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

Now that we’re only a week away from the beginning of the 2025-26 NHL season, it’s time to replace our rating of the highest 100 drafted NHL prospects. Within the final 12 months we’ve seen high prospects like Macklin Celebrini, Lane Hutson and Matvei Michkov break into the NHL full-time, changing into essential gamers for his or her respective groups. Celebrini particularly was wonderful on a San Jose Sharks workforce that appears poised to leap up the NHL standings within the subsequent few seasons, with many different high-end prospects nonetheless to return.

This 12 months’s NHL rookie class is rightfully incomes loads of early consideration as properly, with a large group of proficient children who every have an opportunity on the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s greatest rookie. A few of this 12 months’s main contenders embody Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer, and Zeev Buium, however there’ll certainly be just a few lesser recognized gamers who earn Calder votes when it’s all stated and achieved. Earlier than we get into the highest 100 prospect rating replace, listed below are just a few notes on the factors and content material of this listing.

Associated: Rating Each NHL Group’s Farm System

The standards that makes a participant a prospect generally is a bit subjective, however for this listing I’ll observe The Athletic’s Corey Pronman’s guidelines as a information. Listed below are the factors for this listing: “A participant is taken into account a prospect if he has performed lower than 25 video games in a single NHL marketing campaign (common season and playoffs mixed), lower than 50 NHL video games complete of their profession, and is 25 years outdated by Sept 15.” (From: “Pronman: 2019-20 NHL Farm System Rankings”). Moreover, if a participant has performed a minimum of six NHL video games in a minimum of two NHL seasons, they’re not thought of a prospect.

Some notable gamers from the latest version which can be not eligible are: Denton Mateychuk, Frank Nazar, Lian Bichsel, and Elias Pettersson, to call just some.

When you’re questioning why goalies weren’t included on this rating, that’s as a result of now we have a separate article for that place. Our rating of the highest 10 NHL goalie prospects might be discovered right here.

With out additional ado, right here is our rating of the highest 100 NHL prospects in addition to just a few honourable mentions.

Honourable Mentions:

HM. Fabian Lysell, RW, Boston Bruins 

An elite-level skater, Fabian Lysell performs with a large amount of talent. He’s fast, dynamic and all the time enjoyable to look at when the puck is on his stick. He’s extraordinarily misleading when organising his teammates and has a really underrated shot. Lysell has spent the final three seasons within the AHL the place he has been good for the Windfall Bruins. It will likely be fascinating to see if he can carve out an NHL function along with his wonderful skating, however progress has been gradual for him in different areas.

HM. Roman Kantserov, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Roman Kantserov was drafted on the again of two seasons as a high scoring ahead within the MHL, as a extremely expert, although undersized, ahead. After he was taken within the second spherical of the 2023 Draft by the Blackhawks, Kantserov has taken the step as much as the KHL the place he has rapidly developed right into a high-end offensive participant in one of many world’s hardest professional leagues. His greatest hurdle will probably be his dimension, as a 5-foot-9 winger who isn’t precisely a high-end compete kind. Kantserov has the talent to be an NHLer, nevertheless it takes extra than simply talent to play hockey on the highest stage, and he’s received slightly methods to go to show that he has what it takes. 

HM. Eduard Sale, RW, Seattle Kraken

Eduard Sale is a superb offensive winger who led all U20 gamers in scoring as a 17-year-old within the high Czechian skilled league. He has struggled a bit in opposition to males, wanting most snug whereas dictating play from the flanks at even energy and on the facility play. Sale’s talent and passing are standout traits, making tough passes by way of a number of layers of skates and sticks. He seems to be like he may very well be a hard-working middle-six winger who enhances your high guys very well whereas offering first rate offensive worth on his personal. He has proven flashes of greatness, significantly on the 2025 World Junior Championship, however these flashes haven’t been almost constant sufficient for me to anticipate him to succeed in his final ceiling as a top-six winger.

HM. Felix Unger Sörum, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

Felix Unger Sörum is already wanting like slight steal simply two years out from the 2023 Draft the place he was taken late within the second spherical by the Carolina Hurricanes. Unger Sörum is a superb playmaker, often feathering passes to teammates by way of site visitors. He had sturdy showings for Sweden on the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships the place he was considered one of their greatest forwards every time, primarily because of his playmaking and his potential to out-maneuver defenders within the offensive zone to guard the puck and to control their protection to raised arrange his teammates for fulfillment. He’s nonetheless extremely younger, having been born simply two days earlier than the cutoff for the 2024 Draft, so there’s a ton of runway for him to grow to be an NHL participant.

HM. Joakim Kemell, RW, Nashville Predators 

There was a time when Joakim Kemell was seen because the second-best prospect within the 2022 Draft. His red-hot begin within the Finnish Liiga in his draft 12 months had NHL scouts salivating at his aim scoring potential, and whereas he in the end cooled off fairly considerably, that potential hasn’t disappeared totally. Kemell had some inconsistent play within the Liiga since, however has largely been efficient within the AHL in two seasons there. I’m nonetheless a believer in his shot and talent, that are sturdy sufficient to offer him an opportunity to turn into a middle-six winger in Nashville.

HM. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Calgary Flames

Hunter Brzustewicz is an offensive defender who skates extremely properly and has lots to offer offensively. His skating is his greatest instrument each on offense and on protection, however he may use some assist defensively the place he can get pushed round a bit. He has respectable NHL-caliber offensive talent, particularly if paired with a strong defensive defender who could make up for his deficiencies on that finish.

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

The way in which Otto Stenberg dodges checks and evades stress is spectacular, however the way in which he assaults the center of the ice is what I like most about him. Stenberg isn’t the largest man on the ice, however he’ll drop a shoulder and push his method to the harmful areas of the ice with out hesitation. I don’t see Stenberg having top-six potential, particularly as a centerman, however I anticipate there will probably be an NHL function for him sometime as a bottom-six ahead.

HM. Aiden Fink, RW, Nashville Predators

Aiden Fink is an undersized winger with nice skating and a shot that may problem NHL goalies if he makes it to that stage. Fink scored factors at an absurd charge within the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in his draft 12 months, main the league in scoring at age 18. After Nashville drafted within the seventh spherical of the 2023 Draft, Fink made the soar to the NCAA with Penn State College and hasn’t regarded again. As a freshman final season, Fink scored 34 factors in 34 video games, was named to the B1G All-Rookie Group, and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award as the highest collegiate participant. I anticipate Fink to be a high-end offensive participant within the AHL within the subsequent few seasons, and I feel that regardless of his dimension (5-foot-9), he performs a direct and laborious sufficient sport to earn an opportunity within the NHL.

Prospects #100-91

100. Fraser Minten, C, Boston Bruins

Fraser Minten has developed very properly since being drafted thirty eighth total by the Toronto Maple Leafs again within the 2022 Draft. He was drafted to be a two-way middle with a robust shot and he’s not removed from being simply that within the NHL. Minten’s first WHL season after being drafted was an excellent showcase for his shot and his compete stage, with Minten changing into an important forechecker and defensive ahead for the Kamloops Blazers. Two seasons in the past, Minten cracked the Leafs’ lineup out of coaching camp, a testomony to his off-ice coaching and his mature defensive sport. He didn’t final very lengthy and didn’t depart the largest affect, however he’s nonetheless simply 21 years outdated so each bit of professional expertise and steering he soaked up in these weeks was time properly spent. I anticipate Minten to be an excellent bottom-sixer for the Bruins briefly order.

99. Brad Lambert, C, Winnipeg Jets

Brad Lambert has been one of many least predictable NHL prospects over the previous few years, alternating between video games the place he seems to be like a sure-fire top-six centreman and video games the place you might be left pissed off along with his obvious lack of effort. Lambert’s skating potential is elite and offers him a standout talent that may translate to the NHL sometime. He additionally has tons of talent with the puck and may make nice passes or dekes whereas at his exceptional high velocity. Final season was one other irritating one for Lambert who adopted up his 21 objectives and 55 level 2023-24 season with simply 7 objectives and 35 factors. 

98. Kasper Halttunen, RW, San Jose Sharks

Kasper Haltunnen is an enormous, aim scoring winger who’s a taking pictures risk from almost in every single place within the offensive zone. Haltunnen has a superb shot and sufficient talent with the puck to beat NHL defenders sometime, however his skating and choice making are the largest hurdles between him and an NHL profession. He’s a robust bodily presence, particularly when he’s on his A-game, and his potential as a goalscoring energy ahead was thrilling sufficient for the Sharks to take him early within the second spherical of the 2023 NHL Draft. Halttunen overpowered many OHL goaltenders along with his booming shot, so it’ll be fascinating to look at how his sport interprets to the AHL this 12 months with the San Jose Barracuda.

97. Andrew Gibson, RD, Nashville Predators

Andrew Gibson is an enormous defensive defenseman whose offensive ceiling will dictate his final affect within the NHL. Gibson’s defensive sport is admittedly strong, leaning most closely on his fluid skating and huge attain. He’s wonderful at utilizing his physique to chop off attackers, and his ft are a lot better than most guys of his dimension. If Gibson can present some offense within the NHL, he may work his approach onto a second pairing, however at this level I feel it’s extra seemingly he finally ends up as an enormous minutes penalty killer who spends most of his even energy ice time stapled to an offensive creator on the backend. 

96. Adam Jiricek, RD, St. Louis Blues

Adam Jiricek may be very engaged bodily, and has a penchant for taking huge level pictures. Jiricek produces a ton of probabilities on offense from the blueline, readily activating into play to assist his teammates and maintain the puck transferring. Sadly, his pleasure to hitch the play offensively signifies that he takes loads of dangers, leaving himself in actually poor positions to recuperate defensively if issues don’t go in line with plan. Jiricek is admittedly nice at scanning the play off puck and he persists by way of stress fairly properly so I feel he’ll be capable of reduce down on the over-the-top dangers in time. I like him as a two-way defensive prospect and his right-handed shot and 6-foot-2 body will assist him out on draft day. Regardless of his lengthy damage absence, I actually favored what I noticed from Jiricek on the 2025 World Junior Championship, as an engaged two-way participant.

95. David Edstrom, C, Nashville Predators

David Edstrom is somebody I used to be fairly excessive on within the 2022 draft. He’s an enormous middle (6-foot-3) who’s extremely well-rounded and competes very laborious. Edstrom isn’t the flashiest participant offensively, however he skates properly for his dimension and wins tons of battles, clearing the way in which for his linemates to provide extra offense. I anticipate he’ll earn time on each particular groups models within the NHL, and has some middle-six middle potential if he continues to develop offensively like has over the previous two years or so. After being despatched to Nashville within the Yaroslav Askarov commerce, I feel Edstrom can realistically venture into the Pred’s third-line middle slot in due time.

94. Riley Heidt, C, Minnesota Wild 

Riley Heidt’s wonderful acceleration and edge work make him a pure selection because the lead puck provider for zone entries and he excelled in that function with the Prince George Cougars all through his junior profession. His playmaking abilities both at full velocity or after settling within the offensive zone are spectacular and make him a really cellular and shifty risk every time he has the puck. Good habits away from the puck give me some confidence that he’ll turn into a full-time NHLer as properly. Heidt is about to make his professional debut with the Iowa Wild this Fall, and I anticipate he’ll rating at an excellent charge and certain issue into their energy play.

93. Yegor Surin, C/RW, Nashville Predators

Yegor Surin is a hardworking, offensive participant, always combating by way of checks and profitable innumerable puck battles. He was one of many MHL’s high scorers and added over 100 penalty minutes over the course of his draft season. Surin skates properly, has NHL dimension (6-foot-1), and has a motor that doesn’t give up. He’ll certainly be a fan favourite kind within the NHL sometime, seemingly as a middle-six winger or a bottom-six middle. After spending most of final season within the KHL, Surin is about to be a full-time professional participant this 12 months and has one other 12 months after that on his KHL contract which means he’ll seemingly be on the Predators’ radar for the 2027-28 season.

92. Gavin Brindley, RW, Colorado Avalanche

Gavin Brindley is a 5-foot-9 ahead who was wonderful within the NCAA as an 18-year-old freshman in his draft 12 months. His skating is nice and his excessive vitality stage makes him a possession beast. Brindley’s mixture of velocity and energy will make him a really versatile participant who can fill in no matter function is required of him, which has earned him plenty of ice time. He’s a coach’s dream as a participant with nice abilities on each side of the puck and a never-quit mentality. Brindley was phenomenal on the 2024 World Juniors the place he was typically among the best and hardest working American gamers every sport. He made the stunning choice to hitch the Cleveland Monsters within the AHL final season (I nonetheless consider he would’ve been higher off with one other NCAA season), and struggled fairly a bit with the physicality of the professional sport.

91. Logan Hensler, RD, Ottawa Senators

Logan Hensler has been a tough analysis over the previous two years or so, going from being one of many earliest huge names out of the 2025 Draft to being chosen within the late first spherical. When he’s on his sport, it’s simple to see the NHL potential with Hensler as a 6-foot-3 defender with a right-handed shot and a robust skating basis. Nonetheless, he has regarded a bit tentative at occasions, however when he takes cost he can do loads of harm coming off the blueline. Hensler has the potential to be a robust, cellular, two-way defender for the Senators, however he’s going to wish to turn into extra assertive on each ends of the ice, one thing we’ll hopefully get a greater style of with the College of Wisconsin this coming season.

Prospects #90-81

90. Jagger Firkus, RW, Seattle Kraken

Jagger Firkus had an exceptional remaining season on the junior stage, main all the CHL in scoring (objectives and factors), and being named MVP of the WHL and CHL. Firkus is so fast to adapt to what the protection is displaying him that greater and stronger defenders don’t typically have a lot of a bonus regardless of his 5-foot-11 body. He’s received the work ethic, velocity, and shot to finish up as a top-six participant within the NHL, however his dimension and a few questions on his potential to maintain up with the psychological tempo of the NHL will decide whether or not he can hit that lofty ceiling or not. He regarded good within the AHL final season, however there’s an opportunity he tops out as an elite AHL man who can’t fairly earn a constant NHL gig.

89. Danny Nelson, C, New York Islanders

Danny Nelson is an enchanting prospect, taking part in most of his draft season on the second line within the NTDP after spending most of his life as a defenseman. There have been some minor questions if he could be a middle or defender as a professional throughout his draft 12 months, however these have since been answered by his strong play down the center with the College of Notre Dame. Whereas he gained’t seemingly ever be an enormous offense kind, Nelson’s defensive consciousness and physicality are each main property and I may see him being a robust bottom-six middle within the NHL sometime.

88. Terik Parascak, RW, Washington Capitals

Terik Parascak was one of the nice surprises within the CHL throughout his draft season, bursting out of the gates with 15 objectives and 25 factors in his first 12 video games. No person anticipated Parascak to stick with it for lengthy however he did simply that, ending the season within the top-10 for objectives and factors within the WHL. He’s not one of the best skater and his puck abilities aren’t distinctive, however his final touch and his sense of timing offensively have been wonderful over the previous two years. I feel his greatest case situation for Parascak could be changing into a participant like Tyler Toffoli who isn’t recognized to be an excellent skater however has the psychological sport and uncanny sense of timing wanted to finish up as an excellent middle-six contributor anyway.

87. Matthew Wooden, RW, Nashville Predators

I used to be desperate to see how Matthew Wooden would modify to the faculty sport after he dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) a number of years in the past, main the league in objectives and factors as a 16-year-old. His freshman outcomes have been extraordinarily optimistic with Wooden being one of many high rookie level scorers and one of many high scorers on his workforce regardless of being the youngest participant in all of males’s NCAA hockey throughout his draft 12 months. Wooden’s calling card is his shot which is great when it comes to deception and energy. His skating tasks as a significant limiting issue at this level, however he has proven that his timing and puck safety abilities have been sturdy sufficient for him to reach faculty. As he goes professional this 12 months, it’ll be fascinating to see how he handles the tempo of the professional sport and if his dimension, shot, and fingers are sufficient for him to proceed to face out in a great way.

86. Sacha Boisvert, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Sacha Boisvert is one other in a rising line of Canadian prospects who opted for the USHL/NCAA route moderately than taking part in within the CHL. The twelfth total decide within the 2022 QMJHL Draft was wonderful within the USHL as a rookie, and was in a position to enhance on these numbers considerably in his draft season. Boisvert is an enormous middle (6-foot-2) with tons of talent with the puck and above common skating. He seems to be like a professional and has a ton of NHL-level qualities, together with a extremely harmful shot, that make me assured he’ll discover a function within the middle-six ahead group of an NHL workforce sometime. He had a robust freshman season with the College of North Dakota, however opted to switch to Boston College for the 2025-26 season, a program that will probably be in severe want of an offensive chief within the absence of latest stars like Cole Eiserman and Macklin Celebrini.

85. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LD, San Jose Sharks

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is a two-way defender who skates properly and competes tougher than most. He measures at 6-feet tall however he doesn’t play like a small defender, always transferring his ft and battling for possession alongside the boards and in entrance of his personal web. Whereas he shoots left, Sahlin Wallenius has expertise taking part in each side on protection which can certainly assist him set up himself as a professional. Sahlin Wallenius’ skating is great, and it’s the instrument that enables him to be efficient everywhere in the ice, from breaking the puck out of the zone on his personal to staying in entrance of oncoming attackers. He had an extremely chaotic season final 12 months, taking part in in 4 completely different leagues all through Sweden and Finland. It seems he’s set to begin this coming season with Växjö within the SHL so hopefully a little bit of stability helps regular his improvement path a bit.

84. Brennan Othmann, LW, New York Rangers

Brennan Othmann is a high-octane offensive power on the ice that can be recognized to not again down from the nastier elements of the sport. Othmann has made the transition from the junior to the AHL look trivial as he has scored factors at a really spectacular charge with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. His bodily and tenacious model ought to translate properly to the NHL, although outcomes have been combined by way of his 25 NHL video games (unfold throughout the final two seasons). Othmann regarded nice within the AHL as soon as once more final season, in a smaller pattern dimension, and may quickly be on the shortlist for call-ups to the NHL membership subsequent season.

83. Logan Mailloux, RD, Montreal Canadiens 

Logan Mailloux’s sport has improved constantly since being drafted again within the 2021 Draft. He has the scale, skating, and energy to be a significant NHL defender, and his offensive abilities are fairly good, as showcased by his spectacular level totals by way of two AHL seasons. I see a defender who may turn into an excellent offensively minded third-pairing defender who excels in transition. There are nonetheless some points he’ll have to easy out a bit, primarily in his choice making which might result in turnovers beneath stress and lackadaisical defensive positioning, however I see an NHL defenseman.

82. Jani Nyman, RW, Seattle Kraken 

The Seattle Kraken have achieved an excellent job of constructing a high-end prospect pool from scratch, and drafting Jani Nyman within the second spherical of the 2022 Draft was an early step in the fitting route. Nyman is an enormous Finnish winger with the scale and energy to compete in opposition to males in Liiga (the highest Finnish professional league) with out wanting misplaced. He has an excellent shot and playmaking imaginative and prescient however may use some work on his velocity to assist him separate from defenders on the push. Nyman scored 26 objectives and 43 factors in 48 Liiga video games two seasons in the past and made the soar to the AHL final season the place he scored 28 objectives for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the second most amongst all U-21 gamers. He even earned 12 video games with the large membership the place he displayed a extremely heavy slapshot from the fitting circle on the powerplay, a trait that I anticipate will make him a particular groups fixture in Seattle this coming Fall. 

81. Nick Lardis, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Lardis has been among the best goalscorers within the OHL over the previous two or three seasons, however he completed his junior profession with a ridiculous stat line of 82 objectives in a mixed 72 common season and playoff video games with the Brantford Bulldogs. Lardis’ shot is nice, and he can get it off rapidly (and powerfully) from quite a lot of positions which makes him a risk with the puck from wherever within the offensive zone. He’s additionally an extremely fast straight-line skater who can do loads of harm off the push. Lardis measures at 5-foot-11 and isn’t a very bodily participant both so he might have to seek out one other dimension or two in his sport to earn a full-time function with Chicago, however his velocity and shot present sufficient potential that I’d wager the Blackhawks are excited to assist him spherical out his talent set.

Prospects #80-71

80. Cameron Reid, LD, Nashville Predators

Cameron Reid is a superb two-way defensive prospect, able to creating offense and shutting down opponents along with his explosive skating. With excessive hockey IQ and mobility, Reid is impactful in all areas of the sport. Whereas he doesn’t have high-end physicality or flashy level totals, he was an extremely regular two-way presence for the Kitchener Rangers final season, scoring 12 extra factors than their subsequent highest scoring defenseman whereas additionally defending the push properly with an lively stick and his nice ft. At this second, Reid doesn’t venture as a high-end NHLer, however I anticipate he’ll have a protracted professional profession nonetheless.

79. Samuel Honzek, C/LW, Calgary Flames

After being chosen tenth total within the 2022 CHL Import Draft by the Vancouver Giants, Samuel Honzek has achieved nothing however impress by way of three seasons in North America. He makes use of his huge physique to guard the puck very well, and has good finesse in relation to refined fakes and creating house for himself within the offensive zone. Honzek has performed and succeeded on each particular groups and his dimension and energy have made him an excessive amount of for opposing defenders to deal with on various events. He is a superb skater, which makes him a pest on the forecheck the place he does loads of harm each along with his excessive motor and his giant body. Honzek regarded sturdy within the preseason final 12 months, even incomes a brief stint with the Flames earlier than spending the remainder of his 12 months with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. 

78. Seamus Casey, RD, New Jersey Devils

Seamus Casey is an offensive defenseman who may need already turn into a full-time NHL participant final 12 months if he wasn’t within the Devils’ system that already has younger defenders like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec combating for lineup spots. Casey is a superb offensive driver, creating probabilities along with his ft in addition to his fingers. He’s undersized (5-foot-9), and never probably the most highly effective participant, however after a while he developed right into a dependable defender within the NCAA. If he can finally make that very same developmental step on protection within the NHL, Casey may very well be a dependable offensive creator at even energy, and an influence play quarterback. He was a high-end offensive participant within the AHL final season as a rookie, and I feel he’s received the within observe to creating New Jersey’s opening night time lineup in October.

77. Elias Salomonsson, LD, Winnipeg Jets

Elias Salomonsson is an enormous two-way defenseman who loves to hitch the push off the backend and has the mobility and physicality to be a menacing body-checker within the NHL. He’s received a heavy shot from the purpose, however he doesn’t make loads of performs with the puck, typically choosing his shot or a protected play with a low likelihood of making something harmful. Salomonsson’s skating makes him a constant defensive issue, although his choice making on physique checks may nonetheless use some work as he’s run into self-discipline points at nearly each stage he has performed previously few years together with a suspension on the 2024 World Junior Championship.

76. Quentin Musty, LW, San Jose Sharks

After a strong displaying on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summertime of 2022, Quentin Musty was thought of by many to be one of the best U.S. born prospect within the 2023 draft class. After an up and down draft 12 months, Musty has earned again loads of the respect he as soon as had. He’s an athletic winger who can beat goalies along with his laborious shot or by crashing the web and scoring in tight. He doesn’t venture to be a lot of an element defensively, however his shot and playmaking are his greatest instruments and so they may make him an excellent NHL participant sometime. Nonetheless, some critics stay, significantly ones who query Musty’s compete stage and/or choice making and his play as a first-year professional this coming season will go a great distance in shaping the narrative round him. 

75. Luca Cagnoni, LD, San Jose Sharks

Luca Cagnoni is an undersized offensive defenseman who has achieved nothing however show his doubters mistaken at each flip. After being chosen within the fourth spherical of the 2023 Draft, he blew the doorways off of the WHL the next season, scoring 90 factors as a 5-foot-9 defender, adequate for 18th within the league and 1st amongst WHL defenders. Final 12 months, Cagnoni proved loads of his doubters mistaken by not solely taking part in full time within the AHL, however by excelling at that stage and incomes 12 NHL video games as properly. He’s a exceptional skater and he thinks the sport at a excessive stage, so whereas he’ll by no means overpower many NHL opponents, he can out-plan and out-maneuver them. If he retains growing like this, I feel he may find yourself on the Sharks’ second pairing and incomes important energy play minutes. 

74. Owen Beck, C, Montreal Canadiens

Owen Beck is an extremely dependable and versatile two-way centerman who has elevated his inventory significantly ever since being chosen within the 2022 NHL Draft initially of the second spherical. He’s good, skates properly, wins faceoffs, back-checks laborious, and has already begun to develop into extra of his offensive potential. Beck goes to be a participant that coaches love as a result of he works laborious and has tons of talent. In his remaining junior season, Beck scored at a better charge than ever and was a robust play driver for the Saginaw Spirit all through the common season, OHL playoffs, and their Memorial Cup victory. Final season, he regarded sturdy within the AHL, and I anticipate he’ll turn into an excellent vitality ahead who kills penalties in Montreal quickly.

73. Colby Barlow, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Ever since scoring 30 objectives as a rookie within the OHL, Colby Barlow has been on my radar as a pro-sized winger with a legit NHL-caliber shot. He’s received good instruments throughout with strong velocity, stick abilities, and defensive play. Barlow was additionally named captain of the Owen Sound Assault at simply 17 which speaks to his maturity and management capabilities. His numbers dipped a bit as he adjusted to a brand new workforce within the Oshawa Generals final season, however he was electrical for them within the OHL playoffs. I see a high-character, aim scoring winger who may realistically kill penalties as a middle-six winger for the Jets within the subsequent 18-months or so.

72. Igor Chernyshov, LW, San Jose Sharks

Igor Chernyshov is a robust winger with nice dimension, skating and puck talent. He was nice within the MHL throughout his draft 12 months, even incomes himself a 5 sport tryout within the KHL as a 17-year-old. Chernyshov performs a really direct model, charging the web continuously whether or not he has the puck or not. After an offseason surgical procedure saved him out of the early months of the 2024-25 season, Chernyshov joined the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL the place he completely lit the league up alongside his future Sharks teammate Michael Misa to the tune of 55 factors in simply 23 video games. With two high-end middle prospects in Celebrini and Misa each coming in at 6-feet tall, including wingers with dimension has clearly been a precedence for the Sharks and Chernyshov suits that invoice. 

71. Carson Rehkopf, LW, Seattle Kraken

Carson Rehkopf is a well-rounded ahead with the scale, skating, talent, and shot of an NHL participant. Rehkopf scored over 160 objectives in his OHL profession (common season and playoffs), establishing him as a legit goalscoring prosepct.. His energy and talent to play each on the wing and at middle are intriguing as properly, although I anticipate he’ll be a winger in Seattle, particularly given their many proficient facilities. Rehkopf’s goalscoring is high-end, and his velocity makes him a harmful risk in transition.

Prospects #70-61

70. Liam Öhgren, LW, Minnesota Wild 

Liam Öhgren is a “jack of all trades, grasp of none” kind of participant who will excel within the NHL at some point as a complementary winger. He is without doubt one of the hardest-working gamers on the ice each time he performs, and he can do absolutely anything requested of him. Öhgren has an excellent shot, good fingers, legit playmaking talent, and has made some strong enhancements to his skating since being drafted. He’s nice at discovering open house off the puck and he rewards teammates for passing to him by charging the center of the ice or ripping a puck mid-stride. He spent most of final season within the AHL the place he scored almost a degree per sport, although he did get an prolonged tryout within the NHL the place his work ethic stood out regardless of the shortage of counting stats (5 factors in 23 NHL video games). Öhgren’s potential to out-work opponents stands out, even on the professional stage.

69. Isaac Howard, LW, Edmonton Oilers

After a really disappointing freshman season with the College of Minnesota-Duluth, Isaac Howard has been a number one offensive participant within the NCAA for 2 seasons now following his switch to Michigan State College. Howard is a bit undersized (measures round 5-foot-10/11), however has a robust sufficient body that he’s not as simple to knock off of pucks as you would possibly anticipate. Whereas he’s an excellent skater, Howard’s talent is his defining trait, making defenders miss their checks and leaving loads of opponents reaching in. There’s an opportunity Howard actually clicks within the NHL for Edmonton within the close to future, probably even incomes a spot subsequent to both of their famous person centermen. Nonetheless, in the event that they don’t give him that chance, Howard has had difficulties creating performs for himself at different ranges and Edmonton’s bottom-six isn’t precisely stuffed with high-end gamers lately. There’s fairly a little bit of increase or bust potential in Howard’s projection at this level.

68. Benjamin Kindel, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Benjamin Kindel will probably be an enchanting prospect to look at within the coming years, with much more increase/bust potential than many different gamers on this vary. Kindel has scored a ton of factors as a junior participant, each because the set-up man and as a goalscorer with an extremely fast wristshot. He works laborious, has good talent with the puck, and makes good selections as a playmaker, however the greatest fear I’ve is about his tempo. Kindel tends to gradual performs down as soon as he receives the puck and whereas that has labored for him within the WHL, I’m not assured simply but that he’ll be capable of make his selections fast sufficient to be a high-end NHL participant. Nonetheless, there’s an opportunity he works on his tempo sufficient and turns into an excellent 2C for the subsequent period of Penguins hockey.

67. Braeden Cootes, C, Vancouver Canucks 

Braeden Cootes is a middle prospect who earned a ton of admirers following his exceptional efficiency for Group Canada on the U18s the place he captained Canada to a gold medal. He was additionally Canada’s high scorer within the tourney which was encouraging as a result of it proved what lots of people already believed which was that his comparatively low scoring within the WHL final season was as a result of dearth of offensive expertise surrounding him and that he has extra to point out on that finish of the ice. Cootes is a coach’s dream as a hard-worker who by no means drops his protection and who forechecks as laborious as he can.

66. Theo Lindstein, LD, St. Louis Blues

Theo Lindstein seems to be to be about as regular of a defenseman as you would ask for. He might not have the offensive talent to wow you, or the scale and physicality to excite NHL GMs, however Lindstein has a steadiness and consistency that’s so uncommon for a U20 participant. He’s positively a high-floor/low ceiling kind of prospect, however touchdown a participant late within the first spherical (twenty ninth total within the 2023 Draft) who can simply venture to play strong minutes as your fourth or fifth defender is completely a win.

65. Rutger McGroarty, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Rutger McGroarty is a real energy ahead, sturdy and decided sufficient to win pucks with nice playmaking abilities that permit him to make good performs with the puck as soon as he wins it. He’s a really full prospect who’s a pure chief, shoots properly, and does nearly all the pieces else you would hope for from a first-round decide. McGroarty gained’t lead your workforce in scoring, however he’ll do an entire lot of different issues at a really excessive stage. He had a fairly gradual begin within the AHL final season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, however I believed McGroarty tailored fairly properly to the tempo of the professional sport by the season’s finish.

64. Maveric Lamoureux, LD, Utah Mammoth

I’ll admit, I used to be a little bit of a Maveric Lamoureux hater in his draft 12 months. I noticed the huge body and good skating and understood why he could be drafted within the first spherical (twenty ninth total within the 2022 Draft) regardless of his very questionable choice making, however I didn’t anticipate him to develop so properly, so rapidly. Lamoureux has made some actually huge strides in a optimistic route since being drafted, along with his play bettering in all phases of the sport. His first-touch passing has improved, making him a extra harmful puck provider in his personal finish, and his defensive choice making has made him a severe presence on protection. Lamoureux seems to be to be prepared for the NHL, although he’ll seemingly want to attend for an damage or two to hit the Mammoth’s d-core earlier than he lands a spot once more.

63. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Washington Capitals

Lynden Lakovic is a 6-foot-4 winger who’s a robust skater and may create a ton of offense along with his talent and shot. He scored 27 objectives in simply 47 WHL video games final season, a 39-goal tempo had he not been sidelined for roughly two months with a collarbone damage. If he can be taught to make use of his huge body a bit higher, Lacovic may turn into an excellent second-line winger who’s extremely powerful to play in opposition to. Lakovic jogs my memory a little bit of former Capital Anthony Mantha, as a big-bodied winger who can rating, skates quick, however has some questions surrounding his consistency and physicality.

62. Cullen Potter, C, Calgary Flames

Cullen Potter is an elite skater who left the NTDP mid-season in his draft 12 months to leap forward to the NCAA at 17. As a younger 5-foot-10 middle getting into a league stuffed with gamers of their early 20’s, expectations have been fairly low for Potter. His gradual begin appeared to verify these expectations, however after the primary months of the season he actually got here into his personal, scoring 13 objectives and 22 factors as a younger freshman. Potter has true separation velocity which makes him a dynamic risk on the push. If Potter can translate his ending potential to the professional stage, then he’ll seemingly have a ton of worth as a middle-six burner.

61. Trevor Connelly, LW, Vegas Golden Knights

Trevor Connelly is a talented winger with dynamic skating and a penchant for making probably the most jaw-dropping transfer potential. His fingers are actually fast and he performs with a ton of deception which makes him harmful with the puck even when it seems to be like there’s no play to be made. Nonetheless, Connelly has had some high-profile self-discipline points, and might want to reign in his choice making if he desires to be given constant excessive deployment within the NHL.

Prospects #60-51

60. Daniil However, LW/C, Utah Mammoth

Daniil However is without doubt one of the greatest gamers on this listing, standing at 6-foot-5. He has the scale that NHL normal managers dream of, and he has nice puck abilities and taking pictures mechanics for a participant of his dimension. His skating has grown on me since his draft 12 months, with sufficient velocity and agility to essentially use his dimension to his benefit, powering by way of defenders and defending the puck properly. It could be a short time earlier than we see him taking part in within the NHL, however I’m positive Utah is greater than keen to attend as they give the impression of being to determine themselves within the NHL.

59. Noah Östlund, C, Buffalo Sabres

Noah Östlund is without doubt one of the greatest pure playmakers on this listing as his potential to maintain observe of his teammates’ areas everywhere in the ice results in loads of sensible passes that no person else appears to see coming. His potential to anticipate the play and make the fitting play to maximise the scoring likelihood for his workforce is exceptional. Östlund can be a talented puck handler with the velocity and agility to make performs occur each on and off the puck. He works laborious in all phases of the sport and will turn into an excellent middle-six middle if all goes properly in his improvement. Östlund didn’t gentle up the AHL final 12 months, however he was fairly concerned offensively for them and with just a few different callups round him I anticipate he’ll play a starring function for the Rochester Individuals within the 2025-26 season.

58. Brayden Yager, C, Winnipeg Jets

Brayden Yager was talked about within the scouting world for almost so long as Connor Bedard, being drafted third total within the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and profitable the CHL Rookie of the 12 months award following the 2021-22 season on the again of a exceptional 34-goal, 59-point rookie season. His transition sport, defensive play, and depraved wrist shot make him an throughout risk on the junior stage. After being traded one-for-one for Rutger McGroarty to the Jets, Yager seems to be poised to stay within the Canadian Prairies for the foreseeable future. He grew up in Saskatchewan, performed his junior hockey there (in Moose Jaw and now Lethbridge, Alberta), and can now make the soar to the AHL (Manitoba Moose) along with his WHL profession behind him.

57. Jett Luchanko, C, Philadelphia Flyers

Jett Luchanko goes to be a fan favourite in Philadelphia sometime quickly, with spectacular tenacity and work ethic. Luchanko has good talent with the puck and skates fairly properly, making him a harmful participant with the puck in transition. Nonetheless, he’s all the time keen to surrender among the glory by making one other move and discovering a greater possibility if it’s there. Luchanko reads performs very well and has that knack for timing and discovering openings in defensive protection that’s tough to show. He doesn’t actually have any offensive traits that pop at this level so I don’t know that he’ll find yourself all that top within the Flyers’ lineup, however he has the motor to be a priceless center six piece who kills penalties and performs as a connective piece all all through the lineup.

56. Jackson Smith, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jackson Smith is an enormous defender (6-foot-3) who has proven sufficient offensive talent within the WHL to determine himself as a high-potential defenseman regardless of having a defensive sport with some warts. He doesn’t venture as an elite offensive kind, however his potential to make stretch passes and anticipate routes of his teammates pairs very well along with his sturdy skating and huge body. Smith has proven some intelligent playmaking from the backend, and has a heavy shot that he can use to trigger a little bit of havoc within the offensive zone. He may very well be a second-pairing defenseman with room to develop on each ends of the ice.

55. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW, Detroit Pink Wings

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (MBN) is a Norwegian winger who is understood for his excessive work ethic and his shot. He isn’t going to provide a ton of spotlight reel performs along with his talent, however he works tougher than simply about anybody everywhere in the ice. Brandsegg-Nygård’s greatest attribute is his shot, which he will get off rapidly and powerfully. He didn’t rating a ton within the SHL final season, although his scoring charge skyrocketed as soon as the playoffs got here round, a development he replicated in a short AHL debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Pink Wings have been in dire want of gamers keen to get to the center of the ice and create offense by way of grit and energy, and fortunately MBN has these qualities in spades.

54. Oliver Moore, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Oliver Moore was one of the best skater from the 2023 draft class with blazing velocity and wonderful agility. The mixture of his skating, shot, and fast fingers makes him a extremely enjoyable two-way participant. He’s agile sufficient that I anticipate he’ll be very profitable on zone entries within the NHL some day, giving the Blackhawks an opportunity to manage play within the offensive zone each time he touches the puck. He has produced constant offense in his first two years within the NCAA, however there are questions on his potential to complete the plentiful probabilities he creates that may linger till he proves he can put the puck within the web extra constantly as a professional. Moore’s ground is probably going as a high-octane bottom-six ahead, although I feel he’s received sufficient talent to push for extra of a middle-six function in Chicago. 

53. Stian Solberg, LD, Anaheim Geese

Stian Solberg is an enormous, bodily defender who skates properly for his dimension and made an enormous splash as a high participant for Norway on the Males’s World Championship over every of the previous two summers. Solberg doesn’t venture to have a ton of offense within the NHL, however he could make a strong first move and his mobility will assist carry him to the subsequent stage. The largest draw of his sport is his highly effective defensive play. He wins tons of pucks along with his stick and physique, closing gaps confidently whereas defending in transition. Solberg has the potential to be a significant second pair defender within the NHL, complementing most of the offensively-minded defenders in Anaheim’s system along with his bruising model that’s all the time centered to profitable the puck over for his workforce.

52. Konsta Helenius, C/RW, Buffalo Sabres

Konsta Helenius is a superb playmaker who competes laborious sufficient to reach the Finnish Liiga as a 17-year-old. Helenius is level-headed beneath stress and makes exceptional passes look routine, setting his teammates up for fulfillment. He was good for Finland on the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championship tournaments, although he wasn’t almost as dominant as I anticipated him to be. Helenius’ two-way play in opposition to professionals as an adolescent has been very spectacular, particularly in transition the place he is ready to sustain with the tempo of play each bodily and mentally. He has managed the transition from Liiga to the AHL properly, however wasn’t precisely a star as a rookie. Helenius’ ceiling within the NHL could also be a bit decrease than I believed a 12 months in the past, however I nonetheless anticipate him to turn into a robust middle-six ahead for a very long time.

51. Kashawn Aitcheson, LD, New York Islanders

Aitcheson is a really bodily and aggressive defender, battling laborious alongside the boards and on the net-front. His bodily play earned him over 200 penalty minutes previously two OHL seasons and that bodily edge was very interesting to the Islanders, particularly given his sturdy skating and good grades throughout his offensive abilities. Aitcheson won’t ever be requested to do an excessive amount of with the Isles contemplating they landed one other lefty two-way defender in Matthew Schaefer within the 2025 Draft. He must be proper at dwelling as a second-pairing man with two-way, particular groups worth, particularly if his knack for goalscoring in Junior interprets to the professional sport.

Prospects #50-41

50. Carter Bear, LW, Detroit Pink Wings

Carter Bear was a significant riser within the 2025 Draft, and was one of many WHL’s high scorers earlier than he sustained a skate laceration on his leg that took him out of the ultimate months of his draft 12 months. He’s received good energy for a 18-year-old, making him a little bit of a wrecking ball in opposition to junior competitors. Bear scored 40 objectives (one thing solely 9 gamers managed) regardless of lacking time and confirmed that he may drive play and rating constantly. His compete stage is his greatest energy in my view, carrying the puck into the center of the ice and inflicting chaos along with his vitality. 

49. Matthew Savoie, C, Edmonton Oilers

Drafted ninth total by the Sabres on the 2022 draft, Matt Savoie is a extremely inventive ahead with a high-end talent set. The mixture of velocity, fingers and tenacity makes him an offensive catalyst and he maintains offensive zone possession extraordinarily properly. Savoie has wonderful imaginative and prescient to identify a lane to interact or discover his teammates with a properly executed move and he’s a dynamic skater as properly. After being traded to the Edmonton Oilers, Savoie spent all of final season within the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, scoring at almost a point-per-game charge. Savoie has a ton of potential, however loads of it can come right down to how properly he fares in opposition to the faster and stronger opponents of the NHL. If his offense interprets, then I may see him incomes time with considered one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, a minimum of on the facility play.

48. Easton Cowan, C/W, Toronto Maple Leafs 

The Toronto Maple Leafs stunned the hockey world after they chosen Easton Cowan with the twenty eighth decide within the 2023 Draft. He wasn’t seen as a primary spherical candidate by many individuals, however he has already paid again the Leafs for his or her perception in him. Cowan is a fast and hardworking winger whose offensive manufacturing skyrocketed within the OHL following his draft 12 months, almost doubling his manufacturing from the prior season in fewer video games. He has confirmed that the OHL isn’t sufficient of a problem, scoring 108 factors throughout simply 63 mixed common season and playoff video games this 12 months, so it is sensible that he’s set to go professional this Fall.

47. Liam Greentree, RW, Los Angeles Kings 

Liam Greentree is an enormous winger who seems to be like he may very well be an excellent all-round participant within the NHL sometime if he could make some enhancements to his velocity and acceleration. Greentree does most issues properly, combating laborious in puck battles, making good passes, and dealing with defensive obligations properly. His best energy is his shot which seems to be like a top quality NHL instrument although his talent with the puck is worthy of point out as properly. The largest barrier in the way in which of NHL success for Greentree in the mean time is his skating. He’s received okay velocity as soon as he will get going, however his first few steps are sluggish and he may use some explosiveness to assist him speed up extra rapidly. Greentree has was a dominant offensive power within the OHL final season, scoring 49 objectives and 119 factors, adequate for third in league scoring.

46. Cole Reschny, C, Calgary Flames

Cole Reschny is a extremely expert ahead who was wonderful for the Victoria Royals final season, main the workforce in scoring regardless of being simply 17 for a lot of the season. Reschny earned important time on each particular groups, and his mixture of playmaking and hockey sense made him an efficient addition to each. His greatest trait is his wonderful passing, however he additionally has the type of edgework that makes him actually slippery in open ice, dodging hits and making checkers look foolish. Reschny strikes me as a kind of gamers who would have been talked about within the top-10 of the 2025 Draft if he had been simply an inch or two taller so I feel the Flames made out properly getting him at 18. 

45. Nate Danielson, C, Detroit Pink Wings

Nate Danielson is nice at attacking the center of the ice, he works laborious, wins puck battles, and has an underrated shot which I feel will give him an excellent likelihood of being a strong top-six, two-way middle within the mould of a man like Bo Horvat. I will probably be a large Danielson apologist till he’s a full time NHLer, one thing that I feel may be very shut. He spent this season within the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and improved constantly because the season continued, scoring 39 factors as a first-time professional, fairly good for somebody who isn’t anticipated to turn into a high-end offensive kind. 

44. Scott Morrow, RD, New York Rangers

Who doesn’t love a dynamic puck-moving defenseman who’s all the time in assault mode? Scott Morrow performs a high-octane model and he’s fast and decisive in transition. He exhibits nice velocity, edges, and confidence in his motion when attacking off the push and he all the time has the opposition on their heels making an attempt to foretell his subsequent transfer. Morrow had a superb rookie season within the AHL, scoring almost a degree per sport as a first-time professional. He’s nonetheless a little bit of a combined bag defensively, defending the push remarkably properly whereas struggling slightly bit when in-zone, although his offensive 

43. David Reinbacher, RD, Montreal Canadiens

David Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and nice mobility who performed plenty of minutes within the Nationwide League (NL), Switzerland’s high skilled males’s league, throughout his draft 12 months. He’s a really accountable defender who shuts down tons of rush makes an attempt with an lively stick and stellar positioning. Reinbacher is wanting like a possible top-four defender following some nice play within the AHL regardless of lacking almost all of this season with a knee damage. His final potential may not be exceedingly excessive, however I feel he may very well be a superb complementary piece on Montreal’s second pairing sometime.

42. Oliver Bonk, RD, Philadelphia Flyers

Oliver Bonk is a robust two-way defender who has the scale and skating NHL groups search for, and the hockey sense to be a significant contributor within the trendy NHL. He anticipates play very well, and is vocal along with his teammates, coordinating play at each ends of the ice. Bonk isn’t essentially a extremely expert defender so I don’t assume he’ll be combating for many energy play minutes with Jamie Drysdale, however I anticipate he’ll be a robust second pairing defender who can tilt the ice in Philly’s favor.

41. Tanner Molendyk, LD, Nashville Predators

Tanner Molendyk was among the best skaters within the 2023 draft, with wonderful edgework and velocity. Molendyk’s edgework makes him extremely cellular in all instructions, able to appearing on new info at a second’s discover. He isn’t the largest defenseman (just below 6-feet) however he competes laborious and defends properly on account of his vitality and skating. Molendyk was considered one of Canada’s greatest gamers of their disappointing match that noticed them eradicated by Czechia within the quarterfinals for the second straight 12 months.

Prospects #40-31

40. Michael Hage, C, Montreal Canadiens

Regardless of lacking almost all of his draft-1 season to damage, Michael Hage has re-established himself as a excessive finish prospect, and was drafted twenty first total within the 2024 Draft. He has a extremely well-rounded instrument package as a 6-foot-1 middle who skates properly, has wonderful talent with the puck and created probabilities at will within the USHL and NCAA over the previous two seasons. Hage doesn’t have probably the most harmful shot nevertheless it’s not a weak point by any means, and he competes properly on protection and thru site visitors within the offensive zone. Finally, a scarcity of elite traits holds him again slightly however Hage actually has an opportunity to be a top-six ahead within the NHL.

39. Tom Willander, RD, Vancouver Canucks

Tom Willander is a excessive finish skater, which permits him to hold the puck out of his personal zone and lets him take some dangers offensively whereas nonetheless recovering rapidly sufficient on the back-check. Willander burst onto the mainstream stage following his wonderful displaying on the U18s in his draft 12 months the place he anchored Sweden’s second pairing and competed with Axel Sandin Pellikka for the title of one of the best defender on the workforce. His skating is so sturdy and his motor runs excessive sufficient that even in video games the place he’s quiet offensively, he nonetheless gives a ton of worth on the defensive finish. Now that he has formally signed an ELC, it’s laborious to not dream of what a Quinn Hughes – Willander pairing may appear to be down the road.

38. Danila Yurov, RW, Minnesota Wild

Danila Yurov is a superb two-way winger with wonderful skating and sufficient vitality on the forecheck to frustrate opponents even within the KHL though he’s a minimum of a decade youthful than most of his opposition. Yurov spent three full seasons within the KHL after being drafted, however has now signed with the Wild and may very a lot be on their radar at coaching camp. Prior to now I’ve labeled Yurov as a Jack of all trades, grasp of none, which might be seen as a foul factor, however in his case it is extremely a lot a praise. There are merely no holes in his sport, from playmaking, to profitable puck battles, to off puck play he’s nice at all of it. Whereas Yurov might not have elite traits, he’s completely going to be a really efficient, and dependable, NHLer.

37.  Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Lekkerimäki had a extremely powerful post-draft season, with a number of accidents/sicknesses ruining any momentum he tried to construct. That was true all 12 months till the Allsvenskan playoffs the place he appeared to lastly appear to be his outdated self once more, scoring 15 factors in 15 video games. Within the ensuing offseason, he was signed by the Canucks and loaned to the SHL the place he performed with Örebro HK and led all U20 SHL gamers in objectives and factors. Lekkerimäki has since made his North American debut with the Canucks’ AHL and NHL squads, displaying the talent and killer intuition as a shooter that made him such a excessive draft decide. He received pushed round a bit on Abbotsford’s championship run to the AHL’s Calder Cup, however the Canucks appear assured he can proceed to placed on muscle and take one other step ahead along with his skating. 

36. Cole Hutson, LD, Washington Capitals

Cole Hutson is an undersized offensive defenseman who skates superbly and was probably the most thrilling defender eventually 12 months’s World Junior Championship. He seems to be fairly related on the ice to his older brother Lane, however Cole is a extra bodily defender and may not be fairly as potent of an offensive power within the NHL. Cole is nice at utilizing small fakes and shifts of his edges to evade stress, opening up new alternatives. He can weave by way of site visitors, in search of open house to create probabilities for his teammates. Cole led the World Juniors in scoring final 12 months as a defenseman, and is eligible to return as Group USA seems to be for a three-peat. 

35. Dmitri Simashev, LD, Utah Mammoth

Dmitri Simashev is a really intriguing prospect with the scale/skating combo (6-foot-4) that’s so coveted within the trendy NHL. He has each bodily instrument you would hope for, and makes use of every of them properly, with the velocity, energy, and attain to be a extremely nice top-four defender within the NHL. Nonetheless, his offensive manufacturing has left a lot to be desired, leaving many questions on if he can have a lot offense to offer within the NHL sometime. Utah can have an excellent alternative to supervise his improvement now that they’ve signed him to an ELC that may see him make his North American debut this Fall, more than likely with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL.

34. Justin Carbonneau, RW, St. Louis Blues

Justin Carbonneau is a robust winger who dominated the QMJHL in his draft season along with his lightning-fast fingers and his potential to alter the purpose of launch on his wrist shot on the final second. Whereas he’s not probably the most cerebral participant, generally counting on the playmaking and choice making of teammates, he has the talent to create wonderful probabilities out of skinny air. A right-handed sniper is efficacious in at present’s NHL, and one who scored 46 within the Q whereas filling out an athletic, highly effective body is doubly so. 

33. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, St. Louis Blues

Dalibor Dvorsky was very spectacular in his draft 12 months in opposition to males, taking part in in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-tier Swedish skilled league. He scored a bit beneath a half level per sport there and spent just a few video games within the J20 Nationell as properly, Sweden’s high junior league, the place he confirmed that he was clearly a step above his age group, scoring over two factors per sport. As soon as he’s within the offensive zone, Dvorsky’s potential to take care of management of the puck, create pictures at will and make good passes at an environment friendly charge makes him a constant risk. He made the transfer to North America and completely schooled the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves two years in the past, earlier than making the soar to the AHL this previous season.

32. Cole Eiserman, LW, New York Islanders

Cole Eiserman was the 2024 Draft’s premier aim scoring prospect, and he was by far probably the most polarizing participant within the group. He can play bodily, however can generally get caught chasing hits and dropping observe of defensive protection. The rationale individuals have been so excessive on Eiserman was that he scored 72 objectives in 69 video games throughout his draft season for the NTDP. These are some completely absurd numbers, and the objectives saved coming in his freshman season the place he netted 25 objectives for Boston College. Whereas he is probably not probably the most dependable participant in relation to play driving or defensive outcomes, he’s an extremely dependable aim scorer and tasks to be a 30+ aim scorer within the NHL sometime. Pair him together with your greatest playmaking middle and watch him do the toughest factor there’s in hockey, rating objectives. 

31. Bradly Nadeau, C, Carolina Hurricanes

Bradly Nadeau had a dominant draft season within the BCHL, with the objectives and factors accumulating till they have been unimaginable to disregard. He led the league in objectives, assists, and factors as a 17-year-old. Nadeau’s sport translated properly to the NCAA, scoring 46 factors in 37 video games as a freshman earlier than making the leap to the AHL the place he excelled, scoring 32 objectives and being within the top-20 for league-wide scoring as a 19 12 months outdated. He’s received a depraved shot and the velocity to be an absolute terror in transition. The one factor standing in the way in which of Nadeau changing into a goalscoring top-six winger may very well be his dimension, standing at 5-foot-10, although his skating and compete stage are sturdy and he performs for one of many few groups within the NHL who aren’t afraid of gamers beneath 6-feet.

Prospects #30-21

30. Calum Ritchie, C, New York Islanders

Calum Ritchie has nice puck abilities and generally it seems to be like he’s glued the puck to his stick whereas carving by way of defenders or when he’s on a breakaway. His instruments make him very properly suited as a middle on the subsequent stage with good dimension, a coveted right-handed shot, good defensive habits (kills penalties fairly properly), and strong faceoff outcomes. He has the instruments to be a robust second line middle, and taking part in behind guys like Matt Barzal and Bo Horvat over the subsequent few years ought to give him just a few actually good function fashions. 

29. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Cayden Lindstrom has been a favourite of mine from the 2024 Draft class going again just a few years now. He’s a large energy ahead (6-foot-3, 205 kilos) who’s extremely fast and tough to knock off the puck. His dimension benefit is a part of what made him a virtually immovable object within the WHL, however he additionally has nice fingers, a robust shot, and actually good puck safety instincts. Lindstrom has missed important time in two consecutive campaigns because of a again damage, and that missed time has actually began so as to add up. Based mostly on expertise, I feel Lindstrom may push for the top-10 of this listing, however I’m making an attempt to be a bit cautious along with his rating, contemplating he has solely performed 40 complete video games over the past two seasons, with solely 4 of these coming within the 2024-25 season. I sincerely hope he recovers and will get again on observe as a result of making the transfer to the NCAA subsequent season (with Michigan State College) looks like an excellent transfer. 

28. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues

Since being chosen twenty third total within the 2022 Draft, Jimmy Snuggerud has confirmed to be a superb selection for the St. Louis Blues. His shot is the very first thing that stands out about his sport, as the facility and accuracy of his wrist shot make it a really harmful instrument, however the actual cause his shot is so potent is the way in which he can disguise or alter his shot by out of the blue altering the discharge level. He has easy fingers however doesn’t make a ton of performs as a distributor, although his ending potential usually makes up for that. Snuggerud is a accountable defensive participant which isn’t typical for a shoot-first winger. He joined the Blues and I believed he regarded nice proper from the beginning. 

27. Jake O’Brien, C, Seattle Kraken

Jake O’Brien is a middle prospect with the scale, talent, and playmaking potential to turn into an essential member of the Kraken. He has nice hockey IQ, particularly in relation to his playmaking, discovering teammates simply by way of site visitors or off of no-look performs, although it additionally exhibits itself within the routes he takes off the puck, which put him in nice place to obtain passes or two intercept them. Whereas he already has a pro-sized body, O’Brien’s June birthday means he was on the youthful aspect for the 2025 Draft class and has a bit of additional runway to placed on some muscle.

26. Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington Capitals 

Andrew Cristall is without doubt one of the most inventive and slippery prospects within the hockey world, and he was one of many solely draft eligible gamers within the WHL who was in a position to roughly maintain tempo with Bedard when it comes to manufacturing within the 2023 draft season. Cristall has been frankly dominant offensively within the WHL, scoring a complete of 332 factors in simply 173 video games over the previous three seasons (1.92 factors per sport). He attracts tons of consideration within the offensive zone and is nice at making good performs beneath stress to assist open teammates up, making their jobs a lot simpler. Solely time will inform if his sport will translate to the professional stage given his 5-foot-10 body, however he was the final reduce for the Capitals of their coaching camp final season so I don’t assume it’ll take lengthy for him to make their roster, and I anticipate he’ll find yourself factoring into their top-six quickly.

25. Tij Iginla, C, Utah Mammoth

Tij Iginla was a really nice shock within the WHL throughout his draft season. After scoring simply 18 factors with the Seattle Thunderbirds the season earlier than, Iginla flourished with the Kelowna Rockets, scoring an unimaginable 47 objectives as a draft eligible participant. His sport depends closely on velocity and he’s in a position to do a ton of harm on the push on the junior stage due to it. Iginla has a superb wrist shot as properly, however he isn’t probably the most gifted playmaker or defensive presence simply but. Regardless, he works laborious and is commonly the primary man in on the forecheck. Regardless of lacking most of this previous season with a hip damage, Iginla confirmed properly in a small pattern and displayed a bit extra of the facility and energy that made his dad such a particular participant, which might severely elevate his ceiling if it grew to become his calling card.

24. Brady Martin, C, Nashville Predators

Brady Martin is a extremely aggressive and bodily middle prospect who endeared himself to NHL scouts in his draft 12 months by way of his tenacity and tendency to throw completely show-stopping hits. Don’t attempt to put Martin right into a field as only a laborious employee with minimal talent, nonetheless, as a result of he has sufficient talent and finesse with the puck to create attractiveness for himself and his teammates. Martin has a ton of hallmarks of a superb do-it-all energy ahead, battling laborious for pucks, making opponents look twice over their shoulders along with his physicality, and creating tons of offense down the center of the ice, particularly close to the crease. 

23. 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 12 months to an elite defensive prospect who was tearing up the KHL. Silayev is 6-foot-7, however he strikes like he’s 6-foot-2, and he has proven nice two-way play throughout two full KHL season. He’s signed for an additional season with Torpedo within the KHL, however North America may very well be on his radar a 12 months from now once I’m positive New Jersey could be thrilled so as to add such a potent defensive presence. Silayev’s mixture of size and skating makes him a real outlier within the hockey world, and one able to changing into a one-man defensive unit in his prime.

22. Sam Rinzel, RD, Chicago Blackhawks

Sam Rinzel was drafted twenty fifth total by the Blackhawks again in 2022, largely for the huge potential he delivered to the desk as a lanky defender who may skate just like the wind by way of transition. As a 6-foot-4, right-shot defender, Rinzel had a uncooked toolset that confirmed he was simply scratching the floor of the extent of participant he may very well be. Rinzel has made some huge steps when it comes to his defensive timing and choice making on each side of the puck, and has actually rounded right into a high-end prospect whom I anticipate to turn into a legit top-four defender for Chicago, seemingly with some energy play minutes sprinkled in too. He’s a robust skater, actually will get after the play on each ends, and is making good progress in filling out his once-lanky body. 

21. Roger McQueen, C, Anaheim Geese

Roger McQueen is a 6-foot-5 middle with wonderful fingers and powerful skating. He missed almost all of his draft season, taking part in simply 17 video games, on account of a nagging again damage that his camp believes is behind him. In an NHL panorama the place every workforce is searching for the subsequent Tage Thompson, there have been loads of groups concerned about McQueen very early on within the 2025 NHL Draft, however in the end it was the sturdiness query that noticed him slide barely to tenth total. As you’d anticipate of a participant his dimension, McQueen is robust across the web bodily, and he has unusual dexterity for an enormous man. If he reaches something close to his ceiling, then the Geese have added one other wonderful ahead to their future top-six.

Prospects #20-11

20. Radim Mrtka, RD, Buffalo Sabres

Radim Mrtka did himself an enormous favor on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup final Summer time. Mrtka is a large (6-foot-6), right-shot defender who performed large minutes in all-situations for Czechia in that match, serving to drive them to a silver medal end. He’s a really pure puck provider and mover within the offensive zone, strolling the blueline higher than you’d anticipate for a 17-year-old of his dimension. Mrtka made the transfer to North American this previous 12 months to hitch the Seattle Thunderbirds, and have become an absolute two-way work horse for them. He was on the primary energy play unit and the primary penalty killing group as properly, often logging ice occasions exceeding half-hour an evening! Mrtka’s defensive potential is sky excessive given his large dimension and powerful skating, however his offensive sport evokes some confidence as properly.

19. Victor Eklund, RW, New York Islanders

Victor Eklund is a talented and aggressive winger who had a superb displaying within the Allsvenskan this season. He impressed in a small pattern in opposition to males the season earlier than and earned himself a spot within the opening night time lineup for Djurgårdens in Sweden’s second-tier professional league for his draft 12 months. Eklund’s talent and skating are sturdy traits, nevertheless it’s his compete stage that makes him a particular prospect. There isn’t a puck battle that Eklund gained’t give his all to, a race for a free puck that he gained’t throw himself into. Eklund is a canine and he’ll be a favourite of followers and coaches for the Islanders very quickly.

18. Carter Yakemchuk, RD, Ottawa Senators

Carter Yakemchuk has an enviable bodily make-up as a right-shot defender who already measures at 6-foot-4 (was 6-foot-2 to begin his draft 12 months), 207 kilos and he has produced a ton of offense for the Calgary Hitmen. His talent is spectacular for a defender of his dimension and his dimension and physicality mix to make him intriguing as an NHL prospect. Yakemchuk challenges opposing gamers one-on-one like a ahead, always setting himself up for unimaginable dekes. The issue is, he doesn’t succeed 100% of the time and may put himself in powerful positions to recuperate defensively when issues go mistaken. He has the size and energy to be a robust defender, however a faster skating stride would seemingly assist him turn into a distinction maker on the back-end as properly.

17.  Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Geese

Beckett Sennecke is a lanky winger with extraordinarily spectacular puck talent that enables him to often deke by way of a number of layers of protection. He has a strong playmaking sport, with adequate sense to identify tough lanes and make good passes, however can get caught up taking part in hero-puck at occasions, making an attempt to deke by way of defenders when a move would serve him higher. Sennecke has continued to develop, now over 6-foot-4, and has made some progress filling out his skinny body over the previous 12 months. Guys his dimension don’t normally transfer by way of opponents like he does, always dodging between checks to seek out house, however Sennecke’s skating is robust sufficient to let him duck and weave by way of site visitors. 

16. Axel Sandin Pellikka, RD, Detroit Pink Wings 

Axel Sandin Pellikka is a right-handed offensive defenseman who has been an offensive chief within the SHL as a teenaged defenseman. Sandin Pellikka had an excellent displaying for Sweden on the World Juniors in his draft 12 months, bettering his draft inventory significantly, and has represented Sweden in two extra World Junior Championships since, even being named the tourney’s high defender in 2025. He’s a power on offense however don’t let that idiot you, he’s a hard-working defender who makes loads of stops regardless of his 5-foot-11 body, particularly off the push. I anticipate he’ll be a part of the Grand Rapids Griffins within the AHL for the 2025-26 season earlier than making his NHL debut behind Detroit’s high-end high pairing of Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider.

15. Gabe Perreault, RW, New York Rangers 

Gabe Perrault seems to be like somebody who may very well be an influence play specialist on the subsequent stage with nice talent and smarts within the offensive zone. He can decide aside opposing defenses with pin-point passes, inventive dangles and sly fakes, and his effort stage is admirable. Perreault was one of the inventive and clever gamers from the 2023 Draft and he’s nice at weaving his approach out of bother when defenders collapse round him, both with a move or his lightning-quick fingers. Perreault has scored at an absurd charge within the NCAA, with 108 factors in simply 73 video games. He has additionally been an enormous piece of Group USA’s offense in every of their back-to-back gold medal victories on the World Junior Championship.

14. Ryan Leonard, LW/C, Washington Capitals 

Ryan Leonard is a excessive vitality winger who by no means takes his foot off the fuel when it comes to each velocity and energy. He makes use of his velocity and talent to blow by defenders within the impartial zone and stress in-zone defenders who battle to anticipate his subsequent transfer. His playmaking and shot aren’t distinctive, however they’re each going to serve him properly within the NHL. He has a really versatile talent set and may turn into a robust top-six winger who provides some grit and goalscoring to his line, just like a Tyler Bertuzzi-type participant (or Matthew Tkachuk in the event you assume his offense will actually pop within the NHL). 

13. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Utah Mammoth

Caleb Desnoyers is a extremely well-rounded prospect who impressed for Canada on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup final summer time along with his hardworking model incomes him a significant function. Desnoyers has been closely relied upon within the QMJHL because of his accountable play in all zones and his success within the faceoff dot. I don’t assume his talent is elite, however he’s received greater than sufficient talent to provide given his sturdy hockey sense that enables him to contain himself in performs at simply the fitting second. Desnoyers competes laborious and will probably be an efficient professional on each side of the puck. He doesn’t precisely venture as an elite point-scoring middle within the NHL, however he must be a superb connective piece down the center in Utah’s top-six.

12. Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Anton Frondell is a two-way middle who’s constructed for the professional sport. His dimension, shot, and two-way consistency make him an excellent wager to assist regular the top-six ahead group for the Chicago Blackhawks down the road. Frondell racked up factors at a exceptional charge for his age within the Swedish Allsvenskan final season, and was an integral piece of Djurgårdens’ promotion to the SHL. His worldwide play has been inconsistent over the previous few years, however such a robust season in an excellent professional league earned him plenty of consideration, and his potential to guard the puck in opposition to greater and older competitors will serve him properly when he joins the Blackhawks. 

11. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

Porter Martone is a talented energy ahead who dominated the OHL in his draft season. His dimension and high-end talent make him a handful for junior defenses, and I feel it was an excellent choice for him to maneuver on to the NCAA subsequent season with Michigan State College. Martone’s dimension is nice and all (6-foot-3), however the actual cause it excites scouts is his wonderful playmaking, high-end compete stage, and his nice fingers. Within the draft course of, Martone in contrast himself to the Tkachuk brothers, and whereas I feel he’s received loads of their DNA as a high-skill energy ahead, he isn’t a pest just like the Tkachuks. He battles laborious for pucks and doesn’t again down from a problem, however he doesn’t fairly have that Rat X-Issue to get beneath opponents’ pores and skin.

Prospects #10-1

10. James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins

James Hagens is a dynamic skater with a ton of talent, giving him a instrument package that brings to thoughts latest NTDP stars like Jack Hughes, Logan Cooley, and Will Smith. His edgework is phenomenal, which makes his actions in open ice extraordinarily tough to anticipate. Hagens makes use of his edges, in addition to refined fakes, to make defenders miss and burst into house with possession. 

Hagens is a superb playmaker, drawing eyes and our bodies to himself earlier than inserting an ideal move on a teammate’s blade. I feel he’s additionally extra bodily than he will get credit score for, working laborious in puck battles and never backing down in scrums after the whistle. Being 5-foot-10 actually didn’t assist Hagens’ draft inventory with NHL groups, however I feel he’s a talented sufficient participant who skates so properly that it gained’t be a big hindrance to him when he goes professional. 

9. Berkly Catton, C, Seattle Kraken

Berkly Catton is a remarkably clever participant, creating probabilities and benefits for his teammates by way of intelligent manipulations moderately than by way of bodily power. The Spokane Chiefs have lacked high-end expertise throughout Catton’s total WHL tenure (till they traded for Andrew Cristall this previous season), so he has been leaned upon closely for the previous three seasons. Fortunately for the Chiefs, Catton has greater than been as much as the duty of main the workforce, scoring over 100 factors in consecutive seasons.

Catton has been nice for Group Canada at a handful of various tournaments, and I anticipate he’ll be a significant participant for them on the 2026 World Junior Championship this coming December. He’s a really expert participant with a ton of velocity and a high-end motor. I feel his offensive versatility and his potential whereas attacking off the push will make him a superb addition for the Kraken.

8. Zayne Parekh, RD, Calgary Flames

Zayne Parekh has been a extremely enjoyable participant to observe all through his junior profession, always involving himself on offense, pinching in alongside the boards when wanted, and making a ton of probabilities for himself and his teammates in consequence. For my cash, he was probably the most proficient offensive creator on the backend within the 2024 Draft, nonetheless, Parekh’s defensive sport leaves a bit to be desired. He’s good sufficient to anticipate opposing attackers, and may make good checks along with his stick, however the physicality is missing at this level, which I anticipate will result in some struggles in puck battles on the NHL stage a minimum of early in his profession.

I do assume he’s a strong defender when he’s correctly engaged, reducing off passes and angling opponents towards the boards, there’s just a few room for development. Parekh is a exceptional expertise, with Quinn Hughes-like offensive upside if issues go properly. 

7. Artyom Levshunov, RD, Chicago Blackhawks

Artyom Levshunov has an extremely thrilling toolkit as an enormous, right-handed defender who skates extremely properly. Levshunov has a really projectable sport, with the scale, skating, and offense to be an excellent NHL defender. He entails himself in each play potential, which generally is a double-edged sword as he reacts and prompts earlier than pondering generally. Levshunov’s offensive sport is dynamic, along with his easy skating serving because the catalyst for every factor he does properly. He’s sturdy in breakout/entry conditions, has some intelligent stretch passes in his toolkit, and walks the blueline with confidence. 

His choice making remains to be a bit uncooked, however he has made encouraging strides there since being drafted out of the NCAA. Levshunov was a poor defender within the USHL when he first arrived there, however completed that season as a robust two-way participant. His first NCAA season mirrored that carefully, with an elevated defensive accountability because the 12 months wore on. Levshunov made the soar to the AHL final season, and whereas his defensive sport wasn’t wonderful there proper off the bat, he’s proven himself to be a fast examine and I feel he’ll be prepared for giant NHL minutes within the close to future.

6. Sam Dickinson, LD, San Jose Sharks

Sam Dickinson is an enormous two-way defender with a instrument package that NHL Common Managers dream of. He’s a 6-foot-3 defender who defends properly, has proven flashes of nice puck abilities, and competes extremely laborious. Dickinson skates properly for his dimension which bodes properly for his NHL projection, although he might want to proceed growing his offensive sport to be worthy of massive energy play minutes within the NHL sometime. 

Dickinson’s defensive sport has shone in an elevated function over the previous two years and his offense has improved as properly, along with his points-per-game charge going from 0.37 in his draft-1 season, to 1.03 in his draft 12 months, and at last to 1.65 within the 2024-25 season. There’s a ton of two-way, top-four defender potential in his sport, and room for one thing extra if his offensive numbers from this 12 months are to be believed and he can turn into a high-end energy play quarterback.

5. Zeev Buium, LD, Minnesota Wild 

Zeev Buium is an entire defenseman who has had a ton of success early in his collegiate profession, scoring properly above a point-per-game and profitable an NCAA championship as a freshman defender within the 2023-24 season. He is a superb skater and has wonderful hockey sense which permits him to defend extremely properly within the NCAA, and certain within the NHL as properly. It’s changing into more and more frequent to see NHL defenders succeed by way of puck abilities and intelligent positioning moderately than merely by way of physicality and I feel Buium may match that mould. 

Buium has an excellent motor and all the time finds himself within the thick of the motion on each ends of the ice. He has good talent with the puck however his calling card will probably be his skating and sense which he makes use of to his benefit greatest on the push each as a passer and a scoring risk. There’s a little little bit of Quinn Hughes in Buium’s sport, primarily within the edge-work and his potential to head-fake attackers with possession to create a ton of house. Buium falling to twelfth within the 2024 Draft may make just a few groups look actually foolish if he turns into the participant I anticipate he will probably be.

4. Alexander Nikishin, LD, Carolina Hurricanes

Alexander Nikishin has put the hockey world on discover over the previous few seasons, establishing himself as one of many absolute best younger gamers exterior of the NHL with back-to-back-to-back seasons as among the best two-way defenders within the KHL. Sadly for the Hurricanes, he saved re-signing with SKA-St. Petersburg of the KHL all through these breakout years, however he has lastly arrived and appears poised to be an NHL common subsequent season in Carolina.

Nikishin is a exceptional defensive prospect who has turn into an explosive offensive expertise, main all KHL defenders in scoring in two of the previous three seasons. He’s huge (6-foot-4), has a heavy slapshot, and skates remarkably properly for somebody of his dimension. Nikishin was additionally the captain of SKA for the previous two seasons, main the largest KHL workforce each on and off the ice.

3. Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Ivan Demidov is an extremely proficient offensive participant, with nice fingers, a zippy shot, and a few sneaky-good playmaking instincts. Demidov is a legit top-end expertise who has clear top-line potential within the NHL. One factor he and fellow Russian super-prospect Matvei Michkov had in frequent was a problem incomes minutes within the KHL as a draft eligible participant. Demidov sat out many video games to begin his draft 12 months however scored tons the next 12 months regardless of his restricted minutes.

There aren’t many gamers who can deal with the puck fairly like Demidov. He led all U20 KHL gamers in scoring, and I’m more and more assured he’ll rating a ton of factors within the NHL, it’s only a query of how efficient of a participant he might be at even energy given his smaller body and barely odd skating stride. It gained’t be lengthy earlier than we discover out, since Demidov regarded electrifying offensively in his temporary NHL debut in Montreal final Spring.

2. Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks

Two years after we noticed Connor Bedard going first total, and three after Shane Wright went fourth total, one other CHL distinctive standing participant has gone within the top-5 of the NHL draft with Michael Misa being chosen second total by the Sharks. Misa performs a particularly properly rounded sport, with a extremely sturdy basis of abilities that ought to make him an excellent top-six ahead within the NHL. Misa is a superb skater, with the talent and hockey sense to be an excellent energy play asset for San Jose

The largest query round Misa to begin his draft 12 months was if he may actually step up offensively and turn into “the man” in Saginaw. Properly, Misa’s 62 objectives and 134 factors in 65 OHL video games have soundly answered that. Misa’s match goes to be very attention-grabbing with the Sharks, given they’ve Macklin Celebrini as a no-doubt first line middle and Will Smith as a potential 2C for the longer term. Smith confirmed indicators of nice chemistry with Celebrini as a winger as final season went on so I feel that opens the door for Misa to remain at middle within the NHL.

1. Matthew Schaefer, LD, New York Islanders

Matthew Schaefer was the clear high participant within the 2025 Draft for me, largely because of his high-end skating that makes him a robust defensive presence always. His offensive talent has come a great distance previously 12 months or so, and in consequence Schaefer set a brand new profession excessive in factors regardless of solely taking part in 17 video games this season between a bout of Mono and a damaged collarbone that he sustained on the World Junior Championship. 

Schaefer’s skating and defensive play have been on full show on the Hlinka Gretzky match final summer time the place he was Canada’s captain and primary defender. Schaefer additionally had a superb displaying on the CHL/USA prospect match, and rapidly put himself into the dialog for the primary total decide contemplating his place, age (weeks away from being a 2026 Draft eligible), and dimension. Schaefer hasn’t performed because the World Junior Championship, however his play in numerous tournaments and within the OHL have been phenomenal, giving the New York Islanders the arrogance that they’ve discovered a high-end, first pairing defender with the primary total decide.

Who’s too low? Who’s too excessive? Who do you assume ought to have made the listing? Go away a remark beneath!

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