Welcome to the summer 2024 edition of my ranking of the NHL’s best prospects at The Athletic . This two-piece, twice-a-year project ranks the league’s top 100 drafted skaters and top 20 drafted goalies (released tomorrow). This edition of my top 100 drafted prospects ranking includes 22 players from the 2024 draft, 30 players from 2023, 29 from 2022, 15 from 2021 and four from 2020.
It is made up of 67 forwards and 33 defensemen (of which 14 are lefties and 19 are righties). Advertisement The San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens lead the way with six ranked prospects, followed by the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets and Anaheim Ducks with five apiece.
One team doesn’t have a prospect on the list: the Florida Panthers (the Edmonton Oilers didn’t until they traded for Matt Savoie). To be eligible for inclusion, a skater must be under 23 years old and not established as a full-time NHL player with their club. The latter qualifier is the arbitrary section of the criteria.
There, I trust my judgment for whether or not a rostered NHL player could still play games outside the NHL more than I trust any predetermined games-played cutoff. Preference for inclusion as an NHL prospect is more likely to be given to teenagers than 22-year-olds. Since the last installment of this ranking released in the winter, the following players have aged out or are now considered graduated: Connor Zary, Philip Bro.
