports.

Multiple other college free agents have inked NHL deals in recent days, including Union College defenseman John Prokop, who signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs after posting 27 points in 36 games this season.

The Islanders, who have won three in a row, stand 32-28-8 overall and two points from the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot held by the Montreal Canadiens.

The Islanders seek their fourth consecutive win as they welcome the Calgary Flames to town on Saturday. The club has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five of the past six years.