NFL
We are beginning to ramp up and get ready for the 2026-27′ NHL season. With that come training camp, pre-season, and small prospect tournaments to prime us not only for this season, but for the seasons to come. I traveled to Detroit to watch four teams show off some of their best and brightest young players ahead of training camp. For most casual fans, this probably doesn’t matter much. Few of these players involved will see NHL ice this season.
What we do get to see, however, is the future of these franchises on display. The opportunity to play against real competition for the first time this season. For those who are diehard and romantic about the sport, this is hockey in its purest form. None of these kids are signed to massive contracts yet. They are all out there to prove that they belong in the NHL and show how hungry they are.
Four NHL franchises are participating in this tournament: the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings. I particularly love the mix of teams here. You get a team that was on the cusp of making the playoffs in the Blue Jackets, a team that is looking to go a bit deeper in the Penguins, a team looking to get back to being a Cup Contender in the Stars, and a team in a freefall in the Red Wings. The prospect pools among these teams aren’t top-10 in the NHL. However, there’s plenty of intrigue with players like the Ruck twins and WHL sensation Cameron Schmidt. This will give us a valuable glimpse into what these guys will look like heading into this season.
Today’s two games are Blue Jackets vs. Penguins and Stars vs. Red Wings. Let’s break down who we will be watching closely in this year’s tournament.
Columbus Blue Jackets
#53 Luca Pinelli
Pinelli is one of the few players on the Blue Jackets’ roster who has already played in the NHL. He is widely considered close to NHL-ready. He exhibits scrappiness and a tenacious energy from the Center position. While he is undersized at only 5’9″, he can drive play well and read defenses quickly. Keep an eye on him, as you will most likely see him in a Columbus sweater at some point this season.
#81 Alessandro Di Iorio
While he put up lackluster numbers with the Sarnia Sting last season (12G/19A/31P/45GP), most scouts will agree that he has more to give. He will be playing in the NCAA this year with Boston University, a great opportunity to show what he is really capable of. He is only 18 years old. Still, he remains one of the prospects with the highest floors in the Blue Jackets prospect pool.
#57 Charlie Elick
Elick is a 6’4″ RHD whose NHL potential is pretty obvious. Of all of the Blue Jackets prospects, I am most excited to see how he plays during the tournament. This is a true defensive defenseman who won’t light the lamp a ton, but he plays with a noticeable physical presence. With his size, the presence is very noticeable. If he continues to progress, you could even see him in the NHL this year.
Pittsburgh Penguins
#45 Harrison Brunicke
As the value of a true RHD continues to climb in the league, so does the value of true RHD prospects. Brunicke played in the WHL, AHL, and NHL last season. He showcased rapid development into a solid, middle-pairing, offensive-minded defenseman. During the tournament and training camp, we’ll look for his defensive abilities to improve before he is done cooking.
#32 Tomas Galvas
Another one of the Penguins’ strong defensive prospects, Galvas is one of the more recent additions to the franchise, drafted in the 2nd round of this year’s draft. Galvas is an incredibly mobile defenseman who showcased his two-way potential in the WJC last season with 9 points in 7 games. He is still a few years off, but he will be one of the more exciting players to watch develop.
#78 Pierce Mbuyi
Mbuyi is one of those guys you pay to see. The 2026 3rd-round pick had a fantastic season with the OHL Owen Sound Attack, recording 32 goals and 43 assists while racking up 85 PIMs in 68 games. Mbuyi is a high-event player with an absolute clapper of a shot that usually teleports to the back of the net. He’s got a nose for the net front and is a demon on the power play.
#34 Liam Ruck and #80 Markus Ruck
One of the coolest storylines coming out of the draft this year, the Ruck twins have a very high ceiling. They play on opposite ends of the ice, and both showcase obvious NHL top-line potential. I would be remiss not to talk about them at least a little bit. All eyes will be on them throughout the tournament and training camp.
Dallas Stars
#39 Emil Hemming
The Stars are known for their tendency to add Finnish hockey players to the fold. Hemming is no exception. The Stars’ top prospect will be the only Hemming participating, as the Blue Jackets left Oscar Hemming #46 back home to prepare for training camp. Emil is a two-way forward who plays an excellent facilitator role, with legs that never stop moving. Hemming is a dark horse to make the NHL squad as soon as possible this season. Many Stars fans are anxious to see what he can do this year.
#45 Cameron Schmidt
Certain players are must-see TV. Cam Schmidt is one of them. He has clear upside as an elite shooter and offensive threat with a high motor. His decision-making and size make him an interesting case. At 5’9″, his reach is limited, and his speed, while looking elite, leaves some to be desired. If he can learn to protect the puck a bit better and not play hero ball, his trajectory could be as high as being a 30-goal scorer in the NHL. His shot and offensive zone abilities are a sight to behold, and I am excited to see it in person.
#46 Dylan Hryckowian
If you follow the Stars, you know this name. If you watched his brother Justin, you’re more than excited at the possibility of them playing together in the future. Dylan plays much like his brother: a hard-nosed, shit-stirring forward who creates scoring chances with tenacity and forechecking. Most people know his brother for picking a fight with Connor McDavid and the rest of the Oilers bench as a rookie last season. Dylan is cut from the same cloth and showcased his ability with the AHL Texas Stars last season, immediately contributing after coming from the NCAA with 6 points in 12 games after being an over-the-top PPG player at Northeastern University.
Detroit Red Wings
#41 Carter Bear
Bear is one of the main attractions in the Red Wings’ system and is already known by most of the league’s fans as an up-and-coming forward. Last season he recorded 36 goals and 41 assists with the WHL Silvertips, showcasing his high offensive upside. As one of the Red Wings’ 1st-round picks, he will be watched closely. He cannot only light the lamp, but he also has a high motor that sets the tone and drives the pace of play.
#29 Nate Danielson
The other 1st-round pick of the showcase, Danielson is coming off an injury and can play for the NHL squad on opening night if healthy. He played 28 games with the big boys last season and recorded 7 points. He already skates at an NHL level with speed and hard skating, and he uses his incredible stickhandling to bypass defenders and skate through the neutral zone with confidence. I expect an impressive showing this weekend as he tries to return to the Detroit squad.
#42 Anton Johansson
At 6’4″ and 184 lbs, Johansson is a physical force when he hits the ice. A right-shot defenseman with a love for violence, he also loves to light the lamp. He ended last season in the AHL and was a PPG player in the 8 games he played to finish the season. He is going into his first full season in the AHL and could hopefully see NHL action by some time next year.
