Overview

• The Hockey Writers’ preseason list ranks San Jose No. 1, citing the franchise’s 2024 draft-lottery win and the Yaroslav Askarov acquisition as pivotal boosts even though Macklin Celebrini, Askarov and Will Smith have since graduated.
• Chicago places No. 2 on the strength of a high-end, deep pool led by right-shot defender Artyom Levshunov.
• Detroit lands No. 3 with one of the league’s deepest pipelines, highlighted by center Nate Danielson and offensive defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka.
• Utah Mammoth replace the former Coyotes entry and rise to No. 4, benefiting from new ownership and lottery success that delivered Caleb Desnoyers to a group featuring Tij Iginla, Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But.
• The ranking applies Corey Pronman’s eligibility rules and underscores that win-now deals can thin systems — with teams like the Avalanche and Oilers sliding — while widespread graduations also depress some pools.