Which Knights Should Improve?

1. 

Owen Power

 (D) — The "Breakout" Candidate

Power should see the most substantial overall improvement. After a slightly inconsistent "sophomore slump" phase, he has emerged as a top-tier two-way defenseman.

 DF (Defense) and ST (Strength). He has dramatically improved his high-danger shot suppression and net-front physical presence.

• Skating (SK)

: Already elite, but his transition metrics now rank in the top percentiles of the league. 

2. 

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

 (G) — The "Starter" Status

UPL has officially cemented himself as a legitimate #1 NHL starter. After a rougher 2024-25, his 2025-26 numbers (21-9-3, 2.56 GAA, .909 SV%) are career-best levels. 

• Likely Boosts: SZ (Size/Coverage) and AG (Agility). His consistency has leveled out, which should drastically improve his OV (Overall) rating in the sim. 

3. 

Ryker Evans

 (D) — The "Efficiency" Jump

Evans has evolved from a depth prospect to a core top-four defenseman. He leads his team in hits and has shown elite "Hardest Shot" metrics (94+ MPH). 

• Likely Boosts: PH (Physical) and SC (Scoring). His physicality (123 hits in a full season) and shooting power are now his primary sim weapons. 

Frank Nazar

 (C/RW) — The "Pro" Transition

As discussed, Nazar has graduated from a "Rookie" rating to a "Top-Six" offensive engine. 

• Likely Boosts: SK (Skating) and EX (Experience). His breakaway speed is now recognized as elite, and having over a full season of NHL games under his belt will erase his "Rookie" experience penalties.

Summary of Projected Rating Jumps

Bottom Pops

1. 

Beck Malenstyn

 (LW) — The "Speed and Grit" Specialist

Malenstyn is currently one of the most underrated physical assets in the sim. His 2025-26 metrics show he is an elite athlete, not just a "grinder." 

• SK (Skating): 88+ (Projected) — He hit a top-tier speed of 24.94 MPH in March 2026, putting him in the 99th percentile of the NHL.
• PH (Physical): 85+ (Projected) — He continues to be a hitting machine, and his speed bursts make his physical play even more impactful in sim calculations. 

2. 

Drew O'Connor

 (C/LW) — The "Efficiency" Engine 

O'Connor

 has transformed into a reliable mid-six producer with excellent underlying metrics. 

• SC (Scoring): 74–77 (Projected) — He posted a career-high 17 goals in 2025-26 with a strong 13.4% shooting percentage.
• SK (Skating): 78–82 (Projected) — His skating metrics are in the 79th percentile, making him much faster than his current rating suggests.
• EX (Experience): 75+ (Projected) — Now a solidified NHL regular with over 75 games played this season, his experience penalty will vanish. 

3. 

Emil Lilleberg

 (D) — The "Defensive Wall" Growth

Lilleberg

 is proving to be a highly efficient "shut-down" defender who can play clean minutes. 

• DF (Defense): 76–80 (Projected) — He maintained a +15 rating in 2025-26 while logging heavy defensive-zone minutes.
• PH (Physical): 80+ (Projected) — He added over 114 hits and 100+ PIM, making him a prime candidate for a boost in "Grit" categories. 

4. 

Michael Kesselring

 (D) — The "Heavy Shot" Threat 

Kesselring

 has established himself as a physical defenseman with a surprising offensive tool. 

• SC (Scoring): 70–73 (Projected) — He recorded a 94.57 MPH hardest shot in 2026. High-end shot power often leads to a "Scoring" bump in sim updates.
• DF (Defense): 74–76 (Projected) — While he moved down the depth chart in Buffalo, his baseline defensive positioning remains steady for a bottom-pairing role. 

Summary of Projected Jumps