The second annual Prospect Week begins with the best division in hockey. The Metropolitan Division has teams in various stages of their development, from those at the top who have used their own high-draft picks to build Stanley Cup contenders, to those at the bottom trying to do the same.
We’re taking our annual lap around the league at the midpoint, with insight from scouting directors and team executives, on the prospects making the most progress this season as well as those knocking on the door to make an NHL impact.
Here's how things stand for the eight teams in the Metro:
Preseason ranking: The Hurricanes were ranked No. 5 in Corey Pronman’s preseason organizational prospect rankings, even with the graduation of high-end defensemen Noah Hanifin and Jaccob Slavin.
Prospect making the most progress: