From Michkov to Celebrini: 5 Elite Future Stars on the Brink of Stardom

The NHL preseason is the prime time for scouting reports and prospect rankings, offering a glimpse of the next wave of talent set to take the league by storm. These lists represent the hopes of franchises and the culmination of years of development for these young athletes.

Keeping a pulse on the game’s future stars is a major focus for experts. The editorial staff of canadasportsbetting.ca has unveiled the list of players who could be the stars of the league. These rankings provide deep insights, analyzing players who are set to dominate the NHL. This analysis is crucial not only for fans but also for the sports betting landscape, as futures odds are often influenced by the strength of a team’s prospect pool. To learn the mechanics of these bets, you can find a complete breakdown in the ‘sports betting guide’ section of most sports betting apps.

While the full list features 25 incredible talents, a handful of names are generating significant buzz. Here are five future stars poised to become household names in the NHL.

Five Young Guns Poised for NHL Stardom

Matvei Michkov, RW (Philadelphia Flyers): Selected 7th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, is a highly skilled Russian forward known for his exceptional offensive talents. His skill set is defined by elite stick-handling, remarkable vision on the ice, and lethal scoring instincts that make him a constant threat to opposing defenses. Possessing a wicked wrist shot and a knack for creating highlight-reel plays, Michkov’s high hockey IQ allows him to read the game and exploit defensive weaknesses effectively. In the NHL, his style of play and offensive creativity have drawn comparisons to fellow countryman and Tampa Bay Lightning superstar, Nikita Kucherov, for his ability to control the game and generate scoring opportunities.
Macklin Celebrini, C (San Jose Sharks): The first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, selected by the San Jose Sharks. Celebrini’s skill set is characterized by his dynamic two-way play, high-end offensive capabilities, and exceptional hockey sense. He is a strong skater, capable of creating space and exploiting openings with quick changes in speed and direction. He possesses an excellent shot and is a prolific goal scorer, while also demonstrating strong playmaking abilities and impressive spatial recognition. Celebrini’s overall game, including his leadership and performance in big games, has led to comparisons with NHL superstar Sidney Crosby, and some also see similarities to Jonathan Toews for his complete, two-way center play.
Will Smith, C (San Jose Sharks): Will Smith was selected fourth overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He is a highly skilled and intelligent center known for his elite playmaking abilities and offensive creativity. Smith’s primary assets are his exceptional vision, soft hands, and high hockey IQ, which allow him to anticipate plays and create scoring chances for himself and his linemates. He excels in possession, using his puck-handling skills to navigate through traffic and control the flow of the game, particularly on the power play. Due to his crafty playmaking and offensive instincts, he is often compared to skilled NHL centers like Jack Hughes and Brayden Point.
Ivan Demidov, RW (Montreal Canadiens): Selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. A highly dynamic and offensively gifted winger, his skill set is defined by elite puck-handling, creativity, and incredible vision on the ice. Demidov possesses the rare ability to manipulate defenders with his hands and skating, creating space for himself and his teammates seemingly out of nothing. He is a dual-threat offensive force, equally adept at setting up scoring chances with precise passes as he is at finishing plays with his own accurate shot. Due to his exceptional creativity, puck control, and high-end offensive instincts, he is frequently compared to fellow Russian superstar Nikita Kucherov.
Lane Hutson, D (Montreal Canadiens): Lane Hutson was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round, 62nd overall, of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He is a highly dynamic and intelligent offensive defenseman whose greatest assets are his elite skating, puck-handling, and on-ice vision. Hutson excels at transitioning the puck from the defensive zone and is a masterful power-play quarterback, using his creativity and deceptive movements to create scoring opportunities. Despite concerns about his size, he uses his agility and high hockey IQ to effectively defend. In the NHL, his mobility, offensive instincts, and ability to control the game from the blue line draw frequent comparisons to star defensemen like Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar.

These five players represent a cross-section of the immense talent waiting in the wings. From franchise-altering centers to dynamic wingers and game-breaking defensemen, the future of the NHL is bright. Keeping an eye on their development this season will provide a fantastic preview of the league’s next great stars.