New seasons provide new opportunities, which create avenues for players to break out. The 2025-26 season will be no different, and in this article, The Hockey News take a look at the strongest candidates to make a name for themselves or ascend into stardom on the Metro Division teams. 

Carolina Hurricanes: Jackson Blake

At just 21, right winger Jackson Blake has already shown an affinity for coming up in the clutch, and the fact he elevated his game during the playoffs for the Canes is a great sign. The son of former NHLer Jason Blake is coming off a solid rookie season and could easily take on more responsibility next year. He is a tenacious winger who plays bigger than his 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. True, the Canes are deep up front, and Blake will likely stay in the bottom six, but don’t be surprised if he cracks the 20-goal mark. 

Columbus Blue Jackets: Jet Greaves

Goaltending was Columbus’ downfall in 2024-25, but Jet Greaves was stellar in 11 NHL games. Greaves is undersized but makes up for it with his athleticism and aggressiveness in the crease. He won a weekly first-star honor in April, thanks to a stretch in which he went 3-0-0 with a .968 save percentage. Despite playing just 11 games, Greaves finished in the top 15 in goals saved above expected. No other Jackets goalie ranked in the top 75. Greaves, 24, has his teammates’ trust and is ready for a bigger role. 

New Jersey Devils: Simon Nemec

While the playoffs were a letdown for the Devils, they did at least get a signature double-OT goal from blueliner Simon Nemec against Carolina. It’s been an up-and-down existence for Nemec since New Jersey picked him second overall in 2022, as he played fewer NHL games this year than he did as a rookie, when he had 19 points in 2023-24. But defensemen take time to develop, and if Nemec, 21, can use that late confidence booster to build momentum, the Devils will have another ace in their back end.

New York Islanders: Isaiah George

With a new GM in Mathieu Darche, the Islanders will be interesting to watch this summer. New York has the No.1 pick in the draft, but will that player (Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer) go straight to the NHL? Either way, the Isles need a pick-me-up, and blueliner Isaiah George fits the bill. George is an excellent skater with 33 games worth of NHL reps under his belt from last season, which he split between Long Island and the AHL. He has a solid frame and comes from a great OHL London program - both big pluses.

New York Rangers: Will Cuylle

The Rangers need more players like Will Cuylle. The young power forward is big, skilled and nasty - so foes always know when he’s on the ice. New York needs the next generation to step up after the club experienced a cultural crisis this season (missing the playoffs entirely despite having a contention-worthy lineup). Cuylle is already well on his way, coming off his first 20-goal season and doubling his production from 2023-24. Given his trajectory, a 60-point campaign in 2025-25 would not be a shock.

Philadelphia Flyers: Tyson Foerster

With a great shot and a big frame, Tyson Foerster brings a lot of appeal on the right wing. Heading into his third full NHL season, he’ll be one to watch under new coach Rick Tocchet. Foerster is coming off a 25-goal season and has made incremental offensive gains year over year. Based on his skill set, it’s fair to expect 30 goals from the 2020 first-rounder - perhaps more. Whether in the OHL or AHL, Foerster has proven adept at adjusting to better competition, and so far, he’s done the same in the NHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Rutger McGroarty

He’ll never be popular in Winnipeg, but Rutger McGroarty has a chance to be a rarity in Pittsburgh: an impact player who was taken in the first round of a recent draft (even if the Pens didn’t draft him). Acquired from the Jets in 2024, McGroarty is a stout, two-way winger with leadership qualities. He got a taste of the NHL this year but saw most of his action in the AHL, putting up solid numbers with the Baby Pens and seeing what the pros are really like. Now, it’s time to push for a regular job on the big squad. 

Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard

Rookie Ryan Leonard didn’t play every playoff game for the Capitals, but that was very much by design. Still, the former Boston College standout and two-time WJC gold medallist (once as Team USA’s captain) showed he’s ready to make an impact in Washington. He’ll be one to watch in the Calder Trophy race thanks to his tenacious, high-energy game that blends skill and physicality. On a Caps team turning over to a new generation, the 20-year-old right winger will play a big role in his first full season.

This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

The St. Louis Blues are here in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Blues’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

There may not be a team that has found a way to stay somewhat relevant while retooling better than the St. Louis Blues. Having committed to building toward the future while staying competitive, St. Louis may not have been a true Stanley Cup contender, but they made the playoffs this season and continued to add to their young core, which they are slowly building. 

Blues fans got a glimpse of Jimmy Snuggerud at the end of last year when he joined the team for seven games to cap the season and then played in their first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets, collecting eight points over 14 total games. Snuggerud is a tactician who is excellent at advancing play on and off the puck. He isn't going to be the driver of his line, but the winger is a very strong second fiddle who can support, elevate, and play any role his linemates need of him. He can win puck battles and find teammates in the slot, or he can be an off-puck threat seeking out pockets of space to get his shot off. Snuggerud is a sneaky Calder Trophy pick for this upcoming season. 

With a very solid rookie season in the AHL, where he put up 45 points in 61 games, Dalibor Dvorsky seemed to answer a lot of the questions about his game when it comes to playing at the pro level. He had struggled to play at the pro level in Sweden, which led to his move to the OHL a couple of years ago. Dvorsky was great for Springfield in the AHL, though, showcasing his dual-threat scoring ability and center lane-driven game. Dvorsky is a finisher at heart with a great shot. He had a two-game stint in the NHL last year, and we should see him push to make a much bigger impact this year as a middle-six scoring option who can play on the wing or at center. 

After starting the season in the SHL last year, Otto Stenberg made the jump to the AHL after the World Junior Championship. He had a nice stint, with just over half a point per game in half a season, but there were growing pains as well, particularly with his desire to try and be overly creative or flashy at times. Stenberg was able to pull it off more often than not, but he needs to recognize when the easy play is best. While most think of Stenberg as a shifty, skilled offensive creator, he brings a bit of snarl at times as well. Throwing hits more as he's matured physically and getting involved in some of the after-the-whistle stuff as well. Stenberg could be a really intriguing top-six scorer with underrated jam. 

Since being traded to St. Louis from Vegas, Zach Dean has had a bit of a tough time. Injuries were an absolute killer last season, limiting him to just 11 games and four points as he was in and out of the lineup. Dean is a forward who looks to play at a high pace, generating chances off the rush and attacking downhill at the netminder. His injuries have limited his effectiveness, which is why, at 22, this upcoming season is vital. He’s not the shiny new toy anymore. He needs to start pushing, and if he can return to form, he might be a solid bottom-six guy pretty soon. 

Big, smooth-skating center Adam Jecho took a step offensively last year on a team that was trending down. He plays a sound two-way game, but there are offensive skills that are intriguing enough to make you think he has more in his game. He’s heading into his final WHL season, where he should be taking on a leading role with the Edmonton Oil Kings. If he can turn some of his raw ability into legit production, he could be in line for a seamless jump to the AHL. 

Simon Robertsson’s jump to the AHL to start last season was promising in a lot of ways. He wasn’t blowing the doors off, but he was becoming more comfortable in his AHL surroundings, and he looked like he was slowly getting his feet under him. His season ended in February due to injury. Robertsson will be given every chance to make his mark when healthy, but he will likely need some AHL time to do that before making a run at the NHL. His shooting talent and skating are the highlights, but he has plus tools across the board. He just needs to find a way to be more consistent and stay healthy. 

There were plenty of encouraging signs in Theo Lindstein’s game last season. His point totals may have fallen a bit, but his team graduated from the Allsvenskan to the SHL, and Lindstein looked solid against the top competition in Sweden. The even-keel defender is making the move to the AHL for this upcoming season, and that should give the Blues an idea of what they have in the defender. His mobility and play-reading ability are what make him an excellent defensive player. 

In what was ultimately a return from a major knee injury, Adam Jiricek had a fine season in the OHL last year, but he definitely looked a bit labored at times. His skating wasn’t quite where it had been prior to the injury, and he seemed a bit behind the pace. Thankfully, he’s heading into next season healthy and ready to go. Jiricek is a purposeful defensive player and a talented puck mover with his passing and feet. The injury was a killer, but the talent that Jiricek possesses as a two-way force is still there. 

Logan Mailloux might be the newest player in the system, but he’s likely to be in the NHL this season. His raw physical tools are as good as anyone's. He skates like an NFL running back, gaining speed with every step. Mailloux can outmuscle players in battles and win the puck back when he’s motivated. He loves to get involved offensively and make plays as a passer and a shooter from the back end. There isn’t much Mailloux can’t do, but it’s about actually following through and committing to doing them. His attention to detail and defensive commitment are integral in taking the step into the NHL. 

One of the more interesting balls of clay in the St. Louis system is 6-foot-5 defender, Colin Ralph. He played his freshman season in the NCAA at St. Cloud State, but he’s transferring to Michigan State for next season, where he will play for one of the best teams in the nation. His defensive acumen and penchant for big hits will be a welcome presence on a blueline that could use a strong blueliner. The curiosity with Ralph is whether he can find another level as a puck mover. 

U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season

Jimmy Snuggerud (RW), Logan Mailloux (D)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 19 overall - Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)

Round 5, 147 overall - Mikhail Fyodorov, RW, Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy (Rus)

Round 6, 179 overall - Love Harenstam, G, Skelleftea AIK Jr. (Swe)

Justin Carbonneau was truly one of the most impressive puck handlers in the 2025 NHL draft class, so getting him at the tail end of the top 20 was good value. He has skill to burn, dangling defenders with ease. Carbonneau is often one of the more entertaining players to watch in the offensive zone, using his hands along with a wicked shot and skilled passing to generate scoring chances. Pace is a bit of an issue for Carbonneau, and while he has size, he doesn’t use it constructively all too often. He’s a very intriguing player, and if he can shake the pace and engagement issues that have popped up at times, something typical of QMJHL players, Carbonneau could be a very nice complementary offensive winger. 

The Blues didn’t draft again until 147th overall in round five when they took Russian winger, Mikhail Fyodorov. With some nice finishing ability, you see the draw in Fyodorov’s game, but he has a few issues that arise. He has some issues with moving the puck as a facilitator. He’s also wildly inconsistent as a forechecking presence. He needs to become a more involved overall player, but his finishing is quite an intriguing trait. 

Love Harenstam was the Blues last pick in the draft, and now that Joel Hofer is a full-time NHLer, the Swedish netminder is the new top goalie prospect. He’s been successful at both the Swedish junior level and internationally for the Tre Kronor. Harenstam has decent size at 6-foot-2, but his biggest strength comes from his athleticism and mobility in the crease. He needs to show a bit more technical ability as he matures, but the bet in round six makes a ton of sense, especially for a goalie who was one of the top netminders coming into the season. 

Strengths

This may seem like a cop-out, but outside of the crease, the Blues are fairly strong all over their prospect pool. They may not have any true studs who could be game-breaking talents, but the Blues have at least a couple of solid B-level talents at just about every position, and they have solid depth as well. The left wing is the weakest of the positions despite the presence of Stenberg and Juraj Pekarcik, but with the plethora of centers, there will be at least a few that move to the wing. The strength of the Blues' prospect pool is its depth and diversity. 

Weaknesses

Despite adding Harenstam at the draft, the Blues have a decent hole in net when it comes to their pipeline. When you consider just how good every other position looks, Harenstam and Will Cranley being the prospects in the system don’t instill a ton of confidence. Thankfully, Hofer is a young netminder with promise already in the NHL, but if there is a netminder in next year's draft worth taking in the top two rounds, the Blues might be the team that goes and gets them. If they did, it would fill their one weak point in the pipeline. 

Hidden Gem: Juraj Pekarcik, LW

While Caleb Desnoyers was one of the top draft-eligible prospects this past season, and he wound up going in the top five, some felt that his game was elevated by Pekarcik’s intelligent and calculated play. Pekarcik uses pauses and delays, subtle cuts laterally, and bursts of speed to create some room for himself and manufacture passing lanes. Pekarcik has shown the ability to chip in some goals with well-placed shots and sneaky shiftiness as a shooter. He could profile as a very solid depth scorer who can skate the puck up ice and get it into positive positions. 

Next Man Up: Logan Mailloux, D

Trading for Mailloux was a keen move, identifying a weakness in the pipeline and then trading from an area of strength to fill in a weak point. Mailloux is very unproven at the NHL level. His brief stint with the Montreal Canadiens showcased both the good and the bad in his game. His puck-moving and offensive game showed flashes at times. His defensive game was very much a work in progress, often misreading rushes and then scrambling to make up for his mistakes. He can throw some big hits, but it often comes at the expense of his positioning. Mailloux is going to get his chance to start in the NHL with the Blues, but it may come with some ups and downs. He has all of the physical tools to be a very solid NHL defender, but he will need to make some better decisions away from the puck. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Otto Stenberg, Juraj Pekarcik, Jakub Stancl, Ondrej Kos

C: Dalibor Dvorsky, Zach Dean, Adam Jecho, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Tomas Mrsic, Dylan Peterson

RW: Jimmy Snuggerud, Justin Carbonneau, Simon Robertsson, Mikhail Fyodorov

LD: Theo Lindstein, Colin Ralph, Tyler Tucker, Lukas Fischer, Matthew Mayich, Michael Buchinger, Quinton Burns

RD: Logan Mailloux, Adam Jiricek, William McIsaac

G: Love Harenstam, Will Cranley, Vadim Zherenko

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of the Hockey News print edition! 

The Montreal Canadiens' acquisition of Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in June was one of the biggest moves in this year's NHL trade market. However, they have a bit of a logjam on the blueline. 

During an appearance last week on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, Sportsnet's Eric Engels suggested the Canadiens could end up moving a defenseman at some point this season to make room for promising David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom. 

Engels singled out Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble, and Arber Xhekaj, suggesting one of them might not be with the Canadiens between now and this time next year. 

Matheson seems the most likely trade candidate. The 31-year-old is the oldest member of their defense corps and eligible for UFA status next July. However, Canadiens management could be reluctant to move Matheson, having praised his experience, leadership, and all-around abilities. 

Struble recently signed a two-year contract, but his improved performance and affordable $1.412 million cap hit could make the 23-year-old an enticing trade chip. Xhekaj's size and physical style make him a fan favorite in Montreal, but he was a healthy scratch for several games down the stretch last season. 

Speaking of possible trade candidates. Allan Mitchell of The Athletic recently looked at several Edmonton Oilers players who could be on the move this season. 

One of them is Stuart Skinner. The 26-year-old goaltender carries an affordable $2.6 million cap hit this season and is UFA-eligible next July. 

Skinner's inconsistent play is an area of concern for Oilers management, who acknowledged they would seek ways to upgrade their goaltending. It was assumed they'd like to find someone with starter experience to split the duties and push Skinner to elevate his game. 

Mitchell pointed out that Skinner has 50 playoff games and two Stanley Cup Finals under his belt. Any significant improvement in his performance this season could silence his critics and reduce the need to add another netminder. However, Mitchell also thinks he could be a key piece in any move for a goalie upgrade.