I’m writing this post with about 20 minutes left in the memorial cup final, and it appears that Patrick Roy will coach his Quebec Remparts to a championship win. While the excitement of the Memorial Cup won’t wear off for a while, it is definitely time to be thinking about next season. The Seattle Thunderbirds and Quebec Remparts aren’t stock-full of NHL-ready talent, but there will certainly be a few risers.

Seattle Thunderbirds

Dylan Guenther

Dylan Guenther is the surest bet to be a full-time NHLer for the 2023-24 campaign out of all of the players in this memorial cup final. Already having 33 NHL games under his belt, it is likely Guenther will be immediately slotted into the Arizona Coyotes’ top-six. Guenther is ineligible for the Calder trophy due to his games played, but it is entirely possible that he’ll put up a seriously impressive season. If he is given high-quality linemates, such as Mattias Maccelli, Barrett Hayton, or Clayton Keller, Guenther could truly break out.

Kevin Korchinski

I was personally very shocked when Kevin Korchinski went seventh overall at last years’ draft, but one year later, it is certainly looking like a high-quality swing.

His ability to find creative lanes will most likely translate easily to the NHL, and on a very thin Blackhawks roster, he could be a potential partner for Seth Jones.

Depending just how much emphasis the Blackhawks put on waiting out prospect development, Korchinksi may still have one more year of junior ahead of him, but with every game he is looking like a more solid bet to make the opening night roster. If he doesn’t, Thunderbirds management won’t be complaining!

Quebec Remparts

Zachary Bolduc

Zachary Bolduc is the most likely Rempart to make the jump next season. A triumphant 110-point 2022-23 campaign proved why he was worthy of the 17th overall pick in 2021, and on a St-Louis Blues roster changing so quickly, Bolduc may not need an AHL stop.

He may not have the immediate impact of a Dylan Guenther, but he’s looking like an NHLer more and more with every game.

Other Possibilities:

James Malatesta – CBJ

Nathan Gaucher – ANA

Colton Dach – CHI

Reid Schaefer – NSH

Thanks for tuning in to my prospect ramblings. You can follow me on Twitter @itovitch, and my personal top-64 rankings will be coming out next week. Lots of draft/prospect content coming!