Alexei Vlasov – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Alexei Vlasov

2025-26 Team: Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: February 02, 2008
Place of Birth: Chelyabinsk, Russia
Ht: 5-foot-9 Wt: 179 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Left Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

• NHL Central Scouting (Final): 102nd (among NA skaters)

Alexei Vlasov enjoyed a spectacular breakout 2025-26 season with the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), exploding for 80 points — second-best on the team. The highly skilled forward proved to be an elite goal-scoring threat, securing the QMJHL award for most goals by a rookie after lighting up opposing netminders for 44 goals.

Vlasov’s lethal offensive output was heavily driven by his exceptional chemistry on a dynamic, all-Russian-speaking offensive trio alongside linemates Egor Shilov and Kornei Korneyev. This dominant combination terrorized major junior defences all season, solidifying Vlasov’s status as a top prospect ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

On the ice, one of Vlasov’s strengths is his high-end release. He doesn’t need much effort to thread a heavy, accurate wrist shot through opposing goaltenders, showing great ability to generate power even from awkward body angles, when needed.

However, severe physical limitations cloud his draft projection. Standing at just 5-foot-9, he is frequently the smallest player on the ice. Combined with average skating mechanics, the odds are heavily stacked against him transitioning his scoring touch to the pro level, even if he plays bigger than his size. He projects as a late-round gamble for an NHL franchise willing to take a chance on his raw shooting talent and offensive skills.

Vlasov is coming off two strong seasons in North America. He spent the 2024-25 campaign with the New Jersey Rockets 16U AAA and the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League, where he impressed in both leagues. He was then picked 12th-overall in the 2025 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft by Victoriaville, who picked Shilov nine picks earlier. He is committed to the Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA.

Alexei Vlasov – NHL Draft Projection

Despite his rookie goal-scoring title, Vlasov remains a polarizing figure for NHL scouts. Draft projections heavily favour his lethal shot but discount him based on his size, cementing his status as a likely low-round pick. Ultimately, he is viewed as a long-term project, and teams will need to be extremely patient with his development before seeing any pro-level return.

Quotables

“Vlasov has been on fire to start the year with 18 points through 10 games. He is smaller and a bit average as a skater, but he can certainly shoot. Vlasov is constantly defending well, which improves his projection to the NHL. He should be a great QMJHL player over the coming years, but he needs to develop his all-around game to have a good shot at making the NHL as an undersized player.” – James Connelly, Dobber Prospects

Strengths

• Excellent shooting ability
• Great puck skills
• A gifted offensive player who plays bigger than his size

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

• Limited frame and size
• Hard to project him in the NHL as a scoring player with his build and limited skating ability

NHL Potential

Vlasov has all the tools to be drafted, but can he make it through the pros? At this point, it’s very hard to gauge, as his size is a liability and his skating isn’t a strong part of his game. He should get his name called this year, but any franchise that puts eyes on him must be patient with his development.

Risk- Reward Analysis

Risk: 3/5 Reward: 3/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense: 7/10 Defense: 4/10

Awards/Achievements

• 2025-26 QMJHL Most Goals by Rookie (44)
• 2025-26 QMJHL All-Rookie Team
• Multiple Russian championship titles through U14, U15, and U16 categories
• Committed to the University of Connecticut

Alexei Vlasov Stats