Welcome back to Call-Up Chronicles.  Last week, we covered the Metropolitan Division, and now it is time to shift gears to the Atlantic. With the trade deadline in the rearview, teams are either gearing up for a playoff push or laying the foundation for the future. Injuries and roster shakeups have cracked open the door for young talent, making this the perfect moment to see who's ready to step up.

In this edition, we are spotlighting prospects getting their first real taste of NHL action, along with those knocking on the door. For fantasy managers, now is the time to scout potential impact players, some could be hidden gems, while others might not be worth the hype. Let's dive in and see which young guns are making waves.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins – Fabian Lysell

The Bruins' trade deadline fire sale signals a shift toward a rebuild, which means more ice time for prospects. We have already seen Matthew Poitras carve out some time at the NHL level, and now Fabian Lysell is knocking on the door. Lysell's game is built on speed, skill, and creativity, but consistency remains the challenge. His NHL success depends on his willingness to attack high-danger areas, something he has shown flashes of but not every night. If he can bring that edge consistently, he has the tools to stick. With his offensive upside, Lysell could slide into a middle-six role with some power-play time. But for now, it's all about proving he can bring it every game. If he does, the Bruins may have a key piece of their next core.

Fabian Lysell, No. 22 in white, uses his speed to get behind Toronto and snaps a quick top-shelf snipe to give Providence the lead. Matt Poitras got an assist here, but really nice finish from Lysell. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/YRTg6QrMU1

— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) March 12, 2025

Buffalo Sabres – Jiri Kulich and Devon Levi

Every year feels like the year for the Sabres, until it isn't. Another long losing streak, another early end to the season, and Buffalo remains stuck in what feels like an endless rebuild.

At the trade deadline, they made a bold move, swapping Dylan Cozens for another struggling center in Josh Norris. Injuries also played a role in their disappointing season, with Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson missing time. Thompson's shift to the wing has raised questions about whether he is still dealing with lingering effects from an earlier injury. That change opened the door for Jiri Kulich, who, despite limited NHL experience, is flashing legitimate top-six potential.

Kulich plays a smart, well-rounded game, moving well without the puck, making quick decisions with it, and providing solid secondary scoring. He is still adjusting, but his skill set suggests he could grow into a reliable second-line center, with the ability to step into a bigger role when needed.

Levi's rookie campaign did not go as planned, but his AHL numbers this year paint a much more promising picture. While he is a bit undersized, his skill set suggests he still carries the highest long-term upside in the system. For now, UPL holds the crease, but Buffalo's goaltending future is far from set in stone. Levi is on a solid development path, and with Rochester in the Calder Cup mix, a deep playoff run could be the perfect confidence boost to help him take the next step.

So happy to see how Kulich is playing this season. Very happy. Jiri Kulich has been very good offensively. https://t.co/NheDO0mq9u pic.twitter.com/SrO6Rz87un

— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) February 3, 2025

Detroit Red Wings – Carter Mazur and Nate Danielson

The Red Wings are starting to build an identity around their young core, with Larkin, Raymond, Seider and Kasper leading the charge. As they continue to add pieces, Carter Mazur and Nate Danielson look like two prospects who can play meaningful roles at the NHL level.

Mazur has steadily developed since his 2021 draft year. His game thrives on physicality, speed, and an ability to finish around the net. He is not the most creative player with the puck, but is a nightmare to play against. He thrives at winning board battles, driving play, and creating chaos in the dirty areas which can translate to a strong middle-six role.

Danielson, on the other hand, is a quintessential two-way center. His offensive numbers will not blow anyone away, but his skating, pace, and transition game make him an incredibly steady presence. He forechecks hard, kills penalties, and is rarely caught out of position. While he may not have high-end scoring upside, his well-rounded game makes him a safe bet to become a reliable top-six NHL center who could put up some decent numbers.

NATE DANIELSON GOAL🚨 ohh baby. #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/PKPwPC0laS

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) February 22, 2025

Florida Panthers – Justin Sourdif

The Florida Panthers have one of the thinnest prospect pools in the NHL, and for good reason. They are fresh off a Stanley Cup win and are right back in the hunt this season. That makes it unlikely we see a prospect break into the lineup before the year is out. That said, with injuries always a factor, never say never. Mackie Samoskevich has held his own filling in while Matthew Tkachuk has been out since the 4 Nations tournament. However, if anyone is going to get a look before the season wraps up, Justin Sourdif could be that guy.

Sourdif is fast, highly competitive, and does an excellent job absorbing contact while battling defenders for possession.  Although a top prospect in the Panther organization, he is projected more as a middle-six player. He played one game with the Panthers this season and also happened to notch is first NHL career goal. On the back end, even with Aaron Ekblad serving a 20-game suspension, the Panthers' defensive depth remains strong. A call-up on defense seems unlikely, none of their prospects are quite ready for NHL minutes just yet.

FIRST NHL CAREER GOAL 🚨

Congrats, Justin Sourdif! pic.twitter.com/BEUdCLVRUu

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2025

Montreal Canadians – Joshua Roy

Look, everyone wants to see Ivan Demidov make his way to the NHL as soon as possible. He is, after all, the next big prospect in the Canadiens’ system expected to make a real impact. However, the chances of him coming over this season are extremely low, so it is best to put that discussion to rest for now.

An underwhelming training camp this season left Roy on the outside looking in. He did manage to earn a four-game call-up, which strongly suggested that if Montreal needed reinforcements, he would be first in line. Well, sure enough, Roy was called up earlier this week. It has been an unusual season for the Canadiens, with the roster staying relatively healthy (although that second line as seen a lot of the training room) making it difficult for players to break through. However, Roy made a strong impression last year, looking like he belonged at the NHL level. This latest call-up only reinforces the Canadians belief in his game and skillset.

The very smart Joshua Roy was excellent value as a 5th rounder in 2021 and the value has only gotten more excellent as the years have gone by. https://t.co/VdDGGQxccs pic.twitter.com/SYNDUUxhPC

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) September 20, 2024

Ottawa Senators – Leevi Meriläinen

Levi Meriläinen is likely Ottawa's next call-up, though consistency remains a work in progress. His quick reflexes and speed lead to highlight-reel saves, and his overall control has steadily improved. With Linus Ullmark locked into the 1A role and Anton Forsberg set to hit free agency, Meriläinen's path is opening. He has already seen NHL action due to injuries, and while his play has fluctuated, his development remains positive. Now battling Mads Søgaard for the top spot in Ottawa's system, Meriläinen is climbing the depth chart. If his progress continues, he could step into a backup role next season, giving the Senators a cost-effective option in net.

Tampa Bay Lightning – Conor Geekie and Isaac Howard

Much like Florida's position, the Tampa Bay Lightning are going all in yet again, so seeing a prospect lineup especially down the stretch for teams pushing for a playoff spot. The Lightning have been playing solid hockey with a recorded of 7-3 in their last 10 games. If they continue on with this hot play you may see Conor Geekie get another look at the lineup this year but he has already played 49 games this season.

Another player who is likely to get the next nod is Isaac Howard. I covered Howard on The Journey in early February, and you can read more about it here. He is the leading scorer at Michigan State University with 23 goals and 23 assists in 34 games played this season. As it currently stands, I do not see the Lightning having much room to get him into the lineup. However, turning pro for Howard is inevitable and there is no doubt that he will be the next call up when that time comes.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Easton Cowan

Cowan brings a valuable skill set to the Leafs’ lineup. Cowan, a 19-year-old forward with the London Knights, is a relentless two-way player with standout skating. His 27 goals and 36 assists in 43 games this season demonstrate his offensive upside, as does his 65-game point streak (!) spanned over two OHL seasons. His versatility, quick decision-making, and strong puck support makes him a player who can elevate his teammates. His NHL chances this season will depend on the Leafs’ need for depth, especially as they push for a Cup.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.