Called Up: The Hockey Prospects Podcast · FloSports

Which NHL Sophomores Are At Risk Of Slumping?; AHL-CHL Player Eligibility Update; San Jose Vs. Chicago Rebuilds And More

·1 hr 19 min·5 clips

Macklin Celebrini could hit 30 goals, 30 assists, and maybe even 85 points if he stays healthy.

1. Called Up: The Hockey Prospects Podcast centers this September episode on NHL sophomores, AHL-CHL eligibility, and the start of rookie-tournament season. 2. Chris Peters hosts with Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, and both matter because they track prospects year to year and have the context to judge sophomore progression. 3. The episode asks which young NHL players are headed for “sophomore sensation” seasons and which ones could slip into a slump. 4. Lane Hutson opens the discussion after his historic rookie year and his 60 assists, which set a very high baseline for Montreal. 5. Chris and Cam say Noah Dobson’s arrival in Montreal complicates Hutson’s power-play role because Dobson is a $9 million defenseman with top-unit experience. 6. They still lean toward Hutson repeating as a sensation because of his creativity, hockey sense, and the Canadiens’ improved roster around him. 7. Macklin Celebrini is the next major focus, with both hosts treating him as the best player from last year’s rookie class and a strong Olympic candidate for Team Canada. 8. They compare Celebrini’s rookie scoring to Jonathan Toews’ early NHL production and discuss a possible 30-goal season if he stays healthy. 9. The Sharks’ supporting cast comes up repeatedly, with the hosts noting that San Jose’s roster may cap his raw totals even if his talent points higher. 10. Will Smith becomes the first clear middle-ground case, because his season changed dramatically after a slow start and his minutes rose alongside his production. 11. Chris and Cam cite 32 points in 42 games from January 1st onward and nearly three minutes of power-play time by the end of the year. 12. They say Smith is still figuring out whether he is a long-term center or wing, and that uncertainty affects how high his second-year ceiling really is. 13. Frank Nazar enters the conversation as a player both hosts already valued highly, with Chris calling the World Championship a significant step in his trajectory. 14. Cam points to Nazar’s contract, Chicago’s weak roster, and the possibility that the Blackhawks need him to take on more minutes and more power-play responsibility. 15. Chris brings up Brayden Point as a distant comparison, while Cam says Nazar’s speed and skill could still support point-per-game upside later in his career. 16. Mitch Cobb is the episode’s strongest “new coach, new context” case, and the hosts spend a long stretch on how Philadelphia’s direction under Rick Tocchet might shape his numbers. 17. Cam argues that the Flyers may not play the kind of open offense that would push Cobb into an 80-point breakout, even though his offensive intelligence and finishing are already obvious. 18. Cutter Gauthier is the clearest slump risk, because Anaheim’s coaching change, Leo Carlsson’s development, Mason McTavish’s role, and Trevor Zegras’ absence all change the distribution of offense. 19. The episode’s tone is conversational and evaluative, with Chris and Cam repeatedly pausing to compare ceilings, roles, power-play usage, and contract context. 20. Listeners who follow NHL prospects, rookie seasons, and rebuild timelines will get the most from it, while listeners wanting a single-team deep dive may skip it.

As heard by us

A September prospects board that uses Cutter Gauthier to support a cautious sophomore outlook.

September sets the frame here: camps are open, cuts are starting, rookie tournaments are back, and junior hockey is back in view. Cutter Gauthier gives the segment its clearest spine, and the hosts stay with the numbers they have in hand: 44 rookie points, 20 goals, five goals…

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Why you'd press play

You want a September prospect check-in before camp noise takes over.

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