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How Five Of The NHL's Next Impact Players Look Late In The Season
TL;DR
As the NHL season nears its end, five key prospects are making significant impacts on their teams. These players are showcasing their skills and adjusting to the NHL level while contributing to their teams' Stanley Cup aspirations.
As the season winds down, NHL prospects are getting a chance to perform in the spotlight.
Whether they joined their NHL club after their season ended elsewhere, or they earned a call-up, prospects are getting a chance to adjust to the pace in the big leagues.
Some of them already have to carry high expectations from fans and experts, but what's most important is proving they deserve to be part of the puzzle as their team pursues the Stanley Cup.
These five players have already made a strong impact on the team with the season drawing to a close. Here's what their performances mean for the future.
Cole Hutson, D, Washington Capitals
Not only are there now two Hutson brothers in the NHL right now, but neither Lane Hutson nor Cole Hutson was a first-round draft pick.
It's crazy to think that teams made the same mistake twice in a two-year span.
Cole Huston, drafted 43rd overall in 2024, already looks like a pain for opponents to deal with through 11 games with the Washington Capitals. The 19-year-old has three goals and eight points in that span.
In short order, Hutson has already gained the confidence of the Capitals coaching staff to be on the second power-play unit during a playoff push.
He's also seen increased minutes in April, averaging 18:37 of ice time through four games.
It might not be long before Hutson takes Jakob Chychrun's spot on the first power-play unit, and he possesses the tools to be just as dynamic as his older brother, Lane.
Nick Lardis, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
Nick Lardis could be a pure sniper in the NHL.
If the Chicago Blackhawks want to have some fun in the future, they should keep Lardis alongside a playmaker like Connor Bedard and let them cook. Lardis already has two goals in just over 110 minutes with Bedard across his 38 NHL games this season. He has nine goals and 14 points overall.
Lardis, 20, owns the OHL Bulldogs' single-season goals record, scoring 71 times in 2024-25. He also has 18 goals in 35 AHL games this season.
Blackhawks fans are hoping that success translates for them.
Lardis has played every Blackhawks game since March 7. He's also averaged about a minute of power-play time in that span.
He'll need to shoot more, but that will happen if he can play with Bedard, Anton Frondell or Frank Nazar more often.
Top NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2026: 1 To 10
Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Frondell will be such a special talent for the Blackhawks' future as he made his mark this year.
At the world juniors, Frondell led Team Sweden in goals, was tied for fourth in points and was named the best forward of the tournament.
That was against U-20 players, but he stood out at the Swedish men's pro level as well.
Frondell led Swedish League rookies in goals and became the fourth 18-year-old in league history to score at least 20 goals in a season. The others in that list are Tomas Sandstrom, Markus Naslund and Daniel Sedin. That's a pretty good list to be a part of.
Frondell has six points in eight games with the Blackhawks and will be a complete beast in the future.
Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
Porter Martone, 19, is already making Philadelphia Flyers history, and he's only played five games for them ahead of their match on April 11.
Martone became the first player in Flyers history to score his first NHL goal in overtime. What a big goal that turned out to be, as it propelled the Flyers into a playoff spot.
Martone will be crucial to the Flyers' offense, which is averaging the 10th fewest goals-for per game.
The transition from college to professional hockey might not come easy for some, but so far, Martone hasn't had many issues, with two goals and six points in six games.
Martone had a fantastic season with the Michigan State Spartans, making the all-Big Ten first team and the Big Ten all-freshman team.
Flyers fans will hope Martone carries this momentum throughout the rest of the season and becomes a contributor should the Flyers make the playoffs.
For Unflappable Martone And Flyers, Now Comes The Hard Part
Drew Fortescue, D, New York Rangers
Drew Fortescue, 20, will be a sturdy, reliable defenseman for the New York Rangers and an important piece of the team's future.
There's a calmness to his game that was on display at Boston College this season, where he tied his career high in goals with four but set a new career high in points with 14.
Of course, it remains to be seen how Fortescue's offensive instincts will translate to the Rangers, who brought him straight to the NHL after he turned pro. He picked up an assist in his NHL debut against the Blackhawks on March 27 and added another on April 8.
After seven games, coach Mike Sullivan said he's impressed by Fortescue's puck poise. The defenseman is showing why he should be considered for a full-time role heading into the 2026-27 season.
Michael Pagnani is an intern at The Hockey News.
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Q&A
Who are the five NHL prospects making an impact late in the season?
The article highlights five NHL prospects, including Cole Hutson from the Washington Capitals, who are making significant contributions as the season concludes.
What does the performance of NHL prospects mean for their teams' Stanley Cup chances?
The performance of these prospects is crucial as they help their teams adjust and strengthen their chances in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
How are NHL prospects adjusting to the pace of the big leagues?
NHL prospects are adjusting to the pace of the big leagues by showcasing their skills and earning valuable playing time as the season winds down.
What expectations do fans have for NHL prospects late in the season?
Fans and experts have high expectations for NHL prospects, hoping they will prove their worth and become integral parts of their teams as they aim for the Stanley Cup.
