We’re already covering some very exciting NHL players and prospects as The Hockey News’ online countdown of the Top 100 Hockey Players Ages 21 and Under continues.
Hockey News Prospects Unlimited IssueThe annual ranking of hockey’s youngest talents is compiled by Ryan Kennedy, and while it uses our Future Watch rankings as a resource, it is a completely independent compilation.
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Surveillance of the future is based on a survey of NHL scouts, while the PU Top 100 is concocted by Kennedy based on his projections of what players will be like once they reach their peak.
Since different positions have different glory years, that means we’re projecting the quality of these forwards when they’re 23 or 24, defenders when they’re 24 or 25, and goalkeepers when they’re 25 or 26.
The cut-off birth year for this year’s list is 2004. Ages shown are as of October 1.
As we share the Top 100 list on TheHockeyNews.com, you can see the full list with player biographies and preliminary information for each of them right away by subscribe to The Hockey News and access the Archive or by opening the magazine if you have already received it in your mailbox.
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Catch up with ranked players 41st to 60th, 61st to 80th And 81st to 100th. Here are the next 20.
40. Ryan Lin, D, 17, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
NHL Draft: 2026
39. Cole Hutson, D, 19, Washington Capitals
Boston University. (HE)
38. Ryan Roobroeck, LW, 16, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: 2026
37. Radim Mrtka, D, 18, Buffalo Sabers
Seattle (WHL)
36. Sam Rinzel, D, 21, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago (NHL)
Frank Nazar (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
35. Frank Nazar, C, 21, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago (NHL)
34. Cayden Lindstrom, C, 19, Columbus Blue Jackets
Michigan State (Big Ten)
33. Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, 20, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit (NHL)
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32. Jake O’Brien, C, 18, Seattle Kraken
Brantford (WHL)
31. Roger McQueen, C, 18, Anaheim Ducks
Providence College (HE)
30. Cutter Gauthier, AG, 21, Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim (NHL)
29. Caleb Desnoyers, C, 18, Utah Mammoth
Moncton (QMJHL)
28. Michael Hrabal, G, 20, Utah Mammoth
UMass (HE)
27. Ethan Belchetz, LW, 17, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
NHL Draft: 2026
26. Brady Martin, C, 18, Nashville Predators
Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
Will Smith (Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
25. Will Smith, C, 20, San Jose Sharks
San Jose (NHL)
24. Ryan Leonard, RW, 20, Washington Capitals
Washington (NHL)
23. Carter George, G, 19, Los Angeles Kings
Owen Sound (OHL)
22. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, 21, St. Louis Blues
St. Louis (NHL)
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21. Sam Dickinson, D, 19, San Jose Sharks
San Jose (NHL)
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