Top 10 most improved NHL prospects since 2025-26
Hockey fans like prospects. Who knew?
Earlier this summer, we took a look at the 75 NHL-affiliated skater prospects, as well as the top 25 goalies. It’s a fun exercise, especially when you get insight from scouts on prospects who really rocketed up depth charts over the year.
In some cases, these prospects had some serious upside, but a flaw or two prevented them from being ranked. In other cases, they weren’t really on the radar but managed to establish themselves as legit talents.
Which prospects went above and beyond this past year, helping to establish their stocks high on their teams’ depth charts? Here’s a look at 10 of the most improved prospects you need to know:
10. Yegor Surin, C/LW, 19 (Nashville Predators)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 55th
The KHL can be an exceptionally hard league to produce in for a junior-aged player. But Surin didn’t flinch, showcasing some of the most skill of any youngster in the league. He finished with 15 goals and 37 points in 57 games to finish second in U-20 scoring. His game has always been so fascinating because he hits like a truck and is absolutely fearless. Surin is a bit more refined these days, but he has figured out how to harness his offensive skill and physical edge to his advantage. Surin will be a tough cookie to contain once he gets to the NHL.
9. Nick Lardis, LW/RW, 21 (Chicago Blackhawks)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 54th
Lardis is a personal favorite of mine; I love players who do whatever it takes to get shots on net. But what some scouts – and myself – have wondered is whether his subpar skating would translate to the NHL, and whether he’d continue to score at 5-on-5. Well, mission accomplished. He had 18 goals and 32 points in 35 games as an AHL rookie, earning him a spot on the big club. Lardis then registered 10 goals and 15 points in 41 games with the Blackhawks, ensuring he’ll never go back down to Rockford. I’d still like to see him add a bit more speed, but his hockey sense and offensive tendencies have been enough to prove he’s capable of playing a scoring role in the short term. Will it last? We’ll see, but it was amazing watching him keep up his scoring prowess after the move to the pro ranks.
8. Adam Jiříček, RHD, 20 (St. Louis Blues)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 49th
Jiříček finished with more than a point-per-game with the Brantford Bulldogs and was also one of the most dominant defenders at the World Juniors. I was hoping to see him play with the senior Czech team at some point too because I feel like he could have easily handled the pressure. The puck-moving defender has “future top-four blueliner” written all over him, with some scouts thinking there’s still a bit more for him to unlock. I expect Jiříček to play a ton of minutes out of the gate for Springfield and get a few NHL games under his belt, as well.
7. Ryker Lee, RW, 19 (Nashville Predators)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 40th
Lee went from one of the biggest late-season risers in the 2025 NHL Draft to a legitimate college scoring threat. It all started with his tremendous World Junior Summer Showcase appearance and continued with just how effective he was with the puck throughout the season. I’d say his least impactful hockey action was the main World Junior tournament, but he still played a really solid middle-six role while showing flashes of high-end skill. I still think he’s a very raw prospect but one who should be able to become a solid point producer in the NHL.
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6. Sergei Murashov, 22 (Pittsburgh Penguins)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 5th (G)
Murashov burst onto the North American hockey scene two years ago by dominating both the AHL and the ECHL. Last year, Murashov put up some of the best numbers in the AHL, which included a .919 SV% and a dazzling record of 24-9-4. Murashov has been a star for years now, so it wasn’t entirely shocking to see him register a 4-0 shutout in just his second NHL game back in November. I think there’s legit starter potential here (something many goalie observers have believed for a few years now), and it’s probably a good thing they didn’t rush him into full-time NHL duty. Barring a last-minute signing, though, Murashov is ready to push for the starter’s gig alongside Arturs Silovs.
5. Alexander Zharovsky, RW, 19 (Montreal Canadiens)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 31st
Zharovksy already looks like one of the top value picks of the 2025 NHL Draft. It’s hard to produce as a junior-aged KHLer, but Zharovsky put up a whopping 42 points in 59 games with Ufa last year. Only one other U-20 player (Yaroslavl’s Yegor Surin) had more than 15 points (37) last season, and it was the highest output by an 18-year-old in league history. Funnily enough, the gold standard among U-20 seasons was Demidov’s 2024-25, when he had 49 points in 65 games. There’s a legitimate argument that Zharovsky’s production primarily came against weaker competition. But he was five points off the team lead, which is still insane regardless of what angle you’re looking at. Zharovsky is a highly skilled winger who is always looking to create damage with the puck, and I’m excited to see him (hopefully) come over to North America on a full-time basis after his KHL deal ends in 2027.
4. Igor Chernyshov, LW, 20 (San Jose Sharks)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 29th
Chernyshov had great numbers in the OHL in 2024-25 and followed that up with an explosive first year of pro, highlighted by his 19 points in 28 NHL games. At points, it felt like he played better in the NHL than the AHL, showing high-end offensive skill. Chernyshov’s skating has been a problem for him in the past but it feels like he’s closer to average than he has ever been. It’s not a strength, but it shouldn’t hinder him in the NHL. I think his ability to get to the net and make things happen on the attack will allow him to secure a top-six wing role for the long-term future.
3. Matvei Gridin, RW, 21 (Calgary Flames)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 28th
Gridin had a fascinating season last year, splitting his time equally between the NHL and AHL. He had 30 points in the AHL and another 20 with the big club, establishing himself as a full-time contributor with the Flames to close the season. Gridin is a highly skilled forward who loves to shoot from anywhere, and he’s difficult to push around. Skating was a bit of a question mark in junior, and scouts weren’t convinced he’d carry his offensive prowess to the pro ranks. But after one year in the Q, he proved he was ready for the next step, and then he thrived as a pro rookie. It feels like no matter the level, Gridin has proven doubters wrong, and now he looks like a genuine offensive threat for the Flames. Look for Gridin to start the year on Calgary’s top line.
2. Roman Kantserov, RW, 21 (Chicago Blackhawks)
2025-26 Rank: Unranked
2026-27 Rank: 20th
We know it’s hard for a smaller player to break through, but Kantserov looks like the real deal despite being 5-foot-9. The 21-year-old had 36 goals and 64 points in 63 games this past year, leading the KHL in goals. The 2024 Gagarin Cup champ was downright dangerous every time he hit the ice, and, despite being a smaller forward, he’s not afraid of anyone. Kantserov’s season was the most productive by a U-22 forward in league history, leading Blackhawks fans to envision a world where he’ll step into a top-six role immediately. And, honestly, that looks extremely likely.
1. Ilya Protas LW/C, 20 (Washington Capitals)
2025-26 Rank: 64th
2026-27 Rank: 11th
Protas has seemingly appeared in half of DFO’s summer content this year, and for good reason. He’s one of the most intriguing prospects in the game right now thanks to his huge frame and high-end talent. He had 29 goals and 66 points in 69 AHL games last year, leading all rookies in the process. That helped Protas earn a promotion to Washington, where he had four points in four games alongside older brother Aliaksei Protas. He’s so talented, and you can’t go wrong with a 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame. Protas’ skating has taken nice strides forward, too; he’s no longer flat-footed against mid-tier players. Look for Protas to be a difference-maker immediately for the Capitals.
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