NHL Young Guns Impress In Pre-Season, Including Michkov, Fantilli, Yakemchuk and More

The NHL pre-season is a showcase for the NHL's next wave — and this year is no different.

While veterans might be going through the motions, exhibition games are not meaningless for everyone. Some younger players are competing for jobs or trying to earn a higher role in the lineup. Others are providing a glimpse into their development.

And what we've seen so far has been impressive.

From highly touted rookies, such as Philadelphia's Matvei Michkov and Ottawa's Carter Yakemchuk to a third-year forward who's trying to cement his spot in the lineup, such as Buffalo's JJ Peterka, here is a sampling of young players looking to push the envelope.

It was a moderate surprise when the Senators took Yakemchuk seventh overall in June. Some loved the move because of his offensive skill and production, while others felt it was a reach because of some noticeable mobility issues and defensive flaws. 

Though he's far from a finished product, Senators fans are ecstatic over the defender. His skill has been on display a number of times in the two games he's played, including the wicked overtime goal he scored against Toronto.

It hasn’t been perfect, but Yakemchuk’s size, puckhandling and blistering shot have all been reasons to be excited for Ottawa’s top prospect. He’s very unlikely to make the NHL roster out of camp, but when he heads back to the WHL, he will have plenty of confidence from his NHL training camp and pre-season.

Injuries plagued Honzek last season, limiting him to 33 WHL games. The general thinking was the 2023 first-round pick would need another year of development in the AHL. 

Plans can change. With six points in three games, Honzek could be forcing the Flames into a tough decision. Do they reward a 19-year-old with a spot on what could be one of the worst teams in the NHL this season? Or do they develop him in the minors, where he might have more success?

If he continues to play the way he has, he'll have success wherever he ends up. His progression since last training camp stands out, with more speed, strength, consistency and comfort. 

The Flames will likely be in for a rough season, so it’s not out of the question they will eventually want some young players in the lineup. Honzek’s great showing in camp is putting his name near the top of the list among the call-ups from the AHL.

It’s safe to say the wait for Michkov was worth it. 

The young Russian was often criticized in his draft year for being lackadaisical and uninterested. But since arriving in Philadelphia, the kid has been a dog on a bone. Michkov has been relentless on the puck, and he’s shown off all the skill that was promised.

Michkov's start has been quite good, and all reports from training camp have been positive for the cerebral left winger. There may be some moments in Philly where the underwhelming motor shows up, but the beginning of Michkov’s run with the Flyers is showing exactly why he was often put in the same class as the top players in the stacked 2023 NHL draft.

Peterka is one of the top breakout candidates coming off a 50-point sophomore year, and he’s had a great pre-season to start on the right foot. His speed and motor have always been the driving forces of his game, but his development as an offensive player has been outstanding.

The young German scored in his home nation as the Sabres played an exhibition game against Red Bull Munich on Friday. The crowd was electric when he scored. This could be the start of a wicked season for Peterka.

Even in the pre-season, a hat trick is an impressive accomplishment. 

Fantilli tallied three goals in a win over the Wild on Friday as the Blue Jackets potential star preps for his second season. Coming off of an injury that ended his season at the end of January, it’s good to see the franchise cornerstone looking impressive in his first action since then.

There is potential for Fantilli to assert himself as not only one of the Blue Jackets' best players for the future but also this season. Six months from now, we may be talking about how Fantilli has ascended to a true star in the NHL. We might be talking about him as one of the best young players in the league, as he leads the Jackets in scoring. It will be a fun year to be a Columbus fan as Fantilli emerges. 

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