Hockey season is underway around the world, and we've had a month to watch the NHL's top prospects. Teams with draft picks aplenty over the past few years will have many prospects featured on this top 50 affiliated prospects list.

Here are the criteria: Any player who is under 23, with less than 50 NHL games played, is eligible. The rankings account for the player's current performances, his NHL projection, his development curve and his age.

The Islanders lead the list with five in my top 50, followed by the Blackhawks, Sharks and Mammoth with four apiece.

2025 draft: Tracker | Grades

2024 draft: Tracker | Grades

1. Matthew Schaefer

D, New York Islanders

Had this list dropped prior to the start of the NHL season, Schaefer would have been second. His play has been impossibl

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