Top 15 standouts from 2024 NHL rookie tournaments

Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

The NHL season got off to an exciting start this past weekend, with seven prospect showcases showing off young talent from 28 different teams.

It wasn’t each team’s pipeline at its best – there were no European pros or college stars, and many teams were dominated by invitees looking to crack AHL or ECHL rosters. But it was still a good chance to see where players are in their development before the start of training camps this week.

It’s easy to ignore events like this if all you care about is best-on-best NHL competition. But if you’re a true diehard, it was a blast. Over the past four days, I kept a close eye on as many games as I possibly could, so here’s a look at 15 prospects that caught my eye in one way or another:

Jiri Kulich, C (Buffalo Sabres)

Kulich’s play was a hot topic in Buffalo over the weekend, as he scored five goals and two assists for a Sabres team that only went 1-2 on home ice. He was especially dangerous on the power play, often using his powerful release to beat sliding goaltenders. His two-goal performance against the Penguins helped give the Sabres some life on Monday, but own-zone issues plagued the team and it wasn’t enough. Now, Kulich will turn his efforts to trying to make the big team, and there’s a real argument for it. He knows how to score, and his work ethic away from the puck is the best we’ve seen from him. The Sabres need to start winning as soon as possible, and while Kulich only has one game of NHL experience to his credit, he could play a part in making that happen. Konsta Helenius deserves a shoutout for his play, too; he tried to singlehandedly win the final game for the Sabres, albeit falling short.

Denton Mateychuk, D (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Mateychuk looked like a seasoned veteran out there – much like Simon Nemec did for the New Jersey Devils last September. The former WHL star played all situations for Columbus, including quarterbacking the top power-play unit and playing more on the penalty kill than anyone. Mateychuk only had one point – a goal against Boston – but he was so smooth and calm with the puck every time he touched it, and you have to wonder if he has a realistic shot at starting the season with the big club. I know I’d love to see it – he’s dynamic and fun, and he’s coming off a huge season with Moose Jaw, and was excellent during the AHL playoffs, too.

Topi Niemela, D (Toronto Maple Leafs)

With five assists in two games, Niemela was everywhere for the Maple Leafs. The dynamic, creative defenseman has always shown flashes of skill and is Toronto’s top defensive prospect right now. He quarterbacked the power play and generated quality chances from all over the ice, often pinching in to help on the attack. At 22, Niemela was one of the older prospects on Toronto’s blueline, so expectations were understandably high. Safe to say he succeeded. The one thing scouts have noted frequently is Niemelä’s work ethic. He’s always rushing around, pushing the envelope and fighting for the puck no matter what. And while Niemelä isn’t always successful – he lacks the pure strength you’re looking for out of a future NHL defenseman – he’s always looking to improve.

Tristan Broz, C (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Broz capped off the tournament with four points, largely connecting with Avery Hayes for his hat-trick. Broz was noticeable every time he hit the ice, making some excellent passes, winning loads of offensive zone faceoffs, and even getting a little physical at times. The 21-year-old is set for his first season of pro hockey, and I’m excited to see what he can do after being such an integral piece of the University of Denver’s national championship last year. Broz loves open space and can seemingly pick his shot from anywhere – although he’s better as a playmaker. This was my first time catching Broz in person and I was thoroughly impressed.

Adam Engstrom, D (Montreal Canadiens)

There was a lot to like from Montreal’s big guns, but Engstrom was the one I kept zeroing in on. He’s so calm and smart with the puck, often rushing the puck in, slowing the play down and getting it where he needed it to be. He scored a goal against the Leafs in Game 1 and then followed it up with a smart, calculated Game 2 that saw him become Montreal’s best player in their own zone. Engstrom isn’t as flashy as Lane Hutson or the shot that Logan Mailloux possesses, but he’s strong and makes himself difficult to beat around the net. He’s set to join Laval this year, where I expect him to play heavy top-four minutes. With all the defensive depth the Canadiens have, Engstrom is an exciting 20-year-old with a good future.

Quentin Musty, LW (San Jose Sharks)

Musty was electric for the Sharks, and people can’t stop talking about him. The Sudbury Wolves star had three goals and an assist against Anaheim on Sunday before adding another two assists on Monday against Colorado, helping to keep the momentum flowing after a solid showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase a few months back. He’s fun, aggressive and loves the puck on his stick. The timing is interesting, with the Sharks set to promote Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith to the big club this year. They’re the two obvious rookies everyone’s keeping an eye on, but Musty played well enough to at least earn consideration to start the year in the NHL. It’s not like the Sharks are planning to be competitive or anything this year – so if Musty impresses at camp, why not give him a shot?

Brad Lambert, C (Winnipeg Jets)

Lambert was Winnipeg’s best player by quite a margin on Sunday, scoring a goal and adding an assist in an eventual 4-2 loss to Vancouver. But his play overall showed that he looked more mature and NHL-ready than just about anyone else in Penticton, and it’s easy to understand why. He had an outstanding rookie campaign with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and impressed in his NHL debut at the end of the regular season. Lambert is going to try to do everything possible to push his way into Winnipeg’s lineup, giving the team a nice mix of creativity and offensive-zone awareness. And at 20, he has already spent parts of five seasons playing pro hockey – that’s quite unusual for a player his age, but helps explain why he looks so good right now.

Vilmer Alriksson, LW (Vancouver Canucks)

With two goals and three points, Alriksson tied for the Young Stars tournament scoring lead – something that nobody really expected. A fourth-round pick in 2023, it’s hard to miss all 6-foot-6 of Alriksson on the ice. But he’s more than just a big body, showing some considerable skill and an excellent shot. Alriksson’s pure strength allows him to beat opponents quite easily often, and he’s not that bad of a skater, either. He landed some massive hits, which helped him gain some new fans along the way. Alriksson is a long shot to become an NHLer at this point, but his camp performance was impressive.

Emil Hemming, RW (Dallas Stars)

The more I watch Emil Hemming, the more I’m excited to see him tear apart the OHL this year. The Barrie Colts forward had a team-leading two points over the weekend – which isn’t a lot, but he probably should have had a few more in Sunday’s game in Traverse City with how engaged he was around the net. The 2024 first-rounder is really skilled with the puck, but he’s also aggressive and brings the effort in his own zone, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hemming finds a way to crack Dallas’ roster in 2025-26 after getting used to the smaller ice in major junior this season.

Sam Morton, LW (Calgary Flames)

Morton received rave reviews for how strong he was on the puck all throughout the Youngstars tournament. And if you saw him with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, it shouldn’t be surprising – he was an excellent late-season add after finishing his sixth year of college. Yeah, he’s older, having turned 25 back in July. But he’s also done developing for the most part, and it’s all about trying to adjust to the pro game. An undrafted UFA signing this past spring, Morton projects to be more of just AHL help at this point but this tourney should at least boost his stock to become call-up fodder throughout the year.

Frank Nazar, C (Chicago Blackhawks)

Nazar is going to force his way into Chicago’s opening night lineup, isn’t he? Nazar kicked off the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase with an assist and a couple of other good looks in a 4-3 overtime loss to St. Louis. He followed that up with a goal and an assist while easily being Chicago’s most effective forechecker. The energetic buzzsaw forward moved well, made smart plays with the puck and showcased a good two-way game. Nazar made a good first impression with Chicago to close out the 2023-24 season and will be a serious contender to make the big club to start the year. He could benefit from some playing time in Rockford, getting more reps in a top-six role, but Nazar is riding a wave of momentum that you won’t want to bet against right now.

Chase Stillman, RW (New Jersey Devils)

Stillman was New Jersey’s most productive player, which you’d expect from someone taken three years ago in the NHL Draft. Stillman had a decent first year of pro hockey but it seemed like the offense just never really followed. He had an excellent stretch to end the 2023-24 campaign, so his hot start in Buffalo shows that he might be riding some momentum. There’s a realistic chance he becomes a bottom-six NHLer at some point, but he’ll need to be productive this year to make that happen.

Carter Gylander, G (Detroit Red Wings)

The Red Wings already have two high-end goalie prospects in Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine. Now, Gylander is off to an excellent start to his pro career after capping off a four-year run at Colgate University. He made 33 saves over a game and a half to register a .967 save percentage – marking one of the best stat lines of any goalie this weekend. It wasn’t a big sample size, but he still looked steady, using his 6-foot-5 frame to cover so much of the net. I like how well he tracks the puck through traffic and he’s got the athleticism to make up for plays when he can’t rely on pure size to make a save.

Calum Ritchie, C (Colorado Avalanche)

Ritchie had five assists on an Avalanche team with very little going for it, looking like the standout many expected him to be. Ritchie is an exciting young forward who played like a bat out of hell once he returned to full health from a shoulder injury last season. He’s an excellent two-way threat, but he’s so shifty and skilled with the puck and doesn’t let bigger, stronger players take advantage of him. Once Alex Newhook was moved out by the Avalanche, it became clear there was a real path for Ritchie to become a big middle-six contributor. He is already one of the franchise’s most NHL-ready prospects.

Scott Morrow, D (Carolina Hurricanes)

With Morrow looking to push for a spot on the big club as a rookie this year, it was good to see him look so effective at both ends of the ice. The 6-foot-2 defender did an excellent job of shutting players down around him and had a few points to boot. He’s a skilled defender who skates well for his 6-foot-2, 196-pound frame, using his pure strength to get a good first stride. Morrow had no issue outskating opponents in college, moving fluidly and with purpose in all three zones of the ice. Next up, full-time pro hockey – and he’s ready for it.

Other notables: Konsta Helenius, C (Buffalo Sabres), Easton Cowan, C (Toronto Maple Leafs), Lane Hutson, D (Montreal Canadiens), Nikita Chibrikov, LW (Winnipeg Jets), Lian Bischel, D (Dallas Stars), Rutger McGroarty, LW (Pittsburgh Penguins), Alexandre Doucet, C (Detroit Red Wings), Luca Cagnoni, D (San Jose Sharks), Harrison Brunicke, D (Pittsburgh Penguins), Seamus Casey, D (New Jersey Devils), Zachary Bolduc, C (St. Louis Blues), Riley Heidt, C (Minnesota Wild), Owen Allard, LW (Utah HC), Connor Clattenburg, LW (Edmonton Oilers)