Not every prospect makes it, even first-round picks.

As the waiver eligibility creeps up, the clock starts counting down. For many of these prospects with standout skills and tools, it becomes time to prove that they have what it takes to become NHLers.

Here are the five prospects with the most to prove in the 2021-22 season.

Note: Vitali Kravtsov is a perfect fit for this list, but I wrote about him last week.

Timothy Liljegren, D, Toronto Maple Leafs  

Liljegren was one near the top of the prospect ladder. Before the 2016-17 season, Bob McKenzie’s list ranked him as the No. 2 prospect for the upcoming draft, describing him as “the undisputed top defenceman … and, at this point, it’s not even close.” A bout with mononucleosis followed by some underwhelming play led to a tumble to the mi