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<p>Things are starting to heat up in prospect land.</p>



<p>The NCAA’s Frozen Four is set. The CHL’s regular season is about to come to a close. More and more European prospects are coming over every week. Players are starting to sign entry-level deals for next season. It’s genuinely a great – but busy – time to follow the game’s future.</p>



<p>And a pair of NHL teams got an up-close look at some long-term impact players. Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson made his long-awaited NHL debut over the weekend and turned some heads early. And in St. Louis, Joel Hofer helped save the day to give Blues fans something to cheer about down the stretch.</p>



<p>That’s where we’ll start this week’s roundup:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NHL</h2>



<p>– It wasn’t <em>if</em> <strong>Simon Edvinsson</strong> would get a call-up by the <strong>Detroit Red Wings</strong> – it was when. Considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in the game, Edvinsson, 20, was called up to make his NHL debut against Colorado on Saturday, playing 15:34 and landing a big hit on superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon. While it was a relatively uneventful debut, and the Wings fell 5-1 to the playoff-bound Avalanche, Edvinsson still showed what he’s made of against one of the best teams in the league. Edvinsson is a big, physical blueliner, and his punishing style has been on full display with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins this year. The extra time in the AHL has been worth it, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s fighting for top-four time with the big club.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="268"></div>



<p>– With Jordan Binnington suspended for two games, the <strong>St. Louis Blues</strong> called up top goaltending prospect <strong>Joel Hofer</strong> to get his first two starts of the season. After making 32 saves in a 5-2 win over Washington on Friday, he followed it up with an impressive 33-save shutout over Winnipeg – stifling two teams needing consistent play heading into the stretch run. Hofer’s call-up was due to unfortunate circumstances, but he’s been one of the best goaltenders in the AHL with Springfield this season, allowing just three goals in his past four starts. Hofer should be Binnington’s backup next season – but how long until he’s challenging for the bulk of the starts?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AHL</h2>



<p>– Defenseman <strong>Ryker Evans</strong> has had a great season with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, and he just recorded his third three-point game over the past seven outings. This time, he had three assists in an 8-4 win over San Diego, and he now sits at 33 assists and 38 points. He has a nice mix of puck-moving skills, strong skating and loves to play a punishing, physical game. The <strong>Seattle Kraken</strong> don’t need him in the short term, but he has NHL potential for his two-way play.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="202"></div>



<p>– An undrafted free agent college signing by the <strong>Boston Bruins</strong> last spring, <strong>Georgii Merkulov </strong>has had quite the rookie season with Providence. The 22-year-old, who spent just one year with Ohio State University, is up to 21 goals and 47 points in 56 games, good for first in team scoring. He had four points in three games over the past week to keep the good times rolling. The Bruins don’t have a deep prospect pool, and the focus is on winning now. But Merkulov has exceeded expectations early in his pro career, and the Russian’s offensive game looks well-rounded. Merkulov will fight for a roster spot next year. He’s a solid, inexpensive depth-scoring option that could play higher up in a pinch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NCAA</h2>



<p>– <strong>Matthiew Knies</strong>‘ college success has been well-documented over the past two years, and he’s now the winner of the B1G player of the year award. The <strong>Toronto Maple Leafs</strong> prospect has 21 goals and 41 points in 36 games, including 14 points over the past 10 games. If the University of Minnesota is eliminated this weekend at the Frozen Four, he can sign with the Leafs. If he gets in Toronto’s lineup, he’ll be utilized for his two-way zone play and big frame. But if Knies has his way, his debut will have to wait as he hopes to help Minnesota win a national title.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="229"></div>



<p>– What else can be said about <strong>Lane Hutson </strong>at this point? His overtime goal helped Boston University win the Hockey East title in a week that saw him win the league’s rookie of the year, Hockey East tournament MVP and be named a finalist for the elusive Hobey Baker Award. He’s also the highest-scoring blueliner with 47 points, tying Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch for the most by a U-19 defenseman in 30 years. The <strong>Montreal Canadiens </strong>got an absolute steal with the 62nd pick, with his 5-foot-8 frame at the time being a big detriment. He’s now listed at 5-foot-10, and you can see his dominance. His brother, 2024 NHL draft prospect Cole Hutson, is also pretty incredible.</p>



<p>– After a successful run with Boston College, <strong>Nikita Nesterenko</strong> signed his entry-level contract with the <strong>Anaheim Ducks</strong>. Acquired from Minnesota as part of the John Klingberg trade, Nesterenko fell just short of a point-per-game as a junior with Boston College, but has shown many pro-quality traits. While he won’t be a high-scoring forward, he plays an effective two-way game, moves like his life depends on it, and has considerable skill. The Ducks are in the midst of a rebuild, and Nesterenko is a nice piece to have in the system as a depth forward with some middle-six upside.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="220"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OHL</h2>



<p>– <strong>Gavin Hayes</strong> has flourished with the Flint Firebirds this season. The <strong>Chicago Blackhawks</strong> draft pick went from scoring 19 goals and 49 points to 40 goals and 78 points this year, with Hayes tallying nine in the past five games. He has the most goals of any OHL prospect from the 2022 draft, consistently showing off his creativity and quick release. Guelph has a 10-2-0 record when Hayes scores at least twice and a 17-2-3 record when he has at least two points. So, yeah, Hayes is quite valuable to Flint.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHL</h2>



<p>– Another key piece of the <strong>Ottawa Senators</strong>‘ future, <strong>Zack Ostapchuk </strong>has been an enormous part of the Winnipeg Ice after Vancouver moved him following the World Junior Championship. He’s up to 19 goals and 34 points in 31 games, recording four points in two games over the weekend and nine in his past five outings. Winnipeg is on an absolute tear right now and has one of the most dangerous offenses in the CHL. So adding Ostapchuk – someone who brings significant energy and deception to the lineup – was a huge get. The 19-year-old already has an entry-level contract with the Senators, and while he’ll need some AHL seasoning before joining the big club, the 6-foot-3 forward has a solid NHL career ahead of him.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="219"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">QMJHL</h2>



<p>– The younger brother of Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev,<strong> Maxim Barbashev</strong> (who also wears No. 49), has been Moncton’s most dangerous goal-scorer this season. He has 12 points in his past eight games while showing a bit of an edge, with his in-your-face style allowing him to stand out. He has  bottom-six energy guy written all over him. So scoring 30 goals is nice, too. He’s a bit of a long-term project without a high ceiling, but someone who could challenge for some NHL action with the <strong>New York Rangers</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recently by Steven Ellis</h2>



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