The NHL’s Top 100 Prospects – Midseason Update – The Hockey Writers – Editor’s Choice

Now that we’re midway through the 2025-26 NHL season, it’s time to update our ranking of the top 100 drafted NHL prospects. So far this season, we’ve seen top prospects like Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer and Berkly Catton break into the NHL full-time, becoming important players for their respective teams. Schaefer, in particular, has been for the New York Islanders just months after they selected him first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

This year’s NHL rookie class is rightfully earning a lot of early attention, with a massive group of talented youngsters who each have a chance at the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s best rookie. Some of this year’s major contenders include Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer, and Jesper Wallstedt, but there will surely be a few lesser known players who earn Calder votes when it’s all said and done. Before we get into the top 100 prospect ranking update, here are a few notes on the criteria and content of this list.

Related: Ranking Every NHL Team’s Farm System

The criteria that makes a player a prospect can be a bit subjective, but for this list I will follow The Athletic’s Corey Pronman’s rules as a guide. Here are the criteria for this list: “A player is considered a prospect if he has played less than 25 games in one NHL campaign (regular season and playoffs combined), less than 50 NHL games total in their career, and is 25 years old by Sept 15.” (From: “Pronman: 2019-20 NHL Farm System Rankings”). Additionally, if a player has played at least six NHL games in at least two NHL seasons, they are no longer considered a prospect.

Some notable players from the most recent edition that are no longer eligible are: Oliver Moore, Dmitri Simashev, Zeev Buium, and Nate Danielson, to name just a few.

If you’re wondering why goalies weren’t included in this ranking, that’s because we have a separate article for that position. Our ranking of the top 10 NHL goalie prospects can be found here.

Without further ado, here is our ranking of the top 100 NHL prospects as well as a few honourable mentions.

Honourable Mentions:

Aiden Fink, RW, Nashville Predators

Shane Vansaghi, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

Vojtech Hradec, C, Utah Mammoth

Adam Jecho, C, St. Louis Blues

Mikhail Gulyayev, LD, Colorado Avalanche

Vojtech Cihar, LW, Los Angeles Kings

Prospects #100-91

100. Brad Lambert, C, Winnipeg Jets

Brad Lambert has been one of the least predictable NHL prospects over the past few years, alternating between games where he looks like a sure-fire top-six centreman and games where you are left frustrated with his apparent lack of effort. Lambert’s skating ability is elite and gives him a standout skill that will translate to the NHL someday. He also has tons of skill with the puck and can make great passes or dekes while at his remarkable top speed. Last season was another frustrating one for Lambert who followed up his 21 goals and 55 point 2023-24 season with just 7 goals and 35 points. 

Hunter Brzustewicz’s developmental path has been a rollercoaster over the past few seasons. Conflict over his leaving the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) and de-committing from the University of Michigan made his draft profile a bit contentious. However, the year after he was drafted, Brzustewicz exploded offensively for 92 points in 67 OHL games, putting his stock at an all-time high. He has since played a year and a half of pro hockey and the projection has certainly evened back out again. Brzustewicz is a very intelligent player who sees plays quickly and makes smart decisions with the puck. His skating and puck play have looked a bit more average now that he’s playing against pros, but I think there will be a role for him in The NHL for a long time.

96. Fabian Lysell, RW, Boston Bruins 

An elite-level skater, Fabian Lysell plays with a great amount of skill. He’s quick, dynamic and always fun to watch when the puck is on his stick. He’s extremely deceptive when setting up his teammates and has a very underrated shot. Lysell has spent the last three seasons in the AHL where he has been good for the Providence Bruins. It will be fascinating to see if he can carve out an NHL role with his excellent skating, but progress has been slow for him in other areas.

95. Adam Kleber, RD, Buffalo Sabres

Adam Kleber is a massive right-handed defenseman (6-foot-6) whose length and defensive game were tantalizing enough for Buffalo to draft him in the second round of the 2024 Draft despite the significant questions around his offensive play. Kleber is a good enough skater for his size and uses his massive reach and frame well to shut down opponents at the NCAA level. I’m not really worried about the projection of his defensive game, but he needs to continue to develop his first-pass and his puck play is a real worry when it comes to his pro projection. Nevertheless, I think someone with Kleber’s physical profile and dependable defensive results will earn an NHL role anyway.

94. Andrew Gibson, RD, Nashville Predators

Andrew Gibson is a big defensive defenseman whose offensive ceiling will dictate his ultimate impact in the NHL. Gibson’s defensive game is really solid, leaning most heavily on his fluid skating and large reach. He is excellent at using his body to cut off attackers, and his feet are much better than most guys of his size. If Gibson can provide some offense in the NHL, he could work his way onto a second pairing, but at this point I think it’s more likely he ends up as a big minutes penalty killer who spends most of his even strength ice time stapled to an offensive creator on the backend. 

93. Lenni Hämeenaho, RW, New Jersey Devils

Lenni Hämeenaho was one of the best forwards in the Finnish Liiga last season at age 20. This year he has made his North American debut with the AHL’s Utica Comets where he has been alright. Hämeenaho is a jack-of-all-trades type of player who does everything well but doesn’t have any traits that stand out all that much. He involves himself in plays, has good timing around the net, skates well, and has skill to challenge defenders on occasion, but I’m not sure what role he would end up playing in The NHL. Regardless, he has a ton of NHL qualities and should be a solid middle-six winger.

92. Eduard Sale, RW, Seattle Kraken

Eduard Sale is a great offensive winger who led all U20 players in scoring as a 17-year-old in the top Czechian professional league. He has struggled a bit against men, looking most comfortable while dictating play from the flanks at even strength and on the power play. Sale’s skill and passing are standout traits, making difficult passes through multiple layers of skates and sticks. He looks like he could be a hard-working middle-six winger who complements your top guys really well while providing decent offensive value on his own. He has shown flashes of greatness, particularly at the 2025 World Junior Championship, but those flashes have not been nearly consistent enough for me to expect him to reach his ultimate ceiling as a top-six winger.

91. Joakim Kemell, RW, Nashville Predators 

There was a time when Joakim Kemell was seen as the second-best prospect in the 2022 Draft. His red-hot start in the Finnish Liiga in his draft year had NHL scouts salivating at his goal scoring potential, and while he ultimately cooled off quite significantly, that potential hasn’t disappeared entirely. Kemell had some inconsistent play in the Liiga since, but has largely been effective in the AHL in parts of three seasons there. I’m still a believer in his shot and skill, which are strong enough to give him a chance to become a middle-six winger in Nashville.

Prospects #90-81

90. Malcolm Spence, LW, New York Rangers

Malcolm Spence is a worker. He’s consistently putting pressure on defenses with his hustle plays in transition, and battles hard for pucks to win possession. It helps that he’s got a great top-speed, which allows him to be a serious factor all over the ice. Spence’s offensive game doesn’t wow you, with enough skill to project as a future NHLer, but not enough to clearly project all that high in the lineup. I think Spence will a coaches-favourite bottom-six player.

89. Cameron Schmidt, C, Dallas Stars

Cameron Schmidt has been a very polarizing player in the prospect world as a very undersized winger who is a high-end skater with a ton of offensive skill. If he were 6-feet tall he almost certainly would have been in the conversation in the 10-16 range of the 2025 Draft, but coming in at just 5-foot-8, his size was a major reason that he fell late into the third round. Schmidt will need to outwork much larger opponents if he wants to succeed in the NHL, and he has shown a high enough compete level to be a real menace someday. He has a dangerous shot that allowed him to score 40 goals for the Vancouver Giants last season, something only eight other WHL players managed.

88. Yegor Surin, C/RW, Nashville Predators

Yegor Surin is a hardworking, offensive player, constantly fighting through checks and winning innumerable puck battles. He was also one of the MHL’s top scorers and added over 100 penalty minutes over the course of his draft season. Surin skates well, has great NHL size (6-foot-2), and has a motor that doesn’t quit. He’ll surely be a fan favorite type in the NHL someday, likely as a middle-six winger or a bottom-six center. After spending most of his past two seasons in the KHL, Surin has another year after this one on his KHL contract meaning he’ll likely be on the Predators’ radar for the 2027-28 season as a hard-working depth player.

87. Kasper Halttunen, RW, San Jose Sharks

Kasper Haltunnen is a big, goal scoring winger who is a shooting threat from nearly everywhere in the offensive zone. Haltunnen has an excellent shot and enough skill with the puck to beat NHL defenders someday, but his skating and decision making are the biggest hurdles between him and an NHL career. He is a powerful physical presence, especially when he’s on his A-game, and his potential as a goalscoring power forward was exciting enough for the Sharks to take him early in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Halttunen overpowered many OHL goaltenders with his booming shot, but he hasn’t had nearly as much success in the AHL so far with much less time and space to operate. Pace will be the deciding factor of how far Halttunen goes as an NHL prospect.

86. Roman Kantserov, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Roman Kantserov was drafted on the back of two seasons as a top scoring forward in the MHL, as a highly skilled, though undersized, forward. After he was taken in the second round of the 2023 Draft by the Blackhawks, Kantserov has taken the step up to the KHL where he has quickly developed into a high-end offensive player in one of the world’s toughest pro leagues. His biggest hurdle will be his size, as a 5-foot-9 winger, but he competes well enough that I think he has a chance. Kantserov has the skill to be an NHLer, but it takes more than just skill to play hockey at the highest level, and he’s fighting an uphill battle when it comes to sticking in an NHL lineup.

85. Logan Hensler, RD, Ottawa Senators

Logan Hensler has been a difficult evaluation over the past two years or so, going from being one of the earliest big names out of the 2025 Draft to being selected in the late first round. When he’s on his game, it’s easy to see the NHL potential with Hensler as a 6-foot-3 defender with a right-handed shot and a strong skating foundation. He has looked a bit tentative at times, but when he takes charge he can do a lot of damage coming off the blueline. Hensler has the potential to be a strong, mobile, two-way defender for the Senators, but he is going to need to become more assertive on both ends of the ice if he wants to end up as more than a fourth or fifth defenseman.

84. Jagger Firkus, RW, Seattle Kraken

Jagger Firkus had a phenomenal final season at the junior level back in 2023-24, leading the entire CHL in scoring (goals and points), and being named MVP of the WHL and CHL. Firkus is so quick to adapt to what the defense is showing him that bigger and stronger defenders don’t often have much of an advantage despite his 5-foot-11 frame. He’s got the work ethic, speed, and shot to end up as a top-six player in the NHL, but his size and some questions about his ability to keep up with the mental pace of the NHL will determine whether he can hit that lofty ceiling or not. He looked good in the AHL last season, but has been even better so far this season, scoring at over a 70-point pace. Firkus has a really high ceiling, but there’s also a chance with a sub-six-feet winger that he tops out as an elite AHL scorer who struggles to find a consistent NHL role.

83. Sascha Boumedienne, LD, Winnipeg Jets

Sascha Boumedienne is one of the more graceful skaters on this list, and has enough speed to get you really excited about what he could do in the NHL someday. His defensive game is largely based on his agility and speed, much like his former Boston University teammate Tom Willander, though he doesn’t quite have the steadying presence that makes Willander such a great defender. Boumedienne has enough offense in his game to be intriguing, and he made a big splash at last Spring’s U18 World Championship with Sweden and was great for them as an 18-year-old at the recent World Junior Championship as well.

82. Danny Nelson, C, New York Islanders

Danny Nelson is a fascinating prospect, playing most of his draft season on the second line in the NTDP after spending most of his life as a defenseman. There were some minor questions if he would be a center or defender as a pro during his draft year, but those have since been answered by his solid play down the middle with the University of Notre Dame. While he won’t likely ever be a big offense type, Nelson’s defensive awareness and physicality are both major assets and I could see him being a physical bottom-six center in the NHL someday.

81. Adam Jecho, C, St. Louis Blues

Adam Jecho is a massive center with a great shot and a good motor. Jecho isn’t the fastest player by a long shot, but he moves fairly well within the offensive zone and is mobile despite a lack of speed in straight lines. Jecho is a very polarizing prospect, with some thinking he simply won’t be able to handle NHL pace. He has absolutely been a project player, but the size and power are both exciting, andhis hands and shot are good enough that you can see him becoming a bottom-six guy in the NHL with some skating improvements.

Prospects #80-71

80. Henry Brzustewicz, RD, Los Angeles Kings

Tell me if you’ve heard this story before. A London Knights player succeeds in a larger role than they were originally projected to fill, and then goes significantly higher on draft day than the public expected. It’s a familiar story at this point, with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ selection of Easton Cowan back in the first round of the 2023 Draft standing out as a particularly surprising example. Henry Brzustewicz earned his draft-year rise, playing a significantly larger role for the Knights and really rising to the challenge. He’s got good hands, makes solid passes in transition, and doesn’t give up a ton the other way. A right-handed defender with that skill set is bound to go early in the Draft, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see his offensive numbers improve significantly throughout this season with San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson making the jump to The NHL.

79. Otto Stenberg, C/LW, St. Louis Blues

The way Otto Stenberg dodges checks and evades pressure is impressive, but the way he attacks the middle of the ice is what I like most about him. Stenberg is never the biggest guy on the ice, but he’ll drop a shoulder and push his way to the dangerous areas of the ice without hesitation. I don’t see Stenberg having top-six potential, especially as a centerman, but I expect there will be an NHL role for him someday as a middle-six forward.

78. Terik Parascak, RW, Washington Capitals

Terik Parascak was one of the most pleasant surprises in the CHL during his draft season, bursting out of the gates with 15 goals and 25 points in his first 12 games. Nobody expected Parascak to keep it up for long but he did just that, finishing the season in the top-10 for goals and points in the WHL. He’s not the best skater and his puck skills aren’t exceptional, but his finishing touch and his sense of timing offensively have been excellent over the past two years. I think his best case scenario for Parascak would be becoming a player like Tyler Toffoli who is not known to be a good skater but has the mental game and uncanny sense of timing needed to end up as a great middle-six contributor anyway.

77. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LD, San Jose Sharks

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is a two-way defender who skates well and competes harder than most. He measures at 6-feet tall but he doesn’t play like a small defender, constantly moving his feet and battling for possession along the boards and in front of his own net. While he shoots left, Sahlin Wallenius has experience playing both sides on defense which will surely help him establish himself as a pro. Sahlin Wallenius’ skating is excellent, and it is the tool that allows him to be effective all over the ice, from breaking the puck out of the zone on his own to staying in front of oncoming attackers. He had an incredibly chaotic season last year, playing in four different leagues throughout Sweden and Finland. It appears he’s going to stay with Växjö in the SHL all year now so hopefully a bit of stability helps steady his development path a bit.

76. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, Vegas Golden Knights

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak is a big winger with a ton of exciting offensive tools. He skates well, shoots the puck extremely hard, and makes skill plays under pressure quite regularly. He is signed to a team in the SHL, though his engagement and physicality can be lacking at times which has made ice time harder to come by. As a result, he has played his best hockey this season on a loan with IF Björklöven in the Allsvenskan. Ihs-Wozniak is a polarizing player as it feels like he can disappear on the ice at times, but I like his skating and skill enough to be think he’s got a shot to be a good middle-six winger.

75. Brennan Othmann, LW, New York Rangers

Brennan Othmann is a high-octane offensive force on the ice that is also known not to back down from the nastier parts of the game. Othmann has made the transition from the junior to the AHL look trivial as he has scored points at a very impressive rate with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. His physical and tenacious style should translate well to the NHL, though results have been mixed through his early NHL games. Othmann’s main area for growth is the speed at which he plays. The blistering pace of NHL hockey has been a bit of a challenge for him so far, but I think he’ll get there with enough reps.

74. Milton Gästrin, C, Washington Capitals

Milton Gästrin is the next in a long line of talented hockey players to come out of the small town of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, a history that includes players like the Sedin twins, Peter Forsberg, Victor Hedman, and many more. Gästrin is a reliable two-way center who has been excellent offensively against his peers in Sweden, while still showing the defensive commitment to earn a handful of games in the SHL in his draft year. He’s unlikely to be a high-end offensive creator in the NHL, but I could see Gästrin becoming a really strong third-line center or middle-six winger someday. Plus, he’s got a bit of extra development runway as a June birthday.

73. Cameron Reid, LD, Nashville Predators

Cameron Reid is a great two-way defensive prospect, capable of creating offense and shutting down opponents with his explosive skating. With high hockey IQ and mobility, Reid is impactful in all areas of the game. While he doesn’t have high-end physicality or flashy point totals, he was an incredibly steady two-way presence for the Kitchener Rangers last season, scoring 12 more points than their next highest scoring defenseman while also defending the rush well with his great feet and an active stick. At this moment, Reid doesn’t project as a high-end NHLer, but I expect he’ll have a long pro career nonetheless.

72. Samuel Honzek, C/LW, Calgary Flames

After being selected 10th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft by the Vancouver Giants, Samuel Honzek has done nothing but impress in North America. He uses his big body to protect the puck really well, and has good finesse when it comes to subtle fakes and creating space for himself in the offensive zone. Honzek has played and succeeded on both special teams and his size and strength have made him too much for opposing defenders to handle on more than a few occasions. He is a great skater, which makes him a pest on the forecheck where he does a lot of damage both with his high motor and his large frame. Honzek looked strong to start this season but unfortunately had his season cut short due to an upper-body injury.

71. Seamus Casey, RD, New Jersey Devils

Seamus Casey is an offensive defenseman who might have already become a full-time NHL player last year if he wasn’t in the Devils’ system that already has young defenders like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec fighting for lineup spots. Casey is an excellent offensive driver, creating chances with his feet as well as his hands. He is undersized (5-foot-9), and not the most powerful player, but after some time he developed into a reliable defender in the NCAA. If he can eventually make that same developmental step on defense in the NHL, Casey could be a reliable offensive creator at even strength, and a power play quarterback.

Prospects #70-61

70. Julius Miettinen, C, Seattle Kraken

Julius Miettinen is a big center (6-foot-4) who is very dangerous offensively because of his powerful skating and quick hands. He creates a lot of chances at the junior level, and can do so from anywhere on the ice. Miettinen has improved when it comes to using his size to box out opponents or to protect the puck, and he has the skill to beat defenders one-on-one, with his large reach coming into play often. I could see him fitting in as Seattle’s third line center in the near future, providing them with a nice stylistic foil to Shane Wright and Matty Beniers.

69. David Edstrom, C, Nashville Predators

David Edstrom is someone I was quite high on in the 2022 draft. He’s a big center (6-foot-3) who is incredibly well-rounded and competes very hard. Edstrom isn’t the flashiest player offensively, but he skates well for his size and wins tons of battles, clearing the way for his linemates to produce more offense. I expect he’ll earn time on both special teams units in the NHL, and has some middle-six center potential if he continues to grow offensively like has over the past two years or so. After being sent to Nashville in the Yaroslav Askarov trade, I think Edstrom can realistically project into the Pred’s third-line center slot in due time.

68. Blake Fiddler, RD, Seattle Kraken

Blake Fiddler is a massive defender who earns his keep as a high-motor, and highly physical, defensive presence. Fiddler has enough skill to challenge forecheckers headfirst, and his reach is so large that he always has a chance to escape pressure on the puck. He is also a strong skater for his size, creating a lot of his offensive looks on the rush, though his decision-making in these situations could use some refinement. Fiddler projects as a stay-at-home defender who is engaged physically and can contribute a bit on offense, maybe something like Ben Chiarot if things go well.

67. Elias Salomonsson, LD, Winnipeg Jets

Elias Salomonsson is a big two-way defenseman who loves to join the rush off the backend and has the mobility and physicality to be a menacing body-checker in the NHL. He’s got a heavy shot from the point, but he doesn’t make a lot of plays with the puck, often opting for his shot or a safe play with a low chance of creating anything dangerous. Salomonsson’s skating makes him a consistent defensive factor, though his decision making on body checks could still use some work as he’s run into discipline issues at just about every level he has played in the past few years including a suspension at the 2024 World Junior Championship.

66. Quentin Musty, LW, San Jose Sharks

After a solid showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer of 2022, Quentin Musty was considered by many to be the best U.S. born prospect in the 2023 draft class. After an up and down draft year, Musty has had to earn back a lot of the respect he once had. He’s an athletic winger who can beat goalies with his hard shot or by crashing the net and scoring in tight. He doesn’t project to be much of a factor defensively, but his shot and playmaking are his best tools and they could make him a great NHL player someday. However, some critics remain, particularly ones who question Musty’s compete level and/or decision making and his great play as a first-year pro this year will go a long way in finally earning the trust of many talent evaluators.

65. Luca Cagnoni, LD, San Jose Sharks

Luca Cagnoni is an undersized offensive defenseman who has done nothing but prove his doubters wrong at every turn. After being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft, he blew the doors off of the WHL the following season, scoring 90 points as a 5-foot-9 defender, which was good enough for 18th in the league and 1st among WHL defenders. Last year, Cagnoni continued to prove people wrong by not only playing full time in the AHL, but by excelling at that level and earning 6 NHL games as well. He’s a remarkable skater and he thinks the game at a high level, so while he’ll never overpower many NHL opponents, he can out-plan and out-maneuver them. If he keeps developing like this, I think he could end up as a depth defender for the Sharks who earns significant power play minutes. 

64. Charlie Stramel, C, Minnesota Wild

Charlie Stramel’s development hasn’t been a rollercoaster, but more of a yo-yo. After two years at the University of Wisconsin, Stramel’s stock was at its lowest, but he has bounced back remarkably since transferring to Michigan State University where he has re-established himself as not just a legitimate NHL prospect, but as a future middle-six piece. Stramel is a big, physical center who competes hard and projects to supply the Wild with a bit of depth offense. With Marco Rossi being sent to Vancouver as part of the Quinn Hughes trade, there is a whole down the middle in Minnesota’s middle-six, and I think Stramel will be able to fill that very soon.

63. Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose Sharks

Filip Bystedt is a strong center prospect with a good all around game and a clear future in the NHL. Bystedt is still just 21 years old despite having roughly 200 professional hockey games under his belt. The main reasons he has played so many games against men are his size, skating, and his commitment to playing hard defensively. Bystedt isn’t likely to be a high-scoring NHLer, but with guys like Celebrini, Michael Misa, and Will Smith surrounding him, he isn’t likely to be asked to play any higher in the lineup than the 3C spot. He’s got all the hallmarks of a solid two-way third-line center who could be a solid piece for the Sharks as they move on from their rebuild.

62. Colby Barlow, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Ever since scoring 30 goals as a rookie in the OHL, Colby Barlow has been on my radar as a pro-sized winger with a legit NHL-caliber shot. He’s got good tools all around with solid speed, stick skills, and defensive play. Barlow was also named captain of the Owen Sound Attack at just 17 which speaks to his maturity and leadership capabilities. His numbers dipped a bit as he adjusted to a new team in the Oshawa Generals last season, but he was electric for them in the OHL playoffs. I see a high-character, goal scoring winger who could realistically kill penalties as a middle-six winger for the Jets in the next 18-months or so.

61. Felix Unger Sörum, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

Felix Unger Sörum is already looking like very valuable pick just two years or so from the 2023 Draft where he was taken late in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes. Unger Sörum is an excellent playmaker, regularly feathering passes to teammates through traffic. He had strong showings for Sweden at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships where he was one of their best forwards each time, mainly due to his playmaking and his ability to out-maneuver defenders in the offensive zone to protect the puck and to manipulate their coverage to better set up his teammates for success. He’s still incredibly young, having been born just two days before the cutoff for the 2024 Draft, so there’s a ton of runway for him to develop into an NHL player.

Prospects #60-51

60. Jackson Smith, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jackson Smith is a big defender (6-foot-3) who has shown enough offensive skill in the WHL to establish himself as a high-potential defenseman despite having a defensive game with some warts. He doesn’t project as an elite offensive type, but his ability to make stretch passes and anticipate routes of his teammates pairs really well with his strong skating and large frame. Smith has shown some clever playmaking from the backend, and has a heavy shot that he can use to cause a bit of havoc in the offensive zone. He could be a second-pairing defenseman with room to grow on both ends of the ice.

59. Carson Rehkopf, LW, Seattle Kraken

Carson Rehkopf is a well-rounded forward with the size, skating, skill, and shot of an NHL player. Rehkopf scored over 160 goals in his OHL career (regular season and playoffs), establishing him as a legit goalscoring prosepct. His power and ability to play both on the wing and at center are intriguing as well, though I expect he’ll be a winger in Seattle, especially given their many talented centers. Rehkopf’s goalscoring is high-end, and his speed makes him a dangerous threat in transition.

58. Isaac Howard, LW, Edmonton Oilers

After a very disappointing freshman season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Isaac Howard was a leading offensive player in the NCAA for two seasons following his transfer to Michigan State University. Howard is a bit undersized (measures around 5-foot-10/11), but has a strong enough frame that he’s not as easy to knock off of pucks as you might expect. While he’s a good skater, Howard’s skill is his defining trait, making defenders miss their checks and leaving a lot of opponents reaching in. Howard has had difficulties creating plays for himself at the pro level and Edmonton’s bottom-six isn’t exactly full of high-end players for him to work with. There’s quite a bit of boom or bust potential in Howard’s projection at this point, especially considering the centers he could end up playing with.

57. Theo Lindstein, LD, St. Louis Blues

Theo Lindstein looks to be about as steady of a defenseman as you could ask for. He may not have the offensive skill to wow you, or the size and physicality to excite NHL GMs, but Lindstein has a steadiness and consistency that is so rare for a young player. He’s definitely a high-floor/low ceiling type of prospect, but landing a player late in the first round (29th overall in the 2023 Draft) who can easily project to play solid minutes as your fourth or fifth defender is absolutely a win.

56. Rutger McGroarty, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Rutger McGroarty is a true power forward, strong and determined enough to win pucks with great playmaking skills that allow him to make smart plays with the puck once he wins it. He is a very complete prospect who is a natural leader, shoots well, and does just about everything else you could hope for from a first-round pick. McGroarty won’t lead your team in scoring, but he’ll do a whole lot of other things at a very high level. He had a pretty slow start in his first AHL season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but I thought McGroarty adapted quite well to the pace of the pro game by the season’s end and should be a factor in Pittsburgh’s lineup win the near future.

55. Ilya Protas, LW, Washington Capitals

Ilya Protas is a skilled big man who has dominated at every level he has competed in North America. He was great in his draft season in the USHL, absolutely remarkable in the OHL the next season with 50 goals and 124 points, and now he has made the jump from junior to the pros look trivial in the American League. Protas’ frame is a clear strength, but his skill as a 6-foot-5 winger is what has really allowed his game to pop. His size lets him protect the puck better than most and he has the one-on-one skill and the playmaking chops to create good looks. Protas’ skating is clearly his biggest weakness, especially when it comes to his top-speed, but I think the rest of his game has come so far that it won’t be a significant issue.

Lucas Pettersson is a jack of all trades, master of none type of player. He does everything well, from making tough plays through traffic to battling hard on the forecheck. Pettersson has a great compete level and he skates well so I think he is a really safe bet to become a long-term NHLer in a bottom-six, but if he takes any offensive steps forward in the coming years then I could see him being a really solid third-line center.

53. Maveric Lamoureux, LD, Utah Mammoth

I’ll admit, I was a bit of a Maveric Lamoureux hater in his draft year. I saw the massive frame and good skating and understood why he would be drafted in the first round (29th overall in the 2022 Draft) despite his very questionable decision making, but I didn’t expect him to develop so well, so quickly. Lamoureux has made some really big strides in a positive direction since being drafted, with his play improving in all phases of the game. His first-touch passing has improved, making him a more dangerous puck carrier in his own end, and his defensive decision making has made him a serious presence on defense. Lamoureux looks to be ready for the NHL, though he’ll likely need to wait for an injury or two to hit the Mammoth’s d-core before he lands a spot again.

52. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Washington Capitals

Lynden Lakovic is a 6-foot-4 winger who is a strong skater and can create a ton of offense with his skill and shot. He scored 27 goals in just 47 WHL games last season, a 39-goal pace had he not been sidelined for roughly two months with a collarbone injury. If he can learn to use his big frame a bit better, Lakovic could become a good second-line winger who is incredibly tough to play against. Lakovic reminds me a bit of former Washington Capital Anthony Mantha, as a big-bodied winger who can score, skates fast, but has some questions surrounding his consistency and physicality.

51. Eddie Genborg, LW, Detroit Red Wings

Eddie Genborg is a powerful winger who plays a style of game that will endear him to NHL fans and coaches very quickly. He’s got good size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds), creates offense around the net with his positioning, and has a very good motor. Genborg isn’t the most cerebral player, and can be a bit reactive rather than proactive, but his success against men in the SHL this season gives me serious hope that he can be a strong NHLer and more than just a depth power forward.

Prospects #50-41

50. Cullen Potter, C, Calgary Flames

Cullen Potter is an elite skater who left the NTDP mid-season in his draft year to jump ahead to the NCAA at 17. As a young 5-foot-10 center entering a league full of players in their early 20’s, expectations were quite low for Potter. His slow start seemed to confirm those expectations, but after the first months of the season he really came into his own, scoring 13 goals and 22 points as a young freshman. Potter has true separation speed which makes him a dynamic threat on the rush. If Potter can translate his finishing ability to the pro level, then he will likely have a ton of value as a middle-six burner.

49. Trevor Connelly, LW, Vegas Golden Knights

Trevor Connelly is a skilled winger with dynamic skating and a penchant for making the most jaw-dropping move possible. His hands are really quick and he plays with a ton of deception which makes him dangerous with the puck even when it looks like there’s no play to be made. However, Connelly has had some high-profile discipline issues, and will need to reign in his decision making, on and off the ice, if he wants to be given consistent high deployment in the NHL.

48. Bryce Pickford, RD, Montreal Canadiens

Bryce Pickford isn’t your typical sniper, picking corners from medium range and changing angles. Instead, he launches rockets from the blue line and leads the Medicine Hat Tigers in goals despite being a defenseman. Pickford is a solid defender, taking away space and finishing checks well, though he’s not the most mobile player. He isn’t an exciting skater and his playmaking isn’t anything to write home about, but Pickford’s reasonably good defensive game and his incredible shot are going to make him a fascinating NHL player.

47. Daniil But, LW/C, Utah Mammoth

Daniil But is one of the biggest players on this list, standing at 6-foot-5. He has the size that NHL general managers dream of, and he has great puck skills and shooting mechanics for a player of his size. His skating has grown on me since his draft year, with enough speed and agility to really use his size to his advantage, powering through defenders and protecting the puck well. It may be a little while before we see him playing in the NHL full time, but I’m sure Utah is more than willing to wait as they look to establish themselves in the NHL.

46. Brayden Yager, C, Winnipeg Jets

Brayden Yager was talked about in the scouting world for nearly as long as Connor Bedard, being drafted third overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and winning the CHL Rookie of the Year award following the 2021-22 season on the back of a remarkable 34-goal, 59-point rookie season. His transition game, defensive play, and wicked wrist shot make him an all around threat at the junior level. After being traded one-for-one for Rutger McGroarty to the Jets, Yager looks poised to remain in the Canadian Prairies for the foreseeable future. He grew up in Saskatchewan, played his junior hockey there (in Moose Jaw and now Lethbridge, Alberta), and has now made the jump to the AHL (Manitoba Moose) with his WHL career behind him.

45. Adam Jiricek, RD, St. Louis Blues

Adam Jiricek is very engaged physically, and has a penchant for taking big point shots. Jiricek produces a ton of chances on offense from the blueline, readily activating into play to support his teammates and keep the puck moving. Unfortunately, his excitement to join the play offensively means that he takes a lot of risks, leaving himself in really poor positions to recover defensively if things don’t go according to plan. Jiricek is really great at scanning the play off puck and he persists through pressure quite well so I think he will be able to cut down on the over-the-top risks in time. I like him as a two-way defensive prospect and his right-handed shot and 6-foot-2 frame will help him out on draft day. Despite his long injury absence, I really liked what I saw from Jiricek at the 2025 and 2026 World Junior Championships, as an engaged two-way player.

44. Sacha Boisvert, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Sacha Boisvert was one of the Canadian prospects who opted for the USHL/NCAA route rather than playing in the CHL, ultimately leading to the NCAA/CHL deal of recent years. The 12th overall pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft was excellent in the USHL as a rookie, and was able to improve on those numbers significantly in his draft season. Boisvert is a big center (6-foot-2) with tons of skill with the puck and above average skating. He looks like a pro and has a ton of NHL-level qualities, including a really dangerous shot, that makes me confident he’ll find a role in the middle-six forward group of an NHL team someday. He had a strong freshman season with the University of North Dakota, but opted to transfer to Boston University for the 2025-26 season, a program that will be in serious need of an offensive leader in the absence of recent stars like Cole Eiserman and Macklin Celebrini.

43. Jett Luchanko, C, Philadelphia Flyers

Jett Luchanko is going to be a fan favorite in Philadelphia someday soon, with impressive tenacity and work ethic. Luchanko has good skill with the puck and skates quite well, making him a dangerous player with the puck in transition. However, he’s always willing to give up some of the glory by making another pass and finding a better option if it’s there. Luchanko reads plays really well and has that knack for timing and finding openings in defensive coverage that is difficult to teach. He doesn’t really have any offensive traits that pop at this point so I don’t know that he’ll end up all that high in the Flyers’ lineup, but he has the motor to be a valuable middle six piece who kills penalties and plays as a connective piece all throughout the lineup.

42.  Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Lekkerimäki had a really tough post-draft season, with multiple injuries/illnesses ruining any momentum he tried to build. That was true all year until the Allsvenskan playoffs where he seemed to finally look like his old self again, scoring 15 points in 15 games. In the ensuing offseason, he was signed by the Canucks and loaned to the SHL where he played with Örebro HK and led all U20 SHL players in goals and points. Lekkerimäki has since made his North American debut with the Canucks’ AHL and NHL squads, showing the skill and killer instinct as a shooter that made him such a high draft pick. He got pushed around a bit on Abbotsford’s championship run to the AHL’s Calder Cup, but the Canucks seem confident he can continue to put on muscle and take another step forward with his skating. 

41. Justin Carbonneau, RW, St. Louis Blues

Justin Carbonneau is a powerful winger who dominated the QMJHL in his draft season with his lightning-fast hands and his ability to change the point of release on his wrist shot at the last moment. While he’s not the most cerebral player, sometimes relying on the playmaking and decision making of teammates, he has the skill to create excellent chances out of thin air. A right-handed sniper is valuable in today’s NHL, and one who scored 46 in the Q while filling out an athletic, powerful frame is doubly so. 

Prospects #40-31

40. Harrison Brunicke, RD, Pittsburgh Penguins

Harrison Brunicke is a big defender with the skating, size, and skill to be a solid NHL contributor. However, I really didn’t expect him to break through with the Penguins quite this quickly. Brunicke’s frame, feet, and offensive play were always going to give him a chance, but I thought he’d struggle to see plays fast enough at the NHL level. He has split this season between the NHL and AHL, but he has improved my projection of him regardless. If I thought he might top out as a third pairing guy before, then the fact that he has already played that role as a 19-year-old is going to tell me he could be more than that.

39. Stian Solberg, LD, Anaheim Ducks

Stian Solberg is a big, physical defender who skates well for his size and made a big splash as a top player for Norway at the Men’s World Championship over each of the past two summers. Solberg doesn’t project to have a ton of offense in the NHL, but he can make a solid first pass and his mobility will help carry him to the next level. The biggest draw of his game is his powerful defensive play. He wins tons of pucks with his stick and body, closing gaps confidently while defending in transition. Solberg has the potential to be a meaningful second pair defender in the NHL, complementing many of the offensively-minded defenders in Anaheim’s system with his bruising style that is always focused to winning the puck over for his team.

38. Max Plante, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings

Max Plante is a highly skilled playmaker, firing pucks through seams and opening up new lanes with his shiftiness. Be careful when you try to collapse on him too because he’s quite comfortable under pressure and will often make a surprising play to a now open teammate. Plante has been one of the highest scorers in the NCAA over the past season and a half, and he’s got the skill and motor to make it work as a pro. Some have questions about his size (measures around 5-foot-11), but I think he competes well and has enough offense to project as a good middle-six, power play piece a few years down the line.

37. Nick Lardis, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Lardis has been one of the best goalscorers in the OHL over the past two or three seasons, but he finished his junior career with a ridiculous stat line of 82 goals in a combined 72 regular season and playoff games with the Brantford Bulldogs. Lardis’ shot is great, and he can get it off quickly (and powerfully) from a variety of positions which makes him a threat with the puck from anywhere in the offensive zone. He is also an incredibly quick straight-line skater who can do a lot of damage off the rush. Lardis measures at 5-foot-11 and isn’t a particularly physical player either so he may need to find another dimension or two in his game to earn a full-time role with Chicago, but his speed and shot show enough potential that I’d bet the Blackhawks are excited to help him round out his skill set.

36. Konsta Helenius, C/RW, Buffalo Sabres

Konsta Helenius is an excellent playmaker who competes hard enough to succeed in the Finnish Liiga as a 17-year-old. Helenius is level-headed under pressure and makes remarkable passes look routine, setting his teammates up for success. He was good for Finland at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championship tournaments, though he wasn’t nearly as dominant as I expected him to be. Helenius’ two-way play against pros as a teenager has been very impressive, especially in transition where he is able to keep up with the pace of play both physically and mentally. He has managed the transition from Liiga to the AHL well, scoring at an excellent rate for a U20 player. Helenius’ ceiling in the NHL may be a bit lower than I thought a year ago, but I still expect him to become a strong middle-six forward for the Sabres.

35. Kashawn Aitcheson, LD, New York Islanders

Kashawn Aitcheson is a very physical and competitive defender, battling hard along the boards and at the net-front. His physical play earned him a total of 249 penalty minutes in the OHL prior to this season and that physical edge was very appealing to the Islanders, especially given his strong skating and good grades across his offensive skills. Aitcheson will never be asked to do too much with the Isles considering the precocious debut of Matthew Schaefer. Aitcheson should be right at home as a second-pairing guy with two-way, special teams value, especially if his knack for goalscoring at the junior level translates to the pro game.

34. Carter Bear, LW, Detroit Red Wings

Carter Bear was a major riser in the 2025 Draft, and was one of the WHL’s top scorers before he sustained a skate laceration on his leg that took him out of the final months of his draft year. He’s got good strength for a 18-year-old, making him a bit of a wrecking ball against junior competition. Bear scored 40 goals (something only nine players managed) despite missing time and showed that he could drive play and score consistently. His compete level is his biggest strength in my opinion, carrying the puck into the middle of the ice and causing chaos with his energy. 

33. Liam Greentree, RW, Los Angeles Kings 

Liam Greentree is a big winger who looks like he could be a great all-round player in the NHL someday if he can make some improvements to his speed and acceleration. Greentree does most things well, fighting hard in puck battles, making smart passes, and handling defensive responsibilities well. His greatest strength is his shot which looks like a quality NHL tool though his skill with the puck is worthy of mention as well. The biggest barrier in the way of NHL success for Greentree at the moment is his skating. He’s got okay speed once he gets going, but his first few steps are sluggish and he could use some explosiveness to help him accelerate more quickly. Greentree has was a dominant offensive force in the OHL last season, scoring 49 goals and 119 points, good enough for 3rd in league scoring.

32. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Cayden Lindstrom has been a favorite of mine from the 2024 Draft class going back a few years now. He’s a massive power forward (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) who is incredibly quick and difficult to knock off the puck. His size advantage is part of what made him a nearly immovable object in the WHL, but he also has great hands, a strong shot, and really good puck protection instincts. Lindstrom has missed significant time in two consecutive campaigns due to a back injury, and that missed time has really started to add up. Based on talent, I think Lindstrom could push for the top-10 of this list, but I’m trying to be a bit cautious with his ranking, considering he only played 40 total games in his first two post-draft seasons, with only four of those coming in the 2024-25 season. I sincerely hope he recovers and gets back on track. 

31. Jack Nesbitt, C, Philadelphia Flyers

Jack Nesbitt is a hulking center prospect who has the skill and defensive mind to become a high-end center in the NHL, but his lack of foot speed is going to be a significant hurdle. Nesbitt creates a ton of chances by cutting off passing lanes and causing turnovers. He is great at moving through the neutral zone like a big battering ram but his top speed could use several more gears as he moves closer and closer to the NHL. If the rest of his game really pops, then the skating won’t be a huge deal, but his speed might just be the difference between him playing on the fourth or second lines in Philly.

Prospects #30-21

30. David Reinbacher, RD, Montreal Canadiens

David Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who played lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerland’s top professional men’s league, during his draft year. He’s a very responsible defender who shuts down tons of rush attempts with an active stick and stellar positioning. Reinbacher is looking like a potential top-four defender following some great play in the AHL, despite missing nearly a full season with a knee injury. His ultimate potential might not be exceedingly high, but I think he could be an excellent complementary piece on Montreal’s second pairing someday.

29. Oliver Bonk, RD, Philadelphia Flyers

Oliver Bonk is a strong two-way defender who has the size and skating NHL teams look for, and the hockey sense to be a meaningful contributor in the modern NHL. He anticipates play really well, and is vocal with his teammates, coordinating play at both ends of the ice. Bonk isn’t necessarily a high-offence type so I don’t think he’ll be fighting for lots of power play minutes with Jamie Drysdale, but I expect he’ll be a strong second pairing defender who can tilt the ice in Philly’s favor for a very long time.

28. William Horcoff, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

William Horcoff is a beast of a hockey player. At 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds, this 19-year-old has a lot more skill and a smoother shot than you’d typically expect of a big man. He moves well for his size, and he sees the ice well, with enough skill and IQ to project as a strong NHLer. Horcoff will likely struggle a bit with the pace of professional play at first, since his size and strength advantage in the NCAA gives him more time and space than the pros will ever give him. Regardless, I think there’s a chance he could end up as a good second line center.

27. Tanner Molendyk, LD, Nashville Predators

Tanner Molendyk was one of the best skaters in the 2023 draft, with excellent edgework and speed. Molendyk’s edgework makes him incredibly mobile in all directions, capable of acting on new information at a moment’s notice. He isn’t the biggest defenseman (just under 6-feet) but he competes hard and defends well as a result of his energy and skating. Molendyk was one of Canada’s best players in their disappointing tournament that saw them eliminated by Czechia in the quarterfinals for the second straight year.

26. Braeden Cootes, C, Vancouver Canucks 

Braeden Cootes is a center prospect who earned a ton of admirers following his remarkable performance for Team Canada at the U18s last Summer where he captained Canada to a gold medal. He was also Canada’s top scorer in the tourney which was encouraging because it proved what a lot of people already believed which was that his relatively low scoring in the WHL last season was due to the dearth of offensive talent surrounding him and that he has more to show on that end of the ice. Cootes is a coach’s dream as a hard-worker who never drops his coverage and who forechecks as hard as he can. He actually began the season with the Canucks before returning to captain the Seattle Thunderbirds once again.

25. Marek Vanacker, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

Marek Vanacker is great at creating chances off the rush, with great straight-line speed, super quick hands, and a shot that has terrorized the OHL in recent years. His hockey sense isn’t a significant weakness by any means, but it may be the main separator between him and an elite offensive type when he eventually makes the NHL. I expect Vanacker’s size and speed to be important to a young Blackhawks team in the near future, most likely in a middle-six capacity.

24. Cole Hutson, LD, Washington Capitals

Cole Hutson is an undersized offensive defenseman who skates beautifully and was the most exciting defender at the 2025 World Junior Championship. He looks pretty similar on the ice to his older brother Lane, but Cole is a more physical defender and might not be quite as potent of an offensive force in the NHL. Cole is great at using small fakes and shifts of his edges to evade pressure, opening up new opportunities. He can weave through traffic, seeking out open space to create chances for his teammates.

23. Michael Hage, C, Montreal Canadiens

Despite missing nearly all of his draft-1 season to injury, Michael Hage has re-established himself as a high end prospect, and was drafted 21st overall in the 2024 Draft. He has a really well-rounded tool kit as a 6-foot-1 center who skates well, has excellent skill with the puck and created chances at will in the USHL and NCAA over the past two and a half seasons. Hage doesn’t have the most dangerous shot but it’s not a weakness by any means, and he competes well on defense and through traffic in the offensive zone. Ultimately, a lack of elite traits may hold him back a little but Hage certainly has a chance to be a top-six forward in the NHL.

22. Igor Chernyshov, LW, San Jose Sharks

Igor Chernyshov is a strong winger with great size, skating and puck skill. He was great in the MHL during his draft year, even earning himself a five game tryout in the KHL as a 17-year-old. Chernyshov plays a very direct style, charging the net frequently whether he has the puck or not. Chernyshov joined the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL last where he lit the league up alongside his future Sharks teammate Michael Misa to the tune of 55 points in just 23 games. Chernyshov had a phenomenal start in the AHL this season and has looked even more impressive as a running mate next to Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini.

21. Cole Eiserman, LW, New York Islanders

Cole Eiserman was the 2024 Draft’s premier goal scoring prospect, and he was by far the most polarizing player in the group. He can play physically, but can sometimes get caught chasing hits and losing track of defensive coverage. The reason people were so high on Eiserman was that he scored 72 goals in 69 games during his draft season for the NTDP. Those are some absolutely absurd numbers, and the goals kept coming in his freshman season where he netted 25 goals for Boston University. While he may not be the most reliable player when it comes to play driving or defensive results, he is an incredibly reliable goal scorer and projects to be a 30+ goal scorer in the NHL someday. Pair him with your best playmaking center and watch him do the hardest thing there is in hockey, score goals. 

Prospects #20-11

20. Bradly Nadeau, C, Carolina Hurricanes

Bradly Nadeau had a dominant draft season in the BCHL, with the goals and points accumulating until they were impossible to ignore. He led the league in goals, assists, and points as a 17-year-old. Nadeau’s game translated well to the NCAA, scoring 46 points in 37 games as a freshman before making the leap to the AHL where he excelled, scoring 32 goals and being in the top-20 for league-wide scoring as a 19 year old. He’s got a wicked shot and the speed to be an absolute terror in transition. The only thing standing in the way of Nadeau becoming a goalscoring top-six winger could be his size, standing at 5-foot-10, though his skating and compete level are strong and he plays for one of the few teams in the NHL that isn’t afraid of players under 6-feet.

19. Cole Reschny, C, Calgary Flames

Cole Reschny is a highly skilled forward who was excellent for the Victoria Royals last season, leading the team in scoring despite being just 17 for most of the season. Reschny earned significant time on both special teams, and his combination of playmaking and hockey sense made him an effective addition to both. His best trait is his excellent passing, but he also has the kind of edgework that makes him really slippery in open ice, dodging hits and making checkers look silly. Reschny strikes me as one of those players who would have been talked about in the top-10 of the 2025 Draft if he had been just an inch or two taller so I think the Flames made out well getting him at 18. 

18. Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Vaclav Nestrasil is a hard working winger who plays with a chip on his shoulder. His very, very high shoulder. Nestrasil very well for a 6-foot-6 player, and has a strong compete level that keeps him engaged on the forecheck. He has an unbelievable reach with his massive wingspan, pulling pucks from the corner and into the net-front area in the blink of an eye. Nestrasil was a two-way force in the USHL last season and has looked excellent in the NCAA so far this season with UMass. He’s still a little raw given all the growth he’s experienced in recent years, but if Nestrasil can continue to piece together his skill game, motor, and huge frame, he will be an absolute handful in Chicago.

17. Jake O’Brien, C, Seattle Kraken

Jake O’Brien is a center prospect with the size, skill, and playmaking ability to become an important member of the Kraken. He has great hockey IQ, especially when it comes to his playmaking, finding teammates easily through traffic or off of no-look plays, though it also shows itself in the routes he takes off the puck, which put him in great position to receive passes or two intercept them. While he already has a pro-sized frame, O’Brien’s June birthday means he was on the younger side for the 2025 Draft class and has a bit of extra runway to put on some muscle.

16. Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington Capitals 

Andrew Cristall is one of the most creative and slippery prospects in the hockey world, and he was one of the only draft eligible players in the WHL who was able to roughly keep pace with Bedard in terms of production in the 2023 draft season. Cristall has been frankly dominant offensively in the WHL, scoring a total of 332 points in just 173 games over the past three seasons (1.92 points per game). He draws tons of attention in the offensive zone and is great at making smart plays under pressure to help open teammates up, making their jobs much easier. Only time will tell if his game will translate to the NHL level given his 5-foot-10 frame, but it sure has translated to the AHL where he is one of the Hershey Bears’ top scorers. I don’t think it’ll take long for him to make their roster, and I expect he’ll end up factoring into their top-six soon.

15. Tij Iginla, C, Utah Mammoth

Tij Iginla was a very pleasant surprise in the WHL during his draft season. After scoring just 18 points with the Seattle Thunderbirds the season before, Iginla flourished with the Kelowna Rockets, scoring an incredible 47 goals as a draft eligible player. His game relies heavily on speed and he’s able to do a ton of damage on the rush at the junior level because of it. Iginla has an excellent wrist shot as well, but he isn’t the most gifted playmaker or defensive presence just yet. Regardless, he works hard and is often the first guy in on the forecheck. Despite missing most of this past season with a hip injury, Iginla showed well in a small sample and displayed a bit more of the power and strength that made his dad such a special player, which would seriously raise his ceiling if it became his calling card.

14. Brady Martin, C, Nashville Predators

Brady Martin is a highly competitive and physical center prospect who endeared himself to NHL scouts in his draft year through his tenacity and tendency to throw absolutely show-stopping hits. Don’t try to put Martin into a box as just a hard worker with minimal skill, however, because he has enough skill and finesse with the puck to create good looks for himself and his teammates. Martin has a ton of hallmarks of an excellent do-it-all power forward, battling hard for pucks, making opponents look twice over their shoulders with his physical presence, and creating tons of offense down the middle of the ice, especially near the crease. 

13. Anton Silayev, LD, New Jersey Devils

Anton Silayev was the early story of the 2024 Draft, going from an unknown defender in Russia’s junior system the prior year to an elite defensive prospect who was tearing up the KHL. Silayev is 6-foot-7, but he moves like he’s 6-foot-2, and he has shown great two-way play across two full KHL seasons. He is currently playing the final season of his contract with Torpedo in the KHL, so North America could be on his radar soon. I’m sure New Jersey would be thrilled to add such a potent defensive presence. Silayev’s combination of length and skating makes him a true outlier in the hockey world, and one capable of becoming a one-man defensive unit in his prime.

12. Victor Eklund, RW, New York Islanders

Victor Eklund is a skilled and competitive winger who had an excellent season in the Allsvenskan last year. He impressed in a Sweden’s second tier league as a draft eligible, and has again been impressive in the SHL despite being just 19 years old. Eklund’s skill and skating are strong traits, but it’s his compete level that makes him a special prospect. There isn’t a puck battle that Eklund won’t give his all to, a race for a free puck that he won’t throw himself into. Eklund is a dog and he’ll be a favorite of Islanders fans and coaches very soon.

11. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW, Detroit Red Wings

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (MBN) is a Norwegian winger who is known for his high work ethic and his shot. He isn’t going to produce a ton of highlight reel plays with his skill, but he works harder than just about anyone all over the ice. Brandsegg-Nygård’s best attribute is his shot, which he gets off quickly and powerfully. He didn’t score a ton in the SHL last season, though his scoring rate skyrocketed once the playoffs came around, a trend he replicated in a brief AHL debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins. MBN cracked the Red Wings’ opening night lineup and has been excellent in the AHL so far. Detroit has had a great start this season, but they are still in need of players willing to get to the guts of the ice and create offense through grit and power, and thankfully MBN has those qualities in spades.

Prospects #10-1

10. Carter Yakemchuk, RD, Ottawa Senators

Carter Yakemchuk has an enviable physical makeup as a right-shot defender who already measures at 6-foot-4 (was 6-foot-2 to start his draft year), 207 pounds and he has produced a ton of offense at the junior level. His skill is impressive for a defender of his size and his size and physicality combine to make him intriguing as an NHL prospect. Yakemchuk challenges opposing players one-on-one like a forward, constantly setting himself up for incredible dekes. The problem is, he doesn’t succeed 100% of the time and can put himself in tough positions to recover defensively when things go wrong. He has the length and strength to be a strong defender, but a quicker skating stride would likely help him become a difference maker on the back-end as well.

9. Roger McQueen, C, Anaheim Ducks

Roger McQueen is a 6-foot-5 center with excellent hands and strong skating. He missed nearly all of his draft season, playing a grand total of just 20 games, as a result of a nagging back injury that he and his camp believes is behind him. In an NHL landscape where each team is looking for the next Tage Thompson, there were a lot of teams interested in McQueen very early on in the 2025 NHL Draft, but ultimately it was the durability question that saw him slide slightly to 10th overall. As you’d expect of a player his size, McQueen is strong around the net physically, and he has uncommon dexterity for a big man. If he reaches anything near his ceiling, then the Ducks have added another excellent forward to their future top-six.

8. Radim Mrtka, RD, Buffalo Sabres

Radim Mrtka did himself a big favor at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup a year and a half ago. Mrtka is a massive (6-foot-6), right-shot defender who played huge minutes in all-situations for Czechia in that tournament, helping drive them to a silver medal finish. He is a very natural puck carrier and mover in the offensive zone, walking the blueline better than you’d expect for an 18-year-old of his size. Mrtka made the move to North American last season to join the Seattle Thunderbirds, and has been an absolute two-way work horse for them from the moment he arrived. He was on the first power play unit and the first penalty killing group as well, regularly logging ice times exceeding 30 minutes a night! Mrtka’s defensive potential is sky high given his massive size and strong skating, but his offensive game inspires some confidence as well.

7. Gabe Perreault, RW, New York Rangers 

Gabe Perrault continues to look like someone who could be a power play specialist at the next level with great skill and smarts in the offensive zone. He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes, creative dangles and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. Perreault was one of the most creative and intelligent players from the 2023 Draft and he is great at weaving his way out of trouble when defenders collapse around him, either with a pass or his lightning-quick hands. Perreault scored at an absurd rate in the NCAA, with 108 points in just 73 games. He was also a huge piece of Team USA’s offense in each of their back-to-back gold medal victories at the World Junior Championship. He scored a ton in the AHL to start this season, even earning NHL games.

6. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Utah Mammoth

Caleb Desnoyers is a really well-rounded prospect who impressed for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer before his draft year with his hardworking style earning him a major role. Desnoyers has been heavily relied upon in the QMJHL due to his responsible play in all zones and his success in the faceoff dot. I don’t think his skill is elite, but he’s got more than enough skill to produce given his strong hockey sense that allows him to involve himself in plays at just the right moment. Desnoyers competes hard and will be an effective pro on both sides of the puck. He doesn’t exactly project as an elite point-scoring center in the NHL, but he should be an excellent connective piece down the middle in Utah’s top-six.

5. Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Anton Frondell is a two-way center who is built for the pro game. His size, shot, and two-way consistency make him a great bet to help steady the top-six forward group for the Chicago Blackhawks down the line. Frondell racked up points at a remarkable rate for his age in the Swedish Allsvenskan last season, and was an integral piece of Djurgårdens’ promotion to the SHL. His international play has been inconsistent over the past few years, but strong league play in excellent professional leagues has earned him lots of attention, and his ability to protect the puck against bigger and older competition will serve him well when he joins the Blackhawks. 

4. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

Porter Martone is a skilled power forward who dominated the OHL in his draft season. His size and high-end skill make him a handful for junior defenses, and I think it was a great decision for him to move on to the NCAA this season with Michigan State University. Martone’s size is great and all (6-foot-3), but the real reason it excites scouts is his excellent playmaking, high-end compete level, and his great hands. In the draft process, Martone compared himself to the Tkachuk brothers, and while I think he’s got a lot of their DNA as a high-skill power forward, he isn’t a pest like the Tkachuks. He battles hard for pucks and doesn’t back down from a challenge, but I’m not quite sure he has that Rat X-Factor to get under opponents’ skin.

3. James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins

James Hagens is a dynamic skater with a ton of skill, giving him a tool kit that brings to mind recent NTDP stars like Jack Hughes, Logan Cooley, and Will Smith. His edgework is phenomenal, which makes his movements in open ice extremely difficult to anticipate. Hagens uses his edges, as well as subtle fakes, to make defenders miss and burst into space with possession. 

Hagens is an excellent playmaker, drawing eyes and bodies to himself before placing a perfect pass on a teammate’s blade. I think he’s also more physical than he gets credit for, working hard in puck battles and not backing down in scrums after the whistle. Being 5-foot-10 certainly didn’t help Hagens’ draft stock with NHL teams, but I think he’s a skilled enough player who skates so well that it won’t be a hindrance to him when he goes pro.

2. Zayne Parekh, RD, Calgary Flames

Zayne Parekh has been a really fun player to follow throughout his junior career, constantly involving himself on offense, pinching in along the boards when needed, and creating a ton of chances for himself and his teammates as a result. For my money, he was the most talented offensive creator on the backend in the 2024 Draft, however, Parekh’s defensive game leaves a bit to be desired. He is smart enough to anticipate opposing attackers, and can make good checks with his stick, but the physicality is lacking at this point, which has lead to some struggles in puck battles at the NHL level early in his career.

I do think he’s a solid defender when he’s properly engaged, cutting off passes and angling opponents toward the boards, there’s just some room for growth. Parekh is a remarkable talent, with Quinn Hughes-like offensive upside if things go well, but he’s going to need to either level up his physicality, his defensive anticipation, or both, if he wants to be a star in the NHL. 

1. Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks

Two years after we saw Connor Bedard going first overall, and three after Shane Wright went fourth overall, another CHL exceptional status player went in the top-5 of the NHL draft with Michael Misa being selected second overall by the Sharks. Misa plays an extremely well rounded game, with a really strong foundation of skills that should make him a great top-six forward in the NHL. Misa is an excellent skater, with the skill and hockey sense to be a great power play asset for San Jose

The biggest question around Misa to start his draft year was if he could really step up offensively and become “the guy” in Saginaw. Well, Misa’s 62 goals and 134 points in 65 OHL games have soundly answered that. Misa’s fit is going to be very interesting with the Sharks, given they have Macklin Celebrini as a no-doubt first line center and Will Smith as a possible 2C for the future. Smith showed signs of great chemistry with Celebrini as a winger as last season went on so I think that opens the door for Misa to stay at center in the NHL.

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Who’s too low? Who’s too high? Who do you think should have made the list? Leave a comment below!