Top-100 drafted prospect rankings prove that Michigan State is an NHL factory

Adam Nightingale took the Michigan State job five years ago with one goal in mind: turning Spartan hockey into a powerhouse program again and a destination for top prospects.

Through four seasons, it’s safe to say that he’s done a great job so far.

Michigan State has won back-to-back-to-back Big Ten titles and while there hasn’t been a Frozen Four to celebrate just yet, it feels like that’s on the horizon with all of the elite talent that Nightingale has been bringing to East Lansing every year.

This offseason may have been his best yet. He has brought in several new first-round draft picks, led by guys like Chase Reid, Tommy Bleyl, Ethan Belchetz, and Nikita Klepov, among others.

These guys are all on a list, along with five other recent NHL draft picks out of Michigan State, put together by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic which names the top 100 drafted prospects anywhere from the 2026 class all the way back to the 2022 class. The list is further proof that Michigan State has become a legitimate NHL factory under Nightingale’s control.

It’s no surprise that Porter Martone is the top-ranked Spartan on the list at No. 3 and Reid is the second one in the top five after being drafted in the first round a couple of weeks ago.

Belchetz, too, was just drafted in the first round last month along with Klepov and Bleyl.

Isaac Howard is already missed by the Spartans after leaving following the 2024-25 season and he snuck into that top 100 at No. 99 and Charlie Stramel, Bleyl, and Cullen Potter were just ahead of him.

Ryker Lee is a guy who I believe is about to have a huge season with the Spartans in 2026-27 and when he does, the NHL might just be waiting to whisk him away next spring. He’s the No. 44 drafted prospect in the country according to Wheeler.

If you want to be considered an elite prospect, play for Michigan State.

Adam Nightingale continues to cross tasks off his list

When Nightingale came to Michigan State, he wanted to turn Michigan State around, win the Big Ten, make Frozen Fours, win a national title, and be home to the top talent in college hockey.

He’s done all of those, except two.

Nightingale has won three Big Ten titles after turning the program back into a winner and contender and he’s made East Lansing home to some of the top talent in the country. NHL scouts just need to spend a day in Munn Arena to find some elite talent to pad their farm systems for years to come. Picking a Nightingale-coached player is becoming more popular by the year.

The elite coach is crossing off tasks every year, but the 2026-27 season may be the one where he finishes the list off with a national title after his first Frozen Four trip. He will undoubtedly have more than enough talent to pull off this accomplishment, ending the Big Ten’s drought.

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