With a new season upon us, all 32 teams look at their squad with hope. Many teams this time of the year are looking at their youth and their prospect pools. Fans are excited for the league’s top young guns to help their team either this season or multiple seasons down the road. So, here is our second edition of the top 100 NHL Prospects (click here to see last year’s rankings)

In order to qualify for this list, a player’s rights must be owned by a team, so no players eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft or later will be included. Also, if a player has played 25 or more games in a single season, six or more games in multiple seasons, or has passed their 26th birthday, they are ineligible. 

1. LW/C Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks

Drafted 9th Overall by Ducks in 2019 (Ranked 4th last year)

2021 was an eventful year for Trevor Zegras — leading team USA to gold in the World Juniors and beginning his NHL career. Zegras played just 24 games for the Ducks last year (scoring 13 points), keeping his rookie eligibility for this upcoming season. After dominating in college and the AHL, Zegras is the betting favorite for the Calder Trophy and looks to help turn the page in the Anaheim Ducks’ rebuild. 

2. RW Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens

Drafted 15th Overall by Canadiens in 2019 (Ranked 14th last year)

Zegras’ partner in crime, Cole Caufield took social media by storm when he joined the Canadiens for their run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. Caufield had an eventful year as well, winning gold with Zegras in the World Juniors, winning the Hobey Baker Award, and leading all college hockey players in points, and he also played phenomenally in the NHL playoffs, assisting two vital overtime goals. 

3. C Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 2nd Overall by Kings in 2020 (Ranked 2nd last year)

Unlike many second overall draft picks, the Kings didn’t give Quinton Byfield free rein right away. Byfield scored just one point in six NHL games in 2021 and spent most of his time in the AHL. But the big young center has been preparing for a long time and is eyeing a monster rookie season in 2022 following his recovery from an injury he suffered during a pre-season game versus the Arizona Coyotes.

4. LW Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings

Drafted 4th Overall by Red Wings in 2020 (Ranked 9th last year)

Lucas Raymond stayed in Sweden after the Red Wings selected fourth overall, and as anticipated, had his most impressive season to date. He scored 18 points through 34 games in Sweden’s top league. Due to a strong preseason, Raymond has made the Red Wings opening roster and eyes the beginning of his NHL career.

5. D Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings

Drafted 6th Overall by Red Wings in 2019 (Ranked 30th last year)

Seider originally looked like a big reach in the 2019 NHL Draft, but so far the German defenseman has made Red Wings’ general manager Steve Yzerman look like a genius. After an impressive 2021 season in the AHL and an even more impressive 2022 season in the SHL, Seider looks ready to be for the NHL.

6. RW Vasily Podkolzin, Vancouver Canucks

Drafted 10th Overall by Canucks in 2020 (Ranked 35th last year)

Since being drafted, Podkolzin has had two solid years in the KHL. His main exciting attribute is his shot, his ability to fire the puck giving him the nickname “Pod-goal-zin” amongst Canucks fans. Podkolzin signed his entry-level contract in the offseason and has played for the Canucks to start the season.

7. D Bowen Byram, Colorado Avalanche

Drafted 4th Overall by Avalanche in 2019 (Ranked 6th last year)

As if the Avalanche defensive corps wasn’t already good enough, Bowen Byram appears to be added to the everyday lineup for this season. The former first overall pick has looked good in the WHL and AHL and scored two points in his first 19 NHL games last year. Byram has some work to do to be an NHL-caliber defenseman but his ceiling couldn’t be much higher.

8. G Spencer Knight, Florida Panthers 

Drafted 13th Overall by Panthers in 2019 (Ranked 26th last year)

Spencer Knight has been a wall at Boston College in the past two years since being drafted. Knight looked really good in his first four NHL games and even slotted in four two postseason games last year. It’s very rare – almost unheard of – for a goalie to look this good at just 20-years-old, but with Chris Driedger in Seattle, he and Sergei Bobrovsky will be sharing the net for the near future for the Panthers.

9. D Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres

Drafted 1st Overall by Sabres in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

In a draft on the weaker side, the Sabres selected Power in the most recent NHL Draft with the top pick. Power looked like a really mature defenseman at the University of Michigan last year and has returned to Michigan for another season. However, someday Power and Rasmus Dahlin, also a former first overall pick defenseman by the Sabres, can be an elite pairing.

10. C Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken 

Drafted 2nd Overall by Kraken in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

Just like in the actual draft, Beniers falls just behind his University of Michigan teammate in our rankings. He is back with the Wolverines for another season, but soon enough Beniers will be playing for the Kraken and could be the first superstar to play for the new franchise.

11. C Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild

Drafted 9th Overall by WIld in 2020 (Ranked 7th last year)

The Wild were thrilled when Rossi fell to them at ninth overall in 2020. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Rossi hard and purloined his ability to play for almost a year. Due to the loss in development time, Rossi will start in the AHL, but look for him to earn some time in the NHL for the Wild.

12. D Jamie Drysdale, Anaheim Ducks

Drafted 6th Overall by Ducks in 2020 (Ranked 15th last year)

The promising Ducks blueliner has been working with the organization all season, like Trevor Zegras, spending time in both the AHL and NHL. Drysdale played 24 NHL games, one short of losing his rookie eligibility, and had eight points. Adding Drysdale will help the Ducks’ desperate need for improved defense.

13. C Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets

Drafted 10th Overall by Jets in 2020 (Ranked 10th last year)

The Jets need help at center if they want to be contenders, and Perfetti seems to fit the bill. Perfetti spent the entire season in the AHL last year, his 26 points finishing second on the Manitoba Moose. Perfetti is looking to prove his NHL readiness this season in Winnipeg.

14. RW Alexander Holtz, New Jersey Devils 

Drafted 7th Overall by Devils in 2020 (Ranked 11th last year)

Holtz showcased his offensive abilities in Sweden for another year last year. Holtz’s shot sets him above tons of other prospects. Holtz will start in the AHL but seeks to be a winger for the Devils’ top line soon.

15. C Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers

Drafted 12th Overall by Panthers in 2020 (Ranked 11th last year)

Anton Lundell showed big improvement after already being drafted high by the Panthers. His point-per-game rate through 26 games in Finland shows that he’s ready for action. Lundell also was third in points in last years’ World Juniors. 

16. C Alex Newhook, Colorado Avalanche

Drafted 16th Overall by Avalanche in 2019 (Ranked 19th last year)

After being drafted Alex Newhook went to Boston College, where he led his team in points and they had the best record in the Hockey East division. Last year, Newhook split his time between college hockey, the AHL, and even six NHL games, in all of which he showed proficiency.

17. C Alex Turcotte, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 5th Overall by Kings in 2019 (Ranked 8th last year)

Alex Turcotte is developing rather slowly, but developing nonetheless. Turcotte spent 2020 in college and 2021 in the AHL, improving his game. With another good AHL season, we could see Turcotte finally reach the NHL soon.

18. LW Nick Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs

Drafted 53rd Overall by Maple Leafs in 2019 (Ranked 17th last year)

Nick Robertson fell well into the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft but quickly looked like a steal with a dominant OHL season. Robertson also joined the Maple Leafs for four playoff games and scored a goal that season. He spent most of last year in the AHL and appeared in six more NHL games.

19. G Yaroslav Askarov, Nashville Predators

Drafted 11th Overall by Predators in 2020 (Ranked 21st last year)

The top goalie in his class, the Predators have high hopes for Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov got a taste of Russia’s top three leagues last year, and despite the range in difficulty between those leagues, Askarov was difficult to score on at all levels.

20. RW Grigori Denisenko, Florida Panthers

Drafted 15th Overall by Panthers in 2018 (ranked 24th last year)

Denisenko stayed in Russia for two years after being drafted by Florida and gradually showed good improvement to his scoring abilities. Now, Denisenko is with the team permanently, currently in the AHL.

21. D Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators

Drafted 5th Overall by Senators in 2020 (Ranked 22nd last year)

The Senators used the fifth overall pick in 2020 to select Jake Sanderson. The Montana native has shown a mature two-way game in the USA Developmental Program. Sanderson is now beginning his second season at the University of North Dakota.

22. LW William Eklund, San Jose Sharks

Drafted 7th Overall by Sharks in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

Snagging William Eklund at seventh overall looked like one of the best picks of the 2021 draft. Eklund posted an impressive 23 points in 40 SHL games last season.

23. C Kent Johnson, Columbus Blue Jackets

Drafted 5th Overall by Blue Jackets in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

Kent Johnson made history as he, Beniers, and Power became the first three players drafted in the top ten – let alone the top five – out of the same college. Despite being drafted three picks later, Johnson showed tremendous playmaking abilities and had more points than Beniers. Johnson will also return to play at the University of Michigan this season.

24. G Kaapo Kahkonen, Minnesota WIld

Drafted 109th Overall by Wild in 2014 (Ranked 93rd last year)

Wait, Kaapo Kahkonen? In his third NHL season? Well, Kahkonen is 25-years-old and played five games in 2020 and 24 in 2021, barely dodging all the requirements of losing rookie eligibility. With that being said, Kahkonen has had a successful start to his career and will share the crease with Cam Talbot in Minnesota in hopes of a deep playoff run.

25. G Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

Drafted 111th Overall by Bruins in 2017 (Not in last years’ rankings) 

After an incredible 2020 season at the University of Maine, Swayman joined the Bruins organization last year. Swayman spent a lot of time on the taxi squad but was really strong in his first 10 NHL and 9 AHL games. Swayman will back up Linus Ullmark for the Bruins in what is bound to be a competitive Atlantic Division.

26. RW Arthur Kaliyev, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 33rd Overall by Kings in 2019 (Ranked 18th last year)

27. D Ville Heinola, Winnipeg Jets

Drafted 20th Overall by Jets in 2019 (Ranked 45th last year)

28. C/RW Philip Tomasino, Nashville Predators

Drafted 24th Overall by Predators in 2019 (Ranked 41st last year)

29. LW Rodion Amirov, Toronto Maple Leafs

Drafted 15th Overall by Maple Leafs in 2020 (Ranked 42nd last year)

30. C Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes

Drafted 13th Overall by Hurricanes in 2020 (Ranked 40th last year)

31. D Scott Perunovich, St. Louis Blues

Drafted 45th Overall by Jets in 2018 (Ranked 32nd last year)

32. C Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals

Drafted 25th Overall by Capitals in 2019 (Ranked 29th last year)

33. RW Dyan Guenther, Arizona Coyotes

Drafted 9th Overall by Coyotes in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

34. D Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils

Drafted 4th Overall by Devils in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

35. C Peyton Krebs, Vegas Golden Knights

Drafted 17th Overall by Golden Knights in 2019 (Ranked 33rd last year)

36. D Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars

Drafted 18th Overall by Stars in 2019 (Ranked 29th last year)

37. LW Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild

Drafted 12th Overall by Wild in 2019 (Ranked 27th last year)

38. C Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks

Drafted 3rd Overall by Ducks in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

39. C Shane Pinto, Ottawa Senators

Drafted 32nd Overall by Senators in 2019 (Ranked 65th last year)

40. G Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota WIld

Drafted 20th by Wild in (Not in last year’s rankings)

41. D Cam York, Philadelphia Flyers

Drafted 14th Overall by Flyers in 2019 (Ranked 25th last year)

42. D Brandt Clarke, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 8th Overall by Kings in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

43. D Topi Niemela, Toronto Maple Leafs

Drafted 64th Overall by Maple Leafs in 2020 (Ranked 89th last year)

44. RW Jonatan Berggren, Detroit Red WIngs

Drafted 33rd Overall by Red Wings in 2018 (Not in last years’ rankings)

45. C Cole Sillinger, Columbus Blue Jackets

Drafted 12th Overall by Blue Jackets in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

46. C Morgan Frost, Philadelphia Flyers

Drafted 27th Overall by Flyers in 2017 (Ranked 31st last year)

47. RW Vitaly Kravtsov, New York Rangers

Drafted 9th Overall by Rangers in 2018 (Ranked 36th last year)

48. D Victor Soderstrom, Arizona Coyotes

Drafted by Coyotes 11th Overall in 2019 (Ranked 50th last year)

49. D Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings

Drafted 6th Overall by Red Wings in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

50. RW Jack Quinn, Buffalo Sabres

Drafted 8th Overall by Sabres in 2020 (Ranked 28th last year)

51. LW Adam Beckman, Minnesota Wild 

Drafted 75th Overall by WIld in 2019 (Ranked 56th last year)

52. D Calen Addison, Minnesota Wild

Drafted 53rd Overall by Penguins in 2018, traded to Wild in 2020 (Ranked 47th last year)

53. G Sebastian Cossa, Detroit Red Wings

Drafted 15th Overall by Red Wings in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

54. LW Lukas Reichel, Chicago Blackhawks

Drafted 17th Overall by Blackhawks in 2020 (Ranked 46th last year)

55. C/RW Dawson Mercer, New Jersey Devils

Drafted 18th Overall by Devils in 2020 (Ranked 38th last year)

56. C Thomas Bordeleau, San Jose Sharks

Drafted 38th Overall by Sharks in 2020 (Ranked 76th last year)

57. LW Jakob Pelletier, Calgary Flames

Drafted 26th Overall by Flames in 2019 (Ranked 81st last year)

58. D Philip Broberg, Edmonton Oilers

Drafted 8th Overall by Oilers in 2019 (Ranked 84th last year)

59. C Hendrix Lapierre, Washington Capitals

Drafted 22nd Overall by Capitals in 2010 (Ranked 60th last year)

60. RW Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames

Drafted 13th Overall by Flames in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

61. G Hugo Alnefelt, Tampa Bay Lightning

Drafted 71st by Lightning in 2019 (Not in last years’ rankings)

62. D Nils Lundkvist, New York Rangers

Drafted 28th Overall by Rangers in 2018 (Ranked 75th last year)

63. LW Dylan Holloway, Edmonton Oilers

Drafted 14th Overall by Oilers in 2020 (Not in last years’ rankings)

64. D Jack Rathbone, Vancouver Canucks

Drafted 95th Overall by Canucks in 2017 (Not in last years’ rankings)

65. RW Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets

Drafted 21st Overall by Blue Jackets in 2020 (Not in last years’ rankings)

66. D Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ottawa Senators

Drafted 26th Overall by Senators in 2018 (Ranked 43rd last year)

67. D Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Pittsburgh Penguins

Drafted 23rd Overall by Coyotes in 2017, traded to Penguins in 2019 (Ranked 70th last year)

68. C Brendan Brisson, Vegas Golden Knights

Drafted 29th Overall by Golden Knights in 2020 (Ranked 67th last year)

69. D Braden Schneider, New York Rangers

Drafted 19th Overall by Rangers in 2020 (Ranked 85th last year)

70. LW Samuel Poulin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Drafted 21st Overall by Penguins in 2019 (Ranked 39th last year)

71. RW Tyson Foerster, Philadelphia Flyers

Drafted 23rd Overall by Flyers in 2020 (Ranked 48th last year)

72. C Connor Zary, Calgary Flames

Drafted 24th Overall by Flames in 2020 (Ranked 63rd last year)

73. RW Noel Gunler, Carolina Hurricanes

Drafted 41st Overall by Hurricanes in 2020 (Ranked 58th last year)

74. RW Kirill Marchenko, Columbus Blue Jackets

Drafted 49th Overall by Blue Jackets in 2018 (Not in last years’ rankings)

75. D Justin Barron, Colorado Avalanche

Drafted 25th Overall by Avalanche in 2020 (Not in last years’ rankings)

76. C Joe Veleno, Detroit Red Wings

Drafted 30th Overall by Red Wings in 2018 (Not in last years’ rankings)

77. C Zachary Bolduc, St, Louis Blues

Drafted 17th Overall by Blues in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

78. RW Jacob Perreault, Anaheim Ducks

Drafted 27th Overall by Ducks in 2020 (Ranked 98th last year)

79. C Jack Studnicka, Boston Bruins

Drafted 53rd Overall by Bruins in 2017 (Ranked 82nd last year)

80. C Akil Thomas, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 51st Overall by Kings in 2018 (Ranked 77th Overall last year)

81. D Josh Brook, Montreal Canadiens

Drafted 56th Overall by Canadiens in 2017 (Not in last years’ rankings)

82. RW Oskar Olausson, Colorado Avalanche

Drafted 28th Overall by Avalanche in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

83. G Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames

Drafted 214th Overall by Flames in 2019 (Ranked 66th last year)

84. C Mavrik Bourque, Dallas Stars

Drafted 30th Overall by Stars in 2020 (Ranked 64th last year)

85. C Ryan Suzuki, Carolina Hurricanes

Drafted 28th Overall by Hurricanes in 2019 (Ranked 59th last year)

86. C Klim Kostin, St. Louis Blues

Drafted 31st Overall by Blues in 2017 (Ranked 55th last year)

87. G Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks

Drafted 85th Overall by Ducks in 2018 (Not in last years’ rankings)

88. C Rasmus Kupari, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 20th Overall by Kings in 2018 (Not in last years’ rankings)

89. D Brock Faber, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 45th Overall by Kings in 2020 (Not in last years’ rankings)

90. C Aleksi Heponiemi, Florida Panthers

Drafted 40th Overall by Panthers in 2017 (Not in last years’ rankings)

91. D Timothy Liljegren, Toronto Maple Leafs

Drafted 17th Overall by Maple Leafs in 2017 (Not in last years’ rankings)

92. D Samuel Bolduc, New York Islanders

Drafted 57th Overall by Islanders in 2019 (Not in last years’ rankings)

93. D David Farrance, Nashville Predators

Drafted 92nd Overall by Predators in 2017 (Ranked 100th last year)

94. G Daniil Tarasov, Columbus Blue Jackets

Drafted 86th Overall by Blue Jackets in 2017 (Not in last years’ rankings)

95. LW Fabian Lysell, Boston Bruins

Drafted 21st Overall by Bruins in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

96. LW Sampo Ranta, Colorado Avalanche

Drafted 78th Overall by Avalanche in 2018 (Not in last years’ rankings)

97. RW Isak Rosen, Buffalo Sabres

Drafted 14th Overall by Sabres in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

98. C Aatu Raty, New York Islanders

Drafted 52nd Overall by Islanders in 2021 (Not in last years’ rankings)

99. LW Samuel Fagemo, Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 50th Overall by Kings in 2019 (Ranked 78th last year)

100. D Zac Jones, New York Rangers

Drafted 68th Overall by Rangers in 2019 (Not in last years’ rankings)