Photo: © Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sport
The NHL seems to have more parity than it ever has. There’s maybe only one or two teams in the league that can easily be projected as bottom-feeders. Last season is proof of that; 26 teams were .500 or better.
Making the playoffs is going to take more than just star power. The NHL is a depth league; teams like Carolina and Florida dominating have shifted the conversation from star power to a rock-solid roster. The superstars are going to do their thing, but for teams to really have an impact, it’s going to take some help from the youth.
So, which young players across the league could be the reason their team makes some noise?
William Eklund, Ottawa Senators
William Eklund before being traded to the Senators | NHL.com
I can’t imagine Senators fans are thrilled about the whole Tkachuk drama, but Eklund is a really solid consolation prize. The young left wing provides a different look to the top of the Senators lineup that is used to heavy, checking forwards. Eklund brings great hands and vision that can open up the ice for the rest of the team.
William Eklund logged his second straight season above 50-points. Most impressively, though, he did it largely without the help of Macklin Celebrini, who was responsible for generating most of the offense for San Jose. Eklund’s offense largely came alongside a blend of the Sharks’ lackluster bottom six talent. In Ottawa, in a bigger role with better linemates, there’s no reason Eklund can’t reach the 70-point mark.
The question with Eklund will be goalscoring. Losing Tkachuk means losing the team’s best pure goalscorer. While Eklund certainly can provide valuable offense, Ottawa is going to need him to find at least the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career.
Marco Kasper, Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings center Marco Kasper | AP Photo/Duane Burleson
After a rookie season that made Kasper seem like the top-six center the Red Wings have been clamoring for, a brutal sophomore season has questioned his ultimate ceiling. If Marco Kasper can return to his 55-point pace under Todd McLellan and build on that, the Red Wings may be able to shock the world and get back into the postseason.
With Dylan Larkin asking out and no young centers currently on the depth chart, Marco Kasper is going to be given the keys to the offense. While Marco Kasper struggled last season, he was thrust into the Red Wings’ bottom six for the bulk of the season. For those of you who haven’t kept up, the Red Wings bottom six is one of the most talent-devoid units in the entire NHL.
Kasper is going to be the center for Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, or Victor Arvidsson this season. All of which would be considerable upgrades over what he had. If Kasper can unlock his offense yet again, the Red Wings may be flirting with the playoff bubble yet again.
Danila Yurov, Minnesota Wild
SAINT PAUL, MN – NOVEMBER 4: Danila Yurov #22 of the Minnesota Wild warms up prior to the game against the Nashville Predators at Grand Casino Arena on November 4, 2025 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
Despite having one of the most well-rounded blue lines in the NHL, the Wild forward core is in need of some serious help. Without a legitimate first-line center or a second top-six right-wing, Minnesota is counting on Yurov to step up and fill one of those holes.
Danila Yurov had a pretty steady rookie season. The 22-year-old posted a steady 27 points this past season while averaging just over thirteen minutes of time on ice. Putting Yurov into a bigger role and getting him some run with Kaprizov or Boldy for more minutes should lead to Yurov putting up some heftier point totals.
The real question is if Yurov can hold down a spot at first line center. Daily Face-Off has him projected in the spot, but it’s not easy to go from third liner to number one center. Especially given Yurov’s 39.2% in the face-off dots.
Regardless of where he plays, Yurov should be a 20-20 guy next season. But if the Wild want to make a bid for a championship, Yurov likely needs to drag those numbers up to 30-30. It’s in his wheelhouse, but unclear if he can do it this early in his career.
Will Cuylle, New York Rangers
Will Cuylle for the Rangers | NHL.com
After back-to-back 20-goal seasons and a Rangers team looking to hand the keys to the youth, Cuylle seems poised for a big role in the top six. The 6’3″ power forward has all the physical tools and bite to become a star forward, but has yet to put together a season above 50-points.
Every general manager in the league is clamoring for guys like Cuylle right now. He’s big, physical, and doesn’t need the power play to be productive. Because of his versatility, though, Cuylle spent most of last season bouncing around the Rangers depth chart.
Now that he’ll be able to get settled into a role with more leeway this season for the Rangers, don’t be surprised if Cuylle is comfortably a 65-point player now that he’s going to get some run next to the Rangers top dogs.
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