NHL-ийн драфтын эхний тойрогт сонгогдоогүй 23 хүртэлх насны шилдэг 100 тоглогчийн жагсаалт

When I do my semi-annual look at the best NHL players and prospects under 23, I’m trying to give an overview of the best young players in the NHL and who could be the true impact players of tomorrow. Readers will notice that list is overwhelmingly full of first-round picks, especially high ones. That’s to be expected; NHL teams take the obvious talents early in the draft, and most NHL players come from the first round.

However, we know there will be some hits outside the first round, and those players tend to be major difference-makers for top NHL teams. The last time I did this list, it featured Logan Stankoven, who was a major part of the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup, at No. 1. Today, we take a look at the top 100 young players (under the age of 23 as of Sept. 15, 2026) who weren’t selected in the first round.

Top of the lineup player tier

1. Lane Hutson, D, Canadiens (62nd in 2022)

Hutson was one of the top scoring defensemen in the league and a pillar for the conference finalists. He’s a dynamo with the puck on his stick. Hutson has high-end skill, creativity, poise and sense with the puck, often walking the blue line using his great edge work to create time to make plays. He sees the ice at an elite level, finding a ton of seams, making quick, difficult plays often. Hutson’s pure athleticism won’t overly excite you. He’s a good, elusive skater, but he doesn’t have Quinn Hughes-type feet for his size. He works hard, but he’s not overly physical. The hope is he can continue to be average defensively to make up for his off-the-charts offense. He projects as a long-term top-pair defenseman who will be a top scorer.

2. Cole Hutson, D, Capitals (43rd in 2024)

The younger brother of Montreal’s Lane Hutson, Cole has some similarities and differences from his brother. He’s a very skilled and intelligent defenseman who projects to run a power play. He’s great at finding seams and holding onto pucks for an extra second with an ultra-creative offensive mind. His offensive playmaking isn’t quite as elite as Lane’s, but he’s arguably a shiftier skater with his edges and top speed. Cole is also a bit bigger and more physical. Cole may not be a premier NHL defenseman, but his skating and compete should allow him to make enough stops while bringing a lot of offense. He projects as a major-minutes/PP1 defenseman who should be able to defend enough.

Bubble top and middle of the lineup player tier

3. Ilya Protas, LW, Capitals (75th in 2024)

Protas’ development continues to go very well, following a huge OHL year with a big season in the AHL. Protas is a very skilled forward. His creativity and vision with the puck are high-end. Protas sees plays that others don’t, and finds seams in the offensive zone quickly. He can project to run a power play due to his playmaking and having a decent shot, too. His skating is heavy and will be an issue in the NHL. Some Capitals fans will see similarities between that and the same issue for his brother, who’s become a major player for them. I would say Ilya doesn’t play quite as hard as Aliaksei, but may have better offensive touch at the same age. Protas projects as a top-six winger.

4. Roman Kantserov, RW, Blackhawks (44th in 2023)

Kantserov is one of the more promising young forwards outside the NHL, despite being a second-round pick a few years ago. He was a top player in the KHL last season as a critical part of a top team. Kantserov isn’t that big, but everything else about his game is a plus. He’s a very quick skater with high-end skills and vision who projects to be able to create offense. He’s a tenacious competitor who creates a ton of chances in hard areas, wins battles versus bigger players and is responsible at both ends of the ice. He has the tools to score and make plays and will earn a coach’s trust. He projects as a top-six winger who can be used in a variety of situations.

5. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Sharks (33rd in 2024)

Chernyshov had a great season. He came out flying in the AHL, and when called up to the Sharks, he looked like he belonged instantly. He’s a big, powerful winger who skates well and has tremendous offensive skills. He beats defenders routinely with his one-on-one plays, sees the ice well and has a decent shot from range. Chernyshov has become much more direct in how he attacks, using his big body to drive the net often, and that subtle change has allowed him to become a menace already. He projects as a top-six winger.

6. Julius Miettinen, C, Kraken (40th in 2024)

Miettinen was an important part of a top Everett team in the WHL and was the league’s playoff MVP. He’s a big-body center who checks a lot of boxes as a strong skater with good offensive skills. He has the one-on-one play to beat defensemen and do so with pace. He has solid vision and offensive IQ, showing the ability to create chances off the perimeter. Miettinen isn’t highly physical, but he’s good around the net, plays both ways and can use his big body to generate offense. He works hard enough without the puck and is a responsible two-way player who coaches tend to trust. He projects as a two-way second-line center.

7. Tomas Lavoie, D, Mammoth (89th in 2024)

Lavoie was a top player in the Q and a major reason why Chicoutimi won the title. He’s a tall right-shot who skates quite well for a big man. His length plus feet help him break up a lot of plays and succeed on retrievals. He plays very hard, breaks up a lot of plays and is overall a great defenseman. Offense has been the one minor question in Lavoie’s game. I wouldn’t call him a super smart puck-mover, but he can make a reliable outlet pass and has a hard point shot. I’m always skeptical of QMJHL production, especially for older players, but I think Lavoie showed he has at least a little puck touch, which, with the rest of his game, could make him a second-pair defenseman.

8. Casey Mutryn, RW, Kraken (38th in 2026)

Mutryn is a hardworking, physical winger. He’s a good skater who can play at an NHL tempo and carry pucks up ice competently at the top level. His offensive game has developed more than expected. He has some puck skills and scoring touch. His pure playmaking won’t inspire, and he can play with his head down, but he sees the ice well enough and creates offense. His versatility and ability to provide secondary scoring, while also playing a hard-nosed style, checks all the boxes to play significant minutes as a pro.

9. Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Canadiens (34th in 2025)

Zharovsky had a great season as a legit scorer in the KHL at 18 and helping his team win games. He has some obvious tools between his size, speed and skill. Zharovsky can create a lot of entries and chances with the pace in his game. He’s a highly creative offensive player who can beat defenders one-on-one and hit seams in the O-zone. He’s not overly physical, but he gets to the net for chances, works hard and has a game that could translate to higher levels. He projects as a top-six winger.

Middle of the lineup player tier

10. Jack Berglund, C, Flyers (51st in 2024)

11. Benjamin Rautiainen, C, Lightning (108th in 2025)

12. Jani Nyman, RW, Kraken (49th in 2022)

13. Gabe Smith, C, Mammoth (103rd in 2024)

14. Eddie Genborg, RW, Red Wings (44th in 2025)

15. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Islanders (42nd in 2025)

16. Ryan Greene, C, Blackhawks (57th in 2022)

17. Tinus Luc Koblar, C, Maple Leafs (64th in 2025)

18. Milton Gästrin, C, Blues (37th in 2025)

19. Theo Stockselius, C, Flames (54th in 2025)

20. Danny Nelson, C, Islanders (49th in 2023)

21. Vojtech Hradec, C, Mammoth (167th in 2024)

22. Brooks Rogowski, C, Canucks (33rd in 2026)

23. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Sharks (53rd in 2024)

24. Tristan Luneau, D, Ducks (53rd in 2022)

25. Adam Goljer, D, Kings (49th in 2026)

26. Harrison Brunicke, D, Penguins (44th in 2024)

27. William Håkansson, D, Hurricanes (51st in 2026)

28. Måns Gudmundsson, D, Maple Leafs (76th in 2026)

29. Max Plante, LW, Red Wings (47th in 2024)

30. Chase Harrington, LW, Flames (36th in 2026)

31. Sandis Vilmanis, LW, Panthers (157th in 2022)

32. Simas Ignatavicius, RW, Panthers (40th in 2026)

33. Nathan Aspinall, LW, Rangers (159th in 2024)

34. Malcolm Spence, LW, Rangers (43rd in 2025)

35. Rian Chudzinski, RW, Ducks (82nd in 2026)

36. Jack Ivankovic, G, Predators (58th in 2025)

37. Tobias Trejbal, G, Flames (42nd in 2026)

38. Kim Saarinen, G, Kraken (88th in 2024)

39. Patriks Plumins, G, Maple Leafs (114th in 2026)

40. Michael Hrabal, G, Mammoth (38th in 2023)

41. Vadim Moroz, RW, Mammoth (88th in 2023)

NHL prospect tier

42. Fraser Minten, C, Bruins (38th in 2022)

43. Matt Poitras, C, Bruins (54th in 2022)

44. Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, C, Kraken (52nd in 2023)

45. Felix Nilsson, C, Predators (43rd in 2023)

46. Dans Locmelis, C, Bruins (119th in 2022)

47. Owen Beck, C, Canadiens (33rd in 2022)

48. Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Blue Jackets (94th in 2026)

49. Charlie Cerrato, C, Hurricanes (49th in 2025)

50. Ryder Cali, C, Panthers (48th in 2026)

51. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Blue Jackets (44th in 2022)

52. Ethan Procyszyn, C, Ducks (68th in 2024)

53. Matthew Gard, C, Flyers (57th in 2025)

54. Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blackhawks (34th in 2026)

55. Bryce Pickford, D, Canadiens (81st in 2025)

56. Tarin Smith, D, Ducks (79th in 2024)

57. Elias Salomonsson, D, Jets (55th in 2022)

58. Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Flames (75th in 2023)

59. Ethan MacKenzie, D, Maple Leafs (69th in 2026)

60. Jakub Vanecek, D, Stars (59th in 2026)

61. Samu Alalauri, D, Blackhawks (66th in 2026)

62. Gavin McCarthy, D, Sabres (86th in 2023)

63. Adam Engstrom, D, Canadiens (92nd in 2022)

64. Blake Fiddler, D, Kraken (36th in 2025)

65. Peyton Kettles, D, Penguins (39th in 2025)

66. Elias Pettersson, D, Canucks (80th in 2022)

67. Adam Kleber, D, Capitals (42nd in 2024)

68. Noah Warren, D, Ducks (42nd in 2022)

69. Denver Barkey, C, Flyers (95th in 2023)

70. Gavin Brindley, C, Avalanche (34th in 2023)

71. Mathis Preston, RW, Ducks (50th in 2026)

72. Emmitt Finnie, C, Red Wings (201st in 2023)

73. Vojtech Cihar, LW, Kings (59th in 2025)

74. Lenni Hameenaho, RW, Devils (58th in 2023)

75. Nathan Behm, RW, Blackhawks (66th in 2025)

76. Adam Nemec, LW, Senators (72nd in 2026)

77. Cameron Lund, C, Sharks (34th in 2022)

78. Shane Vansaghi, RW, Flyers (48th in 2025)

79. Alex Kostov, RW, Kings (177th in 2026)

80. Kasper Halttunen, RW, Senators (36th in 2023)

81. Jonah Sivertson, RW, Golden Knights (113th in 2026)

82. Oscar Olsson, LW, Bruins (122nd in 2026)

83. Kayden Lemire, RW, Wild (112th in 2026)

84. Trey Augustine, G, Red Wings (41st in 2023)

85. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, Golden Knights (55th in 2025)

86. Jan Chovan, C, Kings (184th in 2025)

87. Mads Kongsbak Klyvø, LW, Panthers (112th in 2025)

88. Adam Jecho, C, Blues (95th in 2024)

89. Florian Xhekaj, LW, Canadiens (101st in 2023)

90. Vilmer Alriksson, LW, Canucks (107th in 2023)

91. Tyler Thorpe, RW, Canadiens (130th in 2024)

92. Jacob Fowler, G, Canadiens (69th in 2023)

93. Tyler Muszelik, G, Panthers (189th in 2022)

94. Alexis Cournoyer, G, Canadiens (145th in 2025)

95. Brady Knowling, G, Sharks (127th in 2026)

96. Martin Psohlavec, G, Flyers (62nd in 2026)

97. Måns Goos, G, Stars (158th in 2025)

98. Matvei Korotky, C, Blues (211th in 2024)

99. Daniil Orlov, D, Devils (110th in 2022)

100. Nikita Shcherbakov, D, Devils (44th in 2026)