How UConn plans to replace Jake Richard

UConn’s outlook for the 2026-27 season took a hit when Jake Richard signed an entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Given the timing, the Huskies won’t find anything close to a top-line, experienced player to replace him. The transfer portal is picked over and no freshman can be expected to match the production level of the guy who totaled the fifth-most points in the program’s Hockey East Era.

Their best hope would’ve been for Harvard to experience an exodus after it hired Rob Rassey as its new head coach — thus opening the portal to the players — but that never materialized.

Instead, UConn will have to rely on Joey Muldowney even more while needing Omaha transfer Jeremy Loranger to hit, and/or get a big leap from a returner — Kaden Shahan, Carlin Dezainde and Alexandre Blais are the most obvious breakout candidates.

As for filling Richard’s roster spot, the Huskies are looking to bring in an uncommitted freshman. They’ve had success with summer signings in the past, reeling in Blais, Samu Salminen and Max Letunov as the best examples. There are a few different routes that UConn could take.

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