Sportsvival’s Top 10 NHL Prospects
Sportsvival’s hockey coverage goes far beyond the NHL standings and the Stanley Cup playoffs. Throughout the year, Sportsvival follows professional hockey, the minor leagues, college hockey, major junior hockey, international competition and the young players developing throughout NHL organizations.
Prospect coverage remains an important part of what we do because today’s draft selections could become tomorrow’s NHL stars. As we gear up for the 2026 NHL Draft, the newest group of young players is preparing to join the league’s prospect pipeline.
Before that happens, Sportsvival takes a look at the top prospects whose rights are already controlled by NHL franchises. This ranking was formulated by examining several current prospect evaluations while considering talent, production, development, long-term potential and projected NHL impact.
Players who have received brief NHL opportunities remain eligible, but established NHL regulars were not considered.
1. Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames
Parekh may be the most naturally gifted offensive defenseman currently considered an NHL prospect. He is an outstanding puck handler who can lead the rush, create scoring opportunities and control a power play from the blue line.
Parekh plays with tremendous confidence and is not afraid to attack open space or challenge defenders with the puck. He must continue improving his defensive positioning and decision-making, but his offensive ceiling is extremely high. Calgary could have a future top-pairing defenseman and power-play quarterback.
2. James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins
Hagens combines excellent skating, creativity and offensive awareness. He can change direction quickly, escape pressure and create passing lanes that many players do not recognize.
Although Hagens does not possess ideal size, he competes hard and is willing to attack the middle of the ice. His speed, vision and ability to process the game give him the potential to become Boston’s future first-line center and one of the organization’s most important offensive players.
3. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Martone is the type of power forward every NHL organization wants. He possesses size, strong hands, playmaking ability and the willingness to compete around the net.
Martone can score goals, protect the puck and create opportunities for his teammates. He does not rely only on his size and physical strength, as he also displays excellent vision and offensive intelligence. Martone has the tools to become a productive first-line winger for Philadelphia.
4. Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Frondell plays a strong and mature game that should translate well to the NHL. He protects the puck effectively, possesses a dangerous shot and contributes responsibly at both ends of the ice.
He may not be the flashiest prospect on the list, but his combination of strength, intelligence and two-way ability gives him a very high floor. Frondell could eventually become an important top-six center alongside Chicago’s growing collection of young talent.
5. Alexander Zharovsky, LW, Montreal Canadiens
Zharovsky has developed into one of the most exciting offensive prospects outside of a permanent NHL role. The former second-round selection possesses impressive hands, creativity and the confidence to challenge defenders one-on-one.
He can create offense in tight spaces and make difficult plays while under pressure. Zharovsky must continue adding strength and improving his consistency, but Montreal may have discovered one of the biggest steals from the 2025 NHL Draft.
6. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Utah Mammoth
Desnoyers is a complete center who can contribute in nearly every situation. He produces offense without abandoning his defensive responsibilities and consistently makes intelligent decisions with the puck.
He may not possess one overwhelming individual skill, but his complete approach makes him one of the safer prospects on this list. Desnoyers projects as a dependable top-six center who could eventually play important minutes at even strength and on both special-teams units.
7. Roger McQueen, C, Anaheim Ducks
McQueen is one of the most physically intriguing prospects in hockey. The massive center combines tremendous size with good skating, soft hands and legitimate offensive ability.
Players with McQueen’s frame are not normally able to move and handle the puck as effectively as he can. Injuries created some uncertainty during his draft season, but his talent was never in question.
If McQueen remains healthy and continues developing, he could become a powerful top-six center who creates major matchup problems for opposing teams. His rare combination of size and skill gives him one of the highest ceilings in hockey.
8. Michael Hage, C, Montreal Canadiens
Hage is an excellent skater and playmaker who consistently creates offense through the middle of the ice. He plays with confidence, carries the puck effectively and can generate scoring opportunities off the rush.
Hage also possesses the hockey intelligence and competitiveness needed to become a reliable NHL center. Montreal already has several talented young players, and Hage could eventually develop into an important member of the organization’s top six.
9. Tij Iginla, LW, Utah Mammoth
Iginla brings speed, scoring ability and a relentless competitive approach. He attacks defenders off the rush, owns a dangerous wrist shot and willingly pressures opponents on the forecheck.
His game includes many of the competitive qualities that made his father, Jarome Iginla, one of the NHL’s most respected players. Tij continues to add strength and power to his game, giving Utah another potential cornerstone forward.
10. Anton Silayev, D, New Jersey Devils
Silayev is one of the most unique defensive prospects in hockey. At approximately 6-foot-7, he possesses exceptional size and reach but also moves remarkably well for a player with his frame.
He uses his skating and long stick to close gaps, disrupt rushes and eliminate scoring opportunities. Silayev may never become a major offensive producer, but his mobility, positioning and defensive potential could make him an outstanding shutdown defenseman for New Jersey.
Just Outside the Top 10
Several talented prospects were strongly considered for Sportsvival’s top 10.
Radim Mrtka possesses the size, mobility and two-way ability to become a major part of Buffalo’s defense. Carter Yakemchuk offers an intriguing combination of size, physicality and offensive talent for Ottawa.
Gabe Perreault remains one of the most intelligent and creative offensive prospects in hockey, while Victor Eklund brings speed, effort and playmaking ability to the New York Islanders’ system.
Goaltender Trey Augustine could eventually become Detroit’s long-term answer in net. Jake O’Brien, Ilya Protas, Yegor Surin and Kashawn Aitcheson also deserve recognition as prospects with considerable NHL potential.
Final Thoughts
Calgary could have a future power-play quarterback in Zayne Parekh, while Boston may have found its next top center in James Hagens. Porter Martone and Anton Frondell appear capable of becoming major pieces of their organizations’ futures.
Montreal and Utah each placed two players inside Sportsvival’s top 10, demonstrating the amount of young talent developing within those organizations.
Roger McQueen remains one of the biggest wild cards in the group. His combination of size, skating and puck skills is extremely difficult to find. His continued development and ability to remain healthy will determine whether he reaches his considerable ceiling, but the potential is there for McQueen to become one of the best players from his draft class.
The 2026 NHL Draft will introduce another collection of talented players to the league. However, these prospects have already started their journeys and could soon become recognizable names to hockey fans throughout the NHL.
Sportsvival will continue following their development while providing scouting reports, prospect profiles, mock drafts and complete coverage of the next generation of NHL talent.