As NHL teams push towards the playoffs, many hockey prospects are already in their playoff season in other leagues.
Major junior leagues are heading into a two-month playoff stretch, leading to the Memorial Cup starting May 22 in Rimouski. In the NCAA, 16 teams are competing for the Frozen Four final on April 12 in St. Louis.
Playoffs are also underway in professional European leagues.
For NHL teams out of playoff contention, fans are eager to see which prospects could join the team next season. Even contending teams rely on their prospect pipelines for affordable, impactful players on entry-level contracts.
With playoffs intensifying globally, this week`s power rankings will review a notable prospect for each of the 32 NHL teams.
Team Prospect Rankings
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Washington Capitals (47-15-9)
Ryan Leonard, the 2023 eighth overall pick, is seen as a prospect who can immediately contribute to an NHL team after his college season. He`s currently competing for a national title with Boston College. Ilya Protas’s younger brother, Ilya, had an impressive OHL debut with 124 points for the Windsor Spitfires. Andrew Cristall (40th overall, 2023) topped the WHL in scoring with 132 points, and Cole Hutson (43rd overall, 2024) led the World Junior Championship in scoring as a defenseman, a rare feat in nearly 20 years. The Capitals` prospect pool is very strong.
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Winnipeg Jets (49-19-4)
Elias Salomonsson, a 2022 second-round pick, debuted in North America with the AHL`s Manitoba Moose with great success. The right-handed defenseman, turning 21 this summer, could challenge for an NHL roster spot next season.
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Dallas Stars (46-21-4)
Emil Hemming, the 29th overall pick in 2024, joined the OHL’s Barrie Colts from Finland this season. The winger finished strong with eight points in his last eight games and is part of a strong Colts team with playoff aspirations.
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Los Angeles Kings (40-21-9)
Liam Greentree, the 26th pick in 2024, showed significant development in his post-draft season. He ranked third in OHL scoring with 119 points, behind Michael Misa and Ilya Protas.
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Vegas Golden Knights (43-20-8)
Trevor Connelly, a 2024 first-round pick, won gold at the WJC with Team USA but had a freshman season at Providence College impacted by injuries. He aims to improve in his sophomore year.
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Colorado Avalanche (44-25-3)
Ilya Nabokov, 22, has been a top KHL goalie for two seasons. While the timing of Russian players coming to North America is uncertain, Nabokov, a second-rounder last summer, could potentially make the jump next season.
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Carolina Hurricanes (43-24-4)
Bradly Nadeau leads all AHL rookies in goals with 27. This is a great performance for the 19-year-old, drafted 30th overall in 2023. Scott Morrow, a 2021 second-round pick defenseman, also excelled in his first AHL season and received an NHL call-up in March.
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Florida Panthers (43-25-3)
Jack Devine, a 2022 seventh-round pick, is seeking a second consecutive NCAA title with Denver in his final college season. The smaller winger is known for his tenacity and is expected to continue his NHL pursuit in the AHL next year.
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Toronto Maple Leafs (43-25-3)
Easton Cowan, drafted 28th overall in 2023, was a key prospect the Leafs retained at the trade deadline. He has top-six potential and is focused on leading London to a Memorial Cup victory in 2025 after reaching the final last year.
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St. Louis Blues (38-28-7)
As the Blues contend for a playoff spot, Jimmy Snuggerud might join them if they qualify. The University of Minnesota junior, selected 23rd overall in 2022, led the Golden Gophers in goals (22) and assists (27) this season.
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Tampa Bay Lighting (41-25-5)
Isaac Howard, the 31st pick in 2022, made significant offensive strides in his NCAA junior year. He scored 26 goals for Michigan State, leading the team significantly, as they aim for the Frozen Four.
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Edmonton Oilers (41-25-5)
Matthew Savoie, drafted ninth overall by Buffalo in 2022 and traded to Edmonton, has shown offensive promise in his AHL rookie season. He recorded 14 points in 12 games for Bakersfield from late January to early March.
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Calgary Flames (34-25-11)
Zayne Parekh is considered a top offensive defenseman prospect. The ninth overall pick in 2024 scored his second straight 33-goal season with the Saginaw Spirit, becoming only the 10th defenseman in OHL history to reach 100 points, and the first since Ryan Ellis in 2010-11.
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Minnesota Wild (40-27-5)
Zeev Buium is in the conversation for hockey`s top prospect. Despite falling to 12th overall last June, Buium`s impact is expected to mirror Brock Faber`s, who became a key defenseman for the Wild after joining from college. Buium aims for a second NCAA title with Denver.
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Vancouver Canucks (34-26-12)
Jonathan Lekkerimaki, the 15th pick in 2022, is now with the Canucks and recently scored a crucial goal against New Jersey. His 19 AHL goals in 32 games highlight his adaptation to North America as a scoring winger.
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New Jersey Devils (38-28-7)
The Devils` defensive lineup is evolving. They have Simon Nemec (2022 second overall pick), Seamus Casey (2022 second-rounder), and Anton Silayev (10th overall last June). Silayev`s size and skating ability make him a unique defensive prospect. It remains to be seen if all will remain with the Devils in the future.
Tristan Blackwood