This week we're covering four rising stars across both the NHL and PWHL prospect pipelines. We start with Finnish two-way defender Nelli Laitinen, PWHL Hamilton's first-ever draft pick (6th overall, 2026) out of the University of Minnesota, breaking down her Olympic pedigree with Team Finland and her transition from steady defender to legitimate offensive threat. Then we shift to Vancouver Goldeneyes' late-round pick Ashley Messier, a former Minnesota Duluth alternate captain and true underdog story fighting for a pro roster spot. On the men's side, we scout Anaheim Ducks second-round pick Mathis Preston, a dynamic WHL winger out of the Vancouver Giants whose draft stock cratered and rebounded within a single season, and Boston Bruins first-rounder James Hagens, the former consensus No. 1 prospect turned NHL rookie center. Full scouting breakdown ...