Mikhail Gulyayev – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects – Biggest Risers and Fallers

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:00:37 +0000

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.

Adam Jiricek

Adam Jiricek (STL)

Previous Ranking: 97, New Ranking: 24

Jiricek’s first year in North America (in the OHL) was all about adjustment and injury recovery. Now fully healthy, he’s been among the OHL’s best defenders and was named the top defenceman at this year’s WJC’s.

Harrison Brunicke (PIT)

Previous Ranking: 178, New Ranking: 25

Started the year in the NHL with Pittsburgh before being sent back to the WHL post WJC’s. Brunicke is really figuring out how to get the best out of his vast athletic potential.

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 22: Nick Lardis #76 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck during a game against the Nashville Predators on March 22, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

Nick Lardis (CHI)

Previous Ranking: 102, New Ranking: 26

There was definitely some concern about how Lardis’ skill set would translate to the pro level given his frame. However, he’s been an immediate impact player and is rocketing up Chicago’s depth chart.

Alexander Zharovsky (MTL)

Previous Ranking: 222, New Ranking: 31

Talk about a breakout. Zharovsky took the KHL by storm in his draft plus one year. We knew he had among the highest upside of any forward in last year’s draft due to his creativity and skill, but we didn’t expect him to be fulfilling it so quickly.

Matvei Gridin (CGY)

Previous Ranking: 150, New Ranking: 43

Gridin was viewed as a boom or bust prospect who needed to round out his game to be a successful pro. He’s been terrific in the AHL as a rookie and has adjusted to the pro game way quicker than many expected.

Roman Kantserov (CHI)

Previous Ranking: 136, New Ranking: 47

Kantserov just continues to get better and has emerged as the best offensive player in the KHL. While the recent track record for KHL to NHL success is bleak, Kantserov has to be ranked highly because of the upside he possesses.

Will Horcoff (PIT)

Previous Ranking: 175, New Ranking: 60

Even if the offensive production decreased post World Juniors, Horcoff still had a tremendous year that saw him emerge as one of the most dangerous players in college hockey between the dots.

Vaclav Nestrasil (CHI)

Previous Ranking: 196, New Ranking: 68

Nestrasil was one of the better freshmen in the NCAA this year with UMass. He just keeps getting better and better and with his frame and IQ, he seems like a safe bet to be a quality NHL player so long as his skating continues to improve.

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) makes a save during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota Wild on November 21, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

Sergei Murashov (PIT)

Previous Ranking: 181, New Ranking: 73

Murashov’s growth in his second year in North America has been prolific. He’s been lights out in the AHL and even earned a cup of coffee in the NHL. The future starter for the Penguins in all likelihood.

Stephen Halliday (OTT)

Previous Ranking: 207, New Ranking: 85

Has there been a prospect in hockey more annually underrated than Halliday? He’s the USHL all time leading scorer. He was great in college. He was great in the AHL. And he’s been great in limited NHL action.

Charlie Stramel (MIN)

Previous Ranking: 263, New Ranking: 87

We all owe Stramel an apology for writing him off so early after he initially struggled at Wisconsin. He was one of the best players in college hockey this season for Michigan State and is back on track to be a quality NHL player.

Max Plante (DET)

Previous Ranking: 197, New Ranking: 90

Plante was great as a freshman at UMD, but he was even better as a sophomore, emerging as one of the NCAA’s best forwards and this year’s Hobey Baker winner.

Dean Letourneau (BOS)

Previous Ranking: 254, New Ranking: 96

What a difference a year can make. Letourneau was always going to be a long-term project, but he was written off by many after a rough freshman year. This year, he was one of BC’s best and most consistent players.

Benjamin Rautiainen (TB)

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked, New Ranking: 97

You might be asking yourself how the Lightning keep finding these guys to help keep them relevant. Rautiainen has exploded to be the top player in Liiga, a year after being drafted in the fourth round.

Eddie Genborg (DET)

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked, New Ranking: 102

Drafted for his physical approach, Genborg has improved his on puck play significantly and was an impact player in the SHL this year.

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 seen their stock fall the most this season.

Mikhail Gulyayev (COL)

Previous Ranking: 62, New Ranking: 147

While the KHL can be tough on young defenders, we keep waiting for Gulyayev’s breakout to happen. Instead, he’s had a regression this year and that has to be concerning to the Avalanche.

Sam Colangelo (ANA)

Previous Ranking: 84, New Ranking: Not Ranked

The only player to go from being ranked inside of our top 100 to being not ranked (outside of our top 200). Colangelo just hasn’t been able to get over the hump and establish himself as an NHL player.

Brennan Othmann (CGY)

Previous Ranking: 90, New Ranking: 177

His third pro season was supposed to be a breakout year for him, where he would finally establish himself as an NHL player. Instead, he’s had his worst year statistically and found himself in a new organization after a trade to Calgary.

Carson Rehkopf (SEA)

Previous Ranking: 106, New Ranking: Not Ranked

Rehkopf had a pretty stagnant year in the OHL last year, but there was some hope that he could turn things around as a first year pro. Instead, a lack of consistency continues to plague him.

Joshua Roy (MTL)

Previous Ranking: 108, New Ranking: 198

It’s starting to look like Roy’s NHL future may come with another organization. He’s seen himself passed by other forward prospects for a role in Montreal and his AHL production has stagnated.

MCKEEN'S HOCKEY TOP 200 NHL-AFFILIATED PROSPECTS

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Michael Misa	SJ	C	19	6-1/185	San Jose (NHL)	45	9	12	21	10
2	Porter Martone	Phi	RW	19	6-3/205	Michigan State (NCAA)	35	25	25	50	78
3	Anton Frondell	Chi	C	19	6-2/205	Djurgardens (SHL)	43	20	8	28	16
4	Caleb Desnoyers	Uta	C	19	6-2/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	45	22	56	78	36
5	Zayne Parekh	Cgy	D	20	6-0/180	Calgary (NHL)	37	4	5	9	8
6	Brady Martin	Nsh	C	19	6-0/185	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	24	8	16	24	37
7	Daniil But	Uta	LW	21	6-6/215	Utah (NHL)	29	3	4	7	8
8	Dmitri Simashev	Uta	D	21	6-5/200	Utah (NHL)	28	0	1	1	23
9	Jacob Fowler	Mtl	G	21	6-1/215	Laval (AHL)	27	19	7	2.23	0.916
10	Sebastian Cossa	Det	G	23	6-6/230	Grand Rapids (AHL)	39	26	8	2.33	0.915
11	Bradly Nadeau	Car	LW	21	5-11/170	Chicago (AHL)	52	27	29	56	24
12	Jake O'Brien	Sea	C	18	6-2/175	Brantford (OHL)	53	28	65	93	28
13	Tij Iginla	Uta	C	19	6-0/190	Kelowna (WHL)	48	41	49	90	29
14	Radim Mrtka	Buf	D	18	6-6/220	Seattle (WHL)	43	1	33	34	38
15	Igor Chernyshov	SJ	LW	20	6-2/190	San Jose (NHL)	28	9	10	19	6
16	Cole Hutson	Wsh	D	19	5-10/165	Boston University (NCAA)	35	10	22	32	26
17	James Hagens	Bos	C	19	5-11/195	Boston College (NCAA)	34	23	24	47	24
18	Konsta Helenius	Buf	C	20	5-11/190	Rochester (AHL)	63	21	41	62	22
19	Michael Hage	Mtl	C	20	6-1/190	Michigan (NCAA)	39	13	39	52	14
20	Roger McQueen	Ana	C	19	6-6/195	Providence (NCAA)	36	11	16	27	45
21	Gabe Perreault	NYR	LW	21	5-11/180	NY Rangers (NHL)	49	12	15	27	10
22	Sam Rinzel	Chi	D	21	6-4/180	Chicago (NHL)	54	4	10	14	44
23	Carter Yakemchuk	Ott	D	20	6-3/210	Belleville (AHL)	54	10	30	40	36
24	Adam Jiricek	StL	D	19	6-2/180	Brantford (OHL)	55	19	40	59	33
25	Harrison Brunicke	Pit	D	20	6-3/195	Kamloops (WHL)	24	2	22	24	20
26	Nick Lardis	Chi	LW	20	5-11/165	Chicago (NHL)	41	10	5	15	10
27	Nate Danielson	Det	C	21	6-2/185	Detroit (NHL)	28	2	5	7	4
28	Yegor Surin	Nsh	C	19	6-1/190	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	57	15	22	37	43
29	Braeden Cootes	Van	C	19	6-0/185	Sea-PA (WHL)	45	24	39	63	8
30	Jackson Smith	CBJ	D	19	6-4/200	Penn State (NCAA)	35	11	15	26	40
31	Alexander Zharovsky	Mtl	RW	19	6-1/165	Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)	59	16	26	42	38
32	Victor Eklund	NYI	RW	19	5-11/170	Djurgardens (SHL)	43	6	18	24	22
33	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	21	5-11/170	Abbotsford (AHL)	21	13	7	20	8
34	Scott Morrow	NYR	D	23	6-2/210	NY Rangers (NHL)	29	0	6	6	4
35	Kashawn Aitcheson	NYI	D	19	6-2/200	Barrie (OHL)	56	28	42	70	97
36	Liam Greentree	NYR	RW	20	6-3/215	Windsor (OHL)	52	38	36	74	63
37	Tanner Molendyk	Nsh	D	21	5-11/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	60	4	19	23	14
38	Justin Carbonneau	StL	RW	19	6-2/205	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	60	51	29	80	64
39	Ilya Protas	Wsh	LW	19	6-3/185	Hershey (AHL)	69	29	37	66	40
40	Cole Reschny	Cgy	C	19	5-11/185	North Dakota (NCAA)	36	6	29	35	22
41	Anton Silayev	NJ	D	20	6-7/210	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	61	1	2	3	10
42	Rutger McGroarty	Pit	LW	22	6-1/200	Pittsburgh (NHL)	24	3	3	6	4
43	Matvei Gridin	Cgy	RW	20	6-2/190	Calgary (NHL)	37	6	14	20	2
44	Isak Rosen	Wpg	RW	23	6-0/175	Buf-Wpg (NHL)	37	6	4	10	0
45	Cole Eiserman	NYI	LW	19	6-0/195	Boston University (NCAA)	32	18	10	28	14
46	Andrew Cristall	Wsh	LW	21	5-9/165	Hershey (AHL)	72	20	40	60	24
47	Roman Kantserov	Chi	RW	21	5-9/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	63	36	28	64	57
48	Jani Nyman	Sea	RW	21	6-3/215	Seattle (NHL)	28	4	3	7	6
49	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	Det	RW	20	6-1/205	Grand Rapids (AHL)	60	20	24	44	42
50	Quentin Musty	SJ	LW	20	6-2/200	San Jose (AHL)	61	21	24	45	46
51	Jett Luchanko	Phi	C	19	5-11/185	Gue-Bfd (OHL)	38	7	36	43	34
52	Cayden Lindstrom	CBJ	C	20	6-3/215	Michigan State (NCAA)	31	3	7	10	94
53	Trevor Connelly	VGK	LW	20	6-1/160	Henderson (AHL)	46	14	35	49	18
54	Jagger Firkus	Sea	RW	22	5-11/160	Coachella Valley (AHL)	63	21	35	56	18
55	Isaac Howard	Edm	LW	22	5-11/190	Bakersfield (AHL)	47	24	26	50	12
56	Lynden Lakovic	Wsh	LW	19	6-4/200	Moose Jaw (WHL)	22	18	11	29	8
57	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	21	6-2/185	Laval (AHL)	57	5	19	24	56
58	Trey Augustine	Det	G	21	6-1/195	Michigan State (NCAA)	34	24	9	2.11	0.929
59	Yegor Zavragin	Phi	G	20	6-2/185	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	12	5	7	2.63	0.919
60	Will Horcoff	Pit	C	19	6-5/200	Michigan (NCAA)	40	25	14	39	64
61	Reid Schaefer	Nsh	LW	22	6-3/215	Nashville (NHL)	47	6	2	8	17
62	Sam O'Reilly	TB	C	20	6-1/190	Ldn-Kit (OHL)	56	29	42	71	22
63	Otto Stenberg	StL	C	21	5-11/180	St. Louis (NHL)	32	3	7	10	5
64	Brayden Yager	Wpg	C	21	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	68	10	20	30	10
65	Joshua Ravensbergen	SJ	G	19	6-6/190	Prince George (WHL)	46	32	13	2.51	0.919
66	Cole Beaudoin	Uta	C	20	6-2/210	Barrie (OHL)	54	33	56	89	29
67	Michael Hrabal	Uta	G	21	6-7/215	Massachusetts (NCAA)	29	19	9	1.95	0.937
68	Vaclav Nestrasil	Chi	RW	19	6-6/185	Massachusetts (NCAA)	34	13	18	31	8
69	Stian Solberg	Ana	D	20	6-2/205	San Diego (AHL)	71	12	12	24	102
70	Maveric Lamoureux	Uta	D	22	6-7/215	Tucson (AHL)	65	5	15	20	75
71	Sascha Boumedienne	Wpg	D	19	6-2/185	Boston University (NCAA)	35	2	8	10	14
72	Adam Engstrom	Mtl	D	22	6-2/185	Laval (AHL)	45	10	24	34	18
73	Sergei Murashov	Pit	G	22	6-0/170	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	38	24	9	2.20	0.919
74	Owen Pickering	Pit	D	22	6-4/180	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	68	7	21	28	28
75	Pyotr Andreyanov	CBJ	G	19	6-0/205	Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)	26	13	8	2.59	0.919
76	Elias Salomonsson	Wpg	D	21	6-1/185	Winnipeg (NHL)	32	1	4	5	12
77	Shakir Mukhamadullin	SJ	D	24	6-4/200	San Jose (NHL)	50	5	7	12	22
78	Tristan Luneau	Ana	D	22	6-1/195	San Diego (AHL)	70	10	31	41	29
79	Carter Bear	Det	LW	19	6-0/180	Everett (WHL)	53	36	41	77	56
80	Filip Bystedt	SJ	C	22	6-4/205	San Jose (AHL)	65	22	38	60	22
81	Sacha Boisvert	Chi	C	20	6-3/190	Boston University (NCAA)	26	3	14	17	28
82	Julius Miettinen	Sea	C	20	6-3/200	Everett (WHL)	52	35	41	76	29
83	Theo Lindstein	StL	D	21	6-0/180	Springfield (AHL)	59	6	8	14	18
84	Cullen Potter	Cgy	C	19	5-10/170	Arizona State (NCAA)	24	12	14	26	16
85	Stephen Halliday	Ott	C	23	6-4/210	Ottawa (NHL)	30	4	7	11	2
86	Marek Vanacker	Chi	LW	20	6-0/175	Brantford (OHL)	60	47	35	82	33
87	Charlie Stramel	Min	C	21	6-3/215	Michigan State (NCAA)	37	19	25	44	32
88	Alex Bump	Phi	LW	22	6-0/195	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	36	11	15	26	22
89	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	Sea	C	21	6-0/165	Coachella Valley (AHL)	49	10	24	34	12
90	Max Plante	Det	LW	20	5-11/175	Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)	40	25	27	52	23
91	Seamus Casey	NJ	D	22	5-10/165	Utica (AHL)	29	1	18	19	13
92	Jack Nesbitt	Phi	C	19	6-5/185	Windsor (OHL)	55	25	33	58	67
93	Mikhail Yegorov	NJ	G	20	6-5/190	Boston University (NCAA)	35	16	15	2.73	0.904
94	Luca Del Bel Belluz	CBJ	C	22	6-1/185	Cleveland (AHL)	55	22	36	58	2
95	Ilya Nabokov	Col	G	23	6-0/180	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	38	22	7	2.74	0.901
96	Dean Letourneau	Bos	C	20	6-7/215	Boston College (NCAA)	36	22	17	39	22
97	Benjamin Rautiainen	TB	C	20	6-0/175	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	59	25	52	77	20
98	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	23	6-2/180	Rockford (AHL)	37	13	20	3.08	0.901
99	Bill Zonnon	Pit	RW	19	6-2/185	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	35	14	32	46	6
100	Riley Heidt	Min	C	21	5-10/180	Iowa (AHL)	71	8	17	25	38
101	Juraj Pekarcik	StL	LW	20	6-2/185	Springfield (AHL)	69	11	24	35	10
102	Eddie Genborg	Det	RW	19	6-2/205	Timra (SHL)	43	9	16	25	24
103	Owen Beck	Mtl	C	22	5-11/185	Laval (AHL)	58	13	20	33	28
104	Oliver Bonk	Phi	D	21	6-2/195	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	46	6	13	19	22
105	Luca Cagnoni	SJ	D	21	5-9/180	San Jose (AHL)	67	8	35	43	22
106	Cameron Reid	Nsh	D	19	6-0/190	Kitchener (OHL)	57	15	41	56	29
107	Eric Pohlkamp	SJ	D	22	5-11/205	Denver (NCAA)	43	18	21	39	33
108	Lenni Hameenaho	NJ	RW	21	6-0/175	New Jersey (NHL)	33	2	6	8	14
109	Felix Unger Sorum	Car	RW	20	5-11/170	Chicago (AHL)	72	17	49	66	20
110	Milton Gastrin	Wsh	C	18	6-1/195	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	39	10	14	24	4
111	Carter George	LA	G	20	6-1/195	OS-Soo (OHL)	46	23	17	2.73	0.907
112	Samuel Honzek	Cgy	LW	21	6-4/185	Calgary (NHL)	18	2	2	4	2
113	Dmitri Buchelnikov	StL	LW	22	5-10/170	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	44	14	11	25	10
114	Ryker Lee	Nsh	RW	19	6-1/185	Michigan State (NCAA)	35	15	15	30	26
115	Hunter Brzustewicz	Cgy	D	21	5-11/185	Calgary (NHL)	34	2	5	7	4
116	Terik Parascak	Wsh	RW	20	6-0/180	Prince George (WHL)	61	33	46	79	53
117	EJ Emery	NYR	D	20	6-3/185	North Dakota (NCAA)	38	3	10	13	32
118	Logan Hensler	Ott	D	19	6-3/195	Wisconsin (NCAA)	23	4	8	12	20
119	Emil Hemming	Dal	RW	19	6-1/205	Barrie (OHL)	46	26	37	63	22
120	Blake Fiddler	Sea	D	18	6-5/220	Edmonton (WHL)	63	11	25	36	38
121	Jakob Ihs Wozniak	VGK	RW	19	6-3/190	Bjorkloven (Allsvenskan)	36	9	14	23	12
122	Cameron Lund	SJ	C	21	6-2/195	San Jose (AHL)	37	9	16	25	12
123	Ville Koivunen	Pit	LW	22	6-0/175	Pittsburgh (NHL)	39	2	5	7	10
124	Artyom Duda	Uta	D	22	6-1/185	Tucson (AHL)	27	2	11	13	22
125	Ivan Miroshnichenko	Wsh	LW	22	6-1/185	Hershey (AHL)	41	14	20	34	47
126	Gracyn Sawchyn	Fla	C	21	5-11/160	Charlotte (AHL)	35	6	17	23	12
127	Jack Ivankovic	Nsh	G	19	6-0/175	Michigan (NCAA)	35	25	8	2.15	0.921
128	Denver Barkey	Phi	C	21	5-8/160	Philadelphia (NHL)	43	5	12	17	16
129	Bryce Pickford	Mtl	D	20	6-1/185	Medicine Hat (WHL)	55	45	38	83	56
130	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	SJ	D	20	6-0/180	Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)	32	3	10	13	14
131	Niklas Kokko	Sea	G	22	6-3/185	Coachella Valley (AHL)	35	19	10	3.13	0.901
132	Kieron Walton	Wpg	C	20	6-6/210	Sby-Pbo (OHL)	62	40	48	88	26
133	Ryan Ufko	Nsh	D	23	5-10/180	Milwaukee (AHL)	52	11	33	44	20
134	Tarin Smith	Ana	D	20	6-1/185	Everett (WHL)	65	16	55	71	98
135	Semyon Vyazovoy	Sea	G	23	6-2/170	Salavat Yulayev Ufa (Rus)	53	27	18	2.13	0.931
136	Anton Wahlberg	Buf	C	20	6-3/195	Rochester (AHL)	68	9	29	38	20
137	Tyson Jugnauth	Sea	D	22	5-11/170	Coachella Valley (AHL)	72	9	36	45	44
138	David Edstrom	Nsh	C	21	6-3/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	53	8	14	22	28
139	David Spacek	Min	D	23	5-11/175	Iowa (AHL)	59	7	29	36	16
140	Carl Lindbom	VGK	G	23	6-1/165	Henderson (AHL)	35	24	5	2.16	0.926
141	Brad Lambert	Wpg	C	22	6-0/180	Winnipeg (NHL)	25	3	3	6	6
142	Amadeus Lombardi	Det	C	22	5-10/165	Grand Rapids (AHL)	47	16	26	42	22
143	Ethan Gauthier	TB	RW	21	5-11/175	Syracuse (AHL)	56	12	15	27	10
144	Henry Mews	Cgy	D	20	6-0/190	Michigan (NCAA)	10	0	9	9	6
145	Eric Nilson	Ana	C	19	6-0/165	Michigan State (NCAA)	35	3	8	11	41
146	Ben Danford	Tor	D	20	6-1/190	Osh-Bfd (OHL)	45	3	17	20	13
147	Mikhail Gulyayev	Col	D	21	5-11/170	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	54	1	2	3	14
148	Henry Brzustewicz	LA	D	19	6-2/200	London (OHL)	59	19	35	54	57
149	Joakim Kemell	Nsh	RW	22	5-10/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	48	10	19	29	56
150	Danny Nelson	NYI	C	20	6-3/200	Notre Dame (NCAA)	36	13	16	29	32
151	Luca Marrelli	CBJ	D	20	6-2/185	Cleveland (AHL)	32	4	12	16	10
152	Dylan Duke	TB	LW	23	5-10/180	Syracuse (AHL)	72	32	27	59	42
153	Jack Devine	Fla	RW	22	5-11/175	Charlotte (AHL)	63	18	25	43	57
154	Daniil Prokhorov	NYI	RW	19	6-6/220	Dynamo Moskva (KHL)	23	1	0	1	2
155	William Zellers	Bos	LW	20	6-0/180	North Dakota (NCAA)	38	18	16	34	29
156	Ethan Wyttenbach	Cgy	LW	19	5-10/180	Quinnipiac (NCAA)	40	25	34	59	20
157	Eduard Sale	Sea	LW	21	6-1/170	Coachella Valley (AHL)	58	13	14	27	14
158	Dmitry Gamzin	NYI	G	23	6-3/175	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	40	22	10	1.49	0.938
159	Kasper Halttunen	SJ	RW	20	6-3/205	San Jose (AHL)	69	16	19	35	45
160	Lukas Fischer	StL	D	19	6-3/180	Sar-Soo (OHL)	65	8	36	44	88
161	Semyon Frolov	Car	G	19	6-3/200	MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL)	7	4	1	1.83	0.929
162	Fabian Lysell	Bos	RW	23	5-11/180	Providence (AHL)	57	17	25	42	51
163	Mason West	Chi	C	18	6-7/220	Fargo (USHL)	38	10	15	25	12
164	Shane Vansaghi	Phi	RW	19	6-3/210	Michigan State (NCAA)	35	4	7	11	28
165	Dominik Badinka	Car	D	20	6-3/185	Chicago (AHL)	68	6	8	14	16
166	Lucas Pettersson	Ana	C	20	6-0/175	Brynas (SHL)	41	10	10	20	0
167	Sawyer Mynio	Van	D	21	6-1/175	Abbotsford (AHL)	58	3	18	21	42
168	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	24	5-11/190	Henderson (AHL)	49	8	39	47	32
169	Quinn Hutson	Edm	RW	24	5-10/170	Bakersfield (AHL)	67	30	33	63	84
170	Vojtech Cihar	LA	LW	19	6-1/180	Kelowna (WHL)	31	12	19	31	14
171	Heikki Ruohonen	Phi	C	19	6-1/205	Harvard (NCAA)	28	6	13	19	18
172	Tristan Broz	Pit	C	23	6-0/180	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	47	16	23	39	41
173	Maksymilian Szuber	Uta	D	23	6-3/190	Tucson (AHL)	65	11	16	27	67
174	Kirill Kudryavtsev	Van	D	22	5-11/200	Abbotsford (AHL)	44	2	18	20	4
175	Adam Gajan	Chi	G	22	6-3/185	Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)	33	19	13	2.25	0.908
176	Hampton Slukynsky	LA	G	20	6-1/180	Western Michigan (NCAA)	39	27	11	2.30	0.915
177	Brennan Othmann	Cgy	LW	23	6-0/190	Hfd-Cgy (AHL)	40	9	14	23	62
178	Lasse Boelius	Ana	D	19	6-1/190	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	40	1	7	8	8
179	Colby Barlow	Wpg	LW	21	6-0/195	Manitoba (AHL)	65	8	8	16	18
180	Charlie Cerrato	Car	C	21	6-0/190	Penn State (NCAA)	23	7	20	27	20
181	Cole McKinney	SJ	C	19	6-0/200	Michigan (NCAA)	40	8	12	20	28
182	Michal Postava	Det	G	24	6-2/205	Grand Rapids (AHL)	25	17	6	1.71	0.937
183	Justin Robidas	Car	C	23	5-8/175	Chicago (AHL)	58	23	37	60	14
184	Ty Nelson	Sea	D	22	5-10/195	Coachella Valley (AHL)	63	11	24	35	26
185	Carson Wetsch	SJ	RW	20	6-1/205	Kelowna (WHL)	65	22	50	72	80
186	Vsevolod Komarov	Buf	D	22	6-2/182	Rochester (AHL)	55	4	7	11	60
187	Dylan Roobroeck	NYR	C	21	6-6/190	Hartford (AHL)	72	11	15	26	90
188	Luca Pinelli	CBJ	C	21	5-9/165	Cleveland (AHL)	68	14	32	46	66
189	Tim Washe	Ana	C	24	6-3/215	Anaheim (NHL)	39	2	3	5	14
190	Aiden Fink	Nsh	RW	21	5-10/160	Penn State (NCAA)	30	10	28	38	20
191	Florian Xhekaj	Mtl	LW	21	6-2/175	Laval (AHL)	64	17	12	29	182
192	Carter Mazur	Det	LW	24	6-0/170	Grand Rapids (AHL)	16	11	5	16	14
193	Brodie Ziemer	Buf	RW	20	5-11/195	Minnesota (NCAA)	36	23	13	36	26
194	Nathan Behm	Chi	RW	19	6-2/200	Kamloops (WHL)	67	38	48	86	41
195	Ivan Ryabkin	Car	C	19	5-11/205	Chicago (AHL)	31	1	9	10	60
196	Jacob Quillan	Tor	C	24	6-1/205	Toronto (NHL)	23	1	2	3	2
197	Herman Traff	Ana	RW	20	6-3/215	Oskarshamn (Allsvenskan)	51	23	18	41	32
198	Joshua Roy	Mtl	RW	22	6-0/190	Laval (AHL)	57	23	22	45	32
199	Sandis Vilmanis	Fla	LW	22	6-1/190	Charlotte (AHL)	48	17	21	38	26
200	Miroslav Holinka	Tor	C	20	6-1/185	Edmonton (WHL)	59	37	43	80	24

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #29 Colorado Avalanche – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:00:39 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 26: Trent Miner #50 of the Colorado Avalanche makes a save during a game between the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on October 26, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 29th (Last Year - 28th)
GM: Chris MacFarland Hired: July 2022
COACH: Jared Bednar Hired: August 2016

With one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche have once again pushed their chips to the center of the table in pursuit of another Stanley Cup.

In an effort to solidify their window, the Avalanche aggressively targeted veteran talent, acquiring key pieces such as Brock Nelson at the 2025 trade deadline while also adding established centers Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy in 2026. Of course, the cost of that push has been high. Over the next three years, Colorado has moved three first-round picks, two second-round picks, and two third-round picks in order to reinforce the NHL roster. Colorado added just three players in the 2025 draft, and while the 2026 class is currently projected to include eight selections, half of those picks will come in the seventh round.

There are, however, a few encouraging pieces. Goaltender Ilya Nabokov (95th) remains the organization’s most intriguing long-term asset, while dynamic defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev also finds his way into McKeen’s Top 150. Further down the pipeline, 20-year-old Christian Humphreys — a seventh-round selection in 2024 — is enjoying a breakout overage season with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and could position himself for a transition to the professional ranks in 2026–27.

Beyond those few bright spots, the system remains thin on impact talent, with most prospects projecting as depth contributors at the NHL level. Still, when your core includes elite players such as Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Nečas and the opportunity to chase a second Stanley Cup in five seasons, the cost is one Colorado has been more than willing to pay.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Col	1	Ilya Nabokov	G	23	6-0/180	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	38	22	7	2.74	0.901
Col	2	Mikhail Gulyayev	D	21	5-11/170	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	54	1	2	3	14
Col	3	Sean Behrens	D	23	5-10/175	Colorado (AHL)	55	5	18	23	22
Col	4	Francesco Dell'Elce	D	20	6-1/180	Massachusetts (NCAA)	36	5	16	21	18
Col	5	Trent Miner	G	25	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	32	17	8	2.62	0.904
Col	6	Nikita Prishchepov	C	22	6-1/195	Colorado (AHL)	22	3	9	12	28
Col	7	Christian Humphreys	C	20	5-11/170	Kitchener (OHL)	63	27	58	85	33
Col	8	Louka Cloutier	G	19	6-1/170	Boston College (NCAA)	33	19	13	2.34	0.910
Col	9	Alex Gagne	D	23	6-3/205	Colorado (AHL)	58	1	12	13	53
Col	10	Linus Funck	D	19	6-3/185	London (OHL)	65	4	18	22	29
Col	11	Jake Fisher	C	21	6-2/190	Denver (NCAA)	43	8	11	19	6
Col	12	Nolan Roed	C	20	5-11/185	St. Cloud State (NCAA)	36	5	13	18	32
Col	13	Taylor Makar	LW	25	6-3/190	Colorado (AHL)	52	14	10	24	56
Col	13	Taylor Makar	LW	25	6-3/190	Colorado (NHL)	12	0	0	0	4
Col	14	Danil Gushchin	RW	24	5-8/165	Colorado (AHL)	49	18	14	32	26
Col	15	Isak Posch	G	24	6-3/210	Colorado (AHL)	28	15	8	2.78	0.891

1. Ilya Nabokov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

After some impressive seasons in the KHL (especially his rookie year), Nabokov's numbers have taken a bit of a dive. He is sitting just above a .900 SV% and has a career high GAA. Despite this, he is the starting goalie for the best KHL team in Metallurg, which is reflected in his 22-7-5 record. Nabokov is at his best when he's playing aggressively and confidently, utilizing his elite athletic ability and flexibility. The footwork and speed are impressive, able to keep up with the puck as it moves across the ice with his strong T push or lateral mobility from the butterfly. When he is able to anticipate play, he is very difficult to beat. But Nabokov’s weaknesses have been a bit exposed this season. There is some inconsistency in his ability to track pucks, and he is prone to taking atrocious angles. The overuse of T pushes forces him to constantly readjust his position. He favors the near post, leaving far side shots, rebounds, or backdoor passes open for prime looks. The plan should be to get him to North America soon to work on the more technical side of the game. The athletic base is special, and if he can be reigned in, there could be a quality goaltender in the future.

2. Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Avangard Omsk (KHL)

For a player touted as an offensive defenseman, Gulyayev’s production has not impressed, producing the worst point totals of his career. The skating is still exceptional, using the extreme mobility to close gaps, be effective on breakouts, and make plays along the blue line. The offensive game is exciting at times, activating along the half wall and walking the blue line, throwing pucks into the slot and getting shots through traffic. On breakouts, he's always pushing up ice, making himself an option and having the ability to carry it himself. There is just an overall lack of involvement when he is on the ice. Defensively, he is still struggling to play physically and handle stronger opponents. There is also a tendency to be behind plays, chasing the puck and abandoning his position. To be an effective NHLer, he needs to be more engaged and take more risks in the offensive zone. The talent and mobility are there to be an offensive weapon; it’s just a matter of application.

3. Sean Behrens, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Sean Behrens missed the entirety of last season with an injury, which has delayed his developmental timeline, but he is nevertheless a talented defensive prospect who can log heavy minutes at both ends of the ice. The hallmark of Behrens’ game is his hockey sense; he just knows where to be on the ice, which allows him to be in excellent position to make that next defensive play, or that next outlet pass to his streaking forwards. Behrens can also man the point on a power play, as he was especially effective as a power play quarterback during his time with Denver University in the NCAA. This season, Behrens’ game with the Colorado Eagles has taken a bit of time to take off (53 GP, 5-17-22), but he is trending in the right direction and looks to be regaining the confidence that made him such a dominant force at the NCAA level. Look for Behrens to continue to build reps this season at the AHL level, where he ultimately projects as a bottom-pairing defender for the Colorado Avalanche.

4. Francesco Dell'Elce, D, UMass (NCAA)

Dell’Elce was passed over in two NHL drafts before being selected in the third round by the Colorado Avalanche. He took a strange path to this point, making the jump to the NCAA at 20 years old from the BCHL. In his first NCAA season, he performed well enough to be drafted over younger prospects in their first year of eligibility. This season, he has scored just three fewer points in four fewer games. His passing ability is outstanding, and he has incredible poise with the puck on his stick. He is largely unfazed by forechecking pressure, and his edges and smarts allow him to escape and make plays in those pressure moments. His skating and lack of a more physical presence were the main knocks that I had on him entering the 2025 draft. This year, he has added a bit more physicality. His skating, specifically his straight-line speed, still needs improvement. But he looks like he’s still well on his way to becoming a depth contributor thanks to his pro-style play and overall smarts and poise with the puck. He looks like a bottom-pair contributor down the line, with puck-moving upside.

5. Trent Miner, G, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Trent Miner has really had to grind away to get to where he is in professional hockey - a spot as the number one goalie for the Colorado Eagles in the AHL (31 GP, 17-7-8, 2.54 GAA, .906 SV%), with promise to become a future backup goalie for the Colorado Avalanche. Although Miner does not have any one standout attribute, his game has gotten him so far because it is built upon consistency. Miner almost never pitches a bad game, and even on nights when he struggles, he almost always finds a way to fight through and make a timely save when it counts to keep his team in the game. It is unlikely that Miner becomes a starter at the NHL level, but for a seventh round pick that has had to literally battle for every opportunity at the pro level, Miner’s career is a nice story. Look for Miner to fill in every now and then for the Avalanche as a capable option this season, and to graduate to full-time backup status at the start of next season.

6. Nikita Prishchepov, C, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Nikita Prishchepov might be a bit of an unknown commodity to many Colorado Avalanche fans, but he has really burst onto the scene as a potential bottom-six option from a very bare Avalanche prospect cupboard. Prishchepov is a decent-sized winger who has underrated two-way ability, which allows him to stay in the right areas at both ends of the ice. He won’t ever wow you with any game-breaking offensive skill, nor is he the world’s best shutdown player, but he can be counted upon to play effectively at both ends of the ice without hurting his team. Prishchepov does need a bit more time to build reps at the pro level, as his offensive game has a lot of room to grow, but he has played well this season for the Colorado Eagles (22 GP, 3-9-12) and remains a potential call up option for the Avalanche in the event they face more injuries this season. Expect Prishchepov to become a two-way fourth line player down the line at the NHL level, with potential to become a defensive-oriented third line player.

7. Christian Humphreys, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Christian Humphreys has been a key piece of Kitchener’s offense, providing top-notch playmaking, and finished fifth in assists among all OHL skaters. The undersized American was drafted out of the NTDP back in 2024 in the seventh round before graduating to the University of Michigan and promptly transferring to the Kitchener Rangers 10 games in. He wanted more touches and ice time, and he’s certainly achieved that with top-line minutes and PP1 on a contending team. His playmaking game is super well-rounded, using touch to float passes over sticks and deception to redirect opponents. Stylistically, Christian Humphreys fits more into a top six, but I’m not sure if he has the jam or pace to get there. I’m still not sold that he has a role in an NHL bottom six, but crazier things have happened, especially considering Colorado’s pretty barren prospect barracks. It’s tough to bet against the intelligence he has. I foresee some strong AHL production in the coming years.

8. Louka Cloutier, G, Boston College (NCAA)

Last season was a tough one for him with the storied Chicago Steel. However, Cloutier is having a bounce back season after joining Boston College for his first year in the NCAA. Despite playing against tougher competition, his counting stats have greatly improved from a year ago. Now, the Steel have not been as dominant over the last few seasons, which has left Cloutier out to dry quite often. He did flash his strong glove hand, flexibility, and mostly strong rebound control. But it was his angles that let him down often in the chances opposing teams generated, alongside his lack of aggressiveness. Because of his lack of aggression in taking on shooters, his slightly smaller stature and slouched stance make him easier to be beaten up high. With Boston College, his stance is still a work in progress. But he is noticeably more aggressive, coming out to challenge shooters far more often. He’s also attacking pucks as they’re fired at him, essentially punching at shots instead of letting them hit him. While he has a ton of talent, and he has found early success in the NCAA, he still has a ways to go developmentally.

9. Alex Gagne, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Alex Gagne is a big defenseman who went unsigned by the Tampa Bay Lightning after a solid four-year career at the University of New Hampshire. The best part about Gagne’s game is his frame; he’s a 6-foot-5, 225-pound defender who is extremely difficult to play against in his own zone. He’s able to use his frame effectively on the penalty kill, and he skates quite well for a player of his size. Gagne does not have game-breaking offensive skill, but he can move pucks capably out of his own zone to his forwards. Gagne does need to work a bit on his mean streak, as teams will want him to play with more bite at the NHL level, but overall, he has a nice toolkit that projects well to a bottom-pairing penalty killing role. Teams look for players like Gagne to fill prominent minutes in the NHL playoffs, and with the way Gagne has been progressing this season, it’s not hard to envision a scenario where he fills that role one day for the Avalanche.

10. Linus Funck, D, London Knights (OHL)

A fourth round pick last year out of Sweden, Funck made the jump to the OHL this year with London. He has been a steady defensive presence, showing upside as a depth, stay at home type. He’s been tasked with playing a middle of the lineup role for the Knights, with coach Dale Hunter relying on him heavily to help anchor London’s penalty killing unit. Funck has been a big reason why the Knights’ PK group has been a top three ranked unit in the OHL this year. He’s not a highly physical player, but he’s efficient defensively because he has good overall mobility and an active stick. He makes strong reads in the defensive end and has excellent gap control. Offensively, his game has shown to be somewhat limited at the OHL level; he’s not a high skill player or someone who is overly confident with the puck outside of the defensive zone. Funck is eligible to return to London next year as an Import, and if he does, he might have the opportunity to receive more offensive responsibility, and that could give us a better indication of his ultimate upside.

11. Jake Fisher, C, University of Denver (NCAA)

Fisher is a hardworking, lunch pail kind of forward who is playing in his sophomore season at the University of Denver. He’ll need to have an offensive breakout at some point to be considered an NHL option.

12. Nolan Roed, C, St. Cloud State University (NCAA)

A talented and hard-working playmaker, Roed has had a successful freshman season at St. Cloud State. Continuing to improve his skating and defensive play will be key for him due to a bottom six projection.

13. Taylor Makar, LW, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Originally considered to be an example of nepotism, Cale’s brother is carving his own path after a breakout campaign at Maine and now a decent rookie year in the AHL that has already seen him earn an NHL look.

14. Daniil Gushchin, LW, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

In a very thin Colorado system, Gushchin remains a top 15 prospect even though his days seem numbered in North America. He hasn’t been able to transfer his AHL scoring to the NHL level and is likely destined for a long career in Europe.

15. Isak Posch, G, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Posch was signed last offseason after a great year with St. Cloud State. The big Swedish netminder has added solid depth to the Colorado organization and shows upside as a possible back-up down the road.

NHL PROSPECTS: Victor Nuño – Dynasty Stock Watch – Colorado Avalanche Edition

Victor Nuño — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:37:51 +0000

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch - Colorado Avalanche Edition

Team Outlook

The Colorado Avalanche remain firmly in their Stanley Cup contention window, driven by one of the league’s most dominant cores in Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. With improved goaltending and Gabriel Landeskog looking revitalized, they appear to be a force once again. Their top-end talent is elite, their systems maximize speed and transition play, and their depth has been strengthened by smart value acquisitions. However, with several key players on large contracts and limited cap flexibility, the Avalanche will increasingly rely on prospects and entry-level deals to fill meaningful roles around their stars.

For dynasty managers, this creates an interesting dynamic. Colorado does not need prospects to carry the roster, but they do need cost-controlled contributors who can either step into the lineup or serve as valuable trade assets. There will be opportunity in the bottom six and on the blue line, and there is always the chance for an internal breakout if a young player earns the coaching staff’s trust in this high-scoring environment. Identifying which prospects can realistically carve out a role, versus those who may be squeezed out by the team’s win-now mentality, is essential for long-term fantasy value.

Buy Candidates

Ilya Nabokov (G, 21)

Why Buy?
Goaltending depth has been a long-standing concern in Colorado, and Ilya Nabokov has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing young goalies in the system. He blends strong positioning with calm rebound control and an excellent compete level. His development in the KHL has been impressive, and he has already shown the ability to steal games when needed. With Alexandar Georgiev approaching free agency and no long-term starter locked in, the path is open for Nabokov to transition to the NHL within the next one to two seasons.

According to Hockey Prospecting, Nabokov carries a 79 percent NHLer probability, with comparables such as Carter Hart, Jake Oettinger, and Juuse Saros, which speaks to both his upside and his likelihood of sticking in the league. Goalies with legitimate starter potential on elite teams rarely come at a reasonable dynasty cost, yet Nabokov remains somewhat under the radar due to playing overseas. His long-term opportunity is tied to one of the best offensive and possession environments in the NHL, which could translate into strong win totals and solid ratios once he arrives.

Sean Behrens (D, 22)

Why Buy?
Behrens remains one of the most intelligent and well-rounded defense prospects in Colorado’s system. His skating, quick reads, and ability to move pucks efficiently under pressure make him a natural fit for the Avalanche’s transition-driven style. He missed the entire 2024–25 season due to injury, but in his return, he has produced six points in nineteen AHL games while steadily regaining his rhythm. Behrens may not bring the dynamic flair of a Cale Makar, but his timing, poise, and crisp exits allow him to drive play quietly and effectively. As he continues to re-establish himself, there is still meaningful upside, reflected in his 20% star probability on Hockey Prospecting.

For fantasy managers, the opportunity in Colorado is clear. Behind Makar and Toews, the Avalanche will need cost-controlled contributors to stabilize the blue line, especially as their cap commitments tighten. Behrens fits that mold perfectly: a reliable puck mover with strong vision who could earn second-unit power-play time and trusted even-strength minutes. Because he lost an entire development year, he may be undervalued in many dynasty formats. Buying early, before he secures a permanent NHL role, could pay off as soon as next season.

Maxmilian Curran (C/LW, 19)

Why Buy?
Curran is a long-term upside swing with real breakout potential. He blends size, skill, and goal scoring instincts in a way that is rare for a player his age. Curran protects the puck well, drives the interior with authority, and finishes from dangerous areas with natural touch. His offensive ceiling is one of the highest among Colorado’s forward prospects, and as his skating improves, he projects as a true power forward with credible top six upside. With a late birthdate, only a few weeks from eligibility for the 2025 class, he likely would have been more highly regarded had he been drafted a year later.

Curran produced over a point per game for Tri-City in the WHL last season and he is doing it again with Edmonton. His Fantasy Hockey Life skater card supports the eye test, showing excellent transition metrics, strong play driving, great loose puck recovery, and high puck battle win rates. Because he is still early in his development, some dynasty managers may overlook him or view him as a long-term project. That creates a window of opportunity. Colorado is patient with high ceiling wingers, and Curran has the foundation to generate a major value spike in the coming years. In deeper formats, he is exactly the type of prospect worth acquiring before broader interest rises.

Sell Candidates

Gavin Brindley (RW, 21)

Why Sell?

Brindley is an easy player to appreciate. His motor never stops, he brings speed and pressure on every shift, and his competitive edge makes him a coach’s favorite. His strong college résumé and versatility helped generate early breakout buzz, but from a long-term fantasy standpoint, his offensive ceiling appears limited. Brindley does not have the high-end finishing or elite playmaking that typically anchors a top six NHL role, and his size may restrict how much offense he can independently drive at the next level. Colorado’s depth on the wing, along with their preference for players with dynamic scoring skill in prime roles, increases the likelihood that he settles into more of an energy based, support oriented position.

His 20 NHL games this season have shown flashes, yet the profile still points toward a complementary piece rather than a future scoring driver. The NHL Rank King pNHLe projection pegs him around a 45-point pace, which aligns with a middle or bottom six outlook. If Brindley goes on a short heater or produces above his expected rates, that may be the ideal moment to sell, especially if another manager still sees him as a potential top six scorer. His name value and recent NHL exposure give you a window to capitalize before his long-term role becomes more firmly defined.

Mikhail Gulyayev (D, 20)

Why Sell?
Gulyayev is a smooth skating defenseman with strong puck skills and impressive transition ability. His upside remains appealing on paper, and his junior production hinted at the possibility of a dynamic modern blue liner. However, that projection has not carried over consistently against professional competition, and the offensive impact he once seemed capable of has yet to materialize.

Gulyayev increasingly looks like a player who will be more valuable to his NHL team than to fantasy managers. Across 176 KHL games, he has recorded only 31 points, a clear indication that he is not driving offense even at that level. While he may eventually provide reliable mobility and puck moving for Colorado, he is unlikely to produce the scoring numbers that translate to meaningful fantasy relevance. He should still contribute a decent number of blocks, shots, and hits, which has value in deeper formats, but if you can move him for a prospect with clearer scoring upside, it is probably worth doing so before his role becomes more defined and his fantasy ceiling becomes harder to sell.

Daniil Gushchin (RW, 23)

Why Sell?
Gushchin is a talented scorer with excellent hands, creativity, and finishing ability. He has produced at every developmental stop and brings the kind of offensive flair that immediately pops on video. However, consistency, size, and defensive reliability have kept him from securing a permanent NHL role. In a deep and competitive forward group like Colorado’s, players who do not provide value away from the puck often struggle to earn ice time. The Avalanche prioritize pace, structure, and two-way responsibility, and Gushchin does not consistently meet all of those expectations.

Even his projection models are cooling. His pNHLe in the NHL Rank King application now hovers around fifty, and even if he reaches that mark, it will not make him an especially appealing fantasy asset in most formats. After three strong AHL seasons in the San Jose system, Gushchin was traded to Colorado and continues to produce for the Eagles, but his NHL translation looks less likely now than ever. He has not shown the ability to drive play at the NHL level, and the Avalanche are not an organization that hands out offensive opportunities without trust in the details. If there is still any interest in him based on his AHL output or past highlight plays, this is probably the right time to move him. His perceived upside remains higher than his realistic path to lasting fantasy relevance.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Ilya Nabokov	Buy	Future starter potential on a contending team
Sean Behrens	Buy	Smart puck-mover with top-four and PP2 upside
Maximilian Curran	Buy	High-upside power winger with long-term breakout potential
Gavin Brindley	Sell	High motor, but limited offensive ceiling in a deep lineup
Mikhail Gulyayev	Sell	Better in real life defender with limited scoring upside
Daniil Gushchin	Sell	Great AHL scorer, but unlikely to translate to the NHL

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #28

The McKeen's Scouting Team — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:59:53 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 28th (May 2025 - 31st)
GM: Chris MacFarland Hired: July 2022
COACH: Jared Bednar Hired: August 2016

Trading away your top prospect is rarely the path to rebuilding a strong pipeline, but that’s the gamble Colorado made by shipping out Calum Ritchie at the trade deadline in preparation of a 2025 Stanley Cup run.

That said, the Avalanche made some off-season moves, adding a pair of NHL-ready hopefuls in Gavin Brindley from Columbus and Daniil Gushchin from San Jose—players who offer promise but are far from blue-chip replacements.

The club’s 2025 draft didn’t do much to move the needle, either. With just three selections (in the third, fourth, and seventh rounds), Colorado failed to land any notable reinforcements to add to an already stagnant pool.

Further down the pipeline, the Avs may have unearthed a fifth-round gem in 2024 with Maxmilian Curran, who led the Tri-City Americans (WHL) with 74 points in 65 games and has emerged as a player to watch. Taylor Makar also joins the fold after signing his entry-level deal, fresh off helping UMass to its second Hockey East title in three years.

In the AHL, Ivan Ivan had a quietly strong campaign and sits on the cusp of contributing at the NHL level. Meanwhile, goaltending prospect Ilya Nabokov continues to produce quality results in the KHL, giving the Avs a flicker of hope between the pipes.

Despite these bright spots, the overall system lacks impactful talent. Most players project as depth contributors at best, and the team is now staring down a third straight year without a first-round pick in 2026.

With Mikko Rantanen no longer in the fold, Colorado’s window remains open, but their margin for error is thinner than ever. They’ve pushed their chips in, hoping their NHL core can carry the load for another run at the Cup. But if those plans falter, the decision to move on from Calum Ritchie could loom large in hindsight.

Colorado Avalanche Top-15 Prospects

1 - Mikhail Gulyayev

Mikhail Gulyayev’s offensive game continues to impress. Now in his third KHL season, he shows more poise and decision-making, using elite skating to drive offence with smooth edgework and effective transitions. His speed helps set up plays in the offensive zone, but his production has plateaued compared to last year. He moves the puck well but doesn’t create the same quality chances as he did in juniors. I’d like to see him attack the middle more with his passes and cuts rather than sticking to the perimeter. Defensively, he still struggles with strength and positioning, often chasing the play rather than shutting it down. Despite these challenges, his skating remains elite, with quick acceleration and agility. Gulyayev has NHL potential as a middle pairing defenceman and power play quarterback, but he must improve his defensive game and maximize his offensive talents to carve out a role on Colorado’s deep blue line.

2 - Gavin Brindley

Coming off a great D+1 in college where he became the Big Ten Player of the Year, Gavin had some issues adjusting to his first pro season. Since he lacks the big body, it was inevitable that he was going to have some issues adapting to playing professional hockey and the main problem was the physicality. Gavin clearly struggled establishing a presence in front of the net and with winning board battles. However, smaller players usually struggle in the beginning of their pro career and there’s no reason to panic in terms of Gavin’s play either. He’s still a swift skater with good technique in his edgework, works hard and displays good compete on a consistent basis and would show flashes of playmaking ability through his first pro stint. A future as a top six forward probably is not realistic as his scoring touch is not dynamic enough, but together with his hard work and being able to drive the net he should be able to become a future top nine winger for Colorado.

3 - Ilya Nabokov

Ilya Nabokov has proved that his rookie KHL season wasn’t a fluke, backing up his stellar season with another great one as one of the league’s top goalies. This past season he played a lot more aggressively and displayed his world-class athletic ability more frequently this season. His skating is second to none, he uses his compact stance and low center of gravity to explode from any position to fly around the crease. Additionally, his tracking has improved and continued to process play rapidly. However, this more aggressive, athletic, and flashy approach this season likely won’t work as well at the NHL level. He has shown that he can be much calmer in the net, focusing more precision rather than explosiveness. Being too wild can lead to inconsistency, and especially in the case of Nabokov, creates a lot of dangerous rebounds. Unlocking his calmer side could be the key to him becoming the next Dustin Wolf in a few years.

4 - Daniil Gushchin

Last season was another productive year in the books for Daniil Gushchin, though his assist production took a hit. He’s always been an all-around offensively gifted player, but his playmaking was too inconsistent this year. Hopefully this was just an off year as he has shown that he has the offensive instincts to create chances for his linemates. The guy can shoot too. Daniil is able to score in multiple different ways, beating goalies cleanly with his wrist shot and has a howitzer of a slapshot. The hands are amazing too, a dynamic puckhandler and is elusive when he’s getting past defenders. His off-puck game is concerning though as he can look disengaged defensively and disappear completely through games. The physical game is lacking as well and also has issues engaging in it too. These are the reasons why Daniil’s future in the NHL is dependent on his offensive talent alone and if he’s not playing in the top nine, he’s probably not playing at all in the top league.

5 - Sean Behrens

Sean Behrens suffered a torn ACL during practice which resulted in him missing the entire 2024-2025 season. Though before his injury, there’s a ton to like with this player. Responsible defensively and a great first-pass defenceman that scans his options quickly to be able to transition up the ice. Scoring 10 goals in three NCAA seasons is not really eye-popping, but he has the offensive awareness to jump up play and score from a cross-ice pass. His offensive talent shines more in the playmaking category, as he’s good at finding teammates backdoor thanks to his vision. Most of his points actually don't come from the offensive zone since he excels at turning the play around and creating odd-man rushes. Something that fits the Colorado system perfectly. The top four potential is still there but the lack of size is concerning and despite only a couple of professional games he looks to have issues with the physical aspect. Though it will be quite interesting how a healthy Sean Behrens will look and what kind of stamp he can make at pre-season camp.

6 - Francesco Dell’Elce

Dell’Elce was one of many puck-carrying defencemen taken on day two of the 2025 NHL Draft. Unlike many of those selected, Dell’Elce is 20 years old and played in the NCAA at UMass last season. The ultimate draw for a defenceman like Dell’Elce is both the skating prowess and stability in his performance last season. 31 other organizations would kill for a performance like Dell’Elce’s this past season at a great NCAA program like UMass, and the Avalanche are hoping that he will repeat with a similar performance. Though Dell’Elce is our sixth-ranked Avs prospect at only 20 years old, we could see his debut as early as two to three years from now.

7 - Max Curran

Injury issues shortened Curran’s draft year in 202023-24, and he was shut down for good right when he was heating up and beginning to play some inspired hockey, which might have caused some regional scouts to miss seeing him what he looked like when he was at his best. The Avalanche, who picked him 16first overall that year, surely aren’t complaining about that right now. After getting healthy again and returning to Tri-City the Czechia native promptly led his team in scoring. There’s a lot of utility to his game, as a player who can line up at center or on the wing, and as someone who can be effective on both sides of special teams. Take a look at the top teams in the NHL in any given season and almost all of them will have a guy or two who plays like Curran does and contributes in similar ways, so Colorado could have something on their hands here with this prospect.

8 - Nikita Prishchepov

Nikita Prishchepov was a little bit of a revelation for the Colorado Avalanche as he was drafted in the seventh-round 2024 and in the same year made his NHL debut. He didn’t get another call-up after his stint playing 10 games but this upcoming season there’s opportunity for Nikita to get a more permanent spot. Nikita is never going to shock you with offensive production, no matter which league he plays in. But what he brings is a great defensive game, uses timely stick checks to break play of the opposition and pressures well in his own end. While not the tallest at 6-foot-1, he’s very broad-shouldered coming in at 195 pounds and uses that size well. What may hold him back into becoming an NHL bottom six regular is his puck skill. With less time to make plays at the NHL level, it could cause him too many problems. Surely Nikita will be trying to get back to the NHL but since last season was his first season overall as a pro, it wouldn’t hurt him to spend another time with the Eagles

9 - Jake Fisher

Fisher showed steady progression in his first college season. His defensive game stands out, characterized by strong positioning, responsible play, and consistent support in puck and board battles. He effectively covers for his defencemen, demonstrating excellent defensive awareness and a reliable presence in his own zone. His ability to read plays contributes to cleaner breakouts for his team and transitioning to offence faster. Offensively, he positions himself in the slot, creating traffic and seeking rebound opportunities. However, his offensive impact remains limited, lacking dynamic play-driving abilities. Fisher's skating, agility, and puck skills are average, but his intelligence and understanding of the game are notable. He also has received power play time, maintaining movement and communication. With continued development in his puck handling and offensive engagement, Fisher projects as a reliable, defensively responsible forward at the pro level, with potential to contribute in a bottom six role and on special teams. We should see higher production and opportunity this upcoming season.

10 - Christian Humphreys

After Humphreys struggled to earn ice time with the University of Michigan to start last year, he left the program for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and finished the 2025 season there. Things went quite well for Humphreys with the Rangers, so much so that he’s already announced that he’ll be returning to the OHL for the upcoming season. The average sized pivot’s strengths are his vision and IQ with the puck. He’s an excellent playmaker. Even if he’s not the strongest on the puck, he can create time and space for himself with his hands and he makes quick decisions with the puck. The key for Humphreys as he returns to the OHL will be finding that “B” game. Can his off puck play become more consistent? Can he develop into a solid two-way player? Additionally, he’ll need to continue to upgrade his quickness and explosiveness, especially at his size, to be a top nine NHL player.

11 - Zakhar Bardakov

Bardakov is coming off a productive KHL season, posting 35 points in 53 games thanks to his size, reach, and skill level. After spending four seasons in the KHL, he’ll try to make the jump to the NHL thanks to a one-year contract with Colorado. However, he’s publicly stated that he’s prepared to go back to Russia if things work out.

12 - Matt Stienburg

A checking center in the AHL, Stienburg saw a promotion to the big club last season. He won’t turn heads with his offence, but his energy style could help him stick this season.

13 - Trent Miner

Miner posted a strong season in the AHL with a .918 save percentage, after having spent the majority of the prior year in the ECHL, showing a nice steady progression to his game. It’s unlikely he cracks the NHL this season with the Avalanche’s goalie depth, but there could be a path here down the road.

14 - Linus Funck

A rangy right shot defenceman with some offensive flair, Funck’s skating should allow him to take another step forward in Swedish junior hockey this season. At his size and with his tools, there’s a chance for NHL duty down the road.

15 - Tory Pitner

A defensive defenceman, Pitner enters his sophomore season at Denver University, where he will continue to build on his current skill set, while also hopefully adding back some of the offence he flashed in the USHL.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Fri, 16 May 2025 15:37:22 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 28: Colorado Avalanche draft pick Mikhail Gulyayev poses for a photo with team officials during the first round of the Upper Deck NHL Draft, June 28, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire)

Subscribers can download the PDF in subscriber downloads.

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

Colorado 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 18:00:53 +0000

_{OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 16: Colorado Avalanche Goalie Justus Annunen (60) looks to make a save during first period National Hockey League action between the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators on January 16, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 25th (Previous Rank - 20th)
GM: Chris MacFarland Hired: July 2022
COACH: Jared Bednar Hired: August 2016

With both Alex Newhook and Bowen Byram now graduated and dealt elsewhere, the Colorado Avalanche dropped five spots in our McKeen’s prospect rankings to finish well within the bottom 10 of the list.

That said, the 2024-25 season saw several of their young prospects make solid strides in their development. Ivan Ivan made a smooth transition to the AHL, posting 31 points, while Oskar Olausson (226th) matched his rookie totals (20 points) in nearly half the games during his sophomore season. Sean Behrens (169th) also made his professional debut with the Eagles’ after winning a National Championship while being named the NCAA (NCHC) Best Defensive Defenceman with Denver. Meanwhile, goaltender Justus Annunen (195th) continued to impress between the pipes, recording a 14-5-4 record to bring his career AHL ledger to a solid 60-29-19 through 114 games. Annunen is poised to officially graduate and become the backup goaltender for the Avalanche behind Alexandar Georgiev next season.

Away from the farm, the club’s top two rated prospects, Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev, continue to develop well. Ritchie, who sits just inside McKeen’s top 50 at 48th, increased his stock with the Oshawa Generals, finishing with a career-high 80 points in 50 games. Gulyayev (64th), Colorado’s 2023 first-round pick, continues to log solid minutes as an 18-year-old (now 19) over in Russia. Both are progressing, but still far from arm's reach to directly contribute to the big club.

Although the Avalanche did not have a first-round pick in the 2024 Draft, they managed to inject a healthy dose of fresh talent into their pipeline by selecting nine prospects in total. Ilya Nabokov (250th), a double-overaged goaltender, offers a solid future option in net. Meanwhile, William Zellers could provide some low-key offensive upside down the road. Aside from them, the jury is still out on the remaining seven names.

With a top-flight core featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar and Devon Toews, the Avalanche’s winning ways are likely to continue. However, some roster turnover should be expected over the next few seasons as the team looks to – no, needs to – graduate more of their younger players. First up is McKeen’s 77th-ranked prospect, Nikolai Kovalenko, who is expected to slot into the NHL lineup out of training camp.

Colorado Avalanche Top-15 Prospects

1. Cal Ritchie

Ritchie, the Avalanche's first-round pick (#27) in 2023, put together a dominant season with the Oshawa Generals. The 6-foot-0 center exploded offensively, putting up a career-high 80 points (28 goals, 52 assists) in 50 games. This production came alongside a strong +45 plus/minus rating, showcasing his two-way awareness. While the gaudy numbers are impressive, it’s important to remain cautious. Ritchie's offensive outburst came in a sheltered role with the Generals, raising questions about his ability to translate that production against tougher competition. There are also concerns about his consistency – flashes of brilliance can be overshadowed by stretches of disappearing acts. Still, Ritchie's overall performance solidified his status as a top prospect. His skating and playmaking ability are undeniable, and his defensive awareness is improving. He'll likely spend another year in the OHL before turning pro but don't be surprised to see him pushing for a roster spot in Colorado sooner rather than later.

2. Mikhail Gulyayev

Drafted 18th overall in 2023, Gulyayev opted to stay in Russia in his DY+1. He spent the year honing his craft in the KHL with Omsk Avangard. He stood out there for a young defenceman, racking up 12 points in 64 games. His offensive prowess, particularly his transition ability, remains his calling card. Skating and mobility separate him from most of his age group peers. Explosive speed, a smooth utilization of crossovers, and a wonderfully fluid stride really pop out during transitions, guiding his team’s exits and entries, or executing give-and-go plays. However, questions about his defensive consistency persist. While he's not a liability in his own zone, there is a need to see a stronger showing in this area moving forward. Gulyayev's path remains unclear, especially since he’s signed through the 2025-26 season in the KHL. One thing's for sure: His offensive talent is undeniable. The key will be rounding out his game and proving he can be a reliable two-way force.

3. Nikolai Kovalenko

Kovalenko turned heads in the KHL in 2023-24. After signing an entry-level contract with Colorado but remaining in Russia on loan, the 24-year-old winger thrived for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. He finished his KHL campaign strong, putting up 11 goals and 35 points in 42 games. Kovalenko's blend of size (6-foot-0, 192 pounds) and skill makes him a dangerous offensive threat. He can overpower defenders and possesses a knack for finding the net. He thrives in his small-area game, thanks to excellent hands and creativity. He stands out as a playmaker but is able to find the back of the net on his own too. However, questions linger about his overall consistency and defensive awareness. While flashes of brilliance exist, stretches of disappearing acts raise concerns. His performance will be crucial in determining his NHL readiness. Regardless, his KHL showing solidified his status as a top prospect.

4. Sean Behrens

Behrens solidified himself as a defensive cornerstone for the Denver Pioneers in 2023-24. The smooth-skating defenceman (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) led the team in blocked shots (58) and chipped in offensively with 31 points, ranking third among Denver's defencemen. His season wasn't without hiccups. A brief injury sidelined him for four games, and his consistency can occasionally waver. However, his strong two-way play earned him the NCHC's "Defensive Defenceman of the Year" award en route to the NCAA Championship where he was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Behrens' performance solidified his status as a potential top four NHL defenceman. He moves exactly as well as you’d want an undersized blueliner to move, and his mobility gives him upside as a transitional defenceman. His stride is extremely smooth and looks almost effortless when he’s picking up the puck in his own zone in order to lead a breakout. While questions about his offensive ceiling remain, his ability to shut down attackers and contribute on offence makes him a valuable prospect to watch.

5. Justus Annunen

Justus Annunen's 2023-24 campaign was a turning point. After splitting time between the AHL and NHL early on, the Finnish netminder solidified his place in Colorado with a late-season surge. In 14 NHL appearances, he boasted a strong 0.928 save percentage and a respectable 2.55 GAA. Even more impressive were his two shutouts, showcasing his ability to steal games. This strong showing earned him a two-year extension, signalling their confidence in him as a future starter. Questions remain – his sample size is small, and consistency will be key. But Annunen's composure and athleticism have fans and analysts alike buzzing. Could he be the heir apparent to the Avalanche crease? Only time will tell, but his 2023-24 performance was a promising step in that direction. Look for him to stick with the big club this season as the backup to Alexandar Georgiev.

6. Jean-Luc Foudy

Foudy's 2023-24 campaign was a glimpse of his potential but lacked consistency. Despite a strong showing in the AHL (14 points in 26 games), a brief NHL stint was forgettable (one goal in four games). Injuries played a role, limiting his overall development. His calling card remains his blend of size, skill, and skating. He can protect the puck and create scoring chances, as evidenced by his AHL success. However, translating that into the NHL will require more from him. Decision-making needs to be sharpened, and defensive awareness has to improve. Foudy's future hinges on refining his game. Another year in the AHL could be crucial. If he can elevate his all-around performance, a more permanent NHL role could be within reach. The Avalanche still views him as a valuable prospect, but the clock is ticking for him to solidify his spot.

7. Oskar Olausson

Olausson's 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. After a decent start with 20 points in 39 AHL games for the Colorado Eagles, shoulder surgery abruptly ended his season. His offensive flash – a lethal shot and smooth hands – was evident. He displayed the tools that made him a first-round pick in 2021. Feed him the puck in the offensive zone and give him enough time and space and there's a good chance he'll make the other team pay, primarily through his hard, accurate release. Unfortunately, he runs into trouble creating scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates, and his off puck play leaves a lot to be desired. There were stretches where he dominated, followed by stretches of disappearing acts. The injury throws a wrench into his development. While his offensive upside remains enticing, the key question remains: Can he find consistency and become a reliable producer? The 2024-25 season will be crucial in answering that question and determining his NHL arrival timeline.

8. Ilya Nabokov

Ilya Nabokov should have been drafted in 2023 based on his MHL All-Star performance, having posted impressive numbers over three seasons: 61-27-10 record, 0.930 SV%, and a 2.02 GAA. Instead, he had to wait - to the benefit of Colorado. In his draft year, Nabokov excelled in the KHL, quickly securing the starting role for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He went 23-13-3 with a 0.930 SV% and a 2.15 GAA in 43 games and was even better in the playoffs with a 0.942 SV% and 1.82 GAA, earning Rookie of the Year, Playoff MVP, and helping his team win the Gagarin Cup. His seven shutouts highlight an outstanding year. Nabokov is technically sound and makes athletic saves when needed, always staying in position. While his mobility can be uneven and his rebound control needs improvement, his overall performance makes him a promising prospect.

9. Sam Malinski

Malinski's 2023-24 campaign was a grinder's delight. The Avalanche prospect spent most of the year with the Colorado Eagles, chipping in 27 points (5 goals, 22 assists) in 46 games while suiting up for his first 23 NHL games. While the point totals might not jump off the page, Malinski's value lies in his defensive acumen. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he’s not the biggest but uses his frame effectively to protect the puck and clog passing lanes. His skating is a strength, allowing him to stay mobile and make plays in transition. However, offensive flashes remain inconsistent. There are moments where he displays a good shot and the ability to join the rush, but these are overshadowed by stretches of quiet play. The question is one of offensive development. Can he refine his offensive skillset and become a more consistent contributor at both ends? If he does, there is the potential to be a reliable bottom six defender in the NHL.

10. William Zellers

Zellers was a challenging prospect for NHL teams to evaluate in his draft year. He excelled at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and with Shattucks, showcasing high-end skill, vision, and competitiveness. His ability to consistently find the net and problem-solve is evident, but his NHL projection is complicated by his skating. Zellers relies on his hands and spatial awareness rather than dynamic speed. Although he’s agile and explosive on his edges, allowing him to exploit poor defensive coverage and cut into the slot, he isn’t as effective in linear skating. His quick release means he doesn’t need much space to score. However, there are questions about his overall skill level. If he can enhance his athleticism and physical tools over the next few years at North Dakota, his offensive abilities could make him a valuable complementary player in the NHL.

11. Ivan Ivan

Ivan Ivan made a strong impression in his first pro season, leading Colorado Eagles rookies with 12 goals, 19 assists, and 31 points in 67 AHL games. While his offensive skills are evident, his skating and defensive awareness need improvement. The Avalanche signed him to a two-year NHL deal, and although a full-time role this season seems unlikely, expect him to get NHL exposure. His future depends on refining his defensive game and translating his AHL success to the NHL.

12. Tory Pitner

Tory Pitner is a stay-at-home defenceman who excels in his role, demonstrated by his solid performance with the Youngstown Phantoms and his leadership in his draft year. At 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds, he uses his strength effectively to win battles and disrupt plays. His stick work and rush defence are strong, though he lacks offensive skill. Committed to the University of Denver for 2024-25, Pitner is expected to develop further. He has potential as a bottom-pairing shutdown defender.

13. Jake Fisher

Surprised that Fisher went undrafted last year despite being ranked 130th, he has since made a strong case for himself with Fargo, capturing a Clark Cup and returning to the draft radar. Fisher is a well-rounded center with good size, strong two-way play, a powerful shot, and improved skating. While he shows promise as a top NCAA player for the Denver Pioneers, his lack of a standout skill may limit his upside.

14. Maros Jedlicka

After being passed over in the NHL Draft twice, the Avalanche took a flier on Slovak forward Maros Jedlicka. After a strong showing in the 2023 camp, he ended up missing the entire season due to shoulder surgery. He’s heading to Czechia for the 2024-25 season, where the Avs hope that he can get right back on track in his development.

15. Matthew Steinburg

It’s been a long road for Matthew Steinburg who was drafted back in 2019 and then spent all four years in the NCAA before joining the AHL’s Colorado Eagles in 2023-24. He played more of a depth role, which does seem like the role he will stick with moving forward. He’s likely reached or is approaching his ceiling at this point.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #20 Colorado Avalanche – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 11:26:11 +0000

Oshawa Generals #21 Calum Ritchie. Photo by Brandon Taylor/ OHL Images

A Stanley Cup in the books, with an elite core at the beginning of their prime in Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, who all rate among the very best at their position. The quest to return to the Stanley Cup Final was derailed by injuries (again) and a tough Dallas Stars team in the second round. General manager Chris MacFarland has proven that the focus is on winning now, moving future pieces for some help now. Acquiring Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram looks like a win for both teams, and the Sean Walker deal was steep but looks solid as well. The faith is in the core though, with MacFarland locking down MacKinnon, Devon Toews, and Valeri Nichushkin to long-term deals.

The Avalanche still retain two of their next three first-round picks for the upcoming three seasons, but that is likely to change. After two earlier-than-expected playoff exits, expect some moves to come. Captain Gabriel Landeskog has been missed this season as he remains sidelined, especially in the playoffs, so if he can come back that would be a big addition on its own. For the young players in the system, Justus Annunen often looked not only like the goalie of the future, but the goaltender of now. Expect his games played to go up next season. Cal Ritchie looks like he might have been a steal, Nikolai Kovalenko is finally over in North America after another strong season in Russia, and Mikhail Gulyayev looks like a potential star. A strong 2023 NHL Draft with their two first-round picks (Ritchie and Gulyayev) went a long way to boost their organizational ranking.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Calum Ritchie	C	19	6-2/185	Oshawa (OHL)	`23(27th)	50	28	52	80	20
2	Mikhail Gulyayev	D	19	5-11/170	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	`23(31st)	64	4	8	12	8
3	Nikolai Kovalenko	RW	24	5-10/180	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	`18(171st)	42	11	24	35	30
4	Sean Behrens	D	21	5-10/175	Denver (NCHC)	`21(61st)	44	4	27	31	53
5	Jean-Luc Foudy	C	21	5-11/175	Colorado (AHL)	`20(75th)	26	4	10	14	18
6	Oskar Olausson	RW	21	6-1/180	Colorado (AHL)	`21(28th)	39	11	9	20	24
7	Justus Annunen	G	24	6-4/210	Colorado (AHL)	`18(64th)	23	14	5	2.65	0.908
8	Sam Malinski	D	25	5-11/190	Colorado (AHL)	FA(3/23)	46	5	22	27	20
					Colorado (NHL)	FA(3/23)	23	3	7	10	6
9	Graham Sward	D	20	6-4/186	Wenatchee (WHL)	T(Nsh-3/24)	66	15	66	81	48
10	Ivan Ivan	C	21	6-0/190	Colorado (AHL)	FA(3/24)	67	12	19	31	20
11	Matt Stienburg	C	23	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	`19(63rd)	54	5	8	13	63
12	Maros Jedlicka	C	21	6-2/194	HKM Zvolen (Slovakia) - DNP	`23(219th)	0	0	0	0	0
13	Alex Beaucage	RW	22	6-1/195	Utah (ECHL)	`19(78th)	29	11	14	25	26
					Colorado (AHL)	`19(78th)	21	1	6	7	6
14	Trent Miner	G	23	6-1/185	Colorado (AHL)	`19(202nd)	18	9	6	2.10	0.930
15	Jason Polin	RW	24	6-0/195	Colorado (AHL)	FA(3/23)	42	4	6	10	21

1. Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Ritchie, the Colorado Avalanche's first-round pick (#27) in 2023, put together a dominant season with the Oshawa Generals. The 6-foot center exploded offensively, putting up a career-high 80 points (28 goals, 52 assists) in 50 games. This production came alongside a strong +45 plus/minus rating, showcasing his two-way awareness. While the gaudy numbers are impressive, it’s important to remain cautious. Ritchie's offensive outburst came in a sheltered role with the Generals, raising questions about his ability to translate that production against tougher competition. There are also concerns about his consistency – flashes of brilliance can be overshadowed by stretches of disappearing acts. Still, Ritchie's overall performance solidified his status as a top prospect. His skating and playmaking ability are undeniable, and his defensive awareness is improving. He'll likely spend another year in the OHL before turning pro but don't be surprised to see him pushing for a roster spot in Colorado sooner rather than later.

2. Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Avangard Omsk (KHL)

Drafted 18th overall in 2023, Gulyayev opted to stay in Russia this season. He spent the year honing his craft in the KHL with Omsk Avangard. He stood out there for a young defenseman, racking up 12 points in 64 games. His offensive prowess, particularly his transition ability, remains his calling card. Skating and mobility separate him from most of his age group peers. Explosive speed, a smooth utilization of crossovers, and a wonderfully fluid stride really pop out during transitions, guiding his team’s exits and entries, or executing give-and-go plays. However, questions about his defensive consistency persist. While he's not a liability in his own zone, there is a need to see a stronger showing in this area moving forward. Gulyayev's path remains unclear, especially since he’s signed through the 2025-26 season in the KHL. One thing's for sure: His offensive talent is undeniable. The key will be rounding out his game and proving he can be a reliable two-way force.

3. Nikolai Kovalenko, RW, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Kovalenko turned heads in the KHL this season. After signing an entry-level contract with Colorado but remaining in Russia on loan, the 24-year-old winger thrived for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. He finished his KHL campaign strong, putting up 11 goals and 35 points in 42 games. Kovalenko's blend of size (6’, 192 lbs) and skill makes him a dangerous offensive threat. He can overpower defenders and possesses a knack for finding the net. He thrives in his small-area game, thanks to excellent hands and creativity. He stands out as a playmaker but is able to find the back of the net on his own too. However, questions linger about his overall consistency and defensive awareness. While flashes of brilliance exist, stretches of disappearing acts raise concerns. His performance will be crucial in determining his NHL readiness. Regardless, his KHL showing solidified his status as a top prospect.

4. Sean Behrens, D, University of Denver (NCAA)

Behrens solidified himself as a defensive cornerstone for the Denver Pioneers in 2023-24. The smooth-skating defenseman (5’ 10”, 190 lbs) led the team in blocked shots (58) and chipped in offensively with 31 points, ranking third among Denver's defensemen. His season wasn't without hiccups. A brief injury sidelined him for four games, and his consistency can occasionally waver. However, his strong two-way play earned him the NCHC's "Defensive Defenseman of the Year" award en route to the NCAA Championship where he was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Behrens' performance solidified his status as a potential top-four NHL defenseman. He moves exactly as well as you’d want an undersized defenseman to move, and his mobility gives him upside as a transitional defenseman. His stride is extremely smooth and looks almost effortless when he’s picking up the puck in his own zone in order to lead a breakout. While questions about his offensive ceiling remain, his ability to shut down attackers and contribute on offense makes him a valuable prospect to watch.

5. Jean-Luc Foudy, C, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

6. Oskar Olausson, RW, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Olausson's 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. After a decent start with 20 points in 39 AHL games for the Colorado Eagles, shoulder surgery abruptly ended his season. His offensive flash – a lethal shot and smooth hands – was evident. He displayed the tools that made him a first-round pick in 2021. Feed him the puck in the offensive zone and give him enough time and space and there's a good chance he'll make the other team pay, primarily through his hard, accurate release. Unfortunately, he runs into trouble creating scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates, and his-off puck play leaves a lot to be desired. There were stretches where he dominated, followed by stretches of disappearing acts. The injury throws a wrench into his development. While his offensive upside remains enticing, the key question remains: can he find consistency and become a reliable producer? This coming season will be crucial in answering that question and determining his NHL arrival timeline.

7. Justus Annunen, G, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Justus Annunen's 2023-24 campaign was a turning point. After splitting time between the AHL and NHL early on, the Finnish netminder solidified his place in Colorado with a late-season surge. In 14 NHL appearances, he boasted a strong .928 save percentage and a respectable 2.55 GAA. Even more impressive were his two shutouts, showcasing his ability to steal games. This strong showing earned him a two-year extension, signaling their confidence in him as a future starter. Questions remain – his sample size is small, and consistency will be key. But Annunen's composure and athleticism have fans and analysts alike buzzing. Could he be the heir apparent to the Avalanche crease? Only time will tell, but his 2023-24 performance was a promising step in that direction.

8. Sam Malinski, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Malinski's 2023-24 campaign was a grinder's delight. The Avalanche prospect spent most of the year with the Colorado Eagles, chipping in 27 points (5 goals, 22 assists) in 46 games, while suiting up for his first 23 NHL games. While the point totals might not jump off the page, Malinski's value lies in his defensive acumen. At 5’ 1” and 190 lbs, he’s not the biggest but uses his frame effectively to protect the puck and clog passing lanes. His skating is a strength, allowing him to stay mobile and make plays in transition. However, offensive flashes remain inconsistent. There are moments where he displays a good shot and the ability to join the rush, but these are overshadowed by stretches of quiet play. The question is one of offensive development. Can he refine his offensive skillset and become a more consistent contributor at both ends? If he does, there is the potential to be a reliable bottom six defender in the NHL.

9. Graham Sward, D, Wenatchee Wild (WHL)

Graham Sward is a physical and skilled defenseman with a well-rounded game. He took a huge step forward this season with the Wenatchee Wild, putting up 81 points (15 goals, 66 assists) in 66 games and nearly doubling the output from his rookie season that led to the Avs drafting him. He excels in his own end, using his quick feet and active stick to shut down opponents' attacks and clear the zone with ease. His vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Sward has the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the Colorado Avalanche's blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an intriguing prospect in the Avs' pipeline.

10. Ivan Ivan, C, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Ivan Ivan, a name that lives up to the hype (and then some), turned heads in his first pro season. Leading all Colorado Eagles rookies in goals (12), assists (19), and points (31) in 67 AHL games, his offensive production was undeniable. But is he all flash and no substance? His skating is a work in progress, and questions linger about his defensive awareness. However, his ability to create offense and find teammates in scoring positions is undeniable. The Avalanche rewarded Ivan with a two-year NHL deal. While a full-time role seems unlikely next season, expect him to get a taste of the big leagues. His ceiling hinges on his development as a well-rounded player. Can he refine his defensive game and translate his offensive dominance to the NHL? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: He is a prospect worth watching.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 30 NHL PROSPECTS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:22:26 +0000

At McKeen’s Hockey we do a ranked affiliated prospect list twice a season. Our first, this ranking, follows the end of the regular season for most prospects but does not include the playoffs. It is a ranking of the top 200, plus the top 15 by team, prior to the NHL Draft. Once the NHL Draft is complete, we begin the process of updating the organizational ranking to a top 20, and then rank the top 300. That is completed in August, once the dust has settled on free agency, and any trades that are made in the meantime. We include that ranking in our McKeen’s NHL Yearbook, published in late August, Early September.

Our team of 16 scouts are based in key markets around the world, in the rinks, supported by video scouting. They utilize some terrific tools from Hudl/InStat, which can isolate so many aspects of a player’s game, along with proprietary statistics. They spend countless hours in rinks and in front of screens and are deeply familiar with these players and their progression. Our management team of Brock Otten (Director of Scouting) and Derek Neumeier (Assistant Director of Scouting/Senior Western Regional Scout), along with Video Scouting Coordinator, Josh Bell, will take the teams input and finalize the list you see below. Brock, Derek and Josh are responsible for the player write-ups in the Prospect Guide.

The organizational rankings are based on an algorithm that takes into account how many prospects are ranked within the top 200. The teams are broken down by the number of prospects in our top 1 -25, 26 - 50, 51 - 100, and 101 - 200. A weight is attached to each group and then some subjective tweaking is done based on our knowledge of the players. There can be a wider discrepancy in the top 25 group than the latter groupings that needs to be taken into account.

Here is our definition of an NHL prospect: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 NHL games (30 for goalies) and less than 35 in one season (25 for goalies).

Check back in with us in the fall to see how things change following the draft. We are releasing out top 30 NHL Prospects free to non-subscribers. If you want to learn more, link here.

Subscribers can link to the full top 200 listing here

Here is an excerpt of Brock Otten's Risers and Fallers article from the magazine to give you more perspective and a little taste of our content.

The best part of scouting is the somewhat unpredictable nature of human development. Some players improve dramatically from one year to the next…others do not. When we compare the rankings from our 2023-24 NHL Yearbook (where we did a Top 300 prospect ranking) to now, these are the players who have risen/fallen the most.

Risers

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 22: Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (11) reacts to a goal score during game one of the Western Conference First Round between the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights on April 22, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)

Logan Stankoven (27 to 5) - Dallas Stars

Stankoven’s jump from one of the best players in the WHL to one of the best players in the AHL has been impressive. So has his quick start in the NHL.

Ryan Leonard (32 to 6) – Washington Capitals

Leonard is returning to Boston College after a Championship barely eluded him this year. However, he has proven to be an elite play driver to go with his strong off puck play.

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 11: Look on Montreal Canadiens right wing Joshua Roy (89) during warm-up before the St. Louis Blues versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 11, 2024, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Josh Roy (63 to 35) – Montreal Canadiens

Roy continues to prove doubters wrong after a terrific AHL season with Laval. His skill set has become so well rounded since being drafted.

Conor Geekie (68 to 18) – Utah

Geekie’s power game from the middle of the ice makes him such an interesting prospect for today’s NHL. His skating continues to improve.

Mavrik Bourque (79 to 23) – Dallas Stars

Bourque emerged as one of the best players in the AHL this season as a sophomore professional. He’s ready to take that next step with the Stars.

Gabe Perreault (86 to 19) – New York Rangers

Once thought to be the third wheel on the talented Will Smith/Ryan Leonard threesome, Perreault’s progression as a play driver at Boston College this season has altered the perception that he can be a front-line NHL player.

Bradly Nadeau (109 to 34) – Carolina Hurricanes

Drafting early out of the BCHL has yielded inconsistent results, however Nadeau was exceptional as a freshman at Maine. Did he leave school too early though?

Jagger Firkus (112 to 47) – Seattle Kraken

Firkus took his game to another level this year in his final WHL season, leading the league in scoring. He’s ready to be a pro.

Gavin Brindley (122 to 66) – Columbus Blue Jackets

One of the most improved players in the NCAA this year, Brindley emerged as a star for the University of Michigan and really altered his projection as a potential top six forward.

Quentin Musty (125 to 51) – San Jose Sharks

The dynamic American winger worked hard to fine tune components of his game in Sudbury this year and deserves a bump for improving his consistency.

Jani Nyman (135 to 81) – Seattle Kraken

Nyman emerged as one of the top goal scorers in Finland this season as a U20 player. This, combined with his strong WJC performance, has helped push him up our board north.

Logan Mailloux (145 to 45) – Montreal Canadiens

Mailloux proved to be way more refined at the AHL level than previously perceived. Simply put, he was one of the best defensive prospects in the AHL this year.

Josh Doan (153 to 55) - Utah

What a terrific story to the end of the Coyotes franchise. Doan emerged as a potential star this season and finished the year strong in the NHL, scoring in his debut.

Riley Heidt (157 to 44) – Minnesota Wild

We still don’t understand how Heidt fell as far as he did in the 2023 draft, however he is proving NHL scouts wrong thus far after a remarkable year with Prince George.

Ville Koivunen (165 to 71) – Pittsburgh Penguins

The main piece of the Jake Guentzel to Carolina deal, Koivunen emerged as one of the top players in Liiga this year.

Ethan Del Mastro (169 to 73) – Chicago Blackhawks

There was little doubt that Del Mastro’s strong defensive ability would translate to the AHL level well, but he continues to improve offensively and that has altered his projection.

Theo Lindstein (185 to 91) – St. Louis Blues

Lindstein’s strong year for Brynas has helped to elevate his upside as a two-way defender. We may have ranked him too low in our 2023 Draft Rankings.

Carson Rehkopf (201 to 69) – Seattle Kraken

Consistency off the puck and a lack of engagement held Rehkopf back last year. This year marked improvement in those areas helped him emerge as a top offensive talent in the OHL.

Easton Cowan (204 to 67) – Toronto Maple Leafs

One of the surprises of the 2023 draft, Cowan set a new OHL record with a 42-game point streak. More than just a high energy guy now, he can be a difference maker offensively.

Seamus Casey (214 to 63) – New Jersey Devils

Casey continues to improve in the NCAA. He may not have elite size, but he has everything else, and it has the Devils excited about his future.

Jacob Fowler (222 to 52) – Montreal Canadiens

Fowler compiled a list of accolades as a freshman this year at Boston College, emerging as one of the top goaltending prospects in the game.

Fraser Minten (226 to 84) – Toronto Maple Leafs

After starting the year with the Leafs, Minten returned to the WHL and ended up captaining Canada at the World Juniors.

Jackson Blake (277 to 117) – Carolina Hurricanes

A finalist for the Hobey Baker this year, Blake became an NCAA star for North Dakota, and he now turns pro.

Erik Portillo (Unranked to 118) – Los Angeles Kings

Acquired by the Kings, Portillo turned pro after three years at Michigan and he was one of the best goaltenders in the AHL as a first-year pro.

Rodwin Dionicio (Unranked to 139) – Anaheim Ducks

Dionicio still plays a high risk, high reward game from the back end, but his offensive upside has become too large to ignore.

Fallers

EDM - Xavier Bourgault

Xavier Bourgault (from 48 to 113) – Edmonton Oilers

After a mediocre first professional year last season, Bourgault was even more disappointing as a sophomore with Bakersfield. The Oilers just haven’t been developing prospects well in recent years.

Eduard Sale (72 to 140) – Seattle Kraken

Sale’s first year in North America did not go according to plan as he struggled to be a consistent impact player in the OHL.

Jack Rathbone (96 to not ranked) – Pittsburgh Penguins

Perhaps we ranked Rathbone too aggressively this summer, but not only did he fail to earn a spot on Vancouver, but he’s now an NHL after thought after entering Pittsburgh’s organization via trade.

Jacob Perreault (127 to not ranked) – Montreal Canadiens

Perreault’s off puck play and skating just haven’t improved to the point where he can be a consistent pro and it caused the Ducks to move on from him, trading him to Montreal.

Jan Jenik (156 to not ranked) - Utah

Once a highly ranked prospect, Jenik continues to fall. He just hasn’t been able to take that next step and even passed through waivers this year unclaimed.

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	SJ	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Matvei Michkov	Phi	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	48	19	22	41	26
3	Brandt Clarke	LA	D	21	6-2/185	Los Angeles (NHL)	16	2	4	6	10
4	Cutter Gauthier	Ana	LW	20	6-2/190	Boston College (HE)	41	38	27	65	18
5	Logan Stankoven	Dal	C	21	5-8/170	Dallas (NHL)	24	6	8	14	4
6	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	41	31	29	60	38
7	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	22	6-3/195	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	67	17	39	56	39
8	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	21	6-3/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	44	30	13	2.39	0.911
9	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
10	Matthew Savoie	Buf	C	20	5-9/179	Wen-MJ (WHL)	34	30	41	71	10
11	Simon Edvinsson	Det	D	21	6-6/215	Detroit (NHL)	16	1	1	2	4
12	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	46	19	12	31	10
13	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
14	Devon Levi	Buf	G	21	6-0/192	Rochester (AHL)	26	16	6	2.42	0.927
15	Olen Zellweger	Ana	D	20	5-9/180	Anaheim (NHL)	26	2	7	9	4
16	Dmitri Simashev	Ari	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	63	4	6	10	18
17	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	19	6-2/185	Kloten (Sui-NL)	35	1	10	11	18
18	Conor Geekie	Ari	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	55	43	56	99	66
19	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	36	19	41	60	29
20	Daniil But	Ari	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	55	10	11	21	10
21	Shane Wright	Sea	C	20	6-0/200	Coachella Valley (AHL)	59	22	25	47	18
22	Jiri Kulich	Buf	C	20	6-1/186	Rochester (AHL)	57	27	18	45	26
23	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	71	26	51	77	32
24	Nate Danielson	Det	C	19	6-2/185	Bdn-Por (WHL)	54	24	43	67	42
25	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	62	21	28	49	35
26	Brennan Othmann	NYR	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	67	21	28	49	65
27	Lane Hutson	Mtl	D	20	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	38	15	34	49	24
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	38	4	21	25	12
29	Marco Kasper	Det	C	20	6-1/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	14	21	35	30
30	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	52	45	43	88	17

2024 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: TOP 200 NHL PROSPECTS

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 25 May 2024 17:02:31 +0000

At McKeen’s Hockey we do a ranked affiliated prospect list twice a season. Our first is following the end of the regular season for most prospects but does not include the playoffs. It is a ranking of the top 200, plus the top 15 by team, prior to the NHL Draft. Once the NHL Draft is complete, we begin the process of updating the organizational ranking to a top 20, and then rank the top 300. That is completed in August, once the dust has settled on free agency, and any trades that are made in the meantime. We include that ranking in our McKeen’s NHL Yearbook, published in late August, Early September.

Check back in with us in the fall to see how things change following the draft.

Subscribers can link to the listing here

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Will Smith	SJ	C	19	6-0/175	Boston College (HE)	41	25	46	71	14
2	Matvei Michkov	Phi	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	48	19	22	41	26
3	Brandt Clarke	LA	D	21	6-2/185	Los Angeles (NHL)	16	2	4	6	10
4	Cutter Gauthier	Ana	LW	20	6-2/190	Boston College (HE)	41	38	27	65	18
5	Logan Stankoven	Dal	C	21	5-8/170	Dallas (NHL)	24	6	8	14	4
6	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	19	5-11/190	Boston College (HE)	41	31	29	60	38
7	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	22	6-3/195	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	67	17	39	56	39
8	Yaroslav Askarov	Nsh	G	21	6-3/175	Milwaukee (AHL)	44	30	13	2.39	0.911
9	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	21	6-3/215	Iowa (AHL)	45	22	19	2.70	0.910
10	Matthew Savoie	Buf	C	20	5-9/179	Wen-MJ (WHL)	34	30	41	71	10
11	Simon Edvinsson	Det	D	21	6-6/215	Detroit (NHL)	16	1	1	2	4
12	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	19	5-11/170	Orebro (SHL)	46	19	12	31	10
13	Dustin Wolf	Cgy	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
14	Devon Levi	Buf	G	21	6-0/192	Rochester (AHL)	26	16	6	2.42	0.927
15	Olen Zellweger	Ana	D	20	5-9/180	Anaheim (NHL)	26	2	7	9	4
16	Dmitri Simashev	Ari	D	19	6-4/198	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	63	4	6	10	18
17	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	19	6-2/185	Kloten (Sui-NL)	35	1	10	11	18
18	Conor Geekie	Ari	C	19	6-3/193	Wen-SC (WHL)	55	43	56	99	66
19	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	18	5-11/165	Boston College (HE)	36	19	41	60	29
20	Daniil But	Ari	LW	19	6-5/203	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	55	10	11	21	10
21	Shane Wright	Sea	C	20	6-0/200	Coachella Valley (AHL)	59	22	25	47	18
22	Jiri Kulich	Buf	C	20	6-1/186	Rochester (AHL)	57	27	18	45	26
23	Mavrik Bourque	Dal	C	22	5-10/190	Texas (AHL)	71	26	51	77	32
24	Nate Danielson	Det	C	19	6-2/185	Bdn-Por (WHL)	54	24	43	67	42
25	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	19	6-1/175	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	62	21	28	49	35
26	Brennan Othmann	NYR	LW	21	6-0/175	Hartford (AHL)	67	21	28	49	65
27	Lane Hutson	Mtl	D	20	5-10/160	Boston University (HE)	38	15	34	49	24
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	19	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	38	4	21	25	12
29	Marco Kasper	Det	C	20	6-1/185	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	14	21	35	30
30	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	18	6-1/200	Sudbury (OHL)	52	45	43	88	17
31	Brad Lambert	Wpg	C	20	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	64	21	34	55	38
32	Ivan Miroshnichenko	Wsh	LW	20	6-1/185	Washington (NHL)	21	2	4	6	6
33	Axel Sandin Pellikka	Det	D	19	5-11/180	Skelleftea (SHL)	39	10	8	18	17
34	Bradly Nadeau	Car	LW	18	5-10/165	Maine (HE)	37	19	27	46	12
35	Joshua Roy	Mtl	RW	20	6-0/190	Montreal (NHL)	23	4	5	9	0
36	Denton Mateychuk	CBJ	D	19	5-11/190	Moose Jaw (WHL)	52	17	58	75	31
37	Brayden Yager	Pit	C	19	5-11/165	Moose Jaw (WHL)	57	35	60	95	20
38	Calum Ritchie	Col	C	19	6-2/185	Oshawa (OHL)	50	28	52	80	20
39	Joakim Kemell	Nsh	RW	20	5-10/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	67	16	25	41	23
40	Colby Barlow	Wpg	LW	19	6-0/195	Owen Sound (OHL)	50	40	18	58	27
41	Jimmy Snuggerud	StL	RW	19	6-1/185	Minnesota (B1G)	39	21	13	34	42
42	Matthew Coronato	Cgy	RW	21	5-10/183	Calgary (NHL)	34	3	6	9	4
43	Frank Nazar	Chi	C	20	5-10/180	Michigan (B1G)	41	17	24	41	18
44	Riley Heidt	Min	C	19	5-10/180	Prince George (WHL)	66	37	80	117	42
45	Logan Mailloux	Mtl	D	21	6-3/215	Laval (AHL)	72	14	33	47	91
46	Sebastian Cossa	Det	G	21	6-6/229	Grand Rapids (AHL)	40	22	9	2.41	0.913
47	Jagger Firkus	Sea	RW	20	5-10/155	Moose Jaw (WHL)	63	61	65	126	30
48	Mikhail Gulyayev	Col	D	19	5-11/170	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	64	4	8	12	8
49	Scott Morrow	Car	D	21	6-2/195	Massachusetts (HE)	37	6	24	30	25
50	Matthew Wood	Nsh	RW	19	6-3/195	Connecticut (HE)	35	16	12	28	43
51	Quentin Musty	SJ	LW	18	6-2/200	Sudbury (OHL)	53	43	59	102	72
52	Jacob Fowler	Mtl	G	19	6-1/215	Boston College (HE)	39	32	6	2.14	0.926
53	Fabian Lysell	Bos	RW	21	5-11/181	Providence (AHL)	56	15	35	50	37
54	Shakir Mukhamadullin	SJ	D	22	6-3/180	San Jose (AHL)	55	7	27	34	24
55	Josh Doan	Ari	RW	22	6-1/183	Arizona (NHL)	11	5	4	9	0
56	Thomas Bordeleau	SJ	C	22	5-9/180	San Jose (NHL)	27	6	5	11	18
57	Lian Bichsel	Dal	D	19	6-6/233	Rogle (SHL)	29	2	2	4	28
58	Nikolai Kovalenko	Col	RW	24	5-10/180	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	42	11	24	35	30
59	Aatu Raty	Van	C	21	6-2/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	72	18	34	52	18
60	Oliver Moore	Chi	C	19	5-11/185	Minnesota (B1G)	39	9	24	33	8
61	Samuel Honzek	Cgy	LW	19	6-4/186	Vancouver (WHL)	33	10	21	31	18
62	Jakob Pelletier	Cgy	LW	23	5-9/170	Calgary (NHL)	13	1	2	3	2
63	Seamus Casey	NJ	D	20	5-9/165	Michigan (B1G)	40	7	38	45	14
64	Tristan Luneau	Ana	D	20	6-1/195	Anaheim (NHL)	7	1	2	3	4
65	Chaz Lucius	Wpg	C	20	6-1/185	Manitoba (AHL)	17	2	11	13	6
66	Gavin Brindley	CBJ	C	19	5-9/165	Michigan (B1G)	40	25	28	53	28
67	Easton Cowan	Tor	RW	18	5-10/170	London (OHL)	54	34	62	96	64
68	Zachary L'Heureux	Nsh	LW	20	5-11/195	Milwaukee (AHL)	66	19	29	48	197
69	Carson Rehkopf	Sea	LW	19	6-1/195	Kitchener (OHL)	60	52	43	95	45
70	Filip Bystedt	SJ	C	20	6-4/205	Linkopings (SHL)	47	8	9	17	2
71	Ville Koivunen	Pit	LW	20	6-0/175	Karpat (Fin-Liiga)	59	22	34	56	26
72	Noah Ostlund	Buf	C	20	5-11/163	Vaxjo Lakers (SHL)	38	12	11	23	4
73	Ethan Del Mastro	Chi	D	21	6-4/210	Rockford (AHL)	69	7	30	37	54
74	Lukas Cormier	VGK	D	22	5-10/180	Henderson (AHL)	58	4	16	20	33
75	Liam Ohgren	Min	LW	20	6-1/200	Farjestads (SHL)	26	12	7	19	12
76	Marat Khusnutdinov	Min	C	21	5-11/175	Minnesota (NHL)	16	1	3	4	6
77	Mackie Samoskevich	Fla	RW	21	5-11/190	Charlotte (AHL)	62	22	32	54	24
78	Stanislav Svozil	CBJ	D	21	6-1/180	Cleveland (AHL)	57	5	18	23	24
79	Zachary Bolduc	StL	LW	21	6-1/175	St. Louis (NHL)	25	5	4	9	6
80	Rutger McGroarty	Wpg	LW	20	6-1/200	Michigan (B1G)	36	16	36	52	6
81	Jani Nyman	Sea	RW	19	6-3/215	Ilves (Fin-Liiga)	48	26	17	43	2
82	Andrew Cristall	Wsh	LW	19	5-9/165	Kelowna (WHL)	62	40	71	111	46
83	Oliver Bonk	Phi	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	60	24	43	67	32
84	Fraser Minten	Tor	C	19	6-1/185	Kam-Sas (WHL)	43	22	26	48	25
85	Tanner Molendyk	Nsh	D	19	5-11/185	Saskatoon (WHL)	50	10	46	56	18
86	David Goyette	Sea	C	20	5-10/175	Sudbury (OHL)	68	40	77	117	29
87	David Edstrom	SJ	C	19	6-3/185	Frolunda (SHL)	44	7	12	19	8
88	Anton Wahlberg	Buf	C	18	6-3/194	Malmo (SHL)	43	5	5	10	4
89	Emil Andrae	Phi	D	22	5-9/185	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	61	5	27	32	66
90	Trey Augustine	Det	G	19	6-1/185	Michigan State (B1G)	35	23	9	2.96	0.915
91	Theo Lindstein	StL	D	19	6-0/180	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	49	4	11	15	4
92	Mads Sogaard	Ott	G	23	6-7/195	Belleville (AHL)	32	18	9	2.45	0.916
93	Isak Rosen	Buf	RW	21	6-0/175	Rochester (AHL)	67	20	30	50	12
94	Maveric Lamoureux	Ari	D	20	6-7/214	Drummondville (QMJHL)	39	9	24	33	53
95	Drew Commesso	Chi	G	21	6-2/180	Rockford (AHL)	38	18	16	2.65	0.906
96	Ville Heinola	Wpg	D	23	6-0/180	Manitoba (AHL)	41	10	17	27	24
97	Carter Mazur	Det	LW	22	6-0/170	Grand Rapids (AHL)	60	17	20	37	48
98	Otto Stenberg	StL	C	18	5-11/180	Frolunda (SHL)	31	3	3	6	8
99	Egor Afanasyev	Nsh	LW	23	6-3/205	Milwaukee (AHL)	56	27	27	54	60
100	Nikita Chibrikov	Wpg	RW	21	5-10/170	Manitoba (AHL)	70	17	30	47	53
101	Zach Dean	StL	C	21	6-0/175	Springfield (AHL)	49	9	5	14	24
102	William Dufour	NYI	RW	22	6-2/195	Bridgeport (AHL)	55	15	10	25	35
103	Sam Rinzel	Chi	D	19	6-4/180	Minnesota (B1G)	39	2	26	28	20
104	Joel Blomqvist	Pit	G	22	6-2/185	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	45	25	12	2.16	0.921
105	Arseni Gritsyuk	NJ	RW	23	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	50	19	19	38	8
106	Corson Ceulemans	CBJ	D	20	6-2/200	Cleveland (AHL)	47	3	9	12	12
107	Michael Hrabal	Ari	G	19	6-6/209	Massachusetts (HE)	30	16	12	2.59	0.912
108	Brendan Brisson	VGK	C	22	5-11/180	Vegas (NHL)	15	2	6	8	2
109	Owen Pickering	Pit	D	20	6-4/180	Swift Current (WHL)	59	7	39	46	35
110	Owen Beck	Mtl	C	20	5-11/185	Pbo-Sag (OHL)	57	34	47	81	18
111	William Wallinder	Det	D	21	6-4/190	Grand Rapids (AHL)	65	3	12	15	10
112	Xavier Bourgault	Edm	C	21	6-0/170	Bakersfield (AHL)	55	8	12	20	24
113	Jordan Dumais	CBJ	RW	20	5-8/165	Halifax (QMJHL)	21	16	31	47	6
114	Aleksi Heimosalmi	Car	D	20	5-11/170	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	47	2	14	16	12
115	Brandon Bussi	Bos	G	25	6-4/218	Providence (AHL)	41	23	10	2.67	0.913
116	Jackson Blake	Car	RW	20	5-10/160	North Dakota (NCHC)	40	22	38	60	26
117	Erik Portillo	LA	G	23	6-6/210	Ontario (AHL)	39	24	11	2.50	0.918
118	Sean Farrell	Mtl	C	22	5-8/175	Laval (AHL)	47	9	19	28	10
119	Kasper Halttunen	SJ	RW	18	6-3/205	London (OHL)	57	32	29	61	61
120	Topi Niemela	Tor	D	22	5-11/165	Toronto (AHL)	68	8	31	39	43
121	Ethan Gauthier	TB	RW	19	5-11/175	Drummondville (QMJHL)	64	36	35	71	42
122	Daniil Miromanov	Cgy	D	26	6-4/200	VGK-Cgy (NHL)	24	3	4	7	8
123	Ruslan Iskhakov	NYI	C	23	5-8/155	Bridgeport (AHL)	69	18	32	50	30
124	Shai Buium	Det	D	21	6-3/210	Denver (NCHC)	43	7	29	36	14
125	Jakub Dobes	Mtl	G	22	6-3/200	Laval (AHL)	51	24	18	2.93	0.906
126	Oliver Kapanen	Mtl	C	20	6-0/170	KalPa (Fin-Liiga)	51	14	20	34	32
127	Danny Nelson	NYI	C	18	6-3/200	Notre Dame (B1G)	30	9	14	23	32
128	Lenni Hameenaho	NJ	RW	19	6-0/175	Assat (Fin-Liiga)	46	14	17	31	10
129	Nick Lardis	Chi	LW	18	5-11/165	Brantford (OHL)	37	29	21	50	12
130	Ty Nelson	Sea	D	20	5-10/195	North Bay (OHL)	54	16	36	52	50
131	Isaac Howard	TB	LW	20	5-10/185	Michigan State (B1G)	36	8	28	36	10
132	Fyodor Svechkov	Nsh	C	21	6-0/185	Milwaukee (AHL)	57	16	23	39	18
133	Jeremie Poirier	Cgy	D	21	6-1/196	Calgary (AHL)	23	3	10	13	22
134	Reid Schaefer	Nsh	LW	20	6-3/215	Milwaukee (AHL)	63	7	14	21	39
135	Zack Ostapchuk	Ott	C	20	6-3/205	Belleville (AHL)	69	17	11	28	47
136	Nathan Gaucher	Ana	C	20	6-3/207	San Diego (AHL)	72	10	15	25	68
137	Rodwin Dionicio	Ana	D	20	6-2/207	Wsr-Sag (OHL)	60	25	48	73	108
138	Eduard Sale	Sea	LW	19	6-1/170	Bar-Kit (OHL)	49	15	23	38	8
139	Danil Gushchin	SJ	RW	22	5-8/165	San Jose (AHL)	56	20	34	54	24
140	Sean Behrens	Col	D	21	5-10/175	Denver (NCHC)	44	4	27	31	53
141	Christian Kyrou	Dal	D	20	5-10/170	Texas (AHL)	57	8	15	23	22
142	Niklas Kokko	Sea	G	20	6-3/185	Pelicans (Fin-Liiga)	13	9	0	1.49	0.926
143	Vasily Ponomarev	Pit	C	22	5-10/180	Tuc-Chi-WBS (AHL)	45	9	21	30	16
144	Ryan Winterton	Sea	RW	20	6-2/190	Coachella Valley (AHL)	58	22	13	35	23
145	Dmitri Buchelnikov	Det	LW	20	5-10/165	Admiral Vladivostok (KHL)	55	13	16	29	8
146	Oscar Fisker Molgaard	Sea	C	19	6-0/165	HV 71 (SHL)	50	9	12	21	6
147	Aku Raty	Ari	RW	22	6-1/190	Tucson (AHL)	55	15	29	44	22
148	Matyas Sapovaliv	VGK	C	20	6-3/180	Saginaw (OHL)	54	19	43	62	22
149	Georgii Merkulov	Bos	C	23	5-11/175	Providence (AHL)	67	30	35	65	20
150	Topias Vilen	NJ	D	21	6-1/195	Utica (AHL)	54	2	27	29	16
151	Ryan Chesley	Wsh	D	20	6-0/200	Minnesota (B1G)	39	2	6	8	19
152	Jayden Perron	Car	RW	19	5-9/165	North Dakota (NCHC)	39	11	7	18	8
153	Tristen Robins	SJ	C	22	5-10/175	San Jose (AHL)	42	7	11	18	12
154	Calle Odelius	NYI	D	19	6-0/190	Djurgardens (HockeyAllsvenskan)	10	0	4	4	2
155	Vincent Iorio	Wsh	D	21	6-2/190	Hershey (AHL)	60	4	10	14	30
156	Raphael Lavoie	Edm	RW	23	6-4/215	Bakersfield (AHL)	66	28	22	50	64
157	Ronnie Attard	Phi	D	25	6-3/210	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	48	10	17	27	37
158	Niko Huuhtanen	TB	RW	20	6-2/205	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	52	19	27	46	46
159	Carson Bjarnason	Phi	G	18	6-3/185	Brandon (WHL)	46	24	17	3.01	0.907
160	Lukas Dragicevic	Sea	D	19	6-1/190	Tri-City (WHL)	66	14	36	50	52
161	Leevi Merilainen	Ott	G	21	6-2/160	Belleville (AHL)	24	10	9	2.87	0.906
162	Tyler Kleven	Ott	D	22	6-4/200	Belleville (AHL)	53	5	16	21	51
163	Hunter Brzustewicz	Cgy	D	19	5-11/185	Kitchener (OHL)	67	13	79	92	24
164	Ryan Greene	Chi	C	20	6-1/180	Boston University (HE)	40	12	24	36	6
165	Damian Clara	Ana	G	19	6-6/214	Brynas (HockeyAllsvenskan)	34	25	8	2.23	0.913
166	Carson Lambos	Min	D	21	6-1/200	Iowa (AHL)	69	4	10	14	64
167	Denver Barkey	Phi	C	19	5-8/160	London (OHL)	64	35	67	102	28
168	Gage Goncalves	TB	C	23	6-1/170	Syracuse (AHL)	69	13	45	58	43
169	Arshdeep Bains	Van	LW	23	6-0/185	Abbotsford (AHL)	59	16	39	55	28
170	Bogdan Konyushkov	Mtl	D	21	5-11/175	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	65	6	22	28	18
171	Alexei Kolosov	Phi	G	22	6-1/185	Dinamo Minsk (KHL)	47	22	21	2.39	0.907
172	Samuel Fagemo	LA	RW	24	6-0/195	Ontario (AHL)	50	43	19	62	26
173	Filip Mesar	Mtl	C	20	5-9/175	Kitchener (OHL)	45	19	33	52	12
174	Matthew Robertson	NYR	D	23	6-3/200	Hartford (AHL)	68	4	17	21	49
175	Adam Engstrom	Mtl	D	20	6-2/185	Rogle (SHL)	51	4	18	22	4
176	Michael Buchinger	StL	D	20	5-11/185	Guelph (OHL)	52	10	37	47	37
177	Semyon Chistyakov	Nsh	D	22	5-11/180	Avangard Omsk (KHL)	59	4	20	24	16
178	John Farinacci	Bos	C	23	5-11/197	Providence (AHL)	71	12	26	38	16
179	Angus Crookshank	Ott	LW	24	5-10/180	Belleville (AHL)	50	24	22	46	60
180	Yegor Sidorov	Ana	RW	19	6-0/180	Saskatoon (WHL)	66	50	38	88	66
181	Samu Tuomaala	Phi	RW	21	5-10/175	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	69	15	28	43	12
182	Logan Morrison	Sea	C	21	6-0/180	Coachella Valley (AHL)	64	16	25	41	4
183	Jean-Luc Foudy	Col	C	21	5-11/175	Colorado (AHL)	26	4	10	14	18
184	Adam Gajan	Chi	G	19	6-3/167	Green Bay (USHL)	43	23	12	3.35	0.893
185	Nolan Allan	Chi	D	21	6-2/195	Rockford (AHL)	60	5	12	17	47
186	Oskar Olausson	Col	RW	21	6-1/180	Colorado (AHL)	39	11	9	20	24
187	Samuel Poulin	Pit	C	23	6-1/205	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	41	16	15	31	35
188	Brett Berard	NYR	LW	21	5-9/165	Hartford (AHL)	71	25	23	48	62
189	Colton Dach	Chi	C	21	6-4/205	Rockford (AHL)	48	11	15	26	39
190	Jack Thompson	SJ	D	22	6-0/180	Syr-SJ (AHL)	62	6	35	41	16
191	Riley Kidney	Mtl	C	21	5-11/170	Laval (AHL)	65	7	13	20	41
192	Roby Jarventie	Ott	RW	21	6-3/195	Belleville (AHL)	22	9	11	20	22
193	Carey Terrance	Ana	C	18	6-1/175	Erie (OHL)	56	29	23	52	25
194	Luca Del Bel Belluz	CBJ	C	20	6-1/185	Cleveland (AHL)	58	9	22	31	12
195	Luca Pinelli	CBJ	C	19	5-9/165	Ottawa (OHL)	68	48	34	82	44
196	Francesco Pinelli	LA	C	21	6-1/185	Ontario (AHL)	67	13	7	20	24
197	Elias Salomonsson	Wpg	D	19	6-1/185	Skelleftea (SHL)	31	2	9	11	58
198	Sam Colangelo	Ana	RW	21	6-2/205	Western Michigan (NCHC)	38	24	19	43	23
199	Sasha Pastujov	Ana	RW	20	6-0/185	San Diego (AHL)	46	10	13	23	14
200	Andrew Gibson	Det	D	19	6-3/195	Saul St. Marie (OHL)	68	12	32	44	58

2023 NHL DRAFT: A Review

Chase Rochon — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:10:53 +0000

Another long year of amazing hockey has come and passed as we oficially end the 2023 scouting season and shift from the star-studded offensive draft class to the defensive-heavy 2024 NHL draft. This year's class was super fun and had the potential to bring the big stars and deep depth that we saw in the 2015 draft. This makes it very difficult to rank the winners and losers as every team acquired some very talented athletes in their organization that should make an impact for many years to come. Some teams acquired some elite star players at draft positions they didn't think would be possible at lower picks and later rounds. Those picks make the difference between good and great drafting by ﬁnding those diamonds in the rough.

NHL hockey operations departments are made up of the best of the best in the industry and have been through more drafts and different case studies over more years than I have been alive, which creates some hesitation in handing out grades for teams that we felt drafted poorly or passed on talent or upside. It is important to remember that teams take into consideration so many intangibles and factors outside any eye test or analytics can tell us. They have considerable resources and information networks public scouting teams can only dream of.

Most importantly, people need to remember these young athletes are human beings that just had the best week of their lives and treating them disrespectfully and pre-judging a young man that has yet to fully develop mentally and physically is completely unfair. I think every fan base should be showing love and support for the future players that are going to put in blood sweat and tears for the team you cheer for and go to war against the opposition.

With all that in mind, here is how I think all 32 teams performed at the 2023 NHL Draft based on my own rankings as well as the wonderful team at McKeen’s that I have the pleasure working alongside.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA - DECEMBER 29: Canada's Connor Bedard #16 backhands the puck while Austria's Tim Geifes #21 defends during Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scotiabank Centre on December 29, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)

#1 Chicago Blackhawks (A+)

1 Connor Bedard (F)

19 Oliver Moore (F)

35 Adam Gajan (G)

44 Roman Kantserov (F)

55 Martin Misiak (F)

67 Nick Lardis (F)

93 Jiri Felcman (F)

99 Alex Pharand (F)

131 Marcel Marcel (F)

167 Milton Oscarson (F)

195 Janne Peltonen (D)

It feels very ﬁtting that the number one ranked team had the number one pick this year in the generational talent of Connor Bedard, who is expected to make an immediate impact. Kyle Davidson clearly agrees by bringing in some veteran support this summer in Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry. This pick was obvious. What makes the Blackhawks stand out is what might be my favourite selection of the entire draft in Oliver Moore at 19th overall, where I, alongside Davidson, was in shock this player was still on the board—followed by selecting one of if not one of the best goaltenders in Adam Gajan. We absolutely loved Nick Lardis at McKeens, and we ﬁnd this to be amazing value in the early third round. Roman Kantserov, Martin Misiak, Alex Pharand and Marcel Marcel are other great pickups to round out the real depth of this draft class for the Blackhawks as they build the next generation in Chicago.

#2 Columbus Blue Jackets (A)

3 Adam Fantilli (F)

34 Gavin Brindley (F)

66 William Whitelaw (F)

98 Andrew Strathmann (D)

114 Luca Pinelli (F)

156 Melvin Strahl (G)

194 Oiva Keskinen (F)

224 Tyler Peddle (F)

The Blue Jackets' dreams came true when Adam Fantilli was still waiting for them at third overall, as the rookie Hobey Baker winner would have been selected ﬁrst overall in any other draft. Followed up by his Michigan teammate Gavin Brindley who we at McKeens had ranked #26. William Whitelaw ranked at #39 by McKeen’s, and Andrew Strathmann, ranked #39 by me, are amazing values. I really like Luca Pinelli at #114 and thought it was a great move to trade for the last pick in the draft and select Tyler Peddle, who was in attendance and should have been selected much higher. This will be the draft that could really put the Blue Jackets over the top to be a future contender in the Metro.

#3 Philadelphia Flyers (A)

7 Matvei Michkov (F)

22 Oliver Bonk (D)

51 Carson Bjarnason (G)

87 Yegor Zavragin (G)

95 Denver Barkey (F)

103 Cole Knuble (F)

120 Alex Ciernik (F)

135 Carter Sotheran (D)

172 Ryan MacPherson (F)

199 Matteo Mann (D)

The Flyers got a player with arguably the highest upside in the class in 7th overall in Matvei Michkov alone, which is enough to rank them this high. Aside from whether there is any truth to rumours that he somehow orchestrated his way to Philadelphia, he was genuinely excited to be drafted by the organization. The possibility that he will be coming to play in North America perhaps sooner rather than later could completely alter the landscape of the rebuild for GM Daniel Briere. They followed up by selecting Oliver Bonk, who our Ontario scouts adore at McKeens, including myself. Bonk will continue to develop in London. The Carson Bjarnson pick could age very well as a good young goaltender with a long road of development ahead. Denver Barkey and Alex Cienik are great value picks at 95th and 120th.

#4 Seattle Kraken (A-)

20 Eduard Sale (F)

50 Carson Rehkopf (F)

52 Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (F)

57 Lukas Dragicevic (D)

84 Caden Price (D)

116 Andrei Loshko (F)

148 Kaden Hammell (D)

168 Visa Vedenpää (G)

180 Zeb Forsfjäll (F)

212 Zaccharya Wisdom (F)

Seattle has been consistently one of the better drafting teams since they entered the league, and they continued that streak in Nashville. Eduard Sale is very much a gamble with questions about his compete lvel and lack of production against pros. However, he possesses elite ﬁnishing ability and was dominant against players his own age. He has a very high ceiling that I believe can be developed properly in the OHL, followed by the development team in Seattle. At the end of the day, with such a great prospect pool, you can take a swing for upside at #20 overall and can add a true top-line ﬁnisher for Shane Wright or Matty Beniers. The Kraken continues to favour the CHL and loaded up with more players in Carson Rehkopf, Lukas Dragicevic and Caden Price in the late second round. They had all been viewed as late ﬁrst/early second round talents. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard has the potential to bring some real energy to the bottom six and PK and become a really good role player for the team. I had him ranked at #30th betting on his high motor and relentless pressure with some ﬁnishing ability.

#5 Carolina Hurricanes (A-)

30 Bradly Nadeau (F)

62 Felix Unger Sörum (F)

94 Jayden Perron (F)

100 Alexander Rykov (F)

126 Stanislav Yarovoy (F)

139 Charles-Alexis Legault (D)

158 Ruslan Khazheyev (G)

163 Timur Mukhanov (F)

190 Michael Emerson (F)

222 Yegor Velmakin (G)

Bradley Nadeau was the highest player selected from the BCHL after having a monster year. He was ranked #27 by McKeens, which makes for a good pick late in the ﬁrst. Where Carolina impressed us was how well they drafted in the later rounds picking up some of the biggest steals of the draft in Jayden Perron who we ranked 34th and Timur Mukhanov ranked 98th. As they typically do, Carolina drafted great to add to the loaded prospect pool.

#6 Buffalo Sabres (A-)

13 Zach Benson (F)

39 Anton Wahlberg (F)

45 Maxim Strbak (D)

86 Gavin McCarthy (D)

109 Ethan Miedema (F)

141 Scott Ratzlaff (G)

173 Sean Keohane (D)

205 Norwin Panocha (D)

Draft after draft Buffalo ﬁnds themselves selecting some great players but I think Zach Benson could be the final elite piece they need to take them back to the playoffs and end the long drought. Benson is the smartest player in the draft after Connor Bedard. They followed up with good picks in Anton Wahlberg and Maxim Strbak. I really like the value of Ethan Miedema and Scott Ratzlaff in rounds 4 and 5.

#7 St. Louis Blues (B+)

10 Dalibor Dvorský (F)

25 Otto Stenberg (F)

29 Theo Lindstein (D)

74 Quinton Burns (D)

76 Juraj Pekarcik (F)

106 Jakub Stancl (F)

138 Paul Fischer (D)

170 Matthew Mayich (D)

202 Nikita Susuyev (F)

Dalibor Dvorský and Otto Stenberg could be an amazing one-two punch down the middle in the near future as the Blues shift towards the future and away from the team that won them the 2019 Stanley Cup. I think Dvorsky and Stenberg both have been underrated as they tend to be looked at as “safe picks” - a term that I sometimes hate because it shouldn’t discount the true skill these players have. Because they are viewed as having lower ceilings than some other top names in the class they fell at the draft, and St. Louis took full advantage and selected the best player available. The rest of the Blues draft was very average, not making any poor selections but also not taking any swings on some big names with upside.

#8 Washington Capitals (B+)

8 Ryan Leonard (F)

40 Andrew Cristall (F)

104 Patrick Thomas (F)

136 Cameron Allen (D)

200 Brett Hyland (F)

206 Antoine Keller (G)

The Capitals may not have had the luck they had hoped for in having Michkov fall to them, but they were very quick to the podium to select the NTDP gritty winger in Ryan Leonard. He brings a hard game and that’s no slight on the raw skill this kid has. After this year’s playoffs, NHL teams are looking to mold their roster after the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights and Leonard ﬁts that profile. Many, including myself, expected Andrew Cristall to fall on draft day but to 40th overall was quite surprising and Washington took full advantage, taking some risk on a junior perimeter player. Going into the draft year we expected Cameron Allen to be the ﬁrst OHL player off the board, but after a brutal season his stock plummeted. It’s hard to believe this talented young player entirely forgot how to play hockey and I think the Caps were willing to take this bet at 136.

#9 Colorado Avalanche (B)

27 Calum Ritchie (F)

31 Mikhail Gulyayev (D)

155 Nikita Ishimnikov (D)

187 Jeremy Hanzel (D)

219 Maros Jedlicka (F)

The Avalanche wouldn’t have expected to select Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev with these very late ﬁrst rounders who we ranked 19th and 24th. This is great value at these picks. I ﬁnd it very interesting that they went with a very smart player who has a low ceiling and a high ﬂoor in Ritchie but then took a bit of a gamble on Gulyayev who is the polar opposite with a high ceiling and low ﬂoor. Not having many picks, and not many high ones, they can consider it a win if Colorado can get a couple NHLers from such minimal selections.

#10 Los Angeles Kings (B)

54 Jakub Dvorak (D)

78 Koehn Ziemmer (F)

118 Hampton Slukynsky (G)

150 Matthew Mania (D)

182 Ryan Conmy (F)

Jakub Dvorak has been such an underrated player all season long because he hasn’t been playing due to injury and is not flashy and doesn’t have much of a highlight reel but he might be the best defensive defenseman to come from this draft class. Big frame players like Dvorak are rare and hard to ﬁnd and are typically viewed as underrated even in the NHL because they are never noticeable with the puck. Dvorak shut down all the top players in the U.S. NTDP top line, Dvorsky, Michkov and even Connor Bedard at international competitions. He makes life so hard for attackers and will be a nightmare for goal scorers in the NHL and people will wonder how he was selected so late. The Kings followed this up with good picks in Koehn Ziemmer and Matthew Mania.

#11 Florida Panthers (B)

63 Gracyn Sawchyn (F)

127 Albert Wikman (D)

159 Olof Glifford (G)

191 Luke Coughlin (D)

198 Stepan Zvyagin (F)

Florida was another team that capitalized on an underrated player who slid on draft day in Gracyn Sawchyn. He played on a star-studded Seattle Thunderbirds team and didn’t get the opportunity to play top minutes but that didn’t stop him from putting up over a point per game. He will continue to grow under a great development program as he gains more ice time and expect him to put up monster numbers in the WHL for the next two seasons.

#12 Dallas Stars (C+)

61 Tristan Bertucci (D)

79 Brad Gardiner (F)

125 Aram Minnetian (D)

157 Arno Tiefensee (G)

189 Angus MacDonell (F)

221 Sebastian Bradshaw (F)

Dallas had very minimal draft capital and made the absolute most of it to no one's surprise as they usually do. Amazing value in Tristan Bertucci and Aram Minnetian.

#13 Vegas Golden Knights (B-)

32 David Edstrom (F)

77 Mathieu Cataford (F)

96 Arttu Kärki (D)

192 Tuomas Uronen (F)

Vegas selecting David Edstrom almost felt destined to happen as the last pick of the first round as we expected him to be selected in the ﬁrst round. Great pick for the Stanley Cup winners. Arttu Karki was also my favorite Finnish defense this year and I think 96 is excellent value for a player of his skill.

#14 San Jose Sharks (B-)

4 Will Smith (F)

26 Quentin Musty (F)

36 Kasper Halttunen (F)

71 Brandon Svoboda (F)

123 Luca Cagnoni (D)

130 Axel Landén (D)

132 Eric Pohlkamp (D)

196 David Klee (F)

203 Yegor Rimashevsky (F)

The Sharks drafted the highly skilled forward Will Smith very high, and I know he has gained some real hype over the past few months to get into the top 5 but personally having him just outside the top 10 makes it very hard to justify so much talent and other options at pick 4. This is a take that really could come back to bite me but I just don't love what Smith and Musty bring to the table outside of the high offensive skill that they clearly both have. In terms of value picks I think Halttunen is the Sharks best pick. If he played in London last season, he would have been called on day one of the draft and still has the opportunity to come over next season and be one of the best players in the league right away. The Sharks drafted very well but 13 other teams just did better.

#15 Calgary Flames (B-)

16 Samuel Honzek (F)

48 Étienne Morin (D)

80 Aydar Suniev (F)

112 Jaden Lipinski (F)

176 Yegor Yegorov (G)

208 Axel Hurtig (D)

The Flames had a solid draft and got a player we can expect the be a safe NHLer in Samuel Honzek that was expected in this range. I think Etienne Mornin could be the steal for them. This is a player that is extremely intelligent, and I personally have a lot of faith will continue to have success in his own development each season and could be viewed as a late ﬁrst rounder in the near future. Aydar Suniev at 80th overall is also great value.

#16 Montréal Canadiens (B-)

5 David Reinbacher (D)

69 Jacob Fowler (G)

101 Florian Xhekaj (F)

110 Bogdan Konyushkov (D)

128 Quentin Miller (G)

133 Sam Harris (F)

144 Yevgeni Volokhin (G)

165 Filip Eriksson (F)

197 Luke Mittelstadt (D)

Montréal might be the most talked about team post draft for all the wrong reasons so being dead in the middle at 16 may come as a surprise to most. The dislike for me comes from picks 101-197 where they took seven guys they could have gotten in rounds 6 or 7, and unfortunately some of those picks were in rounds 4 and 5. Jacob Fowler is a good goalie that could be huge for them, with the organization having such little depth in that department. Now Reinbacher who is the talk of Twitter and unfortunately for terrible reasons. The only argument I can understand against him is that Michkov should have been the pick, but there were many question marks surrounding the Russian and his intentions, leaving the Habs in a situation with lots of uncertainty at pick #5. So, they understandably took a player with a lot of certainty in elite defenseman David Reinbacher. He has been the only player under 18 shutting down grown professional athletes and ex-NHLers for two years. If that's not impressive enough he didn't just defend, he also produced higher than anyone in their DY-2 and DY-1 ever.

David has a good head on his shoulders and will develop all the necessary skills to round out his game to become a high-end defenseman who will eat lots of minutes and make a huge impact. He may not put up great offensive numbers or make highlight reel plays. That's ok, he plays defense for a reason. Leave that for the loads of talented players you already have and let Reinbacher make the other team's life a living hell and win hockey games, because that's what it's all about.

#17 Arizona Coyotes (B-)

6 Dmitri Simashev (D)

12 Daniil But (F)

38 Michael Hrabal (G)

70 Jonathan Castagna (F)

72 Noel Nordh (F)

81 Tanner Ludtke (F)

88 Vadim Moroz (F)

102 Terrell Goldsmith (D)

134 Melker Thelin (G)

160 Justin Kipkie (D)

162 Samu Bau (F)

166 Carsen Musser (G)

Arizona may have not drafted our best player available in their slots, but they took an interesting strategy to this year's draft that might have been the best option based on the current state of the team. Dmitri Simashev was our number one ranked defenseman in the class while Danill But has displayed shades of Evgeni Malkin at times. Both played on the same team this past season. This put Arizona in a safer situation to swing on upside and internally develop them together and could very well be a big payoff. Hrabal is the pick that gives some extra value as my personal favorite goaltender in the class. Drafting all players over 6'0" is another interesting strategy that is hard to disagree with. Middle of the pack supports my mixed feelings on the drafting of the Coyotes.

#18 Winnipeg Jets (C)

18 Colby Barlow (F)

82 Zachary Nehring (F)

146 Jacob Julien (F)

151 Thomas Milic (G)

210 Connor Levis (F)

Winnipeg is facing a lot of potential turnover on their roster this season. Colby Barlow makes an excellent pick for the Jets, bringing in a character Canadian guy, on and off the ice, as a key piece to build upon. You can expect Barlow to score lots of goals in the near future. The rest of the picks are very average, so they receive an average grade.

#19 New York Rangers (C)

23 Gabe Perreault (F)

90 Drew Fortescue (D)

152 Rasmus Larsson (D)

178 Dylan Roobroeck (F)

183 Ty Henricks (F)

Gabe Perreault was good value at 23rd as I thought his production this season would lead to him going much higher than he should have and I think this was a good range for him. A smart player who can be a great complement to some high-end skill just like he did with the NTDP. The rest of the picks were not very average.

#20 Detroit Red Wings (C)

9 Nate Danielson (F)

17 Axel Sandin Pellikka (D)

41 Trey Augustine (G)

42 Andrew Gibson (D)

47 Brady Cleveland (D)

73 Noah Dower Nilsson (F)

117 Larry Keenan (D)

137 Jack Phelan (D)

147 Kevin Bicker (F)

169 Rudy Guimond (G)

201 Emmitt Finnie (F)

Detroit's draft was very interesting to me because I find it hard to criticize Steve Yzerman’s picks which have been excellent in the past with some home runs to show for it. Nate Danielson and Axel-Sandin Pellika are great players who will be NHLers and good ones. They just didn't strike me as the types of players Detroit has recently drafted with some hard nose battlers that are going to be warriors. I think it might take a while for either to become impact playoff players relative to some of the skill still left on the board, such as Oliver Moore at pick #9 and still available at #17. They pass with a C as most other picks were good, but just that they were good and not great, where teams ahead of them made some great picks.

#21 Edmonton Oilers (C)

56 Beau Akey (D)

184 Nathaniel Day (G)

216 Matt Copponi (F)

Beau Akey is a good pick that has a good path in front of him to reﬁne his offensive talents and become a threat from the point for the Colts over the next couple of seasons and get a real chance to make the Oilers. Hard to judge a team with such little options at the draft.

Leo Carlsson of Sweden at a practice session during the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on May 25, 2023 in Riga.
Photo: Joel Marklund / BILDBYRÅN /

#22 Anaheim Ducks (C-)

2 Leo Carlsson (F)

33 Nico Myatovic (F)

59 Carey Terrance (F)

60 Damian Clara (G)

65 Coulson Pitre (F)

85 Yegor Sidorov (F)

97 Konnor Smith (D)

129 Rodwin Dionicio (D)

161 Vojtech Port (D)

I think passing on Fantilli will be something that will haunt Anaheim for a long time and really hurts their grade even though they are getting a great talent in Leo Carlsson. Unfortunately, I have a hard time seeing Carlsson being the 2nd best player that comes from this class and when they are a top team in the league soon this selection might be the difference between a contender and a champion. Other than that, Myatovic, Terrance and Pitre are solid picks.

#23 Vancouver Canucks (D+)

11 Tom Willander (D)

75 Hunter Brzustewicz (C-)

89 Sawyer Mynio (D)

105 Ty Mueller (F)

107 Vilmer Alriksson (F)

119 Matthew Perkins (F)

171 Aiden Celebrini (D)

Willander was ranked 23rd by us at McKeens and is a great defenseman who happens to be in a star studded offensive heavy draft. I think the Canuks were guilty of drafting for need rather than best player available and that affected the grade. Other than that, there isn’t too much to like in the class other than Hunter Brzustewicz at 75 was a great selection.

#24 Nashville Predators (C-)

15 Matthew Wood (F)

24 Tanner Molendyk (D)

43 Felix Nilsson (F)

46 Kalan Lind (F)

68 Jesse Kiiskinen (F)

83 Dylan MacKinnon (D)

111 Joseph Willis (F)

121 Juha Jatkola (G)

143 Sutter Muzzatti (F)

175 Austin Roest

218 Aiden Fink

Nashville was the host of this year’s draft and advised by new GM Barry Trotz in an interview to take some swings on high upside to add some high-end skill to the prospect pool. Well, they just didn’t do any of that and delivered a mediocre draft outside of top prospect Matthew Wood. What makes their draft so disappointing is that after 10 consecutive picks, the next best value pick was David Poiles last pick in Aiden Fink in the 7th round. Expectations were high and far from reached.

#25 Tampa Bay Lightning (D)

37 Ethan Gauthier (F)

115 Jayson Shaugabay (F)

179 Warren Clark (D)

193 Jack Harvey (F)

211 Ethan Hay (F)

Tampa will ﬁnd a way to develop these players, especially Ethan Gauthier, because that’s what they do best within their system. I just believe they could have done it with the better options available and left talent on the table with every pick.

#26 New Jersey Devils (D+)

58 Lenni Hämeenaho (F)

122 Cam Squires (F)

154 Chase Cheslock (D)

164 Cole Brown (F)

186 Daniil Karpovich (D)

New Jersey was very inactive and didn’t take many swings this year and they are in a situation where they didn’t need to. Lenni Hameenaho was ranked 84 for us at McKeens and was a bit of a reach.

#27 Ottawa Senators (D)

108 Hoyt Stanley (D)

140 Matthew Andonovski (D)

204 Owen Beckner (F)

207 Vladimir Nikitin (G)

215 Nicholas VanTassell (F)

Ottawa did not have many picks and none very high. Hoyt Stanley is the only pick which has had some hype going into the draft and been noticeable this season. I wouldn’t expect anyone from the class to make the roster.

#28 Pittsburgh Penguins (D-)

14 Brayden Yager (F)

91 Emil Pieniniemi (D)

142 Mikhail Ye. Ilyin (F)

174 Cooper Foster (F)

217 Emil Järventie (F)

223 Kalle Kangas (D)

Another situation where good players were selected but when I look at this class, and Emil Jarventie is the best value pick in the 7th round, that is an issue for me. Yes, Brayden Yager is an excellent player with a deadly shot and a good head on his shoulders. It’s hard to give high grades when top 5-10 talents were still available where he was picked. This strikes me as more of a situation where the Penguins scouting staff were left to make the pick, more so than Dubas, and they went with the guy they targetted going into the draft rather than the best player available.

#29 Toronto Maple Leafs (D-)

28 Easton Cowan (F)

153 Hudson Malinoski (F)

185 Noah Chadwick (D)

The Easton Cowan pick is very difficult to grade because it really could go both ways. I understand the pick because you’re getting, debatably, the hardest working player in the class whose development is skyrocketing at a high pace under the teachings of the Hunters in London. You can expect this growth to continue over the next couple seasons. It woudl appear the Leafs aren’t selecting the 28th best player currently and are banking on Cowan being a ﬁrst round talent in 3-5 years, an approach I agree with. The issue I have with this pick is I really think you could have selected him later, and possibly much later. The 2nd round Is still a reach but at least you’re not leaving talent on the table in this deep draft and getting the maximum value out of each pick. I just think this was some poor asset management and the Leafs just focused on getting their guy. Time will be the true indicator.

#30 New York Islanders (D)

49 Danny Nelson (F)

113 Jesse Nurmi (F)

145 Justin Gill (F)

177 Zach Schulz (D)

209 Dennis Good Bogg (D)

Islanders drafted some good leadership in a pair of Captains in Danny Nelson and Zach Shulz. When that is the best thing to be said about the selections that is an issue.

#31 Boston Bruins (F+)

92 Christopher Pelosi (F)

124 Beckett Hendrickson (F)

188 Ryan Walsh (F)

214 Casper Nässén (F)

220 Kristian Kostadinski (D)

Beckett Hendrickson is the only reason they aren’t ranked 32nd.

#32 Minnesota Wild (F)

21 Charlie Stramel (F)

53 Rasmus Kumpulainen (F)

64 Riley Heidt (F)

149 Aaron Pionk (D)

181 Kalem Parker (D)

213 Jimmy Clark (F)

The Wild are the only team that gets an F grade. It’s not because I don't like the players in Charlie Stramel and Rasmus Kumpulainen because they are prospects I had on my personal board, but it’s very hard to justify these picks with the options still available on the board at the time of the picks. These are just too far off the board to not trade back and still get the player you want. We at McKeens ranked both these players as 3rd round talents.

Mikhail Gulyayev – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects – Biggest Risers and Fallers

Adam Jiricek (STL)

Harrison Brunicke (PIT)

Nick Lardis (CHI)

Alexander Zharovsky (MTL)

Matvei Gridin (CGY)

Roman Kantserov (CHI)

Will Horcoff (PIT)

Vaclav Nestrasil (CHI)

Sergei Murashov (PIT)

Stephen Halliday (OTT)

Charlie Stramel (MIN)

Max Plante (DET)

Dean Letourneau (BOS)

Benjamin Rautiainen (TB)

Eddie Genborg (DET)

Mikhail Gulyayev (COL)

Sam Colangelo (ANA)

Brennan Othmann (CGY)

Carson Rehkopf (SEA)

Joshua Roy (MTL)

MCKEEN'S HOCKEY TOP 200 NHL-AFFILIATED PROSPECTS

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #29 Colorado Avalanche – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 29th (Last Year - 28th) GM: Chris MacFarland Hired: July 2022 COACH: Jared Bednar Hired: August 2016

1. Ilya Nabokov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

2. Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Avangard Omsk (KHL)

3. Sean Behrens, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

4. Francesco Dell'Elce, D, UMass (NCAA)

5. Trent Miner, G, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

6. Nikita Prishchepov, C, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

7. Christian Humphreys, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

8. Louka Cloutier, G, Boston College (NCAA)

9. Alex Gagne, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

10. Linus Funck, D, London Knights (OHL)

11. Jake Fisher, C, University of Denver (NCAA)

12. Nolan Roed, C, St. Cloud State University (NCAA)

13. Taylor Makar, LW, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

14. Daniil Gushchin, LW, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

15. Isak Posch, G, Colorado Eagles (AHL)

NHL PROSPECTS: Victor Nuño – Dynasty Stock Watch – Colorado Avalanche Edition

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch - Colorado Avalanche Edition

Team Outlook

Buy Candidates

Ilya Nabokov (G, 21)

Sean Behrens (D, 22)

Maxmilian Curran (C/LW, 19)

Sell Candidates

Gavin Brindley (RW, 21)

Mikhail Gulyayev (D, 20)

Daniil Gushchin (RW, 23)

Summary

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #28

Colorado Avalanche Top-15 Prospects

1 - Mikhail Gulyayev

2 - Gavin Brindley

3 - Ilya Nabokov

4 - Daniil Gushchin

5 - Sean Behrens

6 - Francesco Dell’Elce

7 - Max Curran

8 - Nikita Prishchepov

9 - Jake Fisher

10 - Christian Humphreys

11 - Zakhar Bardakov

12 - Matt Stienburg

13 - Trent Miner

14 - Linus Funck

15 - Tory Pitner

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – COLORADO AVALANCHE – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #25

Colorado Avalanche Top-15 Prospects

1. Cal Ritchie

2. Mikhail Gulyayev

3. Nikolai Kovalenko

4. Sean Behrens

5. Justus Annunen

6. Jean-Luc Foudy

7. Oskar Olausson

8. Ilya Nabokov

Prospect System Ranking – 29th (Last Year - 28th)
GM: Chris MacFarland Hired: July 2022
COACH: Jared Bednar Hired: August 2016