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Prospects

31 stories from the newsroom.

Emil Hemming skates for Finland against the United States at the 2026 World Junior Championship. File photo.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSTEXSep 15, 2026

Three Texas Stars prospects with a path to Dallas

Emil Hemming, Tristan Bertucci and Rémi Poirier enter camp among the organization's closest potential call-up options.

SEASON PREVIEWTORCHISep 15, 2026

AHL season opens Oct. 2 in earliest start since 2009

All 32 teams will play 72 games, with the Toronto Marlies defending the Calder Cup when the AHL's 91st season begins.

Gavin McKenna carries the puck for Penn State against Michigan State on Jan. 31, 2026. File photo.
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSSep 15, 2026

McKenna leads rookies to watch as NHL camps open

A Sportsnet scouting analysis identifies 21 prospects with a chance to win jobs, led by Toronto's No. 1 pick and San Jose's top selection.

Braeden Cootes skates for Vancouver against St. Louis at Rogers Arena on Oct. 13, 2025. File photo.
Bob Frid-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSABBSep 15, 2026

Report Lists Full AHL Season as Median Outcome for Cootes

The 19-year-old is eligible for an AHL assignment under revised NHL/CHL rules, and The Athletic sees Abbotsford as his likeliest 2026-27 path.

Mace'o Phillips battles Kasperi Kapanen at Rogers Place in Edmonton on October 8, 2025. File photo.
Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSCGYSep 15, 2026

Mace'o Phillips Makes a Physical Impression in Flames' NextGen Loss

The Flames' 6-foot-6 defence prospect turned a rookie game loss to Edmonton into his own showcase Monday night.

Ilya Protas skates for Washington against Columbus on April 14, 2026. File photo.
Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSHERSep 15, 2026

Hershey's Ilya Protas Arrives at Capitals Camp With a Job to Take

Ilya Protas, the AHL's rookie of the year with Hershey last season, is penciled in as Washington's third-line center and knows nothing is handed out.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ben Danford, number 38, defends Montreal Canadiens center Jared Davidson during a September 25, 2025 preseason game at Bell Centre. File photo; it does not show the Calder Cup run or Danford’s later comments.
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSTORSep 14, 2026

Ben Danford Says Calder Cup Run Changed His Game

The Leafs defenseman, 20, joined the Marlies after his OHL season ended and now carries that playoff experience into Toronto's training camp.

Elvis Merzlikins skates onto the ice for Columbus in Raleigh on April 2, 2026. File photo.
James Guillory-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSCLESep 14, 2026

Merzlikins Surgery Reshapes Cleveland's Goalie Plan

A September 6 roster projection had Pheonix Copley initially ticketed for the AHL. Elvis Merzlikins' shoulder surgery changed the math before camp even opened.

Conor Geekie controls the puck for Tampa Bay against Detroit on April 13, 2026. File photo.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSLAVWBSHERSep 14, 2026

Five East First Rounders With AHL Numbers And NHL Questions

A new list of Eastern Conference first-round picks who need to stick in the NHL this season reads like an AHL scoring summary.

Cam Lund waits for a faceoff for San Jose against Anaheim on October 1, 2025. File photo.
Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSSJSep 14, 2026

Sharks Prospect Cam Lund Exits Rookie Faceoff With Injury

Lund was hurt in the first period of the Sept. 12 Rookie Faceoff game against the Kings, briefly returned, then missed the rest of the game.

Alex Bump celebrates with Philadelphia teammates against Carolina on May 9, 2026. File photo.
James Lang-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSLVSep 14, 2026

Phantoms Coach Sees A Changed Alex Bump In Rookie Series Opener

John Snowden says the winger came back stronger and more confident, while Jett Luchanko could spend all of 2026-27 in Lehigh Valley.

Winnipeg defenseman Luke Schenn battles Vancouver forward Evander Kane as Mark Scheifele joins the play and Elias Pettersson watches at Rogers Arena on November 11, 2025. File photo.
Bob Frid-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSABBSep 14, 2026

Mynio arrives at fourth Canucks camp with a calmer game

Abbotsford's reigning rookie of the year spent the summer skating with NHL defencemen in Kelowna and says the work showed up in his confidence.

Jake O'Brien walks through the NHL Draft venue after the Seattle Kraken selected him eighth overall on June 27, 2025. File photo.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSCVSep 14, 2026

Kraken Rookie Camp Opens With a Firebirds Preview

Jake O'Brien headlines the Seattle prospects who hit the ice Friday, with the 2025 eighth overall pick pointed toward Coachella Valley this season.

DRAFTFLASep 14, 2026

Panthers Take Owen Sound Sniper Cole Zurawski at 181st Overall

Florida landed the shoot-first OHL forward in the sixth round of the 2026 draft, well after most scouting services had him going.

Malte Gustafsson stands with Gary Bettman and Matthew Schaefer after the Islanders select him in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. File photo; Cole Eiserman is not pictured.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSNYISep 14, 2026

Eiserman Feels the Buzz Around Islanders as Camp Nears

The 2024 first-rounder says the Islanders' incoming wave of young players is arriving together, and he wants his shot to earn him a spot.

Oliver Bonk skates for Philadelphia against Montreal on April 14, 2026. File photo.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSLVSep 14, 2026

Two Flyers First Rounders Land On Phantoms Prospect List

Yardbarker's preseason ranking of Philadelphia's top 10 prospects places defenseman Oliver Bonk and center Jett Luchanko in Lehigh Valley for 2026-27.

Filip Mesar waits for a face-off for Montreal against Toronto at Bell Centre on September 25, 2025. File photo.
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSLAVSep 14, 2026

Filip Mesar Enters Make Or Break Year In Laval

The Canadiens' 2022 first-rounder is heading into the final season of his entry-level deal without an NHL game to his name.

Sweden forward Eddie Genborg scores against the United States during the IIHF World Junior Championship in St. Paul on December 31, 2025. File photo.
Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSGRSep 14, 2026

Genborg Looks Healthy Again in Sweden After AHL Playoff Injury

The Red Wings prospect skated in an SHL preseason game for Timra IK, a sign his recovery is on track ahead of Sweden's Sept. 19 opener.

Utah Mammoth first-round pick Ethan Belchetz stands beside NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected at the NHL Draft on June 26, 2026. File photo.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSTUCSep 14, 2026

Four Roadrunners Regulars Head To Mammoth Rookie Camp

Utah's rookie camp roster, posted Tuesday, includes Owen Allard, Daniil But, Michael Hrabal and Artem Duda.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Porter Martone defends Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis during a playoff game on May 9, 2026. File photo.
James Lang-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSFLAMINWSHSep 14, 2026

Rookie Games Are Back, With All But Three NHL Teams In

Prospect tournaments open the hockey calendar, and only Florida, Minnesota and Washington are sitting this one out.

Gavin McKenna reacts after Toronto selects him first overall on June 26, 2026. File photo.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
DRAFTTORSep 12, 2026

McKenna Sits Out Prospect Challenge, Leafs Debut Waits

The No. 1 overall pick practiced in Toronto on Friday but won't travel to Gatineau for the rookie tournament.

Justin Carbonneau reacts after the St. Louis Blues select him 19th overall at the NHL Draft on June 27, 2025. File photo.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSSPRSTLSep 3, 2026

Justin Carbonneau's Path to St. Louis Runs Through Springfield First

The Blues' 2025 first rounder is expected to open the year with the Thunderbirds, and one Blues outlet is betting he does not stay there long.

Trey Augustine leads Michigan State onto the ice before facing Penn State at Beaver Stadium on January 31, 2026. File photo.
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSGRDETSep 3, 2026

Trey Augustine Eyes Griffins Starting Job as Pro Career Begins

The Red Wings' top goalie prospect will battle for the crease in Grand Rapids this fall with an eye on Detroit down the road.

Adam Novotný stands with Gary Bettman after Vancouver selects him 24th overall at the NHL Draft on June 26, 2026. File photo.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
CONTRACTVANAug 12, 2026

Canucks Sign First-Round Pick Adam Novotný to Entry-Level Deal

Vancouver locks up the 24th overall selection from June's draft to a three-year contract.

Sean Farrell, whom Montreal later sent to Anaheim in the Sasha Pastujov trade, celebrates a Canadiens preseason goal against Toronto on September 27, 2025. File photo.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
FREE AGENCYMTLANAAug 12, 2026

Canadiens Acquire Winger Pastujov From Ducks for Farrell

Montreal swaps restricted free agent forwards with Anaheim in minor-league deal.

Sergei Murashov makes a save for Pittsburgh against Utah at PPG Paints Arena on December 14, 2025. File photo.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSPITJul 16, 2026

Sergei Murashov Cracks Top 10 NHL Goalie Prospect Rankings

Pittsburgh's 22-year-old netminder earned the No. 10 spot on The Athletic's list after a strong AHL season.

Elton Hermansson stands beside Gary Bettman after Los Angeles selects him 19th overall at the NHL Draft on June 26, 2026. File photo.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
CONTRACTLAKJul 15, 2026

Kings Sign First Rounder Elton Hermansson to Entry Level Deal

The Swedish forward, drafted 19th overall in June, signed a three-year contract and will play in Sweden this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning players react after their playoff loss to Montreal on May 3, 2026. File photo.
Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
AHLTBLJul 15, 2026

Lightning extend Syracuse Crunch affiliation through 2030

Tampa Bay's AHL partnership with the Crunch will continue for four more seasons.

Marcus Nordmark stands beside Gary Bettman after Anaheim selects him 28th overall at the NHL Draft on June 26, 2026. File photo.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
CONTRACTANAVGKSTLJul 15, 2026

Ducks Sign Marcus Nordmark to Three-Year Entry-Level Deal

The 18-year-old Swedish winger inked his first NHL contract after being selected 28th overall in June.

William Håkansson, right, embraces Sweden teammate Jack Berglund after winning the World Junior final on January 5, 2026. File photo.
Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
CONTRACTCARJul 15, 2026

Hurricanes Sign William Håkansson to Three-Year Entry-Level Deal

Carolina locked up its 2026 second-round pick, a 6-foot-5 Swedish defenseman, on Wednesday.

Drew Fortescue skates for the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 2026. File photo.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
PROSPECTSNYRJul 15, 2026

Drew Fortescue Uses Development Camp to Sharpen His NHL Case

The 21-year-old defenseman returned to Tarrytown after a nine-game NHL debut, focused on earning a roster spot in September.