Re-Ranking Every NHL Team's Prospect Pools After the 2026 Offseason
We know that the Carolina Hurricanes will be the team all 31 other clubs will be aiming for during the 2026-27 campaign.
But what about the future?
Which team is best set up for the next few years? Who's set up best for the deepest set of prospects?
Our B/R NHL prospect experts, Adam Herman and Hannah Stuart, voted and ranked all 32 prospect pools ahead of the new season starting next month.
32. Florida Panthers
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Prospects to Watch: Simas Ignatavičius, Ryder Cali, Jack Devine
Analysis: The Florida Panthers remain in last place, just like last year. Although the team missed the playoffs this past season, they remain clearly determined to extend their window as contenders. This is best evidenced by their big swing for Brady Tkachuk, as well as the addition of Radko Gudas.
While it appears they are likely to return to the playoffs in the near future, the distant future is bleak. In many places, it also echoes the size, physicality, and frustrating nature that the Panthers are prioritizing in their roster players.
Lithuanian winger Simas Ignatavičius is probably their top prospect right now. Coming in at 6'3" and 201 pounds, he's got the size and physicality down easily. He brings solid skating, tenacity, and netfront presence, along with flashes of playmaking. Much of the previous sentence could easily be said about the speedy and physical center Ryder Cali, who doesn't turn 18 until September. Winger Jack Devine doesn't fit the typical physical mold, but he has the tenacity and ability to get to the net. Even Linus Eriksson, whose NHL future I am not convinced of, tends to read more as a support player than a play-driver.
There are clearly traits the Panthers are prioritizing. Perhaps they could prioritize some top-of-the-funnel talent in future drafts? Regardless, these are players who will be useful in their bottom six as they continue to attempt deep playoff runs.
—Hannah Stuart
31. Dallas Stars
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Prospects to Watch: Emil Hemming, Cameron Schmidt, Jakub Vanecek
Analysis: Winger Emil Hemming, a former first-round pick, can look good when he's getting a lot of touches of the puck. In his best moments, he can make things happen in the offensive zone. His skills are not superlative enough to justify the rest of his game, which is inconsistent at the moment. He's not a strong driver of possession, and has some games where he's a non-factor, and he sometimes looks sluggish. As strong as his shot is, it won't matter if he can't do the things that will put him in positions to execute quality chances. Right now, it's a stretch to see him in a top-six role, which means he'll have to rework his game to be more fitting for a checking role. He has the size and tools to make it work.
Cameron Schmidt is exactly the type of gamble worth taking in the third round. The winger is 5'8", but his point production in the WHL in 2025-26 was encouraging: 40 goals and 38 assists in 61 games. He's slippery and clever. He's at his best when he's moving at top speed, as he's able to make plays while in motion. It can be tough for defenders to keep up. He didn't take as big a step as hoped this past season, and he faces an uphill battle to make the NHL because of his size, but there is still a world where he becomes a Jeff Skinner-type player.
Jakub Vanecek is an athletic defenseman. He likes to get involved offensively, although his puck abilities don't necessarily match his ambition. He is an intelligent player who doesn't make many mistakes with the puck and is responsible defensively. The 6'2" defenseman is going to have to transition into more of a shutdown, puck-transporting role at the pro level, but he is cut out for it.
- Adam Herman
30. Edmonton Oilers
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Prospects to Watch: Ike Howard, Samuel Jonsson, Tommy Lafreniere
Analysis: At this point, jokes about the Edmonton Oilers' prospect pool have pretty much stopped being funny. But it must be pointed out that for a team that failed at anything for a very long time, and then returned to the playoffs only to never succeed there either (so far—they could still do it!), they also just don't draft well. They lack any real game-changing prospects, and they seem determined not to learn from their mistakes.
Ironically, Ike Howard, a prospect acquired via trade rather than through the draft, is the main factor keeping them from falling further down the list.
Howard is very likely to see regular NHL time this season, and he honestly seems like he'll be a decent top-to-middle six wing option. He loves to shoot the puck, as was evident in the AHL last season, and his stickhandling is definitely an asset. But when we move on from Howard, we make quite the jump. Unproven goaltender Samuel Jonsson, who does feel likely to establish a decent career as an NHL backup, and center Tommy Lafreniere — a tenacious player with quick feet and intelligent timing who is not battling — are more of those support players we discussed when looking at the Panthers.
A key thing to remember when we get to this point next year: Howard will almost certainly graduate from prospect status to established NHLer. If they don't acquire a significant player through trade or the draft, we could very well see them at the bottom of this list. Some might argue that the trade-off is worth it when you're pushing for the Stanley Cup, and I'm inclined to agree.
But when you push and push and never succeed—well, frankly, you're in the same boat as everyone else who didn't win at the end of the day. And some of those teams have futures, while you don't. The Oilers' scouting staff has a lot of work to do—the loyal fans deserve that much.
—Hannah Stuart
29. Vegas Golden Knights
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Prospects to Watch: Trevor Connelly, Carl Lindbom, Juho Piiparinen
Analysis: Former first-round pick Trevor Connelly is a skilled offensive winger. He does really well to blend his speed and changes of direction with stick maneuvers while holding the puck. He's not really a powerful skater, but he moves around the ice effortlessly. Connelly is a capable playmaker, feeding teammates in their wheelhouse from the perimeter and while in stride. He produced at above a point-per-game pace in the AHL last season. The concerns are about what's going on in his head. He's too much of a perimeter presence, and his decision-making is, at times, undisciplined, whether that's trying to force plays that aren't there or taking penalties at inopportune moments. His skill is obvious, and if he can get out of his own way, then he can be a top-six offensive winger in Vegas.
Carl Lindbom is a cerebral goaltender. He is "undersized" at 6'1", but more than enough goaltenders have not only made the NHL at that size, but thrived. The key is to compensate by proactively taking up space with efficient movements. Lindbom anticipates play at a high level and is agile in the crease, which allows him to get square to shots and set his body while staying on his skates. Athleticism may hold him back some, and he needs to learn how to see around screens better. He did struggle immensely in his few NHL starts this past season. He has played very well in the SHL, AHL, and elsewhere. I think he can be an NHL starting goaltender.
Juuho Piiparinen, taken at the end of the 2026 first round, has a lot of traits to like and not many to love. He makes smart plays, he doesn't get caught out of position, and he has a physical edge. He is perfectly comfortable holding the puck, starting breakouts, and participating in offensive-zone possessions, but he is more of a partner in keeping things moving than a direct offensive influence. He grades out as a 5/10 or 6/10 in most areas of the game and has already proven himself against pros in Finland. A high-floor, low-upside player who has the makings of a future No. 4 or No. 5 defenseman in the NHL.
- Adam Herman
28. Minnesota Wild
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Prospects to Watch: Charlie Stramel, David Spacek, Adam Benak
Analysis: While the Minnesota Wild have fallen down our list significantly, it's due to trading a couple of their top prospects—Zeev Buium and Liam Ohgren, neither of whom counts as a prospect anymore—for Quinn Hughes. I find it difficult to believe most of us wouldn't make the same call any day of the week. They also acquired Bobby Brink for defenseman David Jiricek. Those are significant holes to leave, but the Wild definitely still have some muscle in the cupboard.
Charlie Stramel is probably the one I have the most certainty about with regard to an NHL future. He's going to be a useful forward, large and able to take away space from opponents. It's difficult to project him outside of a bottom-six role, but he should be quite useful there.
David Spacek, who made his Olympic debut with Czechia this season, brings tenacity, awareness, and the ability to exhaust opponents—but he's heading into his fourth NHL season and could be one of those guys who need a change of scenery. Center Adam Benak is probably the most purely skilled of the three, with high pace, excellent passing precision, and solid playmaking—but there's a bit less certainty with his projection.
Add to that intriguing-but-not-certain players like Ryder Ritchie, Riley Heidt, Aron Kiviharju, and goaltender Filip Růžička, and there's definitely some promise here. Just not quite enough to bet the farm on at the moment. If they manage to truly contend for the Cup, though, the Wild aren't going to care—and fair enough.
—Hannah Stuart
27. Colorado Avalanche
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Prospects to Watch: Ilya Nabokov, Egor Shilov, Mikhail Gulyayev
Analysis: Goaltender Ilya Nabokov is in the mold of goaltenders that Russia is churning out with impunity now. He's athletic and has explosive post-to-post movement, yet he is controlled within the crease. The 22-year-old had a mediocre season in the KHL in 2025-26, but in the previous two seasons was a force in net for Magnitogorsk, helping them reach the Gagarin Cup in 2024. He's coming to North America for 2026-27, and it would hardly be a shock to see him in the NHL by the end of the season.
Center Egor Shilov, taken in round two of the 2026 draft, is one of the most skilled players in the draft class. At his best, he's a human highlight reel. His stickhandling is of high quality, and his wrist shot is phenomenal. The problem is that everything he does is in isolation. He does not show an ability to be connective tissue and create sequences of plays with teammates. He is also ridiculously soft. He needs a lot of coaching (and to be receptive to it), and I don't love his odds, but the talent is undeniable and, if he makes it, he'll be a top-six forward who thrives on the power play.
Mikhail Gulyayev was a favorite of mine at the 2023 NHL Draft. His development has plateaued somewhat, but I still like what he brings to the table. He's a smooth skater who moves the puck forward. He comfortably maneuvers along the blue line in the offensive zone. He's 5'10" and that hurts his projection, but the Avalanche do very well with undersized defensemen who can skate. More than anything, he needs to get proper ice time. His minutes in the KHL have been limited.
Colorado's prospect pool is bad, which is to say, they've upgraded it from a couple of years ago.
- Adam Herman
26. Tampa Bay Lightning
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Prospects to Watch: Conor Geekie, Sam O'Reilly, Benjamin Rautiainen
Analysis: The Tampa Bay Lightning have some real heavy-hitters in their draft past, but they're also very good at trading guys away in the name of continuing their attempts at contending. As an organization, they've gained a reputation for identifying skilled players late or finding diamonds in the rough and developing them. They've also made a few questionable draft decisions in the last few years. While they've got a few players on our Prospects to Watch list who project to be valuable at the NHL level, overall they're lacking depth in most areas—especially when it comes to top-end players.
Forward Conor Geekie was right on the line of being considered a prospect or not, but we decided to count him; he hasn't quite found his place with the Lightning yet after being acquired from the Utah Mammoth in the Mikhail Sergachev trade. Geekie brings a strong two-way game, pairing size with top-notch vision and hands. Sam O'Reilly, a product of both the OHL's London Knights and Kitchener Rangers who came to the Lightning in the Ike Howard trade, is fresh off two consecutive Memorial Cup wins. O'Reilly pairs an intelligent passing game with great defensive details.
Someone who screams potential quintessential Lightning find is forward Benjamin Rautianen, a Finnish winger taken in 2025 after being passed over in two previous drafts. He's an extremely effective player with dangerous offensive creation skills, and he pairs pace with a great ability to be open for teammates. It's going to be fun to see whether the Lightning can work their development magic. He appears to be returning to Tappara in the Finnish Liiga this season.
—Hannah Stuart
25. Winnipeg Jets
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Prospects to Watch: Viggo Bjorck, Elias Salomonsson, Brayden Yager
Analysis: A depressing group is saved from pure irrelevance by Viggo Bjorck. The Swedish is 5'9," and your opinion of him is dictated by how much you think that will matter. Everything else checks out. His hockey IQ is at the top of the scale. He dictates play from the half-wall. He is very agile. His read on the game is strong both offensively and defensively. Maybe even particularly defensively. Does he get nudged off the puck too easily in board battles? Yes. Would he be a better defender with longer reach? Yes. In spite of it all, his production against pros in the Swedish Hockey League mirrors that of other future NHL first-line centers, and he was one of the best players at the 2026 World Championship. He should be a top-six NHL forward, whether that's on the wing or at center, and I'll take the wager on his sticking at center.
Elias Salomonsson is a powerful skater who aggressively tries to kill plays. He has some isolated tools that could translate into offense, but his decision-making leaves a lot to be desired. He needs to simplify his passing. He played 32 games with Winnipeg last season and defended well. He looks like a third-pairing NHL defenseman.
Brayden Yager has not developed as hoped. He has a very good shot release, and he can tickle the top corners of the net. He is decently agile, and he thinks the game well defensively. Unfortunately, his offensive game has plateaued over the last couple of seasons. Last season, he produced just ten goals and 20 assists in 68 AHL games, turning 21 mid-season. Because of his defensive habits, he'll find his way into NHL games, and the shot alone should amount to supplementary offense. The former 14th overall pick unfortunately does not look to be more than a bottom-six forward.
- Adam Herman
24. New Jersey Devils
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Prospects to Watch: Anton Silayev, Alexander Command, Mikhail Yegorov
Analysis: I'm very curious about where the Devils will go under new general manager Sunny Mehta, particularly in terms of the draft. As things currently stand, however, they do have one of the league's lesser pipelines—with a few standout pieces. It's not an ideal situation, given that they haven't been contending, especially since help in that area isn't coming from inside the house.
Defenseman Anton Silayev is their best bet for adding a homegrown player to their NHL lineup any time soon. There's pretty decent depth in their blueline overall, but outside of Silayev, it's all guys who are going to help out. Not anyone who is going to be the guy. And sure, you need those utility players, but no contending team has been built of all utility players.
Silayev is about to begin his first North American season. He's a mobile guy, especially given his 6'7" height (please god, no 6-7 jokes), but don't mistake mobility for offense-first flashiness. Silayev is much more likely to use his mobility to smother your offense.
Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov looks really promising, even after spending a season carrying the rest of the Boston University Terriers on his back. He's got super-quick reflexes and lets mistakes roll off like water off a duck's back.
This year's first-round pick, Swedish center Alexander Command, rounds out the Devils' top guys to watch. He's so steady, with a really high floor and a lot of intelligence. He's never going to be the flashy, creative playmaker, but he's so solid and dependable and intentional. Put him with the flashy, creative guys, so he has the support he needs to fly.
—Hannah Stuart
23. Los Angeles Kings
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Prospects to Watch: Elton Hermansson, Henry Brzustewicz, Hampton Slukynsky
Analysis: Elton Hermansson, drafted 19th overall in June, has a lot going for him. The Swedish winger oozes offensive potential. He has Smooth hands, and he's not afraid to use them to execute highlight-reel-worthy plays. Whether that's a deke around a defender, a toe drag through bodies, or a high-difficulty pass through bodies to a weakside teammate. He fades in and out of games, and he's not going to get accolades for his forechecking or defensive performances, but he is just 18 and has time to mature those aspects of his game. His projection comes with uncertainty, but if he can put all the pieces together, then he can be an aesthetically pleasing top-six scoring winger and PP1 influencer.
Henry Brzustewicz is an engaged two-way defenseman. He moves better than you'd expect based on a first impression. He's strong on his skates. He likes to involve himself in all aspects of offense. He likes a lot of touches of the puck, makes combinations of plays with teammates, and is a volume shooter. He also does not cheat the game in the defensive or neutral zones and puts in the work to help his team break out. Defensively, he is steady but lacks the types of skills or processing to be a true shutdown defenseman. He could turn into a second-pairing defenseman in the NHL.
Hampton Sluksynsky is a 6'2" goaltender who has succeeded at every level in which he's played. The former fourth-round pick was a standout in the USHL. He was a pillar during West Michigan's championship in 2024. He excelled for the US at the World Junior Championships. Slukynsky is an athletic goaltender who can keep his cool under pressure. He'll compete with fellow goaltending prospect Carter George for starts in AHL Ontario next season.
It's a fairly weak trio, and the Kings have little depth to speak of, though Vojtech Cihar and Jakub Dvorak could eventually break into bottom-six and third-pairing roles in the NHL, respectively.
- Adam Herman
22. Ottawa Senators
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Prospects to Watch: Carter Yakemchuk, Logan Hensler, Kasper Halttunen
Analysis: The Ottawa Senators come in much higher than I anticipated when initially looking at their prospect pool, and it's because of a few highlights among the rubble. After trading away captain Brady Tkachuk, the team clearly still intends to contend; with that in mind, it's understandable that the cupboard would be a little depleted. But it's not depleted because of trades.
To put it frankly, for a few years, they were not drafting well at all. That has slowly started to change—this year's selections of Jonas Lagerberg-Hoen and Jaxon Cover were promising signs, for example. And they managed to acquire some good pieces in those intervening years.
Forward Carter Yakemchuk is probably the closest to making the NHL out of this crew. It's not just because of where he is development-wise, either, or because he's made it clear that he isn't letting the drawbacks in his skating hold him back. It's because he's mean and really hard to play against, and he pairs that with a really nice layer of manipulation. And he's a right-handed defenseman. Everyone wants those.
Logan Hensler has a bit more of a runway when it comes to his arrival in the league, and I admit I soured on him for a while. He's won me back a bit over the last season, showcasing the aspects of his game I liked prior to his draft—smothering opponents' chances when in transition, really nice gap control, shutting down open ice. He'll get there, I think.
—Hannah Stuart
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
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Prospects to Watch: Jackson Smith, Cayden Lindstrom, Emil Hemming
Analysis: In my opinion, the Blue Jackets' prospect pool is a paper tiger.
To be fair, Jackson Smith is legitimate. A 6'4" defenseman who can skate is going to intrigue any scout, and his impact is not just theoretical. He showed very well as a freshman at Penn State last season. His offensive skills translated much more than I initially believed, and he put up 11 goals and 15 assists in 35 games. The defensive abilities are prominent. With his size, skating, and ability to think the game, he's going to suppress shots both as a matter of snuffing out plays and proactively preventing them through collecting and moving pucks. Offensively, he has the makings of someone who collects some points through skating and competent decision-making, though I don't see him as a true PP QB. Smith safely projects as a No. 2 or No. 3 NHL defenseman.
Cayden Lindstrom's future is the million-dollar question in Columbus. The Blue Jackets took a massive risk drafting him fourth overall in 2024 over, among others, Ivan Demidov. He is extremely gifted: a 6'3" center with a powerful skating stride. Not many players can skate like that, and even fewer can while holding 220 pounds on their frame. He was an overwhelming presence in the WHL. A strong shooter with some supplementary puck skill, he had that "if everything goes right…" trait that made him look like a potential unicorn. Unfortunately, back injuries that plagued him in his draft season have carried over. He lost basically the entire 2024-25 season. He underwhelmed with Michigan State last season by totaling just three goals and seven assists in 31 games. Columbus's passing on Demidov was a mistake regardless, but we'll probably never get to truly see the decision through. He still should be an NHL player, but even a top-six role is in serious question now.
Oscar Hemming, taking 14th overall in June, is another player with pure raw potential. He is 6'4" and remarkably strong for someone who only just turned 18 this month. He is an absolute HAMMER on the forecheck, and he is tough to knock off pucks or move from the crease. Hemming has skill on the puck and can make plays in isolation, but he has some tunnel vision and is more reactive than proactive. I also deeply worry about his skating. He's slow in general; his pivots are tough to watch. He had some encouraging moments as a freshman at BC, but also at times looked out of place in the competition. He is still very young and could become a top-six power forward, but it will be a journey to get there.
While the Blue Jackets have some household names here, two of the three have major question marks. What's particularly concerning is that the Blue Jackets have a very shallow pool after these three; Luca del Bel Belluz could break into the NHL full-time this year, and I like Sergei Ivanov as a goaltending prospect, but there isn't much else to grapple with.
- Adam Herman
20. Boston Bruins
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Prospects to Watch: James Hagens, Dean Letourneau, Will Zellers
Analysis: The Boston Bruins owe a lot to James Hagens when it comes to where they're ranked on this list. He's the best draft pick they've made since defenseman Charlie McAvoy, for sure, and has the potential to become as much of a mainstay as McAvoy.
Hagens is a fantastic two-way forward whose hockey sense is, I think, underrated. His vision and intelligence underpin a strong attention to detail and sound decision-making. He still does the thing that annoys me, and that I've called out Porter Martone and Gavin McKenna alike for in the past: sticking too much to the perimeter. But that's slowly being beaten out of him through necessity. Once he starts utilizing the middle of the ice more, I think we'll see his offense explode; until then, he's still a strong player at both ends of the ice.
Outside of Hagens, though, it begins to get a little hazy.
I'm not going to pretend that I liked or understood the Dean Letourneau pick when it happened. That being said—Letourneau has definitely shown significant growth over the last season, to the point where it feels reasonable to project him as not just an NHLer, but a potential top-six player. I know. It surprised me too. I love being surprised like this. Letourneau's mobility was always a highlight of his game; now he's using it to underpin a game that includes scoring and physicality as regular features. He's still got a little ways to go, but he's almost certainly going to be a contributor at the NHL level.
Guys like Will Zellers, a speedy winger with hands as quick as his feet, and Cooper Simpson, a sniper with potential to get himself noticed sooner rather than later, round out the top few prospects in what is currently a shallow system.
—Hannah Stuart
19. Vancouver Canucks
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Prospects to Watch: Caleb Malhotra, Braeden Cootes, Adam Novotny
Analysis: As far as the prospect pool goes, things are improving significantly for the Vancouver Canucks. It's unfortunate that the same cannot seem to be said for the NHL club at the moment, but give it time. They've definitely got some guys waiting in the wings with the potential to change that fate.
That starts with none other than Caleb Malhotra, who was drafted to a team coached by his father and yet is anything but a nepo baby. He's not Gavin McKenna—I know that lottery loss probably still stings Canucks fans, and I'm sorry—but Malhotra is exceedingly intelligent and highly skilled. He was without question the best center in this year's draft, and while center is a position where the Canucks' prospect pool has a lot of depth, you can't pass up a guy like Malhotra.
Braeden Cootes, last year's first-round pick, is also a center. He plays the game differently from Malhotra; while he doesn't have the elite hockey sense Malhotra does, he has a never-quit motor that he pairs with incredible puck-retrieval ability. If you need a solid forecheck, just throw Cootes out there. He'll handle it.
Winger Adam Novotny rounds out that top tier of Canucks prospects. He was one of my favorites to watch this past year when looking at draft options; Novotny never stops moving and trying things. He's a fantastic skater with high-end passing and shooting skills; it's no wonder he can already score goals like an NHLer (stylistically). He's not a flashy guy. His game is straightforward. But he's hard to stop nonetheless.
"But Hannah, you didn't mention anything about defense." No I did not. It's for the best.
We'll talk about that another time, after the hockey gods have righted this year's alleged wrong and gifted the Canucks Landon DuPont.
—Hannah Stuart
18. Detroit Red Wings
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Prospects to Watch: Trey Augustine, Carter Bear, JP Hurlbert
Analysis: Keep an eye on the Detroit Red Wings. Their prospect pool has the vibe of one about to tip the balance of the ice for its parent organization. And thank god, because right now the parent organization looks a bit directionless. I don't know what they're doing; I'm pretty sure they don't know what they're doing. I think it's okay not to know where you're going when you don't have a general manager, though, and they've got a lot of pieces in this pipeline to help move things forward.
There's a decent amount of options at each position, some stronger than others—goaltending looks like a particular strength. Trey Augustine is, barring some freak act of God, the Red Wings goaltender of the future, and behind him they've got Michal Orsulak, Michal Postava, Michal Pradel, and Rudy Guimond, who proves they're allowed to draft goaltenders not named Michal. It's a good position to have depth at; goaltenders are hard to predict outside of the ones who scream "I'm a star", and those are rare.
Carter Bear was a particular favorite of mine in his draft year, and more importantly, he suits the Red Wings quite well. He brings elite hockey sense and incredible passing ability, pairing them with an absolutely relentless drive that will infuriate opponents for a very long time. That tenacity and vision are true separating factors for him.
JP Hurlbert, drafted this year, is a fascinating player who absolutely blew WHL scoring out of the water. His puck-moving abilities are fantastic, as is his hockey sense and vision; he's always one step ahead of opponents. That vision also allows a layer of deception to his game. He's on par with Michael Brandsegg-Nygard for me in terms of likelihood of making the NHL, but Hurlbert's vision gives him that extra edge.
—Hannah Stuart
17. Carolina Hurricanes
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Prospects to Watch: Bradly Nadeau, Felix Unger Sorum, William Hakansson
Analysis: The Carolina Hurricanes are victims of their own success. Drafting late in the first round makes it hard to land marquee prospects. They make up for it with a quantity of solid prospects.
Bradly Nadeau does have a chance to be a star. The winger, taken 30th overall in 2024, has been a point-per-game player over his last two AHL seasons, at ages 19 and 20, respectively. Simply put, he knows how to shoot the puck and score goals. He's a good skater who can rip pucks off the rush. He can snipe from a standing position in the offensive zone. He is a little too predictable, and he'll have some growing pains trying to adapt to coach Rod Brind'Amour's demanding systems off the puck, but he's already shown what he can do in brief NHL appearances (three goals in 12 games last season), and in almost any other organization, he would have been given a run of games by now. He has 30-goal upside.
Felix Unger Sorum blew everyone away by nearly making the Hurricanes' roster out of training camp in 2023. He did that despite being a 5'11 18-year-old taken just two picks before the third round. His development hit some speed bumps after that, but last season the Swedish right-winger produced 66 points in 72 AHL games and earned his first NHL point in a call-up. Unger Sorum is evasive and combines well with teammates in quick combination plays. He's grown into his body since he was 18 and penetrates the interior ice more deeply. He's someone who knows how to throw sand in the gears of defenses by changing his angles of attack. There are still some raw elements in his game as he adapts to North American hockey, but the Hurricanes are as good as any team at coaching their players into making productive decisions. He has top-six upside.
There could be five different players reasonably selected as the third-best prospect in Carolina's systems. I'll go with William Hakansson. Just drafted in the 2026 second round, Hakansson is everything the Hurricanes demand out of their shutdown defensemen. He is tall, he uses his stick to disrupt plays efficiently, and he is a solid enough skater to close down space in the neutral zone.
- Adam Herman
16. St. Louis Blues
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Prospects to Watch: Tynan Lawrence, Justin Carbonneau, Adam Jiricek
Analysis: The scouting reports last year on Tynan Lawrence were volatile, but I think he's going to settle in nicely. He plays with a lot of inertia, a powerful north-south stride, is hard on pucks, and plays a direct style. The final product is hit-and-miss in terms of making plays once he gets the puck, but he has shown some ability to take on defenders, though sometimes he skates the puck into dead ice as well. Plus, his wrist shot is strong. The continued development of offensive zone precision will determine whether he becomes a second-line center or a top third-line center, but he has favorable odds of becoming a valuable player.
Justin Carbonneau is a lot more of a wild card. He is uber-skilled, lightning-quick with the puck on his stick, and his shooting release is hard for goaltenders to read. He also plays with an edge. He needs to expand his game to include more passing, both to help his teammates and to create more room for his own shooting chances. In general, his playing style is a bit laborious and lacking in certain details defensively and in moving the puck along the walls. He needs some seasoning but has the upside of a top-six, 30-goal winger.
Adam Jiricek is a heavy defenseman who plays a heavy game. He's a very physical defender, and he shoots the puck hard. Skating isn't his strong suit, but he has enough hockey sense to make up for it defensively, and while he won't be helpful off the rush, he makes some really good offensive zone passes. He projects as a No. 4 minute-eating defenseman who provides secondary offense.
Maddox Dagenais, a 2026 first-round pick, is highly intriguing. He's 6'4 and very intelligent in all three zones. His shot is scary, and he uses his long reach well to protect pucks and create space. He is very underripe, but there is so much to work with, and I think he could be a rare type of second-line center.
I don't love the rest of the depth chart as much as some others do (though 2026 third-round pick Luke Schairer is one of my favorite under-the-radar defense prospects), but those first four are a strong group who should give the Blues at least a couple of impact players.
- Adam Herman
15. New York Rangers
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Prospects to Watch: Alberts Šmits, Liam Greentree, Cole Beaudoin
The Rangers' organization looks completely different from what it did in January. One example of this? None of their current top-three prospects were even in the organization at that time.
I've written about Alberts Šmits ad nauseam. He's big, he's an awesome skater, and he's unintimidated by any challenge. He plays a super-aggressive style that Head Coach Mike Sullivan will see fit for his tactics. He creates offense through sheer physical influence. He's already proven to be an imposing defender in-zone against grown men in Europe, and there is still room for him to become a true bully. He's a virtual lock to turn into a top-four, minute-eating defenseman, and how well he and NYR's coaching staff can work with him to improve his decision-making will determine if he can become a top-pairing defenseman.
Liam Greentree, acquired from LA in the Artemi Panarin trade, is a player you want to have the puck. He is a proficient stickhandler; he uses his 6'3" frame to create space and deke around defenders. He has a bit of an edge to his game, even if he's never going to be known for physicality. His skating is a bit laborious and, as dominant as he was in junior hockey, he too often operated at a low tempo. He needs to learn to mix in moments where he executes quickly to keep the much-superior pro defenses guessing. The projection is a middle-six offensive winger, but there is a path to becoming more of an impact top-six forward.
Cole Beaudoin is a pure heart-and-soul center. Acquired in the Vincent Trocheck trade, he will never be outworked, no matter who is on the ice against him. He's a relentless forechecker. He comes away with the puck in scrums you'd never expect him to win. He's put in a lot of work to improve his skating, moving it from deficient to tolerably average. And he has enough supplementary puck skills to make the engine matter. He looks like a textbook NHL third-line center who wears a letter on his chest.
The top of the prospect pool is good, but, to GM Chris Drury's credit, organizational depth is something Rangers fans can feel very good about. Malcolm Spence, Thomas Chrenko, EJ Emery, and Ben MacBeath make up a solid B-tier. The likes of Jaroslav Chmelar and Adam Sykora have already flirted with full-time NHL duties. Dylan Garand is a legitimate NHL goaltending prospect if they're willing to give him a chance.
- Adam Herman
14. Toronto Maple Leafs
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Prospects to Watch: Gavin McKenna, Ethan MacKenzie, Tinas-Luc Koblar
Analysis: The philosophy for ranking the Maple Leafs boiled down to this exercise: Is Gavin McKenna worth more than a given team's entire prospect pool? If yes, then the Maple Leafs ranked above that team.
There are other prospects with NHL upside. Ethan MacKenzie is a hard-working defenseman who skates at a proficient level and can transport pucks up ice. He's a late bloomer, but he performed extremely well at the World Junior Championships for Canada last winter. He also has enough offensive production in his game to avoid becoming a liability. He won't blow minds, but he has a shot to become a minute-eating No. 4 or 5 defenseman on a playoff team.
Tinas-Luc Koblar is a hard-working winger who stuck for the full Swedish Hockey League season as an 18-year-old, but his point production has been low at all levels over the last few years.
Ben Danford is a defenseman whom the previous Toronto regime loved, and, well, there's a reason that the previous regime is now gone. The former 29th-overall pick is strong and a decent skater, but he plays a safe style and still muffs the puck too often in the defensive zone. He could turn into a third-pairing penalty killer, but even that is in doubt.
Beyond that group, it's barren. If the 32 teams were ranked by prospects two-through-ten in their organization, the Leafs would rank bottom-five.
And yet there is Gavin McKenna. His hands are elite, his vision is extraordinary, he has more edge than he gets credit for, and he operates well in the middle of the ice and tight spaces despite his undersized frame. Would it help if he added some explosiveness to his skating? Yes. But there are other superstars who operate from the wings despite lacking size or a top gear. The floor is a career as an 80-point All-Star, but he could also become the next Artemi Panarin. That alone is worth more than a collection of "maybes" many organizations have.
- Adam Herman
13. Pittsburgh Penguins
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Prospects to Watch: Harrison Brunicke, Sergei Murashov, Bill Zonnon
Analysis: Goaltender Sergei Murashov's place on the Pittsburgh Penguins feels like such a surety that I nearly forgot to include him on this list, but he is, in fact, still a prospect. He's definitely their goaltender of the future. Being able to say things like that is still a novelty; for all the blunt, cutting analysis given to the Edmonton Oilers' prospect pool, very similar things could've been said about the Pittsburgh Penguins until the last few years. General manager Kyle Dubas has quietly built a robust stable of assets that, while not the best in the league, is light-years better than it was.
Defenseman Harrison Brunicke made it difficult for the team to send him down last season, and he was far too good for junior hockey; I wish he'd been able to play in the AHL. His hockey sense and poise bode well for the upcoming season. Forward Bill Zonnon studied the Penguins' AHL system while playing in the QMJHL intently enough that he jumped directly into the fray when he joined them at the end of the year. His awareness and tenacity make him difficult to control, and he's a clever passer.
It must be noted that they still lack a strong center contender. Ben Kindel is an NHLer, no longer a prospect (deserved). Rutger McGroarty could make the NHL as a center, but his path forward feels more likely to be on the wing. Markus Ruck has potential, with legitimately special playmaking abilities, but other areas of his game cause enough concern that I'm withholding judgment until we see how he develops over the next few years. The potential is definitely there, though.
Honorable mention goes to Will Horcoff, who was left off the brief Prospects to Watch list above but is also going to be a key part of the Penguins' future. He was one of the best players in college hockey last season, and while he's returning to the University of Michigan this year, it wouldn't be surprising to see that be his last.
—Hannah Stuart
12. Utah Mammoth
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Prospects to Watch: Tij Iginla, Caleb Desnoyers, Ethan Belchetz
Analysis: The Utah Mammoth are headed into their third NHL season this fall, and though they inherited a group of prospects from the Arizona Coyotes, it hasn't taken them long to start putting their own mark on that pool through the draft. Their top three to watch listed above are their top picks from the last three drafts, and they've also gone out and acquired goaltender Sebastian Cossa—widely considered one of the best current goaltending prospects—to round out the top of their pool. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here, now that they've added a bit of their own preferences to each position.
Tij Iginla brings elite-level skill in just about every area: hockey sense, puck-handling, and physicality. He can truly take over a shift, distributing pucks smoothly to teammates and landing shots from almost anywhere. His toolkit has both depth and breadth. There are still some refinements to make, but they're small, the kind of details that get worked out in a professional game environment. He'll most likely spend a little time seasoning in the AHL before becoming a mainstay on the Mammoth roster.
I am higher on Ethan Belchetz than many, I will admit. I firmly believe we would've seen him selected in the top five had he not broken his collarbone, which I hear is very important for using one's arms. At his best, he combines a power-forward style with high-end playmaking, reading the ice exceptionally well. If he can improve his skating and add some pace to his game, he's going to shine for the Mammoth in the near future.
Dmitri Simashev, though not listed in the to-watch section, should be a solid addition to the Mammoth's NHL blue line, and probably sooner rather than later. He brings size and puck-moving ability, showcasing offensive skills and distribution in the AHL.
—Hannah Stuart
11. New York Islanders
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Prospects to Watch: Viktor Eklund, Malte Gustafsson, Cole Eiserman
Analysis: The New York Islanders expose the limitations of this type of exercise. There are 23-year-olds who still count as prospects. Matthew Schaefer, the best 18-year-old defenseman hockey has seen since, maybe, Ray Bourque, does not. Even without him, the Islanders have a lot to feel good about.
Viktor Eklund, a 5'11" ball of energy, took big strides in the Swedish Hockey League last season. The winger then came over to North America, where he tallied three goals and seven assists in ten AHL games and earned his first NHL game. Despite being 5'11", he makes his home below the faceoff dots and outworks everybody. With complementary shooting ability and a good sense for the game, Eklund should be an NHLer in 2026-27, and he has strong odds of becoming a top-six winger in the mold of Brendan Gallagher.
Malte Gustafsson, taken 13th overall last June, covers a lot of ice. The 6'4" defenseman is also an above-average skater. He uses his reach well. The offensive upside isn't so great, but he has decent hockey sense and the legs to get involved in transition plays. These all add up to a player who could make up a top-four shutdown defenseman. Brady Skjei is the best-case scenario.
After those two, the Islanders have some notable prospects with upside but warts that could hold them back. Winger Cole Eiserman gets open and is one of the best one-touch shooters around. To his credit, he's added a playmaking component to his game over the last couple of seasons. Can he build out from there? Sometimes he's a pedestrian on the ice. His decision-making is sometimes brutal, and if opportunities aren't finding him, he won't consistently seek them out. Skating is only okay, and defense is a big question mark. If Eiserman can become a more complete player, the shooting ability alone will justify a spot in the middle of an NHL lineup.
Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson was an absolute warrior in the OHL last season. He would flirt for 30 minutes each night consistently. He's physically built. He hits like an NFL linebacker, and his slapshot is horrifyingly heavy. There are scouts who worry about how his game will translate at the NHL level, where the physical advantages are mitigated. He is effective but predictable, and that lack of range may limit him to a No. 4 role as a defenseman in the NHL.
- Adam Herman
10. Washington Capitals
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Prospects to Watch: Ilya Protas, Cole Hutson, Andrew Cristall
Analysis: It's really easy to say nice things about both the players the Washington Capitals have drafted and the way they develop them. The working relationship between the Capitals and the Hershey Bears, and in particular the way that the Bears prepare players to play in the Capitals' system, is a well-oiled machine for the most part. And somehow the Capitals have also been mostly drafting well.
Forward Ilya Protas was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team last season; I'll be shocked if he doesn't immediately make some level of noise for the Capitals this year. He pairs scoring prowess with size (he's 6'5" and 225 pounds) and is a great passer. Fellow forward Andrew Cristall had a solid first season in Hershey, and he's one I would keep an eye on for a call-up this season—watch his puck skills and playmaking abilities.
Defenseman Cole Hutson is more stressful to watch than older brother Lane—speedy, evasive, creative—and that stress pays off. He doesn't just think the game at a high level; he can do it at top-game speed. It's easy to assume those things go hand in hand; they don't. Very often, a player's brain can't keep up with his feet, or vice versa. Hutson doesn't have that issue. If he doesn't get nominated for the Calder Trophy, I'll be very surprised.
That's not even to mention wingers Lynden Lakovic and Terik Parascak, both hailing from the WHL like Cristall. Lakovic's season was cut short by injury in November of last year, so I look forward to seeing a full season from him. Parascak is entering his first AHL season after seeing his point totals fall each year (staying above a point per game, however) after breaking 100 points in his draft season. A lot of interesting question marks on guys with some very real potential.
"Intriguing" is one of the highest compliments I can give to a prospect pool, and the Capitals have that in spades.
—Hannah Stuart
9. Philadelphia Flyers
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Prospects to Watch: Porter Martone, Alex Bump, Jett Luchanko
Analysis: The loadstone is Porter Martone. His flaws are documented and worth considering, but his fall to sixth overall in 2025 was preposterous. A true modern power forward, Martone is 6'3" and has truly high-end hands. He takes on defenders one-on-one and operates first as a playmaker, but he is also able to make space for himself off the puck and get open as a finisher. He's exceptionally strong, and we saw in last season's NHL playoffs that he's already a physical pain to defend. He dominated the NCAA at Michigan State, then scored 10 points in 9 NHL regular-season games and 5 in 10 playoff games. Skating may still hold him back some, but he's all but obliterated the deep concerns about his upside. He should be an All-Star winger and franchise-building block.
There's a steep drop-off after Martone and Denver Barkey's graduation, which doesn't help matters. They blew it with other picks: Former 13th-overall selection Jett Luchanko has seen his development plateau and is approaching a make-or-break season. The best-case scenario is a third-line center role. Jack Nesbitt was a reach at 12th overall in 2025, and he also looks like a future third-line center. Taking Oliver Bonk, perhaps a future third-pair defenseman, over Gabe Perreault in 2023 is looking terrible. I'm also not a huge believer in 27th-overall pick Maxim Sokolovskii or David Jiricek, who are both big, powerful defensemen but who lack ability on the puck or high-end hockey IQ.
A saving grace for Philadelphia is that some of their later picks are intriguing. Former fifth-round pick Alex Bump was a top NCAA scorer and showed well in the NHL, posting 9 points in 17 games. He should be a middle-six offensive winger next season. Cole Knuble and Max Westergard also have a chance to make it as hard-working defensive forwards.
It's a strong prospect pool with one elite prospect and a lot of depth behind him, but the Flyers punted away a lot of value and, with better draft choices, could have ranked towards the top.
- Adam Herman
8. Anaheim Ducks
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Prospects to Watch: Roger McQueen, Nikita Klepov, Stian Solberg
Analysis: Well, they finally did it. The Anaheim Ducks made it back to the playoffs. Whether that's sustainable or not remains to be seen, though, and they shed quite a few players from their blue line in the process.
Winger Nikita Klepov feels like the most likely top-six NHLer of the current bunch, bringing killer offensive creation and physicality that combine to make him extremely projectable. He's not that cerebral, high-end processing playmaker, but he doesn't need to be. We briefly thought we would see him in college hockey this season, but he's signed his entry-level contract, so that's out.
Roger McQueen no longer looks like the top-line potential we saw before his draft season, and that's okay; he's clearly going to be a useful top-six NHLer nonetheless. He's a fantastic playmaker, highly skilled and benefiting from his time in the NCAA. His size (he's 6'6") and offensive instincts make him difficult to contain, and while he could stand to improve his reads, he's got time to do that.
Stian Solberg will probably make an appearance on the NHL blue line sooner rather than later, thanks to all the departures. He's mean and physical, able to overwhelm opponents and take over, and he's added to that over the past year by refining his puck skills. Solberg is an effective passer, useful on the rush, and though his awareness could use some work, that kind of thing comes with time and game experience.
Several honorable mentions who didn't make the above to-watch list: defenseman Tristan Luneau, who I expect to see join the NHL roster before too long; forwards Marcus Nordmark, Lucas Pettersson, and Mathis Preston. I could keep going there because the Ducks have done a pretty solid job putting depth at all of their positions—except maybe goaltender. They have a few young guys to keep an eye on, including Damian Clara and Gleb Peshkov, but no one is jumping to "goaltender of the future" status quite yet.
—Hannah Stuart
7. Seattle Kraken
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Prospects to Watch: Chase Reid, Jake O'Brien, Jagger Firkus
Analysis: The Kraken have some interesting prospects, but ranking them comes down to how one views Chase Reid. There is no doubting his raw talent. Reid's four-way mobility is borderline elite. Excellent agility. His crossovers are brilliant. Skating the puck up ice, he looks like Bobby Orr in junior hockey. He has a really good wrist shot and the tools to gap up and defend the rush, though right now I find him way too passive defensively. I also worry about his offensive hockey IQ and how his game will translate once he can't skate circles around everyone at the NHL level. If it all connects, though, he could be a franchise defenseman. For me, he settles in as a great No. 3.
Jake O'Brien, drafted eighth overall in 2025, is a dynamic offensive center. Creative with the puck, O'Brien makes space to maneuver with his hands and then feeds teammates in scoring positions. He has equal parts hand-eye coordination and hockey IQ. O'Brien is a future top-six forward.
The Kraken, who have gone stale, desperately need to inject youth into the NHL asap. They'll have a few options. Winger Jagger Firkus produced 56 points in 63 AHL games last season. He does an excellent job of creating space to shoot and then wiring one past goaltenders with a quick release, but he needs to round out his game to become a top-nine NHL winger.
Oskar Fisker Mølgaard is a safer bet to make the NHL. The Norwegian is a mature two-way center who already showed well in a cup of coffee in the NHL last season. He projects as a shutdown third-line center.
Jani Nyman should also be a player. He shuttled between the AHL and NHL all season but collected seven points over 28 NHL games. A heavy winger who loves to hang around the net and who has nimble hands to create offense from that dangerous territory. He should be a full-time NHLer this season.
- Adam Herman
6. Montreal Canadiens
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Prospects to Watch: Michael Hage, Alexander Zharovsky, David Reinbacher
Analysis: Much like players will fall during the draft season because other players have risen sharply, rather than anything the player who fell actively did, the Montreal Canadiens have dropped to sixth because other teams have gotten better. They haven't actively gotten worse. In fact, the biggest impact on their fall was Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes being counted as full-time NHLers rather than prospects.
Add to that the fact that they're back contending, and they're the epitome of the "don't help them, they're exactly where they want to be" meme. Contending and having one of the strongest pipelines in the league? Any NHL team that tells you they don't want that to be them is lying.
Center Michael Hage's choice to return to college surprised a lot of people—myself included—but it's a good one. He doesn't have a lot of rough edges remaining in his game. He's a strong, consistent center who may not be the most elite-skilled playmaker, but he's extremely speedy, a great passer, and can hit. What more can you really ask for?
Winger Alexander Zharovsky is perhaps the Habs prospect I heard about most this season from fans at large. He brings a really high skill level, complete with any sort of manipulation abilities and stick-handling skills that you could wish for in a forward. He's staying in the KHL this season, so we won't get to see his transition to North American hockey yet, but something tells me he'll do just fine.
Defenseman David Reinbacher has had a real up-and-down time of it over the past few years. Chin up, David—you're a right-shot defenseman; they're always going to want you. On a more serious note: the 2025-26 season was his first professional season in North America, and he was frequently called out as being "quietly very effective" by prospect pundits. That's exactly what you want to hear from a player of Reinbacher's style. Based on the stick work, decision-making, and physicality we saw across much of the season, don't be surprised if he takes a step forward this year now that he's more comfortable.
—Hannah Stuart
5. Buffalo Sabres
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Prospects to Watch: Konsta Helenius, Daxon Rudolph, Radim Mrtka
Analysis: I would expect Konsta Helenius to play on Buffalo's third line next season, though perhaps on the wing. He's strong for his size, he's defensively reliable, and he makes good decisions on the puck. Sabres fans got a glimpse of his abilities last season, and he was unfazed by NHL competition — even playoff competition — at just 19 years old. There are some questions about whether he has enough athleticism to become a top player, but he should be a middle-six center for a long time.
Radim Mrtka is a 6'6" defender who is an excellent skater. He is overwhelming in battles thanks to his size and reach. He has little offensive zone presence, but he is completely comfortable collecting pucks and moving them up the ice. He'll be a top-four defenseman in the NHL, and he could end up the perfect complement on the right side to Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power.
Though Daxon Rudolph was a reach for me at fourth overall, his statistical profile matches the slotting, and I think he has enough upside to justify the selection. The best pure offensive defenseman of the draft class, he's a high-end operator at the blue line, can dangle past players to create space for himself and either find the cross-seam pass or rip a shot into the twine. If the Sabres coaching staff can help him turn raw tools into more defensive competency, then he could be a real difference maker in the NHL.
The depth of the Sabres' prospect pool is also fairly strong. One lesser-known prospect to keep an eye on: 20-year-old Adam Kleber. The 6'5" defenseman isn't much of an offensive contributor, but he complements that size with really good skating and physical play. He could turn into a second-pairing eraser.
- Adam Herman
4. Nashville Predators
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Prospects to Watch: Wyatt Cullen, Brady Martin, Ryker Lee
Analysis: The Nashville Predators have one of the most intriguing prospect pipelines for me right now, and it's one I'm watching closely. It feels like they've done a giant 180-degree turn over the last few years, getting better at identifying talent overall, especially with their mid-round picks. (They've also just had more options, as they've accepted they're in a rebuild and need to acquire more picks.)
Wyatt Cullen is probably going to end up looking like a top-five pick in terms of pure skill—his hockey sense alone should terrify opponents, much less what he's able to do with it in terms of his passing and playmaking abilities. Brady Martin is as tenacious as they come, an absolute force through the neutral zone with a set of tools that he uses to make even complicated plays look simple.
Ryker Lee has an absurd set of offensive tools that can terrorize opponents, though whether he'll translate that to the NHL level depends on his ability to improve his skating. The Predators also acquired the impossible-to-catch defenseman Tommy Bleyl at the end of the first round this year; that's likely to look like a steal as well.
There's pretty nice depth in almost every area. Now all they've got to do is focus on development, so that the potential contained in this pipeline makes it to NHL ice and allows them to return to contending.
—Hannah Stuart
3. Chicago Blackhawks
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Prospects to Watch: Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov, Xavier Villeneuve
Analysis: The strength of Chicago's prospect pool is in its depth.
I am not as high on former third-overall pick Anton Frondell as others. I worry about his skating, and I worry that he needs a primary driver on his line who can get him the puck in the right places. Even still, he's a big weapon and has already proven himself in the NHL; nine points in his first 12 games. The Swede is strong and has a devastating wrist shot. If he can stick at center and provide a different, more rustic element that complements the nimble Connor Bedard, then that would go a long way.
The 21-year-old Roman Kantserov led the KHL in goals (36) last season. He's 5'9" but is an ambitious attacker who has fine-tuned skating and cleverness on the puck. He's played a lot of center, but he seems likely to play wing in Chicago. He has true star power, though his defense is lacking.
Xavier Villeneuve, drafted 34th overall in June, could have gone as high as the mid-teens. On talent alone, he's a top-ten player in the 2026 draft class. The mobile defenseman plays something of a positionless game, roving as the fourth forward. He is an explosive skater who attacks from a standing position and uses misdirection in his offensive possessions. Defense will make-or-break his NHL career. Teams are understandably worried about his 5'11" frame, and he lacks physicality. I've seen some highs and lows defensively, but his skating gives him the ability to learn to hold his checks and proactively kill plays. Could he be the next Lane Hutson? The Blackhawks have enough organizational equity to be excited about this boom-or-bust gamble.
It's a strong group at the top, but where the Blackhawks really shine is deeper into the prospect pool. Vaclav Nestrasil is a 6'5" winger who produced at nearly a point-per-game pace as an NCAA freshman. Goaltender Drew Commesso should be an NHLer. Winger Ryan Roobroeck would be a top-five prospect on most teams given his raw size and skill combination. He may not even be top-ten on Chicago's list.
- Adam Herman
2. Calgary Flames
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Prospects to Watch: Zayne Parekh, Carson Carels, Matvei Gridin
Analysis: The Calgary Flames moved up several spots from their position on last year's list, and it's not a surprise when you look at their drafting. Adding Carson Carels and Jack Hextall to an already bursting-at-the-seams cupboard made one of the best prospect pools in the league even better. It's so easy to speak highly of their scouting staff's work, even considering that they've drafted moderately high in the last several years.
Defense is where the Flames' recent drafting really shines. 2024 pick Zayne Parekh, who ticks all the boxes for an elite first-pair defender who imposes his will on the flow of the game as easily as breathing some nights, will likely be a full-time NHLer this season, and incredible two-way defender and 2026 first-round pick Carson Carels will probably join the team sooner rather than later—it wouldn't surprise me one bit if his college career is one-and-done.
Though we didn't include him in the Prospects to Watch section—he's one of those right on the verge of prospect and not, and he's just outside of our top three—defender Hunter Brzustewicz is also quite intriguing. He's likely starting the season in the AHL, but with his puck-handling and mobility, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get called up this season and not return to the Wranglers.
This is without even mentioning forwards Matvei Gridin (likely a full-time NHLer this year), the thrilling Ethan Wyttenbach, and explosive playmaker Cole Reschny. Samuel Honzek, Cullen Potter…the list keeps going.
Obviously, the Flames were a strong contender for the top prospect pool in the league. They've got someone to tick every box — strong forwards, excellent defenders, an impressive goaltender. They feel farther out from contending than others, because many of these guys need time to season and need to be built around, but with the proper development, we could be looking at a team with some very bright days ahead. It's exciting.
—Hannah Stuart
1. San Jose Sharks
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Prospects to Watch: Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, Igor Chernyshov
Analysis: The top four in San Jose are truly wild. How good is Ivar Stenberg? Former seventh-overall pick William Eklund led all Sharks wingers in points (53) last season, yet the Sharks chose to punt him to Ottawa and take Stenberg rather than using the second-overall pick on a much-needed defenseman. That was the right call. Stenberg is a 200-foot winger who has everything but size. He's going to create offense off the rush and from in-zone plays. He is a fantastic distributor from the perimeter but also fights his way to the crease for dirty goals. A great stickhandler with a high-end motor. I think he's an 80- 90-point All-Star winger in the NHL.
Keaton Verhoeff, taken with the ninth-overall pick acquired via the Eklund trade, fell farther than he should have. He had some growing pains in the NCAA this season, but he was still a positive presence as a 17-year-old and deserves credit for taking on the challenge rather than cruising through junior hockey. He's big, has a great shot, and plays a very smart game on and off the puck. With some work on his skating (think footwork more than pure speed), he'll be able to escape pressure a bit more and defend the rush a whole lot better. I think the realistic pinnacle of his upside is Aaron Ekblad.
Winger Igor Chernyshov is one of the most underrated prospects in hockey. The former second-round pick only turned 20 in late November, but he already looks like a force not only in pro hockey but also in the NHL. He's 6'2" but plays even bigger, and he also has the skill on the puck to use his strength to beat defenders wide and then execute close to the net. He's a force along the walls. He doesn't limp into battles, instead using his whole body to win space for pucks. He doesn't panic if he receives pucks with his back turned to the ice. And he gives that extra effort to win a battle or keep a play alive. I think he's a top-six power forward as soon as next season.
Ryan Lin, debatably the fourth-ranked prospect in San Jose, would rank number one on probably a dozen other NHL teams. A super smart defenseman who quarter backs play well at the blue line and has the instincts and footwork to overcome his 5'11" frame defensively. He won't be on the same level, but I believe Lin disproves his skeptics for similar reasons as Adam Fox.
Those four are the driving force for San Jose's No. 1 rating, but there are other notable prospects down the ballot as well; Center Filip Bystedt, winger Quentin Musty, and defenseman Luca Cagnoni are B-tier prospects who could play supporting roles in the NHL next season, while Joshua Ravensbergen and Brady Knowling are both quality goaltending prospects.
This all, of course, does not account for Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa. The future looks extremely bright in San Jose (as long as they make the right moves at the NHL level).
- Adam Herman
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