Welcome to this year’s edition of the under-23 NHL player rankings.
After ranking every organization’s best young players in the NHL Pipeline Rankings, we now turn to a ranking of the best young players overall on teams’ reserve lists, meaning within an NHL organization, in or outside the league. This is a ranking meant to show who I think will have the best pro careers, not who I would take in a game tomorrow. This is also a good exercise to show how the last five age groups compare to each other, as this largely spans the player pool from the 2020 through 2024 NHL Drafts.
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A player must be 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2024, to qualify.
Ranked players are placed into tiers and given tool grades. Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.
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Tier 1
Tier: Elite NHL player
1
Connor Bedard
C
Chicago
DOB:
7/17/2005
Ht:
70
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(1 - 2023)
Bedard was the best rookie in the NHL. His pure offensive tools are off-the-charts good, and he can make special plays around the puck consistently. He has among the best puck skills in the NHL, and the ability to beat most defenders 1v1. He makes a ton of highly creative plays through opponents and to teammates. He's a great passer who makes unique plays, but his shot is much more of a threat. He's a lethal midrange shooter who can project to have multiple 40-plus-goal seasons. He has the ability to terrorize defenses on the power play with the multiple ways he can beat them. Bedard is a small center and isn't an elite speedster for a small guy, but he moves well and is very elusive in tight areas. He competes hard and doesn't get pushed around. He projects as a true superstar in the NHL.
Photo:
Dennis Pajot / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 1
C
Chicago
2
Tim Stützle
C
Ottawa
DOB:
1/15/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
197
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(3 - 2020)
Stützle saw his scoring totals take a step back this season, but his shooting percentage also regressed and I think that should bounce back in future seasons. The toolkit he has is too dynamic. He's an electric skater and puckhandler who can drive play at even strength like few others. He shows tremendous creativity and instincts with the puck, especially in small areas and in making plays on the move. He competes well and doesn't show hesitancy to play in traffic. He has all the indications of a potential superstar and a player who can make regular appearances among the league's top scorers. The only question I have is whether he's for sure a center or not.
Photo:
Andre Ringuette / NHLI via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 1
C
Ottawa
3
Macklin Celebrini
C
San Jose
DOB:
6/12/2006
Ht:
72
Wt:
197
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(1 - 2024)
Celebrini was the best player in college hockey this season and a leader for a top team in the country. He checks every box you want in a top prospect and is one of the few players I've scouted where it's hard to see any noticeable weakness. He skates very well. He has a very powerful stride with a quick twitch in his first few steps and is able to get by a lot of defenders. He's extremely skilled and creative with high-end offensive sense. Celebrini makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck on the move, in tight areas and from a standstill. He has a bullet shot and projects to run a first power play in the NHL. He's average-sized, but Celebrini is highly competitive, wins a lot of battles and projects as a two-way center in the NHL. He has all the makings of a potential superstar you can build a contender around.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 1
C
San Jose
4
Adam Fantilli
C
Columbus
DOB:
10/12/2004
Ht:
74
Wt:
195
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(3 - 2023)
Fantilli's rookie NHL season was shortened by injury but there was a lot to like about his play when healthy. Fantilli looks like a future star No. 1 center. He’s got a huge frame, skates well and competes very hard. He wins a lot of battles and isn’t shy to use his big frame to lay out opponents. He has game-breaking puck skills and will be able to beat NHL opponents regularly with his puckhandling, especially given his speed and wingspan. His playmaking isn’t the main thing that gets you excited about his game, but Fantilli can make difficult passes and has strong enough sense to create chances in the NHL. His shot is also a threat from range. I expect a big jump in production going into next season.
Photo:
Ben Jackson / NHLI via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 1
C
Columbus
Tier 2
Tier: Bubble elite NHL player and NHL All-Star
5
Leo Carlsson
C
Anaheim
DOB:
12/26/2004
Ht:
75
Wt:
194
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(2- 2023)
Carlsson was very good in his rookie NHL season. His second half wasn't as productive as his start, but he still looks like a potential difference-maker. Carlsson's tools are elite. He's a big center with a ton of skill and hockey sense who routinely makes highlight-reel plays with the puck. The plays he makes for a big man are unique, especially at the pace he can do them. He's not going to run over opponents, but he competes hard and gets to the tough areas to create offense. He can run a first power-play unit and can drive offense at a top level at even strength. He projects as a star No. 1 center that a team can build a winner around.
Photo:
Paul Berseback / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 2
C
Anaheim
6
Luke Hughes
D
New Jersey
DOB:
9/9/2003
Ht:
74
Wt:
184
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(4 - 2021)
Hughes was one of the top rookies in the NHL, and a big part of New Jersey's offense this season. He's a dynamic skater with freakish edge work and explosiveness for a defender his size. He combines his excellent skating with a high skill level and strong offensive creativity making him a constant offensive threat. Hughes' defensive play will never be his calling card. With his length and feet, he should make enough stops that you can live with the hiccups and overaggressive play given he will generate so much offense. He has the looks of a longtime NHL star defenseman a team can build around.
Photo:
James Guillory / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 2
D
New Jersey
7
Matvei Michkov
RW
Philadelphia
DOB:
12/9/2004
Ht:
70
Wt:
172
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(7 - 2023)
Michkov got loaned out from SKA to Sochi in the KHL this season where he scored at just under a point-per-game rate. Michkov is a winger with tremendous skill and hockey sense. He makes unique plays with the puck at an extremely high rate. He shows tremendous creativity with the puck, while also having a sixth sense of how to create scoring chances for others or find his way into a scoring position. Michkov is a freak with the puck, but without it he's mediocre. He's a so-so skater, with more good edges than footspeed, and he doesn't have a ton of physical play in him for an average-sized winger. There are reasonable concerns about his game, and in 99 percent of players those concerns could keep them out of the league, but when you're as skilled as Michkov I'm not that held up on it. He projects as a legit star winger in the NHL who can be a leading scorer on a team.
Photo:
Maksim Konstantinov / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 2
RW
Philadelphia
8
Artyom Levshunov
D
Chicago
DOB:
10/28/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
205
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(2 - 2024)
Levshunov was the best defenseman in the Big Ten this season and a big part of why Michigan State is a top team. He is extremely skilled and creative, both as a puckhandler and passer. He has the hands of a top offensive defenseman and looks very comfortable with the puck. He skates well and can play an up-tempo style in how he attacks with his skill. He has the offensive sense to potentially run a PP1 in the NHL and has a good point shot, too. His defensive play doesn't stand out as much, particularly because he tries to attack so much, but he can make stops due to his athleticism and has physicality in his game. He is too aggressive at times and plays too much like a forward for some scouts' liking. He makes enough stops to ease most evaluators' concerns given how much offense he brings. He has the potential to be an impact NHL defenseman who scores at a premium level.
Photo:
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 2
D
Chicago
Tier 3
Tier: NHL All-Star
9
Matty Beniers
C
Seattle
DOB:
11/5/2002
Ht:
74
Wt:
178
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(2 - 2021)
Beniers saw his offensive output take a step back in his second NHL season after winning the Calder Trophy. The truth for Beniers is probably somewhere in the middle. Many scouts would not call him an offensive dynamo, but he has a lot of offense in him. He has very good hands and hockey sense. He makes a lot of difficult plays with the puck, and can do so at full speed, or when the game slows down. Beniers has skill, but it's hard skill. He can create chances at the net and wins a lot of battles for loose pucks. He's a good-sized center who skates well and projects to be an excellent two-way player as he matures. He has all the capabilities to be a star No. 1 center and I expect him to bounce back next season.
Photo:
Jerome Miron / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 3
C
Seattle
10
Carter Yakemchuk
D
Ottawa
DOB:
9/29/2005
Ht:
75
Wt:
202
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(7 - 2024)
Yakemchuk was a top defenseman in the WHL this season. He's a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman who has legit game-breaking skill. He constantly breaks down opponents one-on-one and can pull off a lot of highlight-reel moments. That he skates well and can attack with his skill makes him so difficult to stop; he often dances by checkers. His skating stride isn't technically perfect. It can break down at times with his legs starting to flail at the end of shifts, but it's a powerful stride and he often pulls away from pressure. Yakemchuk has a bullet shot from the point. He is more of a shot than a pass threat, and while he can see the ice, his vision isn't at the same level as his shot or stickhandling. He can make stops due to his feet, length and strong physicality but his defensive play and consistency in that area can use work. Yakemchuk has star potential and projects to be a major minutes player in the NHL with a lot of offensive upside.
Photo:
Jari Pestelacci / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
D
Ottawa
11
Anton Silayev
D
New Jersey
DOB:
4/11/2006
Ht:
79
Wt:
211
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(10 - 2024)
Silayev took a regular shift with power-play time on a KHL team this season as a 17-year-old and stood out for Torpedo in the KHL playoffs. When he went down to their junior team for their playoffs, he wasn't as good as expected, although he was strong enough to end his year captaining Russia's U20 team. He is a unique type of prospect who's easy to dream on. He can play all situations and play on his off wing. Silayev is a 6-foot-7 defenseman who skates very well for his size. He has excellent footwork and a smooth stride, with strong four-way mobility. He closes gaps quickly on his check, plays a very physical brand of hockey and thus projects to be a premier shutdown type of defenseman in the NHL. He can skate pucks out of his zone well, makes a good first pass and shows strong hockey sense at the offensive blue line. Silayev has strong puck skills and can beat pro defensemen one-on-one often enough. His offensive play won't blow you away, but it's good enough to move pucks in the NHL and get points. He can be solid offensively to go with his elite defensive play and could be a potential No. 1 defenseman one day.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
D
New Jersey
12
Wyatt Johnston
C
Dallas
DOB:
5/14/2003
Ht:
74
Wt:
184
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(23 - 2021)
Johnston continues to get better year after year, and developed into one of the leading players on a top NHL team this season in Dallas. He was one of the best players in the postseason before Dallas was eliminated. He's a player with outstanding skill and vision. He makes so many tough plays with the puck on his stick through defenders or to his teammates and can run a power play at a high level. His one-on-one play has the ability to break shifts open. He is also a competitive player who doesn't shy away from taking pucks to the high-traffic areas and wins a lot of puck battles in tough areas. His only downside is a lack of separation gear, but he competes hard enough to compensate for that. He projects as a star No. 1 center.
Photo:
Steph Chambers / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
C
Dallas
13
Jake Sanderson
D
Ottawa
DOB:
7/8/2002
Ht:
74
Wt:
203
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(5 - 2020)
Sanderson is one of the very best young defensemen in the NHL currently. He's a tremendous skater, especially for a man his size, showing tremendous edge work and escapability. He is so good defensively because of how quickly he gets back on pucks and can get them up ice with his vision or feet. He has good offensive touch, and that aspect of his game has continued to get better between his playmaking and goal scoring. He looks like a long-time NHL star who will play big minutes in all situations for the next decade.
Photo:
Jason Mowry / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 3
D
Ottawa
14
Alexis Lafrenière
LW
New York Rangers
DOB:
10/11/2001
Ht:
73
Wt:
194
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(1 - 2020)
Lafrenière had a great season, posting career highs with 28 goals and 57 points, and he was excellent for the Rangers in the playoffs. He's a dynamic offensive player with high-end hands and vision. He makes difficult plays in small areas and shows great instincts to make plays. He struggled initially with the pace of the NHL due to his so-so skating. It's still not an asset, but with added strength to his frame, he's been able to win battles and take advantage of his outstanding puck play. He competes well and looks a lot like the player he was as a junior. On any other team with a different power play, he would have scored 70-plus points. He looks like a budding star as a scoring winger.
Photo:
David Kirouac / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 3
LW
New York Rangers
15
Juraj Slafkovský
LW
Montreal
DOB:
3/30/2004
Ht:
75
Wt:
230
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(1 - 2022)
Slafkovský's game took off in the second half of his second NHL season. The physical tools have always been there with his frame, skating and skill. It took some time for him to adjust to the NHL, but he started to win a lot of battles and create plays consistently. He's always been a shot threat, but Slafkovský showed a true playmaking element to his game this season, flanking Montreal's power play and doing so very effectively. He ticks so many boxes with the athleticism and skill in his game and looks like an emerging star in the league.
Photo:
David Kirouac / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 3
LW
Montreal
16
Zeev Buium
D
Minnesota
DOB:
12/7/2005
Ht:
72
Wt:
186
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(12 - 2024)
Buium was one of the top-scoring defensemen in college this past season and one of the best draft-eligible defensemen I've ever seen at that level. He is an extremely intelligent puck-mover who can run a power play like a top NHL player. He makes high-end plays routinely and can break shifts open with his puckhandling and passes. Buium is a strong skater who can activate off the blue line and create off the rush. He has very good edge work and is proficient at making checkers miss. His defense is good enough at the amateur level, but he isn't very physically imposing. He is smart and mobile and breaks up enough plays to go with his great offense, making him a major positive at even strength. He has game-breaking potential and looks like a potential star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL who will put up big numbers.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
D
Minnesota
17
Ivan Demidov
RW
Montreal
DOB:
12/10/2005
Ht:
72
Wt:
192
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(5 - 2024)
Demidov has been the clear best player in Russia's junior league over the last two seasons. He is the most purely skilled player in the 2024 draft and is extremely creative in making plays with the puck. He has an excellent motor, attacks the net consistently and competes hard to win pucks. Demidov created scoring chances seemingly every shift this season. While he can run a power play when the game slows down, he makes a lot of plays on the move. He's a powerful but awkward-looking skater, though, who is a bit knock-kneed and reliant on his edge work but gets around OK. He's not the biggest winger, so there is some question about how his game will translate to higher levels. I see a potential top-line winger who will score a lot and play a style of game that will appeal to coaches.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
RW
Montreal
Tier 4
Tier: Bubble NHL All-Star and top of the lineup player
18
Mason McTavish
C
Anaheim
DOB:
1/30/2003
Ht:
72
Wt:
213
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(3 - 2021)
McTavish has become a leader on Anaheim's young team after a short period as a pro. He's a well-rounded player with some major strengths and no notable flaws at the NHL level. He's a strong skater. He has excellent puck skills and can beat defenders one-on-one with pace. He sees the ice well and makes a lot of difficult passes. He has a great shot and can pick corners from range. He's a tenacious competitor who leads by example. McTavish doesn't shy from physical play or from trying to create offense in the hard areas of the ice. He projects behind Leo Carlsson long-term at center, but he has No. 1 center potential, and if he's a No. 2, he could be one of the best second-line centers in the league at his peak.
Photo:
Sergei Belksi / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
Anaheim
19
Owen Power
D
Buffalo
DOB:
11/22/2002
Ht:
78
Wt:
221
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(1 - 2021)
Power was a big minutes player for Buffalo last season and put up good offensive numbers despite playing on the same team as Rasmus Dahlin. Power is a super intelligent defenseman. He sees the ice and has the skills of a 5-foot-10 defenseman while being 6-6. He can hit seams at a high rate and has the hands, patience and vision to run a power play and create off the blue line. Power is quite mobile for a big man, and although he's not that physical, he projects to shut down top forwards due to that reach and mobility. He has the potential to be a premier matchup defenseman who can provide decent offense, although he may never be an elite scorer.
Photo:
Eric Hartline / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
Buffalo
20
Will Smith
C
San Jose
DOB:
3/17/2005
Ht:
72
Wt:
181
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(4 - 2023)
Smith led college hockey in scoring, dominating the level after an electric junior career. Smith has tremendous puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity and projects to be a major asset on an NHL power play. He skates well and makes so many high-difficulty plays at a strong pace, which lends well to his pro projection. Smith is a high-end passer who finds a lot of O-zone seams and can finish chances from the dots. The only real wart in his game is that I wouldn’t call him an overly physical or high-energy player. I don’t think he lacks effort and he gets to the inside parts of the offensive zone enough. He projects as a true top-line forward with a chance to be a star in the league. On the same team as Celebrini, it remains to be seen whether he's the Sharks' second-line center of the future or a first-line right wing.
Photo:
Jari Pestelacci / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
San Jose
21
Berkly Catton
C
Seattle
DOB:
1/14/2005
Ht:
70
Wt:
175
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(8 - 2024)
Catton was one of the best players in the WHL this season and was the best player at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer. He is a well-rounded center and a high-end skater, with powerful edge work that will make him very difficult to check in the NHL and lets him elude pressure constantly. His footspeed is strong, but not at the same level as his edges. He's a very skilled puckhandler and a great passer who can run an NHL power play. Catton makes a ton of difficult plays on the move and has a lot of pace in his game. He's not overly physical, but he competes. He wins pucks, gets to the net and can kill penalties. He projects as an excellent top-six center with a chance to be a No. 1 center.
Photo:
Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
Seattle
22
Alexander Nikishin
D
Carolina
DOB:
10/2/2001
Ht:
75
Wt:
196
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(69 - 2020)
Nikishin has been the leading scorer among defensemen in the KHL in back-to-back seasons. He's a star in the league and looks like a player with the potential to be a star in the NHL. He has length, mobility and puck-moving skill, and he's mean as hell. He runs over opponents with his physicality, especially with how quickly he closes on checks. He also can make legit tough plays with the puck, can run a power play and has a bomb from the point. He has shown every trait you could want in a premier defenseman since his offensive game exploded a few years ago. His KHL contract with SKA runs through the 2024-25 season.
Photo:
Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
Carolina
23
Beckett Sennecke
RW
Anaheim
DOB:
1/28/2006
Ht:
74
Wt:
182
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(3- 2024)
Sennecke's point total from last season (68 in 63 games) doesn't jump out at you, but he was very good in the second half and was a top player in the OHL playoffs. He's 6-2, skates quite well for his size and has game-breaking skill. He was one of the more creative puckhandlers in the draft, and that he can make those difficult plays at full speed makes him highly intriguing for the NHL level. He sees the ice well and is creative as a passer, although not to the level of his one-on-one abilities. There have been times when I've questioned his compete and consistency, but he answered those questions as the season continued. His stock is sharply trending up, and he looks like a player who can be a difference-maker at the next level.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
RW
Anaheim
24
Logan Cooley
C
Utah
DOB:
5/4/2004
Ht:
70
Wt:
174
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(3 - 2022)
Cooley had an excellent rookie NHL season, scoring 44 points as a teenager as a notable part of Arizona's offense. His excellent skating between his edges and top speed allowed him to transition to the NHL quickly. He can play at an NHL tempo, and with his outstanding offensive skill and sense and the way he can create offense with pace, he looks like a potential driver at even strength. Cooley isn't that big, but he works hard and doesn't show fear of getting to the net. He has the potential to be a legit first-line center in the NHL.
Photo:
Richard T. Gagnon / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
Utah
25
Seth Jarvis
RW
Carolina
DOB:
2/1/2002
Ht:
71
Wt:
175
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(13 - 2020)
Jarvis has become an important part of a top NHL team in Carolina, continuing his sharp upward development over the last five years. He plays all situations and is an easy player to like due to his speed and skill, but especially due to his work ethic. He's not a big guy, but Jarvis wins a ton of puck battles and plays with courage. He is exceptional at creating offense around the net-front area, especially for a player of his stature. His effort plus speed allows him to win a lot of races and pressure opponents into mistakes. His skill, playmaking and overall hockey IQ are very good, although they are not the true trademark of his game. He has the looks of a longtime top-line winger.
Photo:
James Guillory / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 4
RW
Carolina
Tier 5
Tier: Top of the lineup player
26
Shane Wright
C
Seattle
DOB:
1/5/2004
Ht:
72
Wt:
192
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(4 - 2022)
Wright had a promising second pro season in the AHL as an important part of a top team and showed well for Seattle in eight NHL games. Wright is a very well-rounded center. He is an intelligent and creative offensive player who can make plays through defenders and to teammates. He is a shot-and-pass threat who can create chances from the perimeter. He also has a very good inside game, showing the ability this season to create plenty of chances around the net. Wright had a hype machine behind him at one point that may have unfairly painted the kind of player he is, but he's also been the victim of it because he's still an excellent pro prospect. He projects as a legit two-way major minutes NHL center who can be a potential 2C on a contender or a 1C on a lower-end team.
Photo:
Sergei Belksi / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
C
Seattle
27
Quinton Byfield
LW
Los Angeles
DOB:
8/19/2002
Ht:
77
Wt:
225
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(2 - 2020)
Byfield was excellent this season, being a large part of L.A.'s offense. His athletic tools are elite. He's so quick for a guy his size, as he has the speed and edge work of a 5-foot-11 forward in a 6-foot-4 frame. He combines that speed with great hands and the ability to beat opponents with skill on the move. He's physical enough, but Byfield's large frame can help him overpower opponents even if he's not going to lay guys out. I don't see a premier playmaker which may keep him from reaching true star status, but Byfield looks like a true top-line forward for a long time even if it's on the wing.
Photo:
Perry Nelson / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
LW
Los Angeles
28
Lucas Raymond
LW
Detroit
DOB:
3/28/2002
Ht:
71
Wt:
188
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(4 - 2020)
Raymond had a great season; he was a constant offensive threat for Detroit and led their team in scoring. He has special puck skills, with the ability to make high-skill maneuvers in tight areas at a high rate. He combines that skill with excellent offensive IQ and vision. He had a good shot and with how many plays he makes he can run a PP1 in the NHL. Raymond isn't that big, but he works hard and doesn't shy from going to the net. He's not that big or fast, but he's very elusive and has good edges. He is a legit top-line forward in the NHL.
Photo:
James Guillory / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
LW
Detroit
29
Logan Stankoven
RW
Dallas
DOB:
2/26/2003
Ht:
68
Wt:
171
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(47 - 2021)
Stankoven had a great rookie pro season. He was arguably the best player in the AHL before Dallas called him up. He then became a notable part of the Stars lineup and stood out in NHL playoff debut. Stankoven is small, but everything else about his game is a major positive. He's a great skater who competes very hard and brings a ton of energy to his shifts. He makes a ton of highly skilled and creative plays with the puck at full pace. He's a natural finisher who can make tough plays too. As one scout said about Stankoven, "most small guys need to prove they can play, with him he's so good he needs to prove he can't." He projects as a legit top-line winger.
Photo:
Jerome Miron / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
RW
Dallas
30
Dylan Guenther
RW
Utah
DOB:
4/10/2003
Ht:
74
Wt:
175
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(9 - 2021)
Guenther had an excellent first full pro season. After coming up from the AHL he scored 35 points in 45 NHL games. He checks so many boxes you want in an NHL player. He's got good size, he skates quite well and he has a lot of offensive ability. Guenther can beat defenders 1v1 often with pace, makes tough plays and has a wicked shot from distance that should make him a weapon on the power play for years to come. He's not a highly physical player, but he gives an honest effort and was even killing penalties for the Arizona Coyotes toward the end of the season. He projects as a top-line wing.
Photo:
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
RW
Utah
31
Nate Danielson
C
Detroit
DOB:
9/27/2004
Ht:
74
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(9 - 2023)
Danielson's season started off poorly in Brandon, but after he was traded to Portland he looked more like the top-10 pick, especially in the playoffs. His numbers aren't amazing for where I have him projected, but I've seen enough offense from this player to think he's going to score in the NHL. He has excellent 1v1 skills, he skates well, and his ability to create chances in transition will make him dangerous as a pro. He's both a strong passer and shooter who can make a lot of things happen inside the offensive zone. Danielson is also a diligent two-way center. I get the concerns on his production, but when I've watched the player I think his skill is legit. If he's Detroit's second-line center of the future he can be a heck of a 2C.
Photo:
Anne Marie Sorvin / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
C
Detroit
32
Zayne Parekh
D
Calgary
DOB:
2/15/2006
Ht:
72
Wt:
178
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(9 - 2024)
Parekh is an extremely talented offensive defenseman who was the best defenseman in the OHL this season. He has a ton of skill and hockey sense. When the puck is on his stick, he beats opponents one-on-one often. His brain operates differently from other players on the ice in how he sees the ice and can take an extra second with the puck to create a scoring chance. He skates well and can attack with his speed and skill. He has strong edge work and top speed, and is very elusive off the blue line. He also has an excellent point shot, being a constant goal-scoring threat. The big issue with Parekh is his play away from the puck. He gives half-efforts at times defensively and doesn't engage physically. I've seen worse defenders, though. He picks off a lot of passes and makes stops but will likely never be a tough-minutes defender. He projects as a top-pair/PP1 type who may need to be deployed away from opponents’ top forwards.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
D
Calgary
33
Pavel Mintyukov
D
Anaheim
DOB:
11/25/2003
Ht:
73
Wt:
195
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(10 - 2022)
Mintyukov was one of the best rookie defensemen in the NHL, playing a significant role in Anaheim as a 20-year-old. He's full of offensive talent. Mintyukov is often in attack mode due to his high-end skill and strong mobility. He leads rushes, activates well off the blue line and looks to pick off plays to turn up ice right away. He's a great passer who sees lanes that others don't, and he can make plays at quick tempos. Defense isn't his calling card, but it's good enough. He can retrieve pucks well and is athletic and smart enough to break up plays. He projects as a top-pair defenseman who will get a lot of points in the NHL.
Photo:
Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
D
Anaheim
34
Anton Lundell
C
Florida
DOB:
10/3/2001
Ht:
73
Wt:
190
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(12 - 2020)
Lundell played a notable role on a contender for the second straight season. Lundell's pure talent level may not wow you. He has offensive skill but he isn't a high-end puck skills type and his speed is just OK. Rather, it's the intelligence, details and compete in his game that make him a highly valuable player. Lundell is very creative and instinctive with the puck. He makes a lot of difficult plays and can do so in traffic. He wins battles and creates offense at the net. He is also a reliable two-way center. He may never post big numbers, but he's a top-six center you can win with and coaches trust.
Photo:
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
C
Florida
35
Brock Faber
D
Minnesota
DOB:
8/22/2002
Ht:
73
Wt:
200
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(45- 2020)
Faber had about as good of a first full season in the NHL as you could have hoped for. He was a major minutes all-situations defenseman for Minnesota. His excellent skating, gap work and compete have helped him become a great defender who kills a lot of plays, but the offense he showed this season was a pleasant surprise. Faber showed the ability to run a power play, make plays and be a true NHL puck-mover. Whether expecting 40-plus points from him consistently is realistic is a whole other matter, and I would lean toward no, but he could sit around 30 points playing on a second power play while providing excellent defense and transition play. He's a true top-pair defenseman.
Photo:
Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
D
Minnesota
36
Jack Quinn
RW
Buffalo
DOB:
9/19/2001
Ht:
73
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(8 - 2020)
Quinn missed most of the season due to injury, but when he returned, he looked like himself and was an important part of Buffalo's offense. The pure skill and creativity Quinn has with the puck stand out instantly. He has the soft touch to make plays that few others have, and his small-area skills are elite. He sees the ice very well and can finish plays. Quinn has average size but works hard and plays both ways well enough. The only downside in his game is a lack of great speed, but the rest of his skill set is so good that he still projects as a legit top-line wing.
Photo:
Sam Navarro / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
RW
Buffalo
37
Matthew Knies
LW
Toronto
DOB:
10/17/2002
Ht:
75
Wt:
217
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(57 - 2021)
Knies had a successful first NHL season scoring 35 points and contributing to a strong Toronto offense. Knies is a highly likable player as a big, strong winger with a great motor and a high skill level. He can create a lot of offense in the high-traffic areas and shows courage to get to the net. He's not the most natural playmaker in the world, but he has excellent hands and can generate plenty of chances inside the offensive zone. Knies' skating has always been an issue, but he's a big guy who plays hard so he's shown he can overcome it. He looks like a player who is going to have a long and successful NHL career in the top six.
Photo:
Claus Andersen / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
LW
Toronto
38
Cayden LIndstrom
C
Columbus
DOB:
2/3/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
213
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(4 - 2024)
Lindstrom came out of the gates this season flying and had a strong first few months. He was then hurt for most of the second half, though, with hand and back injuries. When healthy, he's an elite athlete. He has the quick-twitch feet of a smaller forward and can get by opposing defenders. He's a big, powerful center with a ton of physicality in his game. Lindstrom has good offensive skills and can score goals. His playmaking is something I've questioned at times, although he's shown good instances this season. He has the potential to be a true No. 1 center if he hits, but I don't see a lot of NHL centers who play the way he does and I could see him get pushed to the wing.
Photo:
Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
C
Columbus
39
Sam Dickinson
D
San Jose
DOB:
6/7/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
203
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(11 - 2024)
Dickinson was a major minutes player on a great London team. It's easy to envision him having a long NHL career. He's a 6-foot-3 defenseman who is one of the best skaters in the draft. He has an explosive, fluid stride that easily picks up power. He breaks up plays and closes gaps easily due to his skating and creates so much possession time for his team. Dickinson is very skilled at handling the puck and often creates chances due to the combo of his skating and skill. He also has a hard slap shot from the point and projects to score a good number of goals in the NHL. He has offense and can make some tough plays but I wouldn't call his vision what gets you excited about his game. Even with that in mind, in terms of what he could be in the league, I see a player with PP2 potential who could have a major impact at even strength.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 5
D
San Jose
40
Dmitriy Simashev
D
Utah
DOB:
2/4/2005
Ht:
76
Wt:
198
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(6 - 2023)
Simashev played a regular third-pair role on a top KHL team in Lokomotiv this season. He has clear NHL athleticism. He is a tall, mobile defenseman who can close on checks and skate pucks up ice like an NHL defender. He competes hard and doesn't shy from using his body. The offense in Simashev's game isn't overly exciting, but he has very good hands and can make difficult plays with the puck. He can create with his feet and skill and could have secondary offense in the NHL with a chance at more. He projects as a quality top-four defenseman.
Photo:
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 5
D
Utah
Tier 6
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
41
Marco Rossi
C
Minnesota
DOB:
9/23/2001
Ht:
69
Wt:
182
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(9 - 2020)
Rossi had a productive season with the Wild, scoring 40 points. He's a highly skilled and intelligent center. He can run a power play off the flank and has the vision to make a lot of tough plays to teammates. He isn't that big, but he plays with courage. He gets to the net to create offense and wins back a surprising number of pucks versus men for his size. His skating isn't great, though, for his frame. He's shifty but not fast, and he'll need to score more to be an asset given those limitations. Rossi projects as a third-line center or second-line wing who can help a power play.
Photo:
Steph Chambers / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
Minnesota
42
Simon Nemec
D
New Jersey
DOB:
2/15/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
190
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(2 - 2022)
Nemec had a great second season in North America, becoming a regular part of New Jersey's lineup and looking good in the NHL as a teenager. His skill and hockey sense stood out consistently at the NHL level. Nemec is a super smart puck-mover with the skill and confidence to make difficult plays. He's a strong enough skater to create on the move. His pure athleticism doesn't jump off the page, but it's good enough given his elite brain to be a big minutes defenseman. He can make stops because of how smart he is and has a solid compete level. I don't know if Nemec is ever going to put up star-level numbers, especially if Hughes is the long-term PP1 man, but he can be a great two-way defenseman for a while.
Photo:
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
New Jersey
43
Brandt Clarke
D
Los Angeles
DOB:
2/9/2003
Ht:
74
Wt:
200
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(8 - 2021)
Clarke was one of the best defensemen in the AHL this season. He got some time with the Kings in the NHL, although he didn't stick. There's no doubting Clarke's offensive abilities. Clarke has a ton of individual skill and offensive creativity. His ability to create chances through opponents or by showing blue-line poise to make plays is clearly NHL quality. The concern on Clarke mostly comes down to his skating. He's a knock-kneed skater and he can get challenged by fast pro skaters. He has good length and competes hard so he should be OK defensively, but scouts have their concerns. He projects as a quality top-four defenseman who can run an NHL power play.
Photo:
Charles LeClaire / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Los Angeles
44
Tij Iginla
C
Utah
DOB:
8/4/2006
Ht:
71
Wt:
191
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(6 - 2024)
Iginla was excellent this season in the WHL for Kelowna and at the U18s for Canada, emerging as a top NHL prospect. The son of Jarome Iginla, Tij is a very talented offensive player. His stickhandling displays stand out constantly. He beats defenders one-on-one at a high rate and improvises very well with the puck. He skates well and can make high-skill plays with his feet moving. Iginla has a great shot that gets off the stick quickly and can pick corners. He scored a lot of goals this season and projects to beat pro goalies from range. He gets to the inside to score as well and displays a strong effort away from the puck. His pure sense and playmaking don't stand out like the rest of his game, though. He projects as a strong top-six wing who will score a lot of goals with a chance to be a top-line wing.
Photo:
Steve Dunsmoor / CHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
Utah
45
Stian Solberg
D
Anaheim
DOB:
12/29/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
205
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(23- 2024)
Solberg played all-situations minutes for his pro team in Norway this season and was an important part of Norway's U20 and senior teams, ending his year with a great World Championship in which he was one of Norway's best players. He's a very good defender due to his combination of size, mobility and compete. He is a hyper-physical defenseman who plays with an edge and wins a lot of pucks. He closes on gaps well and breaks up a good number of plays. Offensively, he can skate pucks up ice and has decent hands as well. I don't see top-end puck play, but over the course of the season, I came around to that aspect of his game. He can make a first pass and shows enough touch to go with tremendous defensive work, projecting as a legit top-four NHL defender.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Anaheim
46
Ryan Leonard
RW
Washington
DOB:
1/21/2005
Ht:
72
Wt:
192
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(8 - 2023)
Leonard was one of the best forwards in Hockey East last season. He's a very easy player to like, due to the lack of a clear weakness and a clear pro-style game. He's a fast winger with a tremendous motor. He throws the body around constantly and hunts down opponents on the forecheck. Leonard has a ton of skill and can break shifts open with his puckhandling, and often takes pucks to the net with his skilled plays. He sees the ice well enough, but Leonard's playmaking doesn't stand out like his skill and goal scoring do. He projects as a quality top-six wing with a chance to be a top-line wing.
Photo:
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
RW
Washington
47
David Jiricek
D
Columbus
DOB:
11/28/2003
Ht:
75
Wt:
199
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(6 - 2022)
After a stellar first year, Jiricek's second season in North America didn't go as planned. His ice time was limited in the NHL and he ended up playing quite a bit in the AHL. The long-term projection on Jiricek remains promising given his toolkit. He's very skilled, especially for a big man, and combined with a strong point shot, he should provide offense in the NHL. I like his defensive edge and thought he showed he could be a great two-way player at other levels. That wasn't so much the case this season where his defensive play looked average. His feet aren't the best and he struggled adapting to the NHL pace. He's so young still, and with time I think he'll be an all-situations top-four defenseman.
Photo:
Eric Hartline / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Columbus
48
Kevin Korchinski
D
Chicago
DOB:
6/21/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
185
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(7 - 2022)
Korchinski had an up-and-down rookie NHL season which is to be expected of any teenage defenseman. There is no doubting the tools Korchinski has. He's a fantastic skater for a big man, with clear NHL footspeed and edge work. His ability to turn pucks up ice with his feet is a differentiator. He is quite skilled and creative with the puck, sees the ice well and creates a lot of offensive chances due to his feet and brain. He has clear NHL offense, but whether he can defend has always been the question on Korchinski. He shies from physical play and doesn't always give a strong defensive effort. He's such a good athlete you figure a coach can carve him into a competent defender, and he projects as a quality top-four defenseman.
Photo:
Jon Durr / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Chicago
49
Simon Edvinsson
D
Detroit
DOB:
2/5/2003
Ht:
78
Wt:
209
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(6 - 2021)
Edvinsson was very good in the AHL this season and earned 16 games up with Detroit. Edvinsson is a rare package of size, mobility and skill. You don't find big men who can one-on-one opponents often like he can. He is huge and competes well, showing the ability to close on checks with his length and body. He skates pucks up ice well and retrieves them well. There will be a minor debate on if Edvinsson will ever be a top-end point producer as I don't see a true playmaker in his game. The sum of the parts should still add up to a good top-four defenseman.
Photo:
Rick Osentoski / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Detroit
50
Braden Schneider
D
New York Rangers
DOB:
9/20/2001
Ht:
75
Wt:
211
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(19 - 2020)
Schneider is in a strange position. He's looked excellent in the NHL but has a hard time getting minutes on a great blue line with a lot of money allocated to right-handed defenders. He's an excellent skater, with size and tenacity. He closes on checks like a premier shutdown player and can skate pucks up ice very well. He's not great with the puck and not a points guy, with first-pass offense at best, but his puck play is good enough to make him a top-four defenseman given how solid he is defensively.
Photo:
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
New York Rangers
51
Kent Johnson
LW
Columbus
DOB:
10/18/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
175
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(5 - 2021)
Johnson was a surprise cut at the start of Columbus' camp coming off a 40-point season. He was excellent in the AHL and eventually came back up to the NHL, but his season wasn't going amazingly before an injury. Johnson's long-term projection is still optimistic because of his pure skill. He has fantastic hands and the ability to create chances out of nothing. He can make tough plays to others and has a decent shot, but it's his skill that will drive his offense. The pure athletic tools in his game aren't amazing. He has average size and footspeed, isn't overly physical and plays too much on the outside. The pure puck game will allow him to score a lot and play high in a lineup and on a power play, but he may not be the coach's favorite during his career.
Photo:
John E. Sokolowski / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
Columbus
52
Gabe Perreault
RW
New York Rangers
DOB:
5/7/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
165
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(23 - 2023)
Perreault dominated college hockey just like he did at the junior level. He is an extremely skilled and intelligent winger. He makes highly creative and unique dekes and passes with the puck at a high rate, both off the perimeter and in small areas. His puck game is clear NHL power-play quality, and he will score as a pro. The issues are his 5-foot-11 frame and his lack of footspeed. He's a competitive player, though, who gets to the inside. His puck play is so good, full of highlight reels and doing things other forwards can't, that I think he can be a top-six winger despite the skating.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
RW
New York Rangers
53
Daniil But
LW
Utah
DOB:
2/15/2005
Ht:
77
Wt:
203
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(12 - 2023)
But had a productive first full KHL season despite being given limited ice time by Lokomotiv throughout the year. But is a large, highly skilled forward who can score. He makes a lot of crafty plays with the puck in small areas, and with his massive wingspan, he’s able to pull pucks past a lot of checkers. But isn’t blazing fast but for a 6-5 guy he can motor up the ice quite well, has a strong first step and he’ll be able to power his way to the net off rushes at higher levels. He gives a solid effort and is often involved in the play. Even though I don’t see a high-end trait other than his size, But checks every box and projects to be a good top-six winger in the NHL with a unique profile.
Photo:
Jason Kempin / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
Utah
54
Jesper Wallstedt
G
Minnesota
DOB:
11/14/2002
Ht:
75
Wt:
214
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(20 - 2021)
Wallstedt had another highly productive season versus men as a top goalie in his division in the AHL. He's a super smart goaltender. He anticipates the play like a top-tier NHL goalie and rarely seems out of position. He has enough lower-half quickness to make some tough lateral saves, but his side-to-side movement is all about his efficiency. He looks ready to play in the NHL and projects as a legit starting goalie.
Photo:
Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
G
Minnesota
55
Yaroslav Askarov
G
San Jose
DOB:
6/16/2002
Ht:
75
Wt:
178
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(11 - 2020)
Askarov has been a top goalie in the AHL over the last two seasons since he came to North America. He's a high-end athlete who has quickness in his lower half to make all the tough lateral saves in the NHL. He's an aggressive, competitive goalie who challenges shooters and improvises well, making a ton of highlight-reel stops. He reads the play well, but he does get a little over-aggressive at times and can be caught out of position or trying to be too creative. The athletic tools are so special, though, that I can see Askarov becoming a legit starting goalie in the NHL.
Photo:
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
G
San Jose
56
Dawson Mercer
C
New Jersey
DOB:
10/27/2001
Ht:
72
Wt:
180
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(18 - 2020)
Mercer's production took a step back this season but his projection remains promising. There's a reason he still played a ton of minutes for New Jersey. He's a versatile player who can play center or wing and on both special teams. Mercer isn't the flashiest player in terms of speed or skill, but he has enough talent to go with his excellent work ethic to make a difference. He wins a lot of battles and creates a lot of offense at the net front. He looks like a legit top-line winger or a No. 2 center on a top team.
Photo:
James Carey Lauder / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
New Jersey
57
JJ Peterka
RW
Buffalo
DOB:
1/14/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
189
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(34 - 2020)
Peterka was one of Buffalo's most important forwards this past season and a leading part of its offense. Peterka is full of speed and skill, and coming down the wing he can beat a lot of NHL defenders. He has high-end one-on-one ability and can make a lot of difficult plays in small areas. He can make tough passes and do so with pace. His shot is excellent, as he's a threat to score from range constantly and often tries to score from bad angles. Peterka isn't that big, but he competes well enough. He wins back pucks, and despite his size, he's able to create offense at the net and is a dangerous perimeter shooter. He's a legit top-six NHL wing.
Photo:
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
RW
Buffalo
58
Konsta Helenius
C
Buffalo
DOB:
5/11/2006
Ht:
72
Wt:
189
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(14 - 2024)
Helenius was very good at the Liiga level and was a top player for Finland's U20 team. He had a strong playoffs for Jukurit, leading to an invite to Finland's national team. He is a highly skilled playmaker who can make a lot of difficult passes consistently. He shows the vision to run a pro power play effectively. He skates well and creates a lot of offense with pace for himself and others. Helenius isn't a big center, but he gives strong efforts off the puck, doesn't shy from going to the net and has an edge to his game. Inside the NHL, the debate is whether he's a good or a special 5-11 forward. I've seen enough flashes to think the latter, but his so-so U18 worlds and world juniors give some pause. He projects as a top-six center.
Photo:
Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
Buffalo
59
Axel Sandin Pellikka
D
Detroit
DOB:
3/11/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
176
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(17 - 2023)
Sandin Pellikka had an excellent season, being an important part of the SHL champion. Sandin Pellikka is a highly skilled and poised defenseman. He looks calm and intelligent with the puck, making a lot of great plays, and has the soft touch of a power-play QB. Sandin Pellikka can beat teams with his skill, but also his shot, as he has a bullet one-timer from the left circle. He's not that big, but he's mobile and competitive enough that he can be a consistent enough two-way player. He projects as a top-four defenseman who can play on an NHL power play.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Detroit
60
Jamie Drysdale
D
Philadelphia
DOB:
4/8/2002
Ht:
71
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(6 - 2020)
Drysdale was traded to Philadelphia for Cutter Gauthier midseason. Drysdale has had injury issues in recent seasons, but when healthy he looks like a top-four defenseman. He's an outstanding skater with clear NHL speed and edge work. He gets back on pucks so quickly and can get the play moving up ice with his passing or speed. Drysdale has offense in his game although I wouldn't call him a dynamic skill type. He is a smart, smooth puck-mover but will probably never be a major points type. Even at his size, the hope is he can be a solid top-four defender due to his feet and hockey sense.
Photo:
Stan Szeto / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Philadelphia
61
Kaiden Guhle
D
Montreal
DOB:
1/18/2002
Ht:
75
Wt:
201
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(16 - 2020)
Guhle has been an NHL regular for the last two years as a legit top-four defenseman for Montreal. He is a very good defensive player. He is 6-3, mobile and highly physical. He can close on checks at a high level and can make a lot of stops. I don't think offense is ever going to be a major component of Guhle's game. He can skate pucks up ice, make a decent outlet pass and has a hard point shot, but I don't ever see a true power-play type. He looks like a longtime second-pair type of defenseman.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Montreal
62
Zach Benson
LW
Buffalo
DOB:
5/12/2005
Ht:
70
Wt:
170
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(13 - 2023)
Benson had a very productive 18-year-old year in the NHL after forcing his way onto the Sabres. He has a ton of positive traits in his game. He's full of skill and offensive creativity, and makes a lot of high-end plays with the puck through defenders and to teammates. What drives his game, though, is his work ethic. He's a tireless competitor, which has allowed him to have so much success despite average natural athleticism. Benson goes to the net to score, wins way more battles than you'd expect versus men, and projects as a two-way NHL winger. His size and lack of explosive speed are the knocks on him, which is why, despite all his talent and compete, some scouts still wonder about his long-term upside. I see a potential top-six forward but I'd stop short of calling him a future star.
Photo:
Timothy T. Ludwig / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
Buffalo
63
William Eklund
LW
San Jose
DOB:
10/12/2002
Ht:
71
Wt:
181
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(7 - 2021)
Eklund had a highly successful first full NHL season, looking a lot like the top-six forward of the future the Sharks envisioned when they picked him in the top 10. He is a dynamic skater and playmaker who can make a lot of highly creative plays in motion. He has great small-area skills and despite his size, he can create offense at the net. Is he the most dynamic small winger I've ever seen? Probably not and I don't see the star upside some saw a few years ago. But he looks like a legit long-term NHL scorer.
Photo:
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
San Jose
64
Calum Ritchie
C
Colorado
DOB:
1/21/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(27 - 2023)
Ritchie was one of the very best players in the OHL this season after he came back from injury. Oshawa won a ton of games with him in the lineup. He has dynamic offensive traits, which in a 6-foot-2 frame with NHL speed makes his pro projection very positive. He makes a ton of difficult offensive plays on the move through defenders and to teammates and can break shifts open. Ritchie can play a bit too much on the perimeter at times, but his effort is good enough and better than the previous season. He projects as a quality top-six center in the NHL.
Photo:
OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
Colorado
65
Cutter Gauthier
LW
Anaheim
DOB:
1/19/2004
Ht:
74
Wt:
189
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(5- 2022)
Gauthier was one of the best players in college hockey and at the world juniors. He also was the subject of a much-discussed trade request with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was dealt to Anaheim, with whom he then signed. Gauthier has a prototypical NHL skill set. He's a big, fast, skilled forward with a natural offensive touch. He can create in transition due to his hands and feet. He can make tough plays to teammates but he is a shoot-first player. His shot is very dangerous and can beat NHL goalies from distance. His compete is fine. He disappears in games too much for my liking, but he doesn't get pushed around and is a responsible two-way player. He's played a lot of center but is probably a NHL wing. He can be a top-six forward who scores a lot of goals in the NHL, although I think he will frustrate coaches, too.
Photo:
Andy Lewis / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
Anaheim
66
Marco Kasper
C
Detroit
DOB:
4/8/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
183
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(8- 2022)
Kasper had a good not great season in the AHL as a teenager, but he ended on a high note with a great playoff. Kasper is a good skater with solid puck skills, vision and finishing ability but the pure offense in his game is not what gets you excited about him, The strengths of his game are his work ethic and physicality. His motor is outstanding, he plays in traffic, throws his body around, and has a legit edge in his game. He projects as a two-way top-six forward who may not score a ton in the NHL, but his coach will be able to trust him in any situation.
Photo:
Nicolas Carillo Griffins
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
Detroit
67
David Edstrom
C
Nashville
DOB:
2/18/2005
Ht:
75
Wt:
185
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(32- 2023)
Edstrom has been traded twice this year: He was a main part of the deadline deal that sent Tomas Hertl to Vegas, and then he was acquired by Nashville on Aug. 23 in the deal that sent goaltender Yaroslav Askarov to San Jose. Edstrom had a productive season in the SHL playing on both special teams for Frolunda. He isn't a center full of highlight reels, but he's an easily likable player. He is big and fast, competes hard and creates a lot of offense in the high-percentage areas. He has good enough skill to make things happen with the puck and gets his scoring chances. He has a projectable path to becoming an NHL center, and if the offense translates enough he could be a top-six forward.
Photo:
Jari Pestelacci / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
C
Nashville
68
Danila Yurov
RW
Minnesota
DOB:
12/22/2003
Ht:
73
Wt:
178
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(24 - 2022)
Yurov had an excellent season as one of the top players for the eventual KHL champions in Magnitogorsk. He's listed as a winger but played a lot of center this season and looks like he could potentially play down the middle in the NHL. Yurov has a ton of skill in his game and is a good skater. He uses his skill in a direct way, taking pucks to the net and showing a style that should translate to the NHL. He makes a decent effort without the puck and will be trusted by coaches. He has a lot of traits to be a top-six NHL forward and could be a second-line center.
Photo:
Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
RW
Minnesota
69
David Reinbacher
D
Montreal
DOB:
10/25/2004
Ht:
75
Wt:
209
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(5 - 2023)
Reinbacher didn't have the season some would have hoped for him when he was sent back to Switzerland, but his play in the AHL at the end of the season was much better. He has strong puck play with the skill and hockey sense of an NHL defenseman. I don't think he's dynamic by any means, but he can make plays to teammates and through defenders with pace. He's a strong skater who can carry pucks up ice and create off the blue line. Defensively, he's solid due to his reach and feet, but where Reinbacher showed a true physical bite in his draft season, that aspect of his game was lacking this season. Regardless, he looks like a potential quality top-four defenseman, and if he regains that physicality he could elevate back to a premier defense prospect.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Montreal
70
Oliver Bonk
D
Philadelphia
DOB:
1/9/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
180
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(22 - 2023)
Bonk was one of the top defensemen in the OHL this season, being a leading reason why London won the league championship. Bonk's game doesn't have a ton of highlight reels in it but there is a lot of substance. He is a very smart and smooth puck mover who makes a lot of good decisions. He has the NHL speed and skill to rush pucks up and make tough plays but you won't see him try to be a hero. He makes stops due to his length, feet and brain although I'd like to see him be a bit harder to play against physically. He scored a lot of goals this season and was in a unique role for a defenseman by playing the power-play bumper spot. He projects as a top-four defenseman.
Photo:
Dennis Pajot / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Philadelphia
71
Adam Jiricek
D
St. Louis
DOB:
6/28/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
167
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(16 - 2024)
Jiricek was one of the best players at the Hlinka Gretzky last year. His play in the top Czech league wasn’t as impressive, and then he got injured in the opening game of the world juniors. The knee injury cost him the rest of the season. When healthy, he’s a 6-3 right shot who skates quite well. His skating allows him to make stops and get back to retrieve pucks. He uses his big body well and competes for pucks. Offensively he doesn’t stand out, but he has some skill and moves pucks efficiently. It’s hard to tell which version of Jiricek we've seen recently is the real one, but it’s probably somewhere in the middle: a potential top-four NHL defenseman.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
St. Louis
72
Maveric Lamoureux
D
Utah
DOB:
1/13/2004
Ht:
78
Wt:
196
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(29 - 2022)
Lamoureux had a very strong season as one of the top defensemen in the QMJHL and a top player for Canada's U20 team. He's an easy player to dream on. He's a 6-7 right-shot defender who skates very well for a big man. He is a player with a mean streak who makes a lot of stops and projects as a true shutdown defenseman in the NHL. The main debate on Lamoureux's game has always been his offense. Scoring in the Q as a 19-year-old isn't a major accomplishment but he showed more puck poise than I've seen before, especially at the world juniors, and he has a huge point shot that could beat NHL goalies. If he can just make a basic first pass, considering how good a defender he is, he can be a legit top-four NHL defenseman. I think he is going in that direction.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
D
Utah
73
Carson Rehkopf
LW
Seattle
DOB:
1/7/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
193
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(50 - 2023)
Rehkopf's game took off this season in Kitchener as he became one of the best pure scorers in the OHL. He's a tall forward who can play center or wing although he seems more like a pro wing. He's a good skater with legit offensive skills who can play fast. He's a goal-scoring threat from mid-distance and with good enough vision, he can pick apart a team on the power play. The debate on Rehkopf comes down to his effort level. I saw enough improvement in that area this season, even though I certainly don't see him as a hard-to-play-against type and he stays on the outside a bit too much. I think he will be good at even strength and great on the man advantage and looks like a potential solid top-six forward in the NHL.
Photo:
Chris Tanouye / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
Seattle
74
Ivan Miroshnichenko
LW
Washington
DOB:
2/4/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(20 - 2022)
Miroshnichenko had a promising 19-year-old season between the AHL and NHL and scored a lot in the AHL playoffs. He's a well-rounded winger who has a pro-style game. He's a strong skater with a high skill level and is a natural goal scorer. He has a big one-timer and is a threat to score from the dots. Miroshnichenko competes hard and doesn't shy away from physical play. His vision isn't his selling point but it's good enough. In the background of any analysis of Miroshnichenko is his recent diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma. He projects as a top-six wing.
Photo:
Eric Bolte / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
Washington
75
Cole Eiserman
LW
New York Islanders
DOB:
8/29/2006
Ht:
72
Wt:
197
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(20 - 2024)
Eiserman is an excellent goal-scoring winger who has put up huge numbers in junior and scored the most goals ever by a U.S. NTDP player. He isn't the best playmaker in the world, but he has game-breaking qualities with his one-on-one play and shot when the puck is on his stick. He can beat goalies often with his one-timer and wrist shot from range. He sees the ice well enough and can make tough passes, although he absolutely prefers to shoot and tends to overshoot the puck. He's a strong skater who can create his own shot and doesn't shy from going to the net to score as well. His consistency isn't the best and can be a frustrating player to watch at times, but I don't think he's soft and actually had some physical bite in his game. Despite all his faults, Eiserman is also a goal-per-game player in junior, so you ride the wave with him. He projects as a legit top-six wing in the NHL.
Photo:
Michael Miller / ISI Photos via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
LW
New York Islanders
76
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
RW
Detroit
DOB:
10/5/2005
Ht:
73
Wt:
207
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(15 - 2024)
Brandsegg-Nygard was very good at the Swedish junior level. He started off slow versus men, but was very good in the Allsvenskan playoffs and made Norway's senior team. He is a well-rounded forward. He's a good skater. He has strong puck skills. He has a great shot and is often a threat to score from mid-distance. His frame is average-sized, but he plays hard and has physicality in his game. He thinks the game well and sees plays develop, but I don't think his playmaking is his main asset. Even if he's not very dynamic, Brandsegg-Nygard has a game that should lend itself to success versus men, eventually as a good NHL forward and potentially in a top six.
Photo:
Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 6
RW
Detroit
77
Igor Chernyshov
RW
San Jose
DOB:
11/30/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
204
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(33 - 2024)
Chernyshov was very good at the junior level in Russia and earned ice time up in the KHL with a regular shift for a top team in Dynamo Moscow. He's a big, powerful winger who skates well and has a lot of offensive creativity. He beats defenders routinely with his one-on-one plays, sees the ice well and can create at the net. He's not going to run players over with his physical play, but he uses his body to create offense. He has the ability to control play at even strength due to his variety of tools and looks the part of a potential strong top-six winger in the NHL.
Photo:
Vladimir Fedorenko / Associated Press
Skill Grades
Tier 6
RW
San Jose
Tier 7
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
78
Connor Zary
C
Calgary
DOB:
9/25/2001
Ht:
72
Wt:
178
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(24 - 2020)
Zary became a regular on Calgary and an important part of the Flames' offense. He's a highly skilled forward who can beat NHL defenders one-on-one often. He can create off the perimeter, but also has the hard elements to win battles and take pucks to the net. He's a super-crafty playmaker who can run a pro power play. Zary checks every box except for his skating. He has an awkward-looking stride that lacks NHL quickness, but it hasn't held him back too much as a pro. He looks like a middle-six NHL forward, be it a 3C or a second-line wing.
Photo:
Sergei Belsky / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Calgary
79
Cole Sillinger
C
Columbus
DOB:
5/16/2003
Ht:
72
Wt:
201
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(12 - 2021)
Sillinger had a productive season in the NHL despite not getting a ton of power-play time for Columbus. Sillinger is a skilled center who can provide offense, but what makes him truly appealing is his physical play. He plays with an edge and isn't afraid to throw around his body. He has a scoring touch, even if the natural offense in his game is a minor question in terms of whether he'll be a big-time scorer who makes a ton of plays. His foot speed is also not great. He is a player coaches will want to play a lot due to his compete, but as a second, I don't know if I see more than a 3C on a contender or a 2C on a bottom feeder.
Photo:
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Columbus
80
Cole Perfetti
LW
Winnipeg
DOB:
1/1/2002
Ht:
71
Wt:
185
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(10 - 2020)
Perfetti was a regular middle-six forward for Winnipeg last season, scoring 19 goals and 38 points. His hockey sense is tremendous. Perfetti sees plays others don't and can pick apart defenses with his playmaking. He has a ton of natural skill and creativity and is lethal on the power play. The knock on Perfetti is a lack of athleticism. He's not big or fast, and while he competes fine and can create at the net, it's not a major asset. There's a concern about how much he can create at even strength given those limitations. He looks like he will have a long and productive NHL career, but he may never drive the bus for a team at even strength.
Photo:
David Kirouac / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Winnipeg
81
Luke Evangelista
RW
Nashville
DOB:
2/21/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
183
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(42 - 2020)
Evangelista has become a regular in Nashville's lineup. He has great puck skills and can beat pro defenders one-on-one often. He competes hard, creates at the net and wins a lot of pucks versus men despite not being the biggest guy. He can make and finish plays well and is a legit threat to finish chances from range. The only issue in Evangelista's game is a lack of great footspeed, but it hasn't seemed to hold him back too much against men. He looks like a solid middle-six wing.
Photo:
Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Nashville
82
Brad Lambert
C
Winnipeg
DOB:
12/19/2003
Ht:
73
Wt:
173
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(30 - 2022)
Lambert had a great season, bouncing back after a few years of up-and-down play to become an AHL All-Star and a major driver of Manitoba's offense. Lambert has clear NHL speed and skill. When he winds up with the puck he can fly by opponents. I don't think Lambert is the most natural playmaker, but he sees the ice well enough and has a strong wrist shot, too. The biggest issue in Lambert's game historically has been his compete. He can drift to the perimeter a bit too much and has a history of being inconsistent. The perimeter player was still there but the consistency wasn't an issue last season. He's trending as a legit middle-six NHL forward and could potentially play the middle.
Photo:
Dale Preston / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Winnipeg
83
Dalibor Dvorsky
C
St. Louis
DOB:
6/15/2005
Ht:
73
Wt:
201
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(10 - 2023)
Dvorsky's season started rough as he saw limited ice time in the SHL. He came over midseason to Sudbury where he proceeded to become one of the best players in the OHL, although his world juniors in between wasn't the best performance. Dvorsky is lethal inside the offensive zone. He has a lot of skill. He sees the ice well, and he has a clear NHL shot that makes him a constant threat to score goals from the perimeter. He has enough of an inside game to create chances at the net, although I wouldn't call him a super-high-compete type. The big issue with Dvorsky will be his skating. He lacks NHL quickness and will need to prove he is skilled and smart enough that it won't matter or compete harder than he did this season. He projects as a middle-six center who can be a big part of an NHL power play.
Photo:
Jari Pestelacci / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
St. Louis
84
Jett Luchanko
C
Philadelphia
DOB:
8/21/2006
Ht:
71
Wt:
187
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(13 - 2024)
Luchanko took significant steps forward this season into a legit NHL prospect. He is one of the better skaters in the 2024 draft class. He has an explosive stride and when he winds up he'll be able to get plenty of controlled entries in the NHL. He competes very hard at both ends of the ice and attacks the tough areas. He has skill and excels as a playmaker. Luchanko often creates chances for his teammates can do so on the move, in tight and off the edge. His finishing touch could use work as he didn't convert on a lot of chances this season. As a smaller forward, whether his offense is special enough is a minor question but it lessened for me over the course of the season. He looks like a potential third-line center or second-line winger.
Photo:
Natalie Shaver / OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Philadelphia
85
Conor Geekie
C
Tampa Bay
DOB:
5/5/2004
Ht:
75
Wt:
193
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(11- 2022)
Geekie ended his WHL career on a high note as one of the top forwards in the league and was a top player for Canada's U20 team. He's always been a big center with very good offensive skills, but what I've liked about Geekie's progression is he's developed more of a physical edge. He uses his big body to get to the net and has shown a lot of off-puck value. His skating has been and remains a concern and despite his offensive output this year, I don't see a true elite stick and brain in his game. He projects as a two-way third-line center in the NHL with a chance to be a 2C.
Photo:
Jonathon Kozub / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Tampa Bay
86
Cole Beaudoin
C
Utah
DOB:
4/24/2006
Ht:
74
Wt:
210
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(24 - 2024)
Beaudoin is a very likable player. He's a tremendously hardworking center with NHL size and skill. He is constantly noticeable throughout the game in the amount of pucks he wins and the amount of plays he makes. He is quite physical and doesn't shy from getting to the tough areas of the ice. He can create offense in junior, but with a somewhat heavy skating stride, the debate is in how his game will translate to the pros. I've seen him get by enough defenders and think his compete is so good that his game will work in a potential third-line center role.
Photo:
Dale Preston / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Utah
87
Lane Hutson
D
Montreal
DOB:
2/14/2004
Ht:
69
Wt:
158
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(62 - 2022)
Hutson had back-to-back seasons as one of the best defensemen in college hockey and turned pro at the end of the year. He's a dynamo with the puck on his stick. Hutson has high-end poise and sense with the puck, often walking the blue line using his great edge work to create time to make plays. He sees the ice at a high level and can run an NHL power play. There is no doubting Hutson's offense — the doubt comes down to his defense. He's a small defenseman without high-end feet or physicality, which is a major red flag in his NHL projection. I think he has so much offense he'll force his coach to play him and have an NHL career, but he will need to prove he can play at even strength.
Photo:
Pvel Golovkin / AP Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Montreal
88
Leo Sahlin Wallenius
D
San Jose
DOB:
4/10/2006
Ht:
72
Wt:
180
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(53 - 2024)
Sahlin Wallenius isn't the biggest defenseman but he's a very solid two-way player who was the leading player on Sweden's U18 team this season. He's one of the best skaters in the draft. He has a powerful and efficient stride that allows him to easily evade pressure and skate pucks up ice. He closes on checks well and is great coming back on pucks in a way that should translate to pro hockey. Sahlin Wallenius has good hands and vision and can shoot the puck well, too, even though he doesn't project as a major scorer at the higher levels. The sum of his parts looks like a regular NHL defenseman.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
San Jose
89
Shakir Mukhamadullin
D
San Jose
DOB:
1/10/2002
Ht:
76
Wt:
178
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(20- 2020)
Mukhamadullin played big minutes on both special teams for the Barracuda. He is a big defenseman who skates quite well for his size. He's not overly physical, but Mukhamadullin's feet and length allow him to break up plays and close on pucks. He has good hands and creates offense off the rush and from the blue line with his skill and shot. I don't see major offense from him, but he should be a good enough two-way player to be a second- or third-pair NHL defenseman.
Photo:
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
San Jose
90
Tom Willander
D
Vancouver
DOB:
2/9/2005
Ht:
73
Wt:
180
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(11 - 2023)
Willander had a great freshman season at BU as one of the better defensemen in his conference. His skating is his main asset. He has a quick, powerful skating stride and can push the pace up ice with the puck. Willander’s skating allows him to close on checks well and be a quality defender, especially when combined with the physicality in his game. Offensively, he's solid. He shows some blue-line poise and can make skilled plays with the puck, although I don't see a true NHL power-play type. Willander projects as a regular NHL defenseman who contributes at both ends of the rink.
Photo:
Winslow Townson / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Vancouver
91
Owen Pickering
D
Pittsburgh
DOB:
1/27/2004
Ht:
75
Wt:
179
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(21 - 2022)
Pickering started off the season slowly, leading to a surprising cut from Team Canada's U20 camp. His play picked up afterward, and he was one of the better defensemen in the WHL by the end of the season. He checks a lot of the boxes you want in an NHL defenseman. He skates very well for a big man. He handles the puck well enough. He makes plays with the puck and can do so with pace. I don't think he's going to be a power-play type in the NHL, but he can find seams and can make some difficult plays when he needs to at higher levels. Pickering's length and feet will help him make NHL stops and get back on pucks well. He competes OK, but his consistency, as aforementioned, is his biggest issue right now. If he shows up every night, he looks like a legit top-four NHL D. His tools should allow him to have a career regardless, though.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Pittsburgh
92
Charlie Elick
D
Columbus
DOB:
1/17/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
202
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(36 - 2024)
Elick is a very intriguing pro prospect. He is one of the best skaters in the draft, with a smooth and powerful skating stride. When those feet are combined with his 6-foot-3 frame, his strong compete and a bit of a mean streak, he has the potential to be a legit shutdown defenseman in the NHL. Elick isn't a natural puck-mover and can make some questionable puck decisions. He will need to clean that up, but he has good hands and isn't a negative with the puck on his stick. In a role where he just needs to defend well and make a basic outlet, he could potentially have an NHL career.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Columbus
93
Jimmy Snuggerud
RW
St. Louis
DOB:
6/1/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
186
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(23 - 2022)
Snuggerud was one of the best forwards in the Big Ten last season and an important part of Team USA's gold medal run at the world juniors. He has a lot of offensive creativity. He makes difficult dekes and passes seem routine, and despite not having great footspeed, he generates a lot of controlled entries with his skill. Inside the zone, he's a pass and shot threat and can impact a power play. His shot is a rifle, and his one-timer can be a legit weapon versus NHL goalies from range. His footspeed is the main concern in projecting him up levels, and I didn't love his compete this season as much as what I've seen before. He looks like a potential middle-six wing who will score a good number of goals in the NHL.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
St. Louis
94
Gavin Brindley
C
Columbus
DOB:
10/5/2004
Ht:
69
Wt:
168
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(34 - 2023)
Brindley had a fantastic season. He was the best player in the Big Ten and was one of the better forwards at the world juniors. With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort nightly. He’s able to make highly skilled plays at full speed and plays with courage, going to the net and engaging along the walls. Brindley's pure offense has progressed, showing a lot of creativity and ability to create off the perimeter as well as at the net. The odds are usually against someone his size, but given how many major positives are in his game, I can see Brindley becoming a top-six forward, likely on the wing.
Photo:
Gregory Fisher / AP Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Columbus
95
Liam Greentree
LW
Los Angeles
DOB:
1/1/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
215
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(26 - 2024)
Greentree was a top-scoring winger in the OHL this season, although his play for Team Canada at two tournaments wasn't that impressive. The appeal of his game is that he's a large winger with legit offensive skills. He makes difficult plays often with the puck as a handler and passer and possesses high-end creativity. He competes well enough and can use his size to get to the net although I don't think he's the type who is going to run people over. He can score at the net and is able to finish from the faceoff dots. The main concern on Greentree is his skating. He lacks NHL footspeed and he will need to prove the rest of his game is good enough to overcome those issues. Given his size/skill combo, I think he will, and has a chance to be a top-nine wing who can help a power play.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Los Angeles
96
Samuel Honzek
LW
Calgary
DOB:
11/12/2004
Ht:
76
Wt:
186
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(16 - 2023)
Honzek had a disappointing season. After coming back from injury, he scored just under a point per game in the WHL, with 10 goals on the season. Despite that, I still think Honzek is a promising young player. He's big, skates quite well for his size and has more offense than he showed this year. In particular, I think he has a great shot and I expect his goal-scoring to increase. I don't think he's a natural playmaker, but he has skill and can create with pace. Honzek also is good around the net, and competes hard at both ends of the ice. He projects as a middle-six wing.
Photo:
Dale Preson / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Calgary
97
Trevor Connelly
LW
Vegas
DOB:
2/28/2006
Ht:
72
Wt:
160
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(19 - 2024)
Connelly has been a top player in the USHL this season and at the various tournaments he's played in for Team USA. He's a dynamic offensive player. He's a fantastic skater with the edge work and top speed to evade and get by NHL checkers consistently. Connelly has a lot of skill and can attack at top speed. That combination allows him to be a force at even strength at times. His playmaking isn't as good as his one-on-one play, but it's good enough. Connelly competes well enough off the puck, attacks the net and can be a reliable defensive forward. He has some physical play in him but also can lack discipline. Some NHL teams had some character-based concerns about drafting Connelly, further discussed here.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Vegas
98
Ridly Greig
C
Ottawa
DOB:
8/8/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
184
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(28 - 2020)
Greig had a productive first full NHL season. He has good offensive skills, can beat opponents one-on-one and has a strong shot. The main value of Greig's game, though, comes from his effort and physicality. He's a relentless worker who attacks the middle of the offensive zone. He is very hard on pucks and tends to get under opponents' skin. He has good talent, although, for his size, it's not high-end, so he may end up a third center who his team loves and others hate.
Photo:
Patrick Smith / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Ottawa
99
Justin Barron
D
Montreal
DOB:
11/15/2001
Ht:
74
Wt:
202
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(25 - 2020)
Barron split time between the AHL and NHL this season and got time on the Habs power play when he was up with them. I don't see him as a legit power-play/offense type on a decent team, but Barron has good skill and a strong point shot, and I can see secondary offense from him. He's a big right-shot who skates very well, and although he isn't very physical, he can be good on retrievals and bringing pucks up in transition. There's nothing sexy about his game, and he lacks a defined role, but he checks a lot of boxes to where I think he will have a long NHL career.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Montreal
100
Jonathan Lekkerimaki
RW
Vancouver
DOB:
7/24/2004
Ht:
71
Wt:
172
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(15 - 2022)
Lekkerimaki had a great season with Orebro. He was one of the top teenagers in the SHL and an important part of his team's offense. He was also a leading player at the world juniors. Lekkerimaki has tremendous offensive skills. He is a slick 1v1 handler who can make a lot of difficult plays with the puck through defenders and to teammates. He has a high-end shot, both as a wrist shot and one-timer and projects to be a midrange shooting threat in the NHL. On the power play, there's no doubting his value. At even strength, as a good-not-great skater and small winger who stays on the outside, some scouts do wonder how his game will translate. I think there will be just enough value at even strength for him to be a legit middle-six wing who scores a lot of goals.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Vancouver
101
Lukas Reichel
LW
Chicago
DOB:
5/17/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
170
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(17 - 2020)
Reichel had a so-so season where he struggled to replicate his prior NHL success although he was good for Germany at the men's worlds. Reichel is a talented forward who still has a lot of potential. He has a ton of individual skill, he's a strong skater and he can create a lot of offense with pace. He can make tough plays and finish chances. Reichel's compete isn't a selling point; it's good enough but he can drift to the perimeter. There are a lot of indicators he can be a middle-six forward who can help a power play.
Photo:
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Chicago
102
Jiri Kulich
C
Buffalo
DOB:
4/14/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
186
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(28 - 2022)
Kulich continued to tear up the AHL level and was a top scorer at the world juniors for Czechia. He is a strong skater with good hands and vision who can make plays in transition. He is a consistent, hardworking forward. He won't run over guys, but he wins a lot of battles and gives a strong effort every night. Kulich's shot is a consistent threat. He can pick corners from a long way out with his wrist shot and one-timer and scored a ton of goals this season from range. He has a well-rounded game, but outside of his shot, I don't see a trait that stands out. He projects as a middle-six wing coaches can rely on.
Photo:
Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Buffalo
103
Dylan Holloway
LW
St. Louis
DOB:
9/23/2001
Ht:
73
Wt:
206
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(14 - 2020)
Holloway's play has been up and down in the NHL, although in the playoffs this year for Edmonton he helped them win games. He signed an offer sheet with the Blues this summer. If you're expecting flash from Holloway you'll be disappointed. He has skill and can score goals, but his game is much more about the pace and energy he brings. Holloway is a very physical forward who is hard on pucks. He has enough playmaking in him to go with his athletic traits to be a legit middle-six winger who coaches love.
Photo:
Perry Nelson / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
St. Louis
104
Noah Ostlund
C
Buffalo
DOB:
3/11/2004
Ht:
71
Wt:
163
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(16 - 2022)
Ostlund was quite good for a teenager in the SHL and was a top player at the world juniors for Sweden. He has a lot of talent. He's got quick feet with strong edges and top speed. He makes high-skilled plays with pace. He's an excellent passer who sees the ice at a high level. Ostlund is more of a pass-first type of center, but he has quite a good shot and can score from range, which, combined with his plus IQ, lets him run a power play very well. He's not very big or physical, but he gives a solid effort. Ostlund is a good all-around player, but whether he's dynamic enough at his size is a minor question in his game for the NHL level. He has the tools to be a potential third-line center or second-line wing.
Photo:
Eric Bolte / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Buffalo
105
Brayden Yager
C
Winnipeg
DOB:
1/3/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
166
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(14 - 2023)
Yager is a tough evaluation. He's been a great junior player and scored 95 points this past season. Despite his production, he wasn't truly a standout player in the WHL like his draft slot would suggest. He's clearly a talented forward. He skates and handles the puck very well, can make plays and has a big shot from range. For a 5-foot-11 forward, he isn't dynamic, though. I don't see him as a true driver of offense at higher levels. Rather, he's a hard-working center who can create some offense and be a player coaches rely on. He projects as a middle-six forward or a potential third-line center.
Photo:
Jonathon Kozub / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Winnipeg
106
Sacha Boisvert
C
Chicago
DOB:
3/17/2006
Ht:
74
Wt:
183
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(18 - 2024)
Boisvert has been a highly productive USHL player over the last two seasons. He has a lot of appealing tools for the NHL. He's a 6-foot-2 center who can skate and has legit offensive abilities. He is very skilled and instinctive with the puck. He's able to beat defenders with pace as well. Boisvert has an excellent shot and is a threat to score from the faceoff dots. I don't love his playmaking as he's certainly more of a shoot-first type of player, but he can make tough plays. His compete is fine. He's not going to be known for that aspect of his game but he wins enough battles and uses his size. He could be a middle-six forward in the NHL.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Chicago
107
Filip Bystedt
C
San Jose
DOB:
2/4/2004
Ht:
74
Wt:
187
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(27 - 2022)
Bystedt had another good year in the SHL and scored seven points in eight AHL games toward the end of the season. He's a highly appealing athletic package, as a huge center who can skate quite well and power his way to pucks when he wants to. He has good hands, vision and finishing touch and can create quite a bit of offense from the perimeter. Bystedt isn't overly physical and getting his energy level high will be a minor challenge for coaches. He projects as a middle-six NHL forward, potentially as a third-line NHL center.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
San Jose
108
Caedan Bankier
C
Minnesota
DOB:
1/26/2003
Ht:
74
Wt:
192
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(86 - 2021)
Bankier has developed very well over the past few years and was an important player for AHL Iowa as a rookie pro. He's a good-sized center who can skate, plays both ways and is now showing offense. I don't think as a pro he will be a major scorer, but he has legit hands and creativity and can create with pace. He showed in the AHL and in junior that he has enough touch to be a flank power-play type and can shoot the puck well, even though that likely won't be his NHL role. Bankier projects as a middle-six forward with a legit chance to be a third-line center.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Minnesota
109
Oliver Moore
C
Chicago
DOB:
1/22/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
188
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(19 - 2023)
Moore had a good freshman season at Minnesota and was a bottom-six forward for USA's world junior team. He's an exceptional skater. He'll be a top 30 skater in the NHL from his first shift. Moore's edge work is elite and he generates a ton of power from each stride. He isn't overly physical, but he works hard, gets to the net, can PK and projects as a good two-way NHL forward. Moore's question will be exactly how much offense he'll have. He has good skills, but he doesn't see the ice at a high level and he's not a guy who creates a ton of chances in a game. He projects as a third-line center or a potential second-line wing.
Photo:
Michael Miller / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Chicago
110
Dean Letourneau
C
Boston
DOB:
2/21/2006
Ht:
78
Wt:
214
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(25 - 2024)
Letourneau was a dominant player at the prep level this season and is one of the best pro prospects to come through St. Andrew's College. His toolkit is rather unique. He skates very well for a 6-7 player. That he has a legit offensive touch to go with his feet makes his pro projection appealing. He can dangle defenders at full flight and create a lot of scoring chances. Letourneau doesn't have a high-energy compete, though, and some scouts question his effort at times. But he gets to the middle well enough and isn't afraid of using his body. The debate on Letourneau will be how real his offense is. The athleticism is obvious, but is he actually NHL smart or does he have NHL scoring ability? It's so hard to pinpoint at the low level of competition he faced all season. He could be Tage Thompson, but he could be Joe Colborne or Riley Tufte, too. I think he ends somewhere in the middle.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Boston
111
Vincent Iorio
D
Washington
DOB:
11/14/2002
Ht:
76
Wt:
200
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(55 - 2021)
Iorio helped Hershey be an elite AHL team for the second year in a row. Iorio has a clear NHL toolkit. He's a big right-shot defenseman who skates quite well for his size and has shown some offense in junior and the pros. I don't think he's full of skill, but he can make some tough plays from the offensive blue line and a good first pass in the NHL. His length and feet allow him to make stops even if he doesn't play the body much. He hasn't excelled in the AHL, but he plays on a deep team and I like how his tools project. He could have an NHL career.
Photo:
Patrick Smith / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Washington
112
Dominik Badinka
D
Carolina
DOB:
11/27/2005
Ht:
75
Wt:
185
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(34 - 2024)
Badinka moved from Finland to Sweden this season, where he became an SHL regular after a strong start at the J20 level. He was cut from Czechia's world juniors team, though. He has a lot of NHL attributes between his size, mobility and ability to make offensive plays. He has a powerful stride and has shown he can make skilled plays and move pucks with a good tempo versus men. His pure playmaking doesn't excite you, although I see secondary offense from him in the NHL. Badinka defends well enough due to his feet and length but he isn't going to run guys over, which leaves some scouts wondering if he's going to be a tweener as a pro. I think his two-way game is strong enough for him to be a potential No. 4-5 defenseman in the NHL.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Carolina
113
Nikita Artamonov
RW
Carolina
DOB:
11/17/2005
Ht:
72
Wt:
187
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(50 - 2024)
Artamonov played a notable role on a KHL team, including as an important part of Torpedo's power play. He's a forward with excellent hands, sense and vision, and can make a lot of creative plays. That he's a strong skater and able to create offense with pace is what has helped his game translate versus men so quickly, as he has often beaten KHL defensemen with his skill. You rarely see KHL draft eligibles help a team, never mind two on the same club in him and Silayev. Artamonov isn't that big, he isn't a natural finisher, and while he competes well enough, I wouldn't call him the type of competitor you'd love to have in a small winger. It's why he projects more as a middle-six scorer.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Carolina
114
Easton Cowan
RW
Toronto
DOB:
5/20/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
185
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(28 - 2023)
Cowan had a fantastic season, being the best player in the OHL regular season and playoffs. He has been a consistent force for London over the last two seasons. He's a tenacious player who is always around the puck. He isn't big, but he wins battles and creates offense around the net. Cowan also is a very skilled player who sees the ice well and has perimeter offense. Is he the most dynamic 5-foot-11 player ever? Probably not. But he can project as a quality middle-six wing who can play on both special teams.
Photo:
John E Sokolowski / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Toronto
115
Colby Barlow
LW
Winnipeg
DOB:
2/14/2005
Ht:
72
Wt:
190
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(18 - 2023)
Barlow was injured for the first part of the year, but he was very good in the OHL upon returning. He scored 40 goals in 50 games. It's not much of a novel take to say Barlow can shoot a puck. His wrist shot and one-timer are both legit weapons for the NHL level from midrange. Barlow has good speed and skill but I wouldn't call him a true play-driver. He relies on his effort and shot to generate a lot of his offense. His speed can get him to the right spots though, and he has good enough sense to make tough plays. He projects as a two-way middle-six forward who can play on both special teams.
Photo:
Jason Kempin / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Winnipeg
116
Liam Ohgren
LW
Minnesota
DOB:
1/28/2004
Ht:
72
Wt:
187
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(19 - 2022)
Ohgren was an important player for Farjestad in the SHL and Sweden's U20 team and got some games with the Wild at the end of the year. He is an unspectacular player but helps his team in numerous ways. He has good skill and scoring ability and can be an offensive contributor. He's very good at creating offense between the circles and projects as a bumper or net-front type on an NHL power play. He has the soft skills and wrist shot to create from distance, but he's at his best when he's getting to the tough areas. He wins a lot of battles and brings his best effort every game. He won't blow you away with his speed or skill but he has enough of a well-rounded game to project as a middle-six wing.
Photo:
Chase Agnello Dean / NHL via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Minnesota
117
Anton Wahlberg
LW
Buffalo
DOB:
7/4/2005
Ht:
75
Wt:
194
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(39 - 2023)
Wahlberg was decent versus men this season and was a top player for Sweden's U20 team. He is a 6-foot-3 forward who can move very well for his size and has legit offensive skills. The way he can pull pucks by opposing defensemen while moving at a fast pace looks like that of an NHL forward. He plays a direct style, and with his frame plus speed, he can get to the net very well. I don’t think he’s overly physical, but he works hard, is good along the walls and gets to the net, and coaches tend to lean on him. Wahlberg’s biggest issue is a lack of vision and so-so decision-making with the puck. I think he has middle-six NHL potential, and I could be underrating him as his best game makes him look like a potential top-six forward.
Photo:
Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
Buffalo
118
Michael Hage
C
Montreal
DOB:
4/14/2006
Ht:
73
Wt:
188
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(21 - 2024)
Hage was one of the top forwards in the USHL this season. He is a good-sized center who skates well and has a ton of skill. The high-end one-on-one plays he can make at full flight are clear NHL quality and he has the ability to break open a shift. Hage's playmaking and finishing are good enough with a shot that can score from the faceoff dots, but neither matches the caliber of his feet and hands. Hage has the potential to break open a game, but I do find his game to be inconsistent and too perimeter at times. He projects as a middle-six wing with a chance to be more.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Montreal
119
Julius Miettinen
C
Seattle
DOB:
1/20/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
201
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(40 - 2024)
Miettinen started slow in his first season in North America, but caught fire as the year went along and became a big part of a successful Everett team. Miettinen is a big-body forward with very good offensive skills. He has the one-on-one play to beat pro defensemen with pace. He shows a lot of creativity inside the offensive zone as a puckhandler and passer. He can create off the perimeter and around the net due to his frame. I wouldn't call his compete level high, but it's good enough given his frame. He's a strong skater. I wish he'd play quicker at times, but he has a powerful stride and can skate with pros. He has a chance to be a third-line center.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Seattle
120
Logan Mailloux
D
Montreal
DOB:
4/15/2003
Ht:
75
Wt:
220
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(31 - 2021)
Mailloux had a promising first pro season and was named an All-Star at the AHL level. He has a lot of NHL traits. He's big, mobile and highly skilled. On his best shifts, when he's carrying the puck up ice or launching a bomb from the point, he looks like a top-four defenseman in the NHL. With his reach, feet and some physicality, he should be able to defend, but his defensive play isn't the best. There are legitimate concerns about his hockey sense at both ends, and if he were to miss, it would be due to poor reads/decisions. I like the player, and I think he has an NHL career, but there could be bumps along the way.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Montreal
121
Egor Surin
C
Nashville
DOB:
8/1/2006
Ht:
73
Wt:
197
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(22 - 2024)
Surin is an easy player to like. He was a top player in Russia's junior league this season with a stellar playoff run for Loko. He's a skilled forward who can create a lot of offense. He displays quality vision and finishing touch and skates well, too. Surin is a hyper-competitive forward, and the energy he brings to shifts is what makes me optimistic about his NHL projection. He brings it every game, plays both ways, is very physical and has a lot of tempo in how he creates offense. Surin has mostly played wing this season, but he has the traits to be a pro third-line center or second-line wing.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Nashville
122
Matvei Shuravin
D
Florida
DOB:
3/22/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
218
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(97 - 2024)
Shuravin's production in Russia's junior league won't jump out at you, but he has a lot of traits that NHL teams will be looking for and has looked good versus juniors and men this season. He's a 6-foot-3, mobile defenseman with puck-moving skill, and those are always highly sought after. Shuravin has a low panic threshold and, with his skating, has a smooth, effortless game style that leads to a lot of puck possession for his team. He is good on retrievals and generates a lot of controlled exits and entries. Shuravin also competes well enough and doesn't shy away from physical play.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Florida
123
Matthew Wood
RW
Nashville
DOB:
2/6/2005
Ht:
75
Wt:
197
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(15 - 2023)
Wood had a so-so freshman season. He was up and down both in college and at the world juniors and ended up transferring from Connecticut to Minnesota for next season. When he's on, Wood can create a lot of offense. He has excellent one-on-one skills, vision and ability to finish from range, which makes him lethal on the power play. Wood is a big winger who can win pucks and create at the net. However, his skating is an issue as he lacks the ability to separate. His feet combined with his inconsistent effort at times give evaluators pause in his NHL projection. However, he is so talented that I think he will find a way to contribute to an NHL team's middle six and power play even if he may frustrate along the way.
Photo:
Richard T. Gagnon / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Nashville
124
Matvei Gridin
RW
Calgary
DOB:
3/1/2006
Ht:
73
Wt:
189
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(28 - 2024)
Gridin was a top scorer in the USHL this season. The talent is obvious in Gridin's game. He's a strong skater with excellent offensive skills. He routinely beats USHL defenders with his one-on-one play and can improvise well with the puck. He's a strong playmaker and finisher who can generate a lot of offense. His effort level is just OK and he can play on the perimeter too much. He did kill penalties at times in the USHL, though, and I think his compete and consistency are good enough to be a solid pro.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Calgary
125
Tyson Foerster
RW
Philadelphia
DOB:
1/18/2002
Ht:
74
Wt:
215
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(23 - 2020)
Foerster had a good first full NHL season and became an important part of the Flyers' offense. He's a big winger with legit offensive skills. He can beat a lot of defenders one-on-one, he can make plays, and create at the net but it's his goal scoring that makes him valuable. His shot is lethal from range both in terms of his wrist shot and one-timer. Foerster's issues have always been about his skating and pace. He's still not fast, but he's smoothed out his stride enough that he can handle playing in the NHL. He'll always need to compete hard given that issue, but I think he does and with his scoring ability, he looks like a legit middle-six winger.
Photo:
Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Philadelphia
126
Jake Neighbours
LW
St. Louis
DOB:
3/29/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
201
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(26 - 2020)
Neighbours had a great first full NHL season, playing an important role for the Blues and scoring 27 goals. He has very good offensive skills, but it's his compete that drives his play. He wins a ton of battles and is great at generating offense around the net despite his average size. His skating is just OK, though, and while he's a talented scorer, I expect a little shooting-percentage regression. I don't see him as a consistent 30-goal guy at the NHL level but rather as a likable, hard-working middle-six wing.
Photo:
Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
St. Louis
127
Hendrix Lapierre
C
Washington
DOB:
2/9/2002
Ht:
72
Wt:
180
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(22 - 2020)
Lapierre had one of his best and most consistent seasons in years. He held his own in the NHL over 50 games with the Capitals. He also helped lead Hershey to an AHL title and was named playoffs MVP. Lapierre has always had a ton of skill and hockey sense. He's a premier playmaker who can run a power play. It was the pace and consistency of his game that had caused some issues in his development. He's not a blazing fast skater by any means, but I've had no issues with his compete of late, and I may be underrating his feet a bit too as I've seen him get by NHL defenders. He's tracking like a middle-six forward, potentially down the middle.
Photo:
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Washington
128
Olen Zellweger
D
Anaheim
DOB:
9/10/2003
Ht:
69
Wt:
182
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(34 - 2021)
Zellweger had a great rookie pro season, showing a lot of offense in the AHL as one of the league's youngest players and then holding his own in the NHL in the second half of the season. He has a ton of speed, skill and playmaking in his game. He generates a lot of controlled exits and entries. He creates a lot of offensive-zone chances due to how well he sees the game and is able to use his skating to manipulate opponents and create lanes. He has a bullet shot from the point. Zellweger's biggest issue is his frame. He's quite undersized by NHL standards, but he's shown to this point in his career that he is an OK defender due to his feet and ability to compete well enough. He's not very physical, and in the NHL, coaches may need to be careful in how they deploy him. Zellweger projects to have an NHL career and he can help a power play, even if he may never play tough minutes on a good team.
Photo:
Kirby Lee / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Anaheim
129
Matt Coronato
RW
Calgary
DOB:
11/14/2002
Ht:
70
Wt:
183
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(13 - 2021)
Coronato had a great rookie pro season. He was a leader on the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL. He earned 30 games up with the Flames, although his NHL performance was up and down. Coronato's game is full of energy. He's a strong skating forward who can skate by defenders. He's undersized, but Coronato wins a lot of battles and works hard. He can make plays, but Coronato is more of a shooter. He has a natural shooting technique with a lot of snap and can beat pro goalies from range. Coronato is talented and competitive, but he's not the most dynamic small wing you'll ever see. I think he's a middle-six forward who coaches like, but I don't see major NHL offense in his game.
Photo:
Andy Devlin / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Calgary
130
Brennan Othmann
LW
NY Rangers
DOB:
1/5/2003
Ht:
72
Wt:
186
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(16 - 2021)
Othmann had a productive first pro season, playing a leading role on AHL Hartford's offense. He is a highly skilled forward, but it's the physicality and edge in his game that makes him so appealing. He's a physical and competitive forward who can frustrate opponents. He does play on the outside a bit too much, and I'd like to see more interior offense, but it comes with him being a shooter. He can make plays and has great one-on-one touch. His skating isn't the best, but his compete should allow him to have NHL success as a middle-six wing.
Photo:
Jessica Althea / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
NY Rangers
131
Jani Nyman
RW
Seattle
DOB:
7/30/2004
Ht:
74
Wt:
212
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(49 - 2022)
Nyman had a huge year in Finland, finishing as the second-leading goal scorer in Liiga. The skill and scoring touch Nyman has in a big frame is very promising for an NHL projection. He can make skilled plays to the inside, can create chances for teammates and is a shot threat from range with his one-timer. Nyman isn't the quickest winger or the hardest guy to play against, but he has enough interior game that I think he could be a top-nine wing in the league.
Photo:
Adam Ihse / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Seattle
132
Will Cuylle
LW
NY Rangers
DOB:
2/5/2002
Ht:
75
Wt:
210
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(60 - 2020)
Cuylle played all season up with the Rangers as a bottom-six forward. He is a big, physical winger with good enough hands and goal-scoring touch to project to add secondary offense in the NHL. You'll never love his speed or playmaking, but he plays a likable brand of hockey that will keep him in the lineup, especially if he ever adds a penalty-killing element to his game.
Photo:
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
NY Rangers
133
Aatu Raty
C
Vancouver
DOB:
11/14/2002
Ht:
74
Wt:
190
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(52- 2021)
Räty was an important player for Abbotsford, scoring at a strong clip and playing on both special teams. He is a highly skilled playmaking center with good size. He can run a power play quite well and makes a lot of good decisions with the puck. Is he the most dynamic player I've ever seen? No, especially given his lack of NHL footspeed. He competes well enough, though, and has the offense to be a potential third-line center in the NHL.
Photo:
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Vancouver
134
Fraser Minten
C
Toronto
DOB:
7/5/2004
Ht:
74
Wt:
192
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(38 - 2022)
Minten's pure scoring numbers weren't amazing as a 19-year-old in the WHL, but he played a big role on a top WHL team. He also captained Canada's U20 team. Minten has strong skill and playmaking ability, and a good shot, although I don't view him as a true legit scorer. He will get his points, but I think it's more the details and diligent two-way play that drive Minten's value. His skating is just OK. He can get by guys in junior and has decent speed but I don't see him pushing the pace in the NHL. He projects as a middle-six forward and possibly a third-line center.
Photo:
Claus Andersen / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Toronto
135
Nathan Gaucher
C
Anaheim
DOB:
11/6/2003
Ht:
75
Wt:
207
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(22- 2022)
Gaucher did well in the AHL as one of the younger players in the league. He also scored 25 points despite not getting much power-play time. Gaucher has some skill and scoring ability, but in the NHL, he won't be known for his scoring. He's a big, physical center who gives it his best every night and is quite good defensively. He can play tough minutes and he kills penalties very well. His skating and playmaking will never dazzle, but he's got enough talent with his frame to potentially be a third-line center in the NHL.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Anaheim
136
Tristan Luneau
D
Anaheim
DOB:
1/12/2004
Ht:
73
Wt:
195
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(53 - 2022)
Luneau made the Ducks out of camp last season and impressed in his short time in pro hockey. A mid-year injury shut him down, though. He's an offense-first defender. Luneau can create with his brain, hands and point shot. He sees the ice well and can make tough plays. He can walk the blue line and play on an NHL power play, especially due to his shot and the offense he generates off it. The question will be his defense. He has the size for the league, but his mobility is just OK and he'll be challenged by NHL speed. He looks like an NHL defenseman who will have a career.
Photo:
Isiaiah J. Downing / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Anaheim
137
Denton Mateychuk
D
Columbus
DOB:
7/12/2004
Ht:
71
Wt:
188
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(12 - 2022)
Mateychuk was a top defenseman in the WHL this season and a top player for Canada's U20 team. He's an excellent skater, with clear NHL edge work and speed to be able to skate pucks up ice at the top level, evade pressure and close on checks. Mateychuk is a skilled and creative playmaker who makes a lot of tough plays at full flight. I wouldn't call him a true top-tier playmaker, but he has legit offense in him for the next level. He gives a good effort and with his feet, he should be a competent defender as a pro even though his size makes some scouts wonder how much an NHL coach will trust him.
Photo:
Nick Pettigrew / Moose Jaw Warriors
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Columbus
138
Tanner Molendyk
D
Nashville
DOB:
2/3/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
181
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(24 - 2023)
Molendyk was one of the top defensemen in the WHL this past season. A midseason injury prevented him from joining Canada's world junior team. Otherwise, he would have been on the team. Molendyk is an excellent skater. His edgework is very good. He closes on checks like a pro and can evade pressure at a high level. His top speed is good, not great, but he can lead a rush in the NHL. Molendyk has strong offensive instincts and skills and can make plays from off the blue line and on the move. His size will be a minor issue as a defenseman in the NHL, but he plays hard and doesn’t shy from physical play. He looks like an everyday NHL defenseman who can contribute in a variety of ways.
Photo:
Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Nashville
139
Sam Rinzel
D
Chicago
DOB:
6/25/2004
Ht:
76
Wt:
177
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(25 - 2022)
After a concerning draft-plus-one season in the USHL, Rinzel was as good as Chicago fans could have hoped as a freshman at Minnesota. He played major minutes and was a top defenseman in the conference. Rinzel's tools are obvious as a huge defenseman who can skate and has legit offensive skills. I wasn't always sold on his hockey sense or defending, but both of those aspects looked much improved this season. He's not going to be known for his defending, but with his athletic tools, feet and offensive creativity, he can make enough stops in the NHL to have a legit career.
Photo:
Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press via AP
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Chicago
140
Lian Bichsel
D
Dallas
DOB:
5/18/2004
Ht:
78
Wt:
233
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(18 - 2022)
Bichsel played well between the AHL and SHL this season and was a part of Rogle's deep playoff run after he went back to Europe midway through the season. Bichsel is a big, mean, mobile defenseman. He plays hard and projects to make a lot of NHL stops. The questions on him will come down to puck play. He has some skill, but it's inconsistent and I don't think he sees the ice very well. He looks like a career NHL defenseman, and if his first pass is consistent he can be a solid top-four type.
Photo:
Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Dallas
141
Adam Kleber
D
Buffalo
DOB:
03/24/2006
Ht:
77
Wt:
215
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(42 - 2024)
Kleber's game developed well as the season progressed. He is a very athletic defenseman who projects to be a strong pro defender. He's 6-5, skates well for a big man and competes hard enough. It will be quite difficult for NHL forwards to get by him or gain footing around the net. Kleber's offensive play is what has sold me on him. I didn't originally think he was a true puck-mover and still don't, but he showed enough sense with the puck this season for me to think he can have an NHL career.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Buffalo
142
Terik Parascak
RW
Washington
DOB:
5/28/2006
Ht:
71
Wt:
179
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(17 - 2024)
Parascak had a monster first WHL season as a top scorer in the league after playing U18 hockey the season prior. He has a ton of skill and offensive sense. He beats defenders often with his puckhandling and makes a lot of plays to teammates. He's not very big, but Parascak works hard. He makes high-end skilled plays at the net, can kill penalties and gives a good effort every night. The big issue in his NHL projection is his skating. He has a heavy stride that lacks any kind of NHL footspeed. He's overperformed a lot to date and while he doesn't fit the athletic profile, his hockey sense is so good he could potentially be a middle-six wing.
Photo:
James Doyle / CHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Washington
143
Matt Savoie
C
Edmonton
DOB:
1/1/2004
Ht:
69
Wt:
179
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(9 - 2022)
Savoie tore up the WHL this season, although his performance at the world juniors was less impressive He was traded in the offseason for Ryan McLeod. Savoie is a great skater with a high skill level. He buzzes around the ice due to his speed and compete, attacking loose pucks and taking them to the net consistently despite his smaller frame. He is a very skilled playmaker who makes a ton of difficult plays at very fast speeds. The concern on Savoie is his size, and there is a minor question of whether he's actually dynamic offensively for that frame at higher levels. Some scouts wondered whether he matured physically early and never took a major step after. I see a potential middle-six wing still, but his stock is down in the league since being picked in the top 10.
Photo:
Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Edmonton
144
Quentin Musty
LW
San Jose
DOB:
7/6/2005
Ht:
74
Wt:
200
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(26 - 2023)
Musty was one of the best forwards in the OHL this season. He is a highly skilled puckhandler who can make difficult plays with the puck at a high rate. He tries to make things happen and shows a strong level of creativity. Musty is a great passer who can hit open lanes and has the patience to pull up and make plays. He can score goals and is a shot threat from range but is certainly a player with a pass-first mentality. His effort is fine and he can use his big body to win battles but his game-to-game consistency isn’t the best. He’s a one-way winger which, combined with his so-so skating ability, is a concern for higher levels. He projects as a middle-six wing who will help a power play but may frustrate coaches at times, too.
Photo:
Robert Lefebvre / OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
LW
San Jose
145
Bradly Nadeau
RW
Carolina
DOB:
5/5/2005
Ht:
71
Wt:
160
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(30 - 2023)
Nadeau was a top forward in Hockey East as a freshman and signed with Carolina after his college season ended. He's a winger with a lot of offensive talent. He has very good individual skill to couple with NHL speed. He’s quite dangerous in transition due to that combination and his ability to beat checkers one-on-one. He sees the ice well and has an excellent wrist shot and one-timer to beat goalies from range. His shot is very quick and very fast as he rifles pucks into the corners like a legit NHL scorer. Nadeau isn’t the biggest winger and he can play on the perimeter a tad too much, leaning on his shot to create offense from range. It remains to be seen how well that style of play will translate to the pros, but Nadeau is a potential middle-six wing.
Photo:
Brian Babineau / NHLI via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Carolina
146
Roman Kantserov
RW
Chicago
DOB:
9/20/2004
Ht:
69
Wt:
176
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(44 - 2023)
Kantserov had a promising first KHL season. He steadily became a regular player on the eventual KHL champion and had a big playoffs for them. Kantserov isn't very big, but everything else about his game is a plus. He's a very quick skater with high-end skills who projects to be able to create offense at high levels. He gives a good effort, creates in hard areas and is responsible both ways. He has the tools to score and make plays versus men and will earn a coach's trust. He projects as a middle-six wing.
Photo:
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Chicago
147
Rutger McGroarty
RW
Pittsburgh
DOB:
3/30/2004
Ht:
72
Wt:
200
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(14 - 2022)
McGroarty was one of the better forwards in college hockey this season and captained Team USA to a gold medal at the world juniors. McGroarty has good offensive skills, but his game isn't the flashiest. He accomplishes a lot through his great compete level. He's a tenacious competitor on pucks and around the net. His footspeed is mediocre at best with a choppy skating stride but he still gets to a lot of pucks and back on defense due to his effort. I don't think he's going to be as major a scorer in the NHL as he's been at lower levels — where, for example, he flanked Michigan's PP1 and had the puck flow through him — but he'll still provide some offense and be a player coaches love to plug into their middle six.
Photo:
Richard T. Gagnon / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
Pittsburgh
148
Colton Dach
C
Chicago
DOB:
1/4/2003
Ht:
76
Wt:
196
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(62 - 2021)
Dach had a quality rookie pro season. His numbers don't wow you at any level, but Dach's pure toolkit looks like an NHL player. He's a tall forward who skates very well for a big man. He has good hands and can make plays at quick tempos. With Dach, the biggest issue in his game is consistency. When he's on he looks like a no-doubt NHL player, but I haven't always seen that player and he's not a true natural scorer. The pure tools should get him to the league, and I think he's just skilled enough to be a middle-six type, although it may be on the wing.
Photo:
Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
C
Chicago
149
Kasper Halttunen
RW
San Jose
DOB:
6/7/2005
Ht:
75
Wt:
207
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(36 - 2023)
After an up-and-down draft season, Halttunen bounced back well as a leading part of a great London team. He's a big, powerful winger with very good hands and a bullet shot. He led the OHL playoffs in scoring mostly due to how good his shot is. He will be a legit midrange threat in the NHL with his one-timer. I found Halttunen more consistent this season, especially with his physical play. He's still not the quickest player or the smartest playmaker, but he has the tools to be a middle-six winger with size.
Photo:
Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
San Jose
150
E.J. Emery
D
NY Rangers
DOB:
3/30/2006
Ht:
75
Wt:
183
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(30 - 2024)
Emery is a player with a lot of pro traits. He's 6-foot-3 and skates very well — one of the more athletic defensemen in his age group. He is strong on gaps and retrievals, plays hard on his checks and has the potential to make a lot of NHL stops. He can attack with his feet and often jumps up into the rush. Emery's offense is a question, as his pure production won't excite you (zero goals last season). I think his first-pass offense is good enough to play a regular shift in the league, but it's the main thing he needs to improve to prove himself versus better players.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
NY Rangers
151
Sebastian Cossa
G
Detroit
DOB:
11/21/2002
Ht:
78
Wt:
229
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(15 - 2021)
Cossa had a strong second pro season, looking on track to have an NHL career. Cossa has very good athletic tools. He's a huge goalie who moves very well for his size. He can make a lot of difficult lateral saves and has highlight-reel potential. I've found at times his game can be busy and chaotic, but I thought he quieted that down more this season. His athleticism is still his calling card, but he tracks pucks well and can be efficient in net. He looks like a potential tandem goalie with a chance to be a No. 1 goalie.
Photo:
Jamie Sabau / USA Today
Skill Grades
Tier 7
G
Detroit
152
Michael Hrabal
G
Utah
DOB:
1/20/2005
Ht:
78
Wt:
209
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(38 - 2023)
Hrabal had an excellent freshman season being one of the top goaltenders in Hockey East. With Hrabal, the tools are obvious. He's a 6-foot-6 goalie who moves quite well for his size. He is efficient in his movements but can make the tough saves across his crease when he needs to. His puck-tracking isn’t perfect, but generally, I’ve liked his reads and ability to stay with the play. When he's dialed in he has the potential to steal a game, although he can be a tad inconsistent. I can see him as a potential tandem goalie or even a legit No. 1 if he truly hits.
Photo:
Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / AFP via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
G
Utah
153
Mikhail Gulyayev
D
Colorado
DOB:
4/26/2005
Ht:
70
Wt:
172
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(31 - 2023)
Gulyayev was a regular on a top KHL team this season although he wasn't often on either special team. He still recorded 12 points with no power-play time. He's a very good skater who can transition pucks up ice like a pro. He has very good hands and vision, showing the ability to create chances off the rush and from the blue line. He has a lot of offense, but his 5-foot-10 frame is a question for the NHL. He's not highly physical and he will need to be high end with the puck to carve out a regular NHL role. I think he projects right on the bubble of that.
Photo:
Monika Majer / RVS Media via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
D
Colorado
154
Adam Jecho
RW
St. Louis
DOB:
3/24/2006
Ht:
77
Wt:
201
Shoots:
R
Drafted:
(95 - 2024)
Jecho’s development hasn’t taken off like some scouts hoped it would when we saw him years ago, but he remains a good pro prospect. He’s a huge winger who skates quite well for a guy his size even if he’s not a blazer. He has good hands and can shoot the puck well from range. He tends to fade into the background at times, though. It’s some mixture of a lack of hockey sense and lack of compete. I think mostly the former. He’s a guy you have to dream on a bit and who often frustrates scouts, but his athletic toolkit is hard to find, and if he scores enough at higher levels, coaches will play him regularly.
Photo:
Candice Ward / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
RW
St. Louis
155
Marcus Gidlof
G
NY Islanders
DOB:
9/28/2005
Ht:
78
Wt:
212
Shoots:
L
Drafted:
(147 - 2024)
Gidlof had a very good season in Sweden as a top goalie in their junior league. His pro projection is highly intriguing as a 6-foot-6 goalie who moves well for his size. His pure quickness side to side isn't explosive, but he can make tough saves and is difficult to beat laterally. Gidlof tracks the play well and often stays square with the puck. He plays aggressively as well. Some nitpick that his technique breaks down too much, he can scramble too much in the net and he let a few too many long-range shots past him. He has legit starting-goalie tools if he cleans up a few details.
Photo:
Daniel Erikasson / Sipa via AP Images
Skill Grades
Tier 7
G
NY Islanders
(Illustration: Sean Reilly / The Athletic. Photos: Jeff Vinnick, Ben Jackson / NHLI via Getty Images; Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
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Corey Pronman is the senior NHL prospects writer for The Athletic. Previously, Corey worked in a similar role at ESPN. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreypronman