Colorado judge's NCAA ruling could give New Jersey Devils another opportunity at college hockey

Samu Salminen is set to become a free agent in two weeks after playing four years of NCAA hockey and failing to sign with the New Jersey Devils. Sunny Mehta hasn’t shown an interest in signing the former third-round pick despite the fact that he just helped the University of Denver win a national championship and plays the premium position of center. 

This offseason, Mehta has done a lot to upgrade the center depth on the Devils. He traded Jacob Markstrom for Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist, two players who add center depth to the roster in a pinch. He traded for Amadeus Lombardi, who was stuck in the AHL for Detroit, and he recently signed Colin White, who was a point-per-game player in the AHL last year. 

There might not be room for Salminen, or he might just want to become a free agent. College free agents do well on the open market because they are forced into an entry-level contract, but it’s like getting a free prospect. There will be plenty of teams interested in the upside of Salminen, but now he might have another option.

A Colorado judge just ruled that any athlete who started their college career during the 2022-23 season is immediately eligible to return to school for athletics.

Samu Salminen could return to college and sign with the New Jersey Devils next offseason

This might give new life to the Devils and Salminen's relationship. Mehta didn't draft Salminen, so he doesn't have any ties to the Finnish prospect, but he clearly knows how to play his role. He's a great bottom-six center in college, playing for one of the premier programs in the NCAA.

Would Salminen return to Denver? Could he sign with his third NCAA team after his stint with the UConn Huskies went terribly? Will he forgo this new eligibility and just sign with any NHL team?

"All persons in the United States who began to play in collegiate sports in the 2022-2023 season, competed in NCAA Division I sports, and completed four years of eligibility as defined by the NCAA’s prior rules by the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season, and are therefore barred from playing a fifth season due to the NCAA’s adoption and immediate implementation of the Five-Year Eligibility Rule."

Judge Charlotte Sweeney

It's hard to say where Salminen will land, but one thing is certain: he once again has options. Since he played out all of his eligibility, he can sign with any NHL team or return home to Europe to continue his career there. Either way, the Devils should still be trying to sign him.

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