NCAA player Mike Reilly hits free agency amid onslaught of NHL interest

Let the offseason begin.

Shortly after the Chicago Blackhawks emerged as the 2015 Stanley Cup champions, defenseman Mike Reilly officially became a free agent, with as many as nine teams believed to be vying for his services.

The 21-year-old was a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the two sides couldn't come to terms on an entry-level deal.

As such, when Reilly announced he would not return to the University of Minnesota - where he recorded six goals and 36 assists in 42 games - he hit the open market 30 days later, which happened to coincide with the first official day of the hockey offseason.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are one team in the mix, but general manager Jim Rutherford acknowledged he's one of many suitors.

"We've had communication with (Reilly) from within the organization over the weekend and again (Monday)," Rutherford told Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We just continue to work hard at it like these other teams are. But there has been good communication over the weekend."

The Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Detroit Red Wings are also believed to be among the teams interested in signing Reilly.