Luca Cagnoni – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: Victor Nuño – Dynasty Stock Watch – San Jose Sharks Edition

Victor Nuño — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:37:44 +0000

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 31: San Jose Sharks left wing Igor Chernyshov (92) skates with the puck during the NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and the San Jose Sharks on December 31, 2025 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Scott Dinn/Icon Sportswire)

McKeen's Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

San Jose Sharks Edition

Team Outlook

The Sharks are emerging from their rebuild earlier than expected. Drafting a generational talent like Macklin Celebrini, who is already regarded by many as one of the league’s top players and was a standout for Canada at the Milan Olympics, has accelerated San Jose’s timeline. After years of extending their competitive window at the expense of future assets, the organization has pivoted fully toward long-term development. Draft capital has been accumulated aggressively, and the front office remains focused on building a core through internal development. Early returns are promising, San Jose’s prospect pipeline now features legitimate high-end talent across multiple positions, particularly up front. For dynasty managers, the dynamic of a team ready to compete ahead of schedule and pipeline bursting with potential will make for some interesting decisions. Below are three buy candidates and three players you might want to sell.

Buy Candidates

Igor Chernyshov, LW

Chernyshov is quietly emerging as one of the more intriguing forward prospects in San Jose's system. While he does not yet carry the same recognition as the organization's headline prospects, his skill set suggests a player capable of outperforming his current dynasty valuation. He attacks defenders with pace and confidence, showing the ability to drive wide with speed or cut inside to create scoring chances. What makes him particularly appealing is his offensive versatility, as he has shown finishing ability but is also comfortable operating as a playmaker, identifying passing lanes and creating opportunities off the rush.

In his first professional season, Chernyshov has impressed on both ends of the scoresheet and in the underlying numbers. After a stellar start in the AHL with the Barracuda, he earned time with the Sharks and did not look out of place, posting 11 points in 16 games. Even more encouraging are his advanced metrics according to Evolving Hockey, with nearly six goals above replacement, a remarkable figure for such a small sample size. Perhaps most exciting is his developing chemistry with budding superstar Celebrini. If that pairing solidifies, riding shotgun with one of the game's emerging stars could fast-track Chernyshov's path to a permanent NHL role and elevate his dynasty value significantly. The buy window is now, before the rest of the market catches on.

Michael Misa, C

Misa is an important piece of San Jose's rebuild and the type of elite prospect dynasty managers should covet. His toolkit combines high-end skating, advanced playmaking vision, and offensive intelligence that projects toward a top NHL player. Misa processes the game quickly, often anticipating plays before they fully develop and manipulating defenders through subtle puck movement. Some may look at what Misa is doing this season and be tempted to lower his stock, but that would be a mistake, as would drawing comparisons to what Matthew Schaefer is doing on Long Island to manufacture a bust narrative.

The Sharks have managed Misa perfectly, allowing him to adjust without putting undue stress on his shoulders, and his point pace and play-driving ability at the NHL level are reassuring for a teenager coming straight from the OHL. His slightly lowered Hockey Prospecting equivalency may actually present a buying opportunity, giving you leverage to acquire him in a trade at a discount. Yes, with Celebrini in town Misa will likely never be the true 1C, but plenty of dynamic duos have existed running their own lines and cooking on the power play, and that should be Misa's reality in short order.

Eric Pohlkamp, D

Pohlkamp fits the description of a prospect who quietly outperforms his visibility, and his game is built around awareness, structure, and consistency, allowing him to contribute in multiple situations while still producing offense. Players with this type of profile often earn coaching trust as they move up levels, and while Pohlkamp may not possess the dynamic highlight-reel skill set of San Jose's most prominent prospects, his steady development trajectory suggests a player capable of carving out a meaningful NHL role. In deeper dynasty leagues, secondary scorers with reliable deployment can provide underrated fantasy value, particularly when their acquisition cost remains modest.

Pohlkamp has been outstanding for the University of Denver this season, emerging as a true do-it-all defender with greatly increased scoring. What makes his profile even more compelling is that the offense is only part of the story, as his play driving and transition game have been elite, with his Fantasy Hockey Life skater card showing green across the board. Beyond the flashier contributions, he also projects to provide a high peripheral floor through blocks, shots, and hits, giving dynasty managers a well-rounded asset at a modest cost. For those willing to do the homework on under-the-radar college defenders, Pohlkamp is exactly the type of name worth targeting before the broader market catches up.

Sell Candidates

Luca Cagnoni, D

Cagnoni’s offensive production and puck-moving ability have made him one of the most exciting defense prospects in San Jose’s pipeline. His vision from the blue line and confidence running a power play have generated significant attention among dynasty managers, and the skillset is legitimate, though projecting it forward requires some caution. He was not drafted into the WHL but quickly became a star with the Portland Winterhawks after a tryout, which ultimately led to his selection by the Sharks in the fourth round. At five-foot-nine, his size was, and still is, a concern, but he compensates with high-end hockey intelligence and competitiveness. Unlike many smaller defenders, he transitioned to the AHL immediately, a strong early signal that helped earn him six NHL games last season.

Offensive defensemen with this profile often depend heavily on deployment and freedom to create, and as competition increases, time and space shrink quickly. His Hockey Prospecting model now places him at a 72% chance of becoming a star, though lofty comparables such as Seth Jones, Charlie McAvoy, and Adam Fox are far from likely outcomes. From a roster construction standpoint, San Jose does not yet have a long-term power-play quarterback in place, which creates opportunity, though it would not be surprising if they address that externally. With Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson the only defensemen signed beyond this season, there is organizational flexibility, but also uncertainty. If another manager is already valuing Cagnoni at his upper projection, this may represent an ideal window to sell, particularly given that his fantasy value may ultimately lean more on opportunity than guaranteed role.

Sam Dickinson, D

Dickinson possesses many of the traits NHL organizations value in modern defensemen. He combines size, mobility, and puck-moving ability while defending with physical presence, a toolkit that on paper suggests a highly projectable NHL blueliner capable of handling significant minutes. He has already carved out a meaningful role on a surprisingly competitive Sharks roster this season, though notably with the lowest average time on ice among their defensemen. That usage begins to make more sense when paired with his underlying performance, where flashes of offensive contribution have been offset by inconsistent reads and decision-making that have driven below-average defensive results.

The fantasy projection, however, remains less certain. Defensemen with Dickinson’s profile often require extended development time as they adjust to the pace and processing demands of the professional game, and without consistent power-play deployment, his statistical ceiling may resemble that of a dependable real-life defender more than a fantasy-impact asset. The current defensive inconsistencies are unlikely to be tolerated long term, especially as the Sharks transition toward contention, which could continue to limit his ice time. If another manager is projecting Dickinson as a future number-one defenseman in San Jose, that level of optimism may present an opportunity to extract strong value in a trade.

Quentin Musty, LW

Musty entered the Sharks system with considerable momentum after producing impressive offensive numbers in junior hockey, with his combination of size and skill suggesting the foundation of a potential power forward capable of generating NHL offense. He has made a solid transition to the professional level this season, though his pNHLe has dipped below 60, reinforcing some of the uncertainty in his projection. Much of Musty’s earlier production came in favorable offensive deployments and strong supporting environments, and as competition increases, players whose scoring is tied closely to usage can face a more difficult adjustment. The live and statistical profile is beginning to point toward a player who contributes offensively, but perhaps not as a primary driver.

From a fantasy perspective, the range of outcomes remains wide, with comparables spanning from Nick Suzuki to Ridly Greig, though his current trajectory appears closer to the latter. That still carries value, particularly in multi-category formats, but may fall short of initial expectations tied to a top-six scoring role. If his dynasty valuation still reflects that higher-end projection, this may represent a strong opportunity to sell and capture maximum return before his role solidifies as more complementary than focal.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Igor Chernyshov	Buy	Versatile offensive winger with rising opportunity
Michael Misa	Buy	Elite center prospect and franchise cornerstone
Eric Pohlkamp	Buy	Undervalued forward with quietly improving upside
Luca Cagnoni	Sell	Offensive defenseman whose hype may be peaking
Sam Dickinson	Sell	Strong NHL projection but uncertain fantasy ceiling
Quentin Musty	Sell	Power winger whose production may be usage-dependent

AHL: WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025-26

Michael Moroz — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 11:35:37 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Calgary Flames Defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz (48) watches play during a Los Angeles Kings game versus the Calgary Flames on April 17th, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire)

Hunter Brzustewicz - Calgary Wranglers

One player to keep an eye on this season is Hunter Brzustewicz, a talented offensive defenceman who is entering his second full season with the Calgary Wranglers. Brzustewicz is a former third round pick of the Vancouver Canucks who ended up in Calgary as part of the Elias Lindholm trade, and he was viewed as a piece that could be a future power play quarterback at the NHL level. Brzustewicz did not disappoint offensively in his first pro season, where he put up five goals and 27 assists for 32 points in 70 games, with many coming on the power play. Brzustewicz’ game has even made great steps in the defensive zone, where the knock on his game in junior was his ability to defend in his own zone, so there’s a real chance that we see Brzustewicz get more games with the Flames this season. He’s still a couple of seasons away from full time NHL deployment, but he’s an exciting prospect to watch in the Flames’ organization.

Luca Cagnoni - San Jose Barracuda

There’s simply no other way of putting it - Luca Cagnoni might be the most skilled player in the American Hockey League. When the puck is on his stick, he’s always a threat to create offensive chances for himself and his teammates. He can find teammates with no-look passes, can spring players on breakaway passes from his own zone, and his shiftiness as a skater allows him to stun opposing players in the offensive zone. The knock on Cagnoni’s game has always been his size, as he is quite easy to knock off the puck, especially at the pro level, but Cagnoni’s game in the offensive zone is so dynamic that it’s hard to envision a scenario where he doesn’t become a full time NHL player. Cagnoni’s game is very similar to Lane Hutson, and while it might take him a bit longer than Hutson to become a full-time NHL player, there’s a very good chance that Cagnoni becomes a power play dynamo for the San Jose Sharks in a couple of seasons.

Matvei Gridin - Calgary Wranglers

Matvei Gridin is a talented offensive forward who can score from almost anywhere, and he’s showcased that skill at both the USHL and CHL levels over the past couple of seasons. Gridin started this season with the Calgary Flames and looked quite good in some of his games for a nineteen-year-old who is only entering his fourth full season in North America, and first at the pro level. Now that he has been sent down, look for Gridin to boom offensively while he figures out his defensive game at the pro level. He will have ample time to play the flank on the power play with the Wranglers where he will get great opportunities to score, and working with Brett Sutter in Calgary will better prepare him for the demands of the pro defensive game. It might take Gridin a bit of time to adapt to the AHL after starting in the NHL, but don’t be surprised if we see him back with the Flames at some point this season.

Riley Heidt - Iowa Wild

It’s hard to find a player that scored more at the CHL level than Riley Heidt over the past three years. Heidt torched the scoresheet with the Prince George Cougars in the WHL, where he put up a whopping 304 points in 194 regular season games over his last three seasons with the Cougars. Now that he has graduated into the pro ranks with the Iowa Wild, look for Heidt to continue his scoring success while he acclimates the rest of his game to the pro level. It’s always a tough task for a player to learn how to play positionally and compete against men, especially coming out of junior, but Heidt has the skills and awareness to make quick work of the AHL game. Heidt is an unkind presence in the offensive zone who is unwilling to shy away from tough battles, and he competes very well for a player with a smaller size. Combine Heidt’s no-quit attitude with his elite offensive skill, and you have a player that should be a regular contributor in the NHL very soon. It’s definitely possible to see Heidt get games with the Minnesota Wild this season.

Kirill Kudryavtsev - Abbotsford Canucks

Kirill Kudryavtsev might be the most intriguing prospect in the entire Canucks’ system. He was selected as a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft from the Soo Greyhounds, where he went from being an offensive defenceman to an all-situations defenceman who could be used in the final moments of a close game. Kudryavtsev then took his talents to the pro level with the Calder Cup-winning Abbotsford Canucks, where he contributed offensively while being a strong presence defensively, ending up at +18 in 21 playoff games while logging important minutes on the blueline. This season, we should expect Kudryavtsev’s offensive game to continue to grow, where he should get more looks on the power play as a sophomore pro. He may never become a top-unit power play quarterback at the NHL level, but he is tracking well as a future top four defender who can be counted upon at both ends of the ice.

Atro Leppänen - Bakersfield Condors

Atro Leppänen was a bit of an unknown commodity in the Finnish professional ranks until the 2023-2024 season. Playing most of his professional career in the Finnish Mestis, Leppänen did not make the full time jump to the Finnish Liiga until he was 24 but immediately excelled as an offensive puck distributor and power play quarterback with Sport. Now entering his first full season in North America, Leppänen had many good moments for the Edmonton Oilers in the preseason and was one of their later cuts on defence. There’s no doubt that Leppänen’s offensive ability is already at the NHL level. He’s a smart playmaker with a strong first pass, and he can make difficult plays in tight against opposing players. Leppänen’s defensive game still needs a bit of work, however, especially with regard to adding urgency to his game. He still has to learn that he has less time to make plays on the North American sheet, but once he does, look out. There’s a real chance Leppänen becomes a full time NHL player.

Tristan Luneau - San Diego Gulls

Tristan Luneau has been a dominant offensive defenceman at the CHL and AHL levels over the past couple of seasons. Originally a second-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2022, Luneau excelled as an minute-munching all-situations defenceman for the Gatineau Olympiques, and was named the QMJHL’s best defenceman in 2022-2023. Now in his second full season with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL, Luneau is on the cusp of making it as a full-time NHL player. He particularly excels with the puck on his stick, as he has silky hands that allow him to distribute the puck to open teammates with ease. He’s also very shifty and deceptive when he walks the blueline, which allows him to draw defenders in, making space for his teammates. Luneau has even added a bit of weight and strength to his game, which has allowed him to make a quick transition to defending against men in the pro ranks. Luneau ultimately projects as a top four defenceman who can contribute at both ends of the ice for the Anaheim Ducks.

Tanner Molendyk - Milwaukee Admirals

Tanner Molendyk is one of the best skating defencemen in the American Hockey League, and he hasn’t even played a full season yet in the pro ranks; he’s just that good with his feet. When he’s on his game, Molendyk is a one-man breakout machine who can skate the puck out of trouble to make time and space for his teammates. He’s also a very capable playmaker in the offensive zone, and has the ability to quarterback a power play in the pro ranks. One knock on his game is that he isn’t the biggest defenceman in the world, but Molendyk makes up for it with his skating. He can also make a big hit when needed, although that isn’t the biggest part of his game. Look for Molendyk to put up strong offensive numbers for the Milwaukee Admirals this season and potentially get a couple of games with the Nashville Predators.

Oliver Moore - Rockford IceHogs

Drafted in the first round back in 2023, Oliver Moore is entering his first full pro season with the Rockford IceHogs after a strong nine game stint with the Blackhawks last season. Moore played college hockey at the University of Minnesota and excelled as a dependable two-way player with blazing speed; perhaps the best in all of college hockey last season. Offensively, Moore’s toolkit is a combination of goal scoring and playmaking; his breakaway speed generates many chances to score, but he’s more of a playmaking type when he’s on the power play. Defensively, Moore’s speed and edgework always allows him to stay in good position, where he rarely gets burned in the defensive zone against opposing players. Moore ultimately projects as a top six forward who can play dependable minutes at both ends of the ice, and he should have a big season in store for Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs fans this season.

Josh Samanski - Bakersfield Condors

Josh Samanski may be a bit of an unknown commodity to Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors fans, but that won’t last very long. Signed out of the German DEL, Samanski is a big power forward that competes well in the hard areas of the ice. He’s got very good hands and skating for a man of his size, and he’s a capable playmaker who should be able to put up solid offensive numbers as a first year North American professional. Like many other first year North American pros, it may take Samanski a bit of time to adjust to the American Hockey League game, but he showed very well in training camp with the Edmonton Oilers and looks to be one of Edmonton’s better young prospects in their minor league system. Expect to see Samanski play middle-six minutes at both ends of the ice for the Condors this season, and there’s a chance he may even get a look with the big club come mid-January.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #1

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:48:51 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: The artwork on the mask of San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov (30) is shown prior to the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks, held on January 21, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 1st (May 2025 - 2nd)
GM: Mike Grier Hired: July 2022
COACH: Ryan Warsofsky Hired: June 2024

Despite finishing last in the league in 2024-25, the Sharks iced a lineup filled with electrifying young talent that included Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and others. All of whom deliver fast-paced excitement every night.

Even with two of the league’s premier prospects now graduated, San Jose’s pipeline remains a juggernaut. Their top 15 list still features multiple elite names, with more ready to turn pro as early as next season.

Leading that charge is Michael Misa, selected second overall in 2025. His dazzling offensive instincts make him the new crown jewel of the system, perfectly complementing an already talented young core. The draft haul didn’t stop there, as the Sharks also added the top goaltender available in Joshua Ravensbergen to bolster the crease, while second-rounders Haoxi Wang (a raw but mobile defender) and Cole McKinney (a mature two-way center) provide depth and balance for the future.

On defense, Sam Dickinson continues to headline. Fresh off another dominant OHL season with the London Knights, the 19-year-old captured the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league’s top defenseman after posting 90 points and a league-best +64 rating. Still too young for the AHL, his draft-plus-two season will be closely watched.

Behind him, a trio of OHL standouts—Quentin Musty, Kasper Halttunen, and Igor Chernyshov—are poised to make the jump to the Barracuda in 2025-26. They’ll join a talented AHL roster already housing breakout performers like Luca Cagnoni, Collin Graf, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Filip Bystedt, and Jack Thompson, all of whom have taken major steps forward. Add in Eric Pohlkamp, who continues to shine at the University of Denver, and the depth stretches across every position.

Perhaps the most significant addition came via trade, when GM Mike Grier landed Yaroslav Askarov—McKeen’s top-ranked goaltending prospect. Together with Ravensbergen, San Jose suddenly boasts one of the strongest long term creases in the NHL.

The Sharks are still in the rebuilding phase, but the pieces are quickly aligning. With Celebrini, Smith, Eklund, and now Misa leading the charge, plus a wave of support talent on the way, San Jose’s future is brimming with excitement. The next step may involve flipping futures for win-now help, but regardless, the foundation is in place for a rapid rise back up the standings.

San Jose Sharks Top-15 Prospects

1 - Michael Misa

While there’s no doubt that San Jose would have loved to have won the lottery this year, picking Michael Misa second was a terrific consolation prize. Misa is the complete package as a forward and projects a top line forward and perennial all-star. He’s a dynamic offensive player thanks to his skating ability and high-end skill. However, with his frame and aggressive mentality, he also should develop into a quality two-way player at the NHL level too. Best of all, Misa can play any forward position and that gives San Jose some serious flexibility moving forward as they figure out where they want to slot in some of their other young stars. The reigning Red Tilson Trophy winner (as the OHL’s most outstanding player), Misa will compete for a roster spot in San Jose this training camp. He probably has a 50/50 shot of cracking the roster. If he’s not in San Jose, Misa likely returns to the OHL where he’ll try to lead Saginaw back to the Memorial Cup.

2 - Sam Dickinson

The Sharks have to be ecstatic about how Dickinson’s draft plus one year went in London, as he found yet another level, emerging as one of, if not the top blueliner in the OHL. If not for missed time due to the World Juniors, he would have unquestionably hit the 30-goal plateau, which is thanks to his booming point shot and ability to join the rush. He’s such an impressive skater for a bigger defender too, which allows him to be everywhere on the ice. He can take liberties with the puck because he recovers well. However, his off-puck decision making really improved this year; he was picking better times to jump up or pinch to make things happen offensively. So, what are the next steps? Firstly, there’s a need for Dickinson to continue to improve his physical intensity level in the defensive end; he needs to use his size to clear the crease and win those 50/50 battles more consistently. Secondly, he still needs to clean up his puck play under pressure; his skating won’t consistently get him out of trouble the way that it does in the OHL. Given his progression and fantastic physical tools, Dickinson has the chance to be a top pairing defender for the Sharks. He also has a chance of cracking their roster next season, as he may have outgrown the OHL.

3 - Yaroslav Askarov

Askarov is undoubtedly one of the most talented goalies seen in the past decade. His athleticism is on a world-class level, and one would be hard-pressed to find five who are more athletic. His agility, flexibility, and explosiveness, from his knees are as good as it gets. It has led Askarov to play a flashy, aggressive, and high-octane style of play. This has its benefits and weaknesses. Often, it means there’s a lack of body control, leading to excessive movement. This is an area Askarov has struggled in for some time, but he is showing improvement. His dominance in the AHL and solid demonstration that he can hang in the NHL on the league’s worst team are representative of this fact. He makes incredible saves consistently and, in doing so, generates a lot of momentum for himself and his team. He’s hard to beat laterally and even backdoor, something invaluable. With how his progression has been, Askarov likely will be a full-time NHL goalie next year, and his potential to be a future Vezina winner can’t be overstated.

4 - Igor Chernyshov

Simply put, Chernyshov tore apart the OHL this past year upon returning from a shoulder injury at the end of January. His 2.39 points per game were by far the best in the league as he formed a dynamic partnership with now Shark top prospect Michael Misa. Chernyshov is a dynamic attacker in transition. With his size, skill, and speed, OHL defenders truly couldn’t slow him down. His playmaking ability really stood out in his limited OHL time. He shows poise with the puck and is more than just a head down, straight line attacker. His off puck play also stood out positively in his time with Saginaw; he is hungry for the puck and works hard to earn his touches. Next year, he will turn pro and play in the AHL and it will be interesting to compare and contrast the rookie pro years of Musty and Chernyshov. They have similar projections as top six power wingers, but an argument could be made that Chernyshov’s game is more refined and pro ready.

5 - Quentin Musty

Things didn’t really go according to plan for Musty this past year and the Sharks can’t be happy about how his final year of junior played out. He started the season holding out from the Sudbury Wolves in hopes of forcing a trade. That did not occur. Then, when the holdout ended, he broke his hand and missed a significant chunk of time. These two occurrences kept Musty to only 33 games. Offensively, he was a difference maker when he did play. He has the skill and touch to be a high scoring NHL player. However, his off puck play and physical intensity returned to being inconsistent this past season after some growth the previous year. Was this a lost year of development? You could probably make that argument. However, Musty remains a top prospect for the Sharks. If they can harness his talent and improve the finer details in his game, he can be a key part of their rebuild. At this point, he will probably need at least a season in the AHL before he’s NHL ready.

6 - Shakir Mukhamadullin

A somewhat controversial first-round selection among scouting circles back in 2020, and subsequently acquired by the Sharks, Mukhamadullin has developed just fine through two professional seasons in North America. The big defender has shown promise at both ends and played well for San Jose this past year, leading one to believe that he could be a full time NHL defender next year. His decision making, with and without the puck, has improved greatly since being drafted. He has simplified his approach and learned to make quicker decisions with the puck. Yet, his high-end mobility and flashes of skill suggest that he does still possess offensive potential for the NHL level. The true scope of his NHL capabilities is not yet known. In that sense, he’s still a project that is developing. However, San Jose has to be quite happy with the results thus far.

7 - Joshua Ravensbergen

Joshua Ravensbergen has the best raw upside of any goalie since Sebastian Cossa. Towering at 6-foot-5, his level of athleticism shouldn’t be possible. His skating, quickness, agility, flexibility, and explosiveness are hardly ever seen in undersized goalies, let alone those at his height. Combining his frame, athleticism, mobility, and flexibility with his extreme competitiveness, you have a goaltender who covers more net and ground than most goalies to ever step on the ice much like Askarov. He’s an aggressive and flashy goalie giving him similar composure issues to Askarov and can have some mental lapses as well. To find success in the NHL he will need many reps practicing patience and playing with more precision. Goalies like Ravensbergen don’t turn into NHLers overnight, but they certainly don’t grow on trees either. It will take him a decent amount of time to hit his potential, but if he does, the Sharks could easily have two elite goalies on their hands in the future.

8 - Luca Cagnoni

Sometimes you just have to admit that you were wrong on a prospect and that’s looking like something we’ll have to do at McKeen’s. We were skeptical of his ability to translate his skill set to the pro game, but thankfully for the Sharks organization, he has proven us wrong. After a tremendous first professional season, no prospect in the game has seen their star rise more. Similar to the likes of Lane Hutson or Olen Zellweger, Cagnoni is so effective offensively because of his ability to blend strong four-way mobility with quick hands. He routinely escapes pressure inside the offensive zone and helps breakdown coverage; he is a top shelf play creator. However, his defensive game hasn’t been as poor as some (including us) expected it to be as a pro. He’s been more than adequate in his own end and, when combined with his outstanding on puck play, it has altered Cagnoni’s projection to make him a possible top four defender and first unit power play quarterback.

9 - Filip Bystedt

Bystedt’s first full season in North America is probably best categorized as average. He flashed some ability to be a competent middle six forward for San Jose in the future, but he also struggled with injuries and consistency at the AHL level with the Barracuda. Bystedt’s speed can play on North American ice. He can play that north-south game with effectiveness. One of the hallmarks of his game has previously been his ability to control the wall and work as a playmaker coming off the cycle, but he needs to bulk up further to be consistently successful in that regard at the AHL and NHL levels. The good news is that with San Jose’s prospect depth, there’s no reason or need to rush Bystedt. They can allow him to fill out and slowly gain confidence, with a look to 2026 as a possible arrival time, depending on how his development goes.

10 - Eric Pohlkamp

One of the most underrated prospects outside of the NHL, Pohlkamp has long been a favourite of the McKeen’s scouting team, dating back to our aggressive ranking of him in our 2023 draft rankings (127th). Since winning the USHL’s defenceman of the year award in 2023, he’s done nothing but improve, including a great sophomore season in the NCAA with Denver last year. This year, he’ll have the keys to the Denver offence with Zeev Buium turning pro and this could make him a Hobey Baker candidate. Pohlkamp has a unique tool kit, highlighted by a big point shot and strong offensive instincts. His decision making and defensive game have made great strides at the NCAA level thus far and it has really improved his NHL projection. Look for him to play his junior year at Denver and then turn pro, perhaps even getting in some NHL games late in the season if his NCAA year goes as well as we expect it to.

11 - Collin Graf

Graf was five points shy of being a point per game player in the AHL, and flashed some intriguing offensive potential when called up to the NHL. He has a solid skating base and a long reach that allows him to stickhandle through defenders in transition. The tools are all there for him to become an NHL regular as soon as this season.

12 - Kasper Halttunen

Halttunen’s shot is the headline grabber, allowing him to post an impressive 15 goals in 17 games during London’s post-season run. The shot is powerful and accurate, which gives him serious power play potential in the NHL. However, the rest of his game will need to take a step forward, particularly on the skating front, which is currently of the slower variety. He’ll get the chance to put it all together in the AHL this year.

13 - Cam Lund

Lund joined the Sharks at the end of the season once his collegiate campaign had concluded and did not look out of place thanks to his pro frame and hockey sense. Lund might not have the flashiest tools, but his game screams that of a long-time pro. The AHL will likely be his starting point this fall, but that may not last too long.

14 - Cole McKinney

McKinney brings a relentless style to the ice despite his average size, along with some skill to boot. He had a fantastic offensive season with the NTDP and will make the jump to college hockey at Michigan this season to round out his game.

15 - Jack Thompson

Thompson got a prolonged NHL audition last season and showed promise as a puck mover. However, like most on the Sharks roster, he struggled defensively. San Jose added a number of veterans to their back end, so he’ll have to fight an NHL job during training camp.

McKeen’s 2025-26 Hockey Pool Yearbook Feature – Fantasy Prospect Rankings

Peter Harling — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:47:09 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 12: Boston defenseman Cole Hutson (44) handles the puck during the championship game of the NCAA D1 Frozen Four between the Boston University Terriers and the Western Michigan Broncos on April 12, 2025, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

When preparing for a fantasy draft or evaluating prospects for a trade in your fantasy league you need to understand the difference between rankings, and fantasy rankings. The difference can be subtle, or significant depending on your leagues scoring and format. Generally speaking, fantasy rankings are based on projected point production. I have found that the vast majority of readers who read and follow my work are in dynasty keeper leagues with peripheral stats, or bangers leagues. The following rankings are based on projected point production and include added value to players who can contribute other stats, such as hits, blocks, PIMs, and faceoff wins. In fantasy hockey, we have a limited number of prospect roster spots and as such I put higher value on prospects who have a quicker ETA to the NHL or have superstar upside. This will help you identify the top 30 forwards, 20 defencemen and ten goalies to target in your fantasy leagues. To be considered a prospect skaters must be under 26-years-old as of September 15th, 2024, and have played in under 60 career games, or less than 35 in a single season. For goalies, less than 30 career games played, or 15 in a single season.

Forwards

1 - Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens

Demidov made his NHL debut with much anticipation and expectations, and he did not disappoint with a two-point showing in his first game. There is a lot of hype surrounding Demidov and if he lives up to the potential, he could very well go down as one of the all-time scoring leaders in Montreal and flirt with 1,000 career points, joining the ranks of legends like Guy Lafleur, Jean Beliveau, and Henri Richard.

2 - Ryan Leonard, C – Washington Capitals

The big man on campus was the Hockey East Player of the Year and scoring champion with 49 points in 37 games at Boston College. He also captained Team USA to a WJC Gold Medal and then made his NHL debut in Washington scoring his first career goal. Leonard will be an NHL regular starting in the 2025-26 season and should be a Calder contender in his rookie season. His value in multi-category leagues is even higher.

3 - Isaac Howard, LW – Edmonton Oilers

Hot off a Hoby Baker Award winning season as a senior with Michigan State, Howard and the Lightning were at a contract impasse. Rather than lose him as an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Lightning traded him to the Oilers. Howard should see an opportunity to crack the Oilers roster in a top six role given their lack of prospect depth. His new ELC will fit in the Oilers budget and playing with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl could push Howard into the forefront of the Calder race.

4 - Beckett Sennecke, RW – Anaheim Ducks

A late season surge pushed Sennecke up the draft ranking all the way to third overall in his draft season. He has carried that momentum into hi D+1 season scoring 86 points in 56 games for the Generals. Don’t make the same mistake Team Canada made by erroneously omitting him from the 2025 WJC roster, Sennecke is a play driving forward with tremendous hockey sense and skill as well as size at 6-foot-4. Sennecke has another year of junior eligibility but could make the Ducks roster as soon as this season.

5 - Michael Misa, C – San Jose Sharks

Drafted second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa has been the first overall selection in all my fantasy drafts and mock drafts. Misa has been a highly anticipated fantasy prospect since becoming the latest OHL exceptional status recipient. He has a Memorial Cup Championship on his resume, is coming off a 134-point campaign and will spend his D+1 season developing in the NCAA against bigger, stronger, faster competition that will only make him more NHL ready for his ETA of 2026-27.

6 - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW – St. Louis Blues

After posting 51-points as captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and a finalist for the Hoby Baker, Snuggerud made a splash in the NHL with the Blues. Playing in the Blues final seven regular season games, he notched four points and then duplicated that performance in the playoffs. Snuggerud looks to be a lock for a top six role with the Blues and could be a solid Calder sleeper candidate if his early chemistry with Robert Thomas continues.

7 - Gabe Perreault, LW – New York Rangers

A lot of super-star players have come from the USNTDP, but Perreault holds the single season point record with 132 points in the 2022-23 season. Perreault just completed his sophomore season at Boston College and posted 16 goals and 32 assists in 37 games with the Eagles. He also was a key player in the USA WJC Gold Medal with 10 points in seven games. Perreault is a dynamic playmaker that also has a nose for the net and can finish. He played in five NHL games to close the season and while not a lock to make the Rangers out of training camp, he is their top prospect and a fantasy must own.

8 - Berkley Catton, C – Seattle Kraken

Catton was the 2024 draft class leading scorer with his 115-points, which puts him in the company of an elite group of players the likes of Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard to post such lofty production in their draft year. I am not suggesting that Catton has that kind of NHL and fantasy value, but he is the Krakens most dynamically gifted offensive player and has tremendous upside.

9 - Ilya Protas, LW – Washington Capitals

When the Capitals drafted Alexei Protas’ younger brother in the third round, it might have appeared to be a pick motivated by nepotism. Then Ilya moved from the USHL to the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and had a breakout season to the tune of 50 goals, and 124 points (second in OHL scoring) and now looks like a steal of a third-round pick. Since he was drafted from the USHL, he can move up to the AHL for the coming season and further his development. Look for the Protas brothers to be a force in the Nations capital for the foreseeable future.

10 - Tij Iginla, LW – Utah Mammoth

The first pick in Utah’s franchise history, Iginla was on pace for a stellar D+1 season with 14 goals and 31 points in 21 games with Kelowna before a hip injury ended his season early. After surgery, the expectation is that he will return to Kelowna for an important season of development in the WHL, and with Canada at the WJC before he joins the NHL. Tij was drafted higher than his father, Hall-Of-Famer and Calgary legend Jarome Iginla, can Tij match his old mans career status?

11 - Porter Martone, RW – Philadelphia Flyers

Two things stand out with Martone: his dynamic offensive game and his size. However, for all you banger leaguers reading, don’t be fooled to think he is going to rack up hits and PIM’s as that is not really his game. He is a finesse playmaking winger. Martone has committed to take his development to Michigan State in the NCAA for his D+1 season in hopes that playing against older, stronger and better competition will make him NHL ready for the 2026-27 season.

12 - James Hagens, C – Boston Bruins

The consensus number one ranked prospect heading into the 2025 draft was Hagens. He played his draft year in the NCAA with Boston College and despite posting solid numbers as a freshman, he was unable to keep pace with Macklin Celebrinis’ pace from the previous season, and he fell on draft day to the Bruins. It is quite possible that Hagens ends up being the best fantasy prospect from his draft class, but he will return for at least one more year in the NCAA. Look for a spike in his production and for him to challenge for a Hoby Baker nomination.

13 - Cayden Lindstrom, C – Columbus Blue Jackets

Lindstrom is a unicorn as a 6-foot-4, 214-pound center that scored 46 goals and 46 points in 32 games with Medicine Hat in his draft year. He combines skill, skating, smarts, and size in such a rare and dominant package. A well documented herniated disc back injury that ended his draft season after 32 games and all but eliminated his D+1 season minus a few playoff, and Memorial Cup games is the other side of his story. Lindstrom will play the coming season in the NCAA with Michigan State where he will try to regain his health, conditioning and further his development. If he can realize his massive potential, he has franchise upside and would be a dominant player in multi-category leagues. Or, he could have a set back from his back injury and follow Nolan Patrick’s career path. High risk, but high reward potential.

14 - Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

Gritsyuk may be a sleeper prospect, but don’t sleep on the Russian sniper. He is coming in hot from the KHL where he posted 17 goals and 44-points in 49 games. While he was only a fifth-round pick from the 2019, the now 24-year-old is NHL ready and will step into a top six role in New Jersey. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the players in the range of his ranking but given his advanced development the wait time is zero, which moves the needle.

15 - Dalibor Dvorsky, C – St. Louis Blues

The AHL can be a meatgrinder that chews up and spits out teenage hockey prospects. Despite that, Dvorsky played last year as a 19-year-old and posted 21 goals and 45 points in 61 games with Springfield and was second in league rookie scoring. Dvorsky also shone at the WJC last year with Slovakia, scoring nine points in just five games. His play earned him an NHL cup of coffee, two games but he failed to record any points playing limited minutes. Dvorsky still needs more AHL development, but his promising development suggests the 10^th overall pick from the 2023 draft is well on his way to becoming an NHL regular and a fantasy must own player.

16 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Vancouver Canucks

His first full season in North America was a success as the Canucks 2022 15^th overall pick split time between the NHL and Abbotsford in the AHL. In the AHL he posted 28 points in 36 games and another seven in 16 playoff games en route to a Calder Cup Championship. In his 24 NHL games the Swedish winger posted six points while averaging 12:30 of ice time. Expect him to be a full time NHL player this year and to see elevated minutes, leading to numbers similar to what he produced in the AHL.

17 - Brad Nadeau, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes must feel like the drafted a top ten player with their 30^th overall pick from 2023. As a freshman in his D+1 season at University of Maine, Nadeau posted 19 goals and 46 points in 37 games. He followed up that with an impressive rookie season in the AHL to the tune of 32 goals and 58 points in 64 games with the Chicago Wolves. His underwhelming production at the WJC with Canada was curious, but the entire team underwhelmed. Nadeau made his NHL debut on April 16^th and earned his first career point against Montreal. Look for his sophomore season to see more NHL opportunities as he plays his way into a top six role with the Canes.

18 - Anton Frondell, C – Chicago Blackhawks

Drafted third overall by the Hawks in 2025, the Swedish center brings size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, a high-level hockey sense, and skill level to his game. He would be better slotted as a second line center at the NHL level as his two-way game is more his calling card as opposed to a go-to offensive driver. The 18-year-old will likely play two more seasons in the SHL before crossing over to North America, meaning a little more wait time and a limited offensive ceiling compared to his draft status.

19 - Danila Yurov, RW – Minnesota Wild

The 21-year-old Russian saw his production dip from 0.79 to 0.54 points per game in the final year of his KHL contract. Despite the disappointing production, with 209 career KHL games of development he has signed with the Wild and will play in North America to the delight of fantasy managers who roster Yurov. With Yakov Trenin, Vlad Tarasenko, and Kirill Kaprizov providing some fellow Russian support, he should adjust quickly and could play his way into a top six role sooner than later.

20 - Caleb Desnoyers, C – Utah Mammoth

Desnoyers could be the most underrated player in the 2025 draft, which says a lot sine he was selected fourth overall. A 6-foot-2 center Desnoyers has excellent hockey sense, size, skating, skill and compete. He has played a key role and produced all season starting with a point per game to lead Canada to Gold at the Hlinka. He was the first line center for Team CHL at the Prospects Challenge and was a point per game again. With his club team in Moncton, he posted 84-points in 56 games and lead the Wildcats in playoff scoring with 30-points in 19 games to be named playoff MVP, and a league championship. He is the best two-way player, and that takes nothing away from his offensive game.

21 - Rutger McGroarty, C – Pittsburgh Penguins

After being acquired from the Jets for Brayden Yager, McGroarty made his pro debut and impressed, splitting time between the NHL and AHL. In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he played 60 games, notching 14 goals and 39 points. While he only played in eight NHL games, he impressed with three points, playing a physical game as well showing he can have an impact away from the puck. With the Pens looking to rebuild, he is a corner stone player going forward, starting now.

22 - Quentin Musty, RW – San Jose Sharks

Musty had a frustrating season. It began by holding out for a trade from Sudbury in the OHL. A deal never happened so he resumed playing and scored 59 points in 33 games before an injury put him on the shelf until the playoffs. He returned for game two but despite four points, the Wolves were swept in four by Kingston. He will turn pro now and play his rookie season in the AHL. The 6-foot-2 winger has size and played a power game at the OHL; he could be an impactful top six winger with his size and shot.

23 - Calum Ritchie, C – New York Islanders

When the Islanders acquired Ritchie at the NHL trade deadline, he instantly became their top prospect. Ritchie started the season in the NHL with the Avalanche where he played seven games and scored his first career goal with his signature shootout move (a spectacular deke as he fakes the shoot like he fanned then quickly backhands it home). He returned to the Oshawa Generals where he dominated with 70 points and 50 PIM in 47 games and led the Generals back to a league championship rematch vs London. Ritchie should be a regular on Long Island this fall.

24 - Matthew Savoie, RW – Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers added Savoie in a trade with Buffalo, and he instantly became the Oilers top prospect. Savoie is an undersized forward at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds but he is also a prolific offensive player. He posted some hefty point totals in the WHL and in his first full pro season, he scored 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games in Bakersfield. He made his debut in Edmonton as well, playing in four games and recorded his first career point. He has the skill to play and produce in the NHL, but size is a concern.

25 - Igor Chernyshov, LW – San Jose Sharks

The big Russian winger made the move to North America after the Sharks selected him with the first pick of round two in the 2024 NHL Draft. His debut was delayed following an off-season shoulder surgery, but when he resumed playing with Saginaw in the OHL he dominated with 19 goals and 55 points in just 23 games. Saginaw was eliminated in the first round, and he was called up to play two AHL games with the Barracuda. It is expected he will play the coming season in the AHL, to further his development, but he has NHL top six winger upside with his size, skating and shooting ability.

26 - Easton Cowan, C – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leaf's top prospect is poised to bring his game to the NHL for the coming season. In his final year in the OHL with the London Knights, Cowan led the OHL in playoff scoring (39-points in 17 games), added a second straight league championship, and led the Memorial Cup in soring to lead the Knights to victory. He is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds but he plays a physical game to complement his dynamic skill and vision.

27 - Andrew Cristall, LW – Washington Capitals

A true boom-or-bust player. Cristall is as dynamic an offensive player as you will find. His career WHL point production is off the chart with 412 points in 248 games (1.66 points per game). He finished his WHL career with Spokane in the playoffs where he scored 21 goals and 41 points in 19 games. How could such a dominant player be a bust? He is just 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds as the NHL trends towards size again. Also, his defensive game and compete level is a liability. These factors kept him off the Canada WJC roster. If he plays in the NHL, he will be great, but there have been plenty of prolific junior scorers that never made the NHL.

28 - Cole Eiserman, RW – New York Islanders

“Goal” Eiserman is a polarizing player. His offensive upside is significant. He is the all-time NTDP goal scoring leader, was a key player for USA winning Gold at the 2025 WJC with seven points. As a freshman at Boston University, he scored 25 goals and 36 points in 39 games. His play away from the puck is where scouts have concerns with his game. Eiserman will return for his sophomore season with the Terriers where he will continue to score goals, and more importantly develop his overall game.

29 - Jake O’Brien, C – Seattle Kraken

Perhaps the player from the 2025 draft class with the most upside is O’Brien. The 6-foot-2 center has tremendous vision and hockey sense, a late June birthday means he has plenty of development road head where his potential can grow. While his physical game is lacking as his slender 176-pound frame needs to fill out, there are very few flaws in his game overall.

30 - Liam Ohgren, LW – Minnesota Wild

Ohgren made his North American debut last season and had a tremendously successful rookie season in the AHL scoring 37 points in 41 games on a poor Iowa Wild team. His play earned him an NHL audition of 24 games, but he was limited to an average of 11:06 in ice time and only managed five points. Ohgren should be ready for a bigger role in Minnesota, and his point production should increase with more playing time.

Defence

1 - Zayne Parekh, RD – Calgary Flames

Parekh dominated the OHL in his draft year and then returned for his D+1 season and posted 33 goals, 107 points and 96 PIM. He was an egregious omission from the Team Canada WJC roster and made his NHL debut on April 17^th scoring his first career NHL goal in a 5-1 win over LA. Parekh is still junior eligible as a 19-year-old but is almost assured to be a full time NHL player this season. It should not take long for him to secure a top four pairing and first power play role in Calgary. Parekh could have a similar rookie season as Lane Hutson had and be a Calder candidate.

2 - Cole Hutson, LD - Washington Capitals

Hutson 2.0 is a similar player to his older brother Lane. Cole is developing in the NCAA at Boston University and posted 48 points in 39 games in his freshman season. His real breakout however was on the World stage with USA at the WJC where he led the tournament in scoring with 11 points in seven games. Cole has another season with the Terriers coming up before he is ready to join the Capitals in the NHL. When he arrives, it is not out of the question for him to have the same impact Lane Hutson had, or even better.

3 - Matthew Schaefer, LD – New York Islanders

The top pick from the 2025 Draft class has signed with the Islanders, and all signs point towards him making the Islanders out of training camp and becoming an NHL rookie. A shoulder injury limited him to just 17 games in Erie last season, so a return to the OHL would not be the worst scenario for his long-term development.

4 - Zeev Buium, LD – Minnesota Wild

All Buium does is win. At 19-years-old his trophy case already includes a World Championship, an NCAA Championship, two WJC Golds and a U-18 Gold. Buium made his NHL debut in the playoffs and recorded his first career point playing in four games. Buium is not only a lock to make the Wild roster, but he should also be a top pairing impact player right out of the gate.

5 - Alexander Nikishin, LD – Carolina Hurricanes

The 23-year-old Russian blueliner has been one of the most anticipated players to come from the KHL for several years. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defender captained SKA St. Petersburg for two seasons and posted career KHL stats of 54 goals and 177 points in 288 games. He has signed in Carolina and made his NHL debut in the playoffs, earning his first career point in four games. He will have to compete with Shane Gostisbehere and K’Andre Miller for top power play deployment but count on Nikishin playing big minutes in his rookie season.

6 - Artyom Levshunov, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

The 2024 second overall pick only played 18 NHL games in his rookie season, but as a 19-year-old he produced 22 points in 52 AHL games with Rockford. Can he breakout as the Hawks top pairing and first power play quarterback in his sophomore season? He will have to outplay Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski to do so, but it is a real possibility as soon as this fall.

7 - Luca Cagnoni, LD – San Jose Sharks

All Cagnoni is missing to be ranked higher is size and draft pedigree. At 5-foot-9 he comes up short by todays NHL standards, and as a fourth-round pick, he lacks the golden ticket first round picks get. However, his on-ice production speaks volumes, scoring 16 goals and 52 points in 64 games as a AHL rookie with the Barracuda. Cagnoni is the future first power play quarterback in San Jose on a unit that will include Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa. Cagnoni could be a fantasy beast!

8 - Sam Dickinson, LD – San Jose Sharks

Where will Dickinson play in the 2025-26 season? He posted 91 points in 55 games, won a second consecutive OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship. He has another year of junior eligibility remaining, so the AHL is not an option, but has signed an NHL contract so the NCAA is not an option either. He has nothing left to learn in the OHL, so he looks ready to make the jump to the NHL.

9 - Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RD – Detroit Red Wings

ASP is a rising star and the Wings top prospect. The 5-foot-11 right shot defender has tremendous poise on the ice, sees the ice very well, carries the puck and dictates the play with authority. After a solid SHL career of 52 points in 107 games including an SHL Championship, he made his debut in the AHL to close the season. A full year of AHL development is to be expected under GM Steve Yzerman, but a future blueline anchored by Mo Seider, Simon Edvinsson and ASP sets up the Red Wings for a decade.

10 - Tristan Luneau, RD – Anaheim Ducks

After injury limited Luneau to just 13 combined AHL and NHL games in his rookie season, he returned in 2024-25 to post near point per game production with the Gulls with 52 points in 59 games. The 6-foot-1 right shot offensive defenceman has great upside, but he also has his work cut out for him to crack the Ducks top four with competition the likes of Jacob Trouba, Jackson Lacombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov.

11 - Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Ottawa Senators

There were a lot of skeptics when Ottawa selected the 6-foot-4 right shot offensive defenceman at seven ahead of Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson at the ’24 Draft. A lot of those critics were silenced when Yakemchuk nearly made the Sens roster after a tremendous preseason performance. He was returned to the WHL for his senior year and was slightly underwhelming seeing his point totals dip and failing to be make the Canadian WJC roster. His pro career will begin, likely in Belleville for a season before assuming the top pairing role on the right side in Ottawa next to Jake Sanderson.

12 - Sam Rinzel, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

Rinzel had a breakout season in 2024-25. It was not just his 10-goal, 32-point performance as a sophomore at University of Minnesota, but his nine game NHL audition in which he averaged over 23 minutes of ice time including an average of 2:24 powerplay time on ice where he delivered five points. The 21-year-old is the early favorite to be the first power play quarterback heading into the upcoming season. Don’t sleep on Rinzel, he has some big upside.

13 - Seamus Casey, RD – New Jersey Devils

The 5-foot-10 right shot offensive defenceman had a strong rookie season starting in the NHL with an eight-game run with the Devils where he posted three goals before an AHL assignment. Overall, he racked up 18 points in 30 AHL games and finished the season back in the NHL with New Jersey. With Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemic in the fold, getting ice time, let alone power play time will be difficult barring injury.

14 - Scott Morrow, RD – New York Rangers

Acquired from Carolina along with a first and second round pick in the K’Andre Miller trade, Morrow could fill the gap from Miller out of camp behind Adam Fox on the Rangers second pairing. Morrow had a strong rookie season the year prior posting 39 points in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves and had a 14-game NHL run with the Hurricanes scoring six points.

15 - Logan Mailloux, RD – St. Louis Blues

Acquired from Montreal for Zac Bolduc this summer, Mailloux is now the top defensive prospect in the Blues system. Mailloux is NHL ready after a second AHL campaign with 80 points and 165 PIM in 135 career games, and five points in eight career NHL games. Mailloux will no longer be considered a prospect as he will make the Blues roster full time, and battle Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler for top power play deployment.

16 - David Reinbacher, RD – Montreal Canadiens

The 6-foot-2 Austrian defender made a splash in his AHL debut in 2023-24 when he posted five points in the final 11 games in Laval. Injuries kept him out of action until he returned for the Olympics with Austria and finished the season again in the AHL with Laval. His six points in 13 playoff games with the Rocket are promising but a nearly full season lost to injury suggest he may need a time in the AHL before he is ready for Montreal. The departure of Logan Mailloux improves his stature in Montreal.

17 - Oliver Bonk, RD – Philadelphia Flyers

Widely considered to be a shutdown defender, a red flag in fantasy, Bonk has considerable fantasy value. At 6-foot-2 he has decent size and can play a physical role and contribute hits and blocks. But he has also contributed significant offensive numbers with 150 career regular season points in 189 games with the London Knights. Bonk was deployed as the net front presence on the power play regularly with London and was tried as the first powerplay quarterback for Canada at the WJC. His pro career will begin with a season in the AHL with Lehigh Valley before he becomes a top four NHL regular.

18 - Tanner Molendyk, LD – Nashville Predators

Nashville has a strong track record of drafting and developing top quality NHL defencemen. Tanner Molendyk is the latest and he nearly made the Predators out of training camp last year before returning for his final year in the WHL. He was a point per game player with Saskatoon and Medicine Hat and at the Memorial Cup. Molendyk will be an AHL rookie this season, but it likely won’t be long before he is patrolling the Predators blueline in a top four capacity.

19 - Hunter Brzustewicz, RD – Calgary Flames

His fantasy value took a big hit when the Flames drafted Zayne Parekh. Brzustewicz is an offensive defenceman that posted a 92-point season in the OHL, and in his AHL rookie campaign last year impressed with five goals and 32 points in 70 games with the Wranglers. Brzustewicz was a key piece in return from the Elias Lindholm trade so the Flames are invested, he has great offensive and fantasy upside, but the Parekh addition will take some of that critical power play ice time up.

20 - Tom Willander, RD – Vancouver Canucks

After two seasons in the shadow of a Hutson with the Boston University Terriers, Willander may be an underrated fantasy defenceman. With all the top offensive deployment at BU going to the Hutson’s, lane and Cole, Willander still managed to produce 49 points in 77 career games with the Terriers. His play with Sweden at the WJC was impressive as well with five points in seven games. Willander is a strong skating, puck moving two-way defender with offensive upside. Willander was signed by the Canucks and will start his professional career in the AHL with defending Calder Cup Champions Abbotsford.

Goalies

1 - Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are building something special and Askarov should be a key piece of that puzzle. A top ranked goalie prospect for years, the move from Nashville and out from under Juuse Saros, gives Askarov has the opportunity to seize a starting role in San Jose. With the young core and foundations now in place, it’s just a short matter of time before this team becomes a powerhouse, and Askarov is a fantasy star.

2 - Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

There is no sugar coating this, Wallstedt had a terrible season posting brutal numbers in both the AHL, and NHL in his third season in North America. Despite the setback, Wallstedt remains an elite goalie prospect and with the Wild building a defence that consist of Brock Faber, Zeev Buium, and David Jiricek the future still remains very bright.

3 - Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens

It is difficult to understand how Fowler was not the top goalie selected in his draft year. Five other goalies went before he was selected 69^th overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Since then, he has established himself as an elite prospect playing at Boston College in the NCAA. Fowler has won a WJC Gold Medal with USA, a Hockey East Championship, and was named the Goalie of the Year winning the Mike Richter Award. Fowler is trending to be the next great Montreal Canadiens goalie following the likes of Ken Dryden, Patrick, Roy and Carey Price.

4 - Ilya Nabokov – Colorado Avalanche

A late bloomer, Nabokov was drafted in 2024 by the Avalanche after a breakout season in the KHL as a 21-year-old, where Nabokov won a Gagarian Cup and playoff MVP. Nabokov has signed his ELC with Colorado but has been loaned back to play the 2025-26 season in the KHL to ensure he gets playing time. Expect him to finish the season in the AHL as the KHL season ends in March, allowing him a small sample of North American hockey before being full time in 2026-27.

5 - Sebastian Cossa – Detroit Red Wings

The Wings 2021 15^th overall draft pick has now played three full seasons of professional hockey with time in the ECHL, AHL, and he made his NHL debut in December with a 6-foot-5 shootout win over Buffalo. The past two seasons have been consistent and strong for Cossa, playing 40+ games in Grand Rapids and posting 20+ wins. The addition of John Gibson suggests that Detroit thinks he needs a little more development before he becomes their starting goalie.

6 - Drew Commesso – Chicago Blackhawks

On last years list I suggested Commesso was on track to develop into the Hawks starting goalie for the Connor Bedard glory years. Since then, the Hawks acquired Spencer Knight, and he appears to be the incumbent franchise goalie for the foreseeable future. Commesso had another impressive year of development in the AHL and is still quite capable of being an NHL starting goalie. Where and when are less certain now.

7 - Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings added insulation to their goaltending future when they selected Augustine 41^st overall in 2023. Since then, he has been developing with Michigan State U. in the NCAA with a career record of 42-16-6, two Big Ten Championships and two WJC Gold Medals with USA. Augustine will play his junior season with the Spartans and will also need some AHL development time. He is further away than Cossa, but his upside could be higher.

8 - Niklas Kokko – Seattle Kraken

Kokko made his North American debut last season, and it was a strong one posting a 20-10-2 record in the AHL with a 2.26 GAA and .913 SV%. His strong play earned him an NHL recall, and he had a rough start coming in to relieve Joey Daccord in a 7-2 loss to the Blues where he allowed two goals on six shots. With Grubauer and Daccord under contract for the next two seasons, the 21-year-old Finnish netminder can continue to develop in the AHL with Coachella. He is a prospect on the rise.

9 - Mikhail Yegorov – New Jersey Devils

The Devils selected the Russian goalie from the USHL with their second-round pick in 2024 and Yegorov started his D+1 season back in the USHL with Omaha. Committed to Boston University in the NCAA, the Terriers were having goaltending concerns and brought “Big Mike” in just in time for the Bean Pot Tournament where he was outstanding leading the Terriers to victory. Yegorov played in 18 games total with an 11-6-1 record and 2.15 GAA. Still only 19-years-old, the 6-foot-5 netminder is a long way from the NHL, but he is showing tremendous potential.

10 - Hampton Slukynsky – Los Angeles Kings

Perhaps Slukynsky is still a little under the radar and not quite a household name in less deep dynasty leagues, but that is about to change. Selected 118^th overall by the Kings, Slukynsky posted a 19-5-1 record as a freshman at Western Michigan and a sparkling 1.90 GAA. His trophy case includes USHL Goalie of the Year, Championships from the USHL, NCAA National and NCHC, and Gold Medals with USA from the U-18, WJC and World Championship. He is still just 20-years-old and needs a lot of development time before the NHL, but his stock is rising fast!

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #2 SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:15:17 +0000

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Please note you can scroll through the PDF document here as well

San Jose 25 Prospects

2025 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects (Top 50 Free) – Biggest risers in 2024-25

Brock Otten — Tue, 13 May 2025 11:36:55 +0000

You will find at the bottom of this article a chart with the top 50 prospects in the NHL currently. Comparing the current ranking of prospects in our report to their previous ranking in our summer yearbook (which is a top 300), these are the affiliated prospects who have improved their stock the most this season. 25 Risers for 2025. Subscribers can access the top 200 prospects with links to the players page and full profiles here.

We are releasing our team rankings in descending order from the worst prospect pool to the best on our site over the next few weeks. Subscribers can read the full profiles and the team overview and learn about the future stars of your favourite team. If you would like to subscribe you can link here.

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 12: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Scott Morrow (56) looks to pass the puck during the NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes on April 12, 2025 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire)

Scott Morrow - Defense - Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: 65, New Ranking: 20

In his first full pro season after signing out of UMass, Morrow has been an immediate impact player. He was one of the top offensive defenders in the AHL and has since performed very well in a late season call up with the Hurricanes.

Tristan Luneau - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 84, New Ranking: 32

The rich get richer. After missing most of last season due to injury, Luneau has returned with a vengeance this season. He’s been a two-way standout at the AHL level and should push for a full time roster spot in the very near future…even with Anaheim’s incredible U25 depth.

Liam Greentree - Wing - Los Angeles Kings

Previous Ranking: 87, New Ranking: 35

A late first round selection of the Kings last year, Greentree was one of the best players in the OHL this past season, helping the Windsor Spitfires go from worst to first. The power winger continues to improve his skating and looks the part of a future NHL standout.

Cole Hutson - Defense - Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: 246, New Ranking: 44

Few affiliated prospects in the game improved their stock more than Cole Hutson this year. Look at the resume: One of the highest scoring defenders in the NCAA as a freshman, A WJC gold medal and a spot on the tournament all-star team, and a National Championship appearance with Boston University.

Owen Pickering - Defense - Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous Ranking: 131, New Ranking: 49

Sure, the Penguins prospect pool is hurting and that’s given Pickering a chance to perform at a high level with significant ice time as a rookie pro, but he’s handled it extremely well and looks the part of a longtime top four defender for Pittsburgh.

Sam Rinzel - Defense - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 125, New Ranking: 51

Rinzel has always been considered a long-term project, the Hawks knew this when they drafted him in the first round out of Minnesota High School hockey in 2022. But the pick is bearing fruit now. Rinzel was one of the top defenders in the NCAA this year and he looks near NHL ready.

Oliver Kapanen - Center - Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 142, New Ranking: 52

One of the biggest risers in our yearbook this past summer, thanks to a strong performance at the World Championships for Finland, Kapanen continues to rise. He nearly made the Canadiens full time this year and then was a near point per game player in the SHL. An intelligent two-way center, he looks like an NHL lock.

Luca Cagnoni - Defense - San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 231, New Ranking: 60

We’re approaching the “sometimes you’re just wrong on a prospect” space with Cagnoni, a player that we’ve been skeptical about previously. But, he’s made the leap to the pro level just fine, with his offensive talent translating effortlessly.

Isaac Howard - Wing - Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous Ranking: 157, New Ranking: 61

The former first round selection exploded in his junior season with Michigan State and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker. Improvements to his strength and conditioning have done wonders for his play with the puck. The question is…will he sign with Tampa Bay?

Owen Beck - Center - Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 132, New Ranking: 65

You could probably make the argument that Beck has looked better as a first year pro in the AHL than he did over his three OHL seasons. His game just screams long time NHL standout thanks to his speed, tenacity, and IQ. But the skill has translated better than expected.

Dmitri Buchelnikov - Wing - Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: 134, New Ranking: 66

Year to year improvement is the hallmark of a strong prospect and Buchelnikov has done just that. He was one of the top rookies in the KHL two years ago. This past year, he emerged as an offensive star. Next stop NHL? Detroit will have to wait because he still has contract time left with his KHL team.

Nick Lardis - Wing - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 152, New Ranking: 69

Putting a wrist injury behind him, Lardis exploded in his final junior season to be the first OHL player to score 70 goals since John Tavares. He was dominant in every fashion. Lardis is such a dangerous player because of the combination of his skating ability and shot. His progression this year has given him a more optimistic outlook as a top six contributor for the Hawks.

Igor Chernyshov - Wing - San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 185, New Ranking: 72

Talk about meeting the hype of a long-awaited debut. When Chernyshov’s shoulder rehab finally finished and he suited up for the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), he immediately became one of the OHL’s elite players, leading the league in points per game this season.

Leevi Merilainen - Goaltender - Ottawa Senators

Previous Ranking: 196, New Ranking: 90

Merilainen has really turned things around after a couple disappointing post draft years. He’s improved every year as a pro and has been fantastic in limited starts for the Senators this season. Have the Senators finally found their netminder of the future?

Ilya Protas - Wing - Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 91

One of two prospects to go from being unranked previously, to inside of our top 100. Protas was one of the best players in the OHL this season with Windsor. His skating does still need work, but everything else about his game is top notch. Protas is a highly intelligent player.

Colton Dach - Center - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 227, New Ranking: 96

Even if injuries continue to be an issue (a recent elbow injury has limited his NHL participation), he’s had a terrific season split between the AHL and the NHL. The big, power pivot is the ideal middle six pivot for the Hawks rebuild.

William Stromgren - Wing - Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 99

The other prospect to climb from outside of the top 300 to inside the top 100, Stromgren is an elite skating winger whose offensive skill set has finally caught up to his feet. He’s been one of the best players in Calgary’s system this year and has put himself in contention for a roster spot next year.

Ilya Nabokov - Goaltender - Colorado Avalanche

Previous Ranking: 250, New Ranking: 102

Nabokov has proven this year that he’s no fluke, after coming out of nowhere to capture the KHL rookie of the year and KHL playoffs MVP awards last year. He’s been equally strong in Russia and Colorado may look to bring him into the fold sooner, rather than later.

Luca Del Bel Belluz - Center - Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous Ranking: 238, New Ranking: 103

A strong shooting and creative pivot with a center lane mentality, Del Bel Belluz had a terrific second pro season in the Jackets system. Not only was he a standout at the AHL level, but he’s produced offensively when called upon by the Blue Jackets.

Roman Kantserov - Wing - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 230, New Ranking: 104

An undersized, but highly skilled winger, Kantserov exploded offensively in the KHL this season, more than doubling his output from the previous year. He has another year on his KHL contract, but after that? He could be a big part of Chicago’s rebuild.

Elias Pettersson - Defense - Vancouver Canucks

Previous Ranking: 300, New Ranking: 106

Not every high-end defensive prospect needs to be a world beater offensively. Pettersson has climbed the prospect rankings thanks to his attention to detail at both ends and his outstanding upside as a defensive stalwart. He hasn’t looked out of place as an NHL player this season.

Mikhail Yegorov - Goaltender - New Jersey Devils

Previous Ranking: 253, New Ranking: 110

It’s no exaggeration to suggest that Yegorov may have saved Boston University’s season, after making the jump from the USHL at midseason. He shored up their shaky netminding, helping them reach the National Championship.

Alex Bump - Wing - Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 120

A breakout star in the NCAA with Western Michigan, Bump may just be one of the most underrated affiliated prospects in hockey. He’s a dynamic creator in transition and could be a real diamond in the rough for the Flyers.

Jesse Kiiskinen - Wing - Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 133

The Andrew Gibson for Kiiskinen swap between the Predators and Red Wings has worked out incredibly well in Detroit’s favor after Kiiskinen’s breakout season in Liiga, where he was a near point per game player as a U20.

Tarin Smith - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 269, New Ranking: 144

Drafted in the third-round last year, Smith’s offensive upside was considered a major strength and he’s shown that this year, emerging as one of the WHL’s most dangerous scoring blueliners with Everett. As he continues to improve defensively, the sky is the limit.

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	Acquired	TM - 2024-25 Stats	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Ivan Demidov	Mtl	RW	19	5-11/180	`24(5th)	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	65	19	30	49	22
2	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	20	5-11/190	`23(8th)	Boston College (HE)	37	30	19	49	46
3	Sam Dickinson	SJ	D	18	6-3/205	`24(11th)	London (OHL)	55	29	62	91	39
4	Artyom Levshunov	Chi	D	19	6-2/205	`24(2nd)	Rockford (AHL)	52	5	17	22	59
5	Berkly Catton	Sea	C	19	5-10/175	`24(8th)	Spokane (WHL)	57	38	71	109	30
6	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	23	6-4/215	`20(69th)	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	61	17	29	46	32
7	Yaroslav Askarov	SJ	G	22	6-3/175	T(Nsh-8/24)	San Jose (AHL)	22	11	9	2.45	0.923
8	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	20	5-11/170	`22(15th)	Abbotsford (AHL)	36	19	9	28	0
9	Beckett Sennecke	Ana	RW	19	6-2/175	`24(3rd)	Oshawa (OHL)	56	36	50	86	66
10	Zeev Buium	Min	D	19	6-0/185	`24(12th)	Denver (NCHC)	41	13	35	48	44
11	Zayne Parekh	Cgy	D	19	6-0/180	`24(9th)	Saginaw (OHL)	61	33	74	107	96
12	Anton Silayev	NJ	D	19	6-7/210	`24(10th)	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	63	2	10	12	37
13	Tij Iginla	Uta	C	18	6-0/190	`24(6th)	Kelowna (WHL)	21	14	18	32	13
14	Daniil But	Uta	LW	20	6-5/203	`23(12th)	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	54	9	19	28	16
15	Axel Sandin-Pellikka	Det	D	20	5-11/180	`23(17th)	Skelleftea AIK (SHL)	46	12	17	29	22
16	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	21	6-1/175	`22(24th)	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	46	13	12	25	10
17	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	19	6-1/200	`23(10th)	Springfield (AHL)	61	21	24	45	22
18	Matthew Savoie	Edm	C	21	5-9/180	T(Buf-7/24)	Bakersfield (AHL)	66	19	35	54	28
19	Brad Lambert	Wpg	C	21	6-0/180	`22(30th)	Manitoba (AHL)	61	7	28	35	28
20	Scott Morrow	Car	D	22	6-2/195	`21(40th)	Chicago (AHL)	52	13	26	39	47
21	Bradly Nadeau	Car	LW	19	5-10/165	`23(30th)	Chicago (AHL)	64	32	26	58	36
22	Dmitri Simashev	Uta	D	20	6-4/198	`23(6th)	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	56	1	5	6	4
23	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	19	5-11/165	`23(23rd)	Boston College (HE)	37	16	32	48	25
24	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	20	6-2/185	`23(5th)	Laval (AHL)	10	2	3	5	10
25	Liam Ohgren	Min	LW	21	6-1/200	`22(19th)	Iowa (AHL)	41	19	18	37	10
26	Carter Yakemchuk	Ott	D	19	6-3/200	`24(7th)	Calgary (WHL)	56	17	32	49	82
27	Sebastian Cossa	Det	G	22	6-6/229	`21(15th)	Grand Rapids (AHL)	41	21	15	2.45	0.911
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	20	6-1/180	`23(11th)	Boston University (HE)	39	2	22	24	8
29	Easton Cowan	Tor	RW	19	5-10/170	`23(28th)	London (OHL)	46	29	40	69	41
30	Calum Ritchie	NYI	C	20	6-2/185	T(Col-3/25)	Oshawa (OHL)	47	15	55	70	50
31	Cayden Lindstrom	CBJ	C	19	6-3/215	`24(4th)	Medicine Hat (WHL)	0	0	0	0	0
32	Tristan Luneau	Ana	D	21	6-1/195	`22(53rd)	San Diego (AHL)	59	9	43	52	21
33	Denton Mateychuk	CBJ	D	20	5-11/190	`22(12th)	Columbus (NHL)	45	4	9	13	20
34	Jacob Fowler	Mtl	G	20	6-1/215	`23(69th)	Boston College (HE)	35	25	7	1.63	0.940
35	Liam Greentree	LA	RW	19	6-3/215	`24(26th)	Windsor (OHL)	64	49	70	119	59
36	Michael Hage	Mtl	C	19	6-1/190	`24(21st)	Michigan (B1G)	33	13	21	34	23
37	Konsta Helenius	Buf	C	18	5-11/190	`24(14th)	Rochester (AHL)	65	14	21	35	28
38	Jimmy Snuggerud	StL	RW	20	6-2/185	`22(23rd)	Minnesota (B1G)	40	24	27	51	29
39	Lian Bichsel	Dal	D	20	6-6/233	`22(18th)	Dallas (NHL)	38	4	5	9	41
40	Quentin Musty	SJ	LW	19	6-2/200	`23(26th)	Sudbury (OHL)	33	30	29	59	14
41	Joshua Roy	Mtl	RW	21	6-0/190	`21(150th)	Laval (AHL)	47	20	15	35	10
42	Jett Luchanko	Phi	C	18	5-11/185	`24(13th)	Guelph (OHL)	46	21	35	56	46
43	Seamus Casey	NJ	D	21	5-9/165	`22(46th)	Utica (AHL)	30	3	15	18	8
44	Cole Hutson	Wsh	D	18	5-10/165	`24(43rd)	Boston University (HE)	39	14	34	48	64
45	Logan Mailloux	Mtl	D	22	6-3/215	`21(31st)	Laval (AHL)	63	12	21	33	74
46	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	22	6-3/215	`21(20th)	Iowa (AHL)	27	9	14	3.59	0.879
47	Cole Eiserman	NYI	LW	18	6-0/195	`24(20th)	Boston University (HE)	39	25	11	36	27
48	Ivan Miroshnichenko	Wsh	LW	21	6-1/185	`22(20th)	Hershey (AHL)	53	23	19	42	28
49	Owen Pickering	Pit	D	21	6-4/180	`22(21st)	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	47	2	11	13	10
50	Nate Danielson	Det	C	20	6-2/185	`23(9th)	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	12	27	39	33

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – DeBrusk paying off for Canucks, Werenski having best season of his career, changes in Chicago, AHL rookies to watch, Seguin on the shelf, and much more!

Scott Cullen — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:35:42 +0000

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 26: Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) plays the puck up ice during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks on November 26, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

Each week, I’ll dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Jake DeBrusk is paying off in a big way for the Canucks, Zach Werenski is having the best season of his career, changes in Chicago, AHL rookies to watch, Tyler Seguin is on the shelf, and much more!

Here is this week’s edition of 20 Fantasy Points:

#1 After a slow start to his first season in Vancouver, Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk has picked up his scoring pace in a dramatic way. Since the beginning of November, he `has 16 points (11 G, 5 A) with 40 shots on goal in 15 games. Elias Pettersson has eight points on DeBrusk’s 16 points over that span while Quinn Hughes has seven points. In his first nine games, DeBrusk had just 13 shots on goal, just 1.44 per game, but that average has climbed to 2.67 per game since then.

#2 Usually, we focus on players that are available in more leagues, but sometimes it’s worth paying attention to the production of players that are widely rostered, too. Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski is having the best season of his career. Werenski had a career-high 57 points (11 G, 46 A) in 70 games last season, but he has taken it to another level this season. Through 24 games, Werenski has 26 points (8 G, 18 A) with 90 shots on goal while playing a career-high 26:06 per game. Durability has tended to be an issue for Werenski, who last played more than 70 games in a season in 2018-2019, but if he can stay relatively healthy this season, Werenski should have career-best production.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks fired head coach Luke Richardson, replacing him with Anders Sorensen, who had been coaching for AHL Rockford. Connor Bedard has found it tough going in his second NHL season, with five goals in 26 games, and Chicago’s leading goal scorer has been journeyman Ryan Donato, who has 10 goals in 24 games. Those are the only two forwards on the Blackhawks roster averaging better than 0.50 points per game, which means the likes of Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Taylor Hall, and Philipp Kurashev are not living up to expectations. Can Sorenson draw out better production from this group? If not, could top prospect Frank Nazar be on the verge of a call-up? The 13th pick in the 2022 Draft, Nazar is thriving in the AHL, with 24 points (11 G, 13 A) in 18 games as a rookie pro for Rockford.

#4 Some other rookie pros making an immediate impact in the AHL include defenceman Denton Mateychuk, who has 22 points (7 G, 15 A) in 21 games. He was taken by Columbus with the pick before Nazar in the 2022 Draft. Collin Graf is a 22-year-old who was signed by San Jose as a free agent out of Quinnipiac in the spring. Graf has 22 points (5 G, 17 A) in 19 games and could push for a spot with the improving Sharks later this season. Graf’s teammate, Luca Cagnoni, is undersized, but has delivered 18 points (7 G, 11 A) in 19 games and the 2023 fourth-round pick could force the Sharks to give him a look. Rounding out the top five rookie scorers in the AHL, Justin Hryckowian has 18 points (5 G, 13 A) in 19 games for the Texas Stars. Hryckowian finished last season in the AHL after he was signed as a free agent out of Northeastern University.

#5 Less than a week after noting how productive Tyler Seguin has been for the Dallas Stars, it was announced that the veteran forward needs hip surgery which will keep him sidelined for four-to-six months. If the Stars need an offensive boost in Seguin’s absence, perhaps Hryckowian will get a look in Dallas.

#6 Utah Hockey Club right winger Nick Schmaltz has always been an accomplished playmaker, but he was having a terrible time finding the net this season, going 23 games without a goal to start the 2024-2025 campaign. Schmaltz has scored three goals in the past two games – his first goals of the season – and he does have seven points (3 G, 4 A) and 16 shots on goal in his past six games. Even with his goal-scoring slump, Schmaltz still has 20 points (3 G, 17 A) in 25 games, and he continues to play on the top line with Clayton Keller and Barrett Hayton as well as holding a spot on Utah’s top power play unit.

#7 As the San Jose Sharks have become much more competitive over the past month – at least prior to Thursday’s 8-1 shellacking in Tampa Bay – defenceman Jake Walman has become increasingly productive. In his past 15 games, Walman has accumulated 17 points (4 G, 13 A) with 38 shots on goal while playing 22:35 per game. Given the direction Walman and the Sharks have been trending, it does not make sense for him to still be available on the fantasy waiver wire.

#8 Veteran Florida Panthers blueliner Aaron Ekblad is getting more time on the power play and his production is starting to take off. In his past eight games, Ekblad has seven points, including three on the power play, while playing nearly 25 minutes per game. Ekblad recorded a career-high 57 points (14 G, 43 A) in just 61 games in 2021-2022, and while he is not likely to get back to that level of production, a regular spot on the Panthers’ top power play unit could make him a valuable fantasy contributor in 2024-2025.

#9 Although his track record has been poor to inconsistent through much of his career, Boston Bruins netminder Joonas Korpisalo is making a push for more playing time, especially while starter Jeremy Swayman struggles to find his form. Korpisalo has a .909 save percentage in 10 games and has 1.11 Goals Saved Above Expected. In the long run, Swayman is clearly the guy for the Bruins but, in the short term, when the team needs wins, Korpisalo could see more action.

#10 With Darcy Kuemper injured, David Rittich is again getting a run of starts for the Los Angeles Kings. Rittich surrendered seven goals in a November 25 loss at San Jose, but in the 10 appearances around that disaster start, spread out over the past month, Rittich has a .932 save percentage. Playing behind a Kings team that is among the best in terms of shot suppression, Rittich holds decent value for fantasy managers that might need some short-term help between the pipes.

#11 With the New Jersey Devils upgrading their blueline in the offseason, Luke Hughes missed the start of the season as he recovered from shoulder surgery and, as a result, he is down 2:26 in ice time per game compared to last season. Hughes has six assists and 13 shots on goal in his past six games, suddenly thrusting himself into fantasy relevance after a terribly slow start to the season.

#12 Anaheim Ducks right winger Troy Terry has seven assists and 17 shots on goal in his past five games and has enjoyed success this season when skating with Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome at even strength. The trio has a Corsi percentage of 54.2 percent and expected goals percentage of 58.4 percent during five-on-five play. The veteran trio is Anaheim’s only line to have more than 50 minutes together and still be on the right side of those ledgers.

#13 The fourth pick in the 2023 Draft, Will Smith came into his rookie season with great expectations, but he managed just three points (2 G, 1 A) in his first 14 games. The Sharks made him a healthy scratch for some games and then moved him to right wing from centre. In 10 games since, Smith has eight points (3 G, 5 A) and 17 shots on goal. That relatively low shot rate is enough reason to pause before adding Smith, but he is making rapid progress after a difficult start to his pro career, so he is worth having on your radar now.

#14 St. Louis Blues winger Jake Neighbours went through a lean period from late October through mid-November, managing just two assists in nine games, but he appears to be moving in the right direction once again. In his past nine games, Neighbours has six points (4 G, 2 A) and 23 shots on goal while playing 16:43 per game. As new head coach Jim Montgomery plays around with line combinations in St. Louis, Neighbours is skating on a line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich, a solid opportunity to continue putting up points.

#15 A reliable play-driving winger, Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Seattle Kraken is riding a seven-game point streak, during which he has eight points (3 G, 5 A) with 17 shots on goal. It’s fair to be cautious about adding Bjorkstrand because he skates on Seattle’s second power play unit and at evens he is playing with Shane Wright and Eeli Tolvanen. He’s obviously making it work, but the sustainability of it all seems harder under those circumstances.

#16 Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon has missed some time with injuries, which is not uncommon for him, but the veteran blueliner has seven points (3 G, 4 A) and 18 shots on goal in his past 10 games. He is quarterbacking Minnesota’s top power play unit, and as long as that is the case, Spurgeon has a chance to provide legitimate fantasy value.

#17 With Wild centre Joel Eriksson Ek considered week-to-week with an injury, opportunity knocks once again for Marco Rossi, who will move up to centre Minnesota’s top line while getting first unit power play time. In 18 games in which he has played at least 16 minutes, Rossi has produced 17 points (6 G, 11 A) and 27 shots on goal.

#18 Early in the season, New York Islanders captain Anders Lee was skating on the third line, playing in a supporting role and not producing much. Injuries forced the Islanders to turn to Lee again and he moved back up the depth chart. In his past 16 games, Lee has 17 points (8 G, 9 A) with 40 shots on goal. He is skating on the top line with Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom, but also in his familiar net front spot on the Islanders’ top power play unit.

#19 Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli was named to Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and the noted checking centre is enjoying the best offensive season of his career. Through 24 games, Cirelli has 24 points (11 G, 13 A) with 51 shots on goal. In the past 10 games, Cirelli has 11 points (9 G, 2 A) with 31 shots on goal and while he is not going to keep scoring on 29 percent of his shots, if Cirelli is averaging more than three shots per game, he has a good chance to sustain his offensive production. Barring injury, Cirelli should obliterate his career high of 45 points, which was set last season.

#20 Veteran Calgary Flames centre Nazem Kadri is finding his name in trade rumours and he is not hurting his value with his production. In his past 10 games, Kadri has eight points (3 G, 5 A) and 33 shots on goal. He is on a line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Martin Pospisil. Consistency remains elusive for Huberdeau, but he does have six points (2 G, 4 A) and 16 shots on goal in his past eight contests.

#21 Managers in deep leagues may want to keep tabs on Boston Bruins right winger Justin Brazeau, who is still on the lower end of the depth chart, but he is forcing his way into prominence. In his past seven games, Brazeau has five points (2 G, 3 A) and 14 shots on goal, while playing 13:41 per game. He has moved up the depth chart to the second line with second-unit power play time, so if the 6-foot-5 winger continues to produce, there ought to be more ice time available to him.

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.

AHL: Early Season Favourites – AHL – Graf, Lekkerimäki, Kerins & Cagnoni

Dave Hall — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:00:20 +0000

The 2024-25 season is well underway, and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Our scouts have also been paying close attention to already-drafted and free-agent-signed prospects playing in the AHL. Analyzing early season play can be difficult, perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable, and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways, and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

Dave Hall - AHL Central and Pacific Division Regional Scout

Collin Graf - C/RW - San Jose Barracuda

6’1", 190lbs - 2002-09-21

College free agents have always been somewhat of a coin flip. Sometimes, they thrive, and sometimes, they sink. For every player who successfully transitions to the NHL, several fade into AHL obscurity. But there's one name making waves in the AHL, doing his best to prove that narrative wrong, and that’s San Jose product Collin Graf.

Widely regarded as the top free agent from last year’s class, Graf hasn't just transitioned smoothly to the pro game; he’s been thriving. With 19 points, he’s leading all AHL rookies and sits fourth (tied) among all skaters. Fourteen of those points have come by way of assists, with eight being primary—a testament to the direct effect he's having on San Jose Barracuda's offence. Named October’s AHL Rookie of the Month, Graf plays with poise beyond his years. His hockey IQ is off the charts, allowing him to anticipate the play and execute with precision.

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It's not just about the assists, though. He's an effective, dual-threat provider who can make things happen in tight spaces and from various areas of the ice. Whether it be with the help from others or doing things all by himself, his ability to score should be slept on.

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And it’s not just about his offensive prowess. Averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time per night, he's earned his coaches' trust and is seeing time in all situations—including penalty killing.

Defensively, he’s been just as impressive, sporting a plus-9 rating (good for fourth-best in the league) and showcasing his willingness to do the dirty work—battling in corners, blocking shots, and playing the right way in his own zone.

San Jose is already home to several young, blossoming stars; there’s every reason to think Graf could be next in line. The Sharks may want to play the slow game with his development, but a call-up seems inevitable if he continues this kind of performance at the AHL level.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki - RW - Abbotsford Canucks

5'11" 172lbs - 2004-07-24

The transition from Sweden to North America can be daunting, particularly for players not used to the physical rigours of the North American game. Many wondered how Jonathan Lekkerimäki would fare after his impressive rookie season in the SHL—would he be able to translate that success, or would the adjustment be too much?

So far, Lekkerimäki has silenced the doubters. Despite missing Abbotsford’s first few games due to illness, the Swedish rookie came roaring out of the gate and has already established himself as one of the AHL’s premier offensive weapons. Since debuting on October 25th, Lekkerimäki has been lighting the lamp at a point-per-game clip, with seven points to date.

What’s most impressive is his relentless shot volume. With 44 shots on goal in just nine games, he's averaging just under five shots per game. Whether it’s off the rush or from the half-wall—his bread and butter—he's shooting often, and he's shooting well.

Simply put, he's shooting from everywhere and anywhere.

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His hot start has already warranted a seven-game audition in Vancouver, where he scored his first NHL goal.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki fires home his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/58kfEmsr7t

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 15, 2024

It’s not all roses and butterflies with his game, however. Lekkerimäki still has work to do on the defensive side of the puck. He sits at minus-8 for the season in the American League and minus-4 at the NHL level. His frame is slight, and so far, it's quite evident. While it's not for lack of effort, his ability to gain good body position or win out 50/50 puck battles is hindered by his smaller stature.

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For a player to succeed in Rick Tocchet’s system, being effective on both sides of the puck is a non-negotiable. Lekkerimäki's defensive shortcomings might be a small blemish on an otherwise bright start, but it’s something that will need attention if he wants to carve out a permanent role with Vancouver.

Still, there’s no denying that Lekkerimäki is an elite shooter—a pure sniper whose goal-scoring instincts and relentless desire to fire the puck will eventually propel him to the NHL. The defensive lapses may be a work in progress, but his offensive prowess is undeniable, and Canucks fans have plenty to be excited about as he continues to refine his game.

Rory Kerins - C/LW - Calgary Wranglers

5'11",190lbs - 2002-04-12

They don’t all have to be high-pedigree prospects to stand out, and Rory Kerins is exhibit A. Despite not being a household name, it's impossible to ignore what he’s been doing with the Calgary Wranglers this season.

As a sophomore with 54 games of AHL experience under his belt from last year, the former OHL standout has come out of the gate swinging. The Ontario native collected eight points in his first four games and hasn’t looked back since, leading the league with 13 goals and 19 points in just over a month of play. He’s produced points in 15 games and is proving that his standout 118-point season with the Soo Greyhounds in 2021-22 wasn’t a simple “one-off.”

What makes Kerins’ production so promising is where he’s cashing in. Despite standing at just 5-foot-10, he makes a living in the tough areas of the ice—he's constantly battling in the blue paint, and with his quick hands, he's a threat to capitalize on rebounds and stuff-ins. Of course, he can capitalize with a quick snapshot, too.

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While he may not have the flashiest game, his hard-nosed approach and willingness to pay the price in high-danger areas make him a player that NHL teams crave in their bottom-six roles. Yes, he’s shooting at an unsustainable 28% rate, and that scoring pace may level out, but his mix of offensive skill and willingness to grind it out has certainly turned heads. At this rate, a call-up to Calgary’s big club might be more of a question of when rather than if.

Luca Cagnoni - D - San Jose Barracuda

5'9",180lbs - 2004-12-21

Of course, it doesn’t take long to pinpoint his overall weakness and the element that will keep his ability to work his way up the ranks a challenge. That’s his size. He seems to fit in quite nicely at the American League level. Yet, the jump to the highest level is a large one. So far, though, he’s proven at each level that his size is no barrier, knocking down those walls at each and every turn.

It’s hard to ignore what’s happening over in San Jose. We’ve already covered Collin Graf, and now it’s time to spotlight another thriving youngster—defenceman Luca Cagnoni.

With 16 points, the former fourth-round draft pick ranks second among all AHL defenders in scoring. But are we really surprised? After all, he’s fresh from a 204 Western League career in which he nearly produced at a point-per-game clip.

At just 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, he isn’t your prototypical size for a professional defender. So, would his skill be enough to transition effectively? So far, the answer has been a resounding yes. He’s brought the same offensive flair that made him a standout in juniors and has quickly established himself as a key driver of offence from the blue line for the San Jose Barracuda.

In today’s NHL, the landscape has evolved for undersized yet dynamic defenders, and Cagnoni fits that mould perfectly. He’s not the most explosive skater, but his edgework and agility are top-notch, and he uses crafty manipulations to freeze and shake off opposing defenders to make plays.

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Whether he’s quarterbacking a power play, walking the line, or activating from the point, his IQ always makes him a threat to make something happen. Thanks to his quick processing, he's able to thread creative passes and seemingly create offence from nothing.

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Of course, he can walk the line and finish things himself as well.

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His biggest hurdle will always be his size, and the jump from AHL to NHL is daunting for a smaller defender. However, Cagnoni has proven that size is just a number—he’s defied expectations at every level and continues to make believers out of doubters with his play.

Honourable mentions to keep tabs on: Sam Colangelo, Jagger Firkus and Eduard Sale

AHL: HALL – AHL Rookies to Watch – Pacific Division

Dave Hall — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:54:43 +0000

The American Hockey League season is officially upon us, and the NHL affiliates aim to reclaim their spot as the best development system in North America. With unique and perhaps unpopular league rules, including a veteran cap and required age minimum, the AHL offers an interesting balance between competitive and developmental rosters.

However, each year, the league receives a healthy injection of 20-year-olds, typically considered high-pedigreed prospects within their respective systems. This year is no different. Here at Mckeens, we will look at a few rookie skaters to watch this year within each Division.

First up: the Pacific Division.

Jagger Firkus, RW, Coachella Valley Firebirds

Seattle Kraken's 2022 second-round draft pick, Jagger Firkus, is coming off an explosive final season in the WHL and is now ready to take that firepower to the professional ranks. The 2023-24 season was a banner year for the undersized winger, as he racked up an exhausting list of accolades, including:

CHL Player of the Year
CHL Top Scorer Award (126 points)
WHL (East) First All-Star Team
WHL Champion
Bobby Clarke Trophy (Most Points in WHL)
Four Broncos Trophy (WHL Player of the Year)
WHL Playoffs Most Points (32 points)

Firkus led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring with 126 points, wrapping up a 310-point (144 goals, 166 assists) junior career across 230 games, all with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Despite his smaller size at 5-foot-11, Firkus continues to find new creative ways to light up the scoreboard with his incredible release and fluid offensive creativity.

Now in his third-year post-draft, he will look to translate that dynamic scoring ability to the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who will aim to make an appearance in the Calder Cup finals for a third consecutive season.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Abbotsford Canucks

After a challenging draft-plus-one year that was riddled with health setbacks, Jonathan Lekkerimäki burst onto the scene in 2023-24 with an incredible rookie performance in the SHL. He led all SHL rookies with 19 goals and led that same field, along with his team, with 31 points. His dominant offensive play extended to the World Juniors, where he led the tournament in goals (7) and won the MVP award, contributing to Sweden's Silver Medal on home soil.

Lekkerimäki will now look to bring his scoring prowess to the Abbotsford Canucks, where he will be a central figure on the team's offence. Known for his elite-level release from the perimeter, he will be tasked with handling all of Abbotsford’s heavy lifting in the offensive zone, grabbing the keys to the team’s top-line minutes while being a key piece on the power play. Assuming a strong start doesn’t earn him an NHL call-up sooner rather than later, he’ll be a must-see prospect within this Pacific Division.

Luca Cagnoni, LD, San Jose Barracuda

Luca Cagnoni’s ability to produce offensively as a defenceman has been nothing short of impressive. After a stellar 2023-24 season that saw him notch 90 points with the Portland Winterhawks, he says goodbye to a near-point-per-game WHL career with 193 points in 205 games. Now set to embark on his pro career with the San Jose Barracuda, Cagnoni will focus on adapting his high-octane offensive game to the AHL level as a go-to option in all necessary scoring situations.

Standing at just 5-foot-9, Cagnoni's size continues to raise questions about his ability to handle professional hockey's physical demands. However, as one of the more underrated and dynamic offensive defenders within the prospect circuit, his pedigree continues to hold merit as a future NHL hopeful and is certainly worth keeping an eye on as he looks to make his mark in the Pacific Division.

Matt Savoie, C, Bakersfield Condors

The Edmonton Oilers are pushing for a Stanley Cup, but that pursuit has left their farm system lacking in young offensive talent—until they traded for Matt Savoie. The very moment the deal was finalized, the 20-year-old inherited the responsibility as the organization’s top prospect and will immediately be one of the Bakersfield Condors' primary offensive weapons.

Savoie, fresh off a fruitful WHL career, recording 263 points in just 183 WHL games, has already shown he can handle professional play. Although a small sample size, he already posted five points (two goals, three assists) in a six-game AHL stint with the Rochester Americans last season.

Though his smaller frame at 5-foot-9 might pose challenges as he levels up through the pro ranks, his speed and creativity should allow him to thrive at the AHL level, making him one of the most exciting players to watch not only in Bakersfield but the entire AHL, this season.

Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Calgary Wranglers

It’s not every day that an NHL organization trades one of their newly minted prospects on the verge of flirting with 100 points as an OHL defenceman. Yet, that’s exactly what the Canucks did, sending Hunter Brzustewicz to the Calgary Flames organizations at last year’s NHL deadline in exchange for a rental asset. With that in his rearview, pushing for an NHL spot in Alberta is on the menu, and although he has yet to play a game at the pro level, it doesn’t feel too far away.

After turning heads during his first NHL preseason with Calgary, Brzustewicz looked strong enough to battle for a spot on the Flames' roster, eventually falling just short. Now that reality has set, Brzustewicz will naturally kick off his pro career deployed on the Wranglers’ defensive corps but will do so as the team’s top right-handed option.

His poised, polished two-way game is defined by his high hockey IQ, excellent edgework, and smooth transitions. He may not play at the fastest pace, but his ability to dictate play, quarterback the power play, and ability to consistently make smart decisions has made him a key addition to the Wranglers.

Now, following a year in which he finished second among OHL defenders in scoring with a whopping 92 points, he’ll be looking to show why he should have been taken well above his eventual 75th overall landing spot.

Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose Barracuda

Filip Bystedt may not garner as much attention as some of his fellow Sharks’ prospects. Still, he has quietly been developing into an impressive two-way player and an important piece to this system’s future while overseas. Joining the Barracuda late in the 2023-24 season, Bystedt kicked the door down immediately, commanding the respect of Sharks fans, scoring seven points (four goals, three assists) in eight games, including a standout three-point debut.

The 2022 first-round pick carries a unique combination of size (6-foot-4) and skill, which he compliments with an elegant skating stride and ability to play two-way hockey. While fulfilling a top-line role at the NHL level may not be in the cards, he feels destined to play meaningful middle-six minutes for the Sharks somewhere down the road.

For now, he brings an exciting mix of responsible yet skilled game to the Barracuda and should formulate part of this team’s top-six forward group as they look to improve on their spot in the basement of the Pacific Division from last year.

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – SAN JOSE SHARKS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #1

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:00:13 +0000

_{ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - APRIL 11: The Frozen Four semifinals between the Boston University Terriers and the Denver Pioneers at the Xcel Energy Center during NCAA Men’s Hockey on April 11, 2024 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/BU Athletics)}

Prospect System Ranking – 1st (Previous Rank - 9th)
GM: Mike Grier Hired: July 2022
COACH: Ryan Warsofsky Hired: June 2024

After five consecutive years of missing the playoffs, the San Jose Sharks' future is starting to look significantly brighter. Coming off a dismal 19-54-9 season, the Sharks secured the top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, selecting Macklin Celebrini, McKeen’s top-rated prospect. Celebrini, despite being just 17 years old (now 18), made a tremendous impact in his freshman year, winning the Hockey East scoring title, Rookie of the Year, and, most notably, the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s most outstanding player. He’s set to join the Sharks' roster immediately, giving fans their price of admission.

Joining Celebrini at the NHL level is fellow NCAA standout and second-ranked prospect Will Smith. Smith, who led the nation with 71 points in his freshman year, helped Boston College secure a Conference Championship and finished as a Hobey Baker finalist. Together, Celebrini and Smith form an electrifying duo that will play a pivotal role in completing this organization’s 180-degree shift.

GM Mike Grier settled his future in net with a blockbuster prospect trade with Nashville, landing the 10th ranked prospect and top-ranked goaltender on our list in Yaroslav Askarov. They also added minor league forward Nolan Burke and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. It cost them former first round pick David Edstrom, goaltending prospect Magnus Chrona and a protected first-round pick previously acquired from Vegas. Askarov is expected to join the NHL club after signing a two-year contract following the trade.

The Sharks' prospect system has hands all over our McKeen’s prospect rankings, boasting four players in the top 15, eight in the top 100 and an impressive 43 prospects ranked overall. Recent first-round pick Sam Dickson immediately slots in as the 13th-ranked prospect after helping the London Knights capture the OHL Championship.

Meanwhile, prospects developing with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda—Thomas Bordeleau (74th), Shakir Mukhamadullin (72nd), Filip Bystedt (90th), Daniil Gushchin (169th), and Tristen Robins (189th)—are progressing nicely, with some already having enjoyed their first taste of NHL action.

While the Sharks have been through a rough stretch, the tide is turning swiftly. To keep the team competitive and help guide their young stars, GM Mike Grier has added a few key veterans, including Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg, and defenceman Jake Walman, to round out the 2024-25 roster. With an eight place jump, the Sharks take home our McKeen’s top-rated prospect system, as well as our largest spot-to-spot jump. Enjoy the future, folks.

San Jose Sharks Top-15 Prospects

1. Macklin Celebrini

Celebrini entered the 2023-24 scouting season as the hands-on favourite to be the first player picked for his draft class, and at no point in the months that followed did anyone else ever come close to dethroning him. The admiration for him is unanimous among scouts of all stripes, and there’s little doubt as to why. He eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey, and everything that he does when he’s out on the ice comes so naturally to him. He grew up in the world of professional sports through his dad’s work in the NBA, which has helped give him prodigious levels of maturity and understanding for how to train and think like an elite athlete. His game is exceptionally well-balanced, with extreme proficiency in almost every area and no weaknesses whatsoever. He and Connor Bedard could forge quite a rivalry between themselves as hockey’s next wave of generational superstars.

2. Will Smith

He's still just 19 years old, but it really seems like two things are going to be constants for Smith throughout the remainder of his career: scoring boatloads of points and winning big hockey games. His lethal offensive talents helped lead USA Hockey to back-to-back gold medals internationally, first at the 2023 IIHF U18s and then the 2024 World Juniors. He also came excruciatingly close to winning an NCAA title too, before ultimately getting denied when his Boston College team fell in the Frozen Four final to Denver, but he did end up leading the entire nation in scoring, which is an exceptional feat for a freshman to achieve. With elite hockey sense, puck skill, and playmaking ability he's a dazzling superstar in the making, and also worth mentioning, he should be able to further elevate the talented wingers in San Jose’s system that he will likely play with.

3. Yaroslav Askarov

For a bit there, it looked like the Yaroslav Askarov era in Nashville was about to begin. Juuse Saros was the subject of heavy trade rumours and the Predators were nearly playoff after thoughts. But a second half surge saved last season, and Saros signed a long-term extension. As a result, it was then Askarov who turned things upside down by asking for a trade, which brings us to his arrival in San Jose as their goaltender of the future. Askarov, one of the top young netminders outside of the NHL, continues to play well in the AHL and has even performed well in a few appearances with Nashville this year. He’s ready to take that next step, but will that be this season? Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek are under contract currently with San Jose look locked in as a platoon. But it would be a shock if he didn’t receive some time this year. The 6-foot-4 Russian netminder has it all; the athleticism, reaction time, technique, and play reading ability. He’s worked hard the last few years to quiet his approach in the crease and the results speak for themselves. Simply put, Askarov has the potential to be one of the premier netminders in the NHL.

4. Sam Dickinson

San Jose traded up from 14th overall to pick 11th overall in this past draft, and while that might not seem like a big jump, getting a player of Dickinson’s caliber outside of the first 10 picks is nothing short of a coup. He’s a large, athletic defenseman who skates like the wind and can transport the puck at full speed, which leads to some truly jaw-dropping scenes when he decides to stomp his foot on the gas. The way that he can both create space or take it away in an instant is remarkable, and it will also be highly valuable in the NHL with the importance of quick transitions. There are some issues right now with his awareness and decision-making, but he’s fortunate to be playing for the London Knights, who develop prospects better than any other junior program. If they can smooth out the wrinkles in his game, it could fully unleash his massive potential.

5. Quentin Musty

The Sudbury Wolves like to play loose, take chances, and push the attack without mercy, and that style certainly pairs well with Musty's mentality. His game is all about inflicting damage, which usually comes in the way of scoring chances, but can also come through his physical play as well. There is something impressively innate about how he sees the offensive zone and the way can manipulate the puck at his whim. It's like it just comes second nature to him somehow, or that his stick is an extension of his body. However, that is both a blessing and a curse. He's so used to things coming easily to him that certain habits are lacking, which causes glaring weaknesses in areas that he has neglected to work on, such as his skating and defensive play. Few other prospects out there are so boom or bust.

6. Shakir Mukhamadullin

Far more than just a fun name to say out loud, Mukhamadullin was the best defenseman for the Barricuda this season. He probably deserved more time with the Sharks based on merit, but the organization acted wisely and patiently, letting his development keep rolling in the AHL while keeping him mostly insulated from the chaos that besieged the parent club. His long reach and impressive mobility give him a huge range of influence every time he steps on the ice, and while he’s still prone to mistakes with his puck decisions and play tracking, he can recover and get back into position in the blink of an eye. And then there’s his shot, which is a bazooka from the blueline, and he’s not shy about flipping the safety off. One more year on the farm might be best for him, but after that it should be time to unleash him.

7. Thomas Bordeleau

Going from the prestigious USA Hockey National Team Development Program and then the explosive University of Michigan to the painstakingly rebuilding Sharks organization must have been a whiplash-like culture shock for Bordeleau. And yet, this dramatic shift at this particular time might end up being the best thing for his career long-term once it’s eventually looked back upon in hindsight, because there was a prior need in his game for more grit and a better understanding of how to be resilient through adversity. He’s always been both a wizard and a seer once the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone, but it’s not going to get there very often in the NHL unless you lean into doing the requisite dirty work. Luckily, Bordeleau is already making these necessary gains, and once the Sharks can eventually field a competitive young roster he’ll be better equipped to step up.

8. Filip Bystedt

Bystedt didn’t garner a lot of fanfare or media attention during his draft year, so a lot of Sharks fans were confused when the team seemingly went off the board and picked him in the 1st round in the 2022 draft. It always needs to be said, however, that development is a marathon and not a sprint, and the signs were there that the Swedish center was going to start picking up a lot of steam in short order. And now, after two prosperous seasons in the SHL and a terrific but short-lived first stint in North America, those carefully watered seeds are beginning to bear fruit. He is impossible to miss at times, with his forceful, elegant skating and ability to make high-end plays with the puck in motion. With his high-end traits and balanced supporting tools, it seems inevitable that he’ll become a valuable NHLer.

9. Kasper Halttunen

Halttunen crossed the pond for the first time this season, leaving his homeland of Finland for London in the OHL, and that decision is paying major dividends so far. He crossed the 30-goal mark during the regular season, and got to experience a playoff push on a great club while being surrounded by extremely talented teammates that he can learn from and grow alongside. The Knights are also already looking like they will be favourites to win the OHL next year, so that will be even more valuable experience that he will have access to. His best asset is undoubtedly his rocket of a one-timer, which he utilized to earn a tie for most powerplay goals in the league with 16. Look for him to be a leader for the Finns at next year's World Juniors as a returnee and top talent.

10. Daniil Gushchin

It's already well-known and well-documented how rough of a season the Sharks organization had from top to bottom, so give full marks to Gushchin for how great of a job he did blocking out the noise. He kept up a point-per-game scoring pace from bow to stern, and also potted a goal and an assist in the four games where he was called up to the big club. His energy level is matched by few others and he loves to keep his motor revved high, and most of his offensive production comes as a direct result of his hustle, but he's no slouch either when it comes to setting up his teammates or finishing plays himself. One man's crisis is another's opportunity, and Gushchin is using the situation in San Jose to force his way into an NHL roster spot.

11. Igor Chernyshov

Too good for Russia’s junior level but not quite good enough to play a lot of minutes in the KHL, Chernyshov made a smart decision to sign with Saginaw for 2024-25. He’s a burly winger who can be hard to slow down when he gets moving, and he also possesses some feathery mitts in one-on-one situations. How far up a lineup he’ll be able to play will depend on how much he can improve his pacing and energy levels.

12. Tristen Robins

You have to feel for Robins, because he grades highly with his hockey IQ, how hard he competes, and his puck manipulation, but he is inescapably limited in some ways because of his physical tools. He’s not very big or naturally fast, and with the reach and mobility of modern defensemen he’s always going to be at a disadvantage when it comes to time and space. Does he have an NHL future, or is he destined for the career of a journeyman?

13. Leo Sahlin Wallenius

Sahlin Wallenius has a very enviable box full of tools, but he can be a source of frustration because he often struggles to put everything together. He’s an effortless skater with a deep tank of gas, which allows him to keep a high pace while logging a lot of ice time, but he’s held back by a high frequency of mistakes made. If those mistakes can be coached out of him, he could go on to have a long and productive career.

14. Luca Cagnoni

Cagnoni is truly a player of extremes. His offensive vision and manipulation of the puck are both extremely good, as evidenced by his incredible 90 points last season, which led all WHL defensemen. At the same time, unfortunately, the way that he often gets manhandled physically is extremely concerning, especially since he doesn’t have elite feet. If he can’t significantly improve those physical tools, he won’t ever be able to let his skills and smarts fully flourish.

15. Jack Thompson

The pecking order in San Jose’s prospect pool is crowded, but if Thompson can keep progressing like he has since he was a teenager then he'll be just fine, as teams will always find ways to make room for a right-shooting blueliner with mobility, a heavy slapshot, and a willingness to defend hard. There's a comfortable NHL projection here because he’s so plug-and-play, along with a realistic chance that he could play as high up a second pairing.