Some players make the NHL as teenagers, but many prospects take three, four or even five years to break through.
The Hockey News' Future Watch issue features the top 100 team-affiliated prospects in the game every year.
We asked a scout, director of player personnel or GM from each NHL team to provide their input on the top prospects in the game, using a five-to-10-year measuring stick. So, while it’s not surprising that the sure-fire prospects at the top of the list get there quicker, a lower-ranked prospect gets every bit equal opportunity.
We start this project in mid-January after NHL teams have had post-WJC scouting meetings. At that point, we draw a line in the sand about who’s a prospect and who’s an NHLer. - Brian Costello, editor
Catch up on the players ranked 26th to 50th, 51st to 75th and 76th to 100th. And check out write-ups on each player by being subscribed to The Hockey News.
Here are the top 25.
1. Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens
St. Petersburg (KHL)
Demidov is the prospect the Canadiens are most excited about – and with good reason because of his sublime offensive talent. After Demidov was getting limited ice time early this season in the KHL, Hughes went to Russia in December to meet with him and coach Roman Rotenberg. Demidov’s ice time increased and so did his output. Rotenberg said Demidov is stronger this year and winning board battles. “He has genes to be like (Kirill) Kaprizov,” Rotenberg said. “He has genes to be strong.” - Stu Cowan
Be The Guy: Could Canadiens Prospect Ivan Demidov Be The Next Lafleur?
One hundred and ten years ago, Lt.-Col. John McCrae wrote <i>In Flanders Fields</i>
after the funeral of a close friend who had died in battle in the First
World War. More than 30 years later, Montreal Canadiens GM Frank Selke
absconded the famous line, “To you from failing hands we throw the
torch. Be yours to hold it high.” And for almost 75 years, that line has
greeted Canadiens players as they’ve entered the team’s dressing room,
either in the Forum or the Bell Centre. It’s there to remind them of the
greatness that has preceded them and their responsibility to uphold the
standard that was established by the franchise’s icons.
2. Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington Capitals
Boston College (HE)
Embracing the role of the villain at the WJC, Leonard ultimately got the last laugh. The tournament MVP had five goals and 10 points in seven games, captaining Team USA to a second straight gold medal. A power forward with tremendous speed, Leonard is a scorer who plays with an edge. About the only thing left on his amateur to-do list is win an NCAA championship. “His shot is wicked,” said Caps assistant GM Ross Mahoney, “yet he’s unselfish and moves the puck really well.” - Ben Raby
3. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Ducks
Oshawa (OHL)
Canada leaving Sennecke off their WJC roster left many scratching their heads. That’s because the rangy winger’s growing game already had him as one of the OHL’s best scorers and the No. 3 pick last June. The Ducks love his tenacity. He’s an exceptional playmaker and puckhandler for his age and size, and Anaheim could use his help in both areas. As for that WJC snub? Sennecke answered with nine goals and 22 points in eight December games for the Generals. - Greg Beacham
What The...Duck: Anaheim Prospect Beckett Sennecke Could Soon Dazzle At NHL Level
By Ken Campbell, Features Writer
4. Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild
Denver (NCHC)
5. Artyom Levshunov, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Rockford (AHL)
6. Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames
Saginaw (OHL)
7. Sam Dickinson, D, San Jose Sharks
London (OHL)
8. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues
Minnesota (Big Ten)
9. Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, Detroit Red Wings
Skelleftea (Swe.)
10. Tij Iginla, C, Utah Hockey Club
Kelowna (WHL)
11. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Ottawa Senators
Calgary (WHL)
Yakemchuk shrugged off the disappointment of being returned to junior and being snubbed from Canada’s WJC squad by breaking the WHL Hitmen’s all-time blueline goal-scoring record. The Sens, who took Yakemchuk ahead of highly touted D-men Zayne Parekh, Anton Silayev and Sam Dickinson, clearly value his blend of size and skill. And while his decision-making and skating must improve, Yakemchuk could well be the Sens’ future PP quarterback. He won’t be held back for long. - Dillon Collins
12. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, St. Louis Blues
Springfield (AHL)
13. Calum Ritchie, C, New York Islanders
Oshawa (OHL)
Future Watch: The NHL's Top Rising And Falling Prospects In 2025
The anticipated Future Watch issue is when The Hockey News looks at the future of the game, including the top 100 prospects in hockey.
14. Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey Devils
Utica (AHL)
15. Konsta Helenius, C, Buffalo Sabres
Rochester (AHL)
16. Jett Luchanko, C, Philadelphia Flyers
Guelph (OHL)
17. David Reinbacher, D, Montreal Canadiens
Laval (AHL)
18. Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
St. Petersburg (KHL)
19. Gabriel Perreault, RW, New York Rangers
Boston College (HE)
A skilled playmaker whose skating has improved, Perreault was a key factor (three goals, 10 points in seven games) in Team USA’s WJC gold. Born in Canada and raised in Illinois, Perreault has been compared by analysts to Montreal’s Cole Caufield in style, vision and hockey IQ. The Rangers have high hopes, but Perreault will have to add muscle – similar to his father, former NHLer Yanic, who scored 20-plus goals seven times – and raise his defensive game, to blossom. - Steve Zipay
20. Dmitry Simashev, D, Utah Hockey Club
Yaroslavl (KHL)
21. Lian Bischel, D, Dallas Stars
Texas (AHL)
22. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Vancouver Canucks
Abbotsford (AHL)
23. Brayden Yager, C, Winnipeg Jets
Lethbridge (WHL)
24. Anton Silayev, D, New Jersey Devils
Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
25. David Jiricek, D, Minnesota Wild
Iowa (AHL)
Jiricek has arrived as advertised. Since a trade from the Blue Jackets, who received four draft picks – including a first-rounder – and a prospect from the Wild, Jiricek previewed the unique skills that made him the No. 6 pick in 2022 during a stint with the Wild while their blueline was decimated by injuries. Jiricek has impressive offensive instincts and a lengthy reach. His defensive game needs work, but he’s willing to battle in his own zone, including in front of the net and in corners. - Sarah McLellan
Top NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025: 26 To 50
The Hockey News' Future Watch issue features the top 100 NHL-affiliated prospects in the sport, and there are some promising players between 26th and 50th on the list.
This appeared in our 2025 Future Watch magazine issue. Our cover story focuses on Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we look at the top 10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL clubs.
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.