As NHL franchises finalized their rosters for opening night in recent days, several teenagers found their aspirations deferred following a call from the general manager’s office.
The Ottawa Senators have assigned Carter Yakemchuk to WHL Calgary, while the Pittsburgh Penguins sent Harrison Brunicke to WHL Kamloops. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators returned Tanner Molendyk to WHL Saskatoon, and the Toronto Maple Leafs assigned Easton Cowan to OHL London.
The chances of a teenager making an NHL roster before turning 20 are significantly slim, even for the most skilled young athletes.
Currently, there are over 400 teenagers whose rights belong to NHL teams; however, as the 2024-25 season commences, only 10 of these players are listed as active members on NHL rosters. This equates to a mere 1.4 percent of the league.
With the puck dropping on a new season, here is a look — or a recap — of the NHL’s youngest talent.
Age: 18
Birthdate: Aug. 21, 2006
Position: C
Scoop: Luchanko is arguably the most unexpected player to join an NHL team’s roster, as the Flyers did not anticipate the 2024 No. 13 pick to vie for a spot during the camp. However, his impressive skating skills and fit for a specific role, as noted by colleague Kevin Kurz, have put him on the verge of becoming the youngest player in Flyers history. Notably, he is just shy of two months past his 18th birthday. His “tryout” will continue for the foreseeable future as management evaluates his progress and determines whether his development is best suited in Philadelphia or with the OHL’s Guelph Storm.
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Age: 18
Birthdate: June 13, 2006
Position: C
Scoop: The top pick from June’s draft had a demanding summer filled with travel and commitments, which resulted in him missing some training camp due to a minor lower-body injury. Fortunately, it wasn’t severe, and Celebrini is set to enter the season as San Jose’s top-line center. This not only highlights his intriguing all-around skill set but also reflects a Sharks organization in transition, indicating that Celebrini may not be sheltered as he navigates the competitive landscape of the NHL after his time at Boston University.
Age: 19
Birthdate: July 17, 2005
Position: C
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Age: 19
Birthdate: May 12, 2005
Position: LW
Scoop: Benson recently completed his second consecutive training camp, earning accolades in Buffalo. A fiercely competitive player who embraces puck battles, he is in line for a larger role under the new head coach Lindy Ruff following his 11 goals and 30 points over 71 games as a rookie. Selected as the No. 13 pick in 2023, he is expected to be a nuisance for opposing teams. Though he sustained an injury during Buffalo’s season opener in Czechia last week, it is not considered serious.
Age: 19
Birthdate: March 17, 2005
Position: C
Scoop: Coming off an impressive season at Boston College where he amassed 71 points in 41 games, Smith will fill the center position behind Celebrini for San Jose. He represents a crucial hopeful figure for the franchise. A skilled playmaker with remarkable puck handling, the fourth overall pick in 2023 has consistently produced significant offensive numbers and is anticipated to evolve into a top-tier NHL player. Ideally, San Jose would benefit from Smith and Celebrini challenging each other throughout their inaugural seasons.
Age: 19
Birthdate: Jan. 21, 2005
Position: RW
Scoop: With the Avalanche missing three of their top six forwards to begin the season—Artturi Lehkonen, Gabriel Landeskog, and Valeri Nichushkin—opportunity has arisen for Ritchie. Thus far, he has shown promise as the No. 27 pick from 2023. Ritchie showcased significant offensive talent during the preseason, notably scoring a remarkable goal against Utah that coach Jared Bednar praised as “insane.” However, he must also demonstrate the defensive skills required to complement his natural abilities to secure a long-term position in Denver. If he does not remain with the Avalanche, Ritchie will need to return to the OHL’s Oshawa. Therefore, reaching the 10-game threshold that eliminates a year from his entry-level contract is the next challenge he must navigate in the NHL.
Age: 19
Birthdate: Dec. 26, 2004
Position: C
Scoop: Anaheim is counting on developing the Swedish player into a top-tier all-around center, as he is set to be a regular on the penalty kill in his second NHL season. Additionally, he will occupy a spot on the primary power play and line up as the center for the Ducks’ first line at even strength. The No. 2 pick from 2023 was gradually integrated into the lineup as a rookie, experiencing intermittent scratch management early in the season. However, with restrictions lifted, Carlsson is now the primary source of optimism for
could other teams try it?
Age: 19
Birthdate: Dec. 9, 2004
Position: LW/RW
Scoop: Some view Michkov as a potential Calder Trophy winner, while others think he might end up in John Tortorella’s doghouse. He is one of the NHL’s most captivating players. Since his draft year, he has been surrounded by an element of mystery, with teams finding it challenging to watch him play live or to engage with him personally. Selected by the Flyers at No. 7 in 2023, Michkov was persuaded to join North America a year later. A slippery offensive talent with exceptional skills and elite perception, he is bound to make headlines this season. It remains to be seen how much he will test the patience of his coach in the process.
Age: 19
Birthdate: Nov. 12, 2004
Position: LW
Scoop: A stellar performance in training camp not only secured Honzek a place on the Flames’ opening-night roster, but also positioned him on the top line, playing alongside Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko. The difference from the previous year is significant. After an injury-riddled season that hindered his growth, expectations for the No. 16 pick from 2023 were modest. However, he emerged as the leading scorer during preseason with seven points. Notably, Honzek can be assigned to the AHL’s Wranglers without needing to clear waivers, which could have been an avenue for the organization to cautiously manage his progress. Instead, the 6-foot-4 winger compelled them to give him immediate NHL playing time.
Age: 19
Birthdate: Oct. 12, 2004
Position: C
Scoop: Just a few days shy of his 20th birthday, Fantilli is looking to solidify his role as the top-line center for the Blue Jackets in Year 2. His rookie season was cut short in late January due to a lacerated left calf, an injury he described to colleague Aaron Portzline as a significant test of his patience. The initial introduction to the NHL was tough. However, the No. 3 pick from 2023 has had a productive summer training and is set to seize ample opportunities on a Blue Jackets team that is eager for growth from its homegrown players. Provided he stays healthy, Fantilli is a prime candidate for a successful rebound season.
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Adam Fantilli, set for a relaunch, represents the Blue Jackets’ greatest hope
(Photos of Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard: Ezra Shaw and Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
