Locked On NHL Prospects

The 2026 showcase between the top prospects of the CHL against the NTDP did not disappoint for drama or upsets, as the underdog Americans came out with a shock victory. We break down what went right for them, what went wrong for the CHL All-Stars, and which players stood out for the right (or wrong) reasons.     Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…   🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspect...

With our November rankings at Elite Prospects completed, here are the 9 USA-based prospects who cracked our top 50 as well as the 4 named as honourable mentions. As the region I focus on, these are the debates I'm most active in. From first overall contenders to a glut of second round talents, this USA crop has it all.   Elite Prospects Ranking Article: https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/2026-nhl...

The 2026 Draft is beginning to crystallize with distinct tiers, but no player has entrenched themselves at #1 as Gavin McKenna has stumbled a bit out of the gate, overwhelmed by the pace and physicality of college hockey. We had a lengthy debate at Elite Prospects before keeping him in that slot, here are the 7 players with at least an argument to steal it away. We begin by breaking down McKenna's...

The 2026 Draft is beginning to crystallize with distinct tiers, but plenty of debates from first overall to a glut of second-round talents. First, we break down the Top 15, featuring a variety of elite talents but without a player who has separated themselves from the pack. Next, we wrap up the first round, included some big-time risers in Jaxon Cover, Ryder Cali, and Alexander Command. Finally, w...

The month of October saw a trio of USHL rookies driving offence at a rate unexpected for 16-year-olds in this league. James Scantlebury highlights the group with a blend of breakneck pace, two-way details, and non-stop dynamism with the puck on his stick. Jake Prunty's 11 assists in his first 7 games from the blueline is absurd production, but his activation skill and slippery play have made him n...

Against all expectations, Ilia Morozov advanced his NCAA commitment by a year to play as a 17-year-old this season. All he has done is defy expectations, exude maturity, and gain his coaches' trust. We break down his detailed habits, projectable details, and physical net-front impact, and look at how his season to date could project to a high draft selection and future NHL success. But just how hi...

The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to shock the entire NHL with their hot start to the year. In this show, we break down what has made them tick and where they may face regression, from Malkin turning back time to his prime years to reliable goaltending from Silovs and Jarry. Next, we discuss how Ben Kindel has gotten off to such a hot scoring start and where both he and Harrison Brunicke slot into...

We roll back the clock to the 2022 NHL Draft and re-draft the top talents from the class, featuring big-time risers and fallers alike. First, we focus on the top 8, including a trio of NTDP products sweeping the top 3. Next, we focus on the 9-16 range, which sees guys like Snuggerud and Kulich establishing themselves as ones to watch. Finally, we wrap up the episode with the back half of the first...

The Boston Bruins love picking players from their own backyard, as we look at three of their Boston College prospects, highlighted by James Hagens' dynamism, while the Habs' 2C hopes seem locked in on Michael Hage, the best player on the best team in college hockey. We also highlight the results and NHL projections of fellow Bruins and BC Players, Dean Letourneau and William Moore. Finally, we wra...

The Ducks are off to a solid start to the season, and in this episode, I break down the standout performance from their gutsy shootout win over the Florida Panthers. Cutter Gauthier loves nothing more than sniping pucks and scoring goals, while Leo Carlsson is elevating his play as the clear first-line center. We also break down the progressions of McTavish and Sennecke at forward, while highlight...

The Blackhawks won a huge game against the Ottawa Senators, and Connor Bedard was by far the best player on the ice, potting a hat-trick, adding a helper, and saving a surefire goal in the late 2nd to keep the score at 4-3. Is this the season he emerges as a superstar in the NHL? Frank Nazar and Spencer Knight have cemented themselves as franchise cornerstones, dragging the team to multiple victor...

The Sharks have gotten off to a rocky start, but nothing has held back Celebrini from lighting up the NHL through his elite mind, creative playmaking, and lethal scoring skill. Michael Misa, for his part, is catching steam after being kept in the rafters to start the season, logging three points in his past three games. Finally, we look at the Sharks leaky defence and Yaroslav Askarov's developmen...

The Flyers returned Jett Luchanko to the OHL after 4 games played for a second straight season, and we ask: "Was he given enough opportunities to win a spot?" In the meantime, Porter Marton has been feasting since making the leap to college hockey, leading Michigan State in scoring and paving a path toward Hobey Baker contention as the NCAA MVP. Finally, we check-in with Jack Nesbitt, who has pick...

Harrison Brunicke looks solid in the NHL as a rookie and has taken huge strides in his two-way development since being drafted by Pittsburgh, but is he a higher-value pick than Washington's Cole Hutson? We also pitch Igor Chernyshov (SJS) against Ilya Protas (WSH), in a power forward head-to-head, with both guys dominating the net-front, bringing standout tools, and falling way further than they s...

The 2025 NHL Draft already has some potential steals rising to the top, from Matthew Schaefer's electrifying NHL start to Ben Kindel's solid debut with the Penguins and Alexander Zharovsky (MTL) lighting up the KHL. We break down first-round gems like Václav Nestrašil and later high-upside swings like Cooper Simpson on today's show, looking at 10 home run potential players from this summer's draft...

Emmitt Finnie has come out of nowhere as a slam-dunk piece for the Detroit Red Wings, defying the odds as a recent 7th-round pick, but is he a better value selection than Zach Benson, who is becoming one of Buffalo's most important players? We look at 5 other steals from the 2023 class as well: Oliver Moore, Gavin Brindley, Felix Unger Sörum, Luca Cagnoni, and Aiden Fink.   2022 Draft Hits/Misses...

We roll back the clock to the 2022 NHL Draft and highlight 6 players I was particularly high on, breaking down why they hit/missed, how their careers have progressed, and where I had them ranked at the time. What can we learn from their progressions? Frank Nazar and Lane Hutson are off to electrifying starts to their NHL careers, looking like the stars I projected them to be, but others, like Brad...

We roll back the clock to the 2021 NHL Draft and highlight 6 of the biggest steals from that class, breaking down why they fell, how their careers have progressed, and where I had them ranked at the time. What can we learn from their progressions? Which styles of players overshoot their draft pick value? William Eklund and Wyatt Johnston have both already outperformed their respective draft stocks...

We roll back the clock to the 2020 NHL Draft and highlight 7 of the biggest steals from that class, breaking down why they fell, how their careers have progressed, and where I had them ranked at the time. What can we learn from their progressions? Which styles of players overshoot their draft pick value? Seth Jarvis and J.J. Peterka have done so as undersized but pacy middle-driven playmakers. Bro...

Four years into the Montréal Canadiens rebuild, things are looking splendid, with a 6-2-0 record to lead the Atlantic Division, led by the young stars acquired and developed in the past few seasons. From building with a clear vision and landing elite prospects to creating an environment that players want to buy into and constructing a cohesive organization with many cogs in constant communication,...

Everything Matthew Schaefer has done through 6 NHL games has been nearly unprecedented, from leading his team in ice time to scoring 7 points, and he's done it all as the second-youngest player selected in this past draft. We discuss the records he could break, the elements that make him truly special, and where his path as a franchise defenceman might take him later in his career in this half-hou...

The 2026 Draft cycle is upon us, with NHL Central Scouting releasing its preliminary rankings. We discuss the highballers destined for 1st round glory; the European firepower making its mark early in the season; the big-time risers highlighted by Kamloops' J.P. Hurlbert; and the guys ranked too low. NHL CS Rankings: https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_document/prd/wie2axdger9u2k2ycr4r.pdf  ...

The QMJHL is back as an NHL prospect factory, following some dark years with few players of note, we now have four pushing for 1st round consideration in a stacked 2026 draft class. Xavier Villeneuve highlights the bunch, possessing dynamic creativity, quick-twitch wrists, and a game-breaking talent that would be special for a forward, let alone a defenceman. Next, Yegor Shilov could entrench hims...

The 2025-26 season is well and truly underway, and a number of rookies have hit the ground running. We break them down in a Top 10 ranking, working our way from the top down the list. First, we discuss Zeev Buium, Beckett Sennecke, and Matthew Schaefer. Next, we shine a light on the impressive starts of Ivan Demidov, Sam Rinzel, and Alexander Nikishin. Finally, we wrap up the show, shouting out Ji...

While college hockey is not typically the arena where 17-year-olds flourish, the hockey landscape is shifting and all six first-time draft-eligibles this season will be pushing for Top 50 slots on draft day. First, we look at the explosive starts of net-front bully Ilia Morozov and smooth-skating defenceman Landon Nycz. Next, we take a glance at Adam Valentini's sturdy and projectable game alongsi...