Ranking Every NHL Team's Prospect Pool for the 2024-25 Season

For some teams the cupboards are bare; for others, they're so full there's no way every talented guy waiting in the wings is going to get an NHL opportunity. It's a spectrum that often—but not always—exists in an inverse relationship to an organization's chances of playoff success. But at the end of the day, the question remains: which NHL team has the best prospect pool?

We crunched the numbers, and the results probably won't surprise you.

Releasing these rankings at the start of the preseason allowed us to include transactions that happened later in the offseason and/or significantly shifted the position of certain teams' prospect pools. Yaroslav Askarov and Rutger McGroarty, anyone? There are also players included in each pool that have a shot at making the NHL full-time this season (or, in the case of Macklin Celebrini, for example, are essentially guaranteed to do so). At the current moment, though, they still count as prospects.

32. Boston Bruins

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Dean Letourneau.

The Bruins have been prioritizing their in-season chances, unafraid to deal assets to get what they need to succeed in the playoffs. When you have players like Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak on your roster, that's a legitimate avenue. But then guys start to retire or move on, and you have to contend after you're left with nearly bare cupboards. (Not that the Bruins are currently in danger of falling off a contender cliff, mind you.) Nearly bare doesn't mean there's nothing of value there, however. The Bruins might be last on our list, but there are a few guys worth watching closely.

A fascinating prospect in the Bruins' system, and arguably their top prospect right now, is 6'7" Boston College forward Dean Letourneau. There's not another prospect out there with Letourneau's specific skill set—he effectively combines his size and physicality with high-end puck skills and solid hockey sense. He's a fascinating project, and while he's going to take a little longer to put it all together, he'll be a real asset if he can do it.

Guys to watch outside of Letourneau include:

• Fabian Lysell: Lysell is a couple of seasons into his AHL career and has dealt with concussions—not ideal. He still has the attention-grabbing upside that made him such an attractive prospect in the first place, though, and we saw him make real strides with his defensive game on top of it. This season could be a make-or-break for him. 

• Frederic Brunet: Brunet has always had the skills necessary to be a legit NHL prospect, but he didn't quite put them together until last season. It was then that we started to see his strengths on display night in and night out. He's got good hockey sense and vision, and he's a good physical player. We'd like to see better defensive decision-making and a boost in offensive production to take him to that next level. 

• John Farinacci: Farinacci didn't quite pan out to be the prospect many thought he would be in his draft year, but we're not giving up on him quite yet. If he takes the next step in the AHL this season, and we see an offensive jump to prove he can contribute at the pro level, he could potentially be an effective bottom-six forward. He's got a nonstop motor and reads the ice very well defensively. 

31. Florida Panthers

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Mackie Samoskevich.

The Panthers haven't drafted in the first round in three years, but they won the Cup and are still contenders (which frankly isn't always a guarantee) moving forward. We're pretty sure any NHL team will take that trade-off. While their prospect pool isn't the deepest as a result, there's still value.

Take winger Mackie Samoskevich, for example, who is probably headed to the NHL sooner rather than later. He looked great making the jump to the pro game last season, playing for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. His puck-handling skills are fantastic and he pairs that with great vision; he's more a playmaker than a scorer for sure. His defensive decision-making has improved, but we'd like to see further growth in his decision-making with the puck, as he can sometimes favor the risky play.

Other notable Panthers prospects:

• Gracyn Sawchyn: Sawchyn, a center out of the WHL, is still raw but has very appealing tools. His puck handling and passing grab the eye, and he's able to push the pace of the game. We'd like to see him put those tools together and boost his offensive production this season. 

• Mike Benning: Benning is a smaller defenseman who has made the leap from NCAA to AHL, and though he's not very physical, what's appealing about Benning's game is his brain. He's not dynamic and flashy offensively, but he's able to manipulate opponents and knows how to decide what risks to take. Pair that with his mobility and Benning could make an appealing, steady addition to Florida's blue line if it all pans out. 

• Linus Eriksson: Immediate analysis of Eriksson is that the center has a high floor. He's strong on the boards including creating chances for teammates, and he doesn't cheat defensively. We're hoping to see his playmaking ability continue to evolve at the pro levels in Sweden this season. 

30. Edmonton Oilers

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Matthew Savoie.

The Edmonton Oilers are legitimate Cup contenders, which—despite this being the clear trajectory the last few years—still feels odd to type. They're also trying to build their prospect pool without sacrificing their ability to make roster-boosting trades at or before the deadline. That's not an easy line to walk. It's also not one they've done entirely successfully, but they have added guys who will legitimately help the team on lower-priced contracts in the future. We're pretty sure they'll take the trade-off.

One notable addition? Matthew Savoie, who was acquired in the trade with the Buffalo Sabres after the start of free agency and who is now their top prospect. He could be very useful for the Oilers potentially as soon as this season (but more likely next). Savoie is an interesting player in that he's an offense-creator who wants nothing more than to push the pace of the game, but his hockey sense (slightly above average-to-good) doesn't keep pace with his shooting and puckhandling skills, which are high-end. Still, if you throw him on a line with a creative, dynamic center, magic could happen. Luckily the Oilers happen to have a couple of those.

Some other Oilers prospects to keep an eye on:

• Beau Akey: It isn't just Akey's skating speed that we like, but his edgework and footwork in small areas. Over the last season, he's gone from only showing flashes of that skating ability to utilizing it to create offense. We'd like to see that continue, along with further development of his decision-making. 

• Sam O'Reilly: O'Reilly wouldn't have been our first choice at his draft spot, but there's enough to like about his game—his hockey sense, for one, and his tenacity on the forecheck signal that he has the potential to be an effective shutdown center. He may use that hockey sense to improve his playmaking abilities, but depending on the London Knights for that sort of detailed development isn't a sure thing. 

• Raphael Lavoie: For Lavoie the main question is: can he put it together? He's been 'good' for several years but has not been good enough to really make the leap to being an effective game-breaker at the NHL level. That's unfortunately been a common theme with a lot of Oilers prospects for a decade plus. 

29. Tampa Bay Lightning

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Conor Geekie.

The Lightning finally said goodbye to former captain Steven Stamkos and are trying to retool, rather than rebuild. Stretching the window as long as possible is common practice—new captain Victor Hedman is still at the top of his game, and they signed Jake Guentzel—and that doesn't always lead to a good prospect pool, though it makes sense when you're in win-now mode. It's when you move from win-now to a period of transition that more eyes are on who you have waiting in the wings.

As far as top prospects go, center Conor Geekie—acquired in the Mikhail Sergachev trade—is the Lightning's main man. Don't be shocked if he ends up an NHL regular this season. Geekie pairs size and physicality with a high-end skill set including excellent puck skills and vision, and his attention to detail makes him effective at both ends of the ice.

Other Lightning prospects worth watching:

• Ethan Gauthier: Gauthier's ability to create with the puck and excellent shot are appealing parts of his game, but the winger can also read the ice quite effectively off the puck as well. We're excited to see him translate those skills to the pros in the future. 

• Isaac Howard: Howard's strength as a defensive prospect has always been the offensive side of his game, but that showed out more in a short time at last year's World Juniors than it did in NCAA hockey overall. Transferring schools seemed to help. We'd like to see a further jump in offensive numbers this season along with improving his anticipation without the puck. 

• Gage Goncalves: Goncalves could be an NHL regular sooner than later. He's one of those players who is always going to be useful because he has a nonstop motor, and he reads the ice quite well to anticipate the positioning of teammates and opponents alike. 

28. Vegas Golden Knights

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Brendan Brisson.

The Golden Knights are another team in win-now mode, and that usually means using the future to boost the present. That being said, there's always value to be found in those prospect pools, particularly if a team's scouting and development staff have patience.

Trevor Connelly is undoubtedly the most skilled prospect in the Golden Knights' pool, but he also has a history of concerning—to put it mildly—off-ice incidents. We'll focus on pure skill here rather than re-hashing those, but know that they leave a significant caveat on our thoughts about his future. Skillset-wise, Connelly is a phenomenal skater whose speed allows him to create space for himself and his teammates. His dynamic playmaking stems from his high-end vision. His defensive responsibility needs work, but college hockey (he's with the Providence Friars of the NCAA) is a great place to focus on that.

Other intriguing Golden Knights prospects:

• Brendan Brisson: Brisson is a pure shooter and it's so tantalizing, but to make the most of his playing style he needs to be put with a dynamic, creative playmaker. The question is can Brisson convince the Golden Knights to do that by improving his playmaking abilities and his awareness off the puck. We think he has the capability; now he just has to do it. 

• Mathieu Cataford: Something intriguing about Cataford is that he picks up a lot of his goals by driving the net. Often there are concerns about QMJHL scoring translating bc of the flying offense and (public perception of) lack of defense in the league's style. Cataford's gritty approach to scoring could translate well to the NHL, as well as to Vegas specifically. 

• Ben Hemmerling: Hemmerling's passing abilities and hockey sense make him an intriguing prospect. For him to use those skills effectively at the NHL level, though, he needs to improve his skating. 

27. Los Angeles Kings

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Liam Greentree.

The Kings have a solid group, but the issue is that by definition most of their guys don't count as prospects anymore—they're in that weird in-between space where they haven't quite established themselves as NHL regulars. We're going to look at a few of them anyway, though, because they're still assets to the organization. Can the Kings put it all together and turn into a competitive playoff team soon? If they do, these guys will probably be a part of it.

Liam Greentree is undoubtedly their top prospect who does still count as a prospect, with the Kings managing to nab him at 26th back in June. The winger has an elite skill set, from shooting to passing to hockey sense, and he's a threat from anywhere on the ice. The trick is going to be improving his skating so that he can utilize those skills night in and night out at the NHL level.

More intriguing Kings prospects (in a loose sense of the term):

• Alex Turcotte: Turcotte hasn't established himself as an NHL regular yet due to a run of really terrible injury luck since getting drafted, but his skill set is divine. His vision is elite in all situations, and he's an incredible playmaker. He'll be a huge addition for the Kings when and if he can stay healthy.  

• Samuel Fagemo: Much like Turcotte, Fagemo shouldn't be labeled as a prospect, but hasn't made the jump to being an NHL regular just yet. He looked great in the AHL last season, and the Kings re-signed him this offseason to what is effectively a prove-it contract. We'll be watching to see if he can translate his team-leading 43 goals from the AHL last season to the NHL level. 

• Akil Thomas: Stop me if you've heard this song before, but Thomas has struggled to make the jump to the NHL due in no small part to injury woes. Last season with the Reign he showed an appealing physical and creative side, and his vision allowed him to jump in and take advantage of opponents' mistakes. If he can translate that to NHL ice he'll be a big help to the Kings' bottom six. 

26. Pittsburgh Penguins

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Rutger McGroarty.

The Crosby-Malkin-Letang window isn't over yet, folks. Or at least that's what the Penguins' front office is hoping, and is trying to convince everyone else of as they attempt to retool on the fly in small but valuable ways. Whether that plan pans out for them remains to be seen. There's legitimate value in the prospect pool, regardless, in a much brighter way than the organization has seen in several years.

The top prospect here is forward Rutger McGroarty, acquired from the Winnipeg Jets this summer for Brayden Yager. It's a trade that benefits both sides and particularly benefits the Penguins in these rankings—they'd probably be a couple of spots down without him. McGroarty, who is a brilliant and tenacious player, could challenge for an NHL spot as soon as this season, but spending the season with Wilkes-Barre of the AHL would also be beneficial for his development and the Penguins' contract situation might necessitate it.

Other notable prospects include:

• Harrison Brunicke: Brunicke pairs high-end skill with fluid skating, able to manipulate opponents defensively and make shifty passes to set up teammates. His biggest drawback is his consistency. We'd like to see those skills on display night after night.  

• Owen Pickering: Pickering is a talented defender, bringing a combination of offensive creativity and the ability to shut down the rush to the blue line. His skating, however, could use work. We'd also like to see his offensive production rise, but his skill set is decently well-rounded—he doesn't have all his eggs in the offense-first basket. 

• Joel Blomqvist: Once again, I don't do goalies, but I have to make an exception here. Especially given the way folks like to crow about the Penguins' goaltending situation (and understandably). Blomqvist, who has solid technique and plays a more aggressive game, could be in an NHL net somewhat soon. 

25. Ottawa Senators

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Carter Yakemchuk.

While Ottawa's prospect pool is a deep one in terms of volume and utility, it doesn't have many of our favorite players. Sometimes the choices the Senators make at the draft make us scratch our heads and ask why?

That being said, there are some intriguing projects in Ottawa's pool—ones we'll be watching carefully to see whether they boost their chances of really making an impact on the NHL lineup.

Without question, the top prospect in their system right now is defenseman Carter Yakemchuk. He had the best shot in the 2024 draft class, and his puck-handling skills are perhaps even better. His weakness shows most particularly in his skating mechanics and his defensive awareness. Fortunately, both of those things can be taught. Yakemchuk is competitive and has a solid work ethic, so we have a good feeling about his ability to pick them up and utilize them on Ottawa's blue line in the future.

More Senators prospects worth keeping an eye on:

• Javon Moore: Moore's ceiling is high. The left wing has great speed and puck handling skills, and he reads the game in a tactical manner. Cna he translate it from high school ice to higher levels of competition? We'll be watching to find out. 

• Blake Montgomery: If you've spent any time reading my prospect coverage you know I love a good project pick with high potential. Winger Montgomery is that guy. Playmaking, skating, his ability to protect the puck—all appealing. We just want to see if he can put all those tools together night in and night out, and refine them further.  

• Zack Ostapchuk: Ostapchuk projects more as a bottom-six center, but he brings to the table important assets for that role: good puck management, solid play along the boards, and good awareness on the ice. We would like to see if he can improve his offensive contribution. 

24. New York Islanders

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Cole Eiserman.

The Islanders' system is better than last year. That's something we can say for certain. Outside of their top few prospects, however, there's not a lot that stands out as glaringly good and NHL-bound.

The Isles' top prospect right now is Cole Eiserman, a goal-scoring wunderkind who could be seen as a steal if he rounds out his game the way he needs to to be an NHL regular. His shooting is phenomenal, but we are begging the Islanders to focus on helping him develop beyond being one-note. Learn from what happened to players like Oliver Wahlstrom before him. We'd like to see him focus more on developing his ability to create plays, because his passing isn't anything to sneeze at, and he also needs to improve his defensive reads. Eiserman has got the brains to achieve this if he puts his mind to it. Here's hoping it happens.

More Islanders prospects with potential:

• Jesse Pulkkinen: Along with Eiserman, Pulkkinen is the reason the Islanders are at 24th on our list. The defenseman is just plain fun to watch, pairing physicality with deceptive puck skills. His skating will need to improve before he comes to the NHL. 

• Danny Nelson: I usually don't like player comps, because they can often be reductive. That being said, Nelson's ability to complement the players around him, particularly when it comes to close-in scoring and defensive awareness, brings to mind Chris Kunitz. Throw him out there with a high-end center and see what happens. 

• Maxim Tsyplakov: There's so much to like about Tsyplakov's game and how it should translate to the NHL. The winger isn't afraid to drive through opponents to get to the net, and his straight-line attacking style will no doubt appeal to the no-nonsense Islanders. He needs to work on his ability to drive play on his own.   

23. New Jersey Devils

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Anton Silayev.

Congratulations, Devils, you have finally graduated enough of your high-end prospects to your NHL team that you no longer qualify as a top prospect pool. Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec are in the NHL, the team is starting to make a serious playoff push.

Let's look at what they have left in the cupboard, though, because as they try to get further into their contending window they're going to find these guys useful.

Their top prospect at the moment is Anton Silayev, a defenseman who the Devils snagged at 10th overall this year. He's fascinating because he's raw as they come but the potential is extremely high. He's 6'7" but his skating is elite—not elite for his size, but elite in general. He has terrific mobility and almost an elegance to his movements. Now we want to see his puck skills and the way he reads the play to improve to match it—he's a project and needs time, but the Devils can give it to him.

Other notable Devils prospects:

• Seamus Casey: We love a University of Michigan product in this house, and Casey is a dynamic, playmaking, offense-first kinda guy who is going to need the freedom to create to truly play to his fullest. One thing we'd like to see him improve is his play on the breakout. Going up against tougher competition in the AHL will aid in that. 

• Lenni Hämeenaho: The Finnish winger had an impressive season, standing out to us at the World Juniors. Skating is a limitation on his game but he's such a smart player and always knows where he's supposed to be exactly when he needs to be there. He has improved the playmaking aspect of his game, and we would love to see his skating refined as best he can. 

• Josh Filmon: Filmon is an intriguing player—he's not the most highly rated, but he significantly improved his puck skills and playmaking game last season. He's a clever guy, able to deceive defenders. Stop me if this sounds familiar, though: his skating is a limitation that we'd like to see him work on. 

22. Winnipeg Jets

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Brad Lambert.

The Jets are still very much in their contending window, and their prospect pool ranking reflects that. Still, even with the trade of top prospect Rutger McGroarty (who forced their hand), they're looking at a pool that still provides both depth and options that could help them sooner rather than later.

Brad Lambert takes the top spot in this prospect pool and we're hoping this is the year he finally puts it all together. Some people wanted to call him a bust last year, but he showed throughout the season that he's committed to improving his game and utilizing the tools we know he has. His skating is elite, and he's terrific with the puck, particularly on zone entries. He's improved his defensive work as well, including his decision-making. Now we'd like to see those playmaking abilities continue to improve.

Other Jets prospects we're watching:

• Colby Barlow: Heavy and efficient physical play and an elite shot are the hallmarks of Barlow's game. He just makes sense as a Jets player. His awareness is high-end, and we'd like to see him use that to improve the playmaking aspect of his play and round out his game. 

• Brayden Yager: Yager was slightly overvalued by Penguins fans because he was the first glimpse of high-end talent the prospect pool had seen in a minute, but he's still a valuable addition to the Jets. He's got an excellent shot and is good at making certain he's in the right place at the right time. 

• Chaz Lucius: Lucius is another guy who has all the tools but needs to improve his skating. He's highly skilled off the puck and is good at reading the play, and he's got a good, quick shot. We'd just really like to see him healthy and see him put the pieces together more offensively. 

21. Vancouver Canucks

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Jonathan Lekkerimäki.

After spending some seasons being the butt of a lot of league jokes, the Canucks have found themselves in the position of legitimate contenders. As such, their prospect pool isn't the best. Still, there are some high-end guys that they're likely hoping to be able to rely on in the not-too-distant future.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki is the top prospect currently in the Canucks' pool, with an elite shot and high-end puck-handling skills. He looked fantastic at the 2024 World Juniors. It will be good for him to have a full season in the AHL to adjust to the North American game, rather than being tossed directly into the pressures of the NHL, but if he gets NHL time we're confident he can handle it.

More notable Canucks prospects:

• Tom Willander: Willander made the transition from Sweden to NCAA hockey well enough. He's a great skater, physical, and skilled at breaking up opponents' play, and has shown he's a solid shutdown guy. We'd like to see his puck-handling skills improve and see him be more steady under pressure—there's great potential there if he can get those things under control. 

• Artūrs Šilovs: Silovs is technically still a prospect, and the fans love him so much that I'm going to break my no-goalies rule again. Expect to see him spend the season in the NHL after starting in the playoffs. At his best he looks incredible; he needs to show that style of play more consistently to take a run at an NHL starter spot. 

• Aatu Raty: Raty showed notable improvement in his offensive production last season, adjusting to North American ice and starting to look like the player he has the potential to be. His passing and shooting skills are high-end. To stay at center at the pro level, though, he's going to need to improve his skating, adding another gear to his top speed.

20. Toronto Maple Leafs

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Easton Cowan.

Something the Leafs have been good at lately when it comes to scouting is identifying an area of competitive advantage and stacking up those prospects. Smaller, intelligent forwards, larger but mobile defensemen—take your pick. And some of those are graduating out of their pool, but some are still hanging around.

Who else could capture the top spot in this pool but Easton Cowan? Cowan is another player who would be better served facing adversity at the NHL level rather than tearing apart the OHL with the London Knights and potentially developing bad habits. The winger is annoying as can be and has terrific hockey sense to boot. He'll be an effective NHL player regardless, but we don't know whether his offense will translate to the NHL because when you play in London's top six it isn't exactly difficult to find offensive opportunities.

More intriguing Leafs prospects:

• Fraser Minten: We like the improvements we saw in Minten's play off the puck last season. He's reliable and effective defensively and is going to be a solid bottom-six center for the Leafs down the road. He just needs a bit more seasoning first. 

• Ben Danford: Danford is one of those guys only a few scouts really love at first, and then down the road, it suddenly clicks for everyone else why they liked him so much. The defenseman is excellent on the rush, can shut down his opponents in nearly any situation, is consistently activating, and has pretty solid vision. We'd like to see his puck-handling skills improve down the line. 

• Topi Niemela: Niemela put on a solid performance for the Marlies last season, making himself a key part of the lineup. He's very good at reading the play and making sure he's where teammates need him to be, and his detail oriented-defensive play is a strength. He could stand to improve his puck management a bit. 

19. New York Rangers

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Gabe Perreault.

The Rangers have built a contender, and yet they still have an impressive top-end of their prospect pool. That's going to extend their window in a pretty sustainable way. It's not an easy needle to thread, so kudos to their scouting staff.

Gabe Perreault is the highlight here. Mark my words on this: he'll be the steal of the 2023 NHL Draft. His puck skills and his hockey sense are truly elite, and his lack of size isn't going to hold him back from using them. He's got the benefit of developing in NCAA hockey where he's already playing against other guys who are bigger than him. His playmaking is phenomenal and will continue to be so. We'd like to see his skating make strides (if you'll forgive the pun) to support it.

Other intriguing Rangers prospects:

• Brennan Othmann: Othmann should probably already be an NHL regular. Still, the winger will benefit from the time to develop his skill set further—we saw his playmaking improve over last season, for example. He's smart, and speedy, and will be useful in whatever role he carves out for himself. 

• EJ Emery: What a great get by the Rangers last June. Nabbing the defenseman at 30th was almost ridiculous. He's an excellent skater and reads and anticipates the play well. Still, his puck skills leave something to be desired—but with a longer development runway, he's got time to fix that. 

• Brett Berard: Another of the small winger variety, Berard projects mainly as a playmaker at this point. He's intelligent and creative, and can always find his linemates. He's also able to score garbage goals close in on the net.  

18. Colorado Avalanche

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Calum Ritchie.

The Avalanche are another top-heavy prospect pool that doesn't quite have the depth of other teams but does have some significantly talented guys who should bring very real value to the NHL lineup sooner rather than later. (This will mean Colorado dropping down these rankings once they are no longer prospects, but then isn't that the goal in the end?)

Calum Ritchie is without question the top guy here — his puck skills and hockey sense are elite, he applies heavy pressure to opponents, reads the ice at such a high level, and uses what he sees to drive play. He also uses that vision to anticipate where the play is going when he doesn't have the puck. In short, he's got an excellent ceiling. It would be great to see him improve his skating and add top-end speed to his game, but he's already impressive without it.

Other intriguing Avalanche prospects:

• Sean Behrens: Behrens is an NCAA-developed defenseman straight out of the Avs' backyard at the University of Denver, where he was just a phenomenal shutdown defender. He has an impressive offensive skill set, but we've only seen it in glimpses over the past few years. We would like to see him use his high-end hockey sense to utilize that a bit more. 

• Mikhail Gulyayev: Counter to Behrens, Gulyayev is a puck-moving defender who has elite-level skating, with mobility and agility to die for. He's got well-developed attention to detail, but we would like to see his puck-handling skills improve to see a little more playmaking ability. He's already good at anticipating and finding teammates. 

• Jean-Luc Foudy: Foudy is an interesting player—the center brings elite skating and top speeds and pairs it with a nice playmaking game, but he hasn't established himself at the pro level yet. We would like to see him engage more physically and pair that with the offensive threat he can bring. 

17. Nashville Predators

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Matthew Wood.

The Predators got rid of Askarov, and Luke Evangelista is a full-time NHLer now, but they still have a pretty deep prospect pool and honestly, respect. Especially since they're building an NHL lineup that's pushing to win now. Remember how they signed Steven Stamkos this offseason? It's a wild and lawless world out there.

Matthew Wood is the top guy here and we've got faith that he's going to put it together, but it's probably going to take a minute. He's got the potential to be one of the top guys in college hockey if he takes further strides—he's such a dynamic player, he has a deadly shot, he's shifty and creative with the puck, and on his best nights, he looks phenomenal. But then he tries to do too much and falls into poor decision-making and lags behind the pace of the game. It's frustrating. We need to see a lot more of the former player and a lot less of the latter.

More notable Predators prospects:

• Teddy Stiga: You'll probably remember that I was heavily pushing the Teddy Stiga agenda back around the draft and I stand by it. The winger is a smart player with a motor that doesn't quit and can select the high-impact play with ease. He's going to be a good NHLer for a long time. He's just got to cook a little bit in college first. 

• Tanner Molendyk: Honestly, a lot of facets of Molendyk's game are already NHL-quality. His elite skating allows the defenseman to be terrific on the rush, he's strong defensively in his own end—we just want to see him improve his decision-making. This means being less reckless with the risks he does take and generally making better reads.  

• Zachary L'Heureux: L'Heureux is a winger who has already shone at the AHL level. Highlights of his game include playmaking ability and effective physicality, but we need to see his decision-making improve before he can capture an NHL spot.  

16. Buffalo Sabres

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Konsta Helenius.

When you graduate Zach Benson to the NHL and trade Matthew Savoie for a guy who isn't a prospect, your prospect pool drops. That's just how it works and we're pretty sure the Sabres are fine with that).

There's still a good bit of value here, though, and these guys will continue to help even as the Sabres push their way up the rankings in the NHL. We'd describe the Sabres' prospects as a shallow but broad pool rather than a deep pool—there's a lot of them, but it's more similarity in player types rather than adding a variety of player types and depth to draw from.

Konsta Helenius is the top guy now that Benson and Devon Levi are no longer prospects, and we like his game. He was underrated by some due to being a smaller guy, but so many of his tools are practically NHL-ready. His hockey sense is high-end and makes him effective at both ends of the ice, allowing him to anticipate the flow of play and be where he needs to be. Add effective and even occasionally deceptive puck skills to that and you see why the Sabres like him.

Other Sabres prospects to watch:

• Jiri Kulich: So many of Kulich's skills are NHL-ready but there isn't an immediate spot for him where he'd ideally slot in, which is Buffalo's top nine. He's got a dangerous shot and pushes the pace on the forecheck—the question is will he be able to force Buffalo's hand or will he stay in the AHL to develop further? His defensive game could be further refined, so if he stays in the AHL it won't be a bad thing. 

• Adam Kleber: Kleber is a project of a defenseman for certain. There are intriguing pieces to the puzzle, like his mobility and his deceptive puck-carrying abilities, but he hasn't put those pieces together yet. We're keeping an eye on him to see if he can. 

• Gavin McCarthy: We're watching this defenseman closely at Boston University this season because his underlying numbers caught our attention. We're not ready to stake our reputation on calling him a future top prospect yet, but his passing abilities and intelligence seem to have more behind them than meets the eye. 

15. Detroit Red Wings

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Michael Brandsegg-Nygård.

The Red Wings are one of a few prospect pools on this list that can be described as quite deep but without any truly star-potential prospects (at least, who count as prospects anymore) which frankly is fine. A deep pool means both assets to build out your roster and assets to deal to get those star-quality guys.

Now that Simon Edvinsson doesn't count as a prospect anymore, the top guy in the Wings' system is Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, who feels like he was destined to be a Red Wings pick. European winger who is relentless on the forecheck—sound familiar? Although he has a bit of a development ramp ahead of him before he makes the NHL, there's so much to like about Brandsegg-Nygård's game. To name a few: his tenacity, his physicality, great release and high-end skating ability.

Other Red Wings prospects to watch:

• Axel Sandin-Pellikka: Sandin-Pellikka is the best defenseman in the pool and one that I love watching. He's highly skilled across the board and is developing quite a nice play-driving ability, which we know Steve Yzerman and company love to see. He's as effective without the puck as he is with it. 

• Nate Danielson: The WHL center had a slow start last season with the Portland Winterhawks, but his solid skating skills and the way carries the puck in transition have us hesitant to push him down our list just yet. We'll be watching whether he works on improving his playmaking ability this year. 

• Marco Kasper: Kasper is an effective middle or bottom-six center who brings a lot of value in how effective he is away from the puck. His physicality and skating are high end, and combined with his work ethic drive his ability to support his teammates. We would love to see him further develop the playmaking aspect of his game. 

14. Dallas Stars

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Logan Stankoven.

The Stars' prospect pool is the opposite of several teams ahead of them on this list—there's not as much depth as other teams, but they have several high-end talents who earned them this ranking. That's not even including recent graduates to the NHL, including Wyatt Johnston, whose breakout season surprised everyone but really shouldn't have.

Their top guy here is Logan Stankoven, our dark horse Calder candidate. Do we think he's going to beat Celebrini? No. Do we think he's going to push Celebrini and others, and should be a Calder nominee barring disaster? Yes.

He's got such a high hockey IQ, and he pairs that intelligence with shooting and passing skills that make him a danger to opponents just about anywhere on the ice. Add to that his nonstop motor on the forecheck and you've got an annoying (and that's a compliment) threat that's going to be important to the Stars for a long time.

More intriguing Stars prospects include:

• Mavrik Bourque: We imagine Bourque would likely have cracked the lineup of several other NHL teams by now. There's just a logjam ahead of him in Dallas. Highlights of his game include his hockey sense and passing skills, and while he's on the smaller side, he's still strong along the boards. 

• Lian Bichsel: Bichsel's physicality is off the rails and he's going to scare opponents out of his space, but he's not one-dimensional. The defenseman effectively uses his size to eliminate space his opponents might otherwise try to utilize, shutting down routes, and he's also an effective distributor. 

• Emil Hemming: We liked Hemming in this year's draft. He's got great shooting and puck-handling skills, and we've even seen brief glimpses of his playmaking ability.

13. Washington Capitals

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Ryan Leonard.

It must be weird to be the Capitals now. On the one hand, you have aging stars, one of whom is chasing a Gretzky record and will probably catch it. On the other hand, that's going to put a rebuild on hold—but hey, why rebuild when you can try to retool, right? That seems to be the popular approach in the NHL these days.

Prospects like Ryan Leonard will help with that retool. Leonard is back at Boston College after a phenomenal freshman season, and even without former linemate Will Smith, we anticipate even higher offensive totals for his sophomore year. He's smart, with an absurd hockey IQ, and pairs it with great puck handling and passing skills. We would like to see him refine the playmaking aspect of his game further, though.

Other Capitals prospects we're watching:

• Ivan Miroshnichenko: Miroshnhichenko pairs an incredible skill set including a great shot with impressive physicality, and there's also some playmaking potential there. We haven't seen him put it all together yet because he lost time recovering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, but we're looking forward to seeing what he does with a healthy season ahead of him. 

• Andrew Cristall: You simply cannot go wrong with having this kid in your prospect pool. He's a joy to watch — his passing, puck handling, and hockey sense are elite, and his offensive production is off the charts. Usually, with a player like this, we'd say he has nothing left to prove in his junior league. but with Cristall we'd like to see his physical game improve, particularly with puck battles. 

• Ryan Chesley: Chesley is the kind of defenseman who will never overwhelm you on the scoresheet and won't look flashy, but everything he does on the ice supports the teammates who are those kinds of players. He anticipates opponents well, can catch up with them to force mistakes and create opportunities for teammates, and is effective in the neutral zone. We'd like to see further development from his game on the rush. 

12. Carolina Hurricanes

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Alexander Nikishin.

"The Hurricanes draft intelligently" is perhaps an obvious statement, but it deserves pointing out. The only reason they're so far down this list is because they like to take on high-risk high-reward projects. I can't blame them, as I tend to lean in that direction. If you get enough picks several of them are bound to pan out, after all. It's just math.

The Canes' top guy is Alexander Nikishin, a Russian defenseman who has one more year before he can come over from the KHL. There was some chatter he might come over early like Matvei Michkov, but that didn't pan out, and that's fine—he'll just be an even more well-rounded player when he does arrive. His elite physicality, high-end shot and offensive production will make him a tantalizing addition to the Canes' defense corps when he does arrive.

Other intriguing Canes prospects:

• Bradly Nadeau: I love watching Nadeau. He has a truly incredible shot that is difficult to stop, but he's also started to develop a nice playmaking element. We would like to see the winger push the pace a bit more, but there's already so much to like about his game. 

• Scott Morrow: Morrow's puck skills are elite, and allow him to deceive opponents, particularly on the breakout. He reads the ice quickly and well. There's a lot to like. We would like to see him improve his skating mechanics and speed where possible to further adapt his game to the professional level. 

• Jackson Blake: Blake is done at North Dakota and now we're watching to see how his game translates to the NHL. The winger has terrific stick skills, and he looks like he has the potential to be a playmaker. He's already a mobile guy, but we'd love to see him add higher-end skating speed to elevate his game to the next level. 

11. St. Louis Blues

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Dalibor Dvorsky.

The Blues haven't fully given in to the rebuild yet, but when they do they'll already have a nice stable of prospects to turn to. They've taken the approach of more is more, rather than selecting for specific needs or frequently trading up for who they consider blue chip top guys. We'll see how that works out in the long run, but there are several players in their pool we like.

Obviously at the top of that list is Dalibor Dvorsky, who made the right decision coming over to play in the OHL last season. His offensive production ramped up and so did his confidence. We love his shooting and puck handling, and think those aspects of his game will translate nicely to the NHL; he's got good instincts and a high hockey IQ.

Other intriguing Blues prospects include:

• Jimmy Snuggerud: There's so much to love about Snuggerud. He's got an elite and heavy shot, and while he's a goal scorer at heart, we've also seen him improve his skating speed and posture to support the rest of his game during his time at Minnesota. Another year will just further refine his game before he joins the Blues. 

• Adam Jiricek: Don't let the knee injury fool you—if Jiricek can get back to his previous form this kid is going to be a force. He's joining the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL this season, where we imagine his intelligence will shine. We'd like to see him further refine his skating mechanics, though, because they are an area of weakness. 

• Otto Stenberg: Stenberg's offensive production last season didn't reflect what he brings to the table. We're hoping to see the center stay with one team all season so that we can see what he does in a consistent, stable environment. As it is, he's a smooth skater with a great shot and a good work ethic. 

10. Seattle Kraken

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 28: Berkly Catton poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Seattle Kraken with the eight overall pick during the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Despite being a newer team, and still striving to establish a foothold in the league, the Kraken have managed to put together an impressive—and impressively deep—prospect pool that feels like a good harbinger for the organization's future. There's no position where there isn't someone we like, and often more than one player. For the purposes of this exercise, we're no longer counting Shane Wright as a prospect, since he's been too up and down the last couple seasons, but as we expect him to break out this season consider that a nice cherry on top.

WHL product Berkly Catton is in the top slot for Seattle. There's very little that the Spokane Chiefs center doesn't do well. His skating is fantastic, his puck skills are elite, and he's a slippery, deceptive playmaker. His physical game doesn't match the rest of his skill set, but we're confident he'll find a way to mitigate its effects with time. We'd like to see him improve his detail game, both in improving consistency of how accurate passes are and when he chooses to engage opponents, but as far as refining details go, if that's what we're focusing on it's a pretty good situation.

Other Kraken prospects we're watching:

• Carson Rehkopf: 52 goals last season is nothing to sneeze at. Our question about Rehkopf is whether the winger can repeat it, or even improve on it, this season. We think he can—there was a notable improvement in his playmaking game last year. One thing we'd like to see improve this year is his skating.  

• Jagger Firkus: Aside from having maybe the best name and hair in all NHL-affiliated prospects, Firkus is also a solid player. The center has high-end puck skills and hockey sense, and his shot is something to behold. The AHL will be an excellent place to refine areas of weakness in his game, including engaging physically and creating space for himself rather than feasting on opponents' mistakes, so that his scoring can translate to the higher levels.  

• David Goyette: Goyette isn't one of the Kraken's most elite prospects, but the center led the OHL in scoring last season. What we're watching carefully is whether that offense can translate to the AHL. Goyette is great in transition and can make impressive plays with the puck, but so far we're not sure whether he'll be able to continue producing at a tougher level. A major concern in his game is how he plays under pressure, which is of course harder at the center position, and as you go up in difficulty of leagues that pressure grows. 

9. Calgary Flames

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Zayne Parekh.

Thanks to an impressive offseason, the Flames have made significant strides in filling out their prospect pool. If you have to rebuild, you could do far worse than this. Some of their prospects will require a little more baking than others, but they'll be worth the wait. Especially the first one on our list.

Our pick for the top Flames prospect is Zayne Parekh—we've raved about him in the recent past. The kid is going to be a phenomenal NHL defenseman. Nearly every skill in his toolbox is elite, with hockey sense and puck skills that surpass most. We'd like to see him improve his play in his own end, and engage more physically, but we have faith that will come with time and patience.

Other notable Flames prospects:

• Andrew Basha: Basha is going to be one of those players who feels like an extremely smart get when we look back at the pick in a few years. He simply doesn't quit. He can dictate the pace of play, terrorize defenders, and reads the ice quite well.  

• Jeremie Poirier: Poirier has a lot of upside. He's got excellent hands, allowing him to be crafty and deceptive with the puck. That said, to be that player at the NHL level, he's going to need to improve his skating and hone his consistency in decision-making. 

• Luke Misa: Back before the draft I used the phrase "Misa go vroom" to describe Luke Misa, and Twitter hasn't let me forget it. Frankly, I stand by it—Misa's speed, and more importantly the fact that he utilizes it effectively, is one of his biggest assets. If he can improve his playmaking, boosting his ability to deceive opponents and be more creative, as well as his physicality, he'll have a much better projection as an NHL regular.  

8. Minnesota Wild

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Zeev Buium.

The Wild's prospect pool may not be filled to the brim with blue-chip prospects, but it has incredible depth. It seemed like every time we turned around at the draft over the last few years, the Wild were selecting players we liked. It's their high-end guys, including goalie Jesper Wallstedt (likely heir to Marc-Andre Fleury?), that put them over the top here. One in particular had us on the edge of our seats back in June.

It feels silly to say that someone was a steal at 12th overall, particularly this soon after his draft, but it's hard not to feel that way about Zeev Buium. Minnesota snagged a defenseman who was a top-end talent in the 2024 draft far later than he should've gone off the board, looking at what he brings to the table. His hockey sense alone is phenomenal, allowing him to read the ice and anticipate the play at a higher level than most other players out there. He puts that into action with terrific passing and the ability to shut down opponents.

More intriguing Wild prospects:

• Danila Yurov: Yurov has a well-rounded skill set, bringing to the table excellent skating and puck handling combined with attention to detail away from the puck as well. He has another season in the KHL before he can come to Minnesota; we'd like to see him use it to further develop his ability to take control of the play. 

• Liam Ohgren: Ohgren has impressive passing abilities, and we've already seen him translate those to the NHL level in his four-game stint with the Wild last season. The winger has intelligent positioning and solid stick work. Ideally, his passing skills will allow him to further develop his playmaking abilities. 

• Ryder Ritchie: Ritchie's hockey sense and puck skills are high-end, and he'll be given ample opportunity to use them with the Medicine Hat Tigers this season. We'll likely see a significant boost to his offensive totals. What we're looking for, though, are improvements to his skating and physicality that will allow him to utilize those skills at the NHL level. 

7. Utah Hockey Club

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Tij Iginla.

Is it ever going to stop feeling weird to write about this team as the Utah Whatever-They-Decides rather than the Arizona Coyotes? Hasn't yet. Regardless of their name and location, their prospect pool is effectively the same—and it's one of the best in the league. Don't be shocked if this team is in the playoffs sooner than later, given their prospect depth and some of the offseason acquisitions they've made.

No surprise that Tij Iginla is at the top of the list here. For what is essentially a new franchise, having Iginla in the system is a game-changer, and this would be true even if he didn't have the famous father he does—it's all about the play. His hockey sense, creativity, and shooting and passing skills are elite, and we saw a shift from pure scorer to someone who recognizes he can and should be a playmaker as well. We can't wait to see the steps he takes this WHL season.

Other notable players in the system:

• Dmitri Simashev: It's not common to see a 19-year-old defenseman, no matter where he's been playing, and say yeah, that guy's already NHL-quality. Simashev is. He's a fantastic skater, mobile and agile, and he moves the puck quite effectively. We'd like to see more offensive production, but that's more icing on the cake than anything.  

• Michael Hrabal: Breaking my "I don't do goalies" streak once again because Hrabal is someone that even I can recognize is pretty darn good. I've gotten a real kick out of watching him internationally over the last couple of years. Continuing to work on his consistency at the NCAA level will help him in the long run. 

• Maveric Lamoureux: Is he the most refined defensive prospect? No. But Lamoreux sure is fun to watch, and he's got an attractive offensive skill set that he pairs with massive size. If he can improve his decision-making and take fewer risks, he could be a real asset. 

6. Columbus Blue Jackets

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Cayden Lindstrom.

The rebuild certainly is rebuilding in Columbus, and they barely edge Utah for the number six spot. Their last several draft classes have left me agape with the talent and depth they've managed to add. It sets them up for a solid future, both in terms of players who will no doubt be significant pieces of the lineup moving forward and players who will be valuable trade assets. Who falls into which category? Well, that's up to the players and the argument they make for themselves.

The top guy in their stable is Cayden Lindstrom. What an addition to a prospect pool already head and shoulders above most, even as players like David Jiricek and Adam Fantilli stopped counting as prospects. Lindstrom is smart, he's creative, he's got the puck skills and the skating to support him using that intelligence at top game speeds—he's going to be a powerhouse. There is some mild concern about injury, but we're excited to see where he goes from here.

More Blue Jackets prospects to keep an eye on:

• Gavin Brindley: Don't let his size trick you—you don't want to play against Brindley. The winger's skating is high-end, and he never stops; it's been nearly impossible to shut him down at the NCAA level. Add puck skills and vision that allows him to anticipate the next play and you've got a nuisance of a player who will make a difference at the NHL level, and probably soon. 

• Denton Mateychuk: Potentially controversial statement: Moose Jaw doesn't win the WHL without Mateychuk. That's no slight to the rest of the roster, but it is meant to point out how crucial the defenseman was to the Warriors' lineup last season. His puck-moving skills and hockey sense are elite, and at his best, he controls the game. We got a good glimpse of what he'll look like as a pro in the AHL playoffs last season. 

• Charlie Elick: Elick is a defenseman I want to see succeed so badly. He's got terrific physicality and skating ability—he just needs to improve his puck control. It's his biggest weakness. Even without it, though, he brings value in the form of speed, solid passing and defensive stick work, and a strong work ethic. 

5. Philadelphia Flyers

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Matvei Michkov.

There's light at the end of the tunnel for the Flyers, both in terms of their playoff chances and their prospect pool. Whether that light is a success or an oncoming train remains to be seen.

A big part of which direction swings is how well they develop and incorporate the prospects in their prospect pool.

To be crystal clear: the Flyers are in fifth on these rankings due in no small part to Matvei Michkov. He isn't the only valuable piece in their puzzle, but he is a load-bearing one; expect to see them slide back down our rankings after he graduates to full-time NHLer. Michkov is a highly skilled player, but don't expect his offensive numbers to rip apart the league in his first season. He's a cerebral guy and his anticipation is stellar, and regardless of whether he struggles to adjust to the North American game this season, he's going to be a terrific NHLer for a long time.

Other Flyers prospects we recommend keeping an eye on:

• Jett Luchanko: Luchanko is one of those players who is just always going to be useful in your lineup— he's a terrific skater, he can set up plays, he's very aware defensively. He's also good physically in a way that should be effective at the NHL level rather than in the way old-school guys like to crow about being missing from today's game. 

• Oliver Bonk: Is it bad to say I feel Bonk would be better served struggling in the NHL this season than blowing the OHL wide open as he undoubtedly will when he returns to the London Knights? His offensive numbers were gaudy last season; they probably will be even more so this season, but he doesn't project as a primarily offensive defenseman. Bonk's strengths that will help him shine at the NHL level include his defensive positioning and stick work, and the way he can shut down opponents.  

• Denver Barkey: Much like Bonk, Barkey has the curse of being a Knights prospect. On the London Knights, you don't often have to struggle. That's not great for development. That being said, if he can refine some of the rougher elements of his game and understand his approach to scoring won't work the same way in the NHL as it does in the OHL, he could have NHL regular potential.  

4. Anaheim Ducks

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Cutter Gauthier.

The Anaheim Ducks have a very deep prospect pool—and as they should, given that they haven't made the playoffs in six years. Their approach to drafting isn't necessarily to take the best player available at every pick, but to find players who fit their organizational identity and have projectable NHL dimensions. Mobility, creativity, and physicality are clear priorities.

It is for that reason that their acquisition of Cutter Gauthier from the Philadelphia Flyers, choosing to cut loose oft-injured defenseman Jamie Drysdale, wasn't a surprise. Gauthier will be a key NHL piece before long. Ducks management has already said they don't plan to manage his workload like they did with Leo Carlsson (who no longer counts as a prospect) last season, so don't be surprised if you see Gauthier relied on early and often. Goal-scoring is a hallmark of his game, and he's relentless without the puck as well.

Other guys who intrigue us from the Ducks pool:

• Beckett Sennecke: Sennecke was a significant late riser last season, and with good reason as we saw his scoring jump in the final stretch. His puckhandling and passing skills are elite, with his hockey sense close behind. If he continues on his current trajectory of improving his game, he could become a key play-driving NHLer. 

• Stian Solberg: Solberg is just mean. Combine that with the puck skills he brings—he's able to manipulate his opponents quite effectively some nights—and he's an obvious choice for a team that just named Radko Gudas captain. A key aspect of Solberg's game is that he manages to be an incredibly physical defender in a way that is actively helpful to his team. 

• Rodwin Dionicio: Dionicio was a nice surprise last season as improvements to his game (especially defensively) led him to look like a legitimate NHL prospect, and we're excited to see where he goes from here. His incredible passing and playmaking abilities were never in question. He needs to improve his skating to be an effective defender in his style at the NHL level, but he's going to get plenty of opportunities to fix that as he plays in the AHL this season. 

3. Montreal Canadiens

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Ivan Demidov.

In other years, this Montreal Canadiens group might be in the first or second spots on this list. Their prospect pool is deep and well-rounded and has several guys who are on the verge of becoming NHL regulars as well as several project prospects who could, with the right development, really shine. In short, they're in an excellent position to possibly compete soon.

To no one's surprise, at the top of their list is Russian winger Ivan Demidov. His skill is astounding, and if it weren't for some (grading on a curve here) struggles with his skating he would be tied with Michkov right now as far as top Russian prospects go. You can't defend him. His hockey sense is sublime, and he's able to put that vision into action, creating space and setting up plays for teammates.

Notes on other top Habs prospects:

• David Reinbacher: Don't be surprised if Reinbacher ends up an NHL regular sooner than later. His confidence, defensive awareness, and physicality make him an excellent future partner for one of Montreal's exciting offensive defense prospects. 

• Lane Hutson: Hutson's potential is sky-high. So he's 'small' for a defenseman? So what? Hutson has adapted his style to suit his size and absorbs hits just fine. His puck skills and hockey sense are phenomenal, and though it will likely take some time for him to adjust, we don't anticipate opponents being able to neutralize his game even at the NHL level. 

• Michael Hage: Hage is a project for certain, but he's one with exciting potential. His puck skills and scoring ability are thrilling, and his vision and anticipation will serve him well at the NHL level. He needs to improve his physical play and improve his playmaking to truly be effective in the NHL; fortunately, college hockey is a great place for him to develop both of those skills. 

2. Chicago Blackhawks

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Artyom Levshunov.

It was clear as day that the Chicago Blackhawks were going to crash into the league's basement as their dynastic era came to an end. To be clear, they're still there—but if their prospect pool is utilized properly, they may not stay that way for long. Connor Bedard doesn't count as a prospect anymore, having played nearly a full NHL season (thanks, broken jaw) and won a Calder trophy. And yet their prospect pool is strong enough that removing him from the list didn't make a dent in their ranking.

Mobility alongside skill is a priority for the Blackhawks' scouting department; good skating, in general, is a priority, obviously, but it is most often paired with agility, or with speed. The Blackhawks want players who can get up ice and get around, if not through, their opponents. This of course shows up in their forwards—hello, speedy Oliver Moore—and it shows up in their defense corps as well, most notably recent addition Artyom Levshunov. The former Michigan State defenseman is the Blackhawks' current top prospect, and his footwork and stick skills should serve him well at the pro level this season.

Notes on their other top guys:

• Frank Nazar: Despite being sidelined by injury more often than you want to see from a prospect, Nazar still has the potential to be a significant NHL roster piece. His puck skills and hockey sense are superb. Now we just want to see consistency. 

• Oliver Moore: Another season at the college level is the correct choice for Moore, who is more than just his speed. His hockey sense and playmaking abilities are nearly as high-end as Nazar's. If he can put it together and use those skills effectively and consistently at his top speeds, look out. 

• Sacha Boisvert: Boisvert is a project prospect, but one with an attractive set of tools. His hockey sense, puck skills, and physicality all bode well for his future as an NHL center. His biggest focus right now should be improving his skating.  

1. San Jose Sharks

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Macklin Celebrini.

It was a fight between the Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks for this top spot, but the Sharks' late-August acquisition of Yaraslov Askarov from the Nashville Predators put them over the top. When you add a world-class goalie prospect to a prospect pool that already makes other teams weep, there's nowhere to go but first.

It's an embarrassment of riches for the Sharks, with Askarov, Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Sam Dickinson, and Quentin Musty waiting to take their place on the NHL roster. And that's just the top five. If we were to talk about all of the Sharks' quality prospects, including Igor Chernyshov, Luca Cagnoni and Filip Bystedt, and break down their strengths, we'd be here all day. It's one of the best prospect pools, if not the best, in recent memory. Will that translate to NHL success? Too many factors are at play to know for sure. What we do know is that having arguably the best goalie prospect and best skater prospect sets them up to make a good run at a strong future.

Some notes on their top guys:

• Macklin Celebrini: What more can we say about this guy? He does everything at a high level and he's closer to Connor Bedard, talent-wise than a lot of NHL pundits want you to think. Look for him to be a key piece of this season's roster, and of the franchise for a long time. 

• Yaroslav Askarov: There's no denying this guy's talent—he has an aggressive style, which means he makes remarkable saves, and also sometimes absolutely remarkable gaffes. If he can dial back the emotion, expect him to contend for Vezina trophies down the line in his career. 

• Will Smith: Smith is nearly as likely to be a fixture on the Sharks' roster this season as Celebrini. Sometimes we worry about guys making the jump from college to the NHL, but he's not one of them. Playing a full 82-game season at the pro level is the best thing for his development right now, especially for developing consistency with the impact he's capable of making.