1 Prospect on Every NHL Team to Get Hyped About Ahead of the 2026-27 Season

At some point in every NHL season, fans are bound to get frustrated, bored, or angry with their favorite team. When this happens to you, and the thought of turning on a game makes you want to throw something at your television, save your screen and turn on a game featuring your favorite team's prospects instead.

Disclaimer: those games might also frustrate you. But you get to watch your team's future!

We've left off anyone who pretty much feels like a lock to play in the NHL this season, but there are some maybes represented here—guys who could push for a spot out of camp but by no means are guaranteed, and guys who will almost certainly be injury call-ups at one point or another. It's always especially intriguing to see which of those call-ups stick, find their place easily on the roster midseason, and force the team's hand in figuring out how to keep them and who to move in their stead, and there are definitely players on this list who could do that.

While there's a good spread as far as leagues go, there's a slant toward NCAA representation—whether this season or last—that reflects what is swiftly becoming the new normal for prospect development, with players moving from a CHL team to college hockey and then to either the AHL or the NHL.

My gut says we'll get more well-rounded players out of this setup, more players who can legitimately fight for an NHL spot when they make the move to pro, rather than flaming out and busting. Let's watch and see if that hunch bears out, shall we?

ANA | BOS | BUF | CAR | CBJ | CGY | CHI | COL | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA | LAK | MIN | MTL | NJD | NSH | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SEA | SJS | STL | TBL | TOR | Utah Mammoth | VAN | VGK | WPG | WSH

Roger McQueen—he of the number 95 jersey, like his Disney namesake Lightning McQueen—is such an intriguing player. The 6'6" high-skill forward was limited to only 17 games in his draft season with the Brandon Wheat Kings (still scoring better than a point per game) due to injury, and he made the shift to Providence College last season.

It's not surprising that a top prospect like McQueen was a one-and-done in college, but combining that with his brief draft season gives us a less complete picture of the pro player he's going to be than for some others in the same boat. His scoring was slower than desirable at Providence, but not drastically so; he finished the year with 27 points in 36 games, including 11 goals.

Based on what we saw at rookie camp—his detail game, his speed, his positioning—expect him to put up a fight to make the NHL roster out of camp. McQueen's combination of size and handling skills, not to mention his elite hockey sense, puts him in a good position to contribute sooner rather than later. If he doesn't make the team out of camp, expect to see him in a Ducks jersey at some point during the year.

Boston got cooked by some pundits for drafting Dean Letourneau in the first round in 2025, but there's no reason to rehash whether they should have, since it won't change the fact that they did. What we can do is look at what Letourneau brings to the table now, and it's significantly more than it initially seemed.

Letourneau is starting his third season with Boston College this fall, and given that we saw marked growth between his first and second seasons—a jump from 3 points to 39 in 36 games each year—it follows that we'll likely see another increase this year. That initial growth stemmed from both development and increased opportunity; those circumstances also apply this season, including the increased opportunity that comes with the departure of fellow Bruins prospect James Hagens.

Despite not receiving a letter, Letourneau will likely be looked to as a leader on the Eagles, furthering his development both on and off the ice. We're watching to see how he refines that on-ice play further; he led the team in power-play goals last season with 10, and with increased playing time and responsibility, he'll have more opportunities to use his excellent shot.

Drafted fourth overall by the Sabres in June, defenseman Daxon Rudolph is heading from the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL to the University of Denver to play for highly-touted development coach David Carle. If you're a Buffalo fan, you have to feel pretty good about this landing spot for Rudolph in his Draft+1 season.

Denver has the chance to win back-to-back national championships this year, and Rudolph brings a lot to the table that could help along that path. He's a high-end shooter with really excellent offensive skills and distributes the puck well. His puck movement needs some work, as it's not as strong as other areas of that game, but I genuinely cannot think of a better place to refine your transition game than college hockey. Your opponents have size and speed, and the season's pacing allows you to hone in on the details of your play.

With the modern NHL game hinging so heavily on transition play, this should be a good season of growth for Rudolph.

It's really difficult to find someone who doesn't like Carson Carels, and with good reason. The Canadian defenseman spent last season with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and is yet another player headed to college hockey, this time to the University of North Dakota. (He also had a strong showing at last year's World Junior Championships as an underage defenseman; a rare occurrence for Canada.)

Carels fits extremely well with the high-end prospect pool that the Flames are building—he's the type of player who would balance fellow defensive prospect Zayne Parekh exceedingly well, holding down the fort while Parekh goes freewheeling, and bringing a bit of effective, productive nastiness to his game to boot, unafraid to lay the body whenever needed.

This isn't to say that Carels doesn't have offensive skill of his own; he definitely does. He's also an excellent skater and strong in transition. It's going to be exciting to see how his game translates to college hockey, but don't be surprised if he's another one-and-done; there are aspects of his game that feel NHL-ready even now.

Bradly Nadeau, a winger and highly touted Hurricanes forward prospect, spent last season with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL and was a better-than-average point-per-game player (56 points in 52 games). He's doing everything he can to make the jump to the NHL this season, but the problem is that the Hurricanes haven't experienced the same roster turnover that many Cup-winning teams do the summer after winning.

For that reason, it's going to be difficult to find a spot for Nadeau.

His high-end shooting ability and propensity for feasting on any opportunity he can spot have him ready for the NHL, and he might just be the player who can take advantage of Seth Jarvis's absence after his offseason shoulder surgery. The question is what happens long-term. Nadeau proving himself invaluable isn't out of the question, but making room for him is. He's got nothing left to prove at the AHL level; he's rounded out his game and shown that his scoring ability translates to professional hockey.

At this point, it's either find a place for him or find another NHL team that will.

Everyone knows there's a whole mess of talented young forwards fighting for NHL playing time in Chicago, so let's take a look at a Blackhawks prospect who won't be in the mix for a roster spot this season. Winger Václav Nestrašil is spending this season with the University of Massachusetts and brings a combination of skill and gritty, physical play that will no doubt be attractive to the rebuilding Blackhawks when he does make that jump.

Nestrašil, who was selected 25th overall in 2025, is already looking like a high-value pick. This is his second season at UMass, and while he was productive right away after moving from the USHL to the NCAA (31 points in 34 games), we expect to see that production jump again this season with more experience under his belt.

He's very team-focused; his energy levels are high whether he has the puck or not, and he has excellent puck-handling skills. It's good that he has this season to further refine any rough edges in his game, because barring some sort of absolute disaster, it would be very surprising if he didn't push for that Blackhawks spot next season.

To put it bluntly, forward Egor Shilov is a bright spot in one of the less heavy-hitting prospect pools in the NHL right now. The Victoriaville Tigres captain was a favorite of ours in the 2026 draft and could've easily gone in the first round instead of the second based on skill alone; there's a lot of value in this pick for the Avalanche.

Shilov is excellent at processing and perceiving the game at those top-end speeds, able to slow the flow of the game for himself to identify details and opportunities. His handling and passing skills are superb, though he could use a bit more urgency in how he uses them; what good is the ability to read the ice at those top speeds if you aren't reacting urgently?

Shilov is committed to Penn State next season, but for the moment he's still developing in the QMJHL. While he's a fantastic and creative playmaker, he's looking to round out his game with more physicality and strength, and, as always, college hockey is a great place for that. This longer runway will help ensure he's a more complete player when he does join the Avalanche.

Defenseman Jackson Smith is headed into his second season with Penn State having already earned some honors; Smith was named to the Preseason All Big-Ten Second Team, one of twelve players to earn this recognition. This alone should tell you what is expected of him this season: to be an anchor and a leader on this Penn State team.

Last year, Smith led the Big Ten in goals with 11; this total also set a single-season Penn State record for defensemen. He was part of the first class allowed to move to the NCAA from the CHL, hailing from the Tri-City Americans in the WHL. Smith is a highly skilled offensive defenseman and arguably the Blue Jackets' top prospect; he's agile and intelligent, really nailing the prototypical mobile defenseman model that is so crucial in today's game.

It wouldn't be surprising to see him push for a roster spot on the Blue Jackets as soon as next season, as there isn't much left for him to prove in college hockey beyond consistency and ensuring that he's maintaining the skill level we know he is capable of when he's put under pressure.

Once again taking the route of looking at someone who won't be arriving in the NHL just yet, Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt is next up on our list. He's a real sniper of an offensive forward, selected in the third round in 2025; his skill set in a vacuum would likely rank him higher, but Schmidt is 5'7" and 154 pounds, so he has a bit to go to prove he can utilize that skill set effectively at the higher, more difficult levels of hockey.

Schmidt was acquired by the Victoria Royals of the WHL in May after spending last season with the Vancouver Giants and the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he had 100 regular-season points across 72 games.

He's a very quick player, skilled at finding his spot when scoring; it won't surprise you that, given his size and goal-scoring ability, he's been compared to former Stars player Logan Stankoven and Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield. Schmidt has a ways to go before he's on either of their level, but those players and their path are a good route for him to aspire to.

Forward Carter Bear is fun as all get-out offensively and brings a motor that doesn't quit; with the Detroit Red Wings in a bit of disarray of late, fans might enjoy turning their attention to the Grand Rapids Griffins to watch him and other highly skilled prospects for a while as that situation sorts itself out.

Bear came into camp this season with a noticeable difference in both maturity and skill refinement, answering any questions that leadership might've had about whether he could transfer his abilities to the next level. He's added both strength and confidence, aspects of the game necessary for a player with Bear's skill set and style to succeed in the NHL.

He really digs in when he goes after the puck, and had quite a few people saying he could push for a roster spot this season, but unfortunately he recently suffered an upper-body injury that will have him out anywhere from a week to 10 days, which wipes out his chances of appearing in any further preseason efforts. Still, he'll likely make some NHL appearances as an injury call-up, and if he gets his claws into a roster spot, don't be surprised if he manages to keep it.

Quinn Hutson is the Hutson brother who is not a defenseman. Glad we could clear that bit up straight away.

The Edmonton Oilers' prospect pool is somewhat abysmal these days, and its best player, Ike Howard, is all but certain to no longer be a prospect this season and should instead make the jump to the NHL. We're looking instead at Hutson, the older brother of Lane and Cole, whose time is now to seize the opportunity in front of him. Hutson signed with the Oilers out of Boston University in April 2025, and spent last season with the Bakersfield Condors, netting 63 points in 67 games. He also made four NHL appearances. Hutson scored a goal in his recent preseason appearance against the Canucks, always a good sign, but he's not quite ready to make the jump out of camp.

While he's a really solid two-way player, Hutson's offensive production last season came largely on the power play, and the Oilers have a tough depth chart to break into. He really needs to showcase a leap in even-strength production this season to weasel his way into the lineup, because he's not going to get the power-play chances in the NHL that he did in the AHL.

The Panthers are another team with a dire-seeming prospect pool; it's the trade-off that teams tend to make when pushing to contend for an extended window. Forward Ryder Cali, however, was a really smart value pick by the Panthers at this year's draft. He showed clear NHL upside throughout last season on an underwhelming team, and while he has a bit of a longer runway to reach the NHL, that's perfect for the Panthers, who don't have a spot for him in the immediate future.

Cali, who is spending this season at Providence College, should be an effective player in Florida's system with the right development. He brings size, physicality, and a lot of goal-scoring—basically the recipe for a Panthers player. He's also a strong skater and has a really solid details game. Cali's path to the NHL has been an untraditional one, moving to the Cayman Islands at age three and starting out in roller hockey, so the move from the OHL to the NCAA is just another stop along that path.

Defenseman Henry Brzustewicz is a product of the prospect factory that is the OHL's London Knights, and it appears that this season he'll be able to take advantage of the CBA's new rule that allows one 19-year-old player to make the jump to the AHL. Given that the Knights' system tends to insulate players from struggling too much, Brzustewicz's overall development should benefit from playing a full AHL season this year instead of running roughshod over the OHL.

He plays a quieter style but can run the power play and move the puck effectively. He's one of those coveted right-handed defensemen, excellent at supporting his defensive partner, pushing opponents to the outside, and retrieving pucks. He's showing signs of adding physicality and brief flashes of playmaking; it will be interesting to see whether his time in the AHL allows him to develop those aspects more consistently this year.

Right-handed guys are hard to come by and coveted, so between that and his puck-moving abilities alone, he'll get a shot at the NHL level, but there's definitely more to mine than just those aspects.

Center Adam Benák was a fourth-round selection in 2025 and has shown significant growth since he was drafted. That is, growth in the development of his game—not in his stature. Benak stands 5'8". He moved to the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs last season from the USHL and had 77 points in 48 games, so it's safe to say that particular transition went well. This year, he's tackling another one and moving to the NCAA to play for Western Michigan University.

Benak recently appeared in the U20 Five Nations tournament and led all players with 10 points; we'll see if his transition to college hockey continues this trend of offensive production. His passing abilities are precise, underpinning his effective playmaking, and he's sound on the defensive side of the puck as well. After doing a bit of cupboard-clearing last season to acquire high-end NHL players like Quinn Hughes, it has to be a relief for the Minnesota Wild to see some of their later-round picks on such a strong path.

Montreal Canadiens' center prospect Michael Hage surprised everyone by deciding to return to the University of Michigan for one more season rather than signing with the Habs immediately. Many fans were already mentally penciling him into the Habs' roster for this season when he made the call, and they weren't far off; Hage likely could've made the leap to the NHL this year. He's an absolutely fantastic player with excellent offensive instincts.

More seasoning, however, is never a bad thing, and Hage clearly has development goals he wants to accomplish to ensure he is truly ready when he joins the Habs full-time. The Chicago Steel product had 52 points in 39 games last season, and it won't be surprising to see his production jump further this season. He's planning to work on his leadership skills and refine his penalty-kill play, an area where he's expected to be a help when he reaches the NHL, among other aspects of his game. It's likely we'll see him join the Habs at the end of his college hockey season this year, but nothing is set in stone yet.

It's difficult to say enough good things about forward Wyatt Cullen or the Nashville Predators' decision to draft him 10th overall this year. Cullen grew significantly over the last season, both developmentally and in stature, and his dramatic rise in the draft rankings over the course of the year was well-deserved.

He's an incredibly skilled offensive player, bringing high-end playmaking and intelligence that will serve him well at the pro level. Cullen is an agile skater, dynamic as all get-out, and drives opponents crazy–especially opposing defensemen, who he's able to stymie with ease. He's playing for the University of Minnesota this season, and if his transition to college hockey goes smoothly, he should push for a spot on this year's World Juniors team, if not nab it outright. Nashville really did their big one with this pick.

While I don't see Cullen as a one-and-done in college, as there are still elements of his game to be refined, he's one of those players who could really surprise in this regard and make leaps big enough to justify taking a chance on him in pro hockey next season.

In addition to having one of the cooler names in this year's draft, the New Jersey Devils' first-round pick Alexander Command (12th overall in June) also brings one of the most impressive motors of the year.

A lot of Command's strengths don't show up on the score sheet; he brings poise and maturity on the defensive side of the puck and never gives up on a hit or a play. There's such a nice level of physicality to his game that he uses effectively rather than just for the sake of being physical, and he pairs it with a level of passing and playmaking that we really hope to see more of this season.

Command spent last season with Örebro HK's U20 squad, but this year he is a member of their SHL roster. That poise and maturity will go a long way toward helping him translate his game from playing against peers at the U20 level to playing against men at the professional level, a great precursor to what he'll face when he eventually transitions to North American pro hockey.

You'll hear a lot about left-handed defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson's gritty, dogged style—and as you should, it's excellent and really effective—but that's not all he brings to the table.

While Aitcheson is great at pushing opponents off the puck, he's also very interested in getting involved offensively in the opportunities created when he does use that physicality to separate opponents from the puck.

He is definitely doing his best to showcase why the Islanders should consider adding him to their NHL roster this year, but he's up against a really stacked pipeline on that left side. For this reason, it's likely we'll see him start out the year with the Islanders' new AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Hammers (what a name, and an especially fitting one for a player like Aitcheson).

It'll be good for him to season at the AHL level, especially to further develop his mobility so he can more effectively put his desire to be involved on offense into action. He's going to show up in the NHL sooner rather than later, whether it's this season or next.

Defenseman Alberts Šmits has spent the preseason doing everything in his power to ensure he makes the opening-night roster for the New York Rangers. Still 18 years old, Smits followed up an impressive draft season that included his Olympic debut (after an impressive World Juniors) with a training camp that blew away the Rangers' brass, to the point that they probably will not send him back to Jukerit in the Finnish Liiga.

We're including him here because he's not a lock yet, but it really does look like he's cracked that opening-night lineup at the very least. So what should you know about Smits?

He's extremely mobile, especially for his size (he's 6'3" and 209 pounds), and a fantastic skater, and he pairs that mobility with a dogged tenacity and physicality that opponents will soon learn to look out for. He's also got a great shot and can be trusted to carry a significant minutes load. We're really looking forward to seeing what this season holds for him; we imagine the Rangers are, too.

Defenseman Logan Hensler has looked like a question mark since he was drafted, due in no small part to seeming like a different player in the NCAA than he was at the USNTDP. His decision-making has at times felt questionable, and we haven't seen the kind of offensive production we'd prefer from him.

That being said, there has been growth: though he was limited to 23 games last season versus 32 the year before, he matched his prior-season point total of 12, showing a clear scoring-rate increase that was part of the growth we were hoping for.

Hensler had a tough year. He was limited by three awful injuries on the same leg: a torn ACL, a ruptured ligament in his ankle, and a high ankle sprain. Rehabbing any of those alone is difficult as a hockey player, but rehabbing all three is an enormous challenge.

He had surgery in March, and we're hoping to see him get back to game speed this season as he rejoins the University of Wisconsin. A full, consistent, injury-free season will go a long way toward showing us the kind of player he's capable of being moving forward.

Shutdown defenseman Oliver Bonk is another product of the London Knights of the OHL. A right-shot defender drafted in 2023, Bonk spent last season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL and made one NHL regular-season appearance and one NHL playoff appearance. He was recently sent back to rejoin the Phantoms in the Flyers' latest round of cuts and is a player you should expect to see called up in the event of an injury.

Bonk is unsurprisingly impressed with his two-way play in preseason, showcasing his dependability in all situations—the power play, the penalty kill, and even-strength—and that utility bodes well for his NHL future. He consistently joins the rush and is an intelligent player who makes very intentional decisions when it comes to finding the next right spot. He'll be a solid addition to the Flyers' NHL roster if he makes it.

Something we're looking at this season is whether he has a jump in production; Bonk is not a flashy, high-scoring defender, but he does bring offensive ability and vision that allow him to be a support scorer. He had 19 points in 46 games last year; we expect to see that grow.

No one wonders how to replace Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, because they are irreplaceable. You don't find a replacement; you just mitigate the loss. Penguins fans have wondered how to replace Bryan Rust if he gets traded for futures at some point, though, and it finally appears that a solution is on the horizon. Might we interest you in one, Will Horcoff?

Horcoff is returning to the University of Michigan this season, as his game still needs refining, but it's not out of the question that he could step into that Rust role when his college hockey days are behind him. He's so solid and trustworthy defensively, great at reading the ice and strong on the backcheck, but he's also much more than that. He brings so much promise as a playmaker, with strong passing and high-end hockey sense.

Horcoff had shoulder surgery at the end of last season to repair a gnarly injury that he suffered before Christmas; go back and look at the rest of his year with that in mind. He still finished with 39 points in 40 games, including 25 goals, playing injured. It's going to be fun to see what he can do this season with a repaired shoulder and more experience under his belt.

It's kind of crazy that the San Jose Sharks managed to snag Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin in the same draft as they selected Ivar Stenberg. It's been a few months, and that still boggles the mind.

Lin, in particular, was a really smart pick; the defender is polished and poised in all three zones of the ice, with great detail and vision in his game. He also brings high-end mobility and stick work; Lin loves pushing his opponents to the perimeter whenever possible and taking advantage of the mistakes and opportunities that it causes.

He spent last season as captain of the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. This season, he's joining the University of Denver to play under David Carle, which will be excellent for his long-term development and for Denver's ability to achieve the back-to-back titles they desire. We'd love to see him use his time in college hockey to uncover an extra gear in his skating, really boost that separating factor, and allow him to better utilize his skill set against tougher opponents.

Breaking the fourth wall for a moment: defenseman Chase Reid was my personal favorite player in the 2026 NHL Draft.

This is not to say that he's better than Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, but he could've easily gone first overall in a different year. Reid spent the last two seasons with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and this season is making the move to Michigan State University; we're also extremely likely to see him at another World Juniors.

Reid brings something to the Seattle Kraken prospect pool that they haven't necessarily had before: a defenseman who is a true gamebreaker, able to impose his will on the flow of play from the moment that he steps onto the ice.

We saw that at last year's World Juniors when he stepped in for Cole Hutson after his injury, and we also saw it consistently throughout his regular-season play. He's an extremely skilled mobile defender who is able to manipulate, evade, and outright frustrate opponents with ease; he's going to bring huge value to the Kraken sooner rather than later.

Center Tynan Lawrence was possibly built in a lab to be a St. Louis Blues player. He's an explosive skater who can attack at top speed and is great in transition, able to force turnovers as easily as he wins battles along the wall.

While we only saw him in 18 college hockey games last season as he made the leap from the USHL to the NCAA mid-year, he's back at Boston University this fall, and barring disaster, we should see him play a full season with the Terriers. Many were not impressed with his 7 points in those 18 games last year, but he was one of the youngest players in college hockey (he just turned 18 in August of this year), and transitioning to a higher level of play midseason is difficult in general.

It'll be good to see him play across a full season this year, and we're very likely to see a significant jump in that offensive production. Consistency should be his biggest focus this year, because we know the skill itself is there.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Benjamin Rautiainen

Drafted as an overage pick in 2025, winger Benjamin Rautiainen spent the last two seasons playing for Tappara in the Finnish Liiga. He also got one game in with Tappara before joining the Tampa Bay Lightning's training camp.

Something that helped him get noticed in his draft+2 season and finally get selected was a strong showing at the World Juniors. While that would not have been the deciding factor, it shows the value of these tournaments for watching players against their peers and identifying value left on the table.

Despite his push for a roster spot this season, it looks like Rautiainen will return to Tappara after training camp (though he could surprise us). This is a good thing; in Finland, he can take on a top role and carry heavy minutes, as opposed to the 13th-forward or other bottom-six role he'd be playing over here.

This is especially true since his role with Tappara is very similar to the Lightning's system, with aggressive puck retrieval and extended offensive possession; he'll be better prepared to join the NHL roster full-time, with more playing time and responsibility in that role.

We aren't even going to count Gavin McKenna as a prospect; he's going to jump right into the mix in Toronto, and that's that. Instead, we're going to look at defenseman Ben Danford, who was drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2024 and has been on an impressive development path since.

Some people have claimed that Danford could crack the Leafs roster this fall, and it's not entirely out of the question, but the Leafs' blue line is deep in numbers. The question isn't just whether Danford can push through that logjam, but whether he can keep the spot when he does get it.

Danford spent last season with the Marlies of the AHL and was part of their Calder Cup run, an experience that is extremely valuable when building toward a pro career. But more experienced guys like Emil Andrae and Troy Stecher are ahead of him, so we'll see.

Danford is an excellent processor, able to read the game at a higher level than many others, and a great puck mover who pairs that with a really nice physical game. Regardless of when he joins the Leafs, he'll bring value and steadiness to that blue line.

In a draft year without significant injury, left winger Ethan Belchetz could've easily gone top five based on skill level alone. Unfortunately, his draft viewings were hampered by injury, including a broken collarbone that wiped out the end of his draft season (whatever the opposite of recency bias is probably held him back a little here). Belchetz in a vacuum is an excellent playmaker and passer, extremely intelligent, and pairs that with a power-forward style that teams love, especially in players of his size (he's 6'5").

Belchetz spent last season with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, and despite a broken clavicle that cut his season short, he was still a better-than-average point-per-game player, posting 59 points in 57 games, including 34 goals.

This season, he heads to Michigan State after an impressive outing at the World Junior Summer Showcase; he's likely to appear at the tournament this winter as well, barring disaster. We'll be watching his transition to college hockey closely, but he's the perfect type of player to utilize college hockey to round out the rough edges in his game. It should be a good showing.

Center Caleb Malhotra did not get drafted by the Vancouver Canucks because they hired his dad as their new head coach, but it did make for a really nice feel-good story. Malhotra was drafted because he was the best center available this year, and he's going to be an excellent part of the future of the rebuilding Canucks. First up, though: joining the Boston University Terriers for a season of college hockey.

There's so much opportunity for Malhotra in the NCAA; he brings a great two-way mentality to the ice, is trustworthy in every zone, and pairs that with the ability to drive his team's offense with a motor that never stops. College hockey is a great place to further add strength and physicality while developing his leadership skills and ability to dominate the flow of play every time he steps onto the ice.

It's the first step toward refining him into the future leader the Canucks know he's capable of becoming. Malhotra is another player you should expect to see on the World Juniors roster, barring a complete flop (which isn't going to happen, given what we know about his play).

Finnish defenseman Juho Piiparinen just signed with the prospect factory that is the OHL's London Knights—fitting name synergy here—and since the chances are very slim that he breaks into the Golden Knights' roster out of camp, that's very likely where we're going to see the 2026 draft pick play this season, despite him starting the year with one game for his Finnish team, Tappara.

The jury is out on whether the Knights are the best place for his overall development, but it's going to be good for the Golden Knights to have Piiparinen already playing in North America. I don't want to slander the Knights; they're a very talented organization and have the NHL output that they do for good reason. But their systems often insulate players rather than exposing them to hardships that can file down rough edges, postponing the struggles those rough edges create until their transition to pro hockey. Some struggle is a good thing.

Piiparinen pairs size—he's 6'3" and 203 pounds — and effective physicality with really nicely mobile skating and puck-moving abilities, so he'll fit right in in London regardless of any of the rest of it.

Forward Andrew Cristall has been turning heads with his scoring since his draft year in 2023, but while the Washington Capitals' second-round pick got off to a great start in this year's preseason, he might've metaphorically shot himself in the foot in his latest appearance against the Flyers.

Cristall, touted by many as someone with a shot at an NHL roster spot this year, got ejected in the second period for cross-checking a Flyers player in the face and was fined to boot. It's funny, in a sense, because Cristall is far from a goon, but he took the wrong steps in trying to stand up for a teammate.

Too often, when stakes are high, we see players resort to physicality or fights to stand out; though that grit and intensity have always been a part of his game, Cristall doesn't need it. He's an intelligent player and extremely skilled passer, with a high-end ability to complement other extremely skilled teammates. We saw it when he played in the WHL, with his point totals rising from 69 to 95 to 111, culminating in an eye-popping 132 points in 57 games in his final WHL season.

He spent last year with the Hershey Bears, and his offense translated nicely in that first AHL season, with 60 points in 72 games. Expect to see that total rise this year if he stays in Hershey, and don't be surprised to see him as an injury call-up at some point; also don't be surprised if he forces the Capitals' hands and keeps that spot once he does snag it.

Third NCAA season's the charm? Winnipeg Jets defensive prospect Sascha Boumedienne spent the last two seasons at Boston University but wasn't seeing the growth or opportunity he wanted, so after the Terriers' season ended this spring, he transferred to Ohio State University. He looked really good at the end of last season, bringing a really detail-oriented approach and speed, and he showcased a playmaking mentality that we're hoping to see develop further across the full season this year.

Boumedienne reads the flow of play really effectively and reacts quickly; while his production itself hasn't been there so far, the potential for it and the necessary skills that underpin it are, especially with those flashes of playmaking, so perhaps a change of environment to Ohio State will allow him to develop that further.

This season is really about whether Boumedienne can consistently realize that potential in his game; we know he can shut guys down, but there's so much more for him to mine in his skill set.