Inside the Future of Hockey: Scouts Reveal Shocking Rankings of the NHL’s Top 122 Rising Stars for 2025-26
Diving back into the thrilling world of hockey’s rising stars, we’re rolling out the second edition of Prospect Tiers — a project born from an ambitious spin-off of the groundbreaking Player Tiers developed by the brilliant trio of Dom Luszczyszyn, Shayna Goldman, and Sean Gentille. What started as a quest to crown the best in the league has evolved into a meticulous exercise predicting where the NHL’s young guns will carve their niches in this elite hierarchy. This is not just another list tossed out into the void; it’s a finely tuned synthesis of my own rankings — built by slotting over a hundred under-23 players across defined tiers — double-checked and sharpened with candid insights from a scattering of industry insiders, scouts, and executives. While consensus in sports is a rare gem, the collective wisdom here offers a deeply considered snapshot of hockey’s future luminaries. There were tweaks, debates, and spirited discourse — reflecting the passionate and often subjective nature of player evaluation. And lest you wonder about those who nearly made the cut — a raft of promising names just missed the final cherry-picking. Buckle up as we explore where talent, potential, and expert opinion converge to map out the sharpest prospects chasing hockey glory. LEARN MORE
Welcome to Prospect Tiers.
What started a year ago as a natural evolution of the Player Tiers — the massive undertaking of colleagues Dom Luszczyszyn, Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille to build the best list of hockey’s best — is back for a second straight year. The goal here is to project where the league’s young players and prospects will end up in the Player Tiers.
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This project differs from my own personal list in that it isn’t really meant to be mine at all.
It starts with me slotting 120 or so under-23 players into the different tiers that make up Player Tiers (MVP, franchise, all-star, star and support). But it finishes with me sending that shell to NHL contacts and encouraging scouts and executives to suggest adjustments and provide feedback in an effort to build a consensus view of the upside of the game’s top young players.
As with all lists, there’s never a true consensus, but I got to the finish line with the help of more than a dozen industry sources who were granted anonymity in order to speak freely about the players.
The initial responses gave me some peace of mind.
“It’s a pretty defensible list overall, to be honest,” replied one scout.
“You did a great job putting this together. I’m impressed at how comprehensive it is,” said another.
But the majority had feedback (in some cases on the placement of a double-digit number of players), and guys were moved up and down under their advice.
Here’s where everyone landed, with commentary from sources throughout.
Note that I considered the following players for Tier 5C projections but they didn’t get enough love to make it: Cullen Potter, Brayden Yager, Brad Lambert, Oliver Moore, Matthew Poitras, Brennan Othmann, Conor Geekie, Liam Ohgren, Mackie Samoskevich, Carson Rehkopf, Matthew Wood, Quentin Musty, Jani Nyman, Elias Salomonsson, Elias Pettersson, Mikhail Gulyayev and Seamus Casey.
I also started goalies Yegor Zavragin, Jack Ivankovic and Hampton Slukynsky in Tier 5C, but multiple scouts felt they were closer to the other goalie prospects who were left off at the moment, and I felt keeping the number of goalies smaller made sense given the difficulty in projecting them.
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Tier 1 — MVP
A top 10 player. Someone who is very likely to get serious trophy consideration at season’s end and whom championship-caliber teams are built around. The best player on almost any team in the league.
Why he’s here
Celebrini and Bedard stand alone as the league’s next-in-line superstars, and it feels like Celebrini is slightly ahead of Bedard right now in the consensus. Slotting them alone in the MVP-caliber tier, but within different letter grades, with Celebrini firmly in it and Bedard closer to potentially ending up a tier lower in the Franchise tier, felt like the sweet spot. The premium of Celebrini’s position as a first-line center separates him from the Matvei Michkovs and the Ivan Demidovs, too.
“I like seeing Celebrini over Bedard,” said one scout.
Tiers over time
Tier 1 — MVP
SJS
C
19
Why he’s here
Bedard’s talent is singular in his age cohort, but room for improvement on the defensive side and on smaller things, such as the faceoff circle, does cast doubt on whether he’ll become more of a tweener between Tier 1 and Tier 2 for some. There were some scouts who wondered if he’d get to the MVP level or finish as more of a Tier 2A than a Tier 1C. It’s on the Blackhawks to get him some help and give him a better chance at getting to that MVP tier, too. We haven’t seen the best of Bedard yet. Not anywhere close. Getting here would mean he has that Patrick Kane peak.
Tiers over time
Tier 1 — MVP
CHI
C
20
Tier 2 — Franchise
A top 30 player. Someone who is the best player on a contending team or second best on a championship-caliber team. An unquestionably elite player.
Why he’s here
The most common comp for Schaefer is Miro Heiskanen, and Heiskanen has lived in Tier 2B for years.
Scouts have common nitpicks about Lane Hutson, Owen Power, Luke Hughes and Zayne Parekh’s games. They find fewer in Schaefer’s. His world-class skating is a differentiator, too.
Where scouts are split continues to be on the lack of games played. One scout argued he’d move Schaefer down a letter grade because he hasn’t played enough to be this high, but another went as far as to say that he thinks Schaefer is actually capable of ending up higher than this. “I think sky is the limit for Schaefer, but having not seen him in a game for so long, it may be better to keep him where he is,” the second scout said. I decided to leave him as is as a result.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
NYI
LHD
18
Why he’s here
If Celebrini and Bedard are the top two young centers in the game, Michkov and Demidov are the top two wingers. Because we’ve seen Michkov do it, the consensus seemed to favor him ever so slightly.
This sets a Mikko Rantanen-level projection for Michkov becoming a consistent 90-100 point winger, which is lofty but doesn’t feel out of reach for him.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
PHI
RW
20
Why he’s here
Hutson is viewed unequivocally as the most talented young defenseman in the game, but scouts still view him more as a Franchise tier guy than the potential MVP-caliber talents that Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes have become. Don’t take that as a knock, either, Habs fans. Names such as Roman Josi and Charlie McAvoy have lived in the Franchise tier. Even that level isn’t fully agreed upon, though, either, which results in the bubble Tier 2C slotting.
“Hutson is interesting to me. I’m not entirely convinced the elite offense will translate to the elite overall in the same way it has for Fox, Makar and Hughes. I see a few Karlsson peak seasons (and) a career of debate about his true net impact. I’m not sure that player is Franchise to me. All-Star, sure. But in the All-Star tier, you have a number of 1D, 25-min guys who likely get you 50+. I think that’s worth more, to be honest.” Said another: “Hutson might have that value, but I am doubtful he is not going to regress with Dobson there, teams now knowing how to play him and additional structure as they push to be a real playoff team.”
On the back of the feedback I got, Hutson was closer to dropping down into Tier 3A than moving up to Tier 2B, it should be noted.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
MTL
LHD
21
Why he’s here
Fantilli has all of the makings of a top-end forward. The physical tools of size, power and skating. The dexterous tools of shooting and quick-twitch hands. He scored 31 goals (tied for the most on the Blue Jackets) as a 19-year-old last season, and it felt like he was just starting to hit his stride. He’s already their first-line center, and it looks like there’s still another level to come.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
CBJ
C
20
Why he’s here
There are just six Tier 2 wingers in this year’s Player Tiers: Matthew Tkachuk (2A), Mikko Rantanen (2B), Mitch Marner (2B), William Nylander (2C), Artemi Panarin (2C) and Sam Reinhart (2C). That’s what Demidov is reaching for, specifically the Nylander/Panarin ceiling, I’d think. His skill level gives him a chance to become one of the higher-end wingers in the game.
Two scouts did say they’d have him grouped with Michkov in Tier 2B (one of those scouts actually said he was partial to Demidov), but a couple others felt it was just right when I asked. “I think it makes sense where you have Michkov/Demidov slotted,” said one scout.
I don’t think the Michkov versus Demidov debate is going anywhere, regardless.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
MTL
RW
19
Why he’s here
I believe Cooley is going to have a big year this season, and I’m not alone in that camp. He’s already a 1C for his team, but he has it in him to take some leaps and elevate himself into the bottom of the Franchise tier. Dom and I talked about Cooley, Fantilli and Wyatt Johnston as the future Brayden Point, Sebastian Aho and Nico Hischier Tier 2C-level types. Those guys feel bang on in particular for Cooley, though, because of his size/game.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
UTA
C
21
Why he’s here
Johnston has been a top player on a top team as a second- and third-year player already. He provides two-way value as well. This counts on him getting from an impact 70-point player he already is to a consistent 80-point version of that who becomes one of the top two-way forwards in the game.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
DAL
C
22
Why he’s here
I started Carlsson in Tier 3A instead of Tier 2C because I felt Fantilli had shown more in the NHL, and I wanted that to be reflected in the groupings until Carlsson proved otherwise. But Carlsson still has a strong camp of supporters who believe he’s going to elevate and that he and Fantilli should be grouped together, so I moved him from Tier 3A to Tier 2C.
Two scouts even went as far as to say they’d have Carlsson ahead of Fantilli still.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
ANA
C
20
Why he’s here
Misa and Will Smith felt like they belonged in the same tier for me, both as prospects and because they’re likely going to be jostling for the No. 2 forward marquee in San Jose for the next decade. One is going to be the second-line center in San Jose behind Celebrini, and the other will likely end up moving to the wing to ride shotgun with him. Both have clear All-Star potential, and I started them in Tier 3A. But when a couple scouts argued Misa belonged in the same tier as the Tier 2C guys, and a couple others expressed reservations about Smith, that seperated them.
One scout did say that he felt Misa could “possibly be higher than 3A,” and another said he wasn’t sure he saw a gap between Cooley/Fantilli/Johnston and Misa.
Tiers over time
Tier 2 — Franchise
SJS
C
18
Tier 3 — All-Star
A top 60 player. Someone who wouldn’t be the best player on a contender, but would be an important part of any contending or championship core. A strong top-line forward, above average No. 1 defenseman, or borderline top five goalie.
Why he’s here
Smith still has some skeptics who think he’s more of a Tier 3B or 3C than a Tier 3A, but they’re fewer after the way he produced and looked in the second half. His sophomore year feels like it’s going to take on more importance for his perception leaguewide than most sophomore years do. People will be paying close attention to see if he can be a top dog for a full 82 games and really stamp himself.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
SJS
C
20
Why he’s here
Though he wasn’t necessarily selected in line with it when he fell to No. 7 in the draft, most scouts still view Hagens in line with how they viewed Logan Cooley, and Cooley actually slots one bucket above this. Those I spoke with think Hagens is going to have a prove-it year, and I thought it was interesting he ended up in the same grouping as two players who were drafted ahead of him in Michael Misa and Porter Martone.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
BOS
C
18
Why he’s here
Power is an interesting one, because the NHL people Dom, Shayna and Sean surveyed for Player Tiers who work on the pro side have grown frustrated with his lack of physicality and take-charge, but the amateur folks I surveyed still have a tough time putting prospects over a defenseman who has already played 25 minutes per game in the NHL for years at an early age.
One scout did say that he’d have Power a letter grade lower, though, so the two groups may be coming closer together. This feels like a prove-it year for him despite his strong NHL results and usage.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
BUF
LHD
22
Why he’s here
I was expecting Slafkovsky to be more of a talking point, as he often has been in the past. But a second consecutive 50-point season and his fit on Montreal’s top line seem to have combined to stabilize the way he’s viewed. He’s still going to have to find another level and become one of the game’s top power forwards to justify a high all-star slotting, but not a single scout raised him as someone they’d move higher or lower.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
MTL
RW
21
Why he’s here
Believers in Martone think that with his size, skill, scoring and playmaking, he has a path to becoming a first-line winger. There is some skepticism out there about his skating, pace and consistency, but nobody pushed back against the Tier 3C slotting alongside wingers like Slafkovsky and Guenther.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
PHI
RW
18
Why he’s here
I was expecting Parekh’s slotting to be hotly discussed, but not a single scout raised him as someone they thought should be higher or lower. That speaks to the second half he had last year, because coming out of his up-and-down start, tough first training camp and cut from Team Canada, he would not have been a player whose slotting no scouts commented on. He made the OHL look easy in the second half, though, and I think his invitation to participate with Canada’s men’s worlds team and play in his NHL debut actually made a difference, rightly or wrongly, in the way he’s currently being perceived. I don’t think we’re done talking about Parekh.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CGY
RHD
19
Why he’s here
Dom’s model isn’t convinced by Luke Hughes’ NHL play to date, but the only scout who said anything about his slotting in Tier 3A actually said, “I think there’s a case to move Luke Hughes up a slot.” There is a belief that with his tools and skating, he has another gear or two still. Now it’s up to him to show it across a full season.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
NJD
LHD
22
Why he’s here
I started Guenther in Tier 3B, but he got a lot of love from the scouts surveyed and was moved up a letter grade.
“I don’t see much difference between Guenther and the wingers in 3A. He is probably in that bucket for me as an established scorer,” said one scout.
“Guenther higher for sure,” argued another.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
UTA
RW
22
Why he’s here
I started Dickinson in Tier 3B with Zeev Buium and Artyom Levshunov, but one scout really pushed for him to move up to Tier 3A. “Dickinson reminds me of John Carlson at the same age when he was in London. He was more athlete than reads in his draft year all the way through but the game really slowed down for him this past year finally,” the scout said.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
SJS
LHD
19
Why he’s here
I started Catton in Tier 3A with Misa and Hagens, but the latter two both had stronger camps of support, and a couple suggested Catton was a smidge below them as a prospect.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
SEA
C
19
Why he’s here
The conversation around Buium has been an interesting one over the last couple of years. He was one of the best players in college hockey two seasons running, but then he looked cautious and deferential in the NHL and then with Team USA at men’s worlds, and scouts seem to have cooled a little on him after that. His proponents see one of the best defensemen in the game, someone who can steer and direct everything that happens on the ice. I’ve even had a couple of people use Quinn Hughes’ name. His opponents see a No. 3-4.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
MIN
LHD
19
Why he’s here
Levshunov didn’t get the same shine last year playing in the AHL that fellow 2024 top D like Zeev Buium (NCAA) and Zayne Parekh and Sam Dickinson (OHL) got playing at lower levels, but he’s still viewed in a cluster with those guys by most and I’m inclined to agree there wouldn’t be much talk of any change had he returned to college. The tools are still there in spades. Some wonder if Sam Rinzel’s emergence could make it harder for him to reach his ceiling, but Levshunov is still a stud.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CHI
RHD
19
Why he’s here
Desnoyers was one of the top young forwards in the CHL last year while playing with two bum wrists. He’s now going to be out into early December following surgery. He’s going to be an interesting player to quantify in the NHL, I think, because his impact is going to extend beyond the scoresheet both on the ice and on a team’s culture off it. He’s viewed as a future stud top-six center, but also a potential captain. He doesn’t have the offense of Berkly Catton in this tier, but he’s an easy player to like who teams think will help Utah win games.
Nobody pushed back on this slotting.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
UTA
C
18
Why he’s here
Frondell had some real fans in his draft year who fell in love with some of the highs he had and felt he was a top-three prospect in the class, but also some skeptics who felt he’d had too many dips in his play to be a top-five guy. He’s not polarizing, per se, but he is a topic of conversation, and that was true in the feedback. I started him here in Tier 3B, and I had one scout say he could “possibly be higher” and another say “Frondell should be lower.” Because there wasn’t a consensus one way or another, he remained here with fellow center Desnoyers.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CHI
C
18
Why he’s here
Scouts think Edvinsson is going to be a legit No. 2 D in the NHL for a long time (or maybe a No. 3 on a true contender). The bubble between star and all-star felt appropriate, and he has been given the benefit of the doubt for Tier 3C because he has proven more than the D who clustered into Tier 4.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
DET
LHD
22
Why he’s here
McQueen and Lindstrom were hot topics and difficult to slot. The consensus seemed to be that on ceiling, they belonged in Tier 3C, but one scout argued “the uncertainty lowers them,” and multiple scouts said Tier 4A might be the safer slotting given their injury history. I gave them the benefit of the doubt for now, but this ranking comes with an asterisk.
The view is that McQueen has more poise to his game, and he seems to be the slightly favoured of the two. But it’s close, and one scout said, “Lol, I like the back injury club in Tier 3C.”
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
ANA
C
18
Why he’s here
Lindstrom and McQueen were hot topics and difficult to slot. The consensus seemed to be that on ceiling they belonged in Tier 3C, but one scout argued “the uncertainty lowers them,” and multiple scouts said Tier 4A might be the safer slotting given their injury history. I gave them the benefit of the doubt for now, but this ranking comes with an asterisk.
The view is that Lindstrom has more power and presence to his game, but some wonder if that will take its toll.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CBJ
C
19
Why he’s here
Johnson played at a 69-point pace last season, selling people that his natural skill could work as a top-of-the-lineup playmaker. His 0.84 points per game trailed only Celebrini (0.90), Johnston (0.87), Cooley (0.87) and Guenther (0.86) on this list, putting him firmly among the most productive players in this age cohort. That helped move him from his star projection last year to the low end of all-star this year without any pushback from the scouts surveyed.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CBJ
LW
22
Why he’s here
Mateychuk has been one of the top defensemen in his age group at every level he has played it. He was a star in the WHL, a top player and leader for Hockey Canada, and immediately became one of the best young players in the AHL. Though he has only played 45 NHL games and he’s a 5-11/6-foot defenseman as the game moves away from D that size, he’s universally respected, and some even see Josh Morrissey/Devon Toews potential.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CBJ
LHD
21
Why he’s here
Multiple scouts said they felt Yaroslav Askarov and Jacob Fowler were the two best goalie prospects right now, with one arguing that there’s a “clear divide” between the two and the next group of half a dozen or so netminders. With Askarov having just aged out, that made Fowler the lone Tier 3C goalie.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
MTL
G
20
Why he’s here
The feedback I got on Stankoven was actually the most surprising to me. I’ve always been much higher on him than most, but I slotted him in Tier 4A to start, and multiple scouts encouraged me to move him to Tier 3C.
“I like Stankoven, more likely finds his way to Tier 3,” said one scout, unprompted.
The consensus view does seem to be that he gets there as a winger, though, and not as a center (which he played a lot of in Kamloops and in Dallas).
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
CAR
C
22
Why he’s here
Knies is and will be a fascinating case study because he’s already slotted in Tier 4B in Player Tiers and he’s an extremely coveted player type, but there are some who wonder whether he’s closer to maxed out than most others his age because of his physical maturity and the fact that he may never play with linemates as strong as the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner pair again.
I originally slotted him Tier 4A here to couch in a little more development but two scouts argued they thought he’d reach Tier 3C. “Everyone would sell a lot for a guy like him,” the scout said.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
TOR
LW
22
Why he’s here
I initially slotted Sennecke into Tier 4A at the top of star and on the cusp of all-star, but a couple of scouts rightly argued his pure puck game gives him Tier 3C potential. He’s an imperfect player but a rangy winger with little-guy hands and continued room to fill out. We’ve got a pretty good sense of what Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are going to be at this point, but he and McQueen might be the X-factors in setting the Ducks’ ceiling as a team.
Tiers over time
Tier 3 — All-Star
ANA
RW
19
Tier 4 — Star
A top 100 player. Someone who would be a strong piece within a contending or championship core, but not a go-to option. An average top-line forward, below average No. 1 defenseman, or top 10 goalie.
Why he’s here
Gauthier stays in 4A as a bubble guy between star and all-star for the second straight year in Prospect Tiers. He had a very respectable 20-goal, 44-point rookie season last year. Now he has to build toward 30-30-60, which most scouts think he’s capable of.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
ANA
LW
21
Why he’s here
Leonard has always had some big, big fans. “I would firmly be Leonard ahead of Smith long-term,” said one scout of the Tier 3A to Tier 4A gap between the two here. That was a pretty widely held view in their NTDP and BC days together, too. But there is a growing minority of scouts who do wonder about Leonard’s ultimate offense, and his muted impact with the Capitals (albeit on a contending team in the midst of a playoff run) does have some taking a more wait-and-see approach now. There are some who think he’s a hard player to play with because of his singularly focused style, too.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
WSH
RW
20
Why he’s here
Perreault’s hands, vision and offensive smarts would all grade right at the top of this list, but questions about strength, pace and how it’ll work in the NHL continue to follow him. I think they’re overstated and slotted him here because I think it’s where he belongs. There wasn’t any dissent on his placement either. If Kent Johnson can get to Tier 3C, I don’t see why Perreault can’t maybe elevate there and turn more people into believers, too, so don’t be surprised if he does.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NYR
LW
20
Why he’s here
One scout wanted Beniers up with Lindstrom and McQueen in Tier 3C, or those guys down with him in Tier 4A, but after back-to-back seasons with 37 and 43 points (after the 57-point rookie campaign), there are now questions about his ultimate offense. Shane Wright, Berkly Catton and Jake O’Brien are all coming to vie for top-six usage and linemates, too, which puts pressure on Beniers and his $7-plus million AAV to start producing more.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
SEA
C
22
Why he’s here
Rinzel really impressed scouts with his development across two seasons at the University of Minnesota, going from raw prospect to one of the top D in college hockey.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
CHI
RHD
21
Why he’s here
I’ve always been a big believer in Nemec, and I think he’s going to break out this year and build on his strong playoff showing in the spring to really establish himself. I think people forget how few 19- and 20-year-old D even play in the league to start with when they’re measuring his timeline, too. I’ve lowered him from last year’s Tier 3C rating to Tier 4A this year, and one scout still pushed back on that. “Nemec is probably down one or two groups. I think his development has stalled, and the player’s offensive upside is becoming more limited as he tries to be more complete a player,” the scout said. This is undoubtedly a big year for him, but all of the D in this grouping have a wart or something to prove.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NJD
RHD
21
Why he’s here
Clarke is an interesting one because a couple of scouts commented on him as a tricky projection and eval (which has always been the case with his unique game and style), but each seemed to settle on this being the appropriate designation for him. He’s always going to be a little quirky, but I think he’s one of the more intriguing young players in the league, and I’m interested to see if he can take a step this year.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
LAK
RHD
22
Why he’s here
I originally threw Coronato in the Tier 4B bucket with the Eklunds, but he got some love from scouts for his performance last year and the $6.5 million AAV he has earned and frankly I think he was misplaced to start. Coronato and Beniers are viewed as a similar tier of player, and are paid accordingly. Coronato’s more of a scorer but he’s also a winger to Beniers’ center. This is the right spot for him.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
CGY
RW
22
Why he’s here
Yegorov is the sport’s darling goalie prospect right now. He completely changed BU’s upside when he joined them for the second semester last year and led them to the Frozen Four, and he’s viewed as a highly talented, toolsy goaltender who still has untapped potential. He has clear starter upside with the right development and patience.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NJD
G
19
Why he’s here
I started Sandin Pellikka in Tier 4A, but one scout argued he should be moved down a letter grade. He had another strong season last year in the SHL and should be one of the top young players in the AHL this season. Though the game is moving away from sub-6-foot D, scouts credit ASP for his competitiveness on top of the offensive talent he has.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
DET
RHD
20
Why he’s here
I started Yakemchuk in Tier 4A, but the consensus view is that his post-draft season was just OK and that kept him back in Tier 4B for the second year running. His potential is real as a big right-shot D who is going to run a PP1 and score in the NHL, but some scouts still wonder if his skating and defence will ever be more than average. Brent Burns is probably the best-case scenario, but it’s not one everyone is willing to bet on.
“I would put Yakemchuk down one group. He’s an incomplete player that leans offense,” said one scout.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
OTT
RHD
19
Why he’s here
Eklund was on the bubble between Tier 4A and Tier 4B for most, but the star grade was the consensus, and this became the sweet spot. It’s a letter grade higher than a year ago, too. Scouts believe he’s going to be more of the fourth fiddle to Celebrini, Smith and Misa than an equal. That’s still a very good player, though, and his 58-point season as their second-leading scorer last year deserves a ton of credit considering how poor that team was.
One scout did credit that he has been a consistently improving player while playing in the NHL, but that scout still viewed him as a Tier 4A player at most.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
SJS
C
22
Why he’s here
After a strong showing with the Blues to finish last season, Snuggerud moves from Tier 4C to Tier 4B this year. One scout did think he could maybe move to Tier 4A as well, but he wasn’t prepared to fight for that, and the consensus seems to prefer him here for now. Snuggerud is expected to have a long career as a strong top-six winger, but he’s viewed as more of a 20-30 goals and 50-60 points guy than as a future all-star.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
STL
RW
21
Why he’s here
Nazar’s impressive second half with the Blackhawks and men’s worlds with Team USA vaulted him from the support tier into the star tier here. There are some scouts who think that if he can build on that this year, Tier 4A is within reach for him as well.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
CHI
C
21
Why he’s here
Wright had a quietly strong first full season last year and now has 51 points in his first 95 NHL games. Scouts have taken notice and have always respected his commitment off the puck as well. They believe he’s going to be an excellent two-way forward and every bit as important to the Kraken’s future as Beniers, Catton, O’Brien and company
Anthony Cirelli is a Tier 4B guy in Player Tiers this year and while he’s not a perfect comp for Wright, that’s the impact you hope he makes in the prime of his career, maybe with a little more offense and as a little bit less of a defensive driver.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
SEA
C
21
Why he’s here
Andreyanov going as high as No. 20 to the Blue Jackets was a bit of a surprise for some, but he is still viewed as firmly in this tier of goalie prospects behind Fowler and Yegorov with Augustine, Ravensbergen, Nabokov and company. His numbers are pristine, and if he continues to stack up seasons like last year’s .942 in the MHL, he could conceivably rise higher. I debated slotting him one letter grade higher in Tier 4B, but I erred on the side of caution with the goalies.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
CBJ
G
18
Why he’s here
Despite his first-round selection, size and skill, there’s less of a consensus on Ravensbergen than on the other three goalies in Tier 4C. There’s a camp that thinks he’s a Tier 4A or Tier 4B projection and another that thinks he’s a Tier 5 guy somewhere and comes with some development risks.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
SJS
G
18
Why he’s here
Travis Konecny is the most common comp for Eklund, and Konecny is a Tier 4B guy in this year’s Player Tiers. There’s obviously some risk with a player this young that he doesn’t reach that level, though, which resulted in the Tier 4C designation. I flirted with slotting him in Tier 4B, but once a few scouts advocated moving Martin and O’Brien into Tier 4C, it felt odd to put a player drafted well after them a letter grade higher. I think there’s a chance Eklund finishes as more of a Tier 5A type in the end as well, but he’s well-liked by scouts, and this slotting didn’t receive any commentary.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NYI
RW
18
Why he’s here
Despite a career-high 22 goals and 52 points last season, the perception that the Ducks might be a little lower on McTavish seems to have stuck with opposing teams as well. The conversation around McTavish in the two years of this project has moved from bubble All-Star/Star to bubble Star/Support.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
ANA
C
22
Why he’s here
Silayev and Reinbacher are the highest-slotted D who aren’t expected to be go-to power-play quarterbacks for their teams. Fittingly, Mattias Ekholm and Colton Parayko are also Tier 4C in this year’s Player Tiers. Parayko is an appropriate projection for Silayev.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NJD
LHD
19
Why he’s here
Reinbacher started in Tier 4B, but multiple scouts said to move him down, with one going as far as to say he’s “overrated.” Together, Reinbacher and Silayev are the highest-slotted D who aren’t expected to be go-to power play quarterbacks for their teams. Fittingly, Mattias Ekholm and Colton Parayko are also Tier 4C in this year’s Player Tiers. Ekholm is an appropriate comp for Reinbacher.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
MTL
RHD
20
Why he’s here
Kasper’s strong rookie season and impressive second half elevated him a tier from last year. He’s still viewed as a bubble guy between Support and Star, and there are some who wonder about his offensive ceiling, but he’s going to have a long career as a strong second-line player or a third-fiddle on a top line. This slotting didn’t receive any feedback, but Tier 4B does feel within reach if he takes another step this year.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
DET
C
21
Why he’s here
Even though he spent a lot of time high in an NHL lineup as a rookie last year, he looks more like a center than a winger after playing both coming up, and has clear power-play tools because of his shot. Scouts are still in a wait-and-see mode in setting Kulich’s ultimate upside. They want to see him produce more than the 20-goal, 32-point pace he played at last year. I don’t think 30 goals and Tier 4B is viewed as out of the question at all, but he’s not viewed in the same light as an Eklund or Nazar.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
BUF
C
21
Why he’s here
I started O’Brien in Tier 4B with Shane Wright because I thought that’s where the consensus would have him (I actually view him as more of a Tier 4C guy). Then some scouts expressed that they thought his game and ultimate upside had some limitations, and they’d lower him a letter grade, and I didn’t hesitate when I got that feedback. His skill and sense are high-end, but some wonder how it’ll work in the NHL and whether he’ll score enough without putting on some serious muscle.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
SEA
C
18
Why he’s here
I started Martin in Tier 4B. He’s beloved by scouts for his clear identity as an ultra-competitive, hard-nosed, throwback type, and if the Preds didn’t take him at No. 5, then he was going to go at No. 6 or No. 7 in the draft. But scouts are realists, too, and they wonder about how high-end his offense will be. Sam Bennett is a Tier 4C guy in Player Tiers this year, and that’s the player I’ve always come back to for Martin, though I do think there’s a chance Martin scores a little more than Bennett has and works his way into Tier 4A/B. Mike Richards is another comp, but he pre-dates Player Tiers as a reference point.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NSH
C
18
Why he’s here
Iginla is viewed as a potential Tier 4A talent, and I initially slotted him one letter grade higher in Tier 4B, but scouts think he comes with a little more risk now than he did a year ago after losing so much time to injury. He battles some of the perceptions that scorers such as Eiserman, Lekkerimäki and Howard do, too. “Iginla is closer to 4C or 5A for me. Incomplete scoring type that needs to prove it,” argued one scout.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
UTA
LW
19
Why he’s here
Cristall has turned skeptics into believers in ways that other small, highly productive junior players such as Jordan Dumais have not. His skating has improved, he’s getting respect for the way his off-puck play has rounded out and the numbers are so gaudy that he’s hard to ignore as a potential high-end Support/low-end Star winger now. His strong play in Capitals training camp last year made a big difference, too.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
WSH
LW
20
Why he’s here
Benson fell from Tier 4A a year ago to Tier 4C and nearly Tier 5A this year. He’s viewed as a bubble Star/Support guy, and while teams respect his craft and work ethic, the clock has started on wanting to see him score more.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
BUF
LW
20
Why he’s here
Eiserman, despite leading a Frozen Four team in goals as a teenage freshman and adapting to his role as a 13th forward at the World Juniors, remains a polarizing prospect. There’s a minority who believe he has the goal-scoring pop to become one of the NHL’s premium power-play wingers, or a Phil Kessel type with a little more jam. And for others, and still the majority, he might never shake the first impression he had on many at the NTDP that he was a streaky, selfish, one-dimensional scorer in the Oliver Wahlstrom vein who might bust. Because of the perceived volatility in his projection, some thought he should be more of a Tier 5A guy.
“I am not sure (Eiserman) has enough other skills to be more than (a) pure shooter (which is a very fraught development path),” said one scout.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
NYI
LW
19
Why he’s here
Carbonneau was a bubble star/support guy but landed here because of his unique combination of skill, scoring, strength and physicality. Those who thought he should be more of a Tier 5A guy point to ongoing work on his skating and consistency. A talked-about development camp performance this summer helped his case.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
STL
RW
18
Why he’s here
After winning a Gagarin Cup, Simashev, the No. 6 pick in the 2023 draft, is making the jump to North America this season and has apparently looked really good in skates. He doesn’t have the offense of most of the D in the star tier and above, but his impact as a high-end defender and skater at 6-4/5 is expected to be significant in his prime.
One scout felt he should be higher, even.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
UTA
LHD
20
Why he’s here
Mintyukov lost a letter grade after a challenging sophomore season, as former Ducks coach Greg Cronin scratched him periodically. He has always been a bit of an enigma, and there are other young D in Anaheim that have either leapfrogged him (Jackson LaCombe) or will challenge him (Olen Zellweger, Tristan Luneau, Stian Solberg), but his good rookie season and obvious talent still loom large. This year will be an important one for him.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
ANA
LHD
21
Why he’s here
After a slow start by his standards at BU last fall, Hutson was one of the top players at the World Juniors (where he led the tournament in points) and in college hockey in the second half, finishing the year with nearly 50 points as a freshman defenseman and virtually identical numbers to Lane. He projects as a high-end offensive defenseman but, like Lane, will have to prove he can hold his own defensively. He plays a more physical style than Lane as well, which could be harder to play against bigger competition in the NHL.
There’s definitely a chance with his profile that he becomes more of a Tier 5 player.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
WSH
LHD
19
Why he’s here
Mrtka is a towering defenseman who skates at a high level and was a top-10 pick, which automatically lumps him in with Simashev and Silayev. He has a little more offense and poise than those two, but isn’t viewed as the same level of defender.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
BUF
RHD
18
Why he’s here
A year ago, not a single scout argued for Protas’ inclusion in Tier 5C. And yet this year, after I started him in Tier 5A, two different scouts went to bat for moving him up a bucket and into Tier 4C from the top of support into the low end of star. Protas is widely viewed as one of the 2024-25 season’s breakout prospects. He’s a very unique blend of hulking size and legitimate puck skill.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
WSH
LW
19
Why he’s here
Augustine’s ceiling is set as high as some of the game’s other top goalie prospects, but he’s viewed as one of the safest bets on this list to reach his potential. All of the scouts I talked to about the goalie buckets said he was right there with all of the names after Fowler. One scout said he’d have him a letter grade higher in Tier 4B, too.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
DET
G
20
Why he’s here
Nabokov is a one-time KHL Playoff MVP, KHL Rookie of the Year and KHL champion who has proven himself to be one of the top goaltenders outside the NHL.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
COL
G
22
Why he’s here
I started Bear as a Tier 5A high-end support type/bubble star guy because I wanted to see him back from his Achilles injury first, but a couple of scouts felt confident he’d finish as a Tier 4B-C guy. His work-skill combo is the ticket for a lot of hockey people.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
DET
LW
18
Why he’s here
Reschny was one of my favourite prospects from the 2025 class and was a bubble Tier 4C/Tier 5A guy for me to start this exercise. His phenomenal second half and playoffs in the WHL, followed by standout performances at U18 Worlds and the World Junior Summer Showcase with Hockey Canada, made the 4C camp louder than the 5A camp, and I lean that way as well after thinking on it.
Tiers over time
Tier 4 — Star
CGY
C
18
Tier 5 — Support
A top 150 player. Someone who would offer strong support to a contending or championship core, but wouldn’t be an integral piece within it. A below-average top-line forward, a strong No. 2 defenseman, or an above average starter.
Why he’s here
Blake was one of the final cuts for last year’s Prospect Tiers, and he leaps past Tier 5B/C and into Tier 5A after proving to scouts and the Canes that he could make an impact in the NHL as a rookie. They’ve bet big on him by giving a 34-point player last year a $41 million contract, but the consensus seems to be that he’ll be a high-end support piece a la Sean Monahan (a Tier 5A player this year).
Tier 5 — Support
CAR
RW
22
Why he’s here
Bolduc played at a 22-goal, 41-point pace in his first NHL season last year and is now going to get a chance to establish himself as a 25-goal, top-nine, power-play winger in the league with the Canadiens. Scouts don’t view him as a future star but think he can be a really nice complementary scorer and contributor in the 50-point range for the Habs.
Tier 5 — Support
MTL
LW
22
Why he’s here
There were some scouts who argued for Aitcheson and Smith as Tier 4C guys, but there are others who aren’t convinced. Tier 5A, for now, felt safe for the two young D. A strong post-draft season could move them into a star projection, though.
Tier 5 — Support
NYI
LHD
18
Why he’s here
There were some scouts who argued for Smith and Aitcheson as Tier 4C guys, but there are others who aren’t convinced. Tier 5A, for now, felt safe for the two young D. A strong post-draft season could move them into a star projection, though.
Tier 5 — Support
CBJ
LHD
18
Why he’s here
I debated between Tier 5A and Tier 5B for Reid. He has some Denton Mateychuk in him as a 5-11/6-foot D who does everything at a high level and drives play. He hasn’t shown enough offensive dimension to be viewed as a star-tier player, but scouts expect him to have a long career as a very good player in the league.
Tier 5 — Support
NSH
LHD
18
Why he’s here
Zellweger was a force in junior hockey, became an impact player in the AHL quickly, and has more to offer at the NHL level than he was allowed to show over the last two seasons. This year will be an important one for him under a new head coach, as I don’t think Greg Cronin got the best out of him or Mintyukov. Joel Quenneville and his staff have to maximize his obvious talents and use cases to get the most out of his skating and offense. He’s very strong for his size, too, and should be a solid NHL defender. I don’t think a return to Tier 4, where he slotted last year, is out of the question. But questions about where he fits in the hierarchy on Anaheim’s young blue line made Tier 5A more appropriate right now.
Tier 5 — Support
ANA
LHD
22
Why he’s here
There aren’t many who think Willander is going to get to the star tier, but there are a lot of people who think he’s a support lock to be a play-driving, two-way, top-four D at five-on-five. The conversation for Willander the last two years has been more about Tier 5A versus Tier 5B.
Tier 5 — Support
VAN
RHD
20
Why he’s here
Nadeau is the prototypical Tier 5A, bubble star guy in my mind as a talented, attacking winger who can score and make plays at pace and go downhill on the flank, but might never be more than a 20-30-goal winger who flirts with stardom but isn’t a true driver on his own in the NHL.
Tier 5 — Support
CAR
RW
20
Why he’s here
One scout made a case to move Dvorsky from Tier 5A as a high-end support type into Tier 4C as a low-end star, but others felt this was the right placement for now. He has always been a top player in the 2005 age group and had a really strong first season in the AHL last year. He’s also got great defensive detail and habits while still having power-play finesse tools. Some do still wonder, though, if he has the pace to be a high-end top-six center as opposed to more of a productive middle-sixer.
Tier 5 — Support
STL
C
20
Why he’s here
After the highs of his standout 2023-24 season, Yurov regressed a little last year. He has been one of the top young players in Russia for years and is now poised to make the transition to North America with the Wild. He has also made a successful move from the wing to center over the last couple of years. He’s pretty unanimously viewed as a very good prospect who is going to become a very good player.
Tier 5 — Support
MIN
C
21
Why he’s here
Ritchie was actually a bit of a debate. I started him here and had scouts who argued he should move up to Tier 4C and down to Tier 5B.
The scout who advocated for him to move up said, “Ritchie has always been the best skill guy in his age group. I think once he trains and turns into more of a man than boy, he’ll take off.” Another scout argued his “level of game impact” isn’t as high as it seems.
Ultimately, because there was division, staying put on the bubble made sense.
Tier 5 — Support
NYI
C
20
Why he’s here
Wallstedt battled injuries and poor play last year, which has reset his status as a prospect. Scouts still felt he belonged in this tier with Cossa and Hrabal, but he’s no longer viewed as one of the two or three surefire starters outside the NHL, and this season suddenly comes with a bit of pressure on him to bounce back and reclaim the cachet he held for years prior.
Tier 5 — Support
MIN
G
22
Why he’s here
Cossa has all the talent, size and competitiveness in the world, but his play at the pro level has been a bit of a mixed bag. Scouts still see tons of upside, but he has to put it all together over an extended stretch to force his way into the NHL and give himself an opportunity to prove that potential against the game’s best.
Tier 5 — Support
DET
G
22
Why he’s here
Hrabal isn’t a perfect goalie, and there’s always more development when you’re 6-6, but he has serious potential. He’s returning for his junior year at UMass this season after finishing his sophomore year among college hockey’s leaders in games played (36), saves (one of four goalies who made over 1,000) and save percentage (.924). Pro hockey will follow, and when he’s at his best, he can steal games.
Tier 5 — Support
UTA
G
20
Why he’s here
Lekkerimäki is an imperfect scoring winger with high-end talent who has made just enough progress in some of his deficient areas that if he can make a little bit more, he has a chance to be a consistent second-line scorer and dangerous PP1 shooter in the league. He’ll never be the well-rounded type, but his ability should carry him.
Tier 5 — Support
VAN
RW
21
Why he’s here
Howard, despite making significant progress in important areas of his game at Michigan State over the last couple of seasons, is still viewed by most scouts as a one-dimensional offensive winger who they’re eager to see tested against NHL competition. I thought about lumping him and Lekkerimäki into the same bucket, as scouts often mention those two together (and sometimes include Eiserman and Iginla), but Lekkerimäki’s pro track record split them apart ever so slightly. I’m a big believer in Howard, though, and think he’s going to surprise some people.
Tier 5 — Support
EDM
LW
21
Why he’s here
There’s not a lot of divergence on But. He’s pretty universally viewed as a unique winger with his combination of size, skill and scoring. The expectation is that he’s going to be more of a complementary scorer up and down the lineup who adds value with his size/makeup more than a true top-of-the-lineup horse.
Tier 5 — Support
UTA
LW
20
Why he’s here
Greentree, the Kings’ top prospect, is a big and talented winger who has been one of the most productive players in his age group in the OHL two years running, and finished second in league regular-season and playoff scoring last season with a combined 63 goals and 143 points in 75 games. Some have questioned his pace at times, but he has made improvements to his skating and projects a legit second-line winger. One scout said he’d have him one letter grade higher in Tier 5A.
Tier 5 — Support
LAK
RW
19
Why he’s here
Danielson screams really good support piece, and while I was lower on him than most for a time, the consensus seems to have come back to me on this one as his slotting was pretty widely agreed upon.
Tier 5 — Support
DET
C
21
Why he’s here
I originally slotted Luchanko in Tier 5C because I’m not sure there’s enough offense in his game for him to be more than that, but one scout argued he should be Tier 5A because of his overall impact, and we settled on the middle ground.
Tier 5 — Support
PHI
C
19
Why he’s here
Scouts are a little softer on Helenius today than they were a year ago, and there was some discussion about maybe moving him down to Tier 5C after his rookie season was just OK. But the AHL is a hard league for 18-year-old centers, and everyone seemed content to wait another year before adjusting his slotting.
Tier 5 — Support
BUF
C
19
Why he’s here
Brandsegg-Nygård is going to have a long career in the game as an up-and-down-the-lineup, physical, competitive, straight-lines secondary piece and scorer. Dylan Holloway made his debut on the Player Tiers this year in Tier 5C, and there are some who think MBN can become a version of that, though there are others who wonder if he has that kind of offense.
Tier 5 — Support
DET
RW
19
Why he’s here
Molendyk nearly made the Preds last year and then was a top player for Team Canada at the World Juniors and for Medicine Hat in its run to a WHL title. He’s an elite skater whose mobility is expected to make him an excellent two-way D in the NHL. For his size and skating, though, he doesn’t have the offense you might expect. I view him and fellow Preds D prospect Cameron Reid as comparable prospects and debated moving him into Tier 5A or Reid down into Tier 5B. Nobody commented on either placement, though.
Tier 5 — Support
NSH
LHD
20
Why he’s here
Bonk doesn’t have high-end offense or skating, but he has earned respect in NHL and OHL circles for his smarts and his well-rounded defending. Scouts and coaches alike think he’s going to be a top-four D in the NHL for a long time.
Tier 5 — Support
PHI
RHD
20
Why he’s here
Korchinski is a tricky one because the talent and ability are there, but he’s also imperfect, and he has to contend with Rinzel and Levshunov for PP time moving forward, which may make realizing his true potential tough. He feels like someone who’d potentially benefit from a trade. There was some debate about Tier 5B versus Tier 5C for Korchinski.
Tier 5 — Support
CHI
LHD
21
Why he’s here
Brunicke was a second-round pick just a year ago and has quickly turned himself into a first-round-grade D prospect. His rise started with a standout showing at the Penguins’ rookie tournament, and he built on that into an excellent first preseason with the Pens. He’s now viewed as a big part of the future in Pittsburgh. If not for an injury, he would have been an important piece of Team Canada’s blue line at last year’s World Juniors as well (he’s a lock to be that on this year’s team, obviously). Skating defines his game and will carry him to a top-four future.
Tier 5 — Support
PIT
RHD
19
Why he’s here
Savoie was a bubble guy between Tier 5B and Tier 5C for me, but I’ve always been a fan of the player and think he’s ready to take the NHL step. And so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and started him here, expecting to get feedback to move him down a letter grade and I was willing to do that if I did. Nobody made that case, though. I think it’s fitting that he and Howard start the year in the same grouping as well: a prelude to their battle with the Oilers for a top-nine role this year.
Tier 5 — Support
EDM
RW
21
Why he’s here
Scouts have really turned on Jiricek. They see a player who has struggled to establish himself and whose skating remains an issue defensively. The talent, size and boldness of his game are still real, but the warts have turned some off of his potential, and he has fallen almost two full tiers in the last year. I started him in Tier 5B, but a couple of scouts didn’t seem willing to give him the same benefit of the doubt.
“Jiricek is below Morrow (Tier 5C) and Mailloux (Tier 5C) at this point. He has stalled and the Wild are not doing him any favors,” said one scout.
Tier 5 — Support
MIN
RHD
21
Why he’s here
Kindel has the talent and IQ to become more than this and maybe even be a Tier 4 guy, but some scouts are still unsure and point to his size and pace as questions about how it will translate. He could slot in Tier 5B, though, for me.
Tier 5 — Support
PIT
C
18
Why he’s here
Lakovic has the tools (size, skating, skill, shot, etc.) to become more of a Tier 5A/B guy, but scouts give him mixed reviews and want to see him lean into an identity and be more consistent. This felt like the natural starting point for him.
Tier 5 — Support
WSH
LW
18
Why he’s here
Cowan has been one of the top players in the OHL in two consecutive seasons, winning a league regular-season most outstanding player award and a playoff MVP. I slotted him in in Tier 5B to start, but some scouts are softer on him.
One scout argued he wouldn’t list him, pointing to “size, lack of defensive effort/sense, (and) NHL-average skill.”
Tier 5 — Support
TOR
LW
20
Why he’s here
I slotted McGroarty in Tier 5B to start, but scouts still question his overall skating and pace, and multiple people encouraged me to move him down. It looks like he’s going to get a real opportunity in Pittsburgh this season, and it’ll be important for him to seize it and change some minds. One scout even said he wouldn’t list him.
Tier 5 — Support
PIT
LW
21
Why he’s here
I think Luneau is one of the most underrated prospects in hockey. He was one of the best defensemen in the AHL last year, has looked like an NHLer in my viewings with the Ducks, and if not for some pretty serious injury and health issues over the years, would already be established. I think he’s going to be a two-way stud in the league, and I’m a firm believer that the Ducks have to make room for him this year.
Tier 5 — Support
ANA
RHD
21
Why he’s here
Solberg is still a teenager, and he’s already got a proven track record as a hard-to-play-against, physical competitor at men’s worlds and in multiple top pro leagues below the NHL. He and the Islanders’ Kashawn Aitcheson are pretty unique in the sport in that they’re talked about as tough throwbacks, but they can also really play.
Tier 5 — Support
ANA
LHD
19
Why he’s here
Bichsel became a depth defenseman on a top team last year, and because he’s mammoth, he’s always going to have a high floor and give a top-six something unique. There’s not ever going to be much offense, but if he can become a top-four D who is different, he could carve out a nice niche for himself in the league. Some scouts see the size and like him as a future Tier 5 guy for a long time. Others are less sure and see some warts.
Tier 5 — Support
DAL
LHD
21
Why he’s here
Mailloux’s ability (the size, strength, power, presence, shot and skill) should slot him closer to the top of Tier 5, but some scouts still wonder about his hockey sense and decision-making once he becomes a full-time NHLer. He has taken steps in his decision-making, but it may always come with some brain cramps. Some highs and lows are expected as he works to establish himself as a pretty unique NHLer.
Tier 5 — Support
STL
RHD
22
Why he’s here
Morrow, like Mailloux, is a 22-year-old right-shot D with the size, athleticism, talent and offense who has just been traded. He also has continued work to do on his play defensively, though progress has been made there as well. Scouts felt they belonged in the same tier but that there was some upward room for them here.
Tier 5 — Support
NYR
RHD
22
Why he’s here
I felt Cootes was a pretty firm Tier 5C guy for me at this stage, and I thought I was lower than most on him. Then this was the only feedback I got from a scout on his placement: “I don’t see any reason to list Cootes at this time.” And while the confidence of that made me pause, I still believe he’s viewed as a comparable prospect to the players in this group and that if I’d excluded him, I might have heard back from a few people on it. There are questions about his ultimate offense — which I share — but in prior conversations I’ve had with scouts, he’s pretty widely viewed as a safe bet to be a very good player in the league.
Tier 5 — Support
VAN
C
18
Why he’s here
Sillinger was a bubble guy for inclusion for the scouts I talked to about him, but the consensus seemed to be that he took enough of a step last year to warrant a support slotting again. He’s going to have to take another step, though. He does have legit puck skill that some believe will help him become more productive.
Tier 5 — Support
CBJ
C
22
Why he’s here
There was a good debate with a couple of scouts about where in Tier 5 to slot Hage. I’d lean the higher side because of his combination of skill and skating, and think a Jordan Kyrou projection is within reach — Kyrou is actually Tier 4C in the Player Tiers this year, too. There are others who wonder if he’s a center and leaned more Tier 5C than Tier 5A/B.
Tier 5 — Support
MTL
C
19
Why he’s here
Frolov is viewed as a high-end talent, but a smaller sample than his peers works against him, resulting in him debuting at Tier 5C. He has the ability to rise.
Tier 5 — Support
CAR
G
18
Why he’s here
Boisvert feels like a very projectable, excellent third-line center, but you have to be even better than that to be a support-tier player in Player Tiers. As a result, he was initially one of my final cuts. But then a couple of scouts advocated for him, and I debated it some more and decided to reach out to Dom with a question. “Did you guys consider Shane Pinto at all for Player Tiers?” I said. “No, but I absolutely see the vision,” Dom replied. I asked him about Pinto because that’s who I think Boisvert becomes. Pinto is looking more and more like an impactful second-line center, too. I don’t think it’s out of the question that Boisvert follows a similar path. I think his inclusion here is fair.
Tier 5 — Support
CHI
C
19
Why he’s here
Chernyshov was a bubble Tier 5C guy for me, but a couple of scouts argued for his inclusion after his breakout season with Saginaw in the OHL. He was one of the more dangerous wingers in the CHL last season offensively and has a lot of pro scoring tools if he can continue to develop his habits and consistency.
Tier 5 — Support
SJS
LW
19
Why he’s here
I debated whether to include the three small D of Cagnoni, Mikhail Gulyayev and Seamus Casey in Tier 5C before settling on Cagnoni based on the year he had in the AHL last year (he and Tristan Luneau tied to lead all U23 D in scoring) and the path to a role that seems there for him in San Jose. I view him and Casey as equal prospects, and while I typically don’t consider opportunity in my personal rankings, it does feel more relevant in a project like this that Casey is blocked by more in New Jersey than Cagnoni is in San Jose. It’s worth noting as well that nobody wrote back to me to argue for Casey’s inclusion — I would have quickly inserted him if someone did — but someone did for Gulyayev.
Tier 5 — Support
SJS
LHD
20
Why he’s here
I placed Hensler one letter grade higher in Tier 5B initially, but it was a hesitant placement and when multiple scouts said they’d move him down a letter grade to Tier 5C, I did. I’ve always comped him as that Brady Skjei/Damon Severson type who puts up 25-45 points and is a second-pairing D in the league but is never the top guy at five-on-five, on the PK or on the PP.
Scouts continue to wonder what exactly he is and whether he’ll ever take that next step and really take charge of an identity, and I share in that question. This is a big prove-it year for him, even though he’s still so young.
Tier 5 — Support
OTT
RHD
18
Why he’s here
Lamoureux was initially one of my last cuts at D, but one scout argued he should be in Tier 5B. This is the middle ground. His length and mobility will mean he has a long career. But a long career isn’t enough for the support tier, so he’s going to have to establish himself as a legit top-four guy.
Tier 5 — Support
UTA
RHD
21
Why he’s here
Ostlund is a player who is beloved by coaches and scouts alike for his blend of speed and creativity on offense, and his commitment to the little details off the puck. He’s also viewed as a comparable player and prospect to the others in this tier. And yet the consensus is that he’s a bubble guy for inclusion here. He got enough love to make it, but some wonder whether he’ll score enough in the NHL or become more of a Peyton Krebs type.
Tier 5 — Support
BUF
C
21
Why he’s here
Lee is one of the most purely skilled wing prospects in the game and has a real chance to climb into the star tier, but questions about his skating give some scouts enough pause to want to wait and see.
Tier 5 — Support
NSH
RW
18
Why he’s here
Connelly, like Lee, is one of the most purely skilled wingers in the game. Scouts are even less sure about him than they are Lee, though. Where they wonder about Lee’s pace, they wonder about Connelly’s brain and decision-making on the ice. If he can fill out his frame and work on his habits, he’ll be a top-six winger in the league and a power-play guy. But there’s some risk he never quite reaches his potential.
Tier 5 — Support
VGK
RW
19
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos: John Russell, Patrick Smith, Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
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