Checking in on Every 1st-Round Pick from the 2025 NHL Draft
To the surprise of no one, 2025 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer took to the NHL like a duck to water.
Breaking several team records was a clear sign he belonged, but the love he got from the New York Islanders and the wider NHL community was even louder.
Another standout? Pittsburgh Penguins pick Ben Kindel, who fit in with one of the oldest and most lauded cores in the NHL with seeming ease.
But what about everyone who didn't get significant professional minutes last season?
We've already graded the 2026 class and looked ahead to 2027; now it's time to check in on the class of 2025—at least the first round.
1. New York Islanders: Matthew Schaefer, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Matthew Schaefer spent the entire year capturing hearts and minds. When was the last time the league had a star rookie who was so universally beloved outside of his own team? Except when he's on the ice against those opposing fans' teams, of course.
Schaefer became the youngest-ever winner of the Calder Trophy this year when he beat Nathan MacKinnon by one day (18 years and 223 days old as opposed to 224 days).
He finished his first NHL season with 59 points in 82 games, including 23 goals. While plus-minus isn't always a great way to gauge a player, Schaefer playing a full 82-game season at 18 and finishing the year at plus-13 is an attention-catcher.
One of the most noticeable aspects of his game during his draft year was his ability to alter the flow of the game from the moment he steps onto the ice; the way he's able to impose his will.
Coming out on the positive side of things, and doing so while averaging almost 25 minutes of ice time per game (24:41 for first among rookies) and tying Beckett Sennecke for most goals by a rookie, is a solid green flag on that front.
Future Outlook:
He's going to win the Hart Trophy sooner than later. He's going to end up Islanders captain. He's going to be a number-one defenseman for a very long time. And the way he was immediately embraced—which doesn't feel like a strong enough word—by the Islanders' community makes it feel like they've got a lifer in Schaefer.
2. San Jose Sharks: Michael Misa, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Michael Misa spent the season with the San Jose Sharks, but only played 45 games due to a combination of usage and injury. He had 21 points in those 45 games, including 9 goals, and seeing him at center really highlights that he needs to stay there.
Misa also joined Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, where he managed to be a point-per-game player while playing on an ankle seemingly held together by some sock tape and a dream. Some might note that Misa underperformed at the tournament, but the team as a whole underperformed despite ending their medal drought with a bronze. Once he fully healed, we saw his strongest hockey of the year, showcasing standout elements of his game, including his skating, his ability to create high-danger opportunities, and his ability to demand the attention of all opponents on the ice.
Future Outlook:
Misa is going to be a key part of this young group that the Sharks are building at second-line center behind Macklin Celebrini. He averaged just under 13 minutes of ice time per game this season; with more time and opportunity — which should come this season — we'll see the full complement of his strengths on a consistent basis, rather than in flashes as we did this season. It would be a lot of fun to roll a Celebrini-Smith combo with a Misa-Stenberg combo right behind — or switch the wingers, it doesn't really matter. The point is that the Sharks' future is scary (for opponents).
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C, Djurgardens IF (Allsvenskan)
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Despite being only 18 years old, Anton Frondell was one of the best players in the SHL this season with Djurgardens IF. His 28 points in 43 games included an eye-popping 20 goals, and while his consistency and pace continue to slightly leave some things to be desired, he's clearly a highly skilled player with a strong future in store.
Frondell joined the Blackhawks in March and played 12 games, netting 9 points (including 3 goals). Rather than playing wing full-time, he spent most of his time with Djurgardens at the wing, but he is a natural center—he spent most of those games centering his own line and seemingly held his own.
Future Outlook:
The Blackhawks' decision to view Frondell as more of a center than a wing creates an interesting wrinkle. We make jokes about the Kraken taking an "oops, all centers" approach to their drafting, but the Blackhawks have built a pretty strong center pipeline as well. Whether that means someone else shifts to the wing or ends up on another team remains to be seen.
The way things look at the moment, Frondell's future is solid. His skill continues to develop and will make him an NHL mainstay for a good long while. And the flexibility he affords the Blackhawks in terms of being able to move from center to wing is an added bonus.
4. Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
The 2025-26 season was Caleb Desnoyers' third with the Moncton Wildcats, and while he missed the start of the year due to wrist surgery, he had a strong showing in the 45 games he played. He netted 78 points in those 45 games, including 22 goals. QMJHL point totals often look gaudy for high-end prospects, as they quickly feast on the mistakes of opponents, but cherry-picking opportunities has never been Desnoyers' style. He's opportunistic for sure, but he has excellent details and the ability to read the ice.
Desnoyers also played for Canada at the World Junior Championships as part of their bronze medal-winning squad. In addition to tallying 6 assists in 7 games, he willingly and adeptly transitioned from center to wing for the tournament, impressing coaches. That flexibility will benefit him at the professional level, as the Mammoth have a glut of centers.
Future Outlook:
Pro hockey is the logical next step for Desnoyers. With three QMJHL seasons under his belt, there simply isn't much left for him to learn at the major-junior level that wouldn't be better learned at the professional level against tougher opponents.
One of our biggest quibbles with his game last season was that he needed to add more pace; that critique still exists. Putting him in a sink-or-swim situation and forcing the issue might be more beneficial to him than any other approach.
5. Nashville Predators: Brady Martin, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Brady Martin is fearless. Sometimes that's a really good thing, and sometimes it leads him to try maneuvers he shouldn't. But one thing he can never be accused of is quitting on a play. No matter where he is on the ice, he stays involved.
After the three NHL games he got in at the start of this year (tallying his first NHL point with an assist), Martin had a monster outing at the World Junior Championships with 8 points in 6 games. Unfortunately, he also suffered a significant shoulder injury at the tournament, which limited him to 24 games with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL (where he serves as captain). He averaged a point per game over those 24 games, with 8 goals.
Future Outlook:
There's not really space on the Predators' roster for Martin right now. That's not a commentary on his talent, but rather on the logjam the team is dealing with, particularly at center. Martin isn't really a guy that you want to switch to wing just to get him minutes, either; he shines at center, and it is in the best interest of the Predators' future to keep him there.
Martin is an easy player to flag for a potential AHL opportunity with the upcoming changes to the NHL-CHL agreement. There's a new provision that allows one 19-year-old per team, per season, to move to the AHL rather than be returned to his CHL club if he doesn't make the NHL roster. If it were up to us, we'd go ahead and plan on starting him there.
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Porter Martone had a great year.
He jumped from the OHL to college hockey, becoming an impact player with Michigan State almost immediately, and joined the Flyers when his college season ended. Across 9 regular-season games, he had 10 points (including 4 goals), and added a further 5 points in 10 playoff games. He also got to play a role in eliminating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. What a way to start your Flyers career, eh?
Add to all of that a bronze medal with Canada at this year's World Juniors, and an appearance with Canada's men's team at the World Championships, and you have a really busy year full of experiences that set Martone on an excellent path for his future career.
Future Outlook:
It's hard to envision a universe where Porter Martone is not a full-timer with the Flyers next season, and indeed far beyond. He fits their mold so perfectly it's uncanny, and he adjusted to his short stint in the pros precisely as well as we could've hoped. There was also less cherry-picking than expected, which bodes well for his full-time future but could just be a product of a short stint.
It will be interesting to see whether Martone can sustain the play he showed at the end of this season over a full professional season next year; it's possible he'll see some time at the AHL level, although the Flyers feel they need his offense too much for that. We're reserving judgment on a lot of our concerns about his overall game until we see a full season.
7. Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
James Hagens had a busy season. He played 57 games for five different teams (if you include the two international tournaments), and was better than a point-per-game player across all games with 60 total. Zooming in to his college season his numbers look even better, with 47 points in 34 games (up from 37 in 37 last year).
This year could've been a weird one for him in terms of expectations; where do you go when you were touted as a potential first overall and fell to seventh? What do the expectations even look like there?
Whatever they were, he certainly met them.
He wasn't quite as good as we expected or wanted him to be at World Juniors (though still good, to be clear, with 7 points in 5 games), but if we're being honest, few players on Team USA were. He also joined Team USA for the World Championships. His professional games were split between the Boston Bruins and their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins—six AHL games and two NHL games, plus three further NHL playoff games.
Future Outlook:
We stay Team James Hagens over here. That skill that led people to consider him for first overall remains and was clearly on display this season for a Boston College team feeling the absence of Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. He's going to be a long-term NHL player.
Since he signed his NHL contract, he won't be returning to college hockey. That's a good thing; Hagens is at the point where he needs the challenge of the grind of a professional season and tougher opponents to further sharpen his own game. While we expect to see him on the NHL roster, it remains to be seen whether the team starts him on the wing or keeps him at center. There will definitely be growing pains, but they'll be the kind that serve him well.
8. Seattle Kraken: Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Center Jake O'Brien stepped into a more significant leadership role with the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL last season, donning the captain's C (he'd previously worn an A for the team), and his overall play took a step forward as well. He finished the regular season with 93 points in 53 games, and added a further 23 in 15 playoff games as the Bulldogs made a run for the OHL championship before being eliminated by the Barrie Colts.
O'Brien's point-per-game pace was higher this year, coming in at 1.75, up from 1.48 last year, and he finished third in the OHL in scoring. He also appeared in four playoff games for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken's AHL affiliate. He was also one of five finalists for the OHL's outstanding player award.
Future Outlook:
O'Brien worked very closely with the Seattle Kraken development staff this season, a sign that the team considers him a significant part of their future. That's not surprising; he's an incredibly intelligent player with high-end playmaking abilities.
He could certainly make a convincing push for an NHL spot — we're not ruling it out. But a more likely landing spot is with the Firebirds as the Kraken's one allowed 19-year-old. Either way, professional hockey feels like the correct route for O'Brien this coming season.
9. Buffalo Sabres: Radim Mrtka, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Radim Mrtka's D+1 season was not really what you'd prefer to see from a top-10 pick. He didn't have a bad season. He's not a bad player. It was just underwhelming when looking at it from the perspective of his draft spot.
The pick was already a reach for us. But we noted even last year that he would be a player who needed a longer development runway; that development being slower doesn't mean it isn't happening or that the player won't take a bigger step the following season.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's look at what he accomplished.
He had a busy year, starting off with NHL exhibition games, playing eight games for the Rochester Americans in the AHL, and then heading back to the Seattle Thunderbirds for 43 WHL games. He also represented Czechia at the World Junior Championships and in other international U20 contests.
Future Outlook:
Mrtka is going to have a solid NHL career. His name was bandied about a lot in trade talks this season, but it seems like that came more from the perspective of teams that wanted him rather than the Sabres looking at trading him in any serious way.
That's more than understandable. Mrtka's size, paired with his mobility and fantastic stick skills, will make him an attractive player to any team. Add to that the fact that he's a right-handed defenseman, and it's no wonder other NHL teams are trying to get the Sabres to give him up.
10. Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
After missing significant time with injury during his draft year, Roger McQueen made the move from the WHL to the NCAA with Providence College. It proved to be a good one—he had 27 points in 36 games, including 11 goals, and was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
Despite a slower start to the season, McQueen hit his stride and even began to round out his 200-foot game thanks to Providence's focus on defensive awareness and a strong forecheck. It wasn't a weakness in his game before, per se, but we noted last season that we wanted to see improvement in that area, particularly in his attention to detail. After his college season ended, McQueen also played in 7 regular-season games and 2 playoff games for the San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks' AHL affiliate.
Future Outlook:
With McQueen signing his entry-level contract with the Ducks, the 2025-26 season will be his only NCAA season. He'll be 20 in October, so the Ducks will be able to send him directly to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL without worrying about using up their 19-year-old slot on him.
Spending an entire season in the AHL is probably going to be the best course for his development, rounding out those rough edges in his game — the primary ones are his skating mechanics (which have begun to improve) and just good old consistency. The enemy of any young player still getting used to his giraffe limbs and figuring out how to utilize his skill against higher-level competition.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Benjamin Kindel, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Former Calgary Hitmen forward Ben Kindel had what some people might call a dream first NHL season. Sure, he didn't win the Stanley Cup or the Calder, but he played almost a full 82 games, thrived in a difficult role to the point that non-Penguins writers took notice, and got to play with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang night in and night out.
Holding his own in a third-line center role, moving up to the second line on occasion, at the age of 18, is one thing. Doing it on the oldest team in the league with the pressure that comes alongside playing behind Sidney Crosby (and Tommy Novak, who largely filled the second-line center role) is another thing entirely. No one even expected Kindel to make the NHL, but it's not an exaggeration to say the Penguins' season would have been very different without him.
Future Outlook:
Going to be frank on this one: if Dan Muse doesn't want to move Evgeni Malkin back to center for the duration of his career, Kindel should be shifted to second-line center. He might stay on the third, and he does it well, but he's proved he can handle the kind of pressure that comes with the role, and in what is clearly a combination of a last-ditch push for the Big Three and a period of transition to whatever comes after, that sort of composure is critical.
Of course, given the way Muse uses his lineup, the distinction between 2C and 3C isn't huge, so this argument is mostly about giving Kindel better linemates. He'll thrive. You can often tell which players are meant to ride it out during a time of transition and which players are meant for The Future, whatever that is, and Kindel is the latter. Let him start taking on more responsibility now (albeit gradually).
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Nesbitt, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Philadelphia Flyers center prospect Jack Nesbitt finished the 2025-26 season with 58 points in 55 games. Last season, he had 64 points in 65 games, so his scoring pace was better even though his totals may not appear so at first.
This pick was a significant reach for us at the time, and Nesbitt's lack of domination against younger players in his D+1 year confirmed that we were right to be concerned. At barely over a point-per-game pace (1.05, up from 0.98 last year), it's not the kind of growth that the Flyers or we were looking for.
That said, there still was growth. His passing remains excellent, and we saw clear flashes of playmaking ability. He's able to make decisions quickly and well. His physical game is also solid; he finishes his checks and protects the puck nicely.
Future Outlook:
Nesbitt is committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season, and it was definitely the right move. He's got a longer runway to professional hockey than some of his peers, and choosing to make the leap to a league with older and tougher opponents—which, at the same time, has a slower pace and allows him to build strength and work on refining details—was a smart decision.
Building strength will be key for Nesbitt moving forward. At 6'5" and only 185 pounds, he's a bit weedy, and his skating lacks quickness or real depth. He's got a lot of potential for sure, but we're going to need to see fewer missed opportunities and more consistency in how he uses his skill, particularly offensively.
13. Detroit Red Wings: Carter Bear, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
At first glance, it would be easy to assume that Carter Bear had a worse season with the Everett Silvertips than his draft year. This is why we don't judge at first glance, and instead look further for context. Bear's point totals this season were lower, with 77 points in 53 games compared to 82 points in 56 the year before, and he got off to a slow start.
But his point-per-game pace wasn't really different; last year's was 1.46 points-per-game, where this year's was 1.45. He also tallied 22 points in 18 postseason games with the Silvertips. Add to that the fact that Bear was in the middle of overhauling certain aspects of his game, and you have a different viewpoint from which to judge. He really focused on improving the physical side of his game this year, clearly working with an eye toward his professional hockey future as he became more of a netfront presence while also developing other physical aspects of his game.
Future Outlook:
He probably needs more seasoning, so don't take this as a 100 percent pronouncement, but it would not be surprising to see Carter Bear make the Red Wings next season. The organization is undergoing changes at the top, and captain Dylan Larkin's trade request has been all over the news, so it's hard to project anything firmly right now.
But Bear would benefit from the challenge of professional hockey, and the Red Wings would benefit from his intensity and never-quit motor. It's not really something they have in large amounts right now.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
One of our notes on Jackson Smith when he was drafted last June was that he could stand to refine his decision-making. A year at Penn State (where he played alongside this year's first overall pick Gavin McKenna) clearly did Smith some good in that area. Limiting mistakes and making better choices in his own end—and being able to recover better overall when he did make mistakes—were things that showed clear improvement.
He's still got some work to do in that area, of course, but for a defenseman who plays as aggressively as Smith does, that's natural. The trick will be keeping that aggression intact, since it's one of the standout elements of his play. He's a more mature player this year for sure.
Future Outlook:
Smith was one of the first high-end prospects to make the leap from the CHL to NCAA hockey last year, and it served him well enough that he's set to return to Penn State this fall. It's the right call, since he's still got work to do on his game and the college hockey environment is the right place for it.
But when he does hit pro hockey, if he manages to refine those details and keep his aggression, the Blue Jackets will be lucky indeed. And his opportunity on NHL ice might come sooner than it would have otherwise if veteran Zach Werenski gets traded after all.
15. Vancouver Canucks: Braeden Cootes, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Braeden Cootes is another guy who had a really busy year. He played three games with the Vancouver Canucks, joined Team Canada for their bronze medal-winning World Juniors campaign, was traded mid-season to the Prince Albert Raiders, and had a deep playoff run, reaching the WHL Final.
Though he was limited to 45 regular-season games, he ended up with 63 points, matching his point totals from last season in 15 fewer games. He also added a further 23 in his 20-game playoff run. It was a productive year overall for Cootes, where he saw improvement in areas of his game, like adding strength and becoming a faster skater. He also appeared more confident, something he called out at Canucks' development camp this summer.
Future Outlook:
The Canucks imploding last season wasn't great for the team, but it bodes well for Cootes this coming season. There's more space for him to make the roster if he comes into camp looking ready; at the very least, we expect him to see more than the three games he got last year. He's another one who looks ready for the challenge of professional hockey to help him take the next step in his development.
16. New York Islanders: Victor Eklund, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Victor Eklund was loaned back to his SHL club, Djurgardens IF, by the New York Islanders for his D+1 year, and while it's tempting to say his offense took a step back, we once again need to look at context. Last year, Djurgardens played in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier professional league. This year, the team was part of the SHL, so they faced tougher competition. For Eklund, point totals to be not far off against tougher opponents (24 points in 43 games compared to 31 in 42 last year) is noteworthy.
He got in one game with the Islanders at the end of the season—and snagged his first career point along the way—and played nine regular season games with their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders (and a further two in the playoffs). He tallied 10 points in those games, really getting into a solid groove in the AHL in a way that bodes well for next season.
Future Outlook:
The Islanders' new AHL affiliate for next season, the Hamilton Hammers, is where Eklund is expected to start the year. This is the right call; the jump to North American hockey goes differently for every player. One of our biggest watch-and-see items for Eklund is how his offensive contribution will translate to the North American professional level, particularly the NHL, so not rushing him is definitely key. (The signs were good in his stint with Bridgeport, but it's a small sample size.)
That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get in some stints with the big club here and there next year. And we're not ruling out his making the team out of camp; it just feels like pacing his development is the better course of action for his longevity.
17. New York Islanders: Kashawn Aitcheson, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
At the time he was drafted, Kashawn Aitcheson filled a key gap in the New York Islanders' depth chart, a very projectable combination of physicality and puck-moving abilities. This season was more of the same in the best way, with Aitcheson elevating his offensive totals and taking on leadership responsibilities as he donned the captain's C for the Barrie Colts. He continued to refine the defensive details of his game, and though they still need some work, progress was notable.
He finished the regular season with 70 points, including 28 goals, and led all OHL defensemen in points in the postseason with 27 in 19 games.
Future Outlook:
Aitcheson is headed to the Hamilton Hammers, the new AHL affiliate of the Islanders, this fall to play under head coach Jay McKee, with whom he is quite familiar from the OHL. The AHL environment will be great for challenging him to round out the rough edges in his game, such as his decision-making around his physicality. He's a force to be reckoned with, and you obviously don't want him to lose that; you just want him to be just a bit smarter about when he chooses to throw those heavy and effective hits. He's so easy to project to the NHL, and he's going to be causing opponents headaches for a good long while.
18. Calgary Flames: Cole Reschny, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Cole Reschny left the WHL behind for the University of North Dakota (alongside 2026 top prospect Keaton Verhoeff) for the 2025-26 season, and it paid off. It didn't take long before he was one of the Fighting Hawks' best players, and he was named NCHC Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the season. He led all NCHC freshmen with 31 points in 30 regular-season games, including 5 goals, and it feels like those numbers don't even tell the full story. He already looks like a professional on the ice and is an absolute blast to watch. There are moments when he makes you think of Seth Jarvis.
Reschny also joined Team Canada for this year's World Junior Championships, playing strongly overall for the bronze-medal-winning squad. His pace, in particular, was difficult for opponents to keep up with. He had 5 points in the 7 games Canada played.
Future Outlook:
Reschny is returning to the University of North Dakota for his sophomore season this fall. Some people have noted that he could push for an NHL job as soon as this year, but spending another year at the college level is the right decision, and one that both Reschny and the Flames agreed on. There's no need to rush him to the NHL right now; the Flames aren't contending again yet. He'll be a key piece when they do.
19. St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Justin Carbonneau scored 51 goals for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL last season, and though his overall point totals in the regular season took a step back (80 points in 60 games compared to 89 in 62 last year), he kicked things into high gear in the postseason. The team didn't make as deep a run as he would've preferred, but his 20 points in 17 games show he was giving it his all.
He always does, every time he steps onto the ice. In fact, one of our biggest gripes with Carbonneau's game last season was that he could try to do too much all on his own. He showed improvement this season in terms of utilizing teammates and engaging in battles; that was our primary hope for him.
Future Outlook:
Carbonneau is slated to play with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues' AHL affiliate, next season. He joined them for three postseason appearances this year, and although he remained pointless, he got a feel for the AHL's speed and rhythm.
If Carbonneau had it his way, he would jump immediately to the NHL, but don't players always say that? Especially confident ones, and Carbonneau has confidence in spades. It isn't out of the question that he challenges for a roster spot out of camp, but the Blues' depth in front of him will make it difficult. It's a good mindset for him to have going in for sure, though.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets: Pyotr Andreyanov, G
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov spent the majority of the 2025-26 season in the MHL with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, playing 26 games, and 13 in the VHL (the league just below the KHL, as opposed to the MHL, which is effectively their junior league) with Zvezda Moskva.
He posted nearly identical save percentages with both teams, at .919 SV% in the MHL and .918 SV% in the VHL. He also had three shutouts in his MHL appearances. Andreyanov is truly an outstanding goaltender, athletic and mobile, and is one of the standouts in a solid goaltending pool for the Blue Jackets.
Future Outlook:
Andreyanov is signed to remain in the KHL through the 2029-30 season, so don't expect to see him in a Blue Jackets uniform any time soon. He's projected to spend next season in the VHL against tougher competition, which should be a good test for him. He's only 19, so there's no need to rush him either to the top professional levels or to North American hockey.
21. Nashville Predators: Cameron Reid, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Defenseman Cameron Reid is likely very happy with how his D+1 year went, considering that he not only donned the captain's C for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL but also led the team to their first Memorial Cup win since 2003. Mobility is the name of the game for Reid, and that was on full display this season.
He already looked too good for the OHL when the season began, and as the points piled up and he dominated the competition, this became ever more apparent. Last season, Reid had 54 points in 67 regular-season games; this year, he had 56 points in 57 games, for a 0.98 points-per-game pace up from 0.81. He added a further 14 points in the Rangers' 18-game playoff run, up from 5 points in 14 games the year before.
Future Outlook:
Reid is yet another player making the leap from the CHL to college hockey. It's a development path we're likely to see in overwhelming numbers over the next few years, particularly for prospects who aren't ready to jump to the professional level immediately or for top prospects who want to challenge themselves in their draft year.
For Reid, that looks like joining the University of Michigan's blue line alongside 2027 projected first overall pick Landon DuPont. Reid's leadership abilities and strong two-way game should serve him well at the college level, and that tougher competition should round out the rough edges in his game.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Bill Zonnon, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Bill Zonnon didn't have the start to the season he wanted in 2025-26, as he suffered an injury shortly before training camp in September that sidelined him until November. He played two games, was injured again, and missed a further 13. Zonnon was limited to just 35 regular-season games for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada; he had 46 points in those games, including 14 goals. He added another 15 points in the Armada's 17-game postseason run.
Zonnon won the hearts of Wilkes-Barre Penguins fans this spring when he appeared in 11 playoff games, scoring goals in his first three games with the team. He didn't maintain that furious scoring pace, but finished with a respectable 7 points and impressed at both ends of the ice.
Future Outlook:
Zonnon will likely be back with Wilkes-Barre next season; the QMJHL is not exactly a challenging league for a player of his type, and the last thing that the Penguins want is for him to fall into bad habits because he gets too dominant at that level.
He's definitely got room to refine his game, and he's clearly dedicated to doing so; he watched countless Wilkes-Barre games, taking notes as if scouting the team before his own QMJHL season even ended, to prepare for when he eventually joined the baby Penguins' postseason run. He's going to be an important part of the NHL roster sooner than later, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a callup next season. AHL time is still the best plan for now, though.
23. Ottawa Senators: Logan Hensler, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
At his best, Logan Hensler is a mobile right-shot defenseman who knows precisely when to get involved in play offensively and can shut down opponents on the other side of the game. He had a beautiful three-point game in November, not long before he joined Team USA for the World Junior Championships, and recorded 8 points total in his first 15 games of the season. There were moments where it truly started to feel like he'd hit his stride.
Hensler went pointless at this year's tournament, and not long after returning to the Badgers, he suffered a serious lower-body injury that kept him out the rest of the season. It was a disappointing end for sure, largely because he'd been on such a good path beforehand.
Future Outlook:
Hensler is headed back to the Badgers this fall for his junior season, where he'll hopefully escape further injury and get a full season under his belt. More time is needed to really tell what sort of player he's going to be at the NHL level. There are days when all of the pieces fall into place, and he's a clear blue-chip prospect, able to contribute offensively and play a strong game away from the puck. There are also days when Hensler looks lost, with no control whatsoever over his game and no ability to create offensively. He's very much a "tune in next time" kind of player; we'll see how this upcoming season goes.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins: William Horcoff, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Will Horcoff somehow managed to continue taking significant strides in developing his game despite playing half his first full season at the University of Michigan with roughly one good arm. (He played half a season of NCAA hockey the year before, so technically he's going to be considered a junior next year.) He finished the year with 39 points in 40 games, including 25 goals, and 27 of those points came in the first half of the season.
His season wasn't cut short, but it was impacted by the injury to his right shoulder that he suffered "shortly before the Christmas break", according to him. It's an interesting lens through which to look back at his World Juniors performance; he only had two points in five games. When the injury occurred, it affected his output for the second half of the season; he was limited to 11 points in those final 20 games.
Future Outlook:
Horcoff is returning for another season at the University of Michigan, where he'll likely take on an increased role and, hopefully, play a full season without significant injuries affecting his game. We noted last season that his main limitations were his skating and his pace, and there were definite improvements to both this year, even if they aren't quite where they need to be. He's got time, though, and the Penguins are clearly pleased with the progress he's made thus far.
25. Chicago Blackhawks: Vaclav Nestrasil, RW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Vaclav Nestrasil's freshman season at the University of Massachusetts surpassed expectations. There was chatter from some that he might need to spend another season in the USHL, but all parties involved in the decision-making (Nestrasil, his coaches at UMass, and the Blackhawks) disagreed. And they were correct.
Nestrasil took off from the moment one, his productivity never in question, quickly getting multiple multi-point games under his belt. He began to showcase the power-forward style we noted at the time of the draft; we just weren't sure if he was going to put all the pieces together. He's definitely on the right track. Nestrasil finished the season with 31 points in 34 games, including 13 goals.
Future Outlook:
Nestrasil's college career was a one-and-done, since he signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks this spring. While it's most likely that he'll play for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL next season, there's certainly a possibility that we'll see him on the NHL roster instead. Especially if the praise he's been garnering since signing his ELC in April is any indication. If he's on the AHL roster when the time comes, it's highly likely we'll see him at the World Juniors for Czechia again. If he's on the NHL roster, that's a little more of a toss-up, but it's certainly possible that the Blackhawks will choose to loan him.
26. Nashville Predators: Ryker Lee, RW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
For the 2025-26 season, Ryker Lee made the jump from the Madison Capitals of the USHL to Michigan State University and finished off his freshman season with 30 points, including 15 goals. That even split will be surprising to precisely no one who has watched Lee play; he has a stellar arsenal of shots, and his ability to create is phenomenal. The only thing really holding him back is his skating.
Lee represented the USA at the 2026 World Junior Championships and looked really good on a roster that overall underperformed. His intensity and intelligence were on display in a way that clearly stood out to USA Hockey, as he was named to the 25-man roster for this year's World Championships. Lee was released and did not end up playing in the tournament, but to even be considered so seriously at 19 is something he and the Predators should both be proud of.
Future Outlook:
This fall, Lee will return for his sophomore season at Michigan State and a roster that includes 10 first-round NHL draft picks. The Spartans are becoming quite the powerhouse, and Lee is a key part of that.
Lee is one of those players whose future is uncertain in a good way—he may need another year in college hockey, but he could just as easily finish out this sophomore season at Michigan State and be ready to make the jump to the pros.
27. Washington Capitals: Lynden Lakovic, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Washington Capitals prospect Lynden Lakovic has had a rough couple of years when it comes to injuries. He missed seven weeks during his draft year thanks to a collarbone fracture, and his D+1 season was interrupted by season-ending surgery in December. Despite dealing with all of that, Lakovic is a really promising prospect, and he looked really good in the 22 games he did play this season.
Lakovic, who served as captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors this season, tallied 29 points in those 22 games, including 18 goals. The goal total is no surprise; his shot is a standout element of his game.
Future Outlook:
Right now, Lakovic probably just wants to spend an entire season healthy; indications at Capitals' development camp this summer were that he'd been rehabbing well and put on some muscle, which is definitely a good sign.
He's eligible to make the leap to pro hockey this fall and will most likely start out with the Hershey Bears in the AHL, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him get a call-up to the big club here and there. The Capitals and Bears have a really excellent development structure, and because the Capitals have no need to rush Lakovic to the big leagues, he's in a great position to benefit from it.
28. Winnipeg Jets: Sascha Boumedienne, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Boumedienne was a player we went back and forth on last season about whether we considered him a first-rounder. He won in the end, but it was difficult to pinpoint just who we thought he'd be when his NHL career came around. That's becoming more apparent — even the slight drop in his point total this year can be put in the context of Boumedienne focusing more on his two-way game.
That two-way aspect, as well as his maturity as a player, are things he's focusing on improving, and it shows. We saw battle skills and physicality grow more apparent, and while his posture can still get a little weird, his skating definitely seems better than last year.
Future Outlook:
Boumedienne entered the transfer portal following his freshman season, and in mid-April, it was officially announced that he would be joining Ohio State for his sophomore season this fall. He should play a more prominent role on Ohio State's roster, something he is no doubt hoping (and the Jets are as well) will give him an opportunity for more growth this season after a minor sophomore slump. He'll also get to play with his older brother, Sami.
He is also expected to play a significant role for Sweden at the 2027 World Junior Championships after a solid run with the 2026 gold medal-winning squad.
29. Chicago Blackhawks: Mason West, C
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Mason West, the Chicago Blackhawks' football-playing first-round pick, is focusing entirely on hockey after finishing his football career with a Minnesota state championship with Edina High School in November. It's definitely an unconventional path for a professional hockey prospect, but the Blackhawks were well aware that he intended to return to Edina for one more football season before hanging up his cleats and switching to skates full-time. It's long been shown that playing multiple sports reduces burnout in young athletes, and it will be interesting to see how West transitions to college hockey and focuses solely on one sport this year.
He spent his hockey season with the Fargo Force, where he tallied 25 points in 38 games. He added a further 6 points in 9 playoff games. West had a bit of an adjustment period with the Force; not only was he going from high school hockey to USHL hockey, but he was also moved from wing to center full-time. He took to it like a duck to water and was anchoring the team's top line by the end of the season.
Future Outlook:
Like the next guy on our list (spoilers), West is committed to Michigan State University, where he'll be a freshman in the fall. Making the move to college hockey is yet another transition in a few years that have been full of them for West; whether this makes the move easier or more exhausting remains to be seen, but it will probably be the former. He's proven pretty adaptable so far.
He's had an unconventional path so far, and the Blackhawks know that West will likely require a longer development path than other prospects. But his skill set is high-end, and he's received so much praise for how coachable he is—a green flag for sure.
30. San Jose Sharks: Joshua Ravensbergen, G
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Goalie Joshua Ravensbergen spent the 2025-26 season seemingly on a mission to prove the San Jose Sharks made the right choice last year when they selected him with their 30th overall pick. He's an elite prospect, and that was on display night in and night out this year.
Finishing the regular season with a .919 save percentage and an impressive 32 wins in 46 games played, Ravensbergen earned himself a finalist nod for CHL Goaltender of the Year. He was also named the WHL's top goaltender, winning the Del Wilson Trophy.
Though he went to the World Junior Championships as part of Team Canada, Ravensbergen didn't see any ice time. That will most likely change this year.
Future Outlook:
Ravensbergen is yet another player making the leap from the CHL to NCAA hockey, and—this will be a familiar refrain to many of you—he's joining Adam Nightingale's Spartans at Michigan State. With the departure of Trey Augustine, he's expected to be the starter for the Spartans from the jump. College hockey is a different beast altogether from the WHL, with older and more experienced players. It'll be a good next challenge for the Sharks' seeming goaltender of the future.
31. Los Angeles Kings: Henry Brzustewicz, D
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
One thing that we noted last season about Henry Brzustewicz was that, because he played for the London Knights — a team with a perpetually stacked roster — he would likely see more responsibility and time as veteran players moved to the next level or to other teams. That proved true, and was reflected both in his leadership opportunities and his offensive output.
Last season, Brzustewicz finished with 42 points in 67 games (0.63 points per game); this season, he tallied 54 points in 59 games (0.92 points per game). It's a good indicator of what he's able to do with that increased opportunity. His final shots on goal count was 231. For players on the Knights, it's easy to side-eye offensive production; the team is always strong, and numbers can get inflated, especially when players don't have to struggle. But Brzustewicz's development seems like the real deal.
Future Outlook:
The Kings signed Brzustewicz to his entry-level contract in April, and he will be eligible to play in the AHL in the fall under the new 19-year-old exemption to the NHL-CHL agreement. It's just as possible, though, that the Kings choose to send him back to London. Especially if it seems like he'll have the opportunity to play at the World Junior Championships this coming winter. He was one of Team USA's final cuts last year, and he is, of course, headed to this summer's evaluation camp for players who could potentially make the 2027 team.
32. Calgary Flames: Cullen Potter, LW
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How He Performed During 2025-26 Season:
Cullen Potter is a great skater, and it showed this season at Arizona State. In the 24 games he played, anyway. Potter's season was shortened by a shoulder injury suffered on January 10th, but his 26 points in those 24 games were good for third in U19 skaters in points-per-game at 1.08. He was also averaging 20:27 per night prior to injury.
Potter's skating and puck skills were clearly on display in the games he did play, though there is work to be done on consistency and decision-making. His speed is thrilling, and the creativity he brings to his play with the puck makes him fun to watch.
Future Outlook:
Potter entered the transfer portal after the conclusion of his season with Arizona State, and he's headed to — this will surprise precisely no one who has read any of our draft content in the last year — Michigan State University. A little history here: Potter was originally committed to Michigan State, then switched to Arizona State because Michigan State didn't have a roster spot for him in his draft year when he made the leap to college. So he's really heading back to where he intended to go in the first place.
A little more time in college is a good call for Potter. He has incredible speed and a high skill level, but he needs a bit more refinement before he's ready for the professional level. He mentioned at Flames development camp this summer that his shoulder was feeling "really good", so it doesn't seem like he's going to miss any further time.
.jpg?w=3840 "How Falcons View Michael Penix Jr.")
