May 06, 2016
This time, the North Dakota connection apparently wasn’t enough.
There was an idea that the Flyers had an advantage in pursuing coveted college free agent Drake Caggiula, a 5’10”, 185-pound winger from the University of North Dakota. That idea had to do with familiarity. Caggiula, who was named Frozen Four MVP after scoring two goals in the national championship game, played under Flyers coach Dave Hakstol his first three years of college.
According to a couple of TSN reports, Caggiula won’t end up in Philadelphia:
Difficult to handicap Caggiula sweepstakes, but sense is it's down to VAN or EDM. Believe PHI, CHI, PIT, NYR and OTT are all out. We'll see.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 6, 2016
One of the U.S.-based NHL teams interested in college UFA Drake Caggiula (UND) has been informed the player is going to a team in CAN.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 6, 2016
Caggiula accumulated 51 points (25 goals, 26 assists) in 39 games played this season. A few weeks ago during the first round of the playoffs, Caggiula spent time in Philadelphia and was spotted in the press box for BRACELETGATE.
Vancouver is viewed as the frontrunner to land Caggiula. Brock Boeser, who was Caggiula’s teammate and the Fighting Hawks’ top scorer in 2015-16, was drafted 23rd overall by the Canucks in last year’s entry draft.
So maybe the North Dakota connection did pay off, just not the one the Flyers were hoping for. Losing out on Caggiula might not be a major deal, but the Orange and Black missed out on a chance to add to the forward depth.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
