Every season, a handful of prospects hit the gas on their development, accelerating past the peers who heard their names earlier at the draft. 

Sometimes, the leap is the culmination of several tweaks, like getting a bit faster, more confident, and stronger. For others, it’s the product of unexpected growth, such as adding a new dimension or overhauling the core of their game. There is, on occasion, the leap that occurs when a player moves up in level – their game translating better than others. 

Justin Sourdif was the highlight of last year's article. By the end of the season, he claimed the No. 56-rank in Elite Prospects’ top-100 affiliated prospects. Declan Chisholm also made an appearance, which is only the reason why I’m not including him in this year’s edition. Others featured in previous years include Albert Johansson, who looks the part of an NHLer, certified hockey genius Nicholas Abruzzese, and the flashy Nathan Smith. 

So, who’s going to take the leap next? Here are six picks to ascend to top prospects status, four from North America, and two from Europe, written by our Dir. of European Scouting Lassi Alanen. We start with the most likely to achieve top prospect status and work our way down to the deepest of these deep cuts.