The importance of good young talent to an NHL team cannot be overstated, as so many prospects are being developed and promoted very quickly in the league today. Here's our annual top 100 prospects in hockey, beginning with June's top two draft picks. If you don't know these names yet, you will soon.
Player eligibility: To be considered for the top 100, a player must still have Calder Trophy eligibility heading into the 2019-20 season. That means a player did not play more than 25 regular-season NHL games in the most recent season or, for players who have been called up and sent down fairly often, 50 career NHL games in all. Players must also be 25 years old or younger to be considered for the list.
Jump to notable prospects:
Zadina | Dobson | Farabee
Tolvanen | Fox | Knight
Samsonov | Nylander | Merkley
1. Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey Devils
Elite speed, hockey sense and skill give Hughes a chance to be a special player not only for the Devils, but the NHL at large. He sees the ice and processes play development extremely well.
2. Kaapo Kakko, RW, New York Rangers
A pro-ready frame with skill and confidence to spare, Kakko has the look of an immediate impact player and a legitimate threat to win the Calder this season.
3. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
The best defenseman outside of the NHL in 2018-19, Makar followed up winning the Hobey Baker by seamlessly transitioning to the Stanley Cup playoffs with the Avs. He is a special talent with explosive skating and elite hockey sense.
4. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks
One of the most unique skaters that I've personally seen, Hughes is fluid and deceptive. Jack's older brother does everything with incredible poise and can make plays all over the ice. And he continues to improve his defensive game.
5. Alex Turcotte, C, Los Angeles Kings
Speed and work ethic are hallmarks of Turcotte's game, but he combines that with excellent vision and elite-level hockey sense. You always know what you're going to get out of him.
6. Kirby Dach, C, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks added a big playmaking center who can slot in behind Jonathan Toews and might one day be able to take over for Chicago's captain as the club's No. 1 pivot if he can find a little more game-to-game consistency.
7. Martin Necas, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Necas continued making great strides toward being a future offensive leader for the Hurricanes while playing a key role on a Calder Cup champion AHL team. One day, if he stays on this development curve, he could make a formidable one-two punch with Sebastian Aho.
8. Kirill Kaprizov, RW, Minnesota Wild
Leading the entire KHL in goals last season, Kaprizov added to his legend in Minnesota while maintaining a level of mystery, as he remains under contract in Russia for one more season. While I've always appreciated Kaprizov's scoring, it's his ability to outwork opposing defenders and his strength on the puck that really sets him apart.
9. Trevor Zegras, C/W, Anaheim Ducks
Exceptionally skilled, creative and quick, Zegras is slated to be at Boston University this season, where he should thrive on a young team. With excellent one-on-one skills and an elite ability to process the game at high speeds, Zegras is an absolute offensive weapon.
10. Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit Red Wings
Zadina did not blow the barn doors off of the AHL, but he made an impression during a brief NHL stint that is probably a sign of things to come. He has a lot of skill but also plays with a lot of energy.
11. Cole Caufield, RW, Montreal Canadiens
The purest goal scorer outside of the NHL currently, Caufield is a special talent with the puck on his stick and eyes on the net. After destroying the United States National Team Development Program's single-season goal-scoring record by 20 goals last season, expectations for him are sky high as he enters his freshman season at the University of Wisconsin.
12. Bowen Byram, D, Colorado Avalanche
The first defenseman taken in 2019, Byram is an exceptional talent offensively. Though Byram's defending still needs some work, he has all of the makings of a high-end top-four blueliner, providing the Avs with an embarrassment of riches at the position.
13. Cody Glass, C, Vegas Golden Knights
Intelligent, calculating and confident are just a few ways to describe Glass. He made a major impact for the Chicago Wolves as a playmaking center after joining them for their deep Calder Cup playoff run.
14. Nick Suzuki, C/W, Montreal Canadiens
Three straight seasons of over 90 points in the OHL and a truly stellar performance in the OHL playoffs last season -- 42 points in 24 postseason games -- has Suzuki on the doorstep of the NHL. Though his offensive prowess is impressive, he is defensively responsible and brings all-out effort every game.
15. Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona Coyotes
Hayton dealt with injuries last season but still took a step forward offensively. He was a dominant center for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds when healthy in 2018-19 and should be ready for NHL duty thanks to higher-end skill and strong skating.
16. Grigori Denisenko, LW, Florida Panthers
One of the more entertaining players in the top 20, Denisenko brings elite skill and can make defenders miss with his elite hands.
17. Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders
Dobson was a two-way beast in the QMJHL last season, logging massive minutes while helping Rouyn-Noranda to the QMJHL and Memorial Cup titles. He's ready for the next step.
18. Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues
Kyrou was among the best rookies in the AHL last season, averaging 0.91 points per game after dominating the OHL in the three previous seasons. His skill and offensive tenacity should allow him to challenge for more NHL time in 2019-20.
19. Erik Brannstrom, D, Ottawa Senators
Brannstrom was the key piece in the Mark Stone trade return, and the Sens did well to land a blue-chip prospect who instantly rises to the top of their system. He is a strong skater and has high-end skill, which should put him in position to be a top-four blueliner at the NHL level very soon.
20. Matthew Boldy, LW, Minnesota Wild
It's very rare to see a player in Boldy's 6-foot-2 frame possess hands this quick. With vision, puck skills and defensive prowess, the Boston College winger is well-rounded.
21. Vitali Kravtsov, RW, New York Rangers
With size and skill, Kravtsov is one of the more intriguing prospects to come out of Russia. Kravtsov put up good numbers, but the Rangers should not be afraid to give him some extra AHL time.
22. Owen Tippett, RW, Florida Panthers
One of the better goal scorers on this list, Tippett has a lethal shot and really good hand skills. With a new coaching regime in Florida, there might be a better chance for Tippett to stick, as he was an early cut last training camp.
23. Vasily Podkolzin, RW, Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks will have to wait two years for Podkolzin's KHL contract to expire, but he is a two-way player with a ton of skill mixed in with grit. He'll be worth waiting for.
24. Dylan Cozens, C, Buffalo Sabres
A 6-foot-3 center with speed, Cozens is going to stand out no matter what. But he also has solid two-way capabilities and can create offense with his powerful skating.
25. Ty Smith, D, New Jersey Devils
After almost making the Devils out of camp last year, expect Smith to keep pushing this season, as he only got better in the WHL. He is a dynamic, intelligent playmaker from the back end.
26. Joel Farabee, LW, Philadelphia Flyers
Work ethic, skill, hockey sense and speed are all key elements of Farabee's game and big reasons why this tenacious winger should immediately challenge for NHL time after a strong freshman campaign at Boston University last season.
27. Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers
An offensive dynamo, Frost has been among the top producers in the OHL over the past two seasons. Now looking to make the pro jump, the question remains if he's ready for the NHL just yet while continuing to improve skating and pace of play.
28. Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers
After a strong showing with Bakersfield in the AHL playoffs at the end of last season, there's reason for optimism that Bouchard makes the Oilers out of camp. He is an elite passer but has room to improve defensively.
29. Adam Boqvist, D, Chicago Blackhawks
An exceptional offensive talent, Boqvist tore up the OHL last season. But he still needs more work in both his physical strength and defensive play to maximize his vast potential.
30. Drake Batherson, C, Ottawa Senators
A bit of a late bloomer compared to other top prospects, Batherson's upward trend has continued in earnest, as he showed well in NHL games last season and was an all-rookie selection in the AHL.
31. Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Nashville Predators
Tolvanen's first foray in the AHL was not memorable by any stretch, but there were flashes of his game that made him one of our top prospects going into last season. He still has an elite shot, but he needed to play with more pace to produce at the AHL level.
32. Peyton Krebs, C, Vegas Golden Knights
Sustaining an Achilles injury just before the draft might have hurt Krebs' stock, but he is a highly intelligent playmaker who competes and makes others around him better.
33. Alex Newhook, C, Colorado Avalanche
Set to play for Boston College, Newhook will be looked at to make an immediate impact in the NCAA thanks to excellent skating and creativity with the puck on his stick.
34. Cam York, D, Philadelphia Flyers
York processes the game at a high level and does all of the things that modern defensemen need to do well, especially when it comes to the transition game, in which he is especially advanced.
35. Joe Veleno, C, Detroit Red Wings
The concerns about Veleno's overall skill set persist despite big numbers last year in the QMJHL, but I've always appreciated his work ethic and defensive know-how, which maximize his value and NHL upside.
36. Philip Broberg, D, Edmonton Oilers
One of the best skating defensemen outside of the NHL, Broberg is a horse and handles himself well at both ends of the ice. He will stay in Sweden this season before gunning for a spot with the Oilers in 2020-21.
37. K'Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
A massive step forward in his offensive game as a freshman at Wisconsin took Miller's stock to another level. His skating, size and strength were already among the best at his position.
38. Rasmus Kupari, RW, Los Angeles Kings
A smooth speedster with skill and the ability to make plays at pace, Kupari had a highly productive season in Liiga in 2018-19. Now making the move to the AHL, Kupari will have to prove he can hold up physically against tight AHL defenses.
39. Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Vesalainen showcased his size and playmaking skills well in the pro ranks last season between the KHL and AHL.
40. Adam Fox, D, New York Rangers
Coming off of one of the most productive seasons of the past decade by an NCAA defenseman, Fox has high-end offensive tools. His skating still needs improvement, but the Rangers added a big piece when they traded for him over the summer.
41. Ryan Poehling, C, Montreal Canadiens
An outstanding shot, improved puck skills, higher-end hockey sense and physical strength all combine to make Poehling one of the more complete centers among NHL prospects.
42. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, New York Islanders
Last year was a big disappointment for Wahlstrom, who struggled to score in college. Now making the move to pro, he is going to have to show a higher battle level and better quickness to produce.
43. Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings
The shock of draft day is subsiding, but Seider is a legit player who ended last season with a league title and a great performance at the World Championship. He's still a bit of a project, but he has all of the tools and upside of an eventual top-four defenseman.
44. Victor Soderstrom, D, Arizona Coyotes
Soderstrom is an exceptional defender with good mobility and solid enough puck skills, but we'll have to wait and see if that translates to him being much of an offensive driver in his career.
45. Dante Fabbro, D, Nashville Predators
He's not flashy in the least, but Fabbro can make plays and defends confidently. His early look with the Preds late last season and into the playoffs showed he's ready for NHL time right now.
46. Alexandre Texier, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Texier really grew on me last season and proved that he was ready to make a smooth transition to North America by performing at a high level in both the AHL and NHL after a big season in Finland.
47. Emil Bemstrom, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
The breakout prospect of the 2018-19 season leaguewide, Bemstrom put up similar goal-scoring numbers (23) to those of Elias Pettersson in the Canucks forward's final season in Sweden.
48. Arthur Kaliyev, RW, Los Angeles Kings
A high-end scorer who always seems to find himself in the right place to unleash his elite shot, Kaliyev probably heads back to the OHL this season where he was a dominant offensive force.
49. Rasmus Sandin, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Steady, smart and mobile, Sandin does a lot of things well and keeps things relatively simple. He looked better and better as last season wore on, giving the Maple Leafs a blue-chip defensive prospect.
50. Sam Steel, C, Anaheim Ducks
The expectation for many was that Steel would be in the NHL all year in 2018-19, but spending more time in the AHL might have been the best thing for him. He produced and looks more prepared for the NHL jump now.
51. Spencer Knight, G, Florida Panthers
The highest drafted goalie in the past eight years, Knight is special among goaltending prospects and has long-term starter upside. He will be put to the test immediately at Boston College in 2019-20.
52. Philip Tomasino, C/W, Nashville Predators
Tomasino is a fantastic skater who can make plays all over the offensive zone, whether it's on the perimeter or in tight to the net.
53. Ty Dellandrea, C, Dallas Stars
Being the best player on a poor team like Flint in the OHL can be difficult, but Dellandrea has been a fairly consistent and productive performer because he always competes.
54. Nicolas Hague, D, Vegas Golden Knights
A top-four defenseman in his first full AHL season, Hague was relied on in all situations and played heavy minutes, while making it look pretty easy for the Calder runner-up Chicago Wolves.
55. Isac Lundestrom, C, Anaheim Ducks
Lundestrom is a tough player on whom to get a handle. He was inconsistent in viewings I had last season, but he's a smart player with a good sturdy frame and the versatility to carve out a long-term role for himself.
56. Serron Noel, RW, Florida Panthers
A breakout campaign in 2018-19 really showed the best of what Noel can do. He is a high-end skater and has good hands to prove he's more than just a big body.
57. Ryan Suzuki, C, Carolina Hurricanes
An exceptionally skilled forward who has elite vision and good playmaking abilities, Suzuki slipped in the draft probably due to concerns about aggressiveness.
58. Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers
He's finally in North America, and we're going to learn a lot more about Shesterkin following an absolutely stellar KHL and international career. The AHL adjustment can be tough for European goalies, but the physical tools Shesterkin possesses should make it a bit smoother.
59. Alex Formenton, C/W, Ottawa Senators
An injury knocked Formenton out for a chunk of the season, but when healthy, he produced at a high level and was dominant at times in the OHL. Expect him to see NHL time in 2019-20.
60. Juuso Valimaki, D, Calgary Flames
A major injury will sideline Valimaki for the beginning of the season, which is too bad because he really seemed to be finding his legs at the end of last season.
61. Jack Studnicka, C/W, Boston Bruins
A free-wheeling forward who can do a little bit of everything, Studnicka will be put to the test early in the AHL. But he looks more than ready to make the most of it.
62. Nicholas Robertson, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Selected in the second round in June, Robertson was a steal for the Maple Leafs. He has high-end puck skills, an elite shot and an unrelenting motor that makes him a pain for the opposition.
63. Martin Kaut, LW, Colorado Avalanche
Kaut has added more strength and speed to his game, which might provide him some power elements to go with his higher-end offensive instincts.
64. Aleksi Heponiemi, C/W, Florida Panthers
An elite-level passer with vision and hockey sense to boot, Heponiemi has overcome concerns about his size but will be truly tested in his first North American pro campaign.
65. Liam Foudy, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
One of the fastest skaters in junior hockey, Foudy still needs his hands to catch up to truly be among the elite prospects. His motor and work ethic on top of the speed help give him a lot of scoring chances.
66. Alex Barre-Boulet, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
A breakout rookie season in the AHL saw Barre-Boulet tie for the league lead in goals. He looks like the next great undrafted find for the Lightning, as if they needed any more of those.
67. Ilya Samsonov, G, Washington Capitals
It was an uneven season for Samsonov in his first AHL campaign, but the middle of the year was a showcase of the quickness, competitiveness and consistency that made him a first-round pick.
68. Ian Mitchell, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Opting to return for his junior season at Denver, Mitchell is a confident defenseman who plays the game at a high level at both ends of the ice and should be in for a very big season.
69. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders
A KHL title and MVP performance in the playoffs put a cherry on top of Sorokin's best pro season in 2018-19. With one year left on his contract with CSKA, the wait might soon be over for Isles fans.
70. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres
The best goaltender in the CHL last season, Luukkonen was incredible in his first North American campaign for the resurgent Sudbury Wolves. Offseason surgery will keep Luukkonen on the shelf to start what would be his first North American pro season.
71. Logan Brown, C, Ottawa Senators
Brown transitioned pretty easily to pro hockey last season. His big frame and good hands allow him to create the space necessary against stronger competition.
72. Tyler Benson, LW, Edmonton Oilers
A breakout performer in the AHL last season, Benson spent all of 2018-19 reminding people of just how good he could be when healthy.
73. Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edmonton Oilers
Yamamoto has been a tough player to get a read on over the past two seasons, as he has dealt with some consistency and injury issues. But he remains a speedy player with good skill and enough competitive fire to allow him to eventually max out his potential.
74. Max Comtois, LW, Anaheim Ducks
Comtois was an absolute monster in the QMJHL after being sent back to junior by the Ducks. He is mean and physical, and I thought last season showed he can perform at a good level offensively, too.
75. Akil Thomas, C, Los Angeles Kings
If Thomas can add a little more edge and aggressiveness to his game, he'll have a chance to soar up this list because just about everything else is there for him. He's coming off of a 102-point season in the OHL.
76. Thomas Harley, D, Dallas Stars
A smooth, offensive defenseman, Harley probably has another year of OHL time before he can make the jump, but there's a lot of potential in a player at his size with his skill level.
77. Brett Leason, C, Washington Capitals
The Caps have a good one in Leason, who is eligible to begin pro hockey right away after being drafted in his third year of eligibility. We'll learn a lot more about him in the AHL and see just how much of a steal he'll be for Washington (No. 56 overall in June).
78. Josh Norris, C, Ottawa Senators
Norris was in the midst of a breakout season before an injury at the World Juniors sidelined him. Now he'll probably spend next season in the AHL, where he'll have to show that he hasn't slowed down after the long layoff.
79. Nils Hoglander, LW, Vancouver Canucks
Especially creative and crafty, Hoglander has a chance to do some special things this season while playing his second full campaign in the SHL with Rogle.
80. Dominik Bokk, LW, St. Louis Blues
Bokk has a ton of skill and now will be playing on a new team in Sweden. But he has to continue to get stronger and more assertive to make good on the first-round pick St. Louis used on him in 2018.
81. Raphael Lavoie, LW, Edmonton Oilers
His draft stock plummeted over the course of last season due to concerns about consistency of effort, but he still has legit power-forward potential and was a dominant performer in the QMJHL playoffs this spring.
82. Nicolas Beaudin, D, Chicago Blackhawks
A major step forward in his draft-plus-one season saw Beaudin take charge and often dominate games. While his defending still needs work, his ability to move the puck is especially high-end.
83. Connor McMichael, C, Washington Capitals
He can wheel and he can make plays, but now he will be asked to shoulder a lot more responsibility with the London Knights, which should be great for his development.
84. Tobias Bjornfot, D, Los Angeles Kings
Good footwork, excellent hockey sense and continually improving offensive capabilities suggest Bjornfot is only just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can be long term.
85. Philippe Myers, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Everything came together for Myers last season. I thought he performed especially well in limited NHL time, showcasing his exceptional skating and driving that massive frame of his.
86. Lucas Elvenes, LW, Vegas Golden Knights
With exceptional skill with the puck on his stick, Elvenes makes so many plays and can make defenders miss.
87. Sasha Chmelevski, C, San Jose Sharks
The skilled and competitive Chmelevski's stock soared as he played a leading offensive role for the Ottawa 67's in the OHL and helped USA win silver at the World Juniors.
88. Alexander Nylander, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
A fresh start is probably what Nylander needed more than any prospect at this point, but now he has to make the most of it. He has the skill. He just needs to show he has the competitiveness, too.
89. Klim Kostin, C, St. Louis Blues
Entering his third year of North American professional hockey, Kostin needs to show he can be a producer at the AHL level before he can take the next steps in what I still feel is a promising career.
90. Cal Foote, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
Foote had a really strong first year of pro hockey in the AHL and has continued to show there's maybe more offensive upside than many of us originally projected for him.
91. Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks
The goalie of the future in Vancouver is trending toward being the goalie of right now, meaning 2019-20 might be the most crucial season yet for Demko.
92. Jared McIsaac, D, Detroit Red Wings
McIsaac really popped last season for Halifax, playing a solid two-way game, boosting his offensive numbers and earning a nod to play for Canada at the World Juniors.
93. Dmitri Samorukov, D, Edmonton Oilers
A dominant performance during the OHL playoffs with the Guelph Storm really rose Samorukov's stock, as he showed improved offensive skills without sacrificing his excellent defensive capabilities.
94. Kale Clague, D, Los Angeles Kings
A strong season in the AHL helped Clague take a big step toward the NHL. He remains a solid puck-mover with the ability to keep plays alive offensively and get out of trouble in the defensive zone.
95. Jake Bean, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Bean's first AHL season was a great one, as he played solid minutes, produced and was a key player for a Calder Cup champion team.
96. Ryan Merkley, D, San Jose Sharks
The skill level and vision remain elite components of Merkley's game -- but red flags remain, too, when it comes to Merkley's defensive play and inconsistent effort.
97. Jaret Anderson-Dolan, LW, Los Angeles Kings
An injury-abbreviated season didn't really slow down Anderson-Dolan too much as he has good pace to go with some skill and a little tenacity.
98. Dillon Dube, LW, Calgary Flames
A strong all-around player, Dube fell one game shy of losing prospect status with the Flames last season. From character to work ethic, Dube is going to find a way to make an impact.
99. Matthew Robertson, D, New York Rangers
A big, mobile defenseman who probably needs more time to develop his offensive game, Robertson does a lot of little things well that give him the edge over some of his peers.
100. Ville Heinola, D, Winnipeg Jets
Heinola has solid puck-moving capabilities, and there's a steadiness about his game. But I think he'd really max out his potential if he can add a more dynamic element to his skating.
Honorable mentions:
Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose Sharks
Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
Patrik Puistola, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
Alexander Romanov, D, Montreal Canadiens