Mikhail Yegorov – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – New Jersey Devils Edition

Victor Nuño — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:17:42 +0000

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

New Jersey Devils Edition

Team Outlook

The New Jersey Devils remain one of the most exciting young cores in the NHL. With Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemec at the center of their identity, the foundation for long-term contention is already in place. Their roster is built on speed, puck movement, and offensive creativity, and when healthy, they can outscore anyone. Injuries and thin depth have held them back at key moments, which only underscores how important continued internal development will be.

New Jersey is firmly in its contention window, and the organizational needs have shifted. The Devils no longer need bodies, they need impact. Young players must either bring high-end skill or fill defined roles with efficiency. As the roster becomes more competitive, prospects who can complement the core and contribute quickly will be the ones who rise. For dynasty managers, the takeaway is clear, prioritize players with realistic paths to meaningful NHL roles rather than those valued purely on pedigree, because opportunity still exists in New Jersey, but the margin for error is shrinking.

Buy Candidates

Mikhail Yegorov (G, 19)

Why Buy?
The Devils have been searching for long-term stability in net for years, and Mikhail Yegorov may finally be the prospect who changes that trajectory. His combination of size, poise, and technical control gives him a foundation that already looks near professional ready. He tracks pucks through layers, moves efficiently in his crease, and rarely gets rattled.

While his raw numbers at Boston University this season have dipped, he continues to outperform his expected goal metrics, which suggests this may be a buy-low opportunity for dynasty managers. The long-term path is wide open. The Devils have cycled through short-term options for years, and none have secured the crease during the team’s contention window. If Yegorov continues on his current trajectory, he has future starter upside and could be the goalie who finally stabilizes the position in the post-Brodeur era. This is a profile worth acquiring now before the price rises.

Simon Nemec (D, 21)

Why Buy?
Nemec has already shown why he was selected second overall. His composure, mobility, and high-end puck-moving ability make him an ideal fit for New Jersey’s aggressive, pace-driven style. Offensively, he reads the ice well, jumps into the rush with confidence, and has added more deception to his playmaking this season. While Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes currently share time quarterbacking the top power play, Nemec looks fully capable of producing on a second unit and could earn top-unit looks if the Devils ever want to give him that role.

His early NHL stint was uneven, and his first 90 games revealed some struggles keeping up with the pace and making quick decisions. This season, however, he looks like a different player. The confidence is unmistakable, and he is leaning into his elite skating far more consistently. His Evolving Hockey player card highlights how dramatically his offensive impacts have improved, even though he still needs support defensively. If that part of his game trends upward at a similar pace, the Devils may finally get the player they envisioned when they drafted him second overall in 2022. For dynasty managers, right-shot defensemen with this combination of skill, opportunity, and long-term upside are rare, and Nemec remains a premium asset with room to grow.

Arseni Gritsyuk (LW/RW, 24)

Why Buy?
Gritsyuk quietly developed into one of the more NHL-ready wingers to arrive from the KHL pipeline, and now that he has transitioned to North America, his game still shows the same blend of pace, skill, and competitiveness that made him stand out overseas. His surface numbers have not fully popped yet, but the underlying metrics tell a different story. His combined on-ice shooting percentage and save percentage (PDO) sits at a very low 948, a number that almost always regresses toward 1,000, suggesting better results are coming. Per HockeyViz, the Devils generate more offense with Gritsyuk in the lineup, reinforcing that the process is strong even if the finishing has lagged.

His usage has also been encouraging. Gritsyuk is getting shifts with Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, and he plays a heavy, north-south style that produces more than a hit per game in just under 15 minutes of ice time. His power play opportunities have been limited, but even a small increase in deployment could unlock meaningful scoring. For dynasty managers, he remains an ideal buy-low candidate, because the underlying play driving, the supportive metrics, and the quality of his linemates all point to a player whose production should climb as the season settles.

Sell Candidates

Seamus Casey (D, 21)

Why Sell?
Casey remains one of the most skilled offensive defensemen in the Devils’ system, with elite mobility, high end puck skills, and the creativity to quarterback play from the blue line. His NCAA production was excellent and showcased everything that made him a coveted prospect. The issue is not talent but fit. With Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec solidly ahead of him on the depth chart as New Jersey’s long term power play drivers, Casey’s path to meaningful minutes is extremely narrow. Unless he drastically adapts his game or the depth chart shifts, he is likely battling for a third pair role without the deployment that fuels fantasy upside.

The early returns at the NHL level reflect these concerns. Casey has struggled to carve out a stable spot, and his defensive impacts remain well below average, which makes it difficult for coaches to trust him in anything beyond sheltered usage. The offensive instincts are still there, and his Hockey Prospecting star potential suggests that the upside is likely still there, but the reality is that fantasy value depends on opportunity. His name value and pedigree will still attract interest in many leagues, making this the ideal moment to sell. Move him while another manager still believes in the top four outcome, before the organizational logjam and defensive limitations cap his long-term ceiling.

Anton Silayev (D, 19)

Why Sell?
Silayev’s draft year hype exploded thanks to his rare blend of size, reach, and smooth mobility. At 6-foot-7, he covers ice effortlessly and has the kind of physical profile teams dream of in a shutdown defenseman. His skating stride is fluid, he closes quickly in space, and he already looks like someone who can neutralize top competition at the NHL level. The problem for fantasy managers is that, despite all of these tools, Silayev does not naturally drive offense. He is not someone who creates scoring chances, directs play through transition, or activates meaningfully in the offensive zone. His impact is far more functional than dynamic.

While the real-life value is obvious, the fantasy translation is a different story. Silayev does post strong blocks, shots, and hits, giving him solid BASH peripherals, but those contributions are easy to find on the waiver wire. What differentiates fantasy assets is scoring, and so far, that has not been part of Silayev’s game. Across one hundred fifty-six KHL games, he has only twenty-four points. His pNHLe has cratered to five, which reflects the extremely limited offensive projection. He will almost certainly be an important piece for the Devils and play heavy minutes, but if he is not producing points, his fantasy ceiling remains low. Given the name recognition, draft pedigree, and how excited the Devils are about his role, now is the ideal moment to sell high and acquire a more impactful long-term asset.

Lenni Hämeenaho (RW, 21)

Hämeenaho is a smart and reliable winger whose mature two-way game made him an appealing draft prospect. He reads play well, supports possession, and owns a solid, NHL-level shot. Coaches trust his positioning and decision making, and he still projects as someone who can settle into a middle six role once he fully adjusts to the North American game. The challenge for fantasy managers is that his tools do not necessarily point toward strong offensive upside. He does not drive play with standout speed or high-end creativity, and his profile leans more toward steady than dynamic.

His transition to the AHL has underscored those concerns. After posting 51 points in 58 games for Ässät in Liiga last season, he has just four points in 14 games with Utica. His Fantasy Hockey Life card paints the same picture: his Fenwick looks decent, but his Corsi is low, his net expected goals impact is underwater, and he is not consistently winning puck battles or recovering loose pucks. His BASH can provide a modest peripheral floor, but if the scoring does not translate, his fantasy ceiling remains limited. Hämeenaho still carries name value and the perception of untapped upside, which makes this an ideal sell window. Move him now, before he settles into the type of depth role that delivers real world value but falls short in fantasy.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Mikhail Yegorov	Buy	Rising goalie prospect with a clear path to future NHL starts
Simon Nemec	Buy	Elite right-shot defenseman with top-four floor and PP upside
Arseni Gritsyuk	Buy	Skilled KHL winger ready to seize a top-six NHL opportunity
Seamus Casey	Sell	Offensive defenseman blocked by Hughes and Nemec
Anton Silayev	Sell	Defensive toolsy blueliner with limited fantasy ceiling
Lenni Hämeenaho	Sell	Safe middle-six projection, low fantasy upside

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

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

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

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

Forwards

1 - Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens

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

2 - Ryan Leonard, C – Washington Capitals

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

3 - Isaac Howard, LW – Edmonton Oilers

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

4 - Beckett Sennecke, RW – Anaheim Ducks

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

5 - Michael Misa, C – San Jose Sharks

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

6 - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW – St. Louis Blues

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

7 - Gabe Perreault, LW – New York Rangers

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

8 - Berkley Catton, C – Seattle Kraken

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

9 - Ilya Protas, LW – Washington Capitals

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

10 - Tij Iginla, LW – Utah Mammoth

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

11 - Porter Martone, RW – Philadelphia Flyers

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

12 - James Hagens, C – Boston Bruins

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

13 - Cayden Lindstrom, C – Columbus Blue Jackets

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

14 - Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

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

15 - Dalibor Dvorsky, C – St. Louis Blues

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

16 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Vancouver Canucks

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

17 - Brad Nadeau, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

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

18 - Anton Frondell, C – Chicago Blackhawks

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

19 - Danila Yurov, RW – Minnesota Wild

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

20 - Caleb Desnoyers, C – Utah Mammoth

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

21 - Rutger McGroarty, C – Pittsburgh Penguins

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

22 - Quentin Musty, RW – San Jose Sharks

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

23 - Calum Ritchie, C – New York Islanders

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

24 - Matthew Savoie, RW – Edmonton Oilers

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

25 - Igor Chernyshov, LW – San Jose Sharks

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

26 - Easton Cowan, C – Toronto Maple Leafs

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

27 - Andrew Cristall, LW – Washington Capitals

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

28 - Cole Eiserman, RW – New York Islanders

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

29 - Jake O’Brien, C – Seattle Kraken

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

30 - Liam Ohgren, LW – Minnesota Wild

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

Defence

1 - Zayne Parekh, RD – Calgary Flames

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

2 - Cole Hutson, LD - Washington Capitals

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

3 - Matthew Schaefer, LD – New York Islanders

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

4 - Zeev Buium, LD – Minnesota Wild

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

5 - Alexander Nikishin, LD – Carolina Hurricanes

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

6 - Artyom Levshunov, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

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

7 - Luca Cagnoni, LD – San Jose Sharks

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

8 - Sam Dickinson, LD – San Jose Sharks

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

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

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

10 - Tristan Luneau, RD – Anaheim Ducks

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

11 - Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Ottawa Senators

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

12 - Sam Rinzel, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

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

13 - Seamus Casey, RD – New Jersey Devils

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

14 - Scott Morrow, RD – New York Rangers

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

15 - Logan Mailloux, RD – St. Louis Blues

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

16 - David Reinbacher, RD – Montreal Canadiens

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

17 - Oliver Bonk, RD – Philadelphia Flyers

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

18 - Tanner Molendyk, LD – Nashville Predators

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

19 - Hunter Brzustewicz, RD – Calgary Flames

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

20 - Tom Willander, RD – Vancouver Canucks

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

Goalies

1 - Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks

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

2 - Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

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

3 - Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens

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

4 - Ilya Nabokov – Colorado Avalanche

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

5 - Sebastian Cossa – Detroit Red Wings

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

6 - Drew Commesso – Chicago Blackhawks

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

7 - Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings

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

8 - Niklas Kokko – Seattle Kraken

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

9 - Mikhail Yegorov – New Jersey Devils

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

10 - Hampton Slukynsky – Los Angeles Kings

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

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #22

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:45:15 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (72) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 14, 2023, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 22nd (May 2025 - 15th)
GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020
COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024

After years of turbulence, the New Jersey Devils returned to the playoffs in 2024-25 for just the fourth time in 15 years. A clear sign the rebuild is firmly on track. Jack Hughes has blossomed into a bona fide star, supported by Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier. On the back end, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec have secured full-time roles, giving the Devils one of the league’s most promising young defensive tandems.

More help is already knocking at the door. Seamus Casey split time between the NHL and AHL last season, showcasing the puck-moving flair and offensive instincts that make him one of the most exciting defense prospects in the league. The question is whether there will be enough room for both Casey and Nemec to thrive in similar roles. A bit further out, 2024 10th overall pick Anton Silayev continues his development in the KHL, honing his shutdown game while offering significant long-term upside.

Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov, a 2024 second rounder, turned heads after joining Boston University midseason from the USHL. In just a few weeks, he became the backbone of the Terriers, posting an 11-6-1 record with a .927 save percentage and helping lead them to the NCAA Championship game.

The Devils didn’t have a first-round pick in 2025 but still added two notable prospects in Conrad Fondrk and Ben Kevan, both of whom immediately slot into the organization’s top 10.

With a young NHL core already producing and another wave of promising players on the way, New Jersey appears to be transitioning from a team hoping to make the playoffs to one capable of sustained postseason success. If their prospect development continues to align with the growth of their established stars, the Devils could become one of the league’s most consistent threats over the next decade.

New Jersey Devils Top-15 Prospects

1 - Anton Silayev

6-foot-7 giant Anton Silayev continued to make steady progress this season. Given an increased role on a weaker Torpedo roster, he stepped up and made an impact on a nightly basis. Defensively, he looked much more composed than the year prior, using his size better to angle off opponents and disrupt plays with his long reach. Offensively, he made slight improvements to his play, but I would lower expectations for him to be a point producer in the NHL. He scored a few nice goals by joining the rush at the right moments, but many of his points came from secondary passes and deflections off point shots. While his game still needs polish, Silayev projects as a future shutdown defenceman for the Devils. He’ll need more time to round out his weaker areas, but with another year left on his KHL contract, he has the runway to continue growing before making the jump to North America.

2 - Mikhail Yegorov

Mikhail Yegorov is a massive 6-foot-5 goalie that plays a simple, technical game. He prefers to move as little as possible, and he accomplishes this by having a wide stance and using his long legs to grab ice in short movements, moving smartly through the crease with good routes. He’s a no-nonsense goalie and is in full control, rarely scrambling. His best attribute is his tracking. He quickly follows any passes, anticipates play, and reads releases very well, tracking the puck all the way into his quick hands. He does a lot well and already has a polished game for a guy who only made the jump to the NCAA midseason as an 18-year-old proving to be elite already. His biggest concern is his rebound control. He tends to let the puck bounce off his chest a lot, and doesn’t control his stick much, giving up bad rebounds in tight that end in goals. Yegorov projects well to the NHL and has separating talents, making him a strong candidate to be a quality starting goaltender.

3 - Seamus Casey

Seamus Casey had an interesting first professional season: he started the season with the New Jersey Devils and played well, then he went down to AHL Utica and was on fire offensively to start the year, and then he battled through injuries and spent time at both the NHL and AHL levels, and even got a glimpse of action in an NHL playoff game. The hallmark of Casey’s game is his offensive ability; he’s a creative defenceman that excels at distributing the puck and making plays. He’s also a very capable skater, which complements his offensive ability and adds deception that he can use to manipulate opposing players. Casey has even worked quite hard on his own game away from the puck and does a good job engaging opposing forwards in his own zone. Casey won’t ever become the world’s best shutdown player, but he can play effectively in the defensive zone, and it won’t limit his NHL deployment. Casey should feature well this year as a full-time defenceman for the Devils.

4 - Arseni Gritsyuk

Devils fifth-round pick from 2019, Arseni Gritsyuk set career highs in assists and points this season with SKA St. Petersburg. He brings many tools to the table which make him a very dangerous threat when play is in the offensive zone. His IQ and playmaking have come a long way since his draft year, allowing him to consistently make the right reads and generate scoring chances. While his defensive game still needs work, he’s improved his physicality and compete level, addressing many of the concerns that scouts shared during his draft year. Rumors suggest Gritsyuk could be headed to North America after this season, where he may challenge for a roster spot in New Jersey. If he makes the jump, he projects as a middle six winger and a strong one-time threat on the second power-play unit.

5 - Lenni Hameenaho

Hämeenaho has shown consistent production in Finland’s Liiga since being drafted 5eighth overall by New Jersey in 2023. In 202023-24, he posted 31 points in 46 games for Ässät and added six points at the World Juniors. He elevated his game in 2024-25, notching 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 58 games, while also earning a spot on Finland’s men’s national team for the World Championship, where he contributed four points in eight games. Hämeenaho’s strengths lie in his hockey sense. His off puck reads, timing into soft areas, and ability to vary pace make him a constant scoring threat. His playmaking has improved, and he’s shown more commitment defensively. However, skating remains his biggest obstacle; mechanical inefficiencies limit his mobility, puck control in motion, and ability to handle physical pressure. Without improvement in this area, his NHL projection leans toward a depth or AHL role, but with strides in mobility, he could grow into a bottom six checking winger.

6 - Conrad Fondrk

Fondrk was the third USNTDP forward taken off the board in the 2025 draft, and New Jersey believes there is a lot to love in the St. Paul native. Fondrk passes the eye-test in every sense of the word. He is an above-average skater, a creative stick handler, and a solid distributor, especially in the offensive zone. In addition to his prowess in the face-off circle and consistent backchecking, Fondrk is a valuable two-way center in the Devils’ future. This past season for the NTDP, Fondrk was a solid center who was seeing a surge in points right before he got injured for the rest of the year in late February. If healthy, he would probably have had a similar jump in points to his teammate Cole McKinney had. Fondrk will now enter a loaded Boston University lineup next season, and, on the surface, will have limited opportunity to make a large mark for the Terriers. Don’t be surprised if Fondrk defies expectations and shows up in moments for BU.

7 - Ben Kevan

After exploding for 57 points as a 16-year-old, Ben Kevan saw a significant drop in points for a Des Moines team that did not perform great this past season. Kevan is now heading to sunny Tempe, Arizona to play with the Sun Devils, so the question becomes; What is ASU, and also New Jersey, getting in a player like Kevan? He is a speedy north-south skater and has the ability to create space for himself and his teammates. Kevan creates offence with those aspects, along with his hard shot, though he could do with a more mature shot selection. He has his moments defensively, tilting the ice in his favor, but overall, his compete is average. Kevan should find every opportunity to succeed at Arizona State and find the scoring form that he had just two years ago.

8 - Jakub Malek

For a 6-foot-4 goaltender, Jakub Malek has exceptional control over his body and significant explosiveness. Sometimes, he can make a poor read and either be in a bad position or behind the play, but with a single big push, he can get right back to where he needs to be. He does so with precision as well, not throwing his limbs around. Outside of these physical attributes, he possesses good positioning, deepening when necessary, and has a very good stance, looking like an imposing figure taking up a lot of net. Alongside poor reads though, he can struggle tracking the puck but not majorly. There has been a noticeable weakness with his glove side, where he often will get beat without having it moved, something that could be exploited in higher levels. Malek has a solid outlook to the NHL, potentially as a good backup, after three very respectable seasons in the Liiga, which he should be able to translate to the AHL seamlessly.

9 - Thomas Bordeleau

Thomas Bordeleau was a highly rated prospect just a couple of seasons ago, but he has been unable to carve out a full-time role for himself at the NHL level. Bordeleau’s speed and offensive creativity are undeniable; he’s a great playmaker, can beat opposing defenders one-on-one with his speed, and can utilize an underrated shot to beat goalies clean in-tight. It has been surprising that Bordeleau was unable to find a consistent role with San Jose given his skill, but there are also holes in his game that make his NHL deployment quite limited. Bordeleau’s not the biggest player in the world, and while he competes, there are times when he’s too easy to knock off the puck. This makes it quite difficult for a coach to trust Bordeleau with bottom six minutes at the NHL level. Bordeleau is getting a fresh start with the New Jersey Devils’ organization, but his time as a prospect is coming to an end; it appears to be now or never for the former University of Michigan standout.

10 - Cam Squires

Cam Squires was drafted 122nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2023 after producing near a point-per-game pace with Cape Breton. While he showed no glaring weaknesses aside from explosiveness, his game also lacked standout qualities, which limited his draft stock. The next season, he maintained a similar pace in the regular season but broke out in the playoffs with 20 points in 14 games, ranking sixth in overall scoring and fifth in points per game. Following this impressive run, Squires signed his entry-level contract in July with the Devils. Squires carried that momentum into the following season, leading Cape Breton with 75 points in 58 games. After another early playoff exit, he joined the AHL and impressed with four points in three games while logging north of 13 minutes every night. His style hasn’t changed much since his draft year: he finds success by playing simple, smart hockey. Squires paces around the ice, finds openings for a passing option, and with the puck, never overcomplicates the play. Though he lacks high-end creativity or skill to raise his ceiling, his intelligence and consistency give him a real chance to carve out a bottom six role with the Devils.

11 - Topias Vilen

Vilen’s value comes from being a defenceman you can plug-and-play in any role and not have to worry. He’s defensively reliable and yet is averaging almost 0.50 point-per-game in the AHL. At this point, Vilen is not going to be much more than a third-pairing guy or that seventh defenceman. If Vilen can develop into more of a shooting threat, his offence will open up and give him greater opportunities of being in the top six.

12 - Ethan Edwards

What’s a New Jersey Devils prospect pool without another offensive defenceman out of Michigan? Edwards was the Wolverines' go-to guy last season, playing over 24 minutes a night, earning 21 points in 36 games. Edwards' defence is not ready for the NHL yet because he isn’t physical enough. In Utica, he’ll need to work heavily on this area if he wants to be a regular at the pro level, let alone the NHL.

13 - Shane Lachance

Lachance is a behemoth at 6-foot-5 and is willing to plant himself in front of the net to get deflections or use his long stick to clean up rebounds. At the NCAA level with BU, he’s shown he can complement skilled guys, and there’s more to his game than just his size. He’ll be in Utica next season, where his versatility will get him used up and down the lineup and probably on the power play.

14 - Samu Salminen

Salminen has always had the smarts, but his stick skills didn’t quite match. He is a threat on the ice because he reads the game quickly and beats defenders to the most dangerous spots on the ice. Transferring from UConn to Denver last season, Salminen’s stickhandling improved and he jumped from 17 to 28 points, albeit in nine more games. If he continues to improve on the puck, he should have another good year as a middle six center.

15 - Gustav Hillstrom

Constantly scanning the ice, Hillstrom becomes a threat with his awareness and decision-making. He has a knack for putting himself in the right spot to either defuse an opponent's rush or find a soft spot in the offensive zone. He doesn’t have the flashy on-the-puck skill to be much more than a bottom six two-way center who kills penalties. He already got in games with Brynäs last season at the SHL, and for a defensively responsible center, his role will likely expand this year.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #15 New Jersey Devils – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Mon, 26 May 2025 14:32:08 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - JULY 03: Anton Silayev (52) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 3, 2024 at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey.
(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

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New Jersey 25 Prospects

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

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

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

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

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

Scott Morrow - Defense - Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: 65, New Ranking: 20

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

Tristan Luneau - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 84, New Ranking: 32

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

Liam Greentree - Wing - Los Angeles Kings

Previous Ranking: 87, New Ranking: 35

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

Cole Hutson - Defense - Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: 246, New Ranking: 44

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

Owen Pickering - Defense - Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous Ranking: 131, New Ranking: 49

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

Sam Rinzel - Defense - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 125, New Ranking: 51

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

Oliver Kapanen - Center - Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 142, New Ranking: 52

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

Luca Cagnoni - Defense - San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 231, New Ranking: 60

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

Isaac Howard - Wing - Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous Ranking: 157, New Ranking: 61

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

Owen Beck - Center - Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 132, New Ranking: 65

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

Dmitri Buchelnikov - Wing - Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: 134, New Ranking: 66

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

Nick Lardis - Wing - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 152, New Ranking: 69

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

Igor Chernyshov - Wing - San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 185, New Ranking: 72

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

Leevi Merilainen - Goaltender - Ottawa Senators

Previous Ranking: 196, New Ranking: 90

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

Ilya Protas - Wing - Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 91

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

Colton Dach - Center - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 227, New Ranking: 96

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

William Stromgren - Wing - Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 99

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

Ilya Nabokov - Goaltender - Colorado Avalanche

Previous Ranking: 250, New Ranking: 102

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

Luca Del Bel Belluz - Center - Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous Ranking: 238, New Ranking: 103

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

Roman Kantserov - Wing - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 230, New Ranking: 104

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

Elias Pettersson - Defense - Vancouver Canucks

Previous Ranking: 300, New Ranking: 106

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

Mikhail Yegorov - Goaltender - New Jersey Devils

Previous Ranking: 253, New Ranking: 110

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

Alex Bump - Wing - Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 120

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

Jesse Kiiskinen - Wing - Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 133

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

Tarin Smith - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 269, New Ranking: 144

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

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

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:00:49 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (72) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 14, 2023, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 20th (Previous Rank - 26th)
GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020
COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024

The New Jersey Devils missed the postseason for the 11th time in 14 years, and yet, they remain one of the more intriguing teams in the league on the cusp of a breakout. With a young core headlined by Jack Hughes (23 years old), Jesper Bratt (26), Nico Hischier (25), Luke Hughes (20), Simon Nemec (20), and Timo Meier (27), it feels like this is just the beginning of a fruitful window for this east coast franchise.

While their current prospect system hovers around the midrange, the Devils still carry some intriguing young talent, particularly on the backend. Seamus Casey (ranked 81st) has signed and is expected to report to Utica for the 2024-25 season, while recently drafted Anton Silayev (24th), adds further promise to their defensive pipeline. With these additions, combined with the already graduated pieces, the future of the Devils' blue line looks secure for the next decade. Don’t overlook fifth-round defender Topias Vilén (184th), who is developing nicely as a low-key option after posting 29 points in 54 games during his rookie campaign in the AHL.

A little further from home, the Devils’ remaining top 200 prospects include Arseny Gritsyuk (127th), now 23, who continues to produce in Russia, and Lenni Hämeenaho (151st), who has consistently upped his game each year in Liiga.

Between the pipes, GM Tom Fitzgerald made moves to shore up their immediate goaltending needs, signing veterans Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen. Additionally, they used their 2024 second-round pick to select one of the more intriguing goaltending prospects in this year’s draft, Mikhail Yegorov. Ranked 253rd in our McKeen’s rankings, Yegorov will bring his skills to Boston University in 2024-25. While the Devils boast a lot of depth with six goaltenders under contract, the overall quality still lags behind other teams.

Exciting times are on the horizon for New Jersey, with or without a top-rated prospect system.

New Jersey Devils Top-15 Prospects

1. Anton Silayev

Gone are the days when giant defencemen with limited skating and stickhandling were prized for their physicality. Today’s ideal defenceman excels in mobility, transition, and puck-handling, and Russian prospect Anton Silayev exemplifies this new breed. At just 17, Silayev achieved unprecedented success in the KHL, setting records for points by a U18 defenceman and showing off impressive offensive skills despite a modest start. Silayev's physical presence is matched by his exceptional coordination and skating ability. Unlike most players of his size, he moves fluidly, protects the puck effectively, and displays deceptive footwork. His ability to join the rush, find gaps, and shoot from the point is notable, and his lateral movement and strength make him effective in shutting down attackers. Though he experienced some inconsistency and reduced ice time later in the season, Silayev’s unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism suggests he could become an exceptional NHL defenceman.

2. Seamus Casey

Drafted 46th overall by the Devils in 2022, Seamus Casey didn't grab headlines in his sophomore year at Michigan, but quietly put together a strong season. The undersized defenceman (5-foot-9, 161 pounds) chipped in offensively with seven goals and 38 assists for 45 points in 40 games. His skating and puck-moving ability remain his biggest strengths, allowing him to contribute in transition and spark the offence. However, questions linger about his defensive play. While he boasts good positioning, his size can be a disadvantage in board battles and against bigger forwards. Improving his physicality will be crucial as he progresses to the pro game. Overall, his sophomore season was a step in the right direction. He showcased his offensive potential while continuing to develop defensively. Casey could develop into a reliable two-way defenceman at the NHL level.

3. Arseny Gritsyuk

Arseni Gritsyuk's 2023-24 campaign was a coming-of-age party in the KHL. The young winger carved out a niche on SKA St. Petersburg's roster, notching 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists) in 50 regular-season games. While the scoring totals are respectable, it was his playoff performance that truly turned heads. He emerged as a postseason difference-maker, tallying six points in 10 games and helping SKA reach the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals. The knock on his game used to be his inconsistency. Flashes of brilliance were often overshadowed by stretches of disappearing acts. However, this past season showcased a newfound maturity in his game. He remained a threat offensively, but his defensive awareness and overall work ethic took a noticeable leap. Gritsyuk's stock is undoubtedly on the rise. While another year in the KHL could be beneficial, whispers of a potential NHL jump are starting to surface. His blend of offensive skill and improving two-way play makes him an intriguing prospect for NHL teams searching for young wingers with high ceilings.

4. Lenni Hameenaho

Drafted 58th overall by the Devils in 2023, Lenni Hämeenaho's Liiga season started with a bang. The Finnish winger led Porin Ässät in scoring early on, showcasing the offensive flair that led to the Devils drafting him. He finished the year with a respectable 14 goals and 31 points in 46 games, but whispers of a potential breakout faded as the season progressed. While displaying flashes of brilliance – slick dekes, pinpoint passes – consistency remained a concern. There were stretches where he disappeared offensively, raising questions about his overall impact. However, at 19 years old, there's plenty of time to refine his game. The Devils have a decision to make. He could benefit from another year in Liiga to solidify his production. But a taste of North American hockey in the AHL could also be an option. One thing is clear: Hämeenaho's development is worth watching. He has the tools to be a future contributor for the Devils, but consistency will be key.

5. Topias Vilen

Topias Vilen's first taste of pro hockey was a mixed bag. Splitting time between the AHL's Utica Comets (54 games) and the ECHL's Adirondack Thunder (six games), Vilen showcased his physical tools (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) and strong skating. He chipped in offensively with 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) across both leagues. However, consistency, once again, remains a sticking point. Vilen would impress by delivering a pinpoint breakout pass or orchestrating a shutdown defensive play – but these moments were interspersed with stretches of invisibility. Decision-making can be suspect at times, leading to turnovers and missed opportunities. The Devils’ prospect remains a boom-or-bust proposition. Refining his decision-making and maintaining a higher level of engagement will be crucial. If he can do so, his future as a reliable two-way defenceman with offensive upside remains tantalizing. Devils’ fans should be keeping a close eye on this prospect.

6. Mikhail Yegorov

It’s intriguing to consider how Mikhail Yegorov’s draft stock might have been even higher if his situation last season had been different. Ranked first among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting, his potential is evident, but his stock could have risen further if Russia had participated in international tournaments and if Omaha had made a USHL playoff run. Despite some subpar statistics, Yegorov is one of the most balanced and well-rounded goalies from the 2024 class. He has ideal NHL size, athleticism, refined technique, and impressive focus, demonstrated by his ability to handle a high volume of shots behind a weak team. His lower ranking compared to Carter George and Pavel Moysevich was due to his limited high-level experience and lack of performance in critical moments, but he does have the tools to outperform them in the long run. He should have another season in the USHL prior to making the jump to the NCAA’s Boston University.

7. Nolan Foote

Nolan Foote's 2023-24 season was a masterclass in "what could have been." Drafted 27th overall in 2019, the winger battled injuries all year. He appeared in a mere four games for New Jersey, registering a single point. A conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, showed flashes of his potential (three goals, one assist in four games), but ultimately wasn't enough of a sample size to crack the NHL lineup consistently. This stop-start development is a recurring theme for Foote. His blend of size (6-foot-3) and skill is undeniable, but staying healthy remains a major obstacle. The question for Devils fans – and fantasy hockey enthusiasts alike – is whether Foote can overcome his injury woes and finally translate his potential into NHL production. The 2024-25 season will be a critical year for the young forward’s development.

8. Chase Stillman

Chase Stillman's first pro season in the AHL wasn't a headline grabber, but it offered valuable development minutes for the Devils' 2021 first rounder. He notched 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 54 games for the Utica Comets, a decent showing for a rookie. The knock on him coming out of juniors was inconsistency. While flashes of his hard-nosed play and scoring touch were evident, there were stretches where he could not find the scoresheet. This pattern continued in the AHL, raising questions about his offensive consistency at the pro level. However, there were bright spots. There was a willingness to play a physical game, racking up 72 penalty minutes. His skating remains a strength, allowing him to create space and pressure defenders. The team will likely want to see more consistent offensive production this season, but Stillman's rookie campaign offered a glimpse of his potential as a future bottom six forward who can contribute on both ends of the ice.

9. Jakub Malek

Fourth-round pick Jakub Malek turned heads in Finland's Liiga last season. The 6-foot-4 netminder posted a respectable 0.914 save percentage across 27 games with Ilves, solidifying his reputation as a strong prospect. He showcased good positioning and a calm demeanour in the crease. While not overly athletic, his size allows him to cover a lot of net. However, consistency remains a question mark. There were stretches where he looked like a future NHL starter, followed by games where rebound control became an issue. Development in puck handling and communication could also benefit his future. Overall, 2023-24 was a positive step and one that New Jersey hopes continues moving forward. The Devils might be tempted to bring him to North America this season, likely starting in the AHL. A strong showing there could put him on the fast track to the NHL.

10. Josh Filmon

Josh Filmon enjoyed a productive season statistically, but questions linger about his overall development. The 6-foot-3 winger notched a respectable 27 goals and 67 points in 64 WHL games for the Swift Current Broncos. However, that production came after a scorching 47-goal campaign the year prior. While Filmon continues to show a knack for finding the net, there are concerns about his consistency and playmaking ability. The Devils would like to see him elevate his game beyond pure goal-scoring and become a more well-rounded offensive threat. There's also a desire for him to demonstrate a stronger understanding of the defensive side of the puck. Despite these concerns, the scoring prowess remains intriguing. The team might be content to see him return to the WHL for another year to develop his overall game. However, a pro debut in the AHL isn't entirely out of the question, especially if he can rediscover his scoring touch from the previous season.

11. Adam Beckman

Adam Beckman is an offensive dynamo with excellent puck skills and a sharp hockey sense. His ability to create scoring opportunities and finish plays with precision stands out. While his defensive game could use refinement, Beckman’s impressive vision, quick release, and scoring touch make him a high-upside prospect with significant NHL potential.

12. Samu Salminen

Samu Salminen's journey from the U20 SM-sarja to the NCAA's University of Connecticut has been steady. He posted 17 points in each of his first two seasons, showing a well-rounded skill set and strong hockey IQ, especially on the power play. However, his skating remains a concern, not matching his offensive creativity. His continued development in Connecticut will be key in determining if he can refine his skating and become a consistent top six forward in the NHL.

13. Herman Traff

Herman Träff might not have flashy point totals, but he excels in his play style. A big, physical winger with explosive skating and a wicked wrist shot, Träff plays with intensity and is not afraid to challenge defenders. His confidence can lead to risky plays, but it's part of his learning process. While his game reading and decision-making were tested in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan, he used his size and skating effectively as a forechecker. Träff could develop into a well-rounded winger with goal-scoring potential.

14. Ethan Edwards

Ethan Edwards is a skilled defenceman with impressive offensive instincts and a strong skating stride. His ability to transition the puck and contribute to the power play stands out. While his defensive zone positioning requires refinement, Edwards’ dynamic offensive game and agility make him a promising prospect with significant NHL potential.

15. Cam Squires

Cam Squires is an energetic forward with a high work rate and solid offensive instincts. His speed and tenacity make him effective on the forecheck, while his sharp vision and playmaking ability create scoring chances. Though his defensive game requires refinement, Squires’ skill and work ethic offer significant NHL potential as a dynamic, high-energy player.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

Brock Otten — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:03:17 +0000

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini - C - Boston University (HE)

At this point, San Jose might as well announce this now. The entire hockey world knows that Celebrini is going to be its guy. This is a pivot without any true weaknesses who projects as a franchise leader for the Sharks moving forward. Think of the impact that Jonathan Toews had on turning the Blackhawks rebuild around.

#2. Chicago Blackhawks - Artyom Levshunov – D - Michigan State (B1G)

Part of me believes that Chicago might really like Sam Dickinson because of how much value they have been placing on skating in recent drafts, but another part believes that Levshunov will be the Hawks guy. We prefer Dickinson, but there’s no doubting that Levshunov has among the highest two-way upside of any defender in this draft. With his high-end skill and offensive aggressiveness, he’ll be able to give the Hawks a dynamic puck mover on both of their first two pairings (with Korchinski).

#3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev – D - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

On one hand, the Ducks haven’t used a Top 50 pick on a Russian based player (as in playing in the KHL, MHL, etc) since Stanislav Chistov in 2001. It’s obvious that they have preferences for other regions. However, what’s also obvious is the fit here. The Ducks have so many terrific puck moving defenders. The system is loaded. However, the team’s high end defensively oriented prospects have had their development stall like Noah Warren and Drew Helleson. Anaheim could see Silayev as an amazing fit beside guys like Mintyukov and Zellweger, allowing them to play freely and aggressively.

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ivan Demidov – RW - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Jackets have had great success with young Russian players recently, even forming a great Russian kid line involving Chinakhov, Voronkov, and Marchenko. Not only is Demidov clearly the best player available at this point, but he also helps add significant skill to the wing for the organization that needs it. This is an offensive play driver solely needed.

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lindstrom – C - Medicine Hat (WHL)

This is one of the best-case scenarios for Montreal. Is Lindstrom’s injury history a concern? Likely for some teams. However, the upside here is too large for Montreal to pass up. Not only is Lindstrom a fantastic young player, but he also helps the Canadiens get bigger and heavier up front, which was a reason for preferring Slafkovsky at first overall two years ago.

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium – D - Denver (NCHC)

Seems likely that Utah could lean towards taking one of the high-end offensive defenders available with this pick. In the last five drafts, the Coyotes have not taken a single player out of the OHL. This leads me to believe that Buium is a guy that the team could find really attractive at #6. He’s such an intelligent playmaker from the backend and he would really help Utah improve their transitional game and powerplay production.

#7. Ottawa Senators - Sam Dickinson – D - London (OHL)

Dickinson is the perfect defender for the modern era thanks to his high-end skating ability. He’s the kind of blueliner who projects as an all situations, minute eater. Given how terrific he has been in this year’s OHL playoffs (and the Memorial Cup), Ottawa likely sees him as a terrific fit as a “winner” who can help them get over the hump in the coming years. The Sens really need to hit on this pick and Dickinson is as safe as safe can be to be an impact player.

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke – RW - Oshawa (OHL)

There is a ton of traction for Sennecke to be a high pick and Seattle strikes us as a likely landing spot. They’ve targeted the OHL pretty heavily and, playing in the Pacific, they want to load up their lineup with heavier players who can withstand the punishing style in the division. Sennecke oozes upside as an athletic winger still growing into his frame. He is skilled, physical, and intelligent. A great combination. Logic says Seattle finally uses their first on a defender, but something about this spot screams Sennecke.

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla – C - Kelowna (WHL)

Maybe this is far-fetched. But maybe it’s not. Teams don’t use top ten selections for the sole purpose of nostalgia. But how can you pass up the opportunity to draft an iconic name, who also happens to be worthy in this spot. Iginla was terrific in the second half of the year, and this gives Calgary an injection of skill and tenacity. He could have a similar impact to his father in Calgary.

#10. New Jersey Devils - Konsta Helenius – C - Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)

The Devils are a team that definitely don’t want to be picking in this range. The organization has been trying to escape the rebuilding phase, so would it not make sense for them to target a player who has great upside, but who can also make an impact pretty quickly? Helenius fits in well with the players already in New Jersey and the Devils have liked the region in recent drafts.

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Zayne Parekh – D - Saginaw (OHL)

Yeah, we know that the Sabres already have Dahlin and Power on the back end. That powerplay unit is already loaded. However, at some point, you have to say that Parekh is too good to let slide further. One of the draft’s most creative and intelligent defenders, Parekh is the ultimate wild card. He could go as high as the top five or fall out of the lottery all together. This would be great value for the Sabres.

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Cole Eiserman – LW - U. S. NTDP U18

Often tagged as being the draft’s purest goal scorer, Eiserman had an up and down year with the NTDP. However, he still managed to break the program’s scoring record and that is impressive. Big wingers who can put the puck in the net do not grow on trees. While the Flyers could go defense here, having just dealt top prospect Cutter Gauthier for defender Jamie Drysdale, it seems unlikely that they will go that route.

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk – D - Calgary (WHL)

This seems low for Yakemchuk. But someone is going to need to fall a bit considering the talent available in the lottery. While Yakemchuk’s upside is significant, we think teams may have concerns over his puck management and skating combination. That said, he’s a great fit in Minnesota as a potential puck mover and triggerman who can help their powerplay and move quickly through the system.

#14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins) - Stian Solberg – D - Valerenga (Norway)

The draft is bound to get pretty wild around this point given the wild fluctuation among rankings. Solberg has had a ton of momentum the last month and we really like this fit. Solberg was tremendous at the World Championships, showing that he can impact the game in a lot of different ways. This is someone who can come in and be a defensive stalwart for the Sharks in the future.

#15. Detroit Red Wings - Berkly Catton – C - Spokane (WHL)

This is much lower than our ranking for Catton, but we realize that we may be more aggressive on him compared to the NHL community. He is the kind of play driver who can elevate Detroit’s first two lines in the future. He’s more skilled than Danielson and Kasper, but he has that same kind of high-end work ethic. If Catton is still available at fifteen, this should one hundred percent be his landing spot.

#16. St. Louis Blues - Trevor Connelly – LW - Tri-City (USHL)

Where does Connelly go? That’s one of the draft’s biggest questions considering the noise around his off-ice “issues.” However, we do think that someone bites considering Connelly has among the highest offensive upsides of any forward in this draft. The Blues need more firepower. They need more play drivers. Connelly is someone who can make this St. Louis team better down the line if he progresses well.

#17. Washington Capitals - Adam Jiricek – D - Plzen (Czechia)

It was a pretty tough draft year for Jiricek, after he missed the majority of the year with injury. However, he came into the year as a potential top ten selection for a reason. He’s talented and a potential two-way stalwart like his brother David. So many options here but could see the Caps lean defense if Jiricek is still on the board.

#18. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - Michael Brandsegg Nygard – RW - Mora (Allsvenskan)

The Hawks have really been focusing on selecting strong skaters in recent years, so there’s a chance that they team will jump on a guy like Jett Luchanko here. However, we like Brandsegg Nygard here for a few reasons. One, he’s one of the best players available. Two, he’s an excellent fit alongside some of the high-end skill that Chicago has brought in. His hard work and attention to detail could make him the kind of high-end role player that Chicago had during their Cup runs.

#19. Vegas Golden Knights - EJ Emery – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Did you know that Vegas has never drafted a player out of the U.S. NTDP? Seems wild, but this could be the year. Vegas has used their first selection on a center every year of existence. That kind of commitment is impressive. However, we believe that this is the year that the streak breaks. We love Emery’s physical tools and upside as a defensive stalwart, and he fits the exact mold of the kind of defender Vegas seems to love. The team’s defensive core is getting older, and he could be a great fit there in a few years.

#20. New York Islanders (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Michael Hage – C - Chicago (USHL)

We like this potential landing spot for Hage. He was, perhaps, the best player in the USHL in the second half of the year. This was the real Michael Hage, after he put some personal turmoil behind him. He has upside as a top six, power center and his skill is badly needed in a prospect pool that is currently lacking it.

#21. Los Angeles Kings - Jett Luchanko – C - Guelph (OHL)

We know the Kings love the OHL. Luchanko would be a great pick here. The tenacious and intelligent pivot brings speed and playmaking ability to the table and looks like a future fixture as a second line center. There aren’t a ton of natural pivots in the system right now, so it also makes sense for Los Angeles to target that position, if a good one is available.

#22. Nashville Predators - Leo Sahlin Wallenius – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

A strong skating, potential two-way defender, Sahlin Wallenius proved to be a bit of a chameleon in his draft year. What’s his real future role? Regardless, the physical tools are going to be intriguing to a team like Nashville.

#23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Harrison Brunicke – D - Kamloops (WHL)

This would be the first time since 2018 that Toronto uses its first-round selection on a defender. We’d say it’s needed. Brunicke is a strong skating rearguard with upside at both ends. He excelled defensively at the U18’s and he’s the kind of modern-day defender that Toronto sorely lacks. The organization would have also seen a fair amount of Brunicke while scouting Fraser Minten in Kamloops.

#24. Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov – LW - Dynamo Moskva (KHL)

We could see Colorado moving this pick at the draft for some immediate help after their disappointing playoff performance. However, if they keep this selection, a guy like Chernyshov could make a ton of sense. He can attack with speed and power, playing a North/South game that fits their system.

#25. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins) - Liam Greentree – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Back-to-back OHL players for Ottawa in our mock, this time the team selects Windsor winger Greentree, who has the potential to be a Jason Robertson kind of player in the future. He is creative and skilled but needs to improve his skating. We believe improving the team’s skill and finishing ability on the wing should be a focus.

#26. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets) - Sam O’Reilly – RW - London (OHL)

With a strong OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup performance, O’Reilly has surged up draft rankings to close out the year. The physical, two-way center has more offensive upside than he has shown thus far playing in a secondary scoring role. Worst case scenario could see him developing into a Scott Laughton type, which would still be terrific value at this point of the first.

#27. Carolina Hurricanes - Alfons Freij – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

The Hurricanes always seem to love the same kind of players that the amateur scouting community love. Freij is one of those amateur scouting darlings this year that we (as a community) seem to love more than the NHL community (as a whole). The skating ability and skill are evident. He was a standout at nearly every international event for Sweden and projects as a skilled top four defende

#28. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks) - Cole Beaudoin – C - Barrie (OHL)

After drafting Iginla early, the Flames opt for a different kind of forward late in the first. Beaudoin projects as the kind of guy you win in the playoffs with. He brings versatility. He brings leadership. He brings consistency. He is an intelligent playmaker and can excel as a middle six complementary piece. Just seems very likely that at least one NHL team likes his intangibles enough to draft him in the first.

#29. Dallas Stars - Emil Hemming – RW - TPS (Fin-Liiga)

The Stars haven’t drafted a player out of Finland since Miro Heiskanen in 2017, but we’d say that has worked out pretty well. At this point, Hemming fills a need and represents the best player available. He brings tenaciousness and he is one of the draft’s best goal scorers from the wing.

#30. New York Rangers - Charlie Elick - D - Brandon (WHL)

Elick has a similar profile to Braden Schneider when the Rangers drafted him and that worked out pretty well. The size, skating, and physicality combination make Elick a potential shutdown defender for a decade. His decision making needs to improve, but New York has actually improved this component in several of their defensive prospects.

#31. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers) - Julius Miettinen – C - Everett (WHL)

Miettinen improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the year and represents a big body with skill. His skating took a big leap from the beginning of the year to the end, and it has really improved his projection as a top six forward. Anaheim really seems to favor forwards with a well-rounded profile and that’s Miettinen.

#32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers) - Ben Danford – D - Oshawa (OHL)

This pick might surprise some people, but Danford is a player who rocketed up rankings in the second half as part of an Oshawa team that went to the OHL finals. He’s one of the better defensive players in the draft; a shot blocking expert who has terrific defensive instincts. He’s also a strong skater who has shown flashes of more offensively. Shades of Oliver Bonk here and that worked out really well so far.

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#33. San Jose Sharks - Dean Letourneau – C - St. Andrew's (CHS-Ontario)

There’s definitely a chance that Letourneau goes in the first, but we feel that teams may be more comfortable using a second on a prep player given that many of those chosen in the first have not developed well. The Sharks can take a chance on Letourneau, given the team’s window is a ways away. The big man oozes upside because of his athleticism.

#34. Chicago Blackhawks - Henry Mews – D - Ottawa (OHL)

With the Hawks focusing so much on strong skating ability, Mews makes sense here. He’s a terrific four-way mover who possesses excellent upside as an offensive defender. He’s a creative rush attacker and his defense did improve over the course of the season.

#35. Anaheim Ducks - Terik Parascak – RW - Prince George (WHL)

A highly intelligent playmaker, Parascak makes up for only average skating by being a step ahead of others mentally. He’s skilled. He’s tenacious. He projects as a quality complementary piece in the top six and he would fit in perfectly with what Anaheim already has in the system.

#36. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus Blue Jackets) - Sacha Boisvert – C - Muskegon (USHL)

Why not double down on a top goal scorer? After drafting the draft’s best in Cole Eiserman, the Flyers now take one of the other best options in power center Sasha Boivert. His skating needs to continue to improve, but he can really fire it.

#37. Winnipeg Jets (via Montreal Canadiens) - Cole Hutson – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Wouldn’t it be fitting if the Jets used the Montreal pick to select Lane’s brother Cole? Cole battled some injuries this year, but he closed out the year on a high note by returning for the U18’s. He can control the tempo with his handling ability and mobility. His defensive game is also probably more advanced compared to Lane’s at the same age.

#38. Utah Hockey Club - Teddy Stiga – C - U. S. NTDP U18

Back-to-back NTDP members are chosen here as Stiga ends up being Utah’s pick. He is a terrific complementary piece who was one of the NTDP’s most improved players this year. He plays at a feverish pace, and he is skilled and intelligent enough to play with high end, creative playmakers. Could be the perfect future linemate for Logan Cooley.

#39. Ottawa Senators - Linus Eriksson – C - Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

Erikson is a strong skating, two-way center with a strong chance of developing into an excellent and versatile middle six piece. He was solid for Sweden internationally this year and adds great depth to Ottawa’s center position down the line.

#40. Seattle Kraken - Will Skahan – D - U. S. NTDP U18

One of the draft’s most physical defenders, Skahan is big, reasonably mobile, and projects as a top four shutdown blueliner. Seattle has never really drafted a player like Skahan, and we would argue that in order for them to take that next step, they’ll need players like him in the Pacific.

#41. Calgary Flames - Dominik Badinka – D - Malmo (SHL)

Strong, two-way defender who played a ton at the SHL level. His true offensive upside was hidden by playing sheltered minutes against men. The Flames opt for defense here and have had some luck taking Swedish based defenders in recent years (Badinka is Czech but played out of Sweden).

#42. San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey Devils) - Andrew Basha – LW - Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Sharks opt for a bit of a safer selection at this spot after really rolling the dice with the previous two picks. Basha is an excellent complementary piece who projects as someone who can elevate the play of a creative and skilled pivot. He could be the perfect linemate for the likes of Celebrini, Smith, or Eklund because he is skilled and does the dirty work to open up ice.

#43. Buffalo Sabres - Maxim Masse – RW - Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Buffalo makes Masse the first QMJHL player off the board. He’s one of the better pure goal scorers in the draft and he plays a mature, pro style game that sees him get to the middle of the ice. The skating needs to keep improving, but this is a player who could fit in well with some of the others in Buffalo’s system.

#44. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Philadelphia Flyers) - Lucas Pettersson – C - MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)

With their first pick in the draft, the Penguins opt for Swedish center Lucas Pettersson. He’s a strong skating, two-way pivot who projects as a solid middle six piece who can play in a variety of different situations. Building up prospect depth needs to be a focus of Kyle Dubas, after the system was bled dry for the last half a decade.

#45. Minnesota Wild - Brodie Ziemer – RW - U. S. NTDP U18

A Minnesota native heading to the University of Minnesota, the Wild get the captain of this year’s NTDP. He projects as a terrific complementary piece in the top nine who can help bring out the best in more skilled players. He plays a heavier game, which fits in with the theme that Minnesota seems to be focusing on at the draft in recent years.

#46. Pittsburgh Penguins - Aron Kiviharju – D - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

If there is a team that is going to take a chance on Kiviharju bringing everything together, the Penguins make a ton of sense. With a couple of seconds, they should be focusing on bringing in high upside players and Kiviharju is just that. Is there concern that he has plateaued? Absolutely. However, there’s also a chance that injuries this year really prevented him from being at his best.

#47. Detroit Red Wings - Leon Muggli – D - Zug (Sui-NL)

The Red Wings opt for Leon Muggli, a Swiss defender who really emerged as a top-notch NHL prospect this year. He showed well playing against men in the NL. He’s intelligent and mobile and should have a solid floor as an NHL rearguard in some capacity.

#48. St. Louis Blues - Matvei Shuravin – C - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Long and lean Russian defender with intriguing two-way upside. He was a player who was hard to get a read on this year with his limited minutes in the KHL, however he has an intriguing combination of size and mobility. It’s possible that he reminds the Blues of drafting Colton Parayko back in the day.

#49. Utah Hockey Club (via Washington Capitals) - Yegor Surin – C - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Utah and their scouts have not been shy about selecting Russian players in recent drafts. Surin is better than the 49th player selected. He is a competitive, but skilled pivot who could end up developing into a versatile player for Utah down the line. Maybe the perfect linemate for fellow Russian Daniil But?

#50. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - John Mustard – C - Waterloo (USHL)

One of the best names in the draft, but also one of the best skaters. Mustard had a breakout campaign in the USHL this year. He’s an explosive player and a talented goal scorer. However, he is also an intense competitor, something that should make Mustard an NHL player in some capacity if the offensive game doesn’t translate.

#51. Philadelphia Flyers (Compensation Pick for Jay O’Brien) - Ryder Ritchie – RW - Prince Albert (WHL)

Ranked as a first rounder by us, there is thought that we are higher on him than NHL scouts after a bit of a disappointing second half mired by injuries. Ritchie is a competitive winger who plays bigger than his size (excuse the cliche). He has solid upside as a complementary piece on a scoring line. This is a nice swing for Philadelphia with their compensation pick.

#52. Washington Capitals (via Vegas Golden Knights) - Marek Vanacker – LW - Brantford (OHL)

The Capitals opt for speedy Hamilton winger Marek Vanacker, the last of our first round graded players. He was extremely consistent all year long and has intriguing offensive upside because of the pace he can play at. Washington would be very familiar with him thanks to their scouting of Patrick Thomas.

#53. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Heikki Ruohonen – C - Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)

The Preds have long loved Finnish players, with a strong presence in that market. Ruohonen was one of the biggest risers in the second half of the year; he was excellent at the U18’s for the Finns. He is a competitive, two-way, power center eventually heading to Harvard.

#54. New York Islanders (via Los Angeles Kings) - Adam Kleber – D - Lincoln (USHL)

Kleber is a massive defender whose game really improved over the second half of the year. His mobility, in particular, really took a positive step forward. The USHL rearguard projects as a physical stay at home type, but he does flash some intriguing offensive tools too.

#55. Nashville Predators - Mikhail Yegorov – G - Omaha (USHL)

There has been a ton of talk about Nashville moving on from Juuse Saros, handing over the keys to Askarov. However, there isn’t much of a back-up plan behind Askarov if he doesn't pan out. Taking a goalie makes sense for the Preds in round two and Yegorov is an excellent athlete who their goaltending development coaches can really work with.

#56. St. Louis Blues (via Toronto Maple Leafs) - Luke Misa – C - Mississauga (OHL)

Misa is a speedy, two-way forward who projects as a solid middle six option for St. Louis down the line. He had a solid year for Mississauga in the OHL and is the type of player who could move quickly through the system as a later birthday.

#57. Montreal Canadiens (via Colorado Avalanche) - Tory Pitner - Youngstown (USHL)

Montreal has done well by selecting heady defenders in recent years and Pitner is definitely that. He’s one of the draft's most intelligent blueliners, especially in the defensive end. He competes hard and projects as a solid two-way, second pairing type.

#58. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston Bruins) - Tarin Smith – D - Everett (WHL)

A team with an already loaded defensive talent pool can afford to take chances on high upside defenders like Smith. He’s very raw, but his physical tools are excellent. He skates well. He can create offense. How it all comes together remains to be seen, but Anaheim can afford to be patient.

#59. Nashville Predators (via Winnipeg Jets) - Adam Jecho – C - Edmonton (WHL)

An enigma to the highest degree, Jecho is one of the draft’s ultimate boom or bust prospects. At times, he dominates in the offensive end with his size and skill. Other times, he looks lumbering, lazy, and disengaged. Which Jecho will emerge as the real one? Nashville has always loved wingers like this with high end physical tools.

#60. Carolina Hurricanes - Nikita Artamonov – LW - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

This just seems like an amazing fit. The Canes have loved players like Artamanov. High end processor. Not the quickest or most physical, but efficient. They’ve also been one of the most aggressive NHL franchises in drafting Russian talent recently.

#61. New York Islanders (via Vancouver Canucks) - AJ Spellacy – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Spellacy was outstanding in the second half of the OHL season after he fully recovered from a knee injury. He has great length and speed and projects as a high end third line player who can be an elite penalty killer and defensive forward. The last Windsor forward NYI took worked out well.

#62. Calgary Flames (via Dallas Stars) - Raoul Boilard – C - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

What’s the finished product going to look like with Boilard? This is completely unknown due to some consistency issues. However, the Flames need to improve their center depth in the organization and Boilard is a rangy pivot who could end up being a solid middle six piece.

#63. Seattle Kraken (via New York Rangers) - Jesse Pulkkinen – D - JYP (Fin-Liiga)

The first re-entry to go in this mock draft, Seattle has not shied away from selecting players outside of their first year of eligibility. Pulkkinen is a big offensive defender who plays an aggressive style. He needs major refinement, but the tools are there.

#64. Edmonton Oilers - Pavel Moysevich – G - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Have to think the Oilers go with a goalie here if there is one on the board that they really like. Moysevich is a re-entry who was fantastic in the KHL this past season. He is one of the draft’s best athletes and he could move quickly through the system.

#65. Utah Hockey Club (via Florida Panthers) - Jack Pridham – RW - West Kelowna (BCHL)

There is a connection between Utah (previously Arizona) and the St. Andrew’s College program of late. Pridham is a graduate of that program who had a solid year in the BCHL. He is a big winger with great skating ability. The upside is a bit of a mystery, but the tools are legitimate.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – TOP 32 FINAL RANKINGS

Brock Otten — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 16:00:27 +0000

It’s that time! The McKeen’s scouting staff has finalized our final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft ahead of the release of our draft guide releasing soon. This year, the McKeen’s team has made the executive decision to rank 300 players outright, rather than include honorable mentions. This is a change in our previous methodology.

As has been the case all season long, Macklin Celebrini remains our top ranked prospect and we expect him to be the first overall selection by the San Jose Sharks. Rounding out the top five are Russian winger Ivan Demidov, London defenseman Sam Dickinson, power center Cayden Lindstrom, and the fast-rising Tij Iginla. Iginla was ranked 12th on our midseason list, but his strong finish to the WHL season, coupled with his excellent U18 performance, has elevated him into our top five.

Filling out our top ten are Michigan State defender Artyom Levshunov, spark plug center Berkly Catton, towering defender Anton Silayev, Denver defender Zeev Buium, and Western defender Carter Yakemchuk. Buium moves up from 15th at midseason thanks to his remarkable consistency all year long, in addition to a great Frozen Four performance for Denver. While Russian blueliner Silayev moves out of our top five after a lukewarm second half that saw his offensive production drop off.

Other players who have elevated their stock significantly include Norwegian defender Stian Solberg, Oshawa winger Beckett Sennecke, NTDP defender EJ Emery, Finnish power forward Julius Miettinen, offensive blueliner Cole Hutson, gritty Barrie forward Cole Beaudoin, Oshawa defender Ben Danford, and speedy Brantford winger Marek Vanacker. Solberg jumps up over 30 spots, springboarding into our first round after a terrific second half in the Norwegian men’s league, followed by an eye-opening performance at the men’s World Championships. The athletic and projectable Sennecke also makes a huge jump, from the late first to the earlier first after an outstanding second half and playoff performance for Oshawa, helping the team make the OHL finals.

Other players who have seen their stock drop include Henry Mews, Adam Jecho, Maxim Masse, Raoul Boilard, Jesse Pulkkinen, Aron Kiviharju, and Simon Zether. Ottawa defender Henry Mews has fallen out of our first round due to consistency and defensive engagement concerns. We still value his upside but believe other players have had stronger second half pushes. The same can be said about Finnish defender Aron Kiviharju. Injuries derailed his development this year and his performance at the U18’s (albeit coming off a long layoff) was uninspiring.

As far as goaltenders go, none cracked our top 50. We love the depth for the position this year, and as such, we would feel more comfortable waiting longer to select our first netminder in 2024. Owen Sound’s Carter George, and Russian netminders Pavel Moysevich and Mikhail Yegorov are our top netminders.

Overall, the strength of this draft crop has really grown on us as a scouting team. Early on in the season, we weren’t enamored with the quality of top end players available, nor the depth. The defenseman group available has always been deemed as strong, but what has really elevated this crop is the fact that so many forwards finished the year well, altering their projection and draft standing. We feel that those drafting inside the top 20 have a great chance of grabbing a high impact player.

Look for the release of our 2024 Draft Guide soon (Week of June 10^th). It will include all of our rankings and reports, a mock draft, a preview of the 2025 NHL Draft, and much more.

Subscribers can see the full Top 300 Ranking here.

If you are interested in a subscription, you can learn more here.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	DOB	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	PTS	PIM
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	Boston University (HE)	38	32	32	64	18
2	Ivan Demidov	RW	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	30	23	37	60	20
3	Sam Dickinson	D	6-3/200	7-Jun-06	London (OHL)	68	18	52	70	30
4	Cayden Lindstrom	C	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66
5	Tij Iginla	C	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	Kelowna (WHL)	64	47	37	84	35
6	Artyom Levshunov	D	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	Michigan State (B1G)	38	9	26	35	44
7	Berkly Catton	C	5-10/170	14-Jan-06	Spokane (WHL)	68	54	62	116	41
8	Anton Silayev	D	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	63	3	8	11	10
9	Zeev Buium	D	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	Denver (NCHC)	42	11	39	50	20
10	Carter Yakemchuk	D	6-3/200	29-Sep-05	Calgary (WHL)	66	30	41	71	120
11	Zayne Parekh	D	6-0/180	15-Feb-06	Saginaw (OHL)	66	33	63	96	64
12	Michael Hage	C	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	Chicago (USHL)	54	33	42	75	53
13	Konsta Helenius	C	5-11/180	11-May-06	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	51	14	22	36	10
14	Beckett Sennecke	RW	6-2/175	28-Jan-06	Oshawa (OHL)	63	27	41	68	67
15	Cole Eiserman	LW	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	USN U18 (USDP)	57	58	31	89	34
16	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	Mora (Allsvenskan)	41	8	10	18	19
17	Liam Greentree	RW	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	Windsor (OHL)	64	36	54	90	33
18	Trevor Connelly	LW	6-0/160	28-Feb-06	Tri-City (USHL)	52	31	47	78	88
19	Alfons Freij	D	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	40	14	19	33	14
20	EJ Emery	D	6-3/185	30-Mar-06	USN U18 (USDP)	61	0	16	16	61
21	Jett Luchanko	C	5-11/185	21-Aug-06	Guelph (OHL)	68	20	54	74	36
22	Harrison Brunicke	D	6-2/185	8-May-06	Kamloops (WHL)	49	10	11	21	47
23	Stian Solberg	D	6-2/195	29-Dec-05	Valerenga (Norway)	42	5	10	15	47
24	Adam Jiricek	D	6-2/180	28-Jun-06	Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2
25	Emil Hemming	RW	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	40	7	4	11	0
26	Ryder Ritchie	RW	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	Prince Albert (WHL)	47	19	25	44	24
27	Dominik Badinka	D	6-3/185	27-Nov-05	Malmo (SHL)	33	1	3	4	6
28	Sacha Boisvert	C	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	Muskegon (USHL)	61	36	32	68	86
29	Julius Miettinen	C	6-2/205	20-Jan-06	Everett (WHL)	66	31	36	67	32
30	Yegor Surin	C	6-1/190	1-Aug-06	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	42	22	30	52	108
31	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	43	11	31	42	38
32	Marek Vanacker	LW	6-0/175	12-Apr-06	Brantford (OHL)	68	36	46	82	55