For each NHL group, prospects are all the time coming and going. As they end off their junior, school careers or make the bounce over from their European leagues, all of them have the identical purpose, to sometime depart their mark on the NHL. The strain and a focus surrounding these gamers is magnified if they’re going to be an actual essential piece for his or her respective franchises for years to come back.

Associated: The NHL’s High-100 Prospects

Now that the 2024-25 NHL season is simply across the nook, a few of the high prospects have stored their title as their group’s high prospect whereas others have moved on or have been dethroned by one other inside their system. As with the High 100 prospects, I’ll use Corey Pronman’s break down of what constitutes as a prospect.

A prospect is outlined as: “A skater not qualifies as an NHL prospect if he has performed 25 video games within the NHL in any marketing campaign, common season and playoffs mixed, or 50 video games whole; or reaches age 27 by Sept. 15. A goalie not qualifies as an NHL prospect if he has performed 10 video games within the NHL in any marketing campaign, common season and playoffs mixed, or 25 video games whole; or reaches age 27 by Sept. 15.” (From: “Pronman: 2019-20 NHL Farm System Rankings”).

Associated: THW’s Wall-to-Wall Prospect & Draft Protection

This checklist can be finished alphabetically by group and never by rank. With out additional ado, let’s check out each group’s high prospect.

Anaheim Geese: Cutter Gauthier

Beforehand: Cutter Gauthier

Cutter Gauthier was a mid-season addition to the Anaheim Geese’ prospect pool final season, and he instantly shot to the very high of their group when it comes to expertise and potential. Gauthier is a 6-foot-2 ahead who can be an offensive dynamo within the NHL sometime quickly. He wins tons of board battles along with his dimension and energy, after which can create probabilities both along with his shot or through the use of that menace to freeze defenders earlier than passing to an open teammate. 

Gauthier has been a middle within the NCAA for the previous two seasons with Boston School, however contemplating the Geese have already got Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Trevor Zegras of their top-six ahead group, I believe it’s probably Gauthier will get plenty of time on the wing within the NHL. He drives play very well and although he can get a bit of trigger-happy I believe Gauthier is destined to be an awesome purpose scoring, top-six winger for the Geese within the close to future.

Boston Bruins: Fabian Lysell

Beforehand: Fabian Lysell

An elite-level skater, Fabian Lysell performs with a large amount of tempo and talent. He’s fast, dynamic and all the time enjoyable to observe when the puck is on his stick. He’s extraordinarily misleading when organising his teammates and has a really underrated shot. Lysell has spent final two seasons within the AHL with the Windfall Bruins, scoring a complete of 87 factors in 110 video games.

Lysell is poised to make his NHL debut this 12 months, with the pace and talent to be an efficient participant from day one. The Bruins will want some depth offense this coming 12 months after dropping Jake DeBrusk in free company, and whereas the addition of Elias Lindholm helps, I believe Lysell may discover himself in Boston’s top-nine winger group early on this season.

Buffalo Sabres: Konsta Helenius

Beforehand: Jiri Kulich

Konsta Helenius is a wonderful playmaker who competes arduous sufficient to reach the Finnish Liiga as a 17-year-old final season. Helenius is level-headed underneath strain and makes outstanding passes look routine, setting his teammates up for achievement. He was good for Finland on the 2024 World Juniors in Sweden, although the stat sheet won’t provide the greatest concept of how impactful he was. Helenius’ two-way play towards execs as a youngster has been very spectacular, particularly in transition the place he is ready to sustain with the tempo of play each bodily and mentally.

Buffalo has drafted greater than their justifiable share of undersized, expert forwards up to now few drafts, and after Zach Benson cracked the group’s lineup out of coaching camp, it was clear that they’d have to make some room of their prospect pool. Though Sabres followers won’t love the Savoie commerce, the group has a extremely sturdy prospect in Helenius who can fill the void that deal created within the prospect pool.

Calgary Flames: Zayne Parekh

Beforehand: Samuel Honzek

Zayne Parekh has been a extremely enjoyable participant to comply with all through his junior profession, always involving himself on offense, pinching in alongside the boards when wanted, and making a ton of probabilities for himself and his teammates because of this. For my cash, he was essentially the most proficient offensive creator on the backend within the 2024 Draft, nonetheless, Parekh’s defensive recreation leaves one thing to be desired. He cheats for offense greater than I’d like, which might depart him out of place. 

I do assume he’s a stable defender when he’s correctly engaged, slicing off passes and angling opponents towards the boards. Parekh is a outstanding expertise, with Quinn Hughes-like offensive upside if issues go nicely, however the defensive finish is in want of some actual work. He’s proficient sufficient and seemed sturdy sufficient defensively within the Memorial Cup that I believe he’ll determine it out within the NHL in time.

Carolina Hurricanes: Alexander Nikishin

Beforehand: Alexander Nikishin

Alexander Nikishin has put the hockey world on discover over the previous two years, establishing himself as one of many best younger gamers outdoors of the NHL with back-to-back seasons as top-of-the-line two-way defenders within the KHL. Sadly for the Hurricanes, he just lately re-signed with SKA-St. Petersburg of the KHL on a deal that may preserve him in Russia at the least till the tip of the 2024-25 season. 

Regardless, Nikishin is a outstanding defensive prospect who exploded offensively final season, main all KHL defenders in scoring. He’s large (6-foot-4), has a heavy slapshot, and skates remarkably nicely for somebody of his dimension. This season, Nikishin proved that final 12 months was no fluke, as soon as once more main all KHL defenders in factors. If the Hurricanes are capable of persuade him to come back to play for them within the 2025-26 season, he appears like he’ll be at the least a top-four defender instantly upon arrival. 

Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov

Beforehand: Frank Nazar

Artyom Levshunov has an extremely thrilling toolkit as a giant, right-handed defender who skates extremely nicely. Levshunov has a really projectable recreation, with the scale, skating, and offense to be an awesome NHL defender. He performs with a ton of confidence, which could be a little bit of a double-edged sword at instances. Levshunov’s offensive recreation is dynamic, along with his easy skating serving because the catalyst for every factor he does nicely. He’s sturdy in breakout/entry conditions, has some intelligent stretch passes in his toolkit, and walks the blueline with confidence. 

He’s nonetheless a little bit of a uncooked prospect at this level, which suggests there’s plenty of room for progress. Levshunov was a poor defender within the USHL when he first arrived, however completed that season as a robust two-way participant. His first NCAA season mirrored that intently, with an elevated defensive accountability because the 12 months wore on. It appears like Levshunov is about to make the bounce to the professionals subsequent season, and whereas his defensive recreation is probably not nice proper off the bat, he’s proven himself to be a fast research so I’m not fearful.

Colorado Avalanche: Calum Ritchie

Beforehand: Calum Ritchie

Calum Ritchie has nice puck expertise and typically it appears like he has glued the puck to his stick whereas carving by defenders or when he’s on a breakaway. His expertise make him very nicely suited as a middle on the subsequent degree with good dimension, a coveted right-handed shot, good defensive habits (kills penalties fairly nicely), and stable faceoff outcomes. He has the instruments to be a top-6 ahead, however his offensive recreation might want to proceed rising because it has since his draft 12 months.

The Colorado Avalanche aren’t in the perfect spot prospect-wise for the time being however Ritchie remains to be a high quality piece who will probably assist fill out their depth chart at middle in just some years. The Avs have misplaced Nazem Kadri, Alex Newhook, and J.T. Compher amongst different facilities up to now 12 months and a half which makes Ritchie’s improvement as a middle pivotal within the subsequent period of Avalanche hockey.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom

Beforehand: Denton Mateychuk

Cayden Lindstrom has been a favourite of mine within the 2024 Draft class going again a 12 months or two now. He’s a large energy ahead (6-foot-3, 205 kilos) who’s extremely fast and troublesome to knock off the puck. His dimension benefit is a part of what makes him an almost immovable object within the WHL, however he additionally has nice fingers, a robust shot, and actually good puck safety instincts. His defensive recreation has seemed considerably improved through the years and I believe his offensive totals would have earned him a bit extra consideration final season if he hadn’t handled finger and again accidents.

What I noticed from him final 12 months was a pure development of him getting greater and stronger, permitting him to dominate the WHL. It’s not simply his improved ending that makes him thrilling, it’s his energy, pace, and motor. Columbus already has Adam Fantilli as their 1C of the longer term, and including Lindstrom who may conceivably fill the 2C spot can be an enormous reply for the group’s future.

Dallas Stars: Logan Stankoven

Beforehand: Logan Stankoven

Logan Stankoven spent the 2022-23 season dominating the WHL to the tune of two-points per recreation, making him the one participant to attain at that fee not named Connor Bedard. Stankoven is a fearless competitor who’s prepared to make robust, bodily performs and isn’t shy about throwing his physique round both. 

He performed full time within the AHL final 12 months for the Texas Stars and was fully dominant. Not solely did he scoring greater than each different high prospect in that leaguer, he truly led your complete league in scoring earlier than incomes a name as much as the NHL. Stankoven’s offensive expertise have translated extremely nicely to the professional recreation and the Dallas Stars acknowledged that, giving him a severe function of their top-six down the stretch and into the playoffs. He’s solely eligible for this checklist as a result of the Stars preserved his eligibility for the 2024-25 Calder Trophy, giving him solely 24 common season video games final season.

Detroit Crimson Wings: Simon Edvinsson

Beforehand: Simon Edvinsson

Simon Edvinsson is likely one of the most enjoyable prospects within the hockey world, with almost limitless potential on account of his outstanding dimension (6-foot-6), mobility (guys his dimension hardly ever skate this nicely), and offensive talent. Edvinsson was a powerful two-way drive within the SHL two years in the past and has efficiently made the transition to North America.

The Crimson Wings haven’t given Edvinsson an opportunity to stay within the NHL simply but however he appeared to interrupt by on the finish of final season, even trying like Detroit’s greatest defender on some nights. If he could be a distinction maker of their top-four subsequent season (which I believe is a good expectation), then the group could have gone a great distance in fixing the defensive woes which have plagued them since they started their rebuild.

Edmonton Oilers: Matthew Savoie

Beforehand: Beau Akey

Drafted ninth general by the Sabres on the 2022 draft, Matthew Savoie is a extremely inventive centreman with a high-end talent set. The mixture of pace, fingers and stick dealing with makes him an offensive catalyst and he maintains offensive zone possession extraordinarily nicely. Savoie has wonderful imaginative and prescient to identify a lane to interact or discover his teammates with a superbly executed move and he’s a dynamic skater as nicely. He acquired his first style of professional hockey final Fall and was top-of-the-line gamers within the WHL final 12 months in his last 12 months of junior play.

This offseason had plenty of vibrant spots for the Oilers, however I believe none shine brighter than buying and selling for Savoie, giving up little or no in return. Clearly, Ryan McLeod was a way more confirmed NHL participant, however the potential that Savoie represents is huge. I can completely think about him tearing it up on the wing in Edmonton’s already-intimidating top-six in only a season or two.

Florida Panthers: Mackie Samoskevich

Beforehand: Mackie Samoskevich

Mackie Samoskevich had a vastly elevated function with the College of Michigan within the 2022-23 season and he thrived because of this. His excessive hockey IQ and wonderful puck expertise have been on show all year long, and Samoskevich even made his skilled debut on the finish of that season, taking part in 9 video games with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. He spent your complete 2023-24 season with the Checkers, and led the group in scoring by 10 factors. Samoskevich will probably by no means be a major two-way participant within the NHL, however a Panthers group in want of some low cost depth scoring may get plenty of use out of his talent and energy play skills.

Los Angeles Kings: Brandt Clarke

Beforehand: Brandt Clarke

Brandt Clarke boasts a few of the greatest offensive smarts and decision-making with the puck within the prospects world. Chosen eighth general in 2021, Clarke can take management of a shift or lead a rush probability at any time when he’s on the ice along with his skating and pace. He’s nice at figuring out the open lanes and attacking with drive to reap the benefits of a chance. 

Final season, Clarke was the perfect offensive defender in your complete AHL, incomes himself a name as much as the NHL in January. He scored a whopping 46 factors in 50 AHL video games, including six extra within the playoffs. Clarke will probably by no means be the perfect defensive defender, however the quantity of offense he offers will make that an afterthought for many of his NHL profession. 

Minnesota Wild: Jesper Wallstedt

Beforehand: Jesper Wallstedt

Jesper Wallstedt has been thought-about to be top-of-the-line goaltending prospects within the NHL for a number of years now, and he lastly made the transfer to North America final season. Wallstedt appears like he’ll change into a very good beginning goaltender within the NHL at the least, with the potential to be a real star. After taking part in very well within the SHL two years in the past, Wallstedt lastly tried his hand within the AHL the place he shortly confirmed that his expertise is legit and that he could also be a drive to be reckoned with within the close to future.

Wallstedt positively nonetheless wants a while to regulate to the completely different tempo of play in North America’s narrower rinks, however fortunately for Wallstedt the Wild have Marc-André Fleury underneath contract for an additional season and Filip Gustavsson for extra after that so there’s no want for them to hurry Wallstedt into a giant function. The group didn’t get nice goaltending from that pair final 12 months, however Wallstedt’s NHL debut in January recommended that they might want to take the affected person route with their high prospect and keep away from dashing him.

Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov

Beforehand: Lane Hutson

Ivan Demidov is an extremely proficient offensive participant, with nice fingers, a zippy shot, and a few sneaky-good playmaking instincts. He spent final season within the MHL, Russia’s high junior league, the place he was dominant as a 17-year-old rookie, scoring 64 factors in 44 video games (third most factors within the league). Demidov isn’t fairly on the similar degree as high 2023 Draft prospect Matvei Michkov, however he’s a legit top-end expertise who has clear top-line potential within the NHL. One factor he and Michkov have in widespread is a problem incomes minutes within the KHL as a draft eligible participant.

Demidov sat out many video games to begin the 12 months and performed full time within the MHL for the remainder of the season. He dominated that degree this season, however we’ve seen him try this already so it’s no shock. I’d actually like to see him towards execs full-time subsequent season, hopefully within the KHL.There aren’t many gamers who can deal with the puck fairly like Demidov. He completely torched the MHL this 12 months (2 factors per recreation) and scored 28 factors in 17 playoff video games. I’m assured he’ll rating a ton of factors within the NHL, it’s only a query of how efficient of a participant he could be at even energy given his smaller body and unusual skating stride.

Nashville Predators: Matthew Wooden

Beforehand: Matthew Wooden

I used to be wanting to see how Matthew Wooden would modify to the school recreation after he dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) two years in the past, main the league in targets and factors as a 16-year-old. His freshman outcomes have been extraordinarily optimistic with Wooden being one of many high rookie level scorers and one of many high scorers on his group regardless of being the youngest participant in all of males’s NCAA hockey throughout his draft 12 months. Wooden’s calling card is his shot which is superb when it comes to deception and energy. He may use a bit extra pace (who couldn’t), however he has proven that his timing and puck safety expertise are sturdy sufficient for him to reach school. His sophomore 12 months wasn’t fairly as outstanding, however I nonetheless have plenty of religion within the talent, shot, and size combo that Wooden possesses.

New Jersey Devils: Anton Silayev

Beforehand: Simon Nemec

Anton Silayev was the story of the 12 months early on final season, going from an unknown defender in Russia’s junior system the 12 months earlier than to an elite defensive prospect who was tearing up the KHL. He’s been a troublesome participant to scout as a result of the pattern dimension of his nice play remains to be comparatively small, however his potential is as excessive as any protection prospect we’ve seen up to now few years.

Silayev is 6-foot-7, however he strikes like he’s 6-foot-2, and he has proven nice two-way play up to now within the KHL. He scored six factors in his first six video games, however the factors slowed down considerably, ending the season with 11 factors after 63 common season video games. There’s a really actual probability that he finally ends up as the highest defender on this class 10-15 years down the highway given the large potential his body and agility present.

New York Islanders: Cole Eiserman

Beforehand: Danny Nelson

Cole Eiserman was the 2024 Draft’s premier purpose scoring prospect, and he was by far essentially the most polarizing participant within the group. He can play bodily, however can typically get caught chasing hits and dropping observe of defensive protection. 

The explanation individuals are so excessive on Eiserman, is that he scored 72 targets in 69 video games final season for the NTDP. These are some completely absurd numbers. Whereas he is probably not essentially the most dependable participant with regards to play driving or defensive outcomes, he’s an extremely dependable purpose scorer and initiatives to be at the least a 30-goal scorer within the NHL sometime. Pair him together with your greatest playmaking middle and watch him do the toughest factor there may be in hockey, rating targets.

New York Rangers: Gabe Perreault

Beforehand: Gabe Perreault

Gabe Perrault appears like somebody who might be an influence play specialist on the subsequent degree with nice talent and smarts within the offensive zone. He can decide aside opposing defenses with pin-point passes, inventive dangles and sly fakes, and his effort degree is admirable. Perreault was one of the inventive and clever gamers within the 2023 Draft and he’s nice at weaving his means out of bother when defenders collapse round him, both with a move or his lightning-quick fingers. Perreault scored at an absurd fee in his draft 12 months, with 132 factors in 63 video games, setting the single-season report within the NTDP, surpassing gamers like Matthews, Hughes, and Clayton Keller. He additionally managed to attain a whopping 60 factors in 36 NCAA video games as a freshman final season, confirming that he has the potential to be an offensive game-breaker at increased ranges of play.

Ottawa Senators: Carter Yakemchuk

Beforehand: Jorian Donovan

Carter Yakemchuk has an enviable bodily make-up as a right-shot defender who already measures at 6-foot-2, 194 kilos and he has produced a ton of offense for the Calgary Hitmen. His offensive recreation is spectacular for a defender of his dimension and his skating makes him much more intriguing as an NHL prospect. Yakemchuk has a rocket of a shot, scoring 30 targets final season as a defender, making him a real purpose scoring menace from the purpose. He challenges opposing gamers one-on-one like a ahead, always setting himself up for these unbelievable dekes. The issue is, he doesn’t succeed 100% of the time and might put himself in robust positions to get better defensively.

Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov

Beforehand: Matvei Michkov

With the commencement of fellows like Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli, and Connor Bedard, Matvei Michov is clearly at the least a top-three greatest prospect within the NHL with an unbelievable capability to control opposing defenses. He has an awesome shot, however as a rule he scores targets as a result of he slipped his defender and managed to search out the area and time mandatory to attain a purpose. Whereas Bedard scores by taking pictures a wrister as arduous as doable, attempting to punch a gap by the goalie, Michkov will outsmart the protection and rating by discovering holes in protection.

He seemed like an absolute star within the KHL final 12 months, as soon as once more being loaned to HK Sochi, one of many league’s backside groups. I anticipated he would land a well-deserved top-six spot with SKA St. Petersburg subsequent season, however the Flyers managed to get him signed and Michkov will make his NHL debut a lot earlier than anticipated. He’s a severe contender for the Calder Trophy subsequent 12 months, particularly if the Flyers put him able to succeed.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Rutger McGroarty

Beforehand: Brayden Yager

Rutger McGroarty is a real energy ahead, sturdy and decided sufficient to win pucks with nice playmaking expertise that permit him to make sensible performs with the puck as soon as he wins it. His father was the top coach of the Lincoln Stars within the USHL when he was rising up, and McGroarty’s maturity, work ethic, and two-way recreation have clearly benefited from observing and attending practices with gamers a lot older than him from such a younger age.

He’s a really full prospect who’s a pure chief, shoots nicely, and does nearly all the things else you may hope for from a first-round decide. McGroarty received’t lead your group in scoring, however he’ll do an entire lot of different issues at a really excessive degree. The Penguins did nicely to land him in exc

San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini

Beforehand: Will Smith

Macklin Celebrini is my decide for the perfect NHL prospect for the time being. He’s a middle with a June birthday, that means he’s one of many youngest gamers from the 2024 draft class, and can be simply 18 years previous for his whole rookie season within the NHL. Celebrini excels at all the things, with nice skating, purpose scoring capability, off-puck play, defensive effort, confidence, and nearly each different attribute you may dream of. After tearing up the US highschool prep circuit with Shattuck St. Mary’s, Celebrini tried his hand within the USHL two seasons again with the Chicago Metal and was instantly the perfect participant within the league. 

He was so good, in actual fact, that he has made the selection to enter the NCAA early, taking part in as a 17-year-old for Boston College final season. His play within the NCAA was wildly spectacular, shortly establishing himself as the perfect participant in all of school hockey. Celebrini’s efficiency for Group Canada on the 2024 World Juniors was borderline dominant, and he was their greatest participant in your complete match regardless of being a double-underager There’s a transparent path for Celebrini to change into a wonderful first-line middle within the NHL and the San Jose Sharks are counting the times till he can present what he’s manufactured from at their coaching camp in a number of quick weeks.

Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton

Beforehand: Shane Wright

Berkly Catton is a remarkably clever participant, creating probabilities and benefits for his teammates by intelligent manipulations somewhat than by bodily drive. The Spokane Chiefs have lacked high-end expertise throughout Catton’s whole WHL tenure, so he has been leaned upon closely for the previous two seasons. Fortunately for the Chiefs, Catton has greater than been as much as the duty of main the group, scoring factors at an absurdly excessive fee. There have been solely 4 gamers on the Chiefs who scored greater than 35 factors final season, and Catton managed 116!

Catton was phenomenal for Group Canada on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup a 12 months in the past as nicely the place he scored 10 factors in simply 5 video games whereas captaining Canada to the gold medal. He’s a really expert participant with a ton of pace and a high-end motor. I believe his offensive versatility and his potential whereas attacking off the frenzy will make him a wonderful addition for the Kraken.

St. Louis Blues: Jimmy Snuggerud

Beforehand: Dalibor Dvorsky

Since being chosen twenty third general within the 2022 Draft, Jimmy Snuggerud has confirmed to be a wonderful selection for the St. Louis Blues. His shot is the very first thing that stands out about his recreation, as the facility and accuracy of his wrist shot make it a really harmful device, however the actual purpose his shot is so potent is the way in which he can disguise or alter his shot by immediately altering the discharge level. He has easy fingers however doesn’t make a ton of performs as a distributor, although his ending capability sometimes makes up for that. Snuggerud is a accountable defensive participant which is spectacular for a winger with a lot offensive potential.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Conor Geekie

Beforehand: Isaac Howard

Conor Geekie caught loads of NHL scouts’ consideration throughout his draft 12 months as a 6-foot-4 middle with a good two-way recreation within the WHL. He’s aggressive and makes use of his dimension nicely towards shorter and weaker junior competitors, and his playmaking from the perimeter on the facility play is probably going going to translate to the NHL sometime. The projection is tantalizing, however the purpose individuals are hesitant about Geekie is that his skating is common at greatest. He might want to preserve placing work into his capability to play at a quick tempo however his size and talent combo ought to make him an efficient middle-six participant for Tampa Bay regardless.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Easton Cowan

Beforehand: Easton Cowan

The Toronto Maple Leafs stunned the hockey world after they chosen Easton Cowan with the twenty eighth decide within the 2023 Draft. He wasn’t seen as a primary spherical candidate by many individuals, however he has already paid again the Leafs for his or her perception in him. Cowan is a fast and hardworking winger whose offensive manufacturing skyrocketed within the OHL final season, almost doubling his manufacturing from the prior season in fewer video games. The talent and skating have been all the time there, however his final offensive potential was the largest query. He has gone a protracted strategy to placing that query to relaxation this 12 months so keep watch over Cowan.

Utah Hockey Membership: Tij Iginla

Beforehand: Conor Geekie

Tij Iginla was a really nice shock within the WHL final season. After scoring simply 18 factors with the Seattle Thunderbirds the season earlier than, Iginla flourished with the Kelowna Rockets. His recreation depends closely on pace and he’s capable of do a ton of injury on the frenzy on the junior degree due to it. Iginla has a wonderful wrist shot as nicely, however he isn’t essentially the most gifted playmaker or bodily man. Regardless, he works arduous and is usually the primary man in on the forecheck.

Iginla scored a powerful 47 targets within the WHL final season, which tied him for the sixth most targets in the entire league. His go-to shot is the “curl-and-drag” wrister that we’ve seen a lot currently, and he will get it off faster than most, not permitting the goalie a lot time to adapt or predict his subsequent transfer. I believe Iginla’s recreation goes to be an awesome match for a group in want of some flashy performs, making him the right first draft decide in franchise historical past.

Vancouver Canucks: Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Beforehand: Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Jonathan Lekkerimäki had a extremely robust post-draft season, with a number of accidents/sicknesses ruining any momentum he tried to construct. That was true all 12 months till the Allsvenskan playoffs the place he appeared to lastly appear to be his previous self once more, scoring 15 factors in 15 video games. Within the ensuing offseason, he was signed by the Canucks and loaned to the SHL the place he performed with Örebro HK and led all U20 SHL gamers in targets and factors. Lekkerimäki was wonderful on the 2024 World Junior Championship for Sweden, scoring seven targets in as many video games and profitable the award because the match’s MVP en path to a silver medal.

Vegas Golden Knights: Trevor Connelly

Beforehand: David Edstrom

Trevor Connelly is a talented winger with dynamic skating and a high-effort two means recreation. His fingers are actually fast and he performs with a ton of deception which made him one of the harmful offensive gamers in your complete USHL final season. He was a transparent first spherical expertise with some top-six potential, however the off-ice noise is loud sufficient nonetheless that his final NHL potential is a bit up within the air.

Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard

Beforehand: Ryan Leonard

Ryan Leonard is a excessive power winger who by no means takes his foot off the fuel when it comes to each pace and energy. He makes use of his pace and talent to blow by defenders within the impartial zone and strain in-zone defenders who battle to anticipate his subsequent transfer. His playmaking and shot aren’t distinctive, however they’re each adequate to be moderately efficient within the NHL sometime. He has a really versatile talent set and might be an awesome top-six winger who provides some grit and goalscoring to his line, just like a Tyler Bertuzzi-type participant (or Matthew Tkachuk-lite for those who assume his offense will actually pop within the NHL). 

Winnipeg Jets: Brad Lambert

Beforehand: Brad Lambert

Brad Lambert has been one of many least predictable NHL prospects over the previous few years, alternating between video games the place he appears like a sure-fire top-six centreman and video games the place you might be left pissed off along with his obvious lack of effort. Lambert’s skating capability is elite and provides him a standout talent that may translate to the NHL sometime. He additionally has nice puck expertise and might make nice passes or dekes whereas at his outstanding high pace. Final season was a optimistic one for Lambert who seemed like a high younger participant within the AHL, incomes a spot on the AHL All-Star Recreation and being named to the All Rookie Group on the finish of the season.

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