Maple Leafs Miss Opportunity to Sign Top Undrafted Free Agent

With the NCAA hockey season over and done with after Western Michigan ended up defeating Boston University 6-2 and securing the first Frozen Four Championship in the school's history.

That means that it's open season for NHL teams who want to sign any college free agents, and with a bevy of talent still kicking about at the collegiate level, there are always still some diamonds amongst the rough.

Toronto has already made a few signings of their own with the likes of Luke Haymes, Ryan Kirwan, and John Prokop; all who have had success at the NCAA level.

They had the opportunity to add another big name player to their ranks in Tim Washe; a Western Michigan center who would no doubt add to their increased prospect pool, but unfortunately for the team it looks like he's headed to sunny California after signing a deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

Signing an ELC with the Ducks, Washe will more than likely big a big part of a rebuilding Ducks squad filled with a ton of exciting prospects.

Surprisingly it's only a one-year deal which will see him finish out the season on Anaheim's roster as they can then re-sign him in the summer.

Coming into his own this season, Washe exploded for 38 points in 42 games and doubled his career-high in points as well.

He spent five seasons with Western Michigan, recording 74 points in 171 games (28G, 46A) and while he was never a big offensive star in his first four seasons, this year he kicked into another gear without question.

This year was full of accolades for Washe. He set the program record for game-winners, lead the NCAA with an obscene 63.1% face-off win percentage, and was the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year.

Washe also got to play with his brother Paul, who was captain of the team back in his freshman and sophomore years, and Tim himself received captaincy this season.

At 6'3, 215-pounds, he's a very intimidating presence on the ice and while he could have helped Toronto, and fits into the criteria that Brad Treliving has in terms of future prospects, he may be a bit choked on the depth chart.

Toronto still has Jacob Quillan, Logan Shaw, and Luke Haymes in their system for next season, and unless two of them ended up making the Maple Leafs roster, it seems there wouldn't be a lot of space for him, and he won't be just a fourth-line AHLer.

So Toronto's loss is Anaheim's gain, and with names like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish all ready to showcase themselves it seems like Washe will be the next young star to make an impact for the Ducks.