The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
Name: Nikita Prishchepov
Age: 20
Position: C/LW
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 194 lbs
Likely 2026-27 Team: Colorado Eagles
2025 Rank: #7
Final Rank: #8
High Rank: #4 (Matthew)
Low Rank: #26 (Brennan)
2025-26 Statistics:
Colorado Eagles – 22 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 P, 28 PIM, +3
We are
officially working through our top ten players under twenty-five, and the countdown continues with Nikita Prishchepov, who has dropped in ranking from last year’s vote by a single spot.
Ultimately, I’d say he’s fallen off as a result of not getting a look at NHL action in 2025-26, which contrasts with his 10-game stint in 2024-25, during which he failed to register a single point.
Funny enough, many fans (myself included) had hopes for Prishchepov, but, much like the stories of many of the Avalanche prospects of late, the lack of real opportunity and injuries seem poised to shift this player’s trajectory.
Our very own Brennan Vogt ranked Nikita outside the top 25, which says a lot, considering Brennan is our panel member who watched the Colorado Eagles the most.
I think it’s important to remember that Nikita Prishchepov was a 7th-round draft selection who looked on the cusp of graduation two seasons ago.
His unfortunate injury is a clear contributor to the downgrade, and it shows in his just 22 appearances for the Eagles, which represent the only hockey he played last season. He logged 12 points with 3 goals and 9 assists in that aforementioned brief season and had a good April, which has me optimistic heading into the 2026-27 season.
A player recovering from injury could pose as a dark horse to make the opening night roster with the bottom six all but settled.
Moreover, the Avalanche front office must have seen something they liked, giving him that 10-game look back in 2024-25.
I hope they take another crack at it this season. I think a player with more than 10 games is appropriate.
It’s Nikita Prishchepov’s motor that I like. He hasn’t scored like he needs to, but he does have the want-to and tenacity that fits the system.
I also think he is elusive on the puck and creative, but that didn’t really flourish in his stint. I’m still holding out hope it emerges.
In my opinion, he’s a player who’s an offensive spark away from being a real consideration for an NHL mainstay. He has the stuff you can’t teach and the stuff that Bednar loves to see. He’s rigid on defense, works for every inch, and doesn’t leave his teammates hanging. Sprinkle in some offensive upside, and it will be hard to justify not playing Nikita.
Let us know what you think of this prospect in the comments!
2026 Top 25 Under 25
#25 Nikita Novosyolov
#24 Axel Eloffson
#23 Teddy Lechner
#22 Ivan Yunin
#21 Luka Cloutier
#20 Matthew DiMarsico
#19 Shawn Carrier
#18 Domenick Fensore
#17 Tory Pitner
#16 Jake Fisher
#15 Beckett Hamilton
#14 Linus Funck
#13 Alex Gagne
#12 Egor Shilov
#11 Zach L’Heureux
#10 Fabian Lysell
#9 Sean Behrens
