Top 10 NHL prospects to watch at 2025 World Championship
The IIHF World Championship is the one major international tournament that blends NHL stars and the future of the game together.
Sometimes, we’ll see prospects go straight from the World Juniors in January to the big stage in May. It’s fun to see how a player can adjust to the rise in competition. Many of them have plenty of pro experience already, so it’s not a huge jump. But often, this is the toughest competition a young player will have faced at this point in their career.
Yesterday, we looked at 10 NHL stars you must watch at the World Championship. Today, we’re looking at 10 NHL-affiliated prospects worth keeping a close eye on:
David Špaček, D, Czechia (Minnesota Wild)
Špaček is still waiting for his shot in the big leagues. But the 22-year-old had a huge impact on the men’s team a year ago, registering five points in 10 games en route to a gold medal. This past year, his offensive numbers more than doubled in Iowa in just his second year of pro hockey. He showed how tough he could be to play against in recent Euro Hockey Tour action, as well. He might not be big, but he can beat you with quick movements and smart decision-making. Hopefully, Špaček continues to impress, and maybe the Wild’s management will take notice.
Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, C, Denmark (Seattle Kraken)
Mølgaard finished his third season in the top Swedish league before capping off the year with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. The 2023 second-rounder isn’t flashy, but he’s incredibly effective at getting the puck out of his zone and taking space away. He’s exactly what you’re looking for in a smart, two-way center. He’s a good skater to boot, too. I really liked him in the latter stages of the World Championship last year – and can you believe this is already his third appearance despite being just 20 years old?
Maksymilian Szuber, D, Germany (Utah Mammoth)
Having played in the last two, Szuber is no stranger to this tournament. Szuber was drafted in 2022 as an overager to be more of a defensive defender. But as time has passed, the 6-foot-3 blueliner has really upped his offensive chops, highlighted by a 32-point sophomore campaign. Szuber still thrives in his own zone, but he’s more offensively engaged without shying from his usual physical play. I expect him to play plenty of minutes on a team that doesn’t have many NHLers in its lineup. Szuber hasn’t cracked through as a full-timer yet, but does have a chance to do so in 2025-26. A nice showing in a leading role for the Germans wouldn’t hurt.
Dans Ločmelis, C, Latvia (Boston Bruins)
Ločmelis definitely isn’t flashy, but he’s a hard worker. And that describes Latvia’s offense – they’ll grind you down until there’s nothing left. Ločmelis had a quiet freshman season at UMass, putting up 14 points in 30 games last season. More importantly, though, he helped establish himself as a legit 200-foot threat at the college level – and anything else would be icing on the cake. Ločmelis who uses his speed and work ethic to win battles. He’s not overly creative, but he is a decent puck distributor who is getting better with more confidence. The Latvian forward won’t be a point producer in the NHL, but I could see him becoming a useful, bottom-six forward who doesn’t lose a ton of puck battles and can find players in open space. It’ll be interesting to see how high he can push himself up the lineup.
Stian Solberg, D, Norway (Anaheim Ducks)
Solberg can be mean when he wants to. He put that on full display a year ago as he showed some of the best physicality of anyone. He’s more of a shutdown defender, but he also had a pair of goals for a low-scoring Norwegian team. This year, he played great at the Olympic qualification tournament, spent a full year in the SHL and then played his best hockey of the season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. He’s tough to play against, moves well and has all the confidence in the world. Expect him to play top-line minutes for his country.
Samuel Honzek, LW, Slovakia (Calgary Flames)
Honzek had 21 points in 52 games in his first season with the Calgary Wranglers and even skated in his first five NHL games. Overall, it was a trying season that ended with him recording just three points in his final 16 games. Could his first men’s national team action prove more fruitful? He’s a big-bodied forward who plays a solid two-way game. He’s never been a big offensive driver, but he controls the puck well and is difficult to beat in 1-on-1 situations. Last year, it was Flames forward Martin Pospisil who turned heads. Hopefully, Honzek can channel that same energy.
Adam Sýkora, LW, Slovakia (New York Rangers)
Sýkora is a fun player to watch. You can look at his 5-foot-11 frame and just assume he’s undersized. Instead, he’s one of the most intense prospects you’ll find, but without being stupid. His production has never been that impressive, but he did take a step forward in his second year with the Wolf Pack. Sýkora looked good at the Olympic qualification tournament back in the summer and he has well over 200 games of pro hockey experience despite being just 20 years old. He might not be the most skilled player, but you should expect him to play a significant role in Sweden.
Dalibor Dvorský, C, Slovakia (St. Louis Blues)
Finally, after years of watching him dominate with the junior program, we’ll get to see Dvorský up with the senior team. The 19-year-old had an excellent first season in the AHL, scoring 21 goals and 45 points. He even skated in a pair of games with the Blues near the end of the season. Dvorský didn’t produce anything there, but he’s always been a high-end offensive threat in junior national team action. He has 20 points over four World Junior tournaments and over 50 points internationally overall. This isn’t a super deep Slovak team, so look for Dvorský to play a decent role with this squad.
Zeev Buium, D, USA (Minnesota Wild)
Buium might have had a limited taste of the NHL in the playoffs, but he’s ready for the limelight. Many consider Buium to be the best prospect in hockey right now – at the very least, the best defensive prospect. Since January 2024, Buium has won two World Junior Championships with USA, a national NCAA title with the University of Denver and another trip to the final. Buium thrives as a play-driving, all-around defender. He’s so effective at both ends of the ice, and he’s a truly remarkable skater. Buium isn’t particularly big or strong, but many scouts aren’t worried because his hockey IQ and pure skill are so high-end already. Even though he’s one of the younger players on this team, I expect Buium to play a lot of minutes.
Isaac Howard, LW, USA (Tampa Bay Lightning)
There’s been plenty of buzz surrounding Howard in recent weeks after Lightning GM Julien Brisebois admitted it was unlikely that the winger would sign with the club. Howard is Tampa’s top prospect – that would be a big loss. Howard had a 52-point junior season at Michigan State, earning him Hobey Baker honors as the top male college player. Now he’s set for his first men’s national team action after years of watching him dominate the various junior levels. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program alum won gold at the 2024 World Juniors and has been one of his team’s top producers at just about every level. Can he pull off some magic against the toughest competition he has faced to date?
Other notables: Vinzenz Rohrer, RW, Austria (Montreal Canadiens); Lenni Hämeenaho, RW, Finland (New Jersey Devils); Samuel Kňažko, D, Slovakia (Columbus Blue Jackets); Jan Goličič, D, Slovenia (Tampa Bay Lightning); Brett Berard, LW, USA (New York Rangers); Cole Hutson, D, USA (Washington Capitals)
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