Every offseason brings fresh hope and tough predictions. Across Canada, teams are already looking at which young players might finally break through to the NHL next year. Some have been building toward this moment for seasons, steadily refining their games. Others made late surges, forcing their names into serious consideration for the roster.
The upcoming campaign could see a noticeable youth movement north of the border. Several organizations are in transition phases, balancing cap pressures with the need for speed and skill. That opens doors for hungry prospects ready to capitalize. Here’s a look at names that could make an impact when training camps open.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Easton Cowan
Easton Cowan has become one of the Maple Leafs’ most talked-about prospects for good reason, and he has now broken into the NHL, currently playing for Toronto after earning regular-season games with the big club. His run with the London Knights turned heads across the league, highlighted by a record-setting OHL playoff performance, and he has carried that momentum into his early NHL action rather than fading late in the year.
Toronto’s prospect depth on affordable NHL-ready talent is thin, making Cowan a legitimate option to fill a bottom-six or swing role. His high motor, smart reads, and consistency on both sides of the puck fit what new role players in Toronto must provide. Coaches trust players like him because he doesn’t cheat the play and competes shift after shift.
A roster spot won’t come easily, but Cowan has positioned himself well and already shown he can handle NHL pace. If he continues to adjust and produce, he projects as more than just a call-up option and could cement himself as a full-time piece of Toronto’s forward group.
Montreal Canadiens: Owen Beck
Montreal’s youth movement is already in motion. Lane Hutson earned his NHL spot last year and showed why he’s considered a core piece of the rebuild, and center Owen Beck has now joined him by getting into NHL games with the Canadiens over the last two seasons. Beck is a disciplined and polished forward who projects as the kind of player the organization values.
Beck has built a reputation for reliability. He plays a composed two-way game, wins key faceoffs, and rarely makes unforced errors. That maturity is what Montreal’s coaching staff wants down the middle, especially as the organization continues to stabilize its lineup depth. The best online casinos in Canada have Beck sticking with the team by the end of the season.
The Canadiens need internal options at center, and Beck fits the mold, already earning call-ups from Laval and brief stints in the NHL lineup. His challenge is proving that his poise in junior and the AHL translates to a full-time NHL role; if he plays with pace and consistency, he could move from depth call-up to regular minutes early in the season.
Winnipeg Jets: Brad Lambert
Brad Lambert’s growth last season with the Manitoba Moose reminded everyone why scouts once projected him as a high first-round talent. His offensive instincts have always been strong, but the refinement in his decision-making is what now stands out.
Lambert’s skating remains among the best in the organization. He drives play with explosiveness and can separate from defenders effortlessly. What he’s added — patience and improved defensive positioning — gives him a more complete profile.
Winnipeg has traditionally taken a cautious approach with young players. Still, Lambert’s play forced management to take notice, and he has now appeared in NHL games for the Jets while registering his first points with the big club. With the Jets retooling parts of their roster and creating openings at forward, Lambert enters each camp with a genuine chance to seize a more permanent NHL job.
Calgary Flames: Zayne Parekh
Attention in Calgary is shifting to the back end, and Zayne Parekh is at the center of it. The Flames already saw Matt Coronato secure his spot up front, leaving Parekh as the next top prospect positioned to graduate.
Parekh dominated the OHL with an elite mix of vision, puck control, and offensive creativity. His skating stride allows him to move the puck with ease, making him a constant threat in transition. Few defense prospects his age combine flair and precision the way he does.
The Flames have several NHL-ready defensemen, but Parekh’s ceiling is too high to ignore, and he has already made his NHL debut for Calgary, scoring in his first game and later drawing back into the lineup at the start of the following season. If he continues to adapt defensively, Calgary could give him an extended look on the third pairing, with his instincts on the power play making him an immediate option to boost a secondary unit.
Edmonton Oilers: Matthew Savoie
The Oilers made a calculated move by acquiring Matthew Savoie last season, and his development could pay off soon. Savoie is a skilled forward with excellent speed and creativity — traits that fit perfectly within Edmonton’s uptempo system. Savoie is expected to sign a bridge deal with Edmonton this season as he’s an impending RFA.
At five-foot-nine, his size has drawn questions, but his hockey IQ and tenacity compensate for it. He has already logged time around NHL practices and has now appeared in NHL games with Edmonton, picking up his first points while still spending time in the AHL. The Oilers’ forward group needs cost-controlled skill players who can step up into middle-six roles, and Savoie’s offensive instincts make him one of the best internal candidates.
Consistency will be key. If he maintains his effort away from the puck and sharpens his two-way details, he has a strong case to stick beyond preseason. His potential to drive offense, especially when sheltered alongside Edmonton’s high-end talent, could add valuable scoring depth.
A Promising Year Ahead
No one has secured a long-term roster spot yet, but the groundwork is in place. Each of these prospects brings a combination of upward trajectory, team need, and performance that strengthens their case, and all of them have now had at least a taste of NHL action.
Canadian NHL clubs appear ready to embrace more youth this season. The economic side of the cap structures practically demands it, and the on-ice product could benefit from it. Fans across the country should expect several fresh faces when the puck drops — players hungry to prove they belong and capable of energizing their teams from day one.
The league thrives on transitions like this. Veterans maintain standards, but it’s the young players who shake things up and keep the game evolving. If these prospects deliver on their promise, next season could be one of the most intriguing years for Canadian hockey in recent memory.