The NCAA Frozen Four is set, with all but four programs eliminated from their 2025-26 seasons. As tradition goes, this has opened a wide pool of free-agent talent for NHL teams to pursue, assuming those players haven’t already signed.

Despite the Edmonton Oilers arguably winning the 2025 NCAA sweepstakes – landing current Bakersfield Condors top goalscorer Quinn Hutson – they have yet to dip into the NCAA free-agent market this season. They have recently added a European defender in Tomáš Cibulka, however. The good news is that there is still ample time to get something done. While some of the top names have been taken off the market, several intriguing names remain available.

One of the most compelling options is Colgate University’s Isaiah Norlin. At 6-foot-6 and a right-shot defenceman, Norlin immediately checks boxes that are difficult to find. Add in flashes of offensive potential and projectable physical tools, and it’s easy to see why he’s considered one of the more intriguing defensive free agents in this year’s class.

It remains unclear whether Norlin will turn pro this spring or return to Colgate for further development. After a breakout sophomore campaign following his transfer from Nebraska-Omaha, there’s a case to be made for both paths. If he does make the jump, however, his profile is one that teams will be eager to bet on and one that the Oilers should be putting their name in.

As expected for a player of his size, Norlin’s reach and range are the defining and projectable traits at the next level. While he doesn’t play an overly physical game on a shift-to-shift basis, he uses his frame effectively to disrupt plays. He closes gaps quickly, keeps an active stick, and angles opponents toward low danger areas. When he engages physically, it can be impactful and often overwhelming for opponents simply due to his size.

And it’s that size that makes him a relatively safe bet, but it’s his offensive upside that you take the swing on. Norlin isn’t an elite skater, but his mobility is adequate and could be further refined with the right guidance. He shows confidence walking the blue line, using subtle deception and lateral movement to create space. His length allows him to protect pucks effectively, and he owns a heavy shot that makes him a threat from distance, particularly in a power play setting. There are flashes of a player who can contribute offensively while maintaining structure.

After recording just one point in 16 games as a freshman at Nebraska-Omaha, Norlin’s transfer to Colgate proved to be a turning point for him to blossom into a regular contributor. He went on to co-lead the team in scoring with 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 37 games and was named to the ECAC second all-star team.

Norlin was also a standout player in the BCHL before his commitment to the college ranks. He contributed 105 points (20 goals, 85 assists) in 143 games across three seasons with the West Kelowna Warriors, earning the BCHL top defenceman award in his third and final season with the most points among defenders (48).

Ultimately, Norlin is a projection-based bet. He will require time to develop professionally, but the combination of size, reach, and underlying tools makes him a highly intriguing option. If he does decide to leave college, expect his name to generate significant interest across the league.