St. Louis: 22-year old Blues prospect Zach Dean (VGK 2021 draft, 1st round 30th overall; traded to STL in 2023) has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, another setback to the young man’s career after an injury-plagued 2024-25 season limited him to 11 games.
Meanwhile, coveted prospect Otto Stenberg (1st-rounder in 2023) scored two goals this past weekend in the Blues’ Prospects Showcase versus Chicago & Minnesota. Stenberg played wing on a line featuring fellow 1st-rounders Dalibor Dvorsky (also 2023) and Justin Carbonneau (2025).
Vegas: 2024 first-rounder Trevor Connelly is not participating in the Knights’ rookie camp due to an injury sustained at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Connelly’s availability for the Knights’ main camp is unknown at this point.
Ottawa: Per the Senators brass, D-man prospect Carter Yakemchuk is poised to earn a roster spot out of camp provided his play this fall warrants such a promotion. The 6’5′ Yakemchuk spent this offseason adding 10 pounds of muscle and focusing on his defensive play in pursuit of this goal, knowing full well that he cannot rely upon his size alone to overpower his opponents the way he was able to at the junior level.
Boston: Citing the large need for a third-line center, Bruins insiders fully anticipate 2022 second-rounder Fraser Minten to occupy a space on Boston’s opening night roster. Doing nothing to dissuade this notion, Minten’s decision-making ability was well beyond his young colleagues at this past weekend’s rookie showcase.
New York Rangers: Cementing their reputation as top prospects in the Rangers’ organization, D-man Scott Morrow (acquired from CAR this past offseason in the K’Andre Miller trade) & 2021 first round winger Brennan Othmann dominated the ice this past weekend. They combined for nine points (five for offensive D-man Morrow, and four for Othmann) in a pair of rookie camp contests against Philadelphia. Both players have a very good chance to make the Rangers’ opening night roster.