As the NHL regular season winds down, some teams will have their focus on the Stanley Cup Playoffs and chasing down the ultimate prize at the end of it. Others will be thinking ahead to the off-season, how to fill holes in their rosters, and plan for the draft in June.
Regardless of where a team fits into that range, this time of season also puts NHL affiliated prospects in focus. Those players may be involved in high stakes playoff games, or they may be signing pro contracts as their seasons end and moving up a level.
It's with that in mind Sportsnet scout Jason Bukala set out to rank the top 32 NHL affiliated prospects -- whether drafted or signed out of college -- who have not yet played a game in the world's top league. Some of the players listed below have seen AHL action, while others have yet to make the leap up into pro hockey. But Bukala identifies and ranks which of these players project to have the best NHL careers in time.
You may even see some of them make their NHL debuts in the coming days.
It's important to note that these rankings do not include anyone eligible for the upcoming 2026 draft as we rank those players separately all season. And also, any player who has seen even one game of NHL action does not qualify for this list.
On to Bukala and his analysis...
SCOUT'S ANALYSIS
Ranking developing prospects who are competing at different levels throughout the world isn’t an exact science. But I’ve come up with 32 players who have my full attention at this stage of their journey towards becoming an NHL player.
Here’s a brief update on some of the top players who are trending towards earning time in the NHL in the near future:
No. 1: James Hagens, left shot centre, Boston Bruins
Hagens recently signed a tryout agreement with the Bruins' AHL affiliate in Providence. He projects as a top-six NHL forward. Hagens' most elite element is clearly his offensive upside. The former Boston College standout completed his sophomore season this year and finished 10th in the overall NCAA scoring race with 23G-24A in 34 games played.
No. 2: Alexander Zharovsky, left shot winger, Montreal Canadiens
Zharovsky has a chance to become the steal of the 2025 draft. The Canadiens selected the uber-talented forward in the second-round (34th overall) last year in Los Angeles. Zharovsky will need to continue to add strength to his frame, but he produced 16G-26A in the KHL this season playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
No. 3: Michael Hage, right shot centre, Montreal Canadiens
Hage projects to be the Habs' second-line centre of the future -- and that future could arrive as soon as this weekend after his season ends at the NCAA Frozen Four in Las Vegas. Hage is completing his sophomore season with the Michigan Wolverines. He finished tied for fourth in NCAA scoring this year (13G-38A) and has contributed 26G-59A total over his first two college campaigns.
No. 4: Tij Iginla, left shot winger, Utah Mammoth
Iginla had a fantastic regular season playing for the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets. He’s a big-time shooter who produced 41G-49A in only 48 regular season games. In Kelowna’s first-round victory over Kamloops in the WHL playoffs he contributed 5G-5A in the four-game sweep. Iginla is the kind of player who elevates his overall game at the hardest time of the year. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree when comparing him to his father, former NHL star Jarome Iginla.
No. 5: Caleb Desnoyers, left shot centre, Utah Mammoth
Utah, like Montreal, is a team on the rise. They have an embarrassment of depth in their prospect pool. Desnoyers projects as a top-six centre who can be deployed in a variety of roles. He produces offence (22G-56A in 45 games this season) without sacrificing detail defensively. Desnoyers finished the regular season plus-36, which speaks to his commitment in all three zones.
No. 6: Ilya Protas, left shot winger, Washington Capitals
Protas, like Zharovsky, is a shining example of a prospect who was selected later than others on this list, but is tracking towards an impactful NHL career. The Caps selected Protas in the third round (75th overall) in 2024. They already had Ilya’s brother Aliaksei in the fold and have to be excited about Ilya’s development to date. The 6-foot-5, 201-pound winger has contributed 28G-34A at the AHL level playing for Hershey this year after ending his OHL career with the Windsor Spitfires and producing 50G-74A in 2025. He makes this list just in time, as his NHL debut is expected to happen against Toronto Wednesday night.
No. 7: Yegor Surin, left shot centre, Nashville Predators
The Predators have a top-flight prospect on the horizon in Surin. His combination of size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds) and skill project him as a potential top-six centre. It should be noted Surin can also play the wing, so Nashville has flexibility in how to slot him into their lineup. He’s skilled and hard to play against. Surin contributed 15G-22A playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL this season.
No. 8: Trey Augustine, left catching goaltender, Detroit Red Wings
Augustine was arguably the most dominant goalie in the NCAA during his three years at Michigan State. The Red Wings recently signed Augustine to his entry-level contract -- beginning next season -- after his junior year ended and he’s in line to compete to become their future No. 1 puck-stopper. Augustine is a finalist for the Mike Richter Award (top goalie in the NCAA) after posting a 24-9-1 record, 2.08 GAA and .922 save percentage.
No. 9: Victor Eklund, right shot winger, New York Islanders
Eklund has made his way over to North America after his season ended playing in Sweden’s top league with Djurgardens. He’s a relentless competitor who always seems to be around the play. His combination of speed, skill and work ethic project Eklund as a top-six winger at the NHL level. In his first four games playing for Bridgeport at the AHL level he’s contributed six assists.
No. 10: Max Plante, left shot winger, Detroit Red Wings
Plante is another prospect on this list who was selected outside the first round, the Wings calling his name 47th overall at the 2024 draft. Plante plays the game fast. He’s a threat off the rush and is very competitive. As of now it appears Plante will be heading back to Minnesota-Duluth for his junior season next year. He produced 25G-27A in 40 this past season and is one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.
No. 11: Kashawn Aitcheson, left shot defenceman, New York Islanders
Aitcheson's combination of size (6-foot-2, 196 pounds), toughness and skill are intriguing. He’s currently playing for the Barrie Colts in the OHL playoffs after producing 28gG-42A in the regular season. Aitcheson logs over 25 minutes per game in all situations at the junior level. He’s one of the hardest checking players in all of junior hockey and backs it up by dropping the mitts when required.
No. 12: Anton Silayev, left shot defenceman, New Jersey Devils
Silayev is easily defined. The towering (6-foot-7, 211-pound) defenceman is an outstanding skater who takes away time and space with his length. The Devils selected the two-way defender 10th overall in 2024. He doesn’t produce much offensively, but he kills plays defensively and launches the attack with accurate outlets. Silayev leans top-four shutdown defenceman at the NHL level.
No. 13: Jackson Smith, left shot defenceman, Columbus Blue Jackets
Smith made the move to the NCAA last summer, after being selected 14th overall out of the WHL's Tri-City Americans, and grew as a prospect playing at Penn State in 2025-26. He’s an excellent skater and capable of quarterbacking the power play. Defensively, he uses his size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and small area quickness to intercept plays. Smith is unsigned and headed back to Penn State for his sophomore year in the fall.
No. 14: Jake O’Brien, right shot centre, Seattle Kraken
O’Brien is currently competing in the OHL playoffs with the Brantford Bulldogs. The Kraken selected O’Brien eighth overall at last year’s draft. He’s the captain in Brantford and logs a ton of ice time in all situations. O’Brien’s most elite element is offence. Over the course of the past two seasons he's recorded 60G-131A.
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No. 15: Cole Reschny, left shot centre, Calgary Flames
What I appreciate most about Reschny’s overall approach is he comes prepared with an “A” and “B” game. When he isn’t producing offence he can be relied upon in key defensive scenarios, including killing penalties. Having said that, he contributed 6G-29A in his freshman season at North Dakota (NCAA) and he’s a big reason why the Fighting Hawks are competing for a national championship at the Frozen Four this weekend in Las Vegas. Calgary selected Reschny 18th overall in 2025.
No. 16: Roger McQueen, right shot centre, Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks selected McQueen 10th overall last year. He’s a massive centre (6-foot-6 198 pounds) who produced 11G-16A playing for Providence College this season. McQueen is a solid skater with a skill type that projects him as a top-six centre at the NHL level. Anaheim values big, strong, skilled players. McQueen ticks off all those boxes.
No. 17: Will Horcoff, left shot forward, Pittsburgh Penguins
Horcoff is another towering forward on this ranking. He’s listed at 6-foot-5, 203 pounds and projects as a power-forward goal scorer. Horcoff, like Reschny, is competing at the NCAA Frozen Four this weekend for the University of Michigan. Horcoff produced 25G-13A in the regular season.
No. 18: Jack Pridham, right shot winger, Chicago Blackhawks
Pridham has come into his own playing for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. The Hawks drafted Pridham in the third round (92nd overall) in 2024. He leans shooter more than natural playmaker. Pridham produced 46G-44A in 65 regular season games this year. His combination of size (6-foot-2 185 pounds) and commitment to detail (plus-38) is noteworthy.
No. 19: Andrew Cristall, left shot winger, Washington Capitals
Cristall is a gregarious personality and proven offensive catalyst. The Caps did well drafting Cristall 40th overall in 2023. After contributing 155G-252A at the junior level he has hit the ground running in his first AHL season. Cristall continues to play to his identity. He’s produced 19G-38A for the Caps' top affiliate, the Hershey Bears, in his rookie season. It’s impossible to teach the skill Cristall has. Some teams have doubted his skating ability in the past, but those same teams might regret overlooking Cristall in the coming years.
No. 20: Quentin Musty, left shot winger, San Jose Sharks
Musty will need to continue to evolve defensively, but his offensive upside is attractive. He’s a proven goal scorer who produced 111G-159A over parts of four seasons playing for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL) before joining San Jose’s AHL affiliate, the Barracuda, this year. Musty has contributed 19G-21A in his rookie pro season. He’s off to a solid start with his pro career and could end up slotting into a top-six role with the Sharks in time.
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No. 21: Oliver Bonk, right shot defenceman, Philadelphia Flyers
Right-shot defenders are worth their weight in gold as prospects and Bonk fits the category. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenceman needs some time to adjust to the pro game, but he’s exceptionally competitive, skates very well and can be thrust into a variety of roles. The two-way defenceman started the year nursing an injury, but has gone on to produce 6G-13A in 42 games with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
No. 22: Carter Bear, left shot forward, Detroit Red Wings
The Wings selected Bear 13th overall last June. He’s an intriguing prospect who plays aggressively and has a nose for the net. Bear finishes his checks, works to extend plays in the hard areas and contributed 36G-41A in 53 games playing for Everett in the WHL this season.
No. 23: Ilya Nabokov, left catching goaltender, Colorado Avalanche
Nabokov is a solid NHL goalie prospect who was selected 38th overall by the Avs in 2024. Although he is playing for Magnitogorsk in the KHL, he has signed his entry-level contract with Colorado and could end up in North America as early as next season. He’s a relatively compact goaltender (6-foot-1, 179 pounds) who possesses great feet and crease quickness.
No. 24: Vaclav Nestrasil, right shot winger, Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks nabbed Nestrasil with the 25th overall selection last June. He too is a towering forward. Nestrasil is listed at 6-foot-6, 190 pounds and playing for UMass at the NCAA level. Nestrasil uses his length as an advantage digging out pucks along the boards, setting screens, and looking for rebounds around his opponent’s crease. His skating has to develop a bit, but his effort on and off the puck this year was obvious. Nestrasil produced 13G-18A in his freshman season.
No. 25: Justin Carbonneau, right shot winger, St. Louis Blues
Carbonneau reminds me of a younger David Perron. He isn’t a burner in open ice, but Carbonneau possesses incredible puck touch and the ability to make plays in a phone booth. It’s rare to see him mishandle a puck in high danger scoring areas. With that in mind, Carbonneau projects to have top-six scoring upside at the NHL level. He’s especially dangerous on the power play. Carbonneau produced 51G-29A in 60 games playing for Blainville-Boisbriand in the QMJHL this season. He’s contributed 3G-4A in the Armada’s first four playoff games.
No. 26: Liam Greentree, left shot winger, New York Rangers
Greentree is a dual threat forward. He’s deployed in all situations playing for the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. On balance, the 6-foot-3, 216-pound forward leans shooter more than playmaker, but he has solid vision in the offensive zone and the size to extend plays in the trenches. The LA Kings originally selected Greentree 26th overall in 2024, but he was part of the trade package Los Angeles sent to the Rangers to get Artemi Panarin. Greentree produced 38G-36A in 52 regular season games this year and he’s off to a great start in the OHL playoffs (4G-3A in four games).
No. 27: Radim Mrtka, right shot defenceman, Buffalo Sabres
Mrtka was selected ninth overall by the Sabres last year. Like most prospects on my list, he has a huge physical presence. Mrtka is listed at 6-foot-6 and 218 pounds. He’s a two-way defenceman who has enough skill to quarterback a power play, but I’m projecting him as more of a shutdown defender at the NHL level.
No. 28: Adam Jiricek, right shot defenceman, St. Louis Blues
Jiricek is an intriguing prospect playing for the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs. His entire game is on the rise. Early in his development Jiricek battled injury, but the 6-foot-2, 185-pound defenceman has added strength to his frame and displays creative skill offensively. He’s deployed in all situations at the junior level and contributed 19G-40A in the regular season.
No. 29: Jack Ivankovic, left catching goaltender, Nashville Predators
I’m comfortable stating that the Preds envision Ivankovic developing into the next version of Juuse Saros for their organization. He has a similar stature (5-foot-11, 179 pounds) and is equally athletic. Ivankovic played almost every minute for the University of Michigan this season and posted a 25-7-1 record, 2.13 GAA and .923 save percentage.
No. 30: Charlie Stramel, right shot centre, Minnesota Wild
The Wild had to be patient with Stramel developing at the NCAA level. He started his college career at Wisconsin before transferring to Michigan State in his junior season. Stramel blossomed at MSU. He was a big part of their team’s success the past two years, contributing 28G-43A. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound forward suffered an injury in the NCAA tournament that has forced him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season, but the Wild have their 2023 first-round selection (21st overall) under contract for next year.
No. 31: Dean Letourneau, right shot forward, Boston Bruins
Letourneau needs time to develop further at the NCAA level, but he took a massive step forward this season playing at Boston College. Letourneau figured out how to use his size (6-foot-7, 230 pounds) to his advantage and it led to a productive season offensively (22G-17A). Everything about this burgeoning power forward/goal scorer is on the rise. The Bruins first-round selection (25th overall in 2024) was the most improved player at the college level for me this season.
No. 32: Joshua Ravensbergen, right catching goaltender, San Jose Sharks
I’ve always appreciated Ravensbergen’s athletic ability. He’s very coordinated for his size (6-foot-5, 191 pounds). His crease composure has improved this year as well. Ravensbergen plays between his posts more consistently at this stage of his development and the results speak for themselves (2.51 GAA, .919 SV%). The 30th overall selection from last year's draft is trending up overall. His combination of size, and the fact he catches with his right-hand, gives shooters a different look and forces them into making some adjustments directing pucks his way.
