T he landscape of the NHL is always changing.
While owners, general managers, coaches, and scouts are all important architects in building and rebuilding teams, no one drives the game forward like the players themselves.
The league is brimming with talent, and there’s a pretty long lineup to get in, with all 32 franchises toiling behind the scenes to build up their prospect pools and develop the game’s next great stars. So, who are the top skaters coming down the pipeline? That’s the question we set out to answer here.
First, a few ground rules: The players on this list, which was ranked by Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala and Sam Cosentino and written based on their insights and expertise, are all 23 years old or younger. None of them have made their NHL debut, which is important to note as it rules out highly touted prospects and soon-to-be stars like, say, Ducks prospect Cutter Gauthier, who got into the lineup for a game last April, or Marco Kasper, who saw game action a year earlier with the Red Wings.
Because goaltenders tend to develop at a different rate than those that play in front of them, we’ve focused on skaters. While some of the players listed below are expected to jump into pro lineups this fall — or at least challenge for a spot at camps over the next few weeks — many others will spend the 2024-25 campaign back with their Canadian junior clubs, overseas in the KHL, or on the NCAA circuit.
Eighteen NHL teams are represented on this list, with the San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Utah Hockey Club, and Vancouver Canucks all featured twice. There’s a heavy offensive presence, with 18 prospects suiting up at forward as compared to just seven on the blue line. And only one prospect was selected outside of the first round.
From top picks and future franchise cornerstones to soon-to-be everyday NHLers and those whose debuts will require a little more patience, here is our ranking of the top 23 NHL prospects under 23.
18 | 6-foot, 190 pounds | Drafted first overall in 2024
Long before the hockey gods smiled on San Jose at April’s draft lottery, everyone knew the name that would be called first from the draft stage in June: Macklin Celebrini, no matter what. And it’s easy to see why.
With 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games as a freshman at Boston University last season, Celebrini made history as the youngest-ever winner of the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player on the men’s college hockey circuit — and he’s already a favourite for the Calder.
His is the kind of talent you can build a franchise around, the definition of a true No. 1 centreman who can be trusted in all situations and lead a club, both on the scoresheet and in the locker room. All synonyms for “fast” and “quick” apply to him, too. A constant threat off the rush, he’s tough to defend in the offensive zone. And while he excels at setting up his wingers, he’s certainly not afraid to rip one home himself.
He’s the perfect candidate to lead a franchise weighed down with losses into the light of a new era.
18 | 6-foot, 192 pounds | Drafted fifth overall in 2024
While the Canadiens are expected to introduce some top young prospects and players into their lineup this season — or reintroduce, as the case may be — there’s one budding star newly atop everyone’s must-see list who won’t be landing in Montreal just yet: Ivan Demidov. Widely projected as a potential top-three pick ahead of the 2024 draft, Demidov fell to Montreal at No. 5 — a gift Habs management welcomed with open arms. Demidov’s game is a joy to watch, his style of play mixing equal parts skill and will with endlessly creative playmaking and a pro-ready shot.
Demidov’s KHL contract will see him remain in Russia with SKA St. Petersburg for the entire 2024-25 campaign — highlight-reel goals are already showing up online as that season gets underway — but he’s made it clear that he intends to make the jump to North America next spring.
22 | 6-foot-4, 216 pounds | Drafted 69th overall in 2020
If the Hurricanes liked what they saw in Alexander Nikishin when they selected him in the third round (69thoverall) of the 2020 draft, they’ve got to be absolutely thrilled about his development in the four years since. Not only has he filled out his six-foot-four frame on the blue line, he’s also grown into a leader — at 21, he was named captain of his 2023-24 SKA St. Petersburg squad and wears the ‘C’ again this year. He’s deployed in all situations — he has the potential to be the future quarterback of Carolina’s power play — and has elevated his offensive game every season. After finishing his rookie KHL year in 2022-23 as the league leader in overall assists and top point-getter among all defenders (55), he one-upped himself with an even better second season — including more goals (17) and points (56) than any other D-man league-wide. A springtime NHL arrival is expected.
19 | 5-foot-10, 176 pounds | Drafted seventh overall in 2023
Michkov was something of a mystery when the Flyers drafted him with the seventh-overall pick in 2023, but it was his KHL contract status — not his skill — that cast a bit of uncertainty over his future with Philadelphia. The dynamic goal-scorer, known for his pace and creativity in transition up-ice as much as for his ability pick pockets and put the puck in the net, was expected to remain under contract with SKA St. Petersburg through the 2026-27 season, but this summer brought welcome news of his KHL release and arrival in Philly.
Michkov put up 19 goals and 41 points in 47 games while on loan to HK Sochi last season, and while he’ll need some time to adjust to the North American, game Flyers fans are right to be excited about what he can do.
20 | 6-foot-1, 172 pounds | Drafted 24th overall in 2022
The name of Danila Yurov’s game is offence. And what he may lack in two-way play and defensive responsibility, he more than makes up for in production. While he isn’t prolific in the trenches, you won’t find him standing still — off the puck, he’s always lurking in the offensive zone and ready to pounce. Get that puck on his stick, and he’s capable of exploding through the neutral zone and either setting up a teammate with a slick pass or taking it home himself. He’s honed his game in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, splitting seasons between the senior and MHL levels for two years before making the big club full-time in 2022-23. He’s under contract for at least one more year, and is poised to be an effective point producer at the NHL level once he crosses the pond.
19 | 6-foot, 181 pounds | Drafted fourth overall in 2023
After a pretty comprehensive tear-down, the Sharks’ youth movement is underway. And between 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini and last year’s fourth-overall selection in Will Smith, San Jose is about to inject a whole lot of skill down the middle of the lineup.
Smith’s freshman season at Boston College saw him lead the team in assists (46) and points (71) in 41 games, earning himself a top-three finalist nod in the Hobey Baker race won by Celebrini. He also shone on the international stage with Team USA, contributing four goals and nine points in seven games as the Americans clinched world junior gold last winter. Questions this past spring about whether Smith might return to Boston College for his sophomore season were quickly put to rest when the 19-year-old chose to go pro and signed his entry-level deal.
19 | 6-foot, 190 pounds | Drafted eighth overall in 2023
Another Boston College forward and Team USA star, Leonard is the whole package. But what separates him from his talented teammates and peers is that hard-to-label quality that just makes guys tough to play against. Call him a bulldog, call him sturdy on the puck, call him a bulldozer — Leonard is a strong physical player, and he’s got the production to match. It’s no wonder he’s considered such a crucial part of Washington’s future as it begins to ponder life after Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals clearly love how he’s developing — so much so they offered him a contract out of development camp this summer. Leonard opted not to sign just yet, choosing instead to return to Boston College for his sophomore year and a likely jump right into NHL action in the spring. There is little doubt he’ll be ready.
19 | 6-foot-1, 203 pounds | Drafted 10th overall in 2023
From Slovakia to Sweden to Sudbury, Dalibor Dvorsky has thrived at every level he’s played. It’s no wonder fans in St. Louis are eager to see him suit up with the Blues. While the jury’s still out on when, exactly, he’ll make his NHL debut, as the club looks to continue its on-the-fly roster retooling, his track record for strong first impressions already speaks for itself. His arrival in North America last season brought an explosion of offence — 45 goals and 88 points in 52 games with the Wolves. Before that, he honed his game up and down the ranks in Sweden, after moving from Slovakia in search of tougher competition. His two-way game and strength on the faceoff dot really grew there, and both helped set the foundation for a strong arrival this side of the Atlantic.
19 | 6-foot-5, 203 pounds | Drafted sixth overall in 2023 (by Arizona)
Considering the size of their prospect pool, it seems the Utah Hockey Club is taking “go big or go home” to heart in their approach to building a roster. Just look at their 2023 draft haul, which featured a pair of towering skaters in Dmitriy Simashev and forward Daniil But. It may be Simashev’s stature that catches your eye first, but it’s the style with which he plays that really ranks him among the league’s top prospects. His skating stands out most — a potential problem area among some longer skaters, but not for Simashev, whose mechanics are sound. He is able to use his size and some physicality to defend. And on offence? He’s shown he can contribute, but that’s likely something that will develop more with time.
18 | 6-foot-2, 209 pounds | Drafted second overall in 2024
One year after drafting their new franchise face in forward Connor Bedard, Chicago wasted no time selecting their future star blue liner with the second-overall pick in June. While there was no shortage of offensive talent at the top of this 2024 draft class, it’s easy to see why Chicago chose the player they did. Blue-chip defencemen can win you championships, and an NHL-ready right-shot rearguard boasting Levshunov’s offensive upside can be tough to find. That’s not to say Levshunov won’t require a little time to adjust to the NHL game after signing his entry-level deal in July. But considering how quickly he was able to thrive in the USHL in 2022-23 (42 points in 62 games) and on the college circuit at Michigan State last year (nine goals and 35 points in 38 games as a freshman) it’s safe to assume the top-pairing blue liner will get up to speed in no time.
19 | 6-foot-2, 194 pounds | Drafted fifth overall in 2023
While the Canadiens will have to wait a little longer for Demidov to land in Montreal, their fifth pick from 2023 could soon be ready to jump into the mix — or at least to challenge for a spot on what’s quickly become a crowded blue line. David Reinbacher, who signed his entry-level deal last summer before playing the bulk of the 2023-24 season in Switzerland, brings size and skill to the lineup. He projects as a top-pairing defender, but will likely see a few more AHL reps with the Laval Rocket before making the jump to everyday-NHLer status.
20 | 6-foot-2, 187 pounds | Drafted 23rd overall in 2022
Straight out of the Minnesota hockey mould, Jimmy Snuggerud has brought an enticing combination of grit and goal-scoring to every roster he’s on, from the U.S. National Team Development Program to the University of Minnesota. He’s shone on star-studded world junior squads two straight years, helping propel the Americans to bronze in 2023 with his 13-point effort in seven games, followed by gold last January (eight points in six games). With excellent vision and high-end read-and-react times, Snuggerud can play the game at any pace, making everyone around him better, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to defer a shot. After posting back-to-back 21-goal campaigns on the college circuit, Snuggerud could be due for a jump as he returns for his third year with the Golden Gophers.
19 | 5-foot-11, 165 pounds | Drafted 23rd overall in 2023
The son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault, hockey is in his blood. It’s no wonder he seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to his playmaking. Though small in stature, he plays with the kind of intelligence that allows him to manoeuvre the puck in tight while avoiding hard contact. Perreault’s breakout season couldn’t have come at a better time — he compiled a whopping 53 goals and 132 points with the USNTDP in his all-important draft year in 2022-23 — and his success as a freshman at Boston College last season (19 goals and 60 points in 36 games) suggests there’s plenty more to come for the future Ranger in his sophomore year.
20 | 5-foot-11, 192 pounds | Drafted 12th overall in 2022
With the ‘C’ on his sweater in Moose Jaw the last two years, Denton Mateychuk earned himself plenty of fans thanks to his no-quit drive and ability to eat major minutes in all situations. But he’s not just a stay-at-home rearguard. As his impressive 75-point stat line last season suggests, he knows how to jump into the play and make opponents pay. Once the WHL-champion Warriors were ousted from the Memorial Cup Tournament last spring, he joined AHL Cleveland for a handful of their playoff games. A two-way rearguard with top-four potential who excels at puck distribution (think PP quarterback), Mateychuk could be a strong candidate to push for an NHL spot out of camp.
20 | 5-foot-11, 172 pounds | Drafted 15th overall in 2022
If you’re looking for goals, you’ll find plenty of them when Jonathan Lekkerimaki is on the ice. The Canucks’ top forward prospect boasts perhaps the best shot of his 2022 draft class thanks to his elite release and ability to shoot accurately in motion — even from the tightest of angles. After a bit of a dip in production following his draft year, the Swede bounced back in a big way. He was named MVP at the 2024 world juniors following his tournament-leading seven-goal performance in seven games en route to Sweden’s silver-medal finish. After wrapping up his SHL season with Örebro HK last year, which saw him tally 19 goals and 31 points in 46 contests, Lekkerimaki landed with AHL Abbotsford — where he’ll return to start this season. But for how long? It won’t be surprising to see him get a shot in the NHL soon.
19 | 6-foot-6, 216 pounds | Drafted 12th overall in 2023 (by Arizona)
When Arizona, now Utah, drafted Daniil But early in the first round of the 2023 draft, the biggest thing that stood out about him was, well, his size. At 6-foot-6, he towered over the entire Coyotes staff onstage, who six picks earlier had already taken the six-foot-five Simashev. Strap on some skates and But is a giant on the ice — with big talent to go with that power-forward frame. While he may not boast the kind of fleet-footed agility of some of his smaller peers, But has really sound skating mechanics. And in addition to being a net-front force, he’s a smart playmaker with understated vision for the game. He posted 10 goals and 21 points with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL last year, and is under contract for at least one more.
20 | 5-foot-11, 163 pounds | Drafted 16th overall in 2022
The 2024-25 season is poised to be a big one for Noah Östlund. After spending his first full season in the Swedish Hockey League’s top tier, he made the jump last spring to North America, where he appeared in a handful of AHL contests with the Rochester Americans. All signs point to the forward being ready for the American League, and Sabres faithful should enjoy having him a little closer to home — because he’s a fun player to watch. What separates him from his peers is his energy and compete level. While he could stand to pack on more muscle, his no-quit play and creativity should see him find his game this side of the pond pretty quickly.
19 | 6-foot-1, 179 pounds | Drafted 11th overall in 2023
The top defensive prospect in the Canucks’ system, Tom Willander’s skating is what stands out most. After rising through the rankings in his all-important draft year in 2023, going from a projected mid-rounder to 11thoverall, he made the jump from Sweden’s junior ranks to the NCAA last year and found instant success on Boston University’s blue line. He brings size and agility to the lineup, with the kind of offensive flair and hockey IQ that make him an asset in all situations. He finished his rookie season with the Terriers with four goals and 21 assists, and should shine as a sophomore.
19 | 5-foot-11, 185 pounds | Drafted 28th overall in 2023
Easton Cowan is on the rise. Suiting up two hours south of the club that drafted him late in the first round of 2023, Cowan put on a show with the London Knights last season. His 34 goals and 96 points through 54 games were both career-highs by a wide margin, and he stepped up in the playoffs to the tune of 10 goals and a league-leading 34 points in 18 post-season games to propel the Knights to the OHL championship crown, plus three goals and eight points in four Memorial Cup contests. Perhaps most impressive is the energy with which he plays, his drive to create turnovers and ability to battle in high-traffic areas, making him a relentless competitor. Cowan’s efforts earned him the OHL’s most outstanding player award in the regular season as well as league playoff MVP.
19 | 5-foot-11, 185 pounds | Drafted 17th overall in 2023
Death, taxes, and teams coveting right-shot defencemen. Life has its inevitabilities. Lucky for the Red Wings, they’ve got themselves a future keeper in Sandin-Pellikka, whose elite skating makes him just as reliable under pressure as he is dangerous in transition. While his mobility is his biggest strength, speed and skill factoring in as key elements of his game — think puck-moving, power-play quarterback — he could stand to put on more muscle to withstand the heavy demands in the trenches.
20 | 6-foot-4, 205 pounds | Drafted 11th overall in 2022 (by Arizona)
The younger brother of Boston’s Morgan Geekie, Conor is similar in stature to his sibling but there are differences in their games. Where the elder Geekie is known more for his grit, the 2022 first-rounder plays a more skill-forward game, which showcases his excellent touch and elite vision. Geekie, who’s coming off a 99-point WHL season split between Wenatchee and Swift Current, rarely enters a play without a plan. That he’s able to use his size to impose his will on opponents makes him an enticing prospect with top-six potential in the NHL. It’s easy to see why Geekie was such a valuable trade chip at June’s draft — the Lightning landed him as part of a package from Utah in exchange for defenceman Mikhail Sergachev.
19 | 6-foot-2, 187 pounds | Drafted 27th overall in 2023
From his stride and speed to his overall playmaking, Calum Ritchie has shown steady development over the course of his three OHL seasons with Oshawa and is slated for another go-round this year with the Generals. His production has jumped from a 45-point rookie year in 2021-22 to 28 goals and 80 points in 50 games last season. He’s regarded as a potential top-six forward, and a defensively sound one, too — he plays a complete 200-foot game that’ll make him all the more valued once he jumps to the NHL.
20 | 6-foot-1, 205 pounds | Drafted 14th overall in 2022 (by Winnipeg)
With his trade request out of Winnipeg now settled, the biggest question when it comes to Rutger McGroarty’s immediate NHL future is how quickly he’ll be able to work his way up the lineup to play alongside Sidney Crosby. That’s a coveted spot, of course, but one that could be well-suited to the power forward’s skillset thanks to his elite hockey sense and vision and his ability to create space and funnel pucks to the net. There’s no shortage of strong leadership in Pittsburgh, and in McGroarty the Pens have a little more. While he won’t be relied upon right away, he brings experience captaining Team USA to U-18 silver and world junior gold.