The 2024-25 season is underway, and that means the first NHL Power Rankings are here. There have been a few surprises in the early going, and that means there may be a lot of volatility in these first few weeks.

“They need to play games. They have to play games. They’re too young,” Nill said. “You’ve seen the development with the Logan Stankovens, Mavrik Bourques, go back to Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, all these players spent time in the minors. You need to play games.”

In several cases, prospects are getting a nine-game look at the NHL level before their team must decide whether to send them back to the Canadian junior leagues. The rest have already begun their seasons there or in the NCAA or other leagues worldwide.