- May 21, 2026
- 8,710
- 0
For months, fans across the internet have been clamoring for action resembling NHL hockey. And while these rookie tournaments won’t feature many players that will be full-timers this season, it does offer fans a glimpse into the future before training camps start next week.
The Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals are not participating in any rookie games this weekend (the Capitals will have a camp, though). So, sorry to fans of those clubs. For every other fanbase, the upcoming weekend will be a good opportunity to get a look at what their next crop of young talent could look like. Players already participating in European seasons will not take part, and the same goes for NCAA-bound players, too.
This isn’t a list of the best player on every team, even though that’s definitely the case for many. Instead, it’s a player with an interesting storyline to follow, whether it be a chance to make up for a poor season the year prior, or because they’re hoping to make the NHL roster out of training camp:
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
McQueen had 11 goals and 27 points in 36 games with Providence College this past year. Nothing spectacular, and, to some, perhaps concerning for a top-10 draft pick. But the context is important: McQueen had to play some serious catch-up after skating in just 17 regular season games with the Brandon Wheat Kings the year prior. His responsibilities started to rise as the season wore on, and he was quite consistent with and without the puck in the second half. The 6-foot-6 center is still extremely difficult to contain on the rush, and he’s a tremendous playmaker, too. There will be a lot of eyes on him as he heads to San Diego full-time this year, and I actually thought some of his late-season AHL duty was solid. I still have a lot of hope for McQueen – he’ll have a perfect opportunity to prove why the Ducks believed so highly of him this month.
Event: Prospects Showcase in Buffalo, Sept. 13-14
A 23-year-old undrafted free agent signing, Biasca turned heads at the IIHF World Championship with Switzerland to help him land his first NHL deal. His numbers in the Swiss-based NL were nothing to get excited about, but he’s an absolute force of nature who plays a strong power-forward game. He doesn’t get himself into trouble often, but he does an excellent job of clearing the middle for his linemates to get a shot off. Biasca projects as a fourth-line energy forward who makes himself very difficult to contain – and at his age, he’s one of the most NHL-ready prospects at this camp.
Event: Prospects Showcase in Buffalo, Sept. 13-14
Štrbák turned pro after the 2025-26 NCAA season and made a solid first impression with the Rochester Americans. The 21-year-old never really broke out offensively at Michigan State, but he was a strong support weapon throughout his three years there. He’s a decent puckmover who skates well and hits hard, and he doesn’t get too frazzled under pressure. Radim Mrtka is the obvious shining star for Buffalo right now defensively, but Štrbák is a top 10 prospect in the Sabres’ pipeline and should receive a ton of attention during the two-day affair at the LECOM Harborcenter.
Event: NextGen Showcase in Calgary, Sept. 14
Sergeev’s career has come a long way since getting selected in the seventh round in 2021. After a solid three-year college career, Sergeev played in the NHL, AHL and ECHL last year which, winning his NHL debut near the end of the season. Sergeev is expected to own the starter’s crease with the Wranglers this year, but this will be a good opportunity for him to steal the spotlight and show the fanbase that he’s a legitimate long-term backup option. The Flames are missing many of the team’s top prospects due to college commitments, but Sergeev is definitely one of the more intriguing goalies you’ll find at one of these events.
Event: Prospects Showcase in Morrisville, Sept. 13-15
Badinka made the jump over to the AHL this past year, where he put up 14 points in 68 games with the Wolves. Ice time was a bit hard to come by – he played around 14 minutes a night on a team boasting an impressive blueline. Still, scouts seem to really believe in him. Badinka has a good 6-foot-3 frame and solid hockey sense, and he doesn’t crumble under pressure. His mobility is solid, he’s elusive and makes smart decisions with the puck. I’d like to see him reach another level offensively. Hopefully he’ll see his ice time increase significantly in his sophomore campaign – but first, I hope to see his skating on display on home ice.
Event: Prospect Showcase in Chicago, Sept. 14-15
Boisvert is the most NHL-ready prospect on Chicago’s roster at this event, and he’ll have an opportunity to show why. Boisvert had a difficult year in college, finishing with just three goals and 17 points in 26 games with Boston University. It was a big step down from the 18 goals and 32 points he had at North Dakota the year before, and it made some question his development path. Boisvert signed his NHL entry-level contract in March and had two points in his final three games, showing greater confidence after getting some big-game action under his belt. It wasn’t a huge sample size, but you could see what scouts liked about him from it. The two-way center loves to shoot the puck, and it felt like watching his old self again once he got up to the NHL. I like his hockey sense and general reliability away from the puck, so I’m still a big believer in Boisvert’s future. Hopefully, he can consistently get back on the scoresheet in 2026-27.
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
DiMarsico parlayed a strong three-year run with Penn State University into an NHL contract last spring. He finished the year with the Colorado Eagles, playing throughout the team’s extended postseason run. DiMarsico is a high-energy forward who works his tail off to win every battle. He won’t blow you away with pure skill, but he’s always chasing after pucks and looking to make plays happen. DiMarsico likely won’t crack the NHL in a goal-scoring capabity, but I could see him becoming a decent call-up option who’ll give you a full effort every single game. This tournament will be a great opportunity for him to make a big impression in hopes of forcing himself into a bottom-six NHL role to start the year.
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
Not every defender is going to be a high-flying, flashy puck-mover. Sometimes you just need a guy who’s good in his own zone, and Elick fits the bill. Elick moves well for a 6-foot-4 defenseman, and many WHL players considered him one of the toughest defensemen to beat in 1-on-1 situations over the past few years. He received rave reviews for his limited AHL action to close out the year, and now he’ll look to solidify Cleveland’s back end this coming year. As a shutdown defender, there’s a lot to like. I just wish he’d get more comfortable moving and rushing the puck to round out his game a bit more. But I like Elick as a potential No. 6/7 blueliner in the NHL. In Detroit, though, look for top-four duty.
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
It’s good to see Dallas’ top prospect at this event. Hemming had 63 points in 46 games while being a generally reliable two-way player with the Barrie Colts last year. And that’s where the real value comes in: Hemming doesn’t make many mistakes in his own zone and always seems to show up whenever Barrie needs him most. Hemming will now look to become a regular contributor for Texas, where he’ll likely slot into a middle-six role. He knows how to use his big frame, and his shot is excellent for his age, too. I expect Hemming to be more of a third-liner in the NHL – but one who’s quite difficult to play against. On this team, though, he’ll be counted on to lead the charge.
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
Augustine is one of the top goaltending prospects in the world, and he’ll finally get to wear the red and white for the first time. The 21-year-old is coming off a strong three-year run with Michigan State, and while he failed to win a national title, he did rack up a career record of 66-25-7 with nine shutouts and a .922 save percentage in 99 games. He was a proven winner at the junior level and is easily one of the most technically sound goalies around, which helped build up the hype. Augustine tends to play better when he’s busier, and he has the lightning-quick reflexes teams absolutely crave – and never seems to slow down during a game. Augustine will have the opportunity to steal starts in the AHL before pushing for the long-time starter gig in Detroit. He’s definitely the best goaltender at any one of these prospect events, too.
Event: NextGen Showcase in Calgary, Sept. 14
Injuries impacted Akey’s Draft+1 season, and then inconsistent play clouded his pro rookie campaign a year ago. It’s been a rough go for Akey, who has quickly fallen down Edmonton’s depth chart. Still, there’s hope he can turn it around and become an impact defender in Edmonton’s system. A good showing in Calgary could be huge for his confidence as he looks to bring his expanded pro experience to the table. It’s a small sample size, but if he can stand out ahead of training camp, maybe he’ll be able to turn things around quickly. Akey is still young at 21, so there’s some decent runway left to grow, but he can’t waste any opportunities.
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
While LA’s pipeline isn’t entirely deep, Brzustewicz will be one of the top defenders heading to San Jose this weekend. HE had a strong two-year stretch with the London Knights, which was highlighted by the Memorial Cup in 2025. He just missed the 20-goal mark this past year, but he continued to look more proficient with the disk. Brzustewicz is a reliable two-way defender who can shoot the puck, skate well, and is willing to join in on the rush any time he can. The more he played, the better he played, too. I could see him becoming a second-pairing defenseman, but I’d like to see him take further steps in his own-zone play. Look for Brzustewicz to be one of the best defenders in the OHL this coming season, while also chasing a top-four role with USA’s World Junior team. First, though, he’s looking to make a good impression in silver and black.
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
Wassilyn isn’t a Habs prospect – he’s just here on a tryout basis. But, honestly, he’s one of the more fascinating tryout prospects on any team in any event this weekend. Many scouts agreed that Wassilyn had first-round talent, but the numbers never seemed to pan out this year, and his two-way game simply isn’t good enough. Wassilyn is a gifted offensive threat, with his puck control being among the best in his age group. He might not be huge, but he’s tenacious, showing a willingness to take on just about anyone. Wassilyn loves to drive to the net, and while his all-around game can be a bit iffy, he’s best when the pressure is on and you need to generate something, anything, late in a game. Wassilyn enters the 2026-27 season as one of the top re-entry options, and a good showing in Gatineau could help boost his stock in an important campaign for the youngster
Event: Prospects Showcase in Morrisville, Sept. 13-15
Molendyk will be one of the top defenders at the showcase in North Carolina. Hedealt with some growing pains in his first year in the AHL, but he seemed to look a bit more comfortable down the stretch. He put up a decent 23 points in Milwaukee, and his ice time improved as the season wore on. The real draws in his game are his mobility and his comfort handling the puck. Molendyk is very competitive and won’t let you get past him easily, even though he’s not the biggest defender. I don’t think there’s anything truly special about Molendyk’s game, but I can see him being a toolsy all-around blueliner who plays a bit deeper in the lineup and gets the job done with whatever task he’s assigned to him. He might not be flashy or the most defensively dominant, but there aren’t many areas in the game he struggles with, and that’s valuable.
Event: NHL Rookie Tournament in East Meadow, Sept. 13-15
Silayev is set to embark on his first year in North America, and it all starts with this. The 6-foot-7 defenseman does an excellent job of forcing opponents to the perimeter before absolutely obliterating them. His offensive game has been mostly non-existent since his draft year, but his game is more about using his mobility to take space away. Think: Nikita Zadorov, but if he skated better. It’s crazy to think about how high the hype was for Silayev at one point in 2024 after watching him flourish against KHL competition as a rookie. I don’t expect him to be a top-pairing defenseman by any means, but he’s one mean dude who’ll be an absolute menace once he gets to the big leagues.
Event: NHL Rookie Tournament in East Meadow, Sept. 13-15
Aitcheson is an absolute beast – think anyone decides to drop the gloves with him this weekend? Most OHLers called him the toughest player to play against during his tenure in Barrie. It wasn’t hard to see why, given he was always hovering around the 100 penalty minute mark. He hits hard, but he’s also so skilled with the puck, as shown by his more than 50 goals from the past two seasons combined. Aitcheson was a huge reason why the Colts advanced to the OHL final, although the club seemingly fell apart against Kitchener. I thought he had a so-so World Juniors, but for the most part I thought this is a guy that should have no problem cracking Long Island’s top four at some point in the future.
Event: Rookie Series in Allentown, Sept. 12-1
Greentree was one of the top standouts with the Kings during their prospect tournament a year ago. Now, the OHL scoring machine is ready to make a good first impression with the Rangers. He almost made the Kings out of training camp last year, before the team elected to send him back to Windsor to maximize his playing time. It helped him earn a spot on Canada’s World Junior team, where he played about nine minutes across three games. The biggest knock against Greentree earlier in his career was below-average skating. He’s a bit quicker now, but it’s still not a strength. What is, though, is his ability to dominate the game with his puck while agitating others. There’s some long-term top-six potential here if the Rangers develop him correctly.
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
EBO’s name received a ton of love heading into the 2026 IIHF World Championship, and he was a huge reason why Norway won a medal for the first time. Olsen is an extremely hard-working forward who does an excellent job of keeping the puck on his stick at all times. He was productive in the SHL last year and continued the hot run going at the World Championship, where he seemingly never gave up on a play. There’s nothing flashy about his game, but he absolutely looks ready to challenge for a bottom-six NHL role.
Event: Rookie Series in Allentown, Sept. 12-1
Luchanko’s status as a top prospect in Philly’s organization has been a hot topic for a few years now in the fanbase. I thought the Luchanko pick in 2024 was a bit early, and it feels like his development stalled a bit last year. He was lackluster at the World Juniors and fell short of a point-per-game with Brantford during the team’s outstanding regular season campaign. Injuries impacted him, no doubt. But it still felt like an underwhelming campaign by all accounts. Still, I get the positives in his game. Luchanko plays with a ton of speed and is reliable defensively. Few Flyers prospects work as hard to win shifts as Luchanko. He’ll have a chance to play a full season with one team for the first time since his draft year, which should help with consistency. A good showing in Allentown could be huge for his confidence heading into his first true pro season.
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
It seemed like very few players could contain Zonnon in the QMJHL last year. He’s so quick and aggressive without getting himself into trouble often. He has a great motor and protects the puck well. And definitely has what it takes to be a strong two-way player in the NHL. I thought some of Zonnon’s AHL playoff action was impressive. While I don’t project him to be a top six player, I do think he’s going to be a very valuable bottom six player. I hope Zonnon can take on a big role in the AHL this season and push for some limited NHL duty. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Zonnon at this event – he has the ability to be an absolute machine.
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
There has literally never been a bigger player to play high-level ice hockey. Listed as 7-foot-1 and 280 pounds by NHL Central Scouting, Karmanov is an absolute beast of a human being. Born in Chisinau, Moldova, Karmanov hopes to become the first countryman to be selected to the NHL and, hopefully, the first to play as well. Karmanov showed some promise in the GOJHL with the Brantford Titans, scoring three goals and totaling seven points, along with 68 penalty minutes, in 15 games. He got outmatched a bit more frequently with North Bay in the OHL, but it was hilarious watching smaller players go up to him and completely freak out. He also showed a lot more promise with the puck near the end of the season, too. For the most part, though, it looked like he struggled against his own age group, but it’ll be fascinating to see if he made any real progress over the summer.
Event: NHL Prospects Showcase in Abbotsford, Sept. 12-13
O’Brien is fully focused on making the Kraken out of training camp. It all starts in Abbotsford, where O’Brien enters as one of the biggest names in the two-game affair with Vancouver. Under the new NHL ruiling, O’Brien is eligible to play in the AHL this season, and that’s best for his development. He registered over 90 points in the OHL twice without sacrificing even a second of defensive responsibility. O’Brien got accused of passing the puck too often in the past when he should have been more active as a shooter; that feels like less of an issue now. I don’t expect O’Brien to be a first-line center, but I could see him becoming a solid secondary producer who can be relied on in a multitude of situations. Before that, though, I wouldnt’ be surprised to see him reach the 40-50-point barrier with Coachella Valley this year. Look for O’Brien to play on Seattle’s top line before heading off to main camp.
Event: Prospect Showcase in Chicago, Sept. 14-15
The Blues have one of the top snipers from any showcase event this weekend. Carbonneau tallied 97 QMJHL regular season goals over the past two years, and while the Q might not be overly deep, scouts love him anyway. He’s known for making high-end moves and can beat most players in 1-on-1 situations. Carbonneau has also shown a willingness to make himself more involved physically, which, in turn, resulted in more puck retrievals and scoring chances. If he continues to round out his game, he’s going to be an absolute menace to deal with. I expect Carbonneau to slot into St. Louis’ top six in another year or two, assuming he can continue scoring in the AHL. Don’t be surprised if a strong September leads to Carbonneau cracking the Blues’ opening night roster.
Event: Prospects Showcase in Morrisville, Sept. 13-15
Rautiainen had one of the best seasons by a U-21 player in recent European pro hockey history with 25 goals and 77 points. I love him as a shooter, but he truly came alive as one of the most exciting playmakers outside of the NHL. He’s thinking all-offense, all-the-time, and it is exactly what the Bolts are banking on him being able to do in the NHL. I think he’ll need to be in a power-play role in the NHL to truly unlock his full potential, especially given he’s more of a perimeter player at 5-on-5. But if he could figure out the physical game and exploit the middle of the ice more, I think he’ll be able to really make it work in the NHL. This is the first real test he’s had in North America, so it’ll be fun to see how Rautiainen does.
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
Gavin McKenna would have been too easy. So, instead, we’ll look at one of the team’s top young blueliners. After falling short of an OHL title in Brantford, Danford joined the Marlies for their playoff run and forced himself into a full-time role. He has always been known for his defense-first game, but his offensive instincts have seemingly taken a nice step forward over the past few months. At this point, he’s a much more rounded defender than he was a year ago. While I (and most evaluators I’ve talked to) believe he’ll be a bottom-pairing defender, I expect him to be a good one at that. The floor is solid here; we’ve all heard the Chris Tanev comparisons. He’s strong, physical, and gives you little space to work with. If he can find another gear offensively, he’ll be an absolute steal for Toronto.
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
Desnoyers will be gunning for a spot on Utah’s NHL roster, which is a great sign given his earlier injury. The 19-year-old was injured in the final minutes of Canada’s last World Junior Summer Showcase game, leaving with a suspected knee injury. When healthy, though, Desnoyers is a fascinating prospect. He has been a powerhouse scoring threat in the QMJHL for a few years now, leading many to believe his next meaningful games will take place in Utah. He’s a strong, 6-foot-2 forward who seems to find scoring lanes out of thin air quite frequently, and he’s a great playmaker, too. After registering six assists in seven games last winter, it would be huge for Canada’s World Junior if they could manage to get Desnoyers back for one last kick at the can this winter. Desnoyers’ eyes, though, are fixated on Salt Lake.
Event: NHL Prospects Showcase in Abbotsford, Sept. 12-13
Rogowski was one of USA’s top players at the recent World Junior Summer Showcase and then continued with a hot start during the OHL preseason with Oshawa. At 6-foot-7 and nearly 240 pounds, he’s got an absolutely massive frame. But I also appreciated how well he hustles at both ends, chasing pucks and breaking up plays. He’s a smart forward who uses his big frame to win battles, but he also has a good shot and isn’t afraid to launch it from anywhere in an attempt to surprise the goaltender. Rogowski won’t be a big-time offensive threat but, as a supporting player, he has a ton of tools to make himself useful.
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
The Golden Knights have been slow on the goalie development front throughout their history. But Moysevich has been highly regarded by many throughout the organization, so there’s some intrigue with the 21-year-old coming over this year. At 6-foot-7, Moysevich is obviously huge. He takes up a ton of space, and he’s great at cutting down on angles. If he can add a bit more speed to his footwork, he’ll be fine. He hasn’t played a ton of hockey the past few years, but will be given plenty of opportunity to challenge for Henderson’s starting gig this fall. It’s tough for goalies to steal the spotlight at a showcase event, but he’s the most promising goalie prospect the Golden Knights have.
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
Barlow was once a top prospect in the Jets’ system, but his stock has fallen quite a bit over the past year. It always felt like Barlow was a bit of a boom-or-bust player who was going to need to figure out a stronger B-game if he wasn’t going to find a way to be more dangerous at 5-on-5. Unfortunately, his AHL rookie season left a lot to be desired, with the winger registering just eight goals and 16 points in 65 games. This is a guy who was always known for scoring goals – he never had fewer than 30 during his four-year OHL career. But it felt like he simply didn’t have the pace to exploit open space in the AHL like he did in junior. I think he could still establish himself as a physical power forward, but I’m far less convinced than I once was. I hope he thrives as a shooter this weekend.
Your daily hockey fix, delivered straight to your inbox. Get connected to every NHL storyline with breaking news, lineup updates, trade buzz, and expert analysis—delivered every morning. Sign up for the Daily Faceoff newsletter and don’t miss a beat!
Continue reading...
The Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals are not participating in any rookie games this weekend (the Capitals will have a camp, though). So, sorry to fans of those clubs. For every other fanbase, the upcoming weekend will be a good opportunity to get a look at what their next crop of young talent could look like. Players already participating in European seasons will not take part, and the same goes for NCAA-bound players, too.
This isn’t a list of the best player on every team, even though that’s definitely the case for many. Instead, it’s a player with an interesting storyline to follow, whether it be a chance to make up for a poor season the year prior, or because they’re hoping to make the NHL roster out of training camp:
Anaheim Ducks: Roger McQueen, C
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
McQueen had 11 goals and 27 points in 36 games with Providence College this past year. Nothing spectacular, and, to some, perhaps concerning for a top-10 draft pick. But the context is important: McQueen had to play some serious catch-up after skating in just 17 regular season games with the Brandon Wheat Kings the year prior. His responsibilities started to rise as the season wore on, and he was quite consistent with and without the puck in the second half. The 6-foot-6 center is still extremely difficult to contain on the rush, and he’s a tremendous playmaker, too. There will be a lot of eyes on him as he heads to San Diego full-time this year, and I actually thought some of his late-season AHL duty was solid. I still have a lot of hope for McQueen – he’ll have a perfect opportunity to prove why the Ducks believed so highly of him this month.
Boston Bruins: Attilio Biasca, LW
Event: Prospects Showcase in Buffalo, Sept. 13-14
A 23-year-old undrafted free agent signing, Biasca turned heads at the IIHF World Championship with Switzerland to help him land his first NHL deal. His numbers in the Swiss-based NL were nothing to get excited about, but he’s an absolute force of nature who plays a strong power-forward game. He doesn’t get himself into trouble often, but he does an excellent job of clearing the middle for his linemates to get a shot off. Biasca projects as a fourth-line energy forward who makes himself very difficult to contain – and at his age, he’s one of the most NHL-ready prospects at this camp.
Buffalo Sabres: Maxim Štrbák, RHD
Event: Prospects Showcase in Buffalo, Sept. 13-14
Štrbák turned pro after the 2025-26 NCAA season and made a solid first impression with the Rochester Americans. The 21-year-old never really broke out offensively at Michigan State, but he was a strong support weapon throughout his three years there. He’s a decent puckmover who skates well and hits hard, and he doesn’t get too frazzled under pressure. Radim Mrtka is the obvious shining star for Buffalo right now defensively, but Štrbák is a top 10 prospect in the Sabres’ pipeline and should receive a ton of attention during the two-day affair at the LECOM Harborcenter.
Calgary Flames: Arsenii Sergeev, G
Event: NextGen Showcase in Calgary, Sept. 14
Sergeev’s career has come a long way since getting selected in the seventh round in 2021. After a solid three-year college career, Sergeev played in the NHL, AHL and ECHL last year which, winning his NHL debut near the end of the season. Sergeev is expected to own the starter’s crease with the Wranglers this year, but this will be a good opportunity for him to steal the spotlight and show the fanbase that he’s a legitimate long-term backup option. The Flames are missing many of the team’s top prospects due to college commitments, but Sergeev is definitely one of the more intriguing goalies you’ll find at one of these events.
Carolina Hurricanes: Dominik Badinka, RHD
Event: Prospects Showcase in Morrisville, Sept. 13-15
Badinka made the jump over to the AHL this past year, where he put up 14 points in 68 games with the Wolves. Ice time was a bit hard to come by – he played around 14 minutes a night on a team boasting an impressive blueline. Still, scouts seem to really believe in him. Badinka has a good 6-foot-3 frame and solid hockey sense, and he doesn’t crumble under pressure. His mobility is solid, he’s elusive and makes smart decisions with the puck. I’d like to see him reach another level offensively. Hopefully he’ll see his ice time increase significantly in his sophomore campaign – but first, I hope to see his skating on display on home ice.
Chicago Blackhawks: Sacha Boisvert, C
Event: Prospect Showcase in Chicago, Sept. 14-15
Boisvert is the most NHL-ready prospect on Chicago’s roster at this event, and he’ll have an opportunity to show why. Boisvert had a difficult year in college, finishing with just three goals and 17 points in 26 games with Boston University. It was a big step down from the 18 goals and 32 points he had at North Dakota the year before, and it made some question his development path. Boisvert signed his NHL entry-level contract in March and had two points in his final three games, showing greater confidence after getting some big-game action under his belt. It wasn’t a huge sample size, but you could see what scouts liked about him from it. The two-way center loves to shoot the puck, and it felt like watching his old self again once he got up to the NHL. I like his hockey sense and general reliability away from the puck, so I’m still a big believer in Boisvert’s future. Hopefully, he can consistently get back on the scoresheet in 2026-27.
Colorado Avalanche: Matthew DiMarsico, LW
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
DiMarsico parlayed a strong three-year run with Penn State University into an NHL contract last spring. He finished the year with the Colorado Eagles, playing throughout the team’s extended postseason run. DiMarsico is a high-energy forward who works his tail off to win every battle. He won’t blow you away with pure skill, but he’s always chasing after pucks and looking to make plays happen. DiMarsico likely won’t crack the NHL in a goal-scoring capabity, but I could see him becoming a decent call-up option who’ll give you a full effort every single game. This tournament will be a great opportunity for him to make a big impression in hopes of forcing himself into a bottom-six NHL role to start the year.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Charlie Elick, RHD
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
Not every defender is going to be a high-flying, flashy puck-mover. Sometimes you just need a guy who’s good in his own zone, and Elick fits the bill. Elick moves well for a 6-foot-4 defenseman, and many WHL players considered him one of the toughest defensemen to beat in 1-on-1 situations over the past few years. He received rave reviews for his limited AHL action to close out the year, and now he’ll look to solidify Cleveland’s back end this coming year. As a shutdown defender, there’s a lot to like. I just wish he’d get more comfortable moving and rushing the puck to round out his game a bit more. But I like Elick as a potential No. 6/7 blueliner in the NHL. In Detroit, though, look for top-four duty.
Dallas Stars: Emil Hemming, RW
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
It’s good to see Dallas’ top prospect at this event. Hemming had 63 points in 46 games while being a generally reliable two-way player with the Barrie Colts last year. And that’s where the real value comes in: Hemming doesn’t make many mistakes in his own zone and always seems to show up whenever Barrie needs him most. Hemming will now look to become a regular contributor for Texas, where he’ll likely slot into a middle-six role. He knows how to use his big frame, and his shot is excellent for his age, too. I expect Hemming to be more of a third-liner in the NHL – but one who’s quite difficult to play against. On this team, though, he’ll be counted on to lead the charge.
Detroit Red Wings: Trey Augustine, G
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
Augustine is one of the top goaltending prospects in the world, and he’ll finally get to wear the red and white for the first time. The 21-year-old is coming off a strong three-year run with Michigan State, and while he failed to win a national title, he did rack up a career record of 66-25-7 with nine shutouts and a .922 save percentage in 99 games. He was a proven winner at the junior level and is easily one of the most technically sound goalies around, which helped build up the hype. Augustine tends to play better when he’s busier, and he has the lightning-quick reflexes teams absolutely crave – and never seems to slow down during a game. Augustine will have the opportunity to steal starts in the AHL before pushing for the long-time starter gig in Detroit. He’s definitely the best goaltender at any one of these prospect events, too.
Edmonton Oilers: Beau Akey, RHD
Event: NextGen Showcase in Calgary, Sept. 14
Injuries impacted Akey’s Draft+1 season, and then inconsistent play clouded his pro rookie campaign a year ago. It’s been a rough go for Akey, who has quickly fallen down Edmonton’s depth chart. Still, there’s hope he can turn it around and become an impact defender in Edmonton’s system. A good showing in Calgary could be huge for his confidence as he looks to bring his expanded pro experience to the table. It’s a small sample size, but if he can stand out ahead of training camp, maybe he’ll be able to turn things around quickly. Akey is still young at 21, so there’s some decent runway left to grow, but he can’t waste any opportunities.
Los Angeles Kings: Henry Brzustewicz, RHD
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
While LA’s pipeline isn’t entirely deep, Brzustewicz will be one of the top defenders heading to San Jose this weekend. HE had a strong two-year stretch with the London Knights, which was highlighted by the Memorial Cup in 2025. He just missed the 20-goal mark this past year, but he continued to look more proficient with the disk. Brzustewicz is a reliable two-way defender who can shoot the puck, skate well, and is willing to join in on the rush any time he can. The more he played, the better he played, too. I could see him becoming a second-pairing defenseman, but I’d like to see him take further steps in his own-zone play. Look for Brzustewicz to be one of the best defenders in the OHL this coming season, while also chasing a top-four role with USA’s World Junior team. First, though, he’s looking to make a good impression in silver and black.
Montreal Canadiens: Braidy Wassilyn, LW
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
Wassilyn isn’t a Habs prospect – he’s just here on a tryout basis. But, honestly, he’s one of the more fascinating tryout prospects on any team in any event this weekend. Many scouts agreed that Wassilyn had first-round talent, but the numbers never seemed to pan out this year, and his two-way game simply isn’t good enough. Wassilyn is a gifted offensive threat, with his puck control being among the best in his age group. He might not be huge, but he’s tenacious, showing a willingness to take on just about anyone. Wassilyn loves to drive to the net, and while his all-around game can be a bit iffy, he’s best when the pressure is on and you need to generate something, anything, late in a game. Wassilyn enters the 2026-27 season as one of the top re-entry options, and a good showing in Gatineau could help boost his stock in an important campaign for the youngster
Nashville Predators: Tanner Molendyk, LHD
Event: Prospects Showcase in Morrisville, Sept. 13-15
Molendyk will be one of the top defenders at the showcase in North Carolina. Hedealt with some growing pains in his first year in the AHL, but he seemed to look a bit more comfortable down the stretch. He put up a decent 23 points in Milwaukee, and his ice time improved as the season wore on. The real draws in his game are his mobility and his comfort handling the puck. Molendyk is very competitive and won’t let you get past him easily, even though he’s not the biggest defender. I don’t think there’s anything truly special about Molendyk’s game, but I can see him being a toolsy all-around blueliner who plays a bit deeper in the lineup and gets the job done with whatever task he’s assigned to him. He might not be flashy or the most defensively dominant, but there aren’t many areas in the game he struggles with, and that’s valuable.
New Jersey Devils: Anton Silayev, LHD
Event: NHL Rookie Tournament in East Meadow, Sept. 13-15
Silayev is set to embark on his first year in North America, and it all starts with this. The 6-foot-7 defenseman does an excellent job of forcing opponents to the perimeter before absolutely obliterating them. His offensive game has been mostly non-existent since his draft year, but his game is more about using his mobility to take space away. Think: Nikita Zadorov, but if he skated better. It’s crazy to think about how high the hype was for Silayev at one point in 2024 after watching him flourish against KHL competition as a rookie. I don’t expect him to be a top-pairing defenseman by any means, but he’s one mean dude who’ll be an absolute menace once he gets to the big leagues.
New York Islanders: Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD
Event: NHL Rookie Tournament in East Meadow, Sept. 13-15
Aitcheson is an absolute beast – think anyone decides to drop the gloves with him this weekend? Most OHLers called him the toughest player to play against during his tenure in Barrie. It wasn’t hard to see why, given he was always hovering around the 100 penalty minute mark. He hits hard, but he’s also so skilled with the puck, as shown by his more than 50 goals from the past two seasons combined. Aitcheson was a huge reason why the Colts advanced to the OHL final, although the club seemingly fell apart against Kitchener. I thought he had a so-so World Juniors, but for the most part I thought this is a guy that should have no problem cracking Long Island’s top four at some point in the future.
New York Rangers: Liam Greentree, RW
Event: Rookie Series in Allentown, Sept. 12-1
Greentree was one of the top standouts with the Kings during their prospect tournament a year ago. Now, the OHL scoring machine is ready to make a good first impression with the Rangers. He almost made the Kings out of training camp last year, before the team elected to send him back to Windsor to maximize his playing time. It helped him earn a spot on Canada’s World Junior team, where he played about nine minutes across three games. The biggest knock against Greentree earlier in his career was below-average skating. He’s a bit quicker now, but it’s still not a strength. What is, though, is his ability to dominate the game with his puck while agitating others. There’s some long-term top-six potential here if the Rangers develop him correctly.
Ottawa Senators: Eskild Bakke-Olsen, C
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
EBO’s name received a ton of love heading into the 2026 IIHF World Championship, and he was a huge reason why Norway won a medal for the first time. Olsen is an extremely hard-working forward who does an excellent job of keeping the puck on his stick at all times. He was productive in the SHL last year and continued the hot run going at the World Championship, where he seemingly never gave up on a play. There’s nothing flashy about his game, but he absolutely looks ready to challenge for a bottom-six NHL role.
Philadelphia Flyers: Jett Luchanko, C
Event: Rookie Series in Allentown, Sept. 12-1
Luchanko’s status as a top prospect in Philly’s organization has been a hot topic for a few years now in the fanbase. I thought the Luchanko pick in 2024 was a bit early, and it feels like his development stalled a bit last year. He was lackluster at the World Juniors and fell short of a point-per-game with Brantford during the team’s outstanding regular season campaign. Injuries impacted him, no doubt. But it still felt like an underwhelming campaign by all accounts. Still, I get the positives in his game. Luchanko plays with a ton of speed and is reliable defensively. Few Flyers prospects work as hard to win shifts as Luchanko. He’ll have a chance to play a full season with one team for the first time since his draft year, which should help with consistency. A good showing in Allentown could be huge for his confidence heading into his first true pro season.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Bill Zonnon, LW
Event: NHL Prospect Tournament in Detroit, Sept. 12-15
It seemed like very few players could contain Zonnon in the QMJHL last year. He’s so quick and aggressive without getting himself into trouble often. He has a great motor and protects the puck well. And definitely has what it takes to be a strong two-way player in the NHL. I thought some of Zonnon’s AHL playoff action was impressive. While I don’t project him to be a top six player, I do think he’s going to be a very valuable bottom six player. I hope Zonnon can take on a big role in the AHL this season and push for some limited NHL duty. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Zonnon at this event – he has the ability to be an absolute machine.
San Jose Sharks: Alexander Karmanov, LHD
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
There has literally never been a bigger player to play high-level ice hockey. Listed as 7-foot-1 and 280 pounds by NHL Central Scouting, Karmanov is an absolute beast of a human being. Born in Chisinau, Moldova, Karmanov hopes to become the first countryman to be selected to the NHL and, hopefully, the first to play as well. Karmanov showed some promise in the GOJHL with the Brantford Titans, scoring three goals and totaling seven points, along with 68 penalty minutes, in 15 games. He got outmatched a bit more frequently with North Bay in the OHL, but it was hilarious watching smaller players go up to him and completely freak out. He also showed a lot more promise with the puck near the end of the season, too. For the most part, though, it looked like he struggled against his own age group, but it’ll be fascinating to see if he made any real progress over the summer.
Seattle Kraken: Jake O’Brien, C
Event: NHL Prospects Showcase in Abbotsford, Sept. 12-13
O’Brien is fully focused on making the Kraken out of training camp. It all starts in Abbotsford, where O’Brien enters as one of the biggest names in the two-game affair with Vancouver. Under the new NHL ruiling, O’Brien is eligible to play in the AHL this season, and that’s best for his development. He registered over 90 points in the OHL twice without sacrificing even a second of defensive responsibility. O’Brien got accused of passing the puck too often in the past when he should have been more active as a shooter; that feels like less of an issue now. I don’t expect O’Brien to be a first-line center, but I could see him becoming a solid secondary producer who can be relied on in a multitude of situations. Before that, though, I wouldnt’ be surprised to see him reach the 40-50-point barrier with Coachella Valley this year. Look for O’Brien to play on Seattle’s top line before heading off to main camp.
St. Louis Blues: Justin Carbonneau, RW
Event: Prospect Showcase in Chicago, Sept. 14-15
The Blues have one of the top snipers from any showcase event this weekend. Carbonneau tallied 97 QMJHL regular season goals over the past two years, and while the Q might not be overly deep, scouts love him anyway. He’s known for making high-end moves and can beat most players in 1-on-1 situations. Carbonneau has also shown a willingness to make himself more involved physically, which, in turn, resulted in more puck retrievals and scoring chances. If he continues to round out his game, he’s going to be an absolute menace to deal with. I expect Carbonneau to slot into St. Louis’ top six in another year or two, assuming he can continue scoring in the AHL. Don’t be surprised if a strong September leads to Carbonneau cracking the Blues’ opening night roster.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Benjamin Rautiainen, C
Event: Prospects Showcase in Morrisville, Sept. 13-15
Rautiainen had one of the best seasons by a U-21 player in recent European pro hockey history with 25 goals and 77 points. I love him as a shooter, but he truly came alive as one of the most exciting playmakers outside of the NHL. He’s thinking all-offense, all-the-time, and it is exactly what the Bolts are banking on him being able to do in the NHL. I think he’ll need to be in a power-play role in the NHL to truly unlock his full potential, especially given he’s more of a perimeter player at 5-on-5. But if he could figure out the physical game and exploit the middle of the ice more, I think he’ll be able to really make it work in the NHL. This is the first real test he’s had in North America, so it’ll be fun to see how Rautiainen does.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Ben Danford, RHD
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
Gavin McKenna would have been too easy. So, instead, we’ll look at one of the team’s top young blueliners. After falling short of an OHL title in Brantford, Danford joined the Marlies for their playoff run and forced himself into a full-time role. He has always been known for his defense-first game, but his offensive instincts have seemingly taken a nice step forward over the past few months. At this point, he’s a much more rounded defender than he was a year ago. While I (and most evaluators I’ve talked to) believe he’ll be a bottom-pairing defender, I expect him to be a good one at that. The floor is solid here; we’ve all heard the Chris Tanev comparisons. He’s strong, physical, and gives you little space to work with. If he can find another gear offensively, he’ll be an absolute steal for Toronto.
Utah Mammoth: Caleb Desnoyers, C
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
Desnoyers will be gunning for a spot on Utah’s NHL roster, which is a great sign given his earlier injury. The 19-year-old was injured in the final minutes of Canada’s last World Junior Summer Showcase game, leaving with a suspected knee injury. When healthy, though, Desnoyers is a fascinating prospect. He has been a powerhouse scoring threat in the QMJHL for a few years now, leading many to believe his next meaningful games will take place in Utah. He’s a strong, 6-foot-2 forward who seems to find scoring lanes out of thin air quite frequently, and he’s a great playmaker, too. After registering six assists in seven games last winter, it would be huge for Canada’s World Junior if they could manage to get Desnoyers back for one last kick at the can this winter. Desnoyers’ eyes, though, are fixated on Salt Lake.
Vancouver Canucks: Brooks Rogowski, C
Event: NHL Prospects Showcase in Abbotsford, Sept. 12-13
Rogowski was one of USA’s top players at the recent World Junior Summer Showcase and then continued with a hot start during the OHL preseason with Oshawa. At 6-foot-7 and nearly 240 pounds, he’s got an absolutely massive frame. But I also appreciated how well he hustles at both ends, chasing pucks and breaking up plays. He’s a smart forward who uses his big frame to win battles, but he also has a good shot and isn’t afraid to launch it from anywhere in an attempt to surprise the goaltender. Rogowski won’t be a big-time offensive threat but, as a supporting player, he has a ton of tools to make himself useful.
Vegas Golden Knights: Pavel Moysevich, G
Event: Rookie Faceoff in San Jose, Sept. 12-15
The Golden Knights have been slow on the goalie development front throughout their history. But Moysevich has been highly regarded by many throughout the organization, so there’s some intrigue with the 21-year-old coming over this year. At 6-foot-7, Moysevich is obviously huge. He takes up a ton of space, and he’s great at cutting down on angles. If he can add a bit more speed to his footwork, he’ll be fine. He hasn’t played a ton of hockey the past few years, but will be given plenty of opportunity to challenge for Henderson’s starting gig this fall. It’s tough for goalies to steal the spotlight at a showcase event, but he’s the most promising goalie prospect the Golden Knights have.
Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow, LW
Event: NHL Prospect Challenge in Gatineau, Sept. 12-13
Barlow was once a top prospect in the Jets’ system, but his stock has fallen quite a bit over the past year. It always felt like Barlow was a bit of a boom-or-bust player who was going to need to figure out a stronger B-game if he wasn’t going to find a way to be more dangerous at 5-on-5. Unfortunately, his AHL rookie season left a lot to be desired, with the winger registering just eight goals and 16 points in 65 games. This is a guy who was always known for scoring goals – he never had fewer than 30 during his four-year OHL career. But it felt like he simply didn’t have the pace to exploit open space in the AHL like he did in junior. I think he could still establish himself as a physical power forward, but I’m far less convinced than I once was. I hope he thrives as a shooter this weekend.
DAILY FACEOFF NEWSLETTER
Your daily hockey fix, delivered straight to your inbox. Get connected to every NHL storyline with breaking news, lineup updates, trade buzz, and expert analysis—delivered every morning. Sign up for the Daily Faceoff newsletter and don’t miss a beat!
Recently by Steven Ellis
- Four rookie NHL goaltenders to watch in 2026-27
- Top 10 most improved NHL prospects since 2025-26
- Top 5 most improved NHL prospect pools in 2026-27
- 2026-27 NHL team preview: Montreal Canadiens
- Which 2026 draft picks could start the season in the NHL?
- Top 5 undersized NHL prospects to watch in 2026-27
- Top 10 huge NHL prospects to watch in 2026-27
- Ranking every NHL team’s 2026-27 prospect pool, from 1-32
Continue reading...