Breaking Down NHL Prospects & Roster Moves ft. Jason Bukala

Episode 8 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show features Jason Bukala, former Florida Panthers Director of Amateur Scouting and current Sportsnet analyst, who shares his insights on prospects, roster construction, and the upcoming NHL season. With decades of experience in scouting and player evaluation, Bukala offers a sharp lens into how teams build and sustain competitive lineups.

“When I’m evaluating a player, I’m not just looking at stats — I’m asking myself, can this player help a team win meaningful games in the spring?”

Bukala dives into the Montreal Canadiens’ young talent, particularly Ivan Demidov who is the Calder Trophy favorite according to our friends at Coolbet. He also breaks down the challenges of scouting in today’s NHL, where development paths vary between juniors, college, and overseas leagues.

“The projection is the most important piece. It’s not just about where a player is today, it’s about where he’ll be in three to five years.”

From the Toronto Maple Leafs roster depth to Ottawa’s emerging core, Bukala gives candid assessments of what each team needs to take the next step. His analysis also highlights the pressure front offices face under the cap to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term development.

“You have to draft and develop well, because the cap won’t allow you to buy your way out of mistakes anymore.”

Whether you’re a die-hard fan tracking prospects or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes work of scouting and roster building, this episode offers an in-depth look at how NHL decision-makers think.

Watch Episode 8 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show featuring Jason Bukala on YouTube

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