Every NHL team’s top prospect heading into 2026-27
The 2026-27 NHL season is finally upon us.
Over the past few days, we saw nearly every team participate in rookie tournaments across the league. Those events don’t tell us a whole lot, but it’s a fun little appetizer for what’s to come. Training camps will kick off Sept. 16, with preseason games getting underway later in the week. And then the real fun begins Sept. 29, with each team bringing in renewed hope – either in pursuit of the Stanley Cup or getting the best odds at landing the first overall pick.
Throughout the summer, we looked at how every NHL prospect pool compares to each other. We also examined the top 75 skater prospects, and top 25 goalies, and we published an early primer on the Calder Trophy race. Today, we’re looking at each team’s top prospect heading into the season, with a handful expected to challenge for rookie of the year honors. Each player is listed beside where they’re expected to start the season:
Anaheim Ducks: Nikita Klepov, RW, 18 (NHL)
Klepov was a great pick in the first round back in June – and I think he has top-six potential. The winger is a tremendous playmaker and finished the year as the OHL’s top scorer with 97 points. But he’s also a stout shooter and wasn’t far from reaching the 40-goal barrier. Klepov plays with a ton of finesse, but he’s physically strong, too. He’s not an amazing skater, but he makes up for it by having the puck more often than not. Klepov had committed to Michigan State University but later changed his mind and signed an entry-level contract with the Ducks. That means he’ll either play with Anaheim or head back to Saginaw – but the timing of the deal makes it feel like both the Ducks and Klepov think he can start the year with the big club.
Boston Bruins: James Hagens, C/LW, 19 (NHL)
Hagens finished his final year at Boston College with 47 points in 34 games at Boston College. He also had a solid impact internationally with the United States, playing in both the World Juniors and World Championship. More importantly, though, we saw him skate in his first pro action between Providence and Boston. Hagens didn’t play much with the Bruins, but he was solid with Providence as he got himself up to speed. Next up? The big club, where he’ll likely slot somewhere on the third line. Hagens’ true value is in making smart plays, being a good two-way player and outthinking opponents, and that’s something that I think we saw already in the AHL. He does play a lot on the perimeter; I think that is something he’ll need to adjust if he’s going to be successful in the NHL. Hagens will have to figure out how to play with a bit more muscle, too. If Hagens can learn to exploit the middle of the ice and get the puck where it needs to be, he’ll be a big-time contributor for the Bruins moving forward.
Buffalo Sabres: Daxon Rudolph, RHD, 18 (University of Denver, NCAA)
Konsta Helenius made a good argument for this spot, but it’s hard to find right-handed defenders who impact the puck game as much as Rudolph does. His hockey sense is so impressive. Rudolph doesn’t try to do more than he’s capable of, and he doesn’t force plays for the sake of making them. Instead, he plays to his strengths, which are quite a few. He has a booming shot, makes great breakout passes and can knock guys down. Rudolph finished the WHL playoffs with some fantastic numbers, although scouts are still a bit worried that he’s too passive in his own zone. College will be a perfect spot for him to focus on making quicker decisions. He’ll be fine.
Calgary Flames: Carson Carels, LHD, 18 (University of North Dakota, NCAA)
Zayne Parkeh is a very close second here, and that’s a great position to be in if you’re Calgary. Carels was one of the best young defenders in the CHL last year, which made it easy for the Flames to snag him at No. 6. Carels brings a rugged, no-nonsense approach to every shift, allowing him to dominate both sides of the puck. When you combine his elite defensive awareness, seamless two-way game, punishing physique and off-the-charts hockey IQ, you get a truly premium defensive prospect. He showed high-end flashes during the World Juniors, and he possesses every tool necessary to become a top-pairing defender one day. You won’t find many more defensemen as rounded as him right now and he hits like an absolute truck.
Carolina Hurricanes: Bradly Nadeau, LW/RW, 21 (NHL)
Nadeau was one of the better wingers in the AHL last year, putting up more than 50 points for the second consecutive season. He’s been productive at just about every level, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets it all together in the NHL. Nadeau played 12 games in the NHL this in 2025-26, but that number is going to skyrocket in 2026-27. Nadeau is expected to start the season in the NHL with Seth Jarvis on the sidelines. That’s exciting, because Nadeau can contribute offensively in a way that few other Hurricanes prospects can expect to do.
Chicago Blackhawks: Anton Frondell, C/LW, 19 (NHL)
Roman Kantserov gets a special shoutout here – don’t be surprised if he has a better rookie season than Frondell. But that’s one heck of a 1-2 punch to have in the system, with Frondell being the guy with the higher long-term potential. He was productive in his draft year, playing in the second-tier pro league and often dominating his own age group. Frondell recently helped Sweden win gold at the World Juniors, scoring five goals and eight points en route to top forward honors. It wasn’t an out-of-this-world output by any means, but so few players impacted the game as often and effectively as Frondell did. I liked some of Frondell’s early NHL action, and I can’t wait to see him become an impact player for the Blackhawks. With Connor Bedard hurt to start the year, look for Frondell to be busy.
Colorado Avalanche: Ilya Nabokov, G, 23 (Colorado Eagles, AHL)
Nabokov was one of the KHL’s better young goalies over the past few years, but it’s time for him to make a real crack at North American pro hockey. He has shown unbelievable athleticism and post-to-post movement, and he has only gotten quicker with time. Scouts love his ability to move fluidly in the crease, and his raw talent is going to excite quite a bit of people. His numbers did fall a bit this past year, despite still having a solid record. But overall, there’s a lot of hype for a goaltender who isn’t too far from getting an NHL look. The Avs have one of the better goaltending duos in the NHL, but if Nabokov has a strong campaign, that could allow for the Avs to ship off one of the Lumberyard boys to bring in some other help.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Jackson Smith, LHD, 19 (Penn State University, NCAA)
Smith started a bit slowly in the NCAA, but he quickly established himself as CBJ’s top prospect. The 6-foot-4 blueliner finished with an impressive 11 goals and 26 points as a college freshman while playing well more than 22 minutes a night. At his best, few defenders have as much impact with and without the puck. He’s always looking to send a guy flying, but Smith also loves to rush the puck and blast pucks past goaltenders. Smith’s game can be a bit erratic, but I still love how dangerous he can be with and without the puck. I think he’ll become solid top-four blueliner for the Blue Jackets after another year of college. Before that, though, look for Smith to play a significant role on Canada’s World Junior team.
Dallas Stars: Emil Hemming, RW, 20 (Texas Stars, AHL)
Hemming doesn’t project to be a high-flying offensive threat in the NHL. But his all-around game is impressive, and he doesn’t make many mistakes with the puck. Hemming is a difficult player to contain thanks to a rugged frame, and he can play a variety of different roles, depending on team need. For now, Hemming will now look to become a regular contributor for Texas, where he’ll likely slot into the middle-six. He knows how to use his big frame, and his shot is excellent for his age, too. I expect Hemming to be more of a third-liner in the NHL – but one who’s quite difficult to play against.
Detroit Red Wings: Trey Augustine, G, 21 (Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL)
Augustine is coming off a strong three-year run with Michigan State, and while he failed to win a national title, he did rack up a career record of 66-25-7 with nine shutouts and a .922 save percentage in 99 games. The 21-year-old was a proven winner at the junior level and is easily one of the most technically sound goalies around, which helped build up the hype. Augustine tends to play better when he’s busier, and he has the lightning-quick reflexes teams absolutely crave – and never seems to slow down during a game. Augustine will have the opportunity to steal starts in the AHL before pushing for the long-time starter gig in Detroit. There’s a bright future here for the young goalkeeper.
Edmonton Oilers: Ike Howard, LW, 22 (NHL)
I wanted to see Howard get his feet under him in the AHL last year before throwing him to the wolves. I think his NHL production showed how hard it can be to go from the NCAA to the NHL, while his AHL performance showed the raw talent was absolutely there. That experience should pay off, and I think Howard should be able to play in Edmonton’s top six this year. I just wish he spent the full year in Bakersfield last season instead. The 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner loves to shoot the puck and can score from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. I think there’s legit potential for him to be a 30-goal scorer in the NHL. Howard has to establish himself as a full-time NHLer first, though, but he’ll have a great opportunity to prove himself early this year.
Florida Panthers: Simas Ignatavičius, RW, 18 (Geneve-Servette, NL)
Acquired: Drafted 40th overall, second round in 2026
The Panthers have one of the worst pipelines in hockey, but it’s hard not to like Ignatavičius and his story. We don’t typically see many prospects coming out of the top league in Switzerland. But the Lithuanian-born forward made such an impressive impact right out of the gate. He’s a 6-foot-3 winger having a solid season in Switzerland’s top league and has been downright dominant internationally. Ignatavicius is so versatile, finding many different ways to impact the play with and without the puck. He’s good defensively, has a great shot release, has obvious muscle and is incredibly skilled, too. For what it’s worth, he has already looked a bit quicker in Champions Hockey League action this year.
Los Angeles Kings: Elton Hermansson, RW, 18 (MoDo Hockey, Allsvenskan)
Hermansson loves generating offense. He put up solid numbers in the second-tier Swedish league last year and scored at a goal-per-game pace with the U-18 national team. From an offensive standpoint, there’s a lot to love, especially on the power play. His game away from the puck has improved over the past few months. However, it still feels like he isn’t as impactful as he needs to be when he’s not piling shots on net. I want to see more urgency when attacking opponents to regain possession. Now that he’s not having to impress NHL teams with his pure offensive dominance, Hermansson can focus on the other areas of his game this year as he returns to MoDo.
Minnesota Wild: Charlie Stramel, C, 21 (Iowa Wild, AHL)
The Wild boasted one of the most exciting pipelines in 2025-26, and five prospects graduated to the NHL. So, while many scouts have grown to like Stramel’s game in recent years, it still feels like a bit of a downgrade not having a bigger-name youngster at the top here. But don’t underestimate Stramel, even if he’s not overly flashy. The move to Michigan State in 2024 was huge for his development, and he capped off his college career with an impressive 19 goals and 44 points in 37 games – just three points shy of his combined production from the three years prior. Stramel is a huge 6-foot-3, 216-pound forward who takes space away quickly and effectively. He’s quite athletic, too, allowing him to continuously get in the way, no matter the stage of the game. With the puck, there’s a lot to be desired for someone his age, though. I still think he has done enough to convince scouts he’ll be an NHLer, but it’ll most likely be in a fourth-line role.
Montreal Canadiens: Michael Hage, C, 20 (University of Michigan, NCAA)
Hage could have jumped to the NHL this season and challenged for Montreal’s second-line center job. It would have taken a bit of time, but he probably would have made it work. Instead, he decided to chase after a national college title and, given Michigan’s strength, it’s hard to disagree with the decision. Hage has never been the most skilled player in the world, but he’s already so well-balanced for a center his age. He has high top-end speed and the awareness to make quality plays on the fly. Hage is a tremendous puckhandler who consistently makes near-perfect passes. He’s deceptive, sharp and while he’s not massive, he’s built strong and lets opponents know that along the boards and in front of the net. Look for Hage to finish the year with the big club and give the Habs some fresh legs come playoff time.
Nashville Predators: Wyatt Cullen, LW/C, 18 (University of Minnesota, NCAA)
Cullen’s off to an excellent start to the year already after putting up some excellent performances at the World Junior Summer Showcase (he was USA’s No. 1 center, interestingly enough). He was the USNTDP’s top player last season thanks to his high-end hockey sense and the ability to get the whole American attack moving. His puck-handling – both as a shooter and a passer – is remarkable. Cullen is a high-end skater who seemingly found a whole other gear once he got up to speed this season. He’s a constant scoring threat because he’s always scanning lanes for passes, but he has the quick footwork and lateral mobility to blow by most opponents and put himself into dangerous areas. Cullen is easily one of the most exciting NCAA freshmen, and many believe he’ll end up becoming a steal at No. 10.
New Jersey Devils: Mikhail Yegorov, G, 20 (Boston University, NCAA)
Yegorov is one of the best goaltending prospects right now. That didn’t change even after his numbers dipped at BU – simply put, the team wasn’t good, and Yegorov was left to do a lot of heavy lifting. The 6-foot-5 goaltender is quite aggressive with his angles, but he also has lightning-quick reflexes and gives opponents little to work with. He never lets a bad goal bother him because he’s one of the most mentally strong goalies you’ll find. It feels like his movements are more refined than they were when he first made the jump to college, and his glove hand has only gotten better with time. Yegorov will play at BU again before potentially turning pro in 2027-28. I see a future NHL starter here; there’s nobody in the system who I think is capable of coming close to challenging him, too.
New York Islanders: Victor Eklund, LW, 19 (Hamilton Hammers, AHL)
The Islanders have a good one here. Eklund put up 24 points in 43 games in his first full season of SHL hockey last year. He then finished the year in North America, where he had an assist in his first NHL game, and put up more than a point per game in the AHL. Add in a World Junior gold and an overall impressive international season, and it was hard not to like what we saw from one of the more intense wingers from the 2025 NHL draft. A s long as he continues to work on his off-puck game, I think there’s a top-six winger in the making here. For now, I just want to see him get comfortable living and playing in North America, and Hamilton will be a good spot for him.
New York Rangers: Alberts Šmits, LHD, 18 (NHL)
When the Rangers selected Šmits fifth overall, they knew there was a strong chance he’d immediately make the big club. The 6-foot-3 blueliner moves well for his size and makes so much happen with the puck. It’s always nice seeing an 18-year-old who plays with a ton of confidence on the power play. He also has plenty of pro experience under his belt, which can be challenging to find out of European defenders. Šmits should absolutely have a chance at taking the third-pair left defenseman spot over Matthew Robertson out of training camp. If things fall flat, Šmits can chase big minutes back in Finland. Regardless, I think he’ll be a top-four defenseman sooner rather than later.
Ottawa Senators: Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, 20 (NHL)
Yakemchuk is a big, mean dude who makes himself impossible to play against at times. When you watched him play in the OHL, it was clear that he could physically dominate opponents while being excellent with the puck. But with so-so defensive acumen and subpar skating, there were questions about how he’d be able to translate to the pro game. Instead, he was outstanding in the AHL, scoring 10 goals and 40 points while being physically dominant against older competition. He also impressed in his short run with the Senators to close out the regular season, which makes you think he’s ready for full-time NHL action this year. I think he could still be a bit more active in his own zone, but I don’t feel like his skating has really slowed him down too much. I think he’s strong enough with the puck that he could force his way into power-play time sooner rather than later, too.
Philadelphia Flyers: Porter Martone, RW, 19 (NHL)
Martone made the jump from the OHL to the NCAA last year, and it paid off. Heading to MSU was about testing himself against older, stronger competition – his 25 goals led all NHL prospects in college. Blessed with arguably the best vision in the 2025 draft class, he possesses elite offensive instincts. His wrist shot is remarkable, and he processes the game at speed as well as any incoming rookie. Many believe Martone is the favorite to win the Calder, and it’s hard to disagree. He had an excellent end to the 2025-26 regular season and also had some shining moments with Canada at the World Championship. Martone is ready for the spotlight, and Flyers fans can’t wait to see what’s next.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Harrison Brunicke, RHD, 20 (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, AHL)
The 6-foot-3 defender had such an impressive training camp in Pittsburgh last year, which was one of the nicest surprises of the preseason. Kamloops proved how dominant he could be at points, and that continued when he went to Kamloops and played a boatload of minutes. It felt like he was far too good for junior hockey, even if the numbers were nothing to write home about. Brunicke is ready for his first year of pro hockey, but he already has over 30 games of pro experience to his credit at 20 years old. That’s unusual territory for a young defender to be in, but his maturity and two-way hockey sense are advanced for his age.
San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW, 18 (NHL)
Stenberg is as NHL-ready as it gets out of the 2026 NHL Draft class. Even though his point production tapered off slightly down the stretch last year, he still authored one of the most impressive U-19 seasons in recent SHL history and was excellent at the World Championship. Add a stellar gold-medal run with Sweden at the World Juniors to his resume, and it was hard to not fall in love with his raw talent. Stenberg will have some depth to contend with on the left side this year, but I fully expect him to leave Sharks’ camp as a middle-six winger and challenge for rookie of the year honors.
Seattle Kraken: Chase Reid, RHD 18 (Michigan State University, NCAA)
Many eyes will be fixated on Jake O’Brien heading into Kraken training camp – he’s gunning for a full-time NHL spot at just 19 years old. But Reid is still the top prospect in Seattle right now. I love the way he runs the power play, because he commands so much attention that no opponent seems to know how to handle. Reid has an outstanding shot. He’s very deceptive with the puck, and he can get into scoring lanes quickly. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, that’s a good frame to work with. He’s also a right-shot defender who loves to rush the puck, something NHL coaches typically like. Reid is coming off an excellent World Junior Summer Showcase and is expected to be one of the top players at the main event in December.
St. Louis Blues: Tynan Lawrence, C, 18 (Boston University, NCAA)
Lawrence was one of the top centers in the 2026 NHL Draft, even if his stock fell in the second half. He reads open ice exceptionally well and consistently makes the right passes through traffic. Lawrence isn’t massive at six-foot and 185 pounds, but he plays with a ton of power. Lawrence plays a solid two-way game, and he boasts a boatload of energy, too. If you’re not quick enough, Lawrence will swarm you instantly and make you pay. Nobody will mistake him for a burner. But Lawrence is a highly competent skater who should have no issue adjusting to the big leagues in that regard. I know his first taste of college hockey wasn’t great, but a full season should help him get back on track.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Sam O’Reilly, C, 20 (Syracuse Crunch, AHL)
This wasn’t exactly a close fight – the Bolts have one of the weakest pipelines in hockey. O’Reilly took home the OHL’s regular season and playoff MVP awards after helping Kitchener win the league title (and, more importantly, the Memorial Cup). O’Reilly had 28 points in as many games with London but had 43 points in his next 28 games after the trade to Kitchener. Despite that, he still isn’t known as a high-end offensive producer. Instead, he’s known for his incredible two-way play, which includes a penchant for winning every battle in his own zone. O’Reilly was a big part of Canada’s bronze medal effort, despite most expecting him to be an extra forward heading into the tournament. Now, everyone knows just how good he is, especially after winning two consecutive Memorial Cups. I can’t wait to watch him in the AHL this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, 18 (NHL)
This is, and always was, a given. McKenna was one of the top stars in college hockey and has been extremely productive at every level. Toronto needed someone with his hockey IQ and pure talent in the top six, and the young winger hits all the notes. The hands, the mobility, the ability to get himself into scoring lanes consistently, you name it. He’ll have the opportunity to play a top-six role right away and should easily be one of the most impactful rookies this season. The Leafs are coming off an ugly campaign, so having someone like McKenna to give the team some tremendous talent should pay off.
Utah Mammoth: Tij Iginla, LW, 20 (NHL)
Iginla is one of the most interesting prospects in the game right now. With 41 goals and 90 points in 48 games, Iginla planted himself firmly into the WHL MVP race last year despite missing significant time. We also saw him dominate shifts at the World Juniors in a way very few players could. Iginla is a stout goal scorer who plays with as much poise and hockey sense as anyone at this level. The highly skilled sniper can shoot from anywhere, and he’s one of the more competitive junior players from a physical and battle-winning standpoint. Iginla is eligible for the AHL, and if Utah doesn’t want to rush him, that’s a good landing spot for him as well. There’s some significant forward depth on this team this season, so it’s an upward battle. But if he doesn’t make Utah out of training camp, I expect him to force his way back there sooner rather than later.
Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, 18 (Boston University, NCAA)
Malhotra’s hockey IQ and rock-solid two-way play made him the undisputed top center of the 2026 draft. While the class lacks overall depth down the middle, his high floor safely projects him as a future top-six threat. Serving as the driving force behind Brantford’s strong campaign, he made sure the veterans in the lineup didn’t steal his ice time. Malhotra is a relentless competitor at both ends of the ice, systematically suffocating the opposition and erasing their time and space. It’ll be interesting to see how the chemistry between himself and his father – Vancouver’s coach – carries over in the future, but Malhotra will be preoccupied with college first.
Vegas Golden Knights: Trevor Connelly, LW, 20 (Henderson Silver Knights, AHL)
Vegas’ pipeline is weak and always has been. But Connelly is a legit impressive prospect with a bright future ahead (if he can stay healthy). Injuries impacted Connelly’s rookie pro season, which included preventing him from a second go-round with USA’s World Junior team. but the offensively minded winner still finished with 49 points in 46 games and would have absolutely eclipsed the 60-point mark as a 19 year old had he not missed time. Connelly’s backchecking continues to improve, and he seems to never give up on a play. For a team who has rarely held on to their prospects, Connelly looks like a legitimate top-six scoring threat for Vegas. He can shoot, make quality passes and fly around the ice. His hockey IQ is tremendous, too.
Washington Capitals: Ilya Protas, LW/C, 20 (NHL)
Protas, in yet another DFO story? Say it ain’t so. He’s one of the most intriguing prospects in the game right now thanks to his huge frame and high-end talent. He had 29 goals and 66 points in 69 AHL games last year, leading all rookies in the process. That helped Protas earn a promotion to Washington, where he had four points in four games alongside older brother Aliaksei Protas. He’s so talented, and you can’t go wrong with a 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame. Protas’ skating has taken nice strides forward, too; he’s no longer flat-footed against mid-tier players. Look for Protas to be a difference-maker immediately for the Capitals.
Winnipeg Jets: Viggo Björck, C, 18 (NHL)
Björck made an excellent impression in Winnipeg’s recent rookie tournament games in Gatineau. Big players show up against their peers, and Björck definitely looks ready to challenge for an opening night roster spot. The small, but fearless center is so fascinating; nobody seems to know how to contain him. Björck’s shot is incredibly deceptive, especially on the power play. He doesn’t give you much to work with if you’re a goalie – and it’s because he doesn’t need to. Björck is quick, accurate and always in a dangerous spot, and there’s legitimate No. 1 center potential here. Björck is easily the most exciting prospect Winnipeg has had in a long time. As long as he stays in the NHL full-time, he’ll be a Calder Trophy contender.
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