This is the first of our annual two-part series detailing the top prospects in the NHL entering the 2026-27 season.

A couple of quick notes before we get started.

• Unlike last year, I had difficulty coming up with 100 names to place on the list. I felt there were roughly 90 that were locks. After that, it was a little dicey.

There were several players taken in this past June's draft that I wanted to rank higher, but ultimately stayed true to my pre-draft rankings since there hasn't been any meaningful hockey played since then. Expect several of them to move up the list during our midseason update.

Top NHL Prospects 2026-27 Rankings and Scouting Reports

51- Carter Bear (LW, DET): Bear was once again of the best offensive players in the WHL last season, racking up 36 goals and 77 points in 53 games for an Everett team which won the league Championship before falling to Kitchener in the Memorial Cup final. Bear has excellent hands and quick feet. He's more shifty than fast, but he's dynamite in open space and works his tail off in all three zones. Bear's floor is that of an offensive top nine forward, but he could easily be much more than that due to the versatile nature of his game and his ability to create scoring chances in a variety of ways. Bear could be ready for full-time NHL duty after just one season with AHL Grand Rapids. 

52- Nikita Klepov (RW, ANA): Klepov was selected with a draft pick acquired from St. Louis in the Mason McTavish deal and the trade didn't go down until the Blues were on the clock because the Ducks wouldn't have been interested in making the move had he already been picked. Born in Florida, Klepov arrived in the OHL last season and led the league in scoring with 97 points in 67 games despite playing the entire year as a 17-year-old. As you may have guessed based on those numbers, Klepov is a very talented player. He's deadly with the man advantage and projects as more of a playmaker than a finisher. Klepov's compete level is fine, although his game lacks physicality. Ultimately, you're betting on the individual offensive abilities of a player with legitimate future top six upside. Klepov was committed to Michigan State University, and the team went as far as to include his name on their projected roster. The very next day he signed his entry-level deal with Anaheim, meaning he's either going to spend this coming year in the NHL or head back to Saginaw. Klepov is too young to play in the AHL. 

53- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (RW, DET): Brandsegg-Nygard moved to North America last season and played in the AHL as a 20-year-old. The offensive numbers were quite strong (20 goals, 44 points in 60 games) considering he never put up big point totals the prior three seasons in Sweden. Brandsegg-Nygard got into 14 games with Detroit, managing a single assist in a limited role. The strong AHL production aside, Brandsegg-Nygard best projects as a support player instead of a play driver. His game lacks dynamic qualities, but he can really shoot the puck and he plays hard. I'd be shocked if he doesn't play in the NHL for a decade-plus. Two-plus years after being selected No. 15 overall by Detroit in 2024, Brandsegg-Nygard's scouting report remains virtually identical to his pre-draft projection. 

54- Anton Silayev (D, NJD): Silayev finished up his KHL commitment a season ago and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the lack of point production. I understand he's not Cale Makar, but a goal and five points in 71 combined regular season/playoff games is concerning. Silayev is 6-foot-7 and very mobile for such a big kid. His defensive positioning is strong and he plays hard. He has multiple paths to real NHL value and should be just about ready after three full KHL seasons, but the offensive side of his game simply hasn't developed as much as I had hoped, and I see no reason to think it will on the smaller ice surfaces of North America. While Silayev remains an excellent prospect, I just don't see the same ceiling as a few years ago. Signed to his entry-level deal, Silayev should begin the upcoming season in the AHL.

55- Radim Mrtka (D, BUF): Mrtka had quite the eventful season. He began the year with AHL Rochester just months after being drafted No. 9 overall before quickly being shipped back to WHL, where he picked up 34 points in 43 games for Seattle. He also won a Silver Medal with Czechia at the World Juniors, although he was scoreless in five games at the tournament. Mrtka was also heavily rumored to be involved in the Colton Parayko to Buffalo trade in early March that fell apart at the last minute when Parayko wouldn't waive his no-move clause to make the deal happen. I think Mrtka can develop into a solid middle-pairing defender. He's 6-foot-6 and can really skate. He's still a bit more passive than I would like, but the size/speed combo is legit, and he has at least average offensive abilities. Mrtka may have a bit longer learning curve than your typical top ten pick, but I think the Sabres caught a break when Parayko nixed the deal.

56- Harrison Brunicke (D, PIT): I've been on Brunicke for a while, ranking him as a first-rounder in his 2024 draft year in which Pittsburgh selected him No. 44 overall. He began last season with the Pens before being shipped back to the WHL after nine games. He finished the year with their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In between, I thought he was underwhelming at the World Juniors. Brunicke is big (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and mobile. He's at his best offensively when he keeps things simple. Brunicke has made real strides in recent years. Now it's just a matter of putting it all together. 

57- Mathis Preston (RW, ANA): Another guy that has been on the prospect map for a while after being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 WHL Draft, Preston's draft season was underwhelming from a scoring standpoint. He split his year between Spokane and Vancouver, managing just 18 goals and 44 points in 46 games, suffering an injury following the trade. Don't let the mediocre numbers deceive you, Preston is a top six offensive talent. He's a plus skater all day long and an excellent puck handler. He's also awesome with the man advantage. The biggest concern at this point is that at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Preston is often forced to the outside and doesn't always go to the dirty areas of the ice to make a play. When you compare his overall talent level to his inconsistent season, Preston was a buy-low candidate all day long. I was borderline shocked he was available midway through Round 2 and thought the Ducks got a steal at No. 50 overall. 

58- Ilia Morozov (C, BUF): Morozov makes for a tricky evaluation because a large portion of his appeal is the fact that he took a regular shift for Miami this past season at age 17 -- as the youngest player in college hockey -- and did quite well. The main reason Morozov -- who finished with eight goals and 20 points in 36 games -- was able to contribute immediately is that he's already 6-foot-3 and north of 200 pounds. Morozov understands how to use his size to his advantage, and that's a rare thing for such a young player. His individual skill level is fine, but I wouldn't say he's a dynamic offensive player by any means. The history of kids like this who have a full season of solid NCAA production prior to being drafted is mixed. Some continue to develop and turn into useful NHL players, and others end up being over-drafted because they simply matured earlier than their counterparts from a physical standpoint. I don't see any way Morozov plays more than one more season of collegiate hockey.

59- Ryker Lee (RW, NSH): I've been slow to come around on Lee, but he has a truly dynamic offensive skill set and the more I watch him the more I think he can make it work at the NHL level. He had 15 goals and 30 points in 35 games as a freshman at Michigan State. He also had some good moments for Team USA at the World Juniors in a limited role. Lee is still lanky and quite easy to knock off the puck despite filling out considerably in recent years. He also lacks separational speed. You're betting on Lee's pure ability and creativity here. I could see it not working out and Lee becoming nothing more than a quality AHL'er, but the upside is huge if it hits.

60- Trey Augustine (G, DET): Augustine developed into one of the top goaltending prospects in the league over the course of three years at Michigan State. In 99 career NCAA games, Augustine went 66-25-7 with a 2.40 GAA, .922 save percentage, and nine shutouts. He's also won two Gold Medals with Team USA at the World Juniors. The definition of calm and composed in the net, Augustine keeps his movements to a minimum, relying on superb positioning and awareness. He signed his entry-level deal with the Red Wings in late March and closed the season by getting into two games with AHL Grand Rapids. Detroit's decision to trade Sebastian Cossa -- a former first rounder -- to Utah at the draft appeared to be at least partly motivated by their desire to make Augustine the unquestioned AHL starter this coming season. I think he's the club's goaltender of the future. 

61- Cameron Reid (D, NSH): Reid won an OHL Championship with Kitchener last season, playing a ridiculous number of minutes in all situations while averaging upwards of a point-per-game (15 goals, 56 points in 57 games). I think those numbers oversell his future offensive potential, but he's capable with the puck even if he doesn't project as a power-play guy at the NHL level. Reid has more than enough foot speed and his decision-making is typically strong, but as a 6-foot defenseman without elite skill, it's fair to question his ceiling. I see a steady, puck-moving two-way guy. Reid is bolting Kitchener for the University of Michigan this fall.

62- Cole Eiserman (LW, NYI): Eiserman's season was a mixed bag from a production standpoint. He was considerably less effective from a goal-scoring standpoint in his second collegiate campaign (18 goals, 28 points in 32 games) than his first (25 goals, 36 points in 39 games). He also had a mediocre showing at the World Juniors, managing just three points in five games. That said, Eiserman closed his season with nine points in a dozen games with AHL Bridgeport. I still have reservations about how effective Eiserman is going to be if he isn't scoring goals. The shot is elite, he's dynamite with the man advantage, and I'd go as far to say Eiserman's playmaking is underrated, but we're not talking about the second coming of Cole Caufield here. This one could go either way. Eiserman is one of the most fascinating prospects in the entire league. 

63- Stian Solberg (D, ANA): Solberg spent the entirety of his first professional campaign in North America in the AHL, posting 12 goals, 24 points, 102 penalty minutes, and a minus-16 rating in 71 games. It was an encouraging performance from an offensive standpoint. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Solberg plays a hard, heavy game. It's easy to envision the Norwegian logging difficult defensive minutes at the NHL level. His ceiling is going to be determined by his play with the puck. Solberg can really shoot it, so double-digit goals and 25-30 points could be well within reach at some point down the line. That, combined with his shutdown and penalty-killing value, would make Solberg a legitimate second-pairing rearguard.

64- Vaclav Nestrasil (RW, CHI): Nestrasil debuted at UMass-Amherst last season after a strong year with USHL Muskegon and was a key cog from the get-go for the Minutemen, tallying 13 goals and 31 points in 34 games. He added eight points in seven games for Czechia at the World Juniors. Nestrasil has improved each of the past two years immensely, handling each new challenge put in front of him without issue. His work ethic has always been strong; he has more skill than he gets credit for, and at 6-foot-6, Nestrasil offers elite size. It's a do-it-all, middle-six profile, although given how far Nestrasil has come since playing in the U17 Czech league as recently as the 2023-24 campaign, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he outperforms that projection.

65- Tommy Bleyl (D, NSH): Born in upstate New York, Bleyl joined QMJHL Moncton this past season and immediately became, for my money, the most dynamic defender in the league. He led all "Q" rearguards in points (81 in 63 games) and all QMJHL players in assists (68). Oh, he also finished tied for third in the league with a plus-58 rating. Bleyl is ridiculously mobile. He has both the straight-line speed and side-to-side dexterity to control a game with his feet. As the scoring numbers would lead you to believe, he also has the vision to quarterback a power play. I understand it's hard to have a ton of faith in a sub-six-foot, 165-pound defenseman, but I trust Bleyl will be able to defend because of his skating and brain. I've also heard the talk that Bleyl's huge year was the result of playing for a loaded Wildcats team, and I'm not buying it. Bleyl is a Michigan State commit. 

66- Jack Hextall (C, CGY): The more I watch Hextall, the more I continue to think he's underappreciated. He recently finished his second season in the USHL, averaging just under a point per game (20 goals, 58 points in 59 games). It's not the type of gaudy scoring numbers you often associate with a potential first-rounder, but Hextall is seemingly always in the correct place, doing the little things to help his team win hockey games. That said, I do think he has more offense to his game than he has shown to date. He's a strong playmaker and is constantly winning battles all over the ice. Based on what Hextall has shown thus far, I think it's safe to say it's more floor than ceiling from an outlook standpoint, but I wouldn't be shocked if he displayed more dynamic qualities as he climbs the prospect ladder. Hextall would seem to be in a prime position to earn an immediate role upon heading to Michigan State this coming fall.

67- Quentin Musty (LW, SJ): Considering the depth in their system and his skill set, I thought Musty would be used as trade bait by now. As a player that needs to generate a ton of offense to be successful, Musty had a strong first AHL campaign, closing with 21 goals and 45 points in 61 games. An elite physical specimen, Musty is an excellent puck handler for a big kid (6-foot-2, 205 pounds). He's always been able to shoot the puck in addition to being a willing and effective playmaker. Musty lacks explosive speed, although I'm far less concerned about his compete level being an issue than I was at times in his junior days. If Musty is available at any sort of discount as the Sharks attempt to fill other holes on their roster, I'd be all over a potential move if I were one of the other 31 GMs in the NHL. 

68- Andrew Cristall (LW, WSH): Cristall fell to the No. 40 overall pick in 2023 because he's a 5-foot-10 winger with heavy feet for an undersized player. That said, he put up massive offensive numbers the entirety of his WHL career and was an immediate weapon in his first AHL campaign, finishing with 60 points in 72 games for Hershey. A creative-beyond-belief playmaker, Cristall thinks the game two or three steps ahead of most everyone else on the rink. The brain helps make up for a lack of speed and gives Cristall an edge in open space, particularly with the man advantage. We'll have to see if this skill set will translate to the NHL level, but the early signs at the AHL level have been encouraging.

69- Jackson Smith (D, CBJ): Smith joined up with Penn State last season, and the results were positive. He closed with 11 goals and 26 points in 35 games in his freshman campaign. His decision-making, which has been an issue at times in the past, was pretty good. Smith's size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) is intriguing, and although I don't project him to be a big scorer at the NHL level, he has enough individual talent to generate a decent amount of secondary offense. Toss in some speed and the No. 14 overall pick from 2025 projects as a solid prospect, although he's another guy who is probably more floor than ceiling when all is said and done. I just don't see that one elite skill to fall back upon in the event of trouble, and there's a non-zero chance Smith's hockey IQ won't hold up at the highest level. 

70- Liam Greentree (RW, NYR): Greentree's numbers were down a year ago in what was his final OHL season, but it's difficult to poke holes in 38 goals and 74 points in 52 games. His brief time at the World Juniors was more concerning. The Canadian coaching staff decided after literally a handful of shifts that Greentree wasn't a fit, which begs the question: why did they bring him in the first place? Greentree has size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), skill, and a heavy, accurate shot, but the pace of the game can be an issue for him at times. He's most effective in set pieces in the offensive zone or with the man advantage. I think he's talented enough to overcome questionable skating, but it's something worth keeping an eye on. Greentree was dealt to the Rangers in the Artemi Panarin trade in February and should open his first pro season with AHL Hartford.

71- Cullen Potter (C, CGY): Originally committed to Michigan State, Potter ended up at Arizona State where he spent the past two seasons. He was north of a point-per-game player in his sophomore year, tallying 12 goals and 26 points in 24 appearances. Potter is a difficult evaluation because his entire profile is driven by his all-world speed. The explosiveness allows Potter to both win races and draw penalties by cutting wide around opposing defenders. I would term the rest of his offensive skill set average, and I'm not sure the entire package is going to translate to the pros. Oddly enough, Potter will end up with the Spartans after all, as he gets set to transfer to East Lansing for his third NCAA campaign.

72- Lynden Lakovic (LW, WSH): Lakovic has not had things easy the past two seasons. In his draft year, he played for a WHL Moose Jaw team that allowed 119 more goals than they scored. Last season, a shoulder injury limited him to just 22 games (18 goals, 29 points). Lakovic is a big body (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) who skates well and can really shoot the puck. He uses his large frame to shield opposing defenders and is good on the cycle. I think there's a real chance Lakovic would be ranked considerably higher if he ended up in a better junior situation and didn't miss time each of the past two seasons due to injury. I'm fascinated to watch his transition to the AHL this fall.

73- Ethan Wyttenbach (LW, CGY): The Flames and their scouting staff deserve a massive amount of credit for stealing Wyttenbach with a fifth-round pick (No. 144 overall) in 2025. The Long Island native arrived at Quinnipiac last season and immediately became one of the most productive offensive players in the country, racking up 25 goals and 59 points in 40 games. Wyttenbach does a bunch of things well from a goal-scoring standpoint. He supports the rush effectively, finds open space with ease, and can really fire the puck. The speed is just so-so, and there's very little here in terms of defensive value, but Wyttenbach's ability to score at a high level in college hockey cannot be overlooked. I expect him to have another huge year for the Bobcats in addition to being a key cog of the Team USA attack at the World Juniors. 

74- Filip Bystedt (C, SJ): Bystedt took a substantial step forward production-wise in his second full season in North America, finishing with 22 goals and 60 points in 65 games while being named an AHL All-Star in the process. A no-doubt center with size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and length, Bystedt's calling card is his all-around effectiveness. He has developed into a solid penalty killer over the years, and while he isn't going to threaten the point-per-game mark at the NHL level, he could easily flirt with perhaps 15 goals and 40 points annually while serving in a variety of roles. In an organization with more young upside players than they know what to do with, Bystedt is a solid, floor-based alternative who appears just about ready for the highest level.

75- Bryce Pickford (D, MTL): Pickford is fresh off one of the best seasons any junior defenseman has recorded in recent memory. He had 45 goals, 83 points, and a plus-55 rating in 55 games for Medicine Hat. He was named WHL Defenseman of the Year, WHL Player of the Year, and CHL Defenseman of the Year for his efforts. Oh, Pickford went through the 2024 NHL draft unselected. He was finally nabbed by Montreal No. 81 overall in 2025. Pickford's calling card is his bomb of a shot. He has routinely displayed the ability to beat opposing goaltenders from distance. Pickford wants to make a difference both offensively and defensively and that has led to some lapses in judgment at times, but the puck skills are legit. His transition to the professional ranks this season will be a ton of fun to watch. There aren't many players in the NHL with this unique skill set. 

76- Bill Zonnon (LW, PIT): Zonnon's season got off to a late start due to a knee injury, but he was dominant in the QMJHL upon returning to the lineup, posting 46 points in 35 games. He also had a strong run in the AHL playoffs with seven points in 11 appearances. He's the type of player who plays fast and thinks the game well despite having just average speed. Zonnon battles in all three zones and has more than enough natural offensive instincts to get by. Although it was largely assumed when drafted that he would be a winger, there's a non-zero chance Zonnon might be able to play center as a pro, which would obviously boost his value. I like him. 

77- Will Zellers (LW, BOS): A top scorer in the USHL two years ago, Zellers moved on to the University of North Dakota last season and was an immediate impact player. He had 18 goals and 34 points in 36 games in addition to being named a top-three player for Team USA at the World Juniors despite seemingly being an afterthought entering camp. Zellers can play both wings and is excellent in open space. He has deceptively good hands, particularly in tight. Zellers is a solid all-around offensive hockey player who also earns high marks for his work ethic. There's a non-zero chance he could be ready for an entry-level deal after just one more collegiate season.

78- Adam Benak (C, MIN): I've stuck my neck out for Benak in the past, and thus far he's made me look quite good. I had him ranked as a first-rounder in his 2025 draft year despite the fact that he ended up being a fourth-round pick of the Wild. Benak joined a loaded OHL Brantford team last season and tallied 77 points in 48 games. I've said all along I think he's going to get pushed to the wing as a pro, and I stand by that. The skill and creativity here are off the charts. That said, it's exceedingly difficult to make it as a 5-foot-8 and roughly 170-pound forward unless your individual talent level is truly exceptional. Benak is off to Western Michigan University this fall, and by the end of the year I imagine he'll be universally viewed as a top 100 prospect, or the physical jump will be too much, and his stock will crater. This one could go either way.

79- Pyotr Andreyanov (G, CBJ): Columbus' decision to take Andreyanov at No. 20 overall was strange at the time and looks worse in hindsight considering he has since signed an extension in Russia through the 2029-30 campaign. I have zero problem with the player, and I obviously feel he's a top 100 prospect, but waiting for the better part of at least a half-dozen years to get a guy into your system is a bad look. Andreyanov's calling card is his athleticism. He explodes side-to-side, displaying elite movements and recovery ability. Time is on his side considering Andreyanov won't be 20 years old until next January, but he's yet to make his KHL debut, and Russia's current ban from IIHF events means we are yet to see him against other top players in his age bracket. 

80- Maddox Dagenais (C, STL): In the interest of fairness, I freely admit I've had a ton of difficulty regarding where to rank Dagenais. As the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, he's been on the map as a top prospect for a while. Dagenais averaged exactly a point per game (30 goals, 62 points in 62 games) for Quebec this past season. He has more natural offensive ability than those numbers would lead you to believe. Dagenais has a ton of pro traits. He's nearly 6-foot-4. He's extremely rangy and has a wicked wrist shot. I personally have no issues with his work ethic, but there are most certainly consistency issues to work through here. While he's a center now, Dagenais' long-term home may be on the wing, and that would obviously ding his stock a bit. 

81- Cole Beaudoin (C, NYR): Beaudoin was unstoppable in his final junior campaign, racking up 33 goals and 88 points in 54 games before leading the OHL in playoff scoring with another 29 points in just 15 appearances. By all accounts, Beaudoin is one of the strongest and fittest prospects in recent memory. He's in superb shape, and that allows him to wreak havoc on the forecheck and display a tireless work ethic for 60 minutes every single time he steps on the ice. It may be a stretch to project Beaudoin -- who was traded from Utah to the Rangers in the Vincent Trocheck deal -- in a top-six role, but he's an easy top-nine guy and two-way difference maker all day long, and he could be ready for full-time NHL duty at some point this coming season.

82- Marek Vanacker (LW, CHI): Vanacker was dominant in his final OHL campaign, leading the league in goals with 47 in 60 games. I don't think he's going to score anywhere near that clip as a pro, but I've become increasingly impressed with his versatility. Vanacker seems to have a constant impact on the game even when he isn't scoring, whether it's by laying a big hit or making a heads-up defensive play. As an average-sized forward with middling speed, Vanacker's profile is greatly enhanced by his ability to fill a variety of roles. I could see him settling in as an effective third liner with the ability to move up in the lineup should injuries strike.

83- Jack Ivankovic (G, NSH): Ivankovic is under 6-foot, and any way you slice it, there's a bias against those types of netminders at the NHL level. Never mind the fact that he just posted a 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage in 35 games as a freshman at the University of Michigan. As you would expect for a goalie his size to succeed, Ivankovic is extremely athletic. He's strong positionally and moves well enough to make a lot of highlight-reel saves. Ivankovic also has a very good track record with Canada on the international circuit. It's no coincidence he was drafted by a Nashville team that has leaned on Juuse Saros -- who is even smaller than Ivankovic -- as their starter for the past many years.

84- Leo Sahlin Wallenius (D, SJ): A calming, steady presence on the backend, Sahlin Wallenius had an effective season for Vaxjo in the SHL (13 points in 32 games) in addition to being predictably rock-solid for Sweden at the World Juniors. He doesn't project as a power-play type at the NHL level, but I've long maintained Sahlin Wallenius has more offensive ability than he gets credit for. He'll make legitimately creative plays at times, which, combined with above-average speed, makes him a real threat. Sahlin Wallenius closes on opposing forwards extremely effectively because of his acceleration. He's probably looking at a full season in the AHL to begin his North American career. 

85- David Reinbacher (D, MTL): Reinbacher returned to regular duty last season after a knee injury limited him to 23 AHL games two years ago. He spent most of the year back in the minors, managing five goals and 24 points in 57 games with Laval. He had an assist in a brief two-game trial run with Montreal. The No. 5 overall pick in 2023, Reinbacher is yet to seize a full-time NHL role, and I've had difficulty with his ranking. On one hand, you have a 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-shot rearguard that already has four years of pro experience under his belt at age 21. On the flip side, I've seen nothing to suggest Reinbacher projects as anything more than a steady, middle-pairing option. He's certainly more floor than ceiling. If you told me Reinbacher provided a decade-plus of steady NHL service, I wouldn't be surprised. 

86- Sebastian Cossa (G, UTA): The Red Wings never displayed any desire to give Cossa a real chance despite drafting him No. 15 overall in 2021. He played in one game for the team back in 2024-25, otherwise spending time with their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. Cossa was terrific at that level a season ago, going 26-8-4 with a 2.33 GAA and a .915 save percentage. He's 6-6 and nearly 230 pounds. Cossa has improved the consistency issues that plagued him earlier in his pro career. He's always moved well for a big man, although he's prone to struggles down low at times simply because he's so long. Cossa was traded to Utah at the draft for a first-round pick, and he projects to serve as the backup to Karel Vejmelka this coming season. I still think he has the potential to develop into a low-end NHL starter. 

87- Dmitry Gamzin (G, NYI): Gamzin took over the starting job for CSKA Moscow in the KHL last season and put up truly ridiculous numbers. He went 22-10-6 with a 1.49 GAA and .938 save percentage before posting a 1.90 GAA and .929 save percentage in ten postseason appearances. Gamzin is an excellent athlete with fluid movements and very little wasted motion. KHL statistics can be a little wonky at times, especially for goalies, but Gamzin looks for all the world like a future potential NHL starter. He recently signed a two-year extension with CSKA, meaning the earliest we are likely to see him in North America is the fall of 2028, at which point, at age 25, he should be ready for immediate NHL duty. 

88- Ivan Ryabkin (C, CAR): In terms of pure individual talent, Ryabkin was amongst the best players available in the 2025 draft. He ended up falling to the end of Round 2, at which point the Hurricanes, who draft more Russians than any team in the league, happily pounced. Ryabkin split his draft-plus-one season between AHL Charlotte, where he played well as one of the youngest players in the league (10 points in 31 games), and QMJHL Charlottetown, where he averaged north of two points per game (13 goals, 42 points in 20 games). Ryabkin has been dogged by attitude concerns throughout his career, and he still needs to trust and use his teammates more, but I think he's trending in the right direction regarding all those concerns. Carolina also deserves the benefit of the doubt on personnel decisions considering they have evolved into arguably the premier organization in the NHL.

89- Braeden Cootes (C, VAN): Cootes began last season in Vancouver, mere months after being selected with the No. 15 overall pick. It was a strange decision on multiple fronts, the most obvious being that there was no point in forcing the kid into what was the worst lineup in the league. Cootes lasted three games before being shipped back to the WHL, at which point he tallied 24 goals and 63 points in 45 games while splitting time between Seattle and Prince Albert. His play at both stops was fine, although I wouldn't say it was an overly encouraging draft-plus-one performance.  I'm still on the fence as to how much natural offensive ability Cootes truly possesses. He plays hard and tends to make the most of his looks because of that, but I see more of a versatile two-way weapon than a play-driving top-six center.

90- Felix Unger Sorum (RW, CAR): Unger Sorum continues to be one of the most underrated prospects in the league. He was brilliant in his second AHL season as a 20-year-old, racking up 17 goals and 66 points in 72 games. The shortcomings he displayed in his first North American campaign were largely rectified in his second go-round. Unger Sorum has a sneaky amount of skill, and his awareness is stellar. He's the type of player that may not stand out during a game, and then you look up, and he has a couple of points. He can play both wings and works hard enough to overcome his mediocre size (5-foot-11, 175 pounds). He's another player seemingly ready for full-time NHL duty who is going to open the season back in the minors because the Hurricanes lineup is so loaded.

91- Max Plante (C, DET): It's clear at this point that I've been too low on Plante going back to his 2024 draft year in which Detroit selected him No. 47 overall. The Minnesota native won the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in college hockey last season, finishing with 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games in his sophomore season at Minnesota-Duluth. I still think there's some risk in the profile because while he's undoubtedly a universally well-liked player amongst scouts, a good chunk of his effectiveness is the result of smarts and work ethic as opposed to pure skill. He projects as a support piece at the NHL level, but an effective one. The Red Wings attempted to sign Plante to an entry-level deal this past summer, but he turned them down because he wants to play one collegiate season with his younger brother Victor, who was also the No. 47 overall pick by Detroit this past June. There's zero chance Max returns to campus for his senior year. 

92- Niklas Aaram-Olsen (LW, VAN): Norway isn't typically known for producing talented offensive players, but Aaram-Olsen is an exception to the rule. A versatile forward with the ability to play both wings, Aaram-Olsen had a standout performance (10 points in five games) in the Division 1A World Juniors, helping Norway advance to the main tournament this coming holiday season. He, along with Rangers prospect Mikkel Eriksen and Toronto prospect Tinus Luc Koblar, is expected to be the team's top scoring options. Aaram-Olsen's greatest asset is his shot. He dominated the Swedish Jr. league this past season (20 goals, 40 points in 29 games), earning a 16-game stint with Orebro's SHL club. Aaram-Olsen has work to do from a physicality and defensive standpoint, but he's awesome on the power-play and without question had one of the highest ceilings of all players drafted outside of Round 1 (No. 41 overall) in this past June's draft. 

93- Jack Nesbitt (C, PHI): Nesbitt failed to take a meaningful step forward in his final OHL campaign, although he averaged north of a point-per-game (23 goals, 58 points in 55 games) before scoring seven times in 13 playoff appearances. I've long been intrigued by the size (6-foot-5, 185 pounds) and skill combination here. Nesbitt has consistently displayed an ability to get where he needs to go on the ice despite not being a very strong skater. I wouldn't call him a physical menace, but he's willing to go to the difficult areas of the ice to make a play, and he's responsible defensively, lending hope he could develop into a top-six, two-way center. In many ways, Nesbitt is still learning how to use his large frame to his advantage consistently, and his upcoming move to the University of Michigan should be great for his development. 

94- Will Horcoff (C, PIT): I was on the fence regarding Horcoff cracking the top 100, but I ultimately think he has enough going for him to merit inclusion. The production was there a season ago, as he racked up 25 goals and 39 points in 40 games during his sophomore season at the University of Michigan. Horcoff will never be confused for a burner, but at 6-foot-5 and north of 200 pounds, he doesn't need to be. He has soft hands -- particularly down low -- and has developed into a strong net-front presence on the power play. Horcoff might be a long-term winger, which would impact his value, but I see a path to reliable NHL minutes regardless of role.

95- Adam Goljer (D, LAK): I had Goljer ranked as a fringe first-rounder late in the year before his brilliant showing at the World U18s put him over the top. He served as captain for Slovakia in the tournament, logging a ton of minutes in all situations en route to being named Best Defenseman. He also played a limited role at the World Juniors. Goljer spent the season playing in the top Slovakian league as a 17-year-old, posting 11 points in 43 games. He is a throwback in many ways. Goljer has size (6-foot-1, 195 pounds), creativity, and some toughness to his game. He's not dynamic, but I've always found Goljer's offensive game -- highlighted by a huge point shot -- to be underrated. Toss in the fact he's a right-handed shot and an early June birthday, and you have a rock-solid prospect on your hands. 

96- Yegor Shilov (C, COL): Shilov was born in Russia before coming over to North America two seasons ago, at which point he split time between a youth team on Long Island and the USHL. He made the jump to the QMJHL this past season and led all freshmen in scoring with 32 goals and 82 points in 63 games, being named QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year in the process. Shilov's calling card is his playmaking. He has excellent vision, which makes him an ideal weapon with the man advantage. Shilov's skating is about average, and I think his defensive awareness is underrated, although he doesn't always give an A+ effort on that side of the puck. I'm a fan. Shilov is looking at one more season with Victoriaville -- where I expect him to be one of the QMJHL's very best players -- before heading off to Penn State in the fall of 2027. 

97- Charlie Stramel (C, MIN): Stramel's complexities have been talked about at length. The No. 21 overall pick by the Wild in 2023, he looked like a borderline non-prospect during his two years at the University of Wisconsin before improving mightily in his final two seasons at Michigan State. Stramel had 19 goals, 44 points, and a plus-29 rating in 37 games during his senior year. He's a 6-foot-3, 220-pound no-doubt center. I have little confidence the offense is going to translate to any real extent as a professional, but I also have plenty of confidence Stramel will be able to do enough to carve out consistent bottom-six value. It's definitely floor over ceiling, especially from a fantasy perspective, but Stramel should be just about ready for a full-time NHL role given his maturity and the fact that virtually no high-end prospects play all four years in college these days. 

98- Lucas Pettersson (C, ANA): A high second-round pick of Anaheim in 2024 (No. 35 overall), Pettersson had a nice season in his final year in Sweden, posting 20 points in 41 games for Brynas while adding six points in six games at the World Juniors. I'm firmly in the group that believes Pettersson will be able to stick at center as opposed to moving to the wing. His offensive skill set isn't overwhelming, but he thinks the game well and has more than enough ability to bury the looks he does get. His defensive awareness is better than he gets credit for, and I could see Pettersson making it as a bottom-six penalty killer if the offense doesn't fully translate. He's probably looking at least one full season in the AHL. 

99- Sascha Boumedienne (D, WPG): This ranking worries me because Boumedienne displayed very little consistency over the course of two seasons at Boston University. That said, he almost always plays well for his native Sweden during international events. Boumedienne's retrievals are the calling card of his game. He hustles back, recovers pucks, and moves them up smartly and typically without issue. Boumedienne also has the speed to create chances off the rush, but his offensive instincts about when to jump into the play are lacking. I'm cautiously optimistic a move to Ohio State this season will help unlock the consistency that made Boumedienne a first-rounder back in 2025. 

100- Cayden Lindstrom (C, CBJ): Let me start off by saying nothing Lindstrom has shown over the past two years warrants a place on this list. He was limited to just four postseason games two seasons ago due to a back injury that required surgery. He moved on to Michigan State this past season and managed just three goals and ten points in 31 games. This was a guy who was the No. 4 overall pick in the draft in 2024. At his best, Lindstrom is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound physical specimen. He's super physical and an excellent skater. But he hasn't looked truly healthy in a long time, and I don't know if that player is coming back. Lindstrom is essentially a placeholder in this spot, which is the same thing I did with Jesper Wallstedt of the Wild a year ago. I said at the time that either Wallstedt would find his game, and we'd forget this ever happened, or he wouldn't be in consideration the next time the rankings were updated. In Wallstedt's case, it turned out to be the former. We'll see about Lindstrom. 

THE NEXT 50

101- Michael Hrabal (G, UTA)
102- Julius Miettinen (C, SEA)
103- Henry Brzustewicz (D, LA)
104- Tristan Luneau (D, ANA)
105- Mikhail Yegorov (G, NJ)
106- Ryan Roobroeck (LW, CHI)
107- Gleb Pugachyov (RW, MTL)
108- Simas Ignatavicius (RW, FLA)
109- Oliver Bonk (D, PHI)
110- Luca Cagnoni (D, SJ)
111- Ryan Ufko (D, NSH)
112- Eric Pohlkamp (D, SJ)
113- Felix Nilsson (C, NSH)
114- Kieron Walton (C, WPG)
115- Tanner Molendyk (D, NSH)
116- William Hakansson (D, CAR)
117- Seamus Casey (D, NJ)
118- Liam Ruck (RW, PIT)
119- Carter George (G, LA)
120- Egor Zavragin (G, PHI)
121- Tomas Chrenko (C, NYR)
122- Adam Nemec (LW, OTT)
123- Hampton Slukynsky (G, LA)
124- Jett Luchanko (C, PHI)
125- Tobias Trejbal (G, CGY)
126- Malcolm Spence (LW, NYR)
127- Lenni Hameenaho (RW, NJ)
128- Brooks Rogowski (C, VAN)
129- Blake Fiddler (D, SEA)
130- Maksim Sokolovskii (D, PHI)
131- Adam Valentini (C, UTA)
132- Cooper Simpson (LW, BOS)
133- Sergei Murashov (G, PIT)
134- Theo Lindstein (D, STL)
135- Axel Elofsson (D, COL)
136- Milton Gastrin (C, WSH)
137- Nikita Shcherbakov (D, NJ)
138- LJ Mooney (C, MTL)
139- Markus Ruck (C, PIT)
140- Vojtech Cihar (LW, LA)
141- Eddie Genborg (RW, DET)
142- Brodie Ziemer (RW, BUF)
143- Ryder Cali (C, FLA)
144- Cameron Schmidt (RW, DAL)
145- Maveric Lamoureux (D, UTA)
146- Emil Hemming (C, DAL)
147- Nathan Aspinall (LW, NYR)
148- Jakub Vanecek (D, DAL)
149- Casey Mutryn (RW, SEA)
150- Alfons Freij (D, WPG)

JUST MISSED

• Anton Wahlberg (C, ANA)
• Lavr Gashilov (C, NJ)
• Nathan Behm (RW, CHI)
• Semyon Frolov (G, CAR)
• Jaxon Cover (RW, OTT)