Capping off last week's Young Players Who Might See a Regular Role in 2025-26 article where we covered top prospects who could potentially see 60 or more games (25 for goalies) in the 2025-26 season. We started with the alphabetical first half of teams in the Eastern Conference and top prospects in each organization, and today we will be finishing the Eastern Conference with the final eight teams. Once again we will not be including players who played 40 or more games in 2024-25.

New York Islanders

Calum Ritchie – F – (20.2 years Old) // 7 NHL GP – 1 G – 0 A – 1 PT

The Islanders have been treading water as a playoff contender — and losing ground to the tide. Their identity is rooted in low-event hockey: Keep the scores low, limit quality chances, and capitalize on mistakes in transition. Maybe it's passé, or just flat-out boring, but it's not working as well as it used to.

Taking Cole Eiserman in the first round last year felt like a curveball. He's all offense, no brakes. His defensive game was the first thing scouts and prospect analysts pointed to when asked about weaknesses. For a franchise that has traditionally played things safe and system-first, Eiserman was a bold swing. There was hope that the pick might signal a philosophical shift away from the "boring hockey" era. But if this past season is any indication, not much has changed. Rome didn't burn in a day, or however that goes.

There is not a lot in the Islanders' cupboard. Eiserman might get a few games, but he's still 18 years old. Expecting him to play a full season is probably a stretch. Calum Ritchie, on the other hand, is over 20 and brings a bit of edge and playmaking to the table. With Brock Nelson now in Colorado, there's a vacancy down the middle. Maybe two. Kyle Palmieri is a pending UFA who wasn't dealt at the deadline, and reports suggest both sides are working on an extension. As it stands, the Islanders have seven NHL forwards under contract, and Palmieri re-signing would make eight. Tsyplakov and Holmstrom are RFAs and likely part of the plan going forward. It sets up a competitive training camp. Ritchie looks like the best bet to make the jump.

It is also worth noting that both Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov are both signed for at least two more years, and both Marcus Högberg and Tristan Lennox are under contract through next season. That might quietly signal the end of the road for Jakub Škarek. He's a Group 6 UFA this summer, which means he's at least 25, has three or more pro seasons, and fewer than 28 NHL games played. It's the kind of status that tends to follow goalies who never quite made it out of the AHL. If the organization feels comfortable with its depth chart in Bridgeport, there's a real chance Škarek walks.

New York Rangers

Gabe Perreault – F – (19.9) // 5 GP, 0 – 0 – 0 

Brendan Brisson – F – (23.4) // 9 GP, 0 – 0 – 0

Brennan Othmann – F – (22.2) // 22 GP, 0 – 2 – 2

The Rangers are heading into an offseason full of changes. The recent firing of head coach Peter Laviolette throws a lot of assumptions out the window and puts the future squarely on the shoulders of whomever steps in behind the bench. Laviolette was let go after one of the worst follow-ups to a Presidents' Trophy season in recent memory, with the team missing the playoffs entirely.

Top prospect Gabe Perreault signed his entry-level contract just a few weeks ago. The deal kicked in immediately, which burned the first of his three ELC years in 2024-25. Ideally, the Rangers would've preferred to sign him next year to maximize their control, but Perreault clearly had the leverage. The timing of the contract suggests he'll be in the NHL going forward. It's not something you do unless the plan is to keep him with the big club.

Brendan Brisson was acquired from Vegas at the deadline, along with a third-round pick, in exchange for Reilly Smith. Brisson is almost 24 and has just 24 NHL games under his belt. It's starting to feel like "now or never" territory. He's a left-shot winger and will be an RFA this summer, but the left side in New York is crowded. Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Brennan Othmann, and Jonny Brodzinski are already in the mix. Othmann had a semi-regular role this past season, playing in 22 games, and looks to have a foothold. Brisson is going to have to earn it. The opportunity is there, but the path won't be easy.

Ottawa Senators

Leevi Meriläinen – G – (22.6) // 8-3-1, .926 SV%, 1.99 GAA, 3 SO

The Senators are in a relatively strong spot heading into next season. They already have eight forwards, four defensemen, and Linus Ullmark locked in. Claude Giroux is a UFA, but he's made it clear he wants to finish his career in Ottawa. There's been no mention of retirement, and after finally getting a taste of the playoffs with this group, it's hard to imagine he doesn't come back on at least a one-year deal. If that happens, the Sens would have 10 of 12 NHL forward roster spots spoken for.

Anton Forsberg is also a UFA, but the leverage probably isn't there for him to secure a big deal in Ottawa. Leevi Meriläinen looked composed and confident when called on this year, stepping in during stretches where both Ullmark and Forsberg were out. The Senators might want Forsberg back, but they definitely don't need him. If he's looking to cash in, it likely won't be with the Sens. And if he walks, there's little doubt Meriläinen will get a real shot – 25 games feels like a fair baseline.

One name I'd love to see get a look is Carter Yakemchuk. He put up 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points in 56 games with the Calgary Hitmen. It's a step back from his point-per-game pace in 2023-24, but still a strong showing. With only four defensemen under contract for next season, there's a real chance Yakemchuk gets some NHL time. Sixty games might be a stretch, but a decent run seems likely.

Philadelphia Flyers

Nikita Grebenkin – F – (21.9) // 7GP, 0 – 0 – 0

Coming into the 2024-25 season, the Flyers were the fifth-youngest team in the NHL. There is already a lot of youth on the roster, and many players have crossed the 40-game mark this season. Emil Andrae felt like an easy pick here, but he played 42 games, so he's out of the running.

Nikita Grebenkin might be a stretch, but the options were limited in Philadelphia. No matter who the Flyers bring in as head coach, the younger players should have more of a chance to not just survive but actually thrive. That alone will be a shift from the John Tortorella era. Grebenkin was acquired from Toronto in the Scott Laughton trade, and there could be some internal pressure to give him a look. Still, based on where he is developmentally, he probably needs more time before he's ready for a regular NHL role.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Joel Blomqvist – G – (23.2) // 4-9-1, .884SV%, 3.81 GAA

Rutger McGroarty – F – (21.0) // 8 GP, 1 – 2 – 3

To counter the youth movement in Philadelphia, the Penguins enter as the second-oldest team in the NHL. Kyle Dubas has already made it clear to Alex Nedeljkovic and Tristan Jarry that the plan is for them to compete with Joel Blomqvist – as well as Sergei Murashov – in preseason for the two available spots as NHL netminders. That might ultimately result in Jarry and/or Nedeljkovic winning the role, but the door is cracked open. Blomqvist has had strong stretches, though "serviceable" is probably the most accurate description of his body of work so far.

Rutger McGroarty has been clear about his intention to play in the NHL. That push is what helped facilitate his trade to Pittsburgh. There's no official promise of ice time from the Penguins, but the expectation is hovering there in the background. He saw limited minutes but did get some looks higher in the lineup late in the year. The Penguins are in desperate need of youth to support a core that, while still productive, is firmly in the back half of its window. McGroarty should be part of that next wave if they want to extend their competitive timeline. 

Tampa Bay Lightning

For teams so squarely in their "win-now" window, the likelihood of prospects coming in decreases the closer you get to that window. Not only do the Lightning have a well established roster under contract through next season, but they have also not flinched once to trade away top prospects to help the NHL roster. Due to this, the Lightning find themselves without anyone knocking on the door. Conor Geekie totaled almost 60 games last year, and outside of that there aren’t any major deficiencies for the club going into 2025-26.

The Lightning have 10 forwards, six defensemen, and Andrei Vasilevskiy all signed. Jonas Johansson is 29 years old, and is a UFA but is unlikely to command much more on the open market than he could get playing a game here or there behind the workhorse Vasilevskiy. Not only is there a lack of vacancies on the NHL roster, but the affinity to leverage the future to mitigate any deficiencies of the present – there doesn't seem like there is an opportunity for anyone to hit 60 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Easton Cowan – F – (19.9)

The Maple Leafs are going to need to pull off some serious cap gymnastics this offseason. Both Mitch Marner and John Tavares are up for new contracts. Tavares might be more inclined to take a discount, but there's no guarantee. Marner, on the other hand, is unlikely to leave money on the table. Between the two of them, nearly $21 million comes off the books, but the Leafs have only $24.6 million in projected cap space. Less than $25 million to re-sign Marner, who's due a raise, Tavares, who might take a bit less than his current $10 million, and Matthew Knies, who will want to be paid like the top-line, top power-play forward he's become. On top of that, they still have to take care of Nicholas Robertson, Pontus Holmberg, and a few others.

Easton Cowan might get NHL games out of sheer necessity, though the talent is definitely there. He's put up better than 1.5 points per game in back-to-back seasons with the London Knights and brings a playmaking style that could complement the Leafs' high-end goal scorers on any line. If Toronto manages to retain both Marner and Tavares under the limited cap space they're working with, they'll need Cowan's ELC flexibility to help balance the roster.

Washington Capitals

Ryan Leonard – F – (20.9) – 9GP, 1 – 0 – 1

The Capitals have plenty of scoring spread throughout the lineup, with seven players hitting the 20-goal mark this season — including defenseman Jacob Chychrun. They've positioned themselves as one of the top teams in 2024-25 and look well-balanced at every position.

Ryan Leonard has already established himself as a fixture through the early stages of the Capitals' playoff run. The confidence in him from the organization is obvious. Leonard was named Hockey East's Player of the Year and remains one of the top power forward prospects in the NHL. Taken eighth overall in the 2023 draft, he brings a competitive edge, physicality, and a clear nose for the net. He doesn't shy away from contact, fights for space in front, and has no hesitation getting into the tough areas. There is also some speed and skill in his game, particularly off the rush, and he should continue to round out his toolkit as he settles into the NHL.

Ivan Miroshnichenko is another name to watch, though his path looks a little different. He's bounced between the AHL and NHL, showing flashes of the high-end offensive talent that made him a first-round pick. He's got a quick release, strong playmaking instincts, and when he's on his game, he can be a serious threat. But consistency and compete level have been sticking points. The Capitals have been careful with his development, and it shows — he looked more confident during his most recent stint with the big club. He's likely to spend more time in Hershey, but if injuries open the door or his assertiveness kicks into gear, he could force the issue. The upside is still very real.