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Flyers could learn this weekend if they land North Dakota star

Some NHL team — perhaps the offensive-needy Flyers — could get some good news this weekend.

That's when gifted University of North Dakota center/left winger Drake Caggiula, a highly coveted unrestricted free agent, is expected to sign.

The Flyers are believed to be strong contenders for Caggiula because he played his first three years at North Dakota under head coach Dave Hakstol, who just completed his rookie season directing the Orange and Black.

The best undrafted college free agent this year, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior isn't big, but he brings tenacity and dynamic offensive skills — witness his 25 goals and 51 points in 39 games this season.

Caggiula, led North Dakota to the national championship — he was named the Frozen Four's MVP — and could jump right into the NHL.

In addition to the Flyers, Buffalo, Chicago, Edmonton, the New York Rangers, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, and Vancouver are reportedly in the running.

Like the Flyers, Vancouver has a connection to Caggiula, whose UND teammate, freshman Brock Boeser, was the Canuck's first-round pick in 2015. Boeser led the Fighting Hawks with 60 points.

Caggiula, who turns 22 next month, scored a pair of goals as UND won the title with a 5-1 victory over Quinnipiac last month to capture its first national championship since 2000 and eighth overall.