Having taken a look at some lesser discussed prospects in the Central Division earlier this week, we move right along to the Atlantic.

There were days not too long ago when prospects like Jakub Dobes were overlooked, never thought to ever become a starter stealing games in Montreal. There are also names like Emmitt Finnie, unknown seventh-round longshots, only to become a productive 82 game player in Detroit at age 21. Who could possibly have a shot at being next in line?

Max Plante – Forward – Detroit Red Wings

It hasn’t been the best summer in Hockeytown, but former general manager Steve Yzerman looks to have a hit for the next regime. Drafted 47th overall in 2024, far from a late round gem, still, Minnesota-Duluth winger Max Plante had quite the sophomore year for someone not thought to be among their very most hyped prospects. Winning the Hobey Baker award for the nation’s top NCAA men’s ice hockey player, the 20-year-old had 52 points in 40 games. It was a major breakout which had him tied for third in the nation, coming out even with Michael Hage and just ahead of blue chippers Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone.

Leading the Bulldogs into the NCAA tournament where they ended McKenna’s Penn State tenure, before being sent packing in a commendable defeat at the hands of the top-seeded Michigan and Hage, the Plante name is a prominent one on campus. Max starred alongside his brother Zam, a Penguins prospect, with their younger brother Victor joining this fall. He was just selected by the Wings in June himself, so they’ll form a trio, all legit NHL prospects. It will be a storybook ending for the Minnesota-born siblings to play together next season, sons of retired NHLer Derek Plante, before Max looks ahead to the professional rank.

Having yet to sign with Detroit, interestingly, he’s already gotten to skate with serious veteran NHLers. Plante represented Team USA not only at the World Juniors, where he battled injury, but also at the IIHF World Championships this past spring, finding the back of the net once on a team which included star Matthew Tkachuk and possible future teammate Justin Faulk. It’s rare that the Hobey Baker winner returns to school next season, especially after playing alongside pros of that caliber. The 5’11” Plante will aim to fine-tune his already elite hockey sense and high-end playmaking skills. Emerging as a real goal-scoring threat last year, he’ll need to dominate again to solidify himself as a youngster with real top-six upside, likely as a winger.

Benjamin Rautiainen – Forward – Tampa Bay Lightning

Most devoted NHL fans have probably heard of the 21-year-old at some point by now, but Benjamin Rautiainen‘s resume is just too good to pass on. Absolutely a top prospect in Tampa, he is still not the most glamorized league-wide. The Finn, drafted in the fourth round of 2025, torched Liiga, Finland’s top league this past season. Coming away #1 in the league with 77 points in 59 games, taking home their most valuable player award, he capped it off by leading Tappara to a title. That’s one of the best campaigns any 21-year-old has ever put together in Europe, especially one who had 107 other players picked before him last year.

The Lightning have just one first round pick since 2020, Isaac Howard, so it’s naturally pretty desolate in their cupboard. They’ll have to be patient with Rautiainen, signed to an ELC but unlikely to make the team out of camp. Holding the opportunity to play alongside productive AHL veteran Nicholas Abruzzese on the Syracuse Crunch, along with fellow top prospect Sam O’Reilly (of whom they fetched in a trade with Edmonton for the aforementioned Howard), it’ll be a friendly situation for him to adjust to the North American game.

A puck-dominant forward who would likely need significant power play time to maximize his skills, there are real questions on how he’ll handle playing on smaller ice in a more physical AHL environment. No telling how that’ll go, it’s hard to lock down any real player comparison, but raw top six upside is there. The Bolts will knock on everything that they won’t have another season forced to do so with so many injuries, but they’ve always shown a willingness to call up anybody and everybody with head coach Jon Cooper setting them up to succeed. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Rautainen get into at least a few NHL games next season in a sheltered role.

L.J. Mooney – Forward – Montreal Canadiens

For any of their rivals, it’s scary to consider that Montreal has more help coming after already making the Eastern Conference Final ahead of schedule. It looks like that’ll be the case, and among their strong prospect pool is an underrated winger, L.J. Mooney. At just 5’8″, the Pennsylvania native faced the challenge of moving up to the NCAA level with Minnesota this past season. He passed with flying colors, posting 30 points in 34 games, third on the Golden Gophers. He also cracked the Team USA World Juniors roster in the winter, coming away with three helpers in five games and absolutely looking the part for an 18-year-old at the time.

Drafted 113th overall in 2025, the dynamic Mooney is in a unique position among larger-sized Habs prospects rated ahead of him. Playing above his build with elite skating, the now 19-year-old will return to campus in Minnesota and try to help the program grow from a strong 15-win season which ended in the Regional Semifinals with a loss to Massachusetts. Needing another two years or so to develop further, it’s a great position to be in, playing alongside several other NHL prospects including Buffalo’s Brodie Ziemer and recently highly drafted Wyatt Cullen of the Predators. Notably, Mooney himself is cousins with Utah star Logan Cooley.

Canadiens fans will have to wait some time for Mooney to enter the pro rank. Already turning heads at their recent rookie development camp, there’s plenty of reason for high hopes on the boom-or-bust prospect who always elevated his game against the NCAA’s best. More of a playmaker than longtime Canadien spark plug Brendan Gallagher, and less of a sniper than Cole Caufield, Mooney conservatively fits a Nicholas Robertson type of mold, with plenty of time to grow into more. 2026-27 will be a huge year to see how he can build off a strong freshman campaign and help lead USA at the 2027 World Juniors.