Vansaghi skated in 35 NCAA games this season, and though he saw his ice time increase across year over year, his offense cooled. His four goals and nine assists for 13 points were a decline in total points over last year. The majority of his assists were primary (7:2 primary to secondary ratio), his shots stayed roughly the same (57 this year vs 59 last year) and his hits declined from 69 a year ago to 41 this past season.

The 48th overall pick totaled 16 points in 37 games for Michigan State (NCAA) in 2024-25. With a heavy-hitting incoming freshman class, including Martone, it will be interesting to see where Vansaghi fits in the lineup. He is a hard-working forechecker who can help retrieve pucks for high-caliber scorers in the Spartans lineup in 2025-26. Amico, Murtagh, and Vansaghi could all be a part of Team USA’s squad seeking a third-straight IIHF World Junior Championship in December.

Selected at forty-eighth overall, Shane Vansaghi is now a member of the Philadelphia Flyers .

Shane Vansaghi is a player who divides opinions among our scouting staff. While some see him as a relentless bottom-six forechecker, others envision potential for him to develop into a middle-six complementary power forward at the NHL level. His skating remains our biggest concern, and it’s something he’ll need to improve if he’s going to translate his game to the big league in any role. If he can do that, the team that calls his name in the draft will have a player who almost certainly projects to play in the NHL at some capacity.

Shane Vansaghi is one of just a few early NCAA enrollees this season and has seen consistent growth as the year has gone on. Playing at Michigan State, one of the nation’s top programs, he’s carved out a role for himself by adapting to the mature college game. Vansaghi looks like an NHL player physically, already grown to 216 pounds. His puck skills are slick, and he can advance the play offensively, both on the cycle and off the rush. Vansaghi’s skating is a bit of a concern, looking clunky at times and lacking quickness in his feet. He crushes defencemen on the forecheck every opportunity he gets, imposing himself physically with an impressive work rate. With his trajectory and pro style, Vansaghi has earned himself some first round consideration.

Vansaghi is still quite young, and never projected as a top line offensive option, his ticket to the NHL will come from solid defensive play, and complimentary scoring. It is too early for one to tell if he is destined for either after just two collegiate seasons, but he is worth keeping an eye on, though not investing in heavily. Stash if bottom six type peripheral categories will help you in deep leagues, watchlist in others.

Final Rankings – We’re confident Shane Vansaghi will play in the NHL in some role. With punishing hits and relentless work ethic, he’s the epitome of an effective forechecker. Occasional flashes of puck skill suggest there might even be upside for a middle-six winger role.—