Forwards Bill Zonnon, PIT (22nd overall in 2025) & Rutger McGroarty, PIT (14th overall in 2022 to WIN) – Fifth-ranked Pens’ prospect Zonnon is off to an excellent start in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, with 5 points (3G 2A) in 4 games for the minor-league Pens. All three of his goals came this weekend in back-to-back wins against Hartford (NYR) and Providence (BOS). He collected two goals and an assist in a 7-1 win versus the Wolf Pack, and then tacked on an additional tally in a 6-2 victory over the minor-league Bruins. Zonnon’s efforts against Providence added to the four-point effort (2G 2A) of forward and 4th-ranked Pens’ prospect McGroarty. With his performance thus far, McGroarty is making a nice push toward his projected in-season promotion in 2026-27.
Forward James Hagens, BOS (7th overall in 2025) – Less than two seasons ago, Boston was old and slow, and in possession of a shallow prospect pool. Thanks to the savvy personnel moves of General Manager Don Sweeney, this clearly is not the case anymore. With the infusion of youthful talent in players such as Hagens and fellow forwards Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, the league is taking notice that these young guys can play. The most visible player in this youth movement is Hagens, who was in the running for the first overall pick in 2025, prior to falling to Boston at seventh overall. Since then, Hagens has impressed at every turn, both in the collegiate and professional ranks. All of this has led to Hagens securing a roster spot in Boston right out of the gate, and a 4-2-0 start for the Bruins thanks in large part to Hagens’ efforts and point production (2G 2A).
Goaltender Michal Postava, DET (Free Agent Signing) – Postava has picked up right where he left off in 2025-26, and is pushing to be the Red Wings goalie of the future. After his stellar play down the stretch last season led to his making Sebastien Cossa available for a trade to Utah, Postava has continued his brilliance between the pipes this season. Postava has a record of 3-0-0 in AHL Grand Rapids, made possible via a 1.34 goals-against average and .950 save percentage.
Forward Maddox Dagenais, STL (16th overall in 2026) – After strong showings at the Blues’ development camp and rookie showcase led to a main camp invite, Dagenais continues his quest for a roster spot in St. Louis in the near future. His latest efforts resulted in his recording a hat trick for QMJHL Quebec during a 7-6 track-meet-like win against Chicoutimi yesterday. Dagenais has 8 points (5G 3A) in 6 games thus far, putting him on pace to exceed last season’s scoring total by 20 points. Dagenais is solidly within the top 10 prospects in the Blues’ pool, and with the progress he’s shown only will move up from there.
