7 Deep Sleeper Picks in the 2026 NHL Draft

With the 2026 NHL Entry Draft less than a week away, we’ve all heard just about everything we ever will about all of the top prospects in the class. You’ve heard about the razor-thin margins between Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, the interesting depth of the center group, and the many strong defenders at the top of the draft.

Now it’s time to take a look at some of the prospects who I think deserve a bit more shine. These players aren’t going to go on day one of the 2026 Draft, and some of them might not even hear their names at all. However, I think these players are all deserving of serious consideration by NHL teams, even if that’s in the mid-to-late rounds.

Let’s look at seven deep sleeper picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Niko Tournas, RW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Niko Tournas has followed a fascinating development path in recent years, finally becoming a legit NHL prospect as a 20-year-old. Last season, Tournas was a leading scorer in the NAHL and decided to take that next step and enter the QMJHL. With Moncton, Tournas has shown that he is a goalscorer through-and-through, scoring 43 goals in his first season at this level.

He’s got room to grow of course, mainly when it comes to how quickly he processes plays in front of him, but Tournas’ size (6-foot-2), skill, and shot give him a real chance at the NHL.

Beckett Hamilton, C, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Beckett Hamilton is a hardworking two-way center who would have earned a lot more attention this season if he had more talent surrounding him. Hamilton led the Red Deer Rebels in scoring with 62 points in 67 games, with the team’s next highest scoring having just 38 points. Only five of Hamilton’s teammates even reached 25 points on the season, but Hamilton made a lot happen offensively regardless of his lack of support.

Hamilton is an excellent skater and has good skill. His size won’t help him in the draft, but I think there’s a chance he could become a good third-line player in the NHL someday due to his high compete level and strong mobility.

Ola Palme, LD, Växjö Lakers HC (U20 Nationell)

Ola Palme is a sturdy two-way defender playing in Sweden’s junior circuit. Palme is 6-foot-2, skates well, and has a strong defensive game. The reason he’s not being talked about more is that his play with the puck isn’t particularly exciting. Despite this, I think his defensive game is good enough to be worthy of attention in this year’s draft. He reminds me a bit of a less physical Elias Pettersson (the defenseman), with an offensive game that isn’t a plus or minus, and a defensive game strong enough to earn NHL games in a depth role. 

Braidy Wassilyn, LW, London Knights (OHL)

Braidy Wassilyn is a highly skilled winger who has a lot more offense to his game than his point totals showed this season. Wassilyn was a highly touted OHL prospect, and was considered to be a top-50 prospect coming into this season.

However, his lack of production as a 5-foot-11 winger is probably enough for him to slip at least into the third round, most likely even later. When I’ve watched Wassilyn, I’m impressed by his forechecking tenacity and I thought his shot was stronger than his 17 goals would have you believe.

Tomas Galvas, LD, Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

Tomas Galvas’ might be a name you’ve heard before. Not only has he been passed entirely in the past two NHL drafts, but he has been a huge piece for Czechia at the last three World Junior Championships. Galvas is an excellent skater, with tons of mobility on the rush and along the offensive blueline.

He thinks the game at a really high level and is able to execute on his vision with smart passes. Being 5-foot-11 has been the biggest thing stopping Galvas from getting drafted, but I think his performance as a pro in Czechia this season showed that he could handle defensive assignments against men and I think this is his year.

Domán Szongoth, C, KooKoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

Domán Szongoth is a Hungarian center who has played his past few seasons in the Finnish junior system. Szongoth spent this season at the U20 level despite only turning 18 at the beginning of June. He works very hard, tracking pucks up and down the ice at maximum effort, and he has a good shot as well.

Szongoth is a strong skater and has enough skill with the puck, but he can struggle to think quickly enough to properly utilize his many strengths. Questions around hockey IQ will likely see him fall to the late rounds, despite having just played for Hungary’s senior men’s team at the World Championships. 

Olivers Murnieks, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Olivers Murnieks is a two-way center who has already competed in two World Junior Championships for Latvia despite still being just 17 years old. Murnieks is responsible in his own end, winning lots of puck battles and making smart little decisions to maintain possession. His offensive game isn’t particularly exciting, but he has a decent shot and can make reasonably clever passes under pressure. There’s certainly bottom-six potential for Murnieks and his late July birthday means he has lots of development still to come.