Mike Koster

February 2025 – Koster is a fine college defenseman, but lacks the size and physicality to be a pro D-man, and his offense does not look to be much either to overcome it. At 5’9 it’s just hard to see what sort of role Koster plays at the NHL level, and even the AHL level. Likely not an NHLer and it would be a surprise if he gets an NHL contract. Austin Kelly

April 2023 – Koster has officially wrapped up his junior year with the University of Minnesota. In a year which saw appearances in both the Big-10 and Frozen Four finals, Koster has his best offensive output to date. The 5-9 blueliner scored six goals and 29 points in 40 contests for the Gophers. With the departures of notable blueliners Brock Faber and Jackson LaCombe, plus potentially Ryan Johnson and Ryan Chesley, Koster will have a huge opportunity on Minnesota’s blueline heading into his senior year. Although his size lacks for a defender, a strong final collegiate campaign will make it difficult for the Maple Leafs not to sign him to a contract. Curtis Rines

January 2023 – Koster has seen his production increase from his previous two seasons on a loaded Minnesota squad. After averaging 0.39 points per game in both of his first two years in the NCAA, Koster’s rate has upped to 0.55 with one goal and 11 points through 20 contests. However, he remains an NHL long-shot. He lacks the high-end skill that could make up for his 5-9, 170 lbs frame. Koster is an intelligent blueliner who moves the puck well out of his own end and while patrolling the opposition’s blueline. But his shot isn’t nearly heavy enough to be a consistent threat, and there is no true end-to-end speed. Koster could still develop into a reliable bottom-pair defenseman at the NHL level if he can manage to earn a contract with the Leafs post-collegiate career. Curtis Rines

May 2022 – Koster played a key role for one of the top teams in the NCAA this past season, finishing third in scoring among University of Minnesota defenders with three goals and 11 assists over 36 games. The Gophers went all the way to the national semifinals, and the strong play of their blue line was a big reason why. Koster will return to Minnesota for the 2022-23 season in hopes of continuing to build a case for a contract with the Leafs before his rights expire in the summer of 2024. Nick Richard

May 2021 – The hot start cooled, off, but Koster’s final count of 3 goals and 12 points in 31 games still represented a decent rookie campaign in the NCAA. He continued to average roughly 2 SOG/game, but his cold streak of 1 point in 13 outings was tough to see for an offense-first blueliner. A nice peripheral surprise – he finished third on the team in blocked shots. Koster will be a slow-cooker in the NCAA, his fantasy vital signs are good but don’t draft yet outside of extremely deep leagues. Hayden Soboleski

January 2021 – Koster is having a strong rookie NCAA campaign with the University of Minnesota, leading the team’s defense corps with 2 goals and 8 points through 13 games played. The rookie is managing over a shot-per-game from the blueline, and hasn’t taken a single penalty yet (bad in some fantasy leagues, but very positive for a young d-man playing against much bigger opponents). At 5-09 he will always be an undersized player, but this quick development from the USHL to start scoring at the highest pace he has since high school is a strong vital sign for the 2019 5th-round-pick. He is a slow-cooker propsect, but one with fantasy value should he continue developing. Hayden Soboleski