The 2024-25 NHL season has started, showcasing the strength of team prospect pipelines and early player performances. Notable prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Shane Wright are being evaluated for NHL readiness, while teams like the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets demonstrate dominant early-season performances with strong defensive and offensive plays. In the context of past drafts, players like Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli from the 2023 draft class continue to show significant potential, while the 2022 class sees Shane Wright and Juraj Slafkovský remaining top prospects. The impact of geopolitical events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has influenced the draft decisions for Russian players, with some like Ivan Miroshnichenko recovering well and showing promise in the AHL and NHL. This season also highlights the impressive starts of teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Vegas Golden Knights, each showing potential as strong contenders.