Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects: 10-1

With NHL training camps approaching, theScore's Kyle Cushman and Josh Wegman unveil their top 50 prospects. Only players already drafted to the league were included, and any player who's already exceeded his 2025 Calder Trophy eligibility was excluded. The three-part series concludes with prospects ranked 10-1.

50-31
30-11
10-1

Iginla's development in the past year has skyrocketed. After scoring 18 points as a WHL rookie, an offseason trade to Kelowna saw the son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla flourish. He tore up the regular season, starred in the WHL playoffs, and was a top player at the under-18s - all as one of the younger players in the draft. If Iginla makes the move to center and it sticks, he becomes an even more valuable piece for Utah.

High-end explosiveness and athleticism make Askarov the best goalie prospect in the world. At 22 years old, he's seemingly NHL-ready after back-to-back stellar AHL campaigns. He clearly believes in his abilities as well - Askarov successfully requested a trade out of the Nashville Predators organization because his path to the No. 1 job was blocked by Juuse Saros. The future starter's role is wide open in San Jose, but Vitek Vanecek and MacKenzie Blackwood present short-term roadblocks to NHL minutes.

Buium had one of the best freshmen seasons ever by a defenseman. He was the top blue-liner on the national champions and he played top-four minutes en route to gold at the world juniors. Somehow, though, he inexplicably fell to 12th overall. His skating, two-way prowess, and ability to eat big minutes will make him an impact player for the Wild before long.

Lindstrom possesses a rare combination of power and speed. He plays a direct, north-south game and has a heavy shot that makes him a dangerous threat off the rush. There are concerns about his vision and injury history, but he has one of the highest ceilings of any player on this list.

The Canadiens coveted a game-breaking offensive talent in the draft and there's a real chance Demidov can become that at the NHL level. Demidov's puck skills are dazzling, making him the most electrifying player in the 2024 class. Lack of experience against competition above the Russian junior ranks is the knock against Demidov, but there's little doubt he'll be an impact KHLer as soon as this season.

Gauthier tore up the NCAA a year ago and projects to carve out a full-time role with the Ducks this season. As a power forward with a mature two-way game, he could make a seamless transition to the NHL and become a serious contender for the 2025 Calder Trophy.

In two years, Levshunov went from playing Belarusian junior hockey to anchoring the top pairing of one of the NCAA's best teams. That insane jump in competition can't be overstated, and it's a big reason why Levshunov was the second overall pick. He has the makings of an elite, play-driving NHL defenseman with his pro size, offensive skill, and rapidly developing defensive game, all as a highly coveted right-handed shot. On seemingly an exponential development curve, the Blackhawks need to be careful to not give Levshunov too much too soon as he begins his pro career in the fall.

The Sharks may not be good in 2024-25, but they'll certainly be more exciting than they were a year ago after signing Smith to an entry-level contract in May. Smith is a dynamic offensive center, and his skill is off the charts: His hands are arguably the best of any prospect. He led the NCAA in assists and points in 2023-24 and could be the ultimate second-line center behind Macklin Celebrini.

Michkov's earlier-than-expected NHL arrival is a massive boost for the Flyers and likely leaves some teams wishing they had a mulligan for the 2023 draft. Michkov was a force as a junior-aged player in the KHL, operating as his team's most lethal offensive threat. His elite hockey sense should ease his transition to the NHL, though defensive effort could be an issue with head coach John Tortorella. Still, Michkov scoring over 60 points and winning the Calder Trophy is a realistic outcome.

Celebrini may be a notch below Connor Bedard, but he's arguably more well-rounded. He does pretty much everything at a high level with very few - if any - holes in his game. Celebrini has true franchise player potential: He became the youngest player ever to win the Hobey Baker Award in 2024. He's also been training like a professional for the majority of his life as his father, Rick, is vice president of player health and performance for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He should make an instant impact for the Sharks and will likely enter the 2024 campaign as the Calder Trophy favorite.