The Nashville Predators are today’s focus in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Predators’ 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

It’s tough to figure out what the Predators are trying to be right now.

The team is trying to compete after a poor season, but the Preds also made three first-round picks to bolster their pipeline.

GM Barry Trotz said he wants to see if the veteran group can bounce back. Adding prospects to the pipeline, at the very least, gives Nashville a chance to come out of what could be a disaster with a head start on the rebuild.

Matthew Wood is one of the top prospects in the system for Nashville, signing his entry-level contract after three solid seasons in the NCAA. He dealt with some ups and downs in college but ultimately finished fairly strong. 

Wood got into six NHL games, and he will likely be in the lineup to start the season. His finishing ability and size are the assets the Preds want him to showcase. Wood isn’t the fleetest of foot, and he doesn’t drive a line, but as a complementary offensive weapon, Wood has the tools to be a very effective winger. 

The Predators have waited for Joakim Kemell to break through and force his way into the NHL lineup, but it hasn’t happened just yet. The 21-year-old Finn has always been praised for his lethal shooting ability. Kemell can throw some of his weight around at times as well. Unfortunately, Kemell has poor habits when it comes to shooting location. His two full AHL seasons have been fairly steady, putting up 41 and 40 points, but he hasn’t looked dominant or threatening as a goal-scorer quite yet.

Teddy Stiga was one of the best value picks of the 2024 NHL draft. Although he is a bit on the smaller side at just 5-foot-10, his freshman season in the NCAA proved the Preds may have found a very important piece for the future. 

Stiga is relentless in all facets of the game, consistently working to get pucks back by getting in on attacks or chasing down loose pucks into the corners. Offensively, he helps drive his line’s success by providing his linemates with a hard-working, skilled player to work with. Stiga wasn’t given much run with Boston College’s top players last year, but he still managed to put up 30 points in 36 games. This upcoming year, he could be reunited with USA Hockey National Team Development Program teammate James Hagens on the top line, and the duo could tear up the NCAA. 

The Preds love players with a blend of skill and physicality, and Egor Surin brings that in spades. He can crush a player along the wall or below the goal line, pick up the puck and deke a defender on his way to the net. Surin had a good year in the KHL, and he has two more years on his contract in Russia. Altering speed and learning to play a bit more refined defensive hockey will be a big step for the entertaining Russian. 

Kalan Lind is a wrecking ball, constantly looking to inflict pain on defenders whenever he’s hunting them down on the forecheck. Lind is the kind of player that teams value for his playoff impact when the rules become more relaxed and the game gets heavier. He’s never going to be a big scorer at the NHL level, but he could play a very steady depth role and break out in the post-season. He has some good playmaking ability at times, but his on-puck game has plenty of room for growth.

Although he’s been traded twice now, David Edstrom is a very good player. It’s why he went from Vegas to San Jose in the Tomas Hertl trade, and it’s why Nashville wanted him in the trade that sent Yaroslav Askarov to the Sharks. 

Edstrom is a big, mobile, reliable center who plays the game the way coaches want. He’s got solid two-way utility and connects plays well as a passer. After a couple of seasons in the Swedish League, he’ll play in the AHL after getting a taste in the playoffs.

The Predators have been enamored with the development and play of Tanner Molendyk over the last couple of years, but they’ve been patient in not rushing him into the NHL. He finished his junior career with a WHL championship before falling in the Memorial Cup final, but he did a great job in using his mobility and intelligence to dictate play from the back end. He will likely join the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals this season, and it wouldn’t shock anyone if he gets off to a solid start and finds himself in the NHL at some point. 

U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season 

Zachary L’Heureux (LW), Fedor Svechkov (C)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 1, 5th overall - Brady Martin, C, S.S. Marie (OHL)

Round 1, 21st overall - Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL)

Round 1, 26th overall - Ryker Lee, RW, Madison (USHL)

Round 2, 35th overall - Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln (USHL)

Round 2, 58th overall - Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton (OHL)

Round 4, 122nd overall - Alex Huang, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Round 6, 163rd overall - Daniel Nieminen, D, Pelicans (Fin.)

The Nashville Predators had the opportunity to alter their future with three first-round picks and five picks in the top 60. They opted for a mix of safe picks and risky selections. Only time will tell if the 2025 NHL draft class will have the effect that Preds fans and management hope it can.

With the fifth pick, the Predators sought a player who would bring physicality, drive and an endless motor. Those are the reasons Trotz gave for taking Brady Martin in the top five. Martin is a missile on the ice, constantly looking to throw his weight around and level opponents along the boards.

Martin may not have quite the offensive upside of some of the other players available, but he is nearly a surefire bet to be a solid NHLer. His offensive game isn’t anything to shy away from, either. He can bang and crash, cleaning up garbage around the net. He also has a solid shot from the slot. Martin creates offense through his physical play, winning battles on the boards or turning pucks over on the forecheck. Martin may not be a No. 1 center, but he should be an effective player nonetheless.

At 21st overall, the Predators took a swing on one of the most intriguing defenseman in the draft, Cameron Reid. He’s a high-level skater who loves to attack up ice and join the rush. In the offensive zone, his mobility to walk the line and fire crisp passes all over the ice makes him dangerous. He can beat opponents off the blueline to open up more opportunities to make plays. The six-foot Reid needs to work on his defensive game, particularly when the play gets hemmed in his own end, but the upside is enticing. 

Speaking of enticing upside, Ryker Lee was so much fun to watch this season for Madison in the United States League. His puckhandling is tantalizing, creating space with his hands and manipulating the position of the puck to open passing or shooting lanes. His defensive game is a work in progress, but his offensive tools are absolutely unreal at times. Lee has a fantastic shot, but his creativity and touch as a passer make him special. His skating needs to develop so that he can better use his skills, which makes the move to Michigan State such a smart one. College will allow him to refine his craft against bigger, stronger competition. 

Jacob Rombach is a physical defensive defenseman. He won’t try to make flashy or skilled plays, understanding the limitations of his game and playing within them. The 6-foot-6 defender is a smooth skater who reads play and cuts it down as quickly as possible. He has the tools to make a good breakout pass or connecting play, but his offensive game won’t blow anyone away. Rombach is a throwback in some ways, bringing the big hits and physical edge that teams love. 

The Predators replenished their goalie pipeline by adding Jack Ivankovic. He may not have been the first goalie off the board, but he was in the top tier of netminders in this class. His six-foot size was the one limiting factor for NHL scouts, but his technical game and athleticism are exactly what they should want. Ivankovic has been a fixture for Team Canada at the junior levels because he can not only give his team a chance to win but also steal games. 

Alex Huang was talked about as a potential first-rounder heading into the season. The defenseman’s mobility and passing were impressive throughout the campaign. Huang took advantage of the QMJHL's softer defensive structure to find passing lanes or room to change the angle. His defensive play was inconsistent, and Huang’s overall issue is that he has struggled to consistently impact the game at both ends when the pace and pressure increase.

With their final pick of the draft, Nashville took Daniel Nieminen. The 19-year-old Finnish blueliner has always been an excellent skater, but this year, he showed just how well-rounded his game is. His puck-moving ability is impressive and efficient. Nieminen uses his skating defensively as well, cutting off play and gapping up quickly to take away the time to make a play.

Strengths

For a team that has struggled to find a true No. 1 center for most of its existence, the Predators prioritized drafting players with at least some center experience. 

Wood and Joey Willis have played some center, but they’ll likely wind up as wingers at the next level. But their centers who have an actual chance of sticking there are solid bets. 

The recently drafted Martin is a one-man wrecking crew who has some intriguing upside. Surin is a high-energy center who plays fast and skillfully. Felix Nilsson is a complete, do-it-all center who understands how to advance play on just about every shift. Edstrom is a strong two-way center with the size and mobility to be an effective middle-six pivot. The Preds may not have a true No. 1 in the pipeline still, but they have a handful of centers who could all be legitimate options in the middle six. 

Weaknesses

The Predators have done a fairly good job of rebuilding the prospect pool, but the one area they haven’t really addressed yet is the right side of the defense. 

They have a couple of low-upside long shots, but they don’t have a potential top-four blueliner. On the left side, they have Molendyk, Reid and maybe Rombach or Nieminen, depending on how much rope you want to give them. Jack Matier and Andrew Gibson look like depth players at most, and the more recent draft picks don’t come with much pedigree. Finding a young D-man on the right side will be key to building toward the next era. 

Hidden Gem: Felix Nilsson, C/W

With incredible intelligence and a tactical approach to the game, Nilsson has grown quite a bit since being drafted in 2023. The 19-year-old had a bit of a breakout season in the SHL with 22 points in 40 games. 

Nilsson is a playmaker who makes crisp passes as he works his way around the ice like a chess player. He uses his teammates and positions himself to receive return passes, working give-and-gos around the ice. In the offensive zone, Nilsson consistently funnels pucks to dangerous scoring areas. The ability to read the play and make the correct passes with perfect timing and weight makes Nilsson a very steady center.

Next Man Up: Matthew Wood, C/W

While most of the projected lineups have Wood listed in the bottom six, his offensive habits and dual-threat ability will work best in the top six. 

Wood has consistently been able to play alongside high-end players as a passing option in give-and-go plays or on the boards in transition. Wood keeps pace, fills space and understands how to present the puck carrier with an outlet at every turn. He stays connected to his linemates, keeping good spacing. Wood is likely to bounce around the lineup, but if he gets a shot in the top six, he could be a sneaky Calder candidate. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Matthew Wood, Teddy Stiga, Joey Willis, Kalan Lind, Reid Schaefer, Viktor Norringer

C: Brady Martin, Egor Surin, Felix Nilsson, David Edstrom, Adam Ingram

RW: Ryker Lee, Joakim Kemell, Aiden Fink, Hiroki Gojsic, Ozzy Wiesblatt

LD: Tanner Molendyk, Cameron Reid, Adam Wilsby, Jacob Rombach, Daniel Nieminen, Viggo Gustafsson

RD: Jack Matier, Andrew Gibson, Alex Huang, Kasper Kulonummi

G: Jack Ivankovic, Jakub Milota, Magnus Chrona

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

The Hockey News Big Show discussed the top players in the NHL right now, as ranked in THN’s Top 100 Players issue, and other topics as the off-season continues.

The NHL's Top Players Right Now by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode:

01:00: Why was Nathan Mackinon No. 1 on the list?

04:00: Thoughts on Cale Makar’s spot on the list?

06:00: What were the criteria for the top 10 of the list?

07:40: How much did championships play a factor?

09:00: Which player in the top 10 who hasn't won the Stanley Cup will win it first?

13:00: Which players who weren’t on the list could jump onto it in the future?

16:30: Who could potentially fall out of the list?

19:00:  Who are some young players who could soon join the list?

20:40: Who will be the most improved players?

23:50: Which rookie will make the list first?

26:15: Looking toward the season ahead, which teams could exceed expectations and or disappoint?

30:15: Are the Toronto Maple Leafs worse on paper?

33:00: Which team are you most excited to watch going into next season?

36:30: Did the Tampa Bay Lightning need to do more?

38:45: Should the Florida Panthers still be considered Cup favourites?

40:45: Where does the Tkachuk-Huberdeau deal rank in terms of blockbuster trades?

43:30: Kappo Kakko signed a three-year contract. Yay or nay on the cap hit and term?

44:40: How stoked are you for Adam Fox appearing in an ad for The Naked Gun reboot?

Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

It turns out there won’t be any drama surrounding highly touted right winger Porter Martone at the Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp this fall.

Martone, selected sixth overall in the recent NHL draft, won’t be competing for a Flyers roster spot this year because he committed to Michigan State on Monday.

He has the Flyers’ blessing.

“We are very supportive of the decision made by Porter and excited to see him developing into a Flyer very soon,” GM Danny Briere said on Tuesday night.

“Very soon” means he could sign an entry-level deal with the Flyers before the upcoming NHL season ends.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Martone, 18, spent one year at Michigan State and then joined the Flyers.

At Michigan State, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Martone will be teammates with Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi – another plus for the Flyers because they could be on the same line and develop some chemistry that might have a carryover effect down the road. 

Vansaghi, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound winger called ‘The Truck,’ was drafted by the Flyers in the second round (48th overall) last month.

In any event, Martone changed plans after the Flyers’ recent development camp, when he said his goal was to play a “full season” in the NHL in 2025-26. He said at the time if Flyers management thinks differently, he would talk with his agent.

He will now bypass the Flyers’ training camp and be at Michigan State.

Flyers assistant GM Brent Flahr, who heads the Flyers’ draft room, loves Martone’s maturity as a player and his ability to make plays but recently said “the pace of his game is going to have to pick up.”

An Ontario native, Martone’s learning curve will progress in the NCAA, where he will play against bigger and stronger competition than he faced in juniors. 

With Brampton in the OHL this past season, Martone had 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) and 74 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Steelheads.

Michigan State won its second consecutive Big Ten championship last season but was eliminated by Cornell in the first round of the NCAA men’s hockey tournament.

The Spartans are loaded with NHL prospects and are expected to be a contender for the national title next season, with Martone in the middle of things.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Entering the dog days of this NHL off-season, activity has slowed in the trade market. However, it hasn't kept Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson's name out of the rumor mill. 

The 26-year-old left winger became the subject of media trade gossip following the Stars' elimination from the 2025 Western Conference final.

Being a year away from RFA eligibility, pundits wondered if he would be moved to free up his $7.75-million cap hit to pursue a big-ticket player via the trade or free-agent markets.

Those rumors persisted despite subsequent reports claiming the Stars weren't peddling Robertson. If they intended to dump his salary to pursue a bigger star, the opportunity may have passed. The shallow free-agent pool quickly drained of talent, and trades involving notable players occurred weeks ago. 

The Stars became cap-compliant for this season by shipping defenseman Matt Dumba to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 10, putting them $1.085 million under the cap with 22 active roster players under contract. 

Still, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos has Robertson atop his latest off-season trade board. He wonders if the Stars will commit to signing him to a long-term extension.

Robertson has arbitration rights next summer, at which point he'll also be a year away from UFA eligibility. Kypreos believes the Stars prefer to avoid going down that path but pondered whether they'd be willing to pay him as much as teammate Mikko Rantanen, who signed a long-term deal worth $12 million annually earlier this year.

Kypreos' colleague, Ryan Dixon, noted that Robertson lacks no-trade protection, but moving a scorer of his caliber would still be a difficult task. While many teams would be interested, finding a trade partner willing to offer a suitable return with the cap space to re-sign him could prove challenging. 

Nevertheless, Dixon proposed seven potential trade partners, with the Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals leading the pack. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Seattle Kraken and Utah Mammoth rounded out his list.

The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio said Robertson possesses the high-end skill the Kraken lack, and they have first-rounders and prospects to offer if Dallas wants those.

Stars GM Jim Nill could entertain offers for Robertson. Given his contract status and offensive value, he's in no rush to move him before next July. Jesse Courville-Lynch said the Kings should be all over trying to acquire Robertson if he becomes available, but they would need to move out salary to make room for him.

Robertson's role may have changed following the acquisition of Rantanen, but he remains their most reliable offensive forward, with 80 points in 82 games this past season. Nill can afford to let this season play out and see how his club performs before seriously considering trade opportunities for Robertson.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Six NHL RFAs have dates scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing in 2025.

After the NHL Players' Association previously announced hearings would be held between July 20 and Aug. 4, PuckPedia reported the schedule now runs from July 28 to Aug. 3 as follows:

July 28: Arvid Soderblom, G, Chicago Blackhawks
July 29: Maxim Tsyplakov, RW, New York Islanders
July 30: Dylan Samberg, D, Winnipeg Jets
Aug. 2: Conor Timmins, D, Buffalo Sabres
Aug. 3: Nick Robertson, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Aug. 3: Jayden Struble, D, Montreal Canadiens

On those days, the player (with the NHLPA and/or the player's representative) and their respective teams (with a league representative) will try to persuade an independent arbitrator to award a contract that favors their case. Both parties can use statistics, player comparables and other allowed evidence to make their case.

All the scheduled hearings are for player-elected arbitration cases. The two players in team-elected arbitration cases – the Sabres' Bowen Byram and Utah Mammoth's Jack McBain – have since signed contracts.

Five RFAs who filed for arbitration – the Anaheim Ducks' Lukas Dostal and Drew Helleson, Winnipeg Jets' Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron, and Seattle Kraken's Kaapo Kakko – have also since settled on new deals. Kakko's hearing was scheduled for July 25.

That said, the remaining players and squads still have time to avoid this potentially contentious process. But if they do have the hearing, the team has options of what to do afterward.

Before The Hearing

Any RFA who's scheduled for arbitration cannot sign an offer sheet with another club at this point.

They can, however, settle the case and re-sign with their current team at any time before the beginning of the hearing, which is usually at 9 a.m. ET except when the NHL and NHLPA agree to change it.

After The Hearing

The arbitrator must issue and email the decision to the parties within 48 hours of the end of the hearing.

The contract must be either one or two years long. In a player-elected salary arbitration, the team elects the length, and in a club-elected arbitration, the player chooses the term. If the player is one year away from unrestricted free agency, however, then the award can only be for one season.

The arbitrator will establish the term, salary, minor-league salary if they decide to include one and the reasons for the decision.

In a player-elected arbitration, if the awarded average annual value is at least $4.85 million, the team can walk away from one year of the contract. If the club walks away from a one-year contract, the player becomes a UFA. On an awarded two-year deal, the team can opt for a one-year contract instead, and the player would be a UFA once it ends. The squad only has 48 hours to notify the parties of that decision.

Where Seven NHL RFAs Fit In With Their Team Before ArbitrationSeven NHL RFAs could have salary arbitration hearings this week.

Three days after the last arbitration case is either awarded or settled, a second buyout window opens for NHL teams that had a player file for arbitration. Only contracts with a cap hit greater than $4 million that were on the team's roster at the last NHL trade deadline can be bought out in this window.

Arbitration rules are according to the NHL and NHLPA collective bargaining agreement and, when hyperlinked, PuckPedia.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

It’s the Dallas Stars’ turn to be analyzed in The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings.

We’ve been counting down each NHL team’s off-season, based on which franchises improved, stayed the same or got worse this off-season. We’re breaking things down in terms of additions and departures, including hirings and firings where applicable.

Be sure to see the teams that finished lower than the Stars at the bottom. But first, let’s look at Dallas’ moves and see why we ranked them 27th in our NHL summer splash rankings.

Additions

Radek Faksa (C), Glen Gulutzan (coach)

The Breakdown: The Stars made it to the Western Conference final and lost for the third straight season, falling to the Edmonton Oilers for the second straight year. Stars GM Jim Nill faced a salary cap crunch after acquiring and re-signing right winger Mikko Rantanen at the NHL trade deadline, so he re-signed as many players as he could – Matt Duchene, Jamie Benn, Mavrik Bourque, Nils Lundqvist and more – while adding a piece in free agency.

The biggest addition for Dallas is the return of Gulutzan behind the bench. This will be Gulutzan’s second stint as Stars coach. Given that he failed to get Dallas into the Stanley Cup playoffs in the two seasons he ran the team from 2011 to 2013, he’s under immediate pressure to at least get the Stars to the Cup final this coming season.

The only addition roster-wise is another Star on his second go-around with the team – veteran Faksa, who will step in as a bottom-six center. He’s a downgrade from the rental acquisition that was Mikael Granlund, but Faksa remains a decent performer who can help defensively.

Departures

Mikael Granlund (C), Mason Marchment (LW), Evgenii Dadonov (RW), Cody Ceci (D), Matt Dumba (D), Brendan Smith (D), Peter DeBoer (coach)

The Breakdown: The salary cap-challenged Stars had to let go of three valuable forwards – Granlund (who left for Anaheim via free agency), Marchment (who was traded to Seattle) and Dadonov (who departed for New Jersey). That’s a major dent in Dallas’ offense, which was the third-most-potent in the NHL last year at 3.35 goals-for per game. 

The Stars can still win blowout games as well as tight defensive matchups, but they won’t be quite as dangerous as they were on paper a couple of months ago.

Meanwhile, the Stars' defense corps changed after many pinpointed it as Dallas’ biggest weakness this past season. Nill unloaded the contract of Dumba on the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Ceci left for the L.A. Kings in free agency, and Smith remains a UFA. Neither player recorded more than 10 points for Dallas this past season, 

And of course, DeBoer self-immolated during and after the Western final loss, taking issue with star goalie Jake Oettinger’s play. Nill clearly sided with his top goalie, and DeBoer is now looking for work after three years behind Dallas’ bench.

The Bottom Line

The Stars have made significant moves, but they haven’t gotten better, and on offense, they’ve taken a slight step backward.

That said, the Stars are getting their first full year of superstar right winger Rantanen, and bringing back captain Benn on a $1-million salary with performance bonuses is a nice job by Nill. 

Marchment and Granlund definitely leave a hole in the lineup, but you can rest assured that, even with only $1 million in cap space, Nill will find a way to improve his lineup with a trade or two during the season.

Nill has built his team to win now. And while there’s a looming debate about whether he has room to re-sign star left winger Jason Robertson when he becomes an RFA next summer, the Stars will roll the dice one more time with the group that got them into the Final Four for three years running.

The Stars are low in our NHL summer splash rankings because there’s no question they’re not quite as good as they were at their peak last season. That does not automatically mean they had a bad off-season.

There are exceptions in the rankings for teams that did significantly less or more than expected, with some squads already on the list not doing enough – either quantity-wise or quality-wise on the trade or free-agent market – to support their core players. Dallas isn't an exception, which goes to show the tight margin between the teams as we move up this list.

The back-to-back-to-back GM of the year was active in damage limitation with the cap crunch they had, and Nill deserves credit for that.

Summer Splash Rankings

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens get a very deep look in the NHL prospect pool overview series, and deservedly so.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Canadiens’ 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 Thought 

The Canadiens not only took a big step forward this past year but even exceeded high expectations by making the playoffs. This team’s core is built with young talent acquired either via the draft or trades, but nearly all of it was developed within Montreal’s system. 

Captain Nick Suzuki was a trade acquisition when he was merely a prospect, but he became the first Canadiens player since Alex Kovalev to reach the 80-point plateau. Cole Caufield is a drafted prospect who nearly reached 40 goals and hit the 70-point mark for the first time this past season. Juraj Slafkovsky, the first overall pick in 2022, is emerging as an effective power forward who can dominate in puck battles. He’s showing more of his offensive potential with each passing month. Lane Hutson is coming off a Calder Trophy-winning season where he led rookies in scoring and even garnered a bit of Norris Trophy buzz.

The Canadiens have a strong young NHL squad and a prospect pool full of talent at various levels. They’re on the rise, and there might not be anything the rest of the NHL can do about it. 

The top prospect in the pipeline – arguably the NHL – is Ivan Demidov, the Russian super prospect who gave us all a glimpse of what he could do when he came over to the NHL from the KHL around the end of the season. He helped the Habs clinch a playoff spot and provided them a dynamic element their lineup was sorely missing. 

Demidov is a creator unlike anyone the Canadiens have had in decades. He doesn’t merely take on defenders; he attacks them and exploits their weaknesses. He blends speed and skill with an offensive intuition that only the most special players have. Opposing coaches need to pay attention to this player in pre-game prep, even when he’s a rookie. The creative right winger should be a fixture in the top six and on the top power-play unit when training camp opens. 

Although they aren’t as dynamic as Demidov, center prospects Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen have had fans excited for a couple of years now. They both profile as middle-six centers who bring quality defensive value, intelligent hockey in their own zone and a bit of a physical element as well. Beck is a bit more of an offensively gifted player from a skill perspective. He has a bit more flash to his game, pulling out some slick hands or deft touch as a passer. 

With Kapanen, there is a bit more direct-line attacking going on. He plays a simple, effective game that relies on going to the middle of the ice and taking advantage of the bounces around the net. Beck and Kapanen played in a handful of NHL games this past season, flashing potential as third-line centers already in their young careers, but they ultimately needed a bit more time to refine their offensive games. Beck had a very good AHL season, while Kapanen was stellar in the Liiga back in Finland. We could see both take a step and play meaningful minutes in the NHL this season.

Michael Hage put up more than a point per game at the NCAA level as a freshman. He more than lived up to the hype of being a first-round pick for the Canadiens last year. 

Hage’s skilled transition game and rush offense adapted to the NCAA quite well. He was consistently one of the University of Michigan’s more dangerous forwards. Hage uses head fakes, quick cuts on his edges and skilled puckhandling to evade defenders and generate chances. He must become a bit more of a dangerous attacker when not on the rush by setting up in the zone and working a cycle, but that was an area he took a big step in this past year. Another season or two at Michigan, and Hage could be a lethal addition to the Habs right as they enter a true contention window.

It’s been a winding road for Filip Mesar to this point. The 2022 first-round pick finally got a full season in the AHL, something he’s wanted since being drafted, and he struggled offensively. With just 18 points in 42 games, Mesar is at risk of being passed by others in the system. He must bounce back this year, which he is fully capable of doing. 

Mesar plays with vigor and a feistiness that has allowed him to stay competitive in tough areas despite being undersized. His puckhandling has always been a strength, and he needs to get back to carrying the puck and being the on-puck attacker. If he can bounce back, the Habs might have a very solid depth scorer on their hands.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Florian Xhekaj, the brother of fan favorite defender Arber Xhekaj. He was tied for second in goal-scoring on the Laval Rocket as a rookie, with 24 goals. While that’s certainly impressive, it comes with a caveat. Most of Xhekaj’s goals came from deflections or jamming pucks in around the net. This is certainly a valuable skill, but his game became less effective when he wasn’t screening goalies and trying to tip pucks. He has a long way to go before he’s a legitimate NHL candidate.

Although some Habs fans weren’t fans of the pick, David Reinbacher was Montreal’s fifth overall selection at the 2023 NHL draft, and his development has been up and down since then. Much of it wasn’t his fault. Reinbacher has struggled to stay on the ice because of poor deployment in the Swiss League and injuries when he came over to the AHL. Reinbacher is a defensive blueliner with size and length that he isn’t afraid to use. His game has never been dynamic or fun, but he thwarts chances and gets pucks to safety regularly. 

One of the more intriguing blueliners in the system is Adam Engstrom. The Swede put up 27 points in 66 AHL games as a rookie thanks to his willingness to get involved in transition as a passer and puck carrier. Engstrom finds a way to make quick, crisp passes on the breakout, and he’s become a solid facilitator from the offensive blueline. His defensive game still needs some work, but he’s taken massive strides since being drafted in 2022. Engstrom is a sneaky good prospect who doesn't get much attention. 

Although his scoring took a step back in the KHL this past season, Bogdan Konyushkov remains a fantastic boom-or-bust prospect. His potential outcomes range from being a top-four puck-moving blueliner to a solid KHL contributor who never makes the move to the NHL. He’s a mobile, skilled passer, and he’s leveraged those tools into becoming a solid transition blueliner. He even has a few offensive tools that could make him effective. He has one more year in the KHL, where he will hopefully bounce back. He turns 23 this December, so his runway isn’t as long as that of typical prospects, having been drafted at 20. 

The future of the Canadiens' crease is bright as well. 

Jakub Dobes played 16 NHL games this past season and looked outstanding in many of those starts. The 6-foot-4 Czech netminder showed plenty of athleticism to go with a solid technical base. Dobes appears to have secured the backup job behind Sam Montembeault in the short term, but the plan may ultimately be to have Dobes form a tandem with top prospect Jacob Fowler down the road. 

Fowler has been one of the best netminders in college hockey over the last two seasons, winning the goalie of the year award in 2024-25. Fowler’s success comes from his fluidity and speed in the crease, his ability to work through his positioning, integrating with the posts and exploding off them when needed. Fowler signed his entry-level contract and looked excellent in his first steps into the AHL. While he’s likely to spend this upcoming season in the AHL and adjust to pro hockey, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him get a few NHL games. 

U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season

Ivan Demidov (RW), Juraj Slafkovsky (RW), Lane Hutson (D), Oliver Kapanen (C/W), Zack Bolduc (LW), David Reinbacher (D), Owen Beck (C)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 34th overall - Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Ufa Jr. (Rus.)

Round 3, 69th overall - Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna (WHL)

Round 3, 81st overall - Bryce Pickford, D, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Round 3, 82nd overall - Arseni Radkov, G, Tyumen Jr. (Rus.)

Round 4, 113th overall - L.J. Mooney, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Round 5, 145th overall - Alexis Cournoyer, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

Round 6, 177th overall - Carlos Handel, D, Halifax (QMJHL)

Round 6, 189th overall - Andrew MacNiel, D, Kitchener (OHL)

Round 7, 209th overall - Maxon Vig, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)

The Montreal Canadiens had two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL draft, 16th and 17th overall. They used those to acquire defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders to help bolster their roster now. Having a loaded prospect pool was a major factor in that decision to add a 25-year-old defender who plays a modern, two-way game. Dobson is a high-end offensive producer, and his defensive game has improved. While draft picks bring hope for the future, acquiring a known asset who fits in their window is well worth the price paid. 

With no first-rounder, the Habs still found ways to go out and get value at the draft. 

One way to do that was to swing on high-end skills, the way they did with Alexander Zharovsky. The young Russian is a bit raw, but his pure skill and creativity come naturally and can’t be taught. Zharovsky can be the silkiest puckhandler, absolutely giving defenders fits. Offensively, he has the craftiness as a playmaker that allows him to create chances for teammates, and when he gets some space, the puck pops off his stick. Zharovsky is probably a longer-term bet, but he is the kind of high-upside swing that teams need to take to supplement the roster when the top prospects reach their primes. 

Hayden Paupanekis, a WHL center, plays a safer game to help offset the risk of taking Zharovsky. Paupanekis brings some really nice physicality and defensive acumen, but he has the tools to be a more gifted offensive player. He moves well, has a good shot and has flashed some really nice touch on his passing. We saw the 6-foot-5 center play a bottom-six role for the Spokane Chiefs and a top-six role for the Kelowna Rockets after being traded, demonstrating the ability to succeed up and down the lineup. He needs to find some offensive consistency and decide what he’s going to be, but Paupanekis is an intriguing pick. 

Bryce Pickford, an overage defender, broke out in a big way this past season. He’s always had a big shot and a desire to get involved offensively, and he was finally able to do that this season, scoring 20 goals. He shows some nice defensive habits, pushing play to the outside and trying to clear the puck out of trouble with simple and effective breakout passes. Outside of his shot, there is a lot of work to do in refining his game. Pickford is a fun, interesting swing in the third round.

With the very next pick, the Canadiens selected Arseni Radkov, a Belarusian netminder who played well at the Russian junior level. He is heading to the QMJHL this year before taking off to the University of Massachusetts the following season. Radkov has the size and mobility you want to see in net, but refining some of his technical aspects will be the next step in his development. 

L.J. Mooney was one of the most interesting picks of the middle rounds. He has the high-end skating and skill that could make him a true difference-maker. Despite his diminutive frame, Mooney is driven to get to the middle and attack the high-danger areas. A knee injury took him out of the lineup early in the season, and even upon returning, it took him a while to get back to speed. Once he did, though, he was arguably the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s best player. This is a massive swing on upside, but it’s the kind of swing that could result in the Canadiens getting an effective player in the fourth round. 

The Canadiens took a second goalie in the 2025 NHL draft, Alexis Cournoyer from the Cape Breton Eagles. The 19-year-old split the season between the Maritime Junior Hockey League and the QMJHL, so his major junior hockey experience is somewhat limited. He’s a project, but he has the size that NHL teams love, and he’s fluid moving around his crease. Cournoyer is among the more raw goalies drafted, but his upside remains intriguing. 

Sixth-round pick Carlos Handel excelled at times in the QMJHL because of the space and time players find in this league. The German defender had enough room to develop his passing and puckhandling, showcasing a bit more of his offensive touch. He’s been a fixture for Germany on the international stage, even captaining the U-18 squad this spring. Handel’s stock was once much higher than this, so the Habs may have found a diamond in the rough. 

Andrew MacNiel’s game is built around being a defensive presence who can use his size to shut down play. He’s not particularly refined, and he doesn’t have much puck skill, but the Canadiens opted for a big defender who could bring some jam to the team if a lot works out. 

The Canadiens' final pick of the draft was Maxon Vig, a defender from Cedar Rapids in the United States League. He’s never been much of a flashy offensive blueliner, but he’s always managed to find his way to playing important minutes. Going from high school to the NAHL to the USHL, Vig has taken the long road. He’s headed to Bemidji State University for next season, where he will look to further refine his defensive game, rely more on his size and hopefully build on his passing and offensive tools.

Strengths

Simply put, the Canadiens have so many young players already making a major impact on their roster, and that hasn’t left their prospect pool barren. In fact, they are deep throughout the pipeline. 

Hutson will be a stalwart on the back end, and with Noah Dobson in the fold, teams will have to choose which offensive defender to attempt to shut down. That might just make them both more dangerous. 

Demidov will be the favorite for the Calder Trophy coming into the season, bringing a dynamic skill level that hasn’t been seen in a Habs jersey in decades. Caufield is a legitimate threat to hit 40 goals and eclipse 80 points this upcoming season. Slafkovsky is set to break out, bringing all of the elements of his game as a playmaking power forward to the forefront heading into his age-21 season.

Every player mentioned above, along with the likes of captain Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Kaiden Guhle, is 25 or under as of July 22. The best players on this team are the young players, and the fact that they have a loaded pipeline coming along as well is the true strength of the Canadiens. 

Weaknesses

The Habs don’t really have a weakness, especially considering they have so many young players on the NHL roster in the weaker positions of their prospect pool. 

Any defense group will weaken when players like Hutson and Guhle graduate to the NHL roster, but the Habs still have Reinbacher coming along, and interesting prospects, such as Konyushkov and Engstrom, are still developing.

Even if you look at the left wing and say, “Well there aren’t many impact players there,” you would be discounting that the depth of middle-six center options likely means that one of Hage, Beck, Kapanen or even Aatos Koivu will move to the wing. The Canadiens don’t really have a weakness, and nitpicking to find one is a bit unfair to the work they’ve done.

Hidden Gem: Aatos Koivu, C

Although it’s tough to be a hidden gem as the son of a former Habs captain, Koivu is exactly that. 

His game is well-rounded and refined away from the puck. He brings excellent defensive habits and the ability to not only read but also intervene to kill opposing chances. Koivu plays a pro-style game already and looks like a steady bottom-six player at the Liiga level. His shot is a legitimate weapon, and although he wasn’t able to use it much in the Liiga, he showed much better puck distribution this past season. 

Koivu’s signed in Finland through this upcoming season, and he should have a full-time role in the Liiga to showcase his growth. With such a solid 200-foot game and a well-rounded skillset, if Koivu can add a bit of offensive touch and showcase his shot a bit more this season, we could see him jump to the AHL next year and make his way to the NHL sooner than most expect.

Next Man Up: Ivan Demidov, RW

The Ivan Demidov Era arrived. Just as he said he wanted to do at the draft, he stepped in and became a difference-maker for the Canadiens. Demidov’s speed, skill and dynamism with the puck made him an instant threat. 

While there may be other rookies who play NHL games or step into the lineup at various points this season, none will be more important than Demidov. With a summer of training and acclimating to the team and a training camp to fully integrate into the system and style of play, Demidov’s arrival will change the Canadiens for the foreseeable future. He gives the team an instant threat, whether on the power play or at even strength. It’s Demidov time. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Luke Tuch, Florian Xhekaj, Logan Sawyer

C: Michael Hage, Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, Aatos Koivu, Riley Kidney, Jared Davidson

RW: Ivan Demidov, Joshua Roy, Alexander Zharovsky, L.J. Mooney, Filip Mesar, Vinzenz Rohrer

LD: Adam Engstrom, William Trudeau, Owen Protz, Luke Mittelstadt, Rasmus Bergqvist

RD: David Reinbacher, Bogdan Konyushkov, Bryce Pickford, Carlos Handel, Daniil Sobolev

G: Jacob Fowler, Jakub Dobes, Yevgeni Volokhin, Alexis Cournoyer, Quentin Miller, Arseni Radkov

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

The Philadelphia Flyers are the land of opportunity in 2025-26.

The Flyers’ off-season moves make it clear that the theme this upcoming season is “a fresh start.” Some additions either didn’t live up to their last contract, have struggled with injuries and poor play, just had an off-year or were simply looking to head elsewhere.

Up front, the Flyers offered a fresh start to young center Trevor Zegras by trading a second-round pick, a fourth-rounder and Ryan Poehling to the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old’s reputation has taken some bumps as he struggled on the ice. After recording 61 and 65 points in his first full NHL seasons, he’s played a combined 88 games in the last two years, mustering up only 47 points.

With the Flyers, Zegras should have every chance to thrive down the middle on Philly’s first or second line. He is also entering the final campaign of his three-year deal worth $5.75 million annually, so making the most of his new opportunity will secure a fresh and bountiful harvest in his next contract negotiations.

Similarly, the Flyers signed veteran Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4-million contract. The 29-year-old finished a six-year contract with a $4.45-million cap hit, but in the last four years with the Montreal Canadiens, he saw his average ice time decrease while not scoring more than 33 points in a season. He still managed to get a raise by signing in Philly.

While no one is expecting Dvorak to post 20 goals and 50 points, he’ll have a new beginning one way or another this coming year. At best, he can play at center and improve the team’s depth down the middle, or he shifts back to the wing to play higher up the lineup. The way he responds to this opportunity will largely dictate the contract he lands next summer.

In goal, the Flyers’ 3.45 goals-against average was fifth-worst in the NHL this past season, and their .872 save percentage was the lowest. Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere looks to turn the page by signing veteran netminder Dan Vladar. For the cost of a two-year contract paying him $3.35 million per season, the Flyers expect Vladar to at the very least compete for the starter’s job, which he lost out on this past season with the Calgary Flames. 

In the last three seasons, Vladar’s .898 save percentage in 2024-25 was the best. After putting up a 3.62 goals-against average and .882 save percentage in 2023-24, he didn’t really bounce back enough this past season as Dustin Wolf got more of the stars. But if Philly can tighten up its defense, Vladar can be part of the short-term solution between the pipes.

Finally, there’s a fresh start happening off the ice in Philadelphia, as former Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet returned to the Flyers to be closer to his family. After starring as a player in Philly, Tocchet is now running the show behind the bench. The stellar reputation he’s built for himself as an NHL coach, having won the Jack Adams Award in 2023-24 and winning two Stanley Cup championships as an assistant in Pittsburgh, brings a lot of hope that he can not only elevate the team but maintain it over the next five years. Tocchet even said he just felt it was a fresh start for him, given that his previous contract in Vancouver had expired.

There’s no assurance any of them will work out as hoped. That said, Briere has made tactical choices and calculated gambles on the new people he’s brought in, some safer bets than others. While it’s still going to be an uphill battle for Philadelphia to leapfrog up the Metropolitan Division standings and secure a playoff berth this upcoming season, the Flyers might just find a way to beat the odds and reward their fans with their first playoff action in six years. At the very least, a core will emerge to power this group forward so that once it does make the playoffs down the line, it will stay there for a long time.

Fresh starts can be just what the doctor ordered, and that’s what Briere & Co. have put in place for Philadelphia. Whether they work is yet to be seen, but regardless, the Flyers will be a team worth watching.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Pickings have been slim thus far for quality NHL goaltenders in this summer's free-agent market.

It's so bad that player agent Allan Walsh said recently that five teams called him on July 1 to ask if his client, Marc-Andre Fleury, might reconsider retirement.

According to Walsh, Fleury isn't returning, which means those teams must find other options to address their goaltending.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic isn't convinced, suggesting the Edmonton Oilers should still try to bring in Fleury to back up inconsistent starter Stuart Skinner. Given the limited options elsewhere, Mitchell thinks he's worth pursuing even if he keeps rejecting their requests.

Meanwhile, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journalreported the Oilers had an “active interest” in Arturs Silovs before the Vancouver Canuckstraded him last week to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He indicated that they've also been linked to Boston Bruins third-stringer Michael DiPietro.

Meanwhile, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now wondered what the future holds for netminder Nico Daws after the Devils brought back Jake Allen as starter Jacob Markstrom's understudy.

Daws, 24, appeared in 52 games for the Devils since 2021-22. He's in the final season of his two-year contract with a cap hit of $812,500 and must now pass through waivers to be sent to their AHL affiliate in Utica.

Nichols believes the Devils can't risk losing Daws on the waiver wire this fall. He felt they must trade him, either on his own or perhaps packaged with defenseman Dougie Hamilton or center Dawson Mercer in a larger deal. 

Unsurprisingly, Nichols suggested Edmonton as a trade destination for Daws, proposing he'd be a better long-term option for the Oilers than current backup Calvin Pickard.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames were also on Nichols' list. Both clubs require reliable backups, although Calgary may look to free-agent signing Ivan Prosvetov and Devin Cooley to compete for the No. 2 spot. Hannah Kirkell of Vegas Hockey Now thinks Daws could provide some much-needed competition for Akira Schmid for the Golden Knights' backup job.

The Hockey News’ Vani Hanamirian said it would be wise for the Devils to try to keep Daws, since they could use a steady third-string goalie to play if Allen or Markstrom get injured.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Kick off a new week in the NHL off-season with a new episode of rapid-fire topics on The Wraparound.

What Will The Penguins Do With Rust And Rakell? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Adam Kierszenblat discussed in this episode:

0:00: Reflecting on the NHL career of Jaroslav Halak

5:30: Will Blake Wheeler go down as one of the best Winnipeg Jets ever?

9:20: Did the Jets get a good deal by extending Gabriel Vilardi?

13:30: What will the Pittsburgh Penguins end up doing with Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell?

18:40: Could Nazem Kadri be traded by the Calgary Flames?

24:17: Will the Colorado Avalanche be able to keep Martin Necas?

30:40: Which players going through salary arbitration are due for the biggest raises?

34:30: What have been the best and worst contracts handed out this off-season?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

Promo photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images