The Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Tampa Bay Lightning are pursuing NCAA free-agent center Luke Haymes, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Haymes, a 21-year-old Ottawa native, is currently in his third year at Dartmouth College. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound center has scored eight goals and added four assists for 12 points in 16 games this season after missing the first 11 games with a broken hand.
He leads the Big Green with 43 shots on goal this season.
Last year as a sophomore, Haymes recorded a team-leading 18 goals and 18 assists in 31 games.
He also led Dartmouth with 11 goals during his freshman season.
Haymes has previous connections to two of his NHL suitors. He participated in the Maple Leafs’ development camp in 2023 and attended the Lightning’s camp in 2024.
Before beginning his college career, Haymes played one season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the BCHL. He scored 22 goals and registered 49 points in 52 games during the 2021-22 season, earning the team’s Rookie of the Year award.
