At least last year we sort of had an idea of what Thrun and LaCombe were going to do. It's been crickets on Colengelo the whole time. Fully expecting him to go the UFA route. I just hope Verbeek can get something back for him.
Thrun and LaCombe have been having a consistent and improving NCAA career into the junior season. Verbeek tried to sign both, but both wanted to return to their college team. LaCombe said not to worry at the 2022 Dev camp, but Thrun was non-committal.
With Colangelo, he's had a rollercoaster college career. His rookie season, it was marred with long term injury. Then his sophomore season, he bounced back big time. Afterwards, his junior season was a setback (due to coaching and his placement). There wasn't a reason to sign Colangelo last year.
At this year's Dev camp, Colangelo was showing his speed, tenacity, motor, and goal scoring for Verbeek. Transferring to Western Michigan was a great move than worry about politics at Northeaster, his former college team. There's a pathway to the NHL with the Ducks, especially with the lack of top-9 RW scoring at the NHL level. Verbeek can lure him over by starting his ELC by playing a game or two with the Ducks after his collegiate season is over. Playing Colangelo in the NHL after his NCAA is over is Verbeek's best offer.
I don't want to trade Colangelo's rights. I'd like to get him signed b/c he does fit the need of a big PF with soft hands to score at RW.
