Ranking every NHL team’s prospect pipeline: Why the Sharks are No. 1

The 2024-25 NHL season has begun, which means it’s time for another set of rankings of all 32 teams’ prospect pipelines — and how the business of the offseason changed those rankings compared to April’s edition.

In several cases, prospects are getting a nine-game look at the NHL level before their team must decide whether to send them back to the Canadian junior leagues. The rest have already begun their seasons there or in the NCAA or other leagues worldwide. To qualify as a prospect for this list, the player must be under 23 years old and have his rights owned by an NHL team.

Players expected to be on the NHL roster for most of the NHL season are not considered in the pipeline. Notable players fitting that description include Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Matvei Michkov, Cutter Gauthier, Shane Wright, Logan Stankoven, Brandt Clarke and Rutger McGroarty.