It's midseason, and you know what that means. It's time to get a crispy fountain Diet Coke and update our 2025 NHL Draft Big Board.

We've watched a lot of hockey since September, including half a regular season and the World Junior Championships. We've seen enough play to understand who these players are becoming (or, in the case of some, who they're refusing to become). The battle for first overall will continue for the rest of the season; even NHL Central Scouting said there was no 'consensus' on who to rank in that top spot.

Our prediction? It will come down to the wire, and more specifically, whether the lucky lottery team who nabs that first-overall pick wants a forward or a defenseman.

There's been some movement on our board since September. Let's catch up, shall we?

1. Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman, Erie Otters (OHL)

Getting over mononucleosis isn't easy—unless you're Matthew Schaefer.

Since his return, Schaefer has played 17 OHL games, scoring 22 points, including 7 goals. However, his better—than—point—per—game pace doesn't properly showcase his ability to take over the ice. He also scored a goal and assisted in two World Juniors games before being injured.

We feel for Schaefer; starting your draft season with a long-term illness is bad enough, but to break your collarbone and require surgery just a couple of games into the biggest international tournament of the year for your age group? One where you were dominating every shift you played? That's just uncalled for. Still, his injury doesn't seem to be affecting the perception of his play or how he should be drafted just yet. Schaefer edged out former predicted first-overall James Hagens in Central Scouting's midterm rankings.

For us, Schaefer taking the number one spot over Hagens is more of a 1A/1B situation and isn't meant to speak poorly of Hagens—we're just speaking very highly of Schaefer. We anticipated seeing him rise into at least the top five, but the more we watched him across the fall the more we realized he is top-two pick material. All the key facets of his game are projectable to the NHL: his phenomenal skating, his elite vision, and his decision-making with the puck.

2. James Hagens, Center, Boston College (NCAA)

Don't get it twisted: James Hagens is still very much in play for the first overall spot.

With Schaefer absent due to his injury and subsequent surgery, Hages could jump right back to the top of the rankings. His dip to second is only because Schaefer made himself and his skill impossible to ignore.

Hagens isn't having the sort of blowout first college season we've seen from past first-overall picks like Macklin Celebrini — yet. But there's still quite a long runway left till the draft.

Hagens' performance at the World Juniors was good. He finished with nine points, tied for fifth-most in a draft year for an American. But the way he plays, and indeed the way the Team USA system worked, was a style that many of their opponents were skilled at shutting down by neutralizing (if you'll pardon the pun) speed and the transition game through the neutral zone. This meant he didn't get the chance to show off his best skills to their fullest, including his speed, acceleration and high-end puck skills.

Someone had to top our draft board, and we think Schaefer is the type of player that more teams are looking for. We also feel that Hagens has another gear that we haven't yet seen at the college level, and would love to see him utilize his elite puck skills and hockey IQ to push the envelope even further.

3. Michael Misa, Center, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

You all knew this was coming.

We've been warning you all that Misa would make a significant jump on our board. If it was purely up to player style preference and not factoring in what we think is most likely to happen when NHL teams sit down at their draft table, Misa might be first on this list.

He's been on a tear since the OHL season began. On our last board, he'd only played three games and had seven goals. As of writing, he's played 38 games and has 37 goals (and 75 points, matching his point total from last season).

None of this scoring he's doing is a fluke. In our Too-Early-Top-10 piece, we predicted that he would see quite a jump in his offense, and he's living up to that. Barring injury, he's going to finish over the 100-point mark. That eye-popping offense is due to his elite vision and playmaking, and the fact that his game is so detail-oriented. He knows exactly where to be to set up teammates, but his defensive game is very responsible and efficient as well. And don't get us started on his skating.

His contributions aren't just limited to offense. After the Saginaw Spirit traded captain Ethan Hay to the Kingston Frontenacs, Misa received the C. He was also named captain for the Western Conference team at the recent inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game. It's nice that the discussion of whether Misa was truly living up to his 'exceptional status' designation has died out, and we're all just getting to enjoy what heights he's rising to with each game.

4. Porter Martone, Right Wing, Brampton Steelheads, (OHL)

You may have noticed that we're prone to being critical of Steelheads winger Porter Martone.

That's not going to change. He has so many incredible facets of his game, and he has very real potential to be a phenomenal NHL forward—so it gets frustrating to see him float through shifts, hanging out on the perimeter while other players drive to the middle, only to swoop in and score at the last minute. That sort of thing isn't going to work at the NHL level. But Martone brings so much to the table that will benefit him in professional hockey. And we want to see him recognize that and use it because, in the moments he does, he's right at the top with Schaefer, Hagens and Misa.

He had 33 goals last season. Halfway through the year, and even though he missed OHL games to play at World Juniors, he still already has 22, with 62 total points in 32 games. We have a feeling we'll o see him break the 40-goal mark, if not hit 50, thanks to his incredible release.

He's got excellent passing skills and top-notch hockey sense. Watch him play and you'll see moments where it's clear he has great playmaking instincts and the puck skills to use them; he doesn't always bother getting involved enough in how the play develops to use them.

We want to see more of that; more of the way he knows exactly where to be to set up a teammate. One thing that we have seen this season and liked is his ability to yap and yap after the whistle until someone tries to come after him, without necessarily getting involved in the altercations himself. It would be a great asset to his game if he could head down the path of drawing more penalties than he takes.

5. Victor Eklund, Left Wing, Djurgårdens IF, (HockeyAllsvenska)

We underestimated Victor Eklund before the start of the regular season. That won't happen again. Eklund is the best European prospect available.

He played such a pivotal role in some of Sweden's best performances at World Juniors, between his tenacity on the forecheck and the attention to detail in his passing.

He's playing up with Djurgardens' top team in the Allsvenskan this season and it's no surprise that he has 15 points in 26 games, including 8 goals. The best parts of his game translate well to the professional level: his relentless motor on the forecheck and willingness to drive into the dirty areas, for one. Eklund's vision and precision with which he passes, as well as his ability to manipulate opponents, are some of our favorite things about his game, and will also serve him well in professional North American hockey, particularly as he continues to refine his game.

I don't think he'll worry about being referred to as "William Eklund's younger brother" much longer.

6. Roger McQueen, Center, Brandon Wheat Kings (OHL)

Yes, he's only played eight games this season, but we're leaving McQueen in the top 10 until proven otherwise. It doesn't seem fair to plummet a player down the list purely due to an injury when the skill we've seen so far convinced us he deserved to be high in the rankings, and we haven't seen anything to the contrary yet. And while his absence is frustrating for those of us who want to learn more about the kind of player he'll grow into, remember that it's almost certainly far more frustrating for him.

Here's what we know about McQueen as a player so far: in his eight WHL games, he had eight goals (11 total points). Due to pure skill, we initially had him down as someone who might even challenge Hagens for the top spot. That seems out the window now, but he still projects as an incredibly valuable addition to any team's prospect pool.

His only real drawback for us is his skating mechanics; everything else, like his tenacity, hockey IQ, and puck skills, have us convinced that his offensive potential is the real deal. He feels very worth taking a swing on this high, depending on who's left on the board.

We hope to see him back on the ice sooner than later both for his sake and so that we can further develop our thoughts on his game.

7. Jackson Smith, Defenseman, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Defenseman Jackson Smith has made a big jump from our September board and with good reason.

We mentioned that Smith "has shown flashes of offensive skill, but he projects more as a shutdown type". In 41 games this season, he has passed his regular-season points total from last year (29) with 30 points, including 2 goals. That's a bit more than a flash.

Smith is difficult to beat one-on-one and enjoys getting in opponents' faces. Combine that with his skill and he's a pain in the behind to play against. He's a high-end skater, very agile, and great in transition. He's also been improving his ability to use his skating and the physical aspect of his play in his own end. He's very reliable defensively, and great at using his stick to close gaps or break up opportunities by opponents.

We hope that we see the offensive side of his game develop further as the season stretches on—particularly refining his shot—as well as further improvement of his decision-making in high-stress situations. There's so much to like about Smith's game and so much of it that already projects well to the NHL level.

8. Carter Bear, Center, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

What can we say about Carter Bear besides 'wow'? A lot, as it turns out, but we'll start there.

Something about watching Bear compete shift by shift, his attention to detail and his tenacity, is enjoyable to watch. He was a player who was just barely on the outside of our fall rankings, and with an eye-catching 62 points in 36 games, including 29 goals, we knew that he was a big riser. It's not all about the numbers, though—it's what he does every shift to get those points.

His awareness of where he needs to be every time he's on the ice, combined with his playmaking skills, slippery skating and speed off the rush makes him incredibly valuable. He's also really good at irritating the stew out of his opponents and forcing turnovers.

He's got the potential to be a play-driver at the next level, and his relentless motor will ensure that he's consistent with it. He's constantly involved in the game night in and night out, which—if I may speak candidly—can be refreshing to see.

9. Lynden Lakovic, Left Wing, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

The first thing said about Lynden Lakovic in our first Big Board was "We don't anticipate keeping Lakovic this low all season".

In 31 games, he has matched his point total from the 23-24 regular season with 39, and is only one goal behind last season's total (18), currently sitting at 17. Though the Moose Jaw winger's skill remains unrefined, he's made so much progress already this year, and we like what we've seen.

He looked great at the CHLUSA Prospects Challenge, but hasn't played since his December 28th lower-body injury. He is currently considered "month to month". Still, we've seen enough to know that we like the potential here—a lot.

Lakovic's strengths lie in his excellent shot, raw offensive potential and ability to use his stick to protect the puck when he has it. He's also adept at disrupting opponents' developing plays when he doesn't. His skating is above average and his speed and puck-handling skills are top-notch.

When Lakovic does make his return, we're excited to see how he looks without players like Brayden Yager and Rilen Kovacevic, and how he grabs the opportunities their absence will afford.

10. Ivan Ryabkin, Center, Muskegon Lumberjacks, (USHL)

We briefly debated dropping Ryabkin down the list, but he just made the jump to play with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.

He's only gotten four games on North American ice under his belt—netting three goals in that time—and before we move him around too much we want to see a sustained stretch of games with the Lumberjacks and evaluate from there. He didn't seem to have a clear path to the KHL in Russia (he went pointless in the two games he played this season), and perhaps a change of environment will benefit him.

We still really like the skill that we see from Ryabkin, and feel that he has very real potential. We mentioned on our first board that consistency wasn't quite there yet. That seemed to be the case for him in Russia this season, which is part of why we want to see what he puts together in a good, sustained stretch in the USHL.

He's a strong skater, and he has excellent puck skills and a great shot. His ability to anticipate the play and high hockey IQ indicate that the flashes of manipulation we've seen have the potential to grow—hopefully we'll see more of that as the season stretches on.

11. Caleb Desnoyers, Center, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Caleb Desnoyers had a strong first half of the season, notching 60 points in 37 games and passing his last season's point total in almost half the time. It's a nice step forward from a very skilled player. He's a strong skater with high-end intelligence, which shows in his ability to read his passing options and identify the best one before making it happen. He's got great puck skills, and he can bring the physicality when the situation calls for it.

He needs to up the pace of his game, and his decision-making outside of passing is not the best. We see flashes of the dynamic features of his game, but we don't see them consistently enough for my liking yet. Still, he brings value every time he steps onto the ice, and he can build on that to improve the aforementioned aspects of his game.

12. Justin Carbonneau, Right Wing, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Right winger Justin Carbonneau has 58 points in 41 games, including tying his last season's goal total of 31. Expect to see him pass that and last season's points total of 59 very soon. Though it's not as much of a leap from last season's scoring as Desnoyers, and perhaps not as much as we anticipated at this point in the season, given his hot start, it's still good to see.

Carbonneau is a creative playmaker with excellent vision and a quick release on a precise shot. His skating is terrific, and he's got great speed that he uses to take down pucks. All of these things add up to a promising future offensively.

One drawback is that some nights he tries to do it all, and those nights inevitably bring mistakes—that's how it works when you try to carry the game by yourself. But improved decision-making is part of the process, and we're hoping to see further growth there across the season.

13. Anton Frondell, Center, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Anton Frondell has split his season between the Allsvenskan and the J20 level in Sweden, playing 15 and 10 games respectively.

He's currently up at the top level, and he has looked like he belongs. He has dynamic puck skills and is great at handling in small areas. He's been leaning into the more physical aspects of his game and using it to win pucks, which is always better than just being physical for the sake of it.

His skating is good but not great, and while we were enjoying his playmaking skills at lower levels we haven't seen them translate to the top level as consistently as we'd prefer. We have seen them, though, which is encouraging, but his ability to win puck battles and retrieve the puck from opponents has had more of an opportunity to shine. We'd like to see improvement in his ability to deceive opponents with his passing and consistency.

14. Logan Hensler, Defenseman, Wisconsin (NCAA)

Important preface: recency bias is a very real thing, and we don't want it to impact our overall perception of players.

We do, however, have to take into account some of the frustrating aspects of play that we saw from Logan Hensler at this year's World Juniors. It felt like every time we turned around he was either turning the puck over or taking a penalty. But it's also one tournament and not the entirety of who Hensler is as a player. He's still got the potential to move both up and down across the rest of the season.

He's currently at 8 points in 19 NCAA games, including one goal. Two of his biggest strengths are his smooth skating and his awareness on the ice. We've noted his poise and composure as a strength in the past, which was why his World Juniors play frustrated us so much. He's got a relentless motor, and he's always looking to disrupt opponents' play.

If he can use his awareness to develop his anticipation of how the play will unfold, he'll find himself making better decisions in the moment.

15. Malcolm Spence, Left Wing, Erie Otters (OHL)

One of the older players in this year's draft class, Malcolm Spence is halfway through his third OHL season and is sitting at 46 points in 39 games, including 18 goals. We would've preferred to see a more significant jump from last season's pace, but there's still time, and his current pace is still good.

We like Spence's tenacity and relentless nature; he's a physical guy who can get in your face, and then go finish off a play you didn't notice happening because he was trying to annoy the bejesus out of it. That's always a useful player to have.

He can contribute in all three zones, he's a great passer, and he's hard on the forecheck. He knows where he needs to be, and while agility is not a strength in his skating, he's still able to get there. His offense isn't of the flashy variety, but it doesn't need to be. Definitely, a player for whom the floor is high.

16. Brady Martin, Center, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

There is so much to like about Brady Martin's game, and it begins with his incredible tenacity and high-end intelligence. I'm not sure many players in this draft can match his work ethic.

He's involved in every aspect of the game all over the ice, and dominant physically; he just doesn't quit. Sometimes this is a bit to his detriment because he will try to do too much, but frankly, I'd rather have a player who tries to do too much than have to try to motivate a player who hangs around the edge of the play.

He's sitting at 32 points, including 15 goals, in 33 games and has a fascinating approach to the game offensively. His intelligence has him trying plays other players aren't even going to come up with, and he drives play effectively.

His skating, particularly his posture, can limit him, and we'd like to see improvement in his decision-making and puck management. At the end of the day, though, some team will be very happy with Martin after taking him.

17. Cameron Schmidt, Right Wing, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Cameron Schmidt could potentially jump even further up our board, depending on how the rest of his season goes. Ignore his size (he's 5'7"); pay attention to his skill. He's sitting at 51 points in 37 games, including 31 goals, and we expect those totals to continue rising.

He thinks the game and sees the ice at such a high level, and he pairs that with a top-end speed that blows your mind. He'll exploit mistakes by his opponents, and he's positionally sound defensively.

18. Jake O'Brien, Center, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

With 55 points in 43 games, last season's OHL Rookie of the Year is making an impact with the Brantford Bulldogs. He's closing in on his previous year's point totals and has long since passed last season's goal total of 13—as of writing, he has 22. He plays big minutes for the Bulldogs, and that's not surprising; he's the kind of player who handles pressure well and has a real tenacity to his game.

He's a creative, high-end playmaker; it's one of our favorite things about O'Brien's game. His vision and passing abilities allow him to create opportunities out of seemingly thin air as he manipulates opponents. If he improves his skating mechanics, he'll be even more difficult to contain than he already is; at the moment, though, they're not the best.

19. Blake Fiddler, Defenseman, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Blake Fiddler—yet another player we considered putting on our September board, and who belongs here now. And yes, if you were wondering, he is Vern Fiddler's son. We're all crumbling to dust. It's fine.

Fiddler is a defenseman with the Edmonton Oil Kings, and he's been impressing across the first half of the season—including USA Hockey. He was invited to Team USA's final selection camp before the World Junior Championships and was one of the three final cuts from the roster. That's impressive for a 17-year-old defenseman.

He projects as a mobile, two-way type and has an excellent physical presence. He's strong defensively, able to suffocate opponents' chances on the rush, and he pairs that with very real offensive skill. He's one of those players who is enjoyable to watch—but he's also mistake-prone in some areas, and we'd like to see him improve his decision-making.

20. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Left Wing, Luleå HF (SHL)

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak is another case where he didn't drop in our rankings because we didn't like his play; other guys just jumped further up, and that has a ripple effect.

He's got 39 points in 20 games at the J20 level, and he's also played 10 games in the SHL where he recorded one goal. Though we're intrigued by his SHL play, since that's the top level of hockey in Sweden, the J20 level is where we have more of a sample size so that's where most of our discussion of his play comes from.

He's a great playmaker, first and foremost, with strong skating and good top speeds. On a good night, he's able to slow the game down for himself, manipulating opponents and stealing pucks on the forecheck. But when he's off his game, he's off his game. We'd like to see more consistency ahead of the Draft.

21. Radim Mrtka, Defenseman, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Defenseman Radim Mrtka is someone we'll be watching closely the rest of the way. After starting the season overseas in Czechia, he signed with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in late November. In the 19 games since, he has 18 points, including two goals.

Since joining the Thunderbirds, he's become an integral part of their roster; it feels like he's on the ice more than he's off of it, and he's counted on in key situations.

He gets involved in the play in every area of the ice, and his puck skills are evident. He uses his size to defend and close gaps, as it gives him significant reach, and he also uses it to retrieve pucks. He's a smart player; it will be fun to watch how the rest of his WHL season develops.

22. Sascha Boumedienne, Defenseman, Boston University (NCAA)

While Sascha Boumedienne hasn't had the start we'd prefer (not that he's played poorly, just that others have played well enough to pass him) we still believe in his potential.

If he takes off in the back half of the season, he could move back up the board for sure. He has a relentless motor, great defensive awareness and attention to detail, but he's still adjusting to the jump from the USHL to college hockey.

He's a great passer, which allows him to be one of the better distributors in this year's Draft, but passing seems to be his key offensive asset, and right now it's hard to figure out who he's going to be at the NHL level. Fortunately, he has time.

We have seen growth in his game over the course of this season, and if that continues he'll rise back up the board. One area we still need to see improve, though, is his edgework and mobility in his skating. Other aspects of his skating are great, and those are holding him back.

23. Braeden Cootes, Center, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Braeden Cootes is another player who fell just outside our first board in September and more than played his way onto it. He's one that we're keeping a close eye on as a potential riser, as well.

Cootes has 39 points in 39 games, including 18 goals, surpassing his previous season's points total of 35.

He's an agile guy who plays with some serious pace, and he's one of the most tenacious players any time he steps onto the ice. He's been showing flashes of very real creative offense, often in games where he just isn't getting a lot of opportunities. That in itself is a valuable skill.

He's fearless, and he's great at supporting his teammates defensively as well. Great attention to detail too, which is a skill that is always a boost to a guy's play.

24. Kashawn Aitcheson, Defenseman, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Kashawn Aitcheson is the kind of player you watch play and can pretty easily envision the role he would play in the NHL.

Whether he gets there is his story to write, but there's real potential. He's such a strong presence, a real physical force of a player, who is great at taking space away from opponents and shutting down their opportunities.

While there's not a lot of dynamism or creativity in his game, he's a good puck mover, can read lanes, and isn't afraid to make plays.

He has 27 points, including 11 goals, in 38 games. His decision-making with the puck has improved and he's one to watch ahead of the Draft.

25. Joshua Ravensbergen, Goaltender, Prince George Cougars, (WHL)

Don't be surprised to see Prince George Cougars goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen go in the first round of this year's draft, and possibly even inside the top 20. (Brampton Steelheads and Team Canada goalie Jack Ivankovic is another option for the first round, though we haven't pulled him onto our board yet.)

Between his size—Ravensbergen is 6'5" now—and his puck-tracking skills, teams have been watching him carefully. If he is selected, he'll be the first Canadian goaltender to go in the first round since 2021.

Don't pay attention to his overall stats as much as you pay attention to style and skill (he doesn't have the most proactive defense in the world in front of him). He plays with a real sense of calm, no matter how wacky the game playing out before he might get.

26. Benjamin Kevan, Forward, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

It's embarrassing to admit, but before this Fall, we weren't paying forward Benjamin Kevan the sort of attention we should have. We learned our lesson on that and have long since rectified the issue.

On top of his USHL games Kevan, an Arizona State commit, has played four games with the USNTDP's U18 team this season, though he was held off the scoresheet in them. In his 25 USHL games, he has 27 points, and he's on pace to match last year's point total of 57—though we wouldn't be surprised if he exceeded it.

He's quite a dynamic player, great on controlled entries and exits, and has a well-rounded game with strong defensive play. His agility and speed allow him to slice through opponents, though we're still waiting to see how his intelligence and puck skills will translate to the next level.

27. Bill Zonnon, Left Wing, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

Left wing Bill Zonnon was another player we considered for our September board who landed just outside of it at the time, but has climbed back into first-round consideration. Our perception of him right now is somewhere between the two—he could go at the end of the first round, or he could go at the beginning of the second.

Either way, the team that picks him is getting a forward with raw potential, a high floor, and one of the best work ethics in this year's draft class.

He has 59 points in 41 games, including 23 goals, and he can bring value both with the puck and without it; his ability to support his team defensively has been impressive of late.

28. Cullen Potter, Left Wing, Arizona State (NCAA)

Playing at the NCAA level as a draft-eligible player is challenging. Cullen Potter, who just turned 18 on Jan. 10 has been challenged this season. That said, we think his electrifying speed and mobility, particularly in transition, and his tenacity on the backcheck are promising.

Potter has 13 points in 22 NCAA games, and though a lot of his offense comes off the rush, there has been positive progress in his playmaking ability.

Something we've been particularly impressed by so far this season is the development of his defensive game. His awareness and ability to support teammates, as well as take advantage of miscues by his opponents, has been quite enjoyable to watch improve.

29. William Moore, Center, USNTDP Juniors (USHL)

One of the strongest parts of William Moore's game is his high hockey IQ.

He's an extremely smart player, and he's got a lot of raw skill. His skating is solid, and he's got quick feet and quick hands that allow him to beat opponents to the puck. He's able to use his intelligence off the puck too, and the way he's able to anticipate play, particularly shooting opportunities, should serve him well.

He's sitting at 30 points in 36 games, including 17 goals. Our main critique of his game is similar to our main critique of Porter Martone—we want to see Moore more engaged in the play. We want to see more drive and urgency in his game because that would enable him to use all the skills we've observed more consistently and together.

30. Cole Reschny, Forward, Victoria Royals (WHL)

Cole Reschny may have dropped on our board, but we're still enjoying what we see, even if his play is not as dynamic as we'd prefer.

He's currently sitting at 52 points in 39 games, including 15 goals, and he's able to play in nearly any situation. The way he can read the play and take advantage of the tiniest opportunity or misstep by an opponent is one of his biggest strengths and something that will benefit him greatly if he can translate it to the next level. He plays with a great pace and work ethic, though we'd like to see him take over and control the game more.

31. Jack Murtagh, Center, USNTDP Juniors (USHL)

You all know we love a good NTDP prospect around these parts.

Jack Murtagh, who looked terrific in the (albeit dismal overall) games between Team CHL and the NTDP's U18 team, is hopping into our first-round list. We'll see if he stays there, but when it comes to skill and potential we like what we see. Murtagh is currently at a point-per-game pace with 27 in 27 games, including 12 goals, and the reason why starts with his high-level motor. The kid just loves to get involved.

There's real power behind his skating, he has a powerful shot and playmaking ability.

32. Nathan Behm, Left Wing, Kamloops Blazers, (WHL)

Forward Nathan Behm had 29 points in his first 18 games with the Kamloops Blazers this season. While that head-spinning pace of production has halted, he's at 48 points in 40 games played, including 23 goals.

And more importantly, the facets of his game that we like remain evident each time he takes the ice for a shift.

The way he views the ice allows him to make creative decisions and it also feeds his playmaking ability and deceptive passing skills. He's already got an NHL-ready shot.