Welcome again to The Journey, the place we monitor the event of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push in the direction of stardom.
This week we’re a gaggle of gamers who, for various causes, didn’t take the step ahead many anticipated in 2024-2025. Some plateaued, some struggled with consistency, and a few merely did not separate themselves in crowded techniques. In just a few circumstances, their inventory even dipped as newer names handed them on depth charts.
Both approach, the 2025-2026 season presents a pivotal alternative. That is their probability to bounce again, reassert themselves as prime prospects, and show they nonetheless belong in long run NHL plans. You possibly can actually see every case as a buy-low alternative, that’s, assuming their inventory raises as soon as once more.
Terik Parascak (F, Washington Capitals)
Parascak burst onto the scene with a monster draft 12 months in 2023-24, piling up factors at a price of 1.54 factors per sport. In 2024-25, he regressed to simply 1.39 factors per sport, regardless that the Prince George Cougars have been nonetheless a robust workforce. His offensive instincts stay legit, however he must diversify his assault and present extra impression with out the puck.
Within the NHL Rank King software, his pNHLe cratered from a excessive of 94 to simply 38. Getting into his third and (probably) remaining WHL season, he must re-establish himself as a high-end producer. For the Capitals, this 12 months will decide whether or not Parascak is a real top-six candidate or extra of a secondary scorer. Dynasty managers ought to mood speedy expectations however not lose sight of his upside. If he provides extra dimension to his sport and proves he can drive play somewhat than merely end it, a rebound season may shortly restore his trajectory.
Trevor Connelly (F, Vegas Golden Knights)
Connelly entered 2024-25 with main hype due to his creativity, skating, and dynamic offensive ability set, however his season at Windfall was not the breakout many anticipated. Whereas he confirmed flashes of high-end expertise, lengthy stretches of quiet play raised issues about his consistency and skill to impression video games shift to shift. In opposition to stronger competitors, he typically struggled to impose himself and light into the background as a substitute of driving play.
He did look higher throughout a quick stint within the AHL on the finish of the season, which provided a glimpse of how his sport may translate on the professional degree. Nonetheless, the soar to full-time skilled hockey in 2025-26 shall be steep, and he must show he can deal with the tempo and physicality. His Hockey Prospecting profile backs up the narrative, as each his star potential and NHLer chance declined after his NCAA season. His upside stays that of a top-six winger with fantasy relevance, however this season will decide whether or not he turns into a core piece of Vegas’ future or settles in as extra of a complementary scorer.
Joshua Roy (F, Montreal Canadiens)
Roy’s offensive toolkit is clear, as he can shoot, go, and course of the sport shortly, however questions on his tempo and consistency proceed to restrict his alternatives. At occasions, he has struggled to match the calls for of the skilled sport, which stalled his growth and left him again within the AHL to begin 2025-26. His pNHLe development within the NHL Rank King software clearly exhibits a gradual downward trajectory over the previous three seasons, highlighting the urgency for him to reset his worth. Regardless of enjoying twenty 5 NHL video games over the previous three seasons, he should now show that he’s too good for the AHL, or danger getting handed by utterly.
For Montreal, Roy nonetheless profiles as a possible center six contributor, however the clock is ticking. The Canadiens’ pipeline is filling shortly with excessive finish expertise equivalent to Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky, Zack Bolduc, and Oliver Kapanen, all pushing for NHL roles and passing Roy on the depth chart. To remain related, Roy might want to separate himself with manufacturing, reliability, and constant effort. Dynasty managers ought to monitor intently. If he finds his rhythm and forces his approach again into rivalry, his inventory may rebound in a rush. If not, he could settle into tweener territory, which might cap each his NHL and fantasy upside.
Brad Lambert (F, Winnipeg Jets)
Lambert stays one of the polarizing prospects in hockey. His velocity, transition means, and ability are clearly NHL caliber, however his choice making and shift to shift engagement stay inconsistent. At his greatest, he drives play, slices by way of defenders, and creates offense with ease. At his worst, he disappears for lengthy stretches and struggles to affect the sport. His Fantasy Hockey Life participant card highlights the priority, exhibiting that he struggled within the AHL in a number of areas, together with play driving, puck battles, and unfastened pucks gained. For a participant with elite instruments, the dearth of competitiveness in these classes is alarming and should enhance if he desires to take the subsequent step.
The Jets have alternatives out there of their center six, and the trail is there for Lambert to grab a task, however he must show he might be trusted in all conditions. His upside is that of a dynamic playmaker who can generate fantasy worth, but he should present that final season’s flashes can translate into sustained, dependable manufacturing. Winnipeg is turning into more and more deep with younger forwards, which raises the stakes. This season will go a good distance in figuring out whether or not he cements himself as a future lineup staple or turns into one other high-end tease who by no means reaches his ceiling.
Carson Rehkopf (F, Seattle Kraken)
Rehkopf lit up the OHL two seasons in the past and showcased why scouts are drawn to his shot, goal-scoring instincts, and skill to seek out gentle ice. Nonetheless, his transfer from Kitchener to Brampton final season got here with a noticeable dip in manufacturing, and his pNHLe dropped considerably because of this. That regression raises questions on whether or not his earlier scoring was pushed extra by quantity and utilization somewhat than totally translatable NHL-level ability. There have been stretches the place he dominated weaker competitors, however he struggled to persistently generate offense towards tighter checking and structured defenses. As he transitions to the AHL, this season turns into a crucial check of whether or not he can adapt his sport to professional tempo and strain and get that pNHLe trending again in the precise path.
For the Kraken, the chance is there if he can spherical out his toolkit. To earn significant NHL minutes, Rehkopf might want to present larger consistency, improved playmaking, and the power to drive his personal line somewhat than counting on house created by others. His goal-scoring upside may be very actual, and a power-play position may finally be in his future, however he should show he can impression the sport at even energy. Dynasty managers ought to maintain him excessive on the radar as a result of the upside is price monitoring. This season will reveal whether or not he’s a pure finisher who wants assist or a extra full offensive risk able to take the subsequent step.
Dominik Badinka (D, Carolina Hurricanes)
Badinka entered the Hurricanes system as a uncooked however tantalizing defenseman with dimension, mobility, and a bodily edge. On the J20 degree in each Sweden and Finland, he produced nicely over a half level per sport, flashing legit puck-moving upside. Nonetheless, that offense has not translated to the skilled degree. Throughout two seasons within the SHL, he managed simply 9 factors in 82 video games, and his Fantasy Hockey Life participant card exhibits he struggled throughout the board in practically each main class. Whereas the instruments are interesting, he has been inconsistent in his reads and positioning, which has led to defensive lapses and restricted belief from coaches.
Carolina values fashionable, cellular defensemen, however their blue line pipeline is deep and aggressive. For Badinka to carve out an NHL position, he should show he can course of the sport at tempo, enhance his decision-making, and change into extra dependable in his personal zone. His dimension, snarl, and bodily presence may earn him a spot as a shutdown possibility, however with out added offense or stronger transitional play, his fantasy ceiling stays low. In dynasty codecs, he’s a long-term stash with instruments price monitoring, however he might want to take a noticeable step ahead quickly to remain related in a crowded system.
Kalan Lind (F, Nashville Predators)
Lind brings vitality, grit, and a relentless motor, flashing the ability ahead traits that made him engaging on draft day. At his greatest, he forechecks laborious, finishes checks, and creates chaos across the internet. Nonetheless, his offense has stalled. After hovering close to a degree per sport early in junior, his manufacturing dropped considerably, and he has now been loaned to the ECHL. His Fantasy Hockey Life profile exhibits sturdy hits and blocks, however not a lot impression in different areas.
Nashville nonetheless values his edge, however he should show he might be greater than a bottom-six grinder. To carve out an NHL position, he wants higher construction, self-discipline, and puck ability so his vitality interprets into outcomes. The peripheral ground is interesting in deep multicat codecs, however with out scoring upside, his fantasy worth is proscribed. This season will reveal whether or not there may be middle-six potential right here or if he tops out as a depth piece.
Kevin Korchinski (D, Chicago Blackhawks)
Korchinski’s rookie NHL season confirmed each promise and rising pains. His skating and puck-moving means are high-end, and at occasions he appeared just like the dynamic transition defender Chicago hoped for. Nonetheless, his defensive consciousness and decision-making have been inconsistent towards prime competitors. The Blackhawks usually sheltered his minutes and leaned on veterans in key conditions. After enjoying 76 NHL video games in his draft-plus-two season, he has appeared in solely 16 since, and he’s now beginning this season within the AHL. In the meantime, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Alex Vlasic have all handed him on the depth chart and are already within the NHL. This can be a huge season for Korchinski, who should show he belongs.
Regardless of the setback, the long-term upside stays actual. Chicago remains to be rebuilding, and there may be alternative for a younger defenseman who can transfer the puck and produce offense. Korchinski nonetheless grades nicely within the Hockey Prospecting mannequin and he formally graduated from it in his draft-plus-three season with sturdy long-term indicators. To safe a top-four position, he must stabilize defensively, enhance his reads, and present that he can deal with harder matchups. If he does, he may earn power-play utilization and reclaim his standing as a cornerstone piece. If not, he dangers settling right into a secondary position. For dynasty managers, the ceiling remains to be excessive, however this 12 months shall be pivotal in figuring out whether or not he reaches it.
Matthew Poitras (C, Boston Bruins)
Poitras is an ideal instance of how early NHL success might be each a blessing and a problem. He made the Bruins at 19 and flashed spectacular imaginative and prescient and poise, posting respectable manufacturing for his age. Nonetheless, the bodily grind and inconsistency finally caught up with him, main Boston to ship him down for additional growth. To his credit score, he responded precisely how a prime prospect ought to. He dominated in Windfall through the 2024–25 AHL season, ending above a degree per sport and proving he may drive offense towards execs. That breakout made a robust case that he was able to rejoin the NHL dialog.
But regardless of that success, he did not make the Bruins out of camp this season, which provides urgency to his growth path. In keeping with Evolving Hockey, his defensive impression is already above common, however his offensive impression has not been sturdy sufficient to lock down an NHL roster spot. To get again on monitor, he must rediscover his scoring contact, present that he’s too good for the AHL, and carry that confidence into the NHL degree. If he can pair constant manufacturing with improved energy, tempo, and play-driving means, he may nonetheless drive Boston’s hand midseason and reestablish himself as a long-term piece of their core.
Thanks for studying! See you subsequent week. For extra fantasy hockey evaluation, or if there is a prospect, subject, or theme you need me to cowl, comply with and message me on X: https://x.com/VictorNuno12
