The NHL’s Top 100 Prospects – Preseason Update

With the 2026-27 NHL season just around the corner, it’s time to update our ranking of the top 100 drafted NHL prospects. Last season, we’ve seen top prospects like Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer and Beckett Sennecke break into the NHL full-time, becoming important players for their respective teams. Schaefer, in particular, was massively important for the New York Islanders just months after they selected him first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

This year’s NHL rookie class is rightfully earning a lot of early attention, with a massive group of talented youngsters who each have a chance at the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s best rookie. Some of this year’s major contenders include Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Porter Martone, but there will surely be a few lesser known players who earn Calder votes when it’s all said and done. Before we get into the top 100 prospect ranking update, here are a few notes on the criteria and content of this list.

The criteria that makes a player a prospect can be a bit subjective, but for this list I will follow The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s rules as a guide. Here are the criteria for this list: “To be considered a prospect, a skater must be under 23 and not fully established with his NHL club. The latter qualifier is arbitrary. There, I trust my judgment for whether a player should be considered fully graduated more than any predetermined games-played cutoff.” (From: “Top 100 Drafted Prospects Ranking: McKenna, Stenberg, Martone lead summer 2026 list”).

If you’re wondering why goalies weren’t included in this ranking, that’s because we have a separate article for that position. Our ranking of the top 10 NHL goalie prospects can be found here.

Without further ado, here is our ranking of the top 100 NHL prospects as well as a few honourable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

HM. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LD, San Jose Sharks

HM. Lenni Hämeenaho, RW, New Jersey Devils

HM. Otto Stenberg, C/LW, St. Louis Blues

HM. Isaac Howard, LW, Edmonton Oilers

HM. Terik Parascak, RW, Washington Capitals

Prospects #100-91

100. Quentin Musty, LW, San Jose Sharks

After a solid showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer of 2022, Quentin Musty was considered by many to be the best U.S. born prospect in the 2023 draft class. After an up and down draft year, Musty has had to earn back a lot of the respect he once had. He’s an athletic winger who can beat goalies with his hard shot or by crashing the net and scoring in tight. He doesn’t project to be much of a factor defensively, but his shot and playmaking are his best tools and they could make him a great NHL player someday. However, some critics remain, particularly ones who question Musty’s compete level and/or decision making.

99. Benjamin Rautiainen, LW/C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Benjamin Rautiainen is one of the prospect world’s biggest risers over the past 12 months. After being selected late in the 2025 Draft as an overage, Rautiainen’s development exploded, with him becoming arguably the best player in the Finnish Liiga last season, leading the league in points with 77. Rautiainen will need to prove that he can sustain this level of play, but if he can then he clearly projects as a middle-six wing who drives play well and creates a good amount of offense.

98. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Calgary Flames

Hunter Brzustewicz’s developmental path has been a rollercoaster over the past few seasons. Conflict over his leaving the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) and de-committing from the University of Michigan made his draft profile a bit contentious. However, the year after he was drafted, Brzustewicz exploded offensively for 92 points in 67 OHL games, putting his stock at an all-time high. He has since played two years of pro hockey and the projection has certainly evened back out again. Brzustewicz is a very intelligent player who sees plays quickly and makes smart decisions with the puck. His skating and puck play have looked a bit more average now that he’s playing against pros, but I think there will be a role for him in the NHL for a long time.

97. Jack Nesbitt, C, Philadelphia Flyers

Jack Nesbitt is a hulking center prospect who has the skill and defensive mind to become a strongcenter in the NHL, but his lack of foot speed is going to be a significant hurdle. Nesbitt creates a ton of chances by cutting off passing lanes and causing turnovers. He is great at moving through the neutral zone like a big battering ram but his top speed could use several more gears as he moves closer and closer to the NHL. If the rest of his game really pops, then the skating won’t be a huge deal, but his speed might just be the difference between him playing on the fourth or second line in Philly.

96. Cameron Schmidt, C, Dallas Stars

Cameron Schmidt has been a very polarizing player in the prospect world as a very undersized winger who is a high-end skater with a ton of offensive skill. If he were 6-feet tall he almost certainly would have been in the conversation in the 10-16 range of the 2025 Draft, but coming in at just 5-foot-8, his size was a major reason that he fell late into the third round. Schmidt will need to outwork much larger opponents if he wants to succeed in the NHL, and he has shown a high enough compete level to be a real menace someday. He has a dangerous shot that allowed him to score 51 goals in the WHL last season, the most in the league.

95. Maveric Lamoureux, LD, Utah Mammoth

I’ll admit, I was a bit of a Maveric Lamoureux hater in his draft year. I saw the massive frame and good skating and understood why he would be drafted in the first round (29th overall in the 2022 Draft) despite his very questionable decision making, but I didn’t expect him to develop so well, so quickly. Lamoureux has made some really big strides in a positive direction since being drafted, with his play improving in all phases of the game. His first-touch passing has improved, making him a more dangerous puck carrier in his own end, and his defensive decision making has made him a serious presence on defense. Lamoureux looks to be ready for the NHL.

94. Julius Miettinen, C, Seattle Kraken

Julius Miettinen is a big center (6-foot-4) who is very dangerous offensively because of his powerful skating and quick hands. He creates a lot of chances at the junior level, and can do so from anywhere on the ice. Miettinen has improved when it comes to using his size to box out opponents or to protect the puck, and he has the skill to beat defenders one-on-one, with his large reach coming into play often. I could see him fitting in as Seattle’s third line center in the future, providing them with a nice stylistic foil to Shane Wright and Matty Beniers.

93. Bryce Pickford, RD, Montreal Canadiens

Bryce Pickford isn’t your typical sniper, picking corners from medium range and changing angles. Instead, he launches rockets from the blue line and led the Medicine Hat Tigers in goals last season despite being a defenseman. Pickford is a solid defender, taking away space and finishing checks well, though he’s not the most mobile player. He isn’t an exciting skater and his playmaking isn’t anything to write home about, but Pickford’s reasonably good defensive game and his incredible shot are going to give him a solid chance to be a third pairing defender with a fascinating profile.

92. Aiden Fink, RW, Nashville Predators

Aiden Fink has been an under-the-radar prospect I’ve gone to bat for since the 2023 Draft. As a 5-foot-10 winger, Fink needs to show high-end offense to be considered seriously, and he has done just that. He just completed a remarkable three year collegiate career that saw him score at least a point-per-game each season with a career total of 125 points in 104 games. Fink made his professional debut last spring with the Milwaukee Admirals and made an immediate impact with 10 points in six games. There’s a chance he tops out as an elite AHL scorer, but I believe Fink deserves more NHL attention.

91. Dean Letourneau, C, Boston Bruins

Dean Letourneau is a 6-foot-7 center with uncommonly skilled hands for his size. He’s athletic despite his incredibly long frame, and looks much lighter on his skates than nearly any big-man I’ve watched. Letourneau isn’t as physical as he could be and plays a little soft at times. After scoring just three points as a freshman, Letourneau exploded for 39 points as a sophomore, reviving real hopes that he could become a unicorn type of player in the NHL.

Prospects #90-81

90. Felix Unger Sörum, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

Felix Unger Sörum is looking like very valuable pick just a few years out from the 2023 Draft where he was taken late in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes. Unger Sörum is an excellent playmaker, regularly feathering passes to teammates through traffic. He had strong showings for Sweden at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships where he was one of their best forwards each time, mainly due to his playmaking and his ability to out-maneuver defenders in the offensive zone to protect the puck and to manipulate their coverage to better set up his teammates for success. He’s still incredibly young, having been born just two days before the cutoff for the 2024 Draft, so there’s a ton of runway for him to develop into an NHL player.

89. Harrison Brunicke, RD, Pittsburgh Penguins

Harrison Brunicke is a big defender with the skating, size, and skill to be a solid NHL contributor. However, I really didn’t expect him to break through into the professional game this quickly. Brunicke’s frame, feet, and offensive play were always going to give him a chance, but I thought he’d struggle to see plays fast enough at the NHL level. He split last season between the NHL, AHL and WHL, but he has improved my projection of him regardless. I expect he’ll spend most of this upcoming season in the AHL, and I think he will likely be a great third pairing player in Pittsburgh with room to become more as his offensive game matures.

88. Jett Luchanko, C, Philadelphia Flyers

Jett Luchanko is going to be a fan favorite in Philadelphia someday soon, with impressive tenacity and work ethic. Luchanko has good skill with the puck and skates quite well, making him a dangerous player with the puck in transition. However, he’s always willing to give up some of the glory by making another pass and finding a better option if it’s there. Luchanko reads plays really well and has that knack for timing and finding openings in defensive coverage that is difficult to teach. He doesn’t really have any offensive traits that pop at this point so I don’t know that he’ll end up all that high in the Flyers’ lineup, but he has the motor to be a valuable middle six piece who kills penalties and plays as a connective piece all throughout the lineup.

87. Milton Gästrin, C, St. Louis Blues

Milton Gästrin is the next in a long line of talented hockey players to come out of the small town of Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, a history that includes players like the Sedin twins, Peter Forsberg, Victor Hedman, and many more. Gästrin is a reliable two-way center who has been excellent offensively against his peers in Sweden, while still showing the defensive commitment to earn a handful of games in the SHL in his draft year. He’s unlikely to be a high-end offensive creator in the NHL, but I could see Gästrin becoming a really strong third-line center or middle-six winger someday. He has been loaned to Byrnäs in the SHL for the 2026-27 season which will be a really great measuring stick season for him against top Swedish competition.

86. Lucas Pettersson, C, Anaheim Ducks

Lucas Pettersson is a jack of all trades, master of none type of player. He does everything well, from making tough plays through traffic to battling hard on the forecheck. Pettersson has a great compete level and he skates well so I think he is a really safe bet to become a long-term NHLer in a bottom-six, but if he takes any offensive steps forward in the coming years then I could see him being a really solid third-line center.

85. Sacha Boisvert, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Sacha Boisvert was one of the Canadian prospects who opted for the USHL/NCAA route rather than playing in the CHL, ultimately contributing to the NCAA/CHL deal. The 12th overall pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft was excellent in the USHL as a rookie, and he was able to improve on those numbers significantly in his draft season. Boisvert is a big center (6-foot-2) with tons of skill with the puck and above average skating. He looks like a pro and has a ton of NHL-level qualities, including a really dangerous shot, that makes me confident he’ll find a role in the middle-six forward group in Chicago someday. He had a strong freshman season with the University of North Dakota, but opted to transfer to Boston University for the 2025-26 season where he wasn’t particularly impressive for a team that could have sorely used a star center at the top of the lineup.

84. Mathis Preston, RW, Anaheim Ducks

Mathis Preston is a highly skilled prospect who has had trouble scoring at the rate that his skill would make you expect. Preston is a quick skater, with the agility and acceleration to lose forecheckers in the blink of an eye. He can handle the puck incredibly well through traffic as well. His compete level isn’t particularly inspiring and he hasn’t been much of a defensive factor at the junior level yet. Preston’s skill gives him a shot at an NHL middle-six spot someday, but he is going to need to level up his consistency and competitiveness.

83. Tanner Molendyk, LD, Nashville Predators

Tanner Molendyk was one of the best skaters in the 2023 draft, with excellent edgework and speed. Molendyk’s edgework makes him incredibly mobile in all directions, capable of acting on new information at a moment’s notice. He isn’t the biggest defenseman (just under 6-feet) but he competes hard and defends well as a result of his energy and skating. Molendyk had an excellent junior career and did well for himself in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals last season, scoring 23 points as a 20-year-old defenseman.

82. Charlie Stramel, C, Minnesota Wild

Charlie Stramel’s development hasn’t been a rollercoaster, but more of a yo-yo. After two years at the University of Wisconsin, Stramel’s stock was at its lowest, but he has bounced back remarkably since transferring to Michigan State University where he has re-established himself as not just a legitimate NHL prospect, but as a future middle six piece. Stramel is a big, physical center who competes hard and projects to supply the Wild with a bit of depth offense. With Marco Rossi being sent to Vancouver as part of the Quinn Hughes trade, there is a whole down the middle in Minnesota’s middle-six, and I think Stramel could play a role in their bottom six very soon.

81. Stian Solberg, LD, Anaheim Ducks

Stian Solberg is a big, physical defender who skates well for his size and made a big splash as a top player for Norway at the Men’s World Championship over each of the past three summers. Solberg doesn’t project to have a ton of offense in the NHL, but he can make a solid first pass and his mobility will help carry him to the next level. The biggest draw of his game is his powerful and physical defensive play. He wins tons of pucks with his stick and body, closing gaps confidently while defending in transition. Solberg has the potential to be a meaningful second pair defender in the NHL, looking something like Moritz Seider, just with a lower offensive ceiling.

Prospects #80-71

80. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Washington Capitals

Lynden Lakovic is a 6-foot-4 winger who is a strong skater and can create a ton of offense with his skill and shot. He has scored at a solid rate in the WHL over the past two seasons, though each of those years were cut short by injuries. If he can learn to use his big frame a bit better, Lakovic could become a good second-line winger who is incredibly tough to play against. Lakovic reminds me a bit of the New Jersey Devils’ Anthony Mantha, as a big-bodied winger who can score, skates fast, but has some questions surrounding his consistency and physicality.

79. Luca Cagnoni, LD, San Jose Sharks

Luca Cagnoni is an undersized offensive defenseman who has done nothing but prove his doubters wrong at every turn. After being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft, he blew the doors off of the WHL the following season, scoring 90 points as a 5-foot-9 defender, which was good enough for 18th in the league and 1st among defenders. Cagnoni has played two strong seasons in the AHL, even earning a few NHL games as a young defender. He’s a remarkable skater and he thinks the game at a high level, so while he’ll never overpower many NHL opponents, he can out-plan and out-maneuver them. If he keeps developing like this, I think he could end up as a depth defender for the Sharks who earns significant power play minutes. 

78. Trevor Connelly, LW, Vegas Golden Knights

Trevor Connelly is a skilled winger with dynamic skating and a penchant for making the most jaw-dropping move possible. His hands are really quick and he plays with a ton of deception which makes him dangerous with the puck even when it looks like there’s no play to be made. I considered ranking him as high as the 50s here. However, Connelly has had some high-profile discipline issues, and will need to reign in his decision making, on and off the ice, if he wants to be given consistent high deployment in the NHL.

77. Rutger McGroarty, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Rutger McGroarty is a true power forward, strong and determined enough to win pucks with great playmaking skills that allow him to make smart plays with the puck once he wins it. He is a very complete prospect who is a natural leader, shoots well, and does just about everything else you could hope for from a first-round pick. McGroarty won’t lead your team in scoring, but he’ll do a whole lot of other things at a very high level. He had a pretty slow start in his first AHL season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but I thought McGroarty adapted quite well to the pace of the pro game in his second pro season and should be a factor in Pittsburgh’s lineup in the near future.

76. Filip Bystedt, C, San Jose Sharks

Filip Bystedt is a strong center prospect with a good all around game and a clear future in the NHL. Bystedt is still just 22 years old despite having over 200 professional hockey games under his belt. The main reasons he has played so many games against men are his size, skating, and his commitment to playing hard defensively. Bystedt isn’t likely to be a high-scoring NHLer, but with guys like Celebrini, Michael Misa, and Will Smith surrounding him, he isn’t likely to be asked to play any higher in the lineup than the 3C spot. He’s got all the hallmarks of a solid two-way third-line center who could be a solid piece for the Sharks as they move on from their rebuild.

75. Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Chicago Blackhawks

Xavier Villeneuve is a fascinating defensive prospect with the offensive tool kit to become the next Quinn Hughes or Lane Hutson. However, his defensive game and physical play are in serious need of development for him to reach those incredibly lofty heights. Villeneuve is an incredibly shifty player, making sly fakes to lose attackers, and his great edge work is a big part of that. His skill and hockey sense are off the charts as well, though that didn’t exactly translate to elite production. Villeneuve’s defensive game leaves much to be desired, and he can get a little frustrated in games and start playing “hero-hockey” where he tries to do everything himself. Ultimately, there is a ton of potential in his game but there are a lot of “ifs” that need to be answered before he is a star in the NHL.

74. Liam Greentree, RW, New York Rangers 

Liam Greentree is a big winger who looks like he could be a great all-round player in the NHL someday if he can make some improvements to his speed and acceleration. Greentree does most things well, fighting hard in puck battles, making smart passes, and handling defensive responsibilities well. His greatest strength is his shot which looks like a quality NHL tool though his skill with the puck is worthy of mention as well. The biggest barrier in the way of NHL success for Greentree at the moment is his skating. He’s got okay speed once he gets going, but his first few steps are sluggish and he could use some explosiveness to help him accelerate more quickly.

73. Tom Willander, RD, Vancouver Canucks

Tom Willander‘s rookie season in the NHL was a rollercoaster. His skating is excellent and that allowed him to keep up with the pace of the NHL, especially defensively. Willander’s offensive game isn’t particularly polished just yet, though I think he showed some utility as a puck carrier through transition. He is going to be most valuable in the NHL as a defender, with an aggressive mindset and the skating to recover when he overcommits. With some more reps, I think Willander will become a good second pairing guy, with high defensive upside.

72. Cameron Reid, LD, Nashville Predators

Cameron Reid is a great two-way defensive prospect, capable of creating offense and shutting down opponents with his explosive skating. With high hockey IQ and mobility, Reid is impactful in all areas of the game. While he doesn’t have high-end physicality or flashy point totals, he has been an incredibly steady two-way presence for the Kitchener Rangers over the past two seasons, leading their defensemen in scoring each year while also defending the rush well with his great feet and an active stick. I can see Reid becoming a solid second pairing defender in the NHL with utility in all situations.

71. Nate Danielson, C, Detroit Red Wings

Nate Danielson is a complete center prospect who has always looked better to the eye test than on the score sheet. I have been a big fan of his game for years now, though my projection for him has slowly faded as he has failed to put up the kind of offensive numbers that I expected. Danielson is a great skater who sees the ice really well. His shot is strong and he competes well, driving play down the center of the ice. By all accounts, he should score more points than he does, with a play style that keeps his team in possession of the puck and a level of hockey sense that lets him see and act on things that most peers can’t. In the end, I think he’ll top out as a strong middle-six center at the NHL level unless his scoring levels up significantly.

Prospects #70-61

70. Cullen Potter, C, Calgary Flames

Cullen Potter is an elite skater who left the NTDP mid-season in his draft year to jump ahead to the NCAA at 17. As a young 5-foot-10 center entering a league full of players in their early 20’s, expectations were quite low for Potter. His slow start seemed to confirm those expectations, but after the first months of the season he really came into his own, scoring 13 goals and 22 points as a young freshman. Potter has true separation speed which makes him a dynamic threat on the rush. If Potter can translate his finishing ability to the pro level, then he will likely have a ton of value as a middle-six burner.

69. Adam Jiricek, RD, St. Louis Blues

Adam Jiricek is very engaged physically, and has a penchant for taking big point shots. Jiricek produces a ton of chances on offense from the blueline, readily activating into play to support his teammates and keep the puck moving. Unfortunately, his excitement to join the play offensively means that he takes a lot of risks, leaving himself in really poor positions to recover defensively if things don’t go according to plan. Jiricek is really great at scanning the play off puck and he persists through pressure quite well so I think he will be able to cut down on the over-the-top risks in time. I like him as a two-way defensive prospect and his right-handed shot and 6-foot-2 frame will help him out on draft day. Despite his multiple long injury absences, I really like Jiricek as an engaged two-way player who is likely to top out as a good second pairing guy in the NHL.

68. Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Vaclav Nestrasil is a hard working winger who plays with a chip on his shoulder. His very, very high shoulder. Nestrasil skates very well for a 6-foot-6 player, and has a strong compete level that keeps him engaged on the forecheck. He has an unbelievable reach with his massive wingspan, pulling pucks from the corner and into the net-front area in the blink of an eye. Nestrasil had a very successful freshman season in the NCAA last season with UMass. He’s still a little raw given all the growth he’s experienced in recent years, but if Nestrasil can continue to piece together his skill game, motor, and huge frame, he will be a versatile two-way winger in Chicago’s middle-six.

67. Yegor Surin, C/RW, Nashville Predators

Yegor Surin is a hardworking, offensive player, constantly fighting through checks and winning innumerable puck battles. He was also one of the MHL’s top scorers and added over 100 penalty minutes over the course of his draft season. Surin skates well, has great NHL size (6-foot-2), and has a motor that doesn’t quit. He’ll surely be a fan favorite type in the NHL someday, likely as a middle-six winger or a bottom-six center. After spending his past two seasons in the KHL, Surin has another year after this one on his KHL contract meaning he’ll likely be on the Predators’ radar for the 2027-28 season as a hard-working depth player.

66. Eddie Genborg, LW, Detroit Red Wings

Eddie Genborg is a powerful winger who plays a style of game that will endear him to NHL fans and coaches very quickly. He’s got good size (6-foot-2, 198 pounds), creates offense around the net with his positioning, and has a very good motor. Genborg isn’t the most cerebral player, and can be a bit reactive rather than proactive, but his success against men in the SHL last season gives me serious hope that he can be a strong NHLer and more than just a depth power forward.

65. Marcus Nordmark, LW, Anaheim Ducks

Marcus Nordmark is a very frustrating prospect. He has the skill in zone and transition to make terrific plays happen. Nordmark’s best games are phenomenal, with him controlling the game with possession and creating a ton of offense for his team. However, his effort is wildly inconsistent and there are legitimate character concerns from a player who by all accounts is challenging to play with and to coach. Nordmark’s game can be pretty self-absorbed, playing hero-puck when teammates are open or even coasting toward puck battles rather than charging in. The player is very talented, but the person needs some work.

64. Max Plante, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings

Max Plante is a highly skilled playmaker, firing pucks through seams and opening up new lanes with his shiftiness. Be careful when you try to collapse on him too because he’s quite comfortable under pressure and will often make a surprising play to an open teammate. Plante has been one of the highest scorers in the NCAA over the past two seasons, winning the Hobey Baker as the top player in college hockey in 2025-26. Some have questions about his size (measures around 5-foot-11), but I think he competes well and has enough offense to project as a good middle-six, power play piece a few years down the line.

63. Cole Eiserman, LW, New York Islanders

Cole Eiserman was the 2024 Draft’s premier goal scoring prospect, and he was by far the most polarizing player in that year’s group. He can play physically, but can sometimes get caught chasing hits and losing track of defensive coverage. The reason people were so high on Eiserman was that he scored 72 goals in 69 games during his draft season for the NTDP. Those are some absolutely absurd numbers, and the goals kept coming in his freshman season where he netted 25 goals for Boston University. While he may not be the most reliable player when it comes to play driving or defensive results, he is an incredibly reliable goal scorer at every level he has played and could become a 30+ goal scorer in the NHL someday.

62. Ethan Wyttenbach, LW, Calgary Flames

Ethan Wyttenbach is one of the biggest risers in the prospect world over the past 12 months. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2025 Draft following a good season in the USHL, though his defensive play and skating were the main things that held him back. Wyttenbach joined the NCAA last season and was immediately one of the very best players in the nation as an 18-year-old. He led the nation in scoring with 59 points and showed some real growth as a skater and a creator, giving me real belief that he can become an all-offence middle-six winger who plays a big role on the power play.

61. Daniil But, LW/C, Utah Mammoth

Daniil But is one of the biggest players on this list, standing at 6-foot-5. He has the size that NHL general managers dream of, and he has great puck skills and shooting mechanics for a player of his size. His skating has developed well since his draft year, with enough speed and agility to really use his size to his advantage, powering through defenders and protecting the puck well. But looks like a strong second line winger who can provide a different style and some legitimate goalscoring chops.

Prospects #60-51

60. David Reinbacher, RD, Montreal Canadiens

David Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who played lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerland’s top professional men’s league, during his draft year. He’s a very responsible defender who shuts down tons of rush attempts with an active stick and stellar positioning. Reinbacher projects as a strong second pairing defender following some great play in the AHL over the past year and a half. His ultimate potential might not be exceedingly high, but I think he could be an excellent complementary piece for Montreal someday soon.

59. Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington Capitals 

Andrew Cristall is one of the most creative and slippery prospects in the hockey world, and he was one of the only draft eligible players in the WHL who was able to roughly keep pace with Bedard in terms of production in the 2023 draft season. Cristall was frankly dominant offensively in the WHL, scoring over 90 points in each of his final three seasons. He draws tons of attention in the offensive zone and is great at making smart plays under pressure to help open teammates up, making their jobs much easier. Only time will tell if his game will translate to the NHL level given his 5-foot-10 frame, but it sure has translated to the AHL where he was one of the Hershey Bears’ top scorers last season so I wouldn’t count him out.

58. J.P. Hurlbert, LW/C, Detroit Red Wings

J.P. Hurlbert is a skilled forward who split his time in the WHL between playing at center and on the wing. He has tons of skill with the puck, making junior defenseman miss with creative dekes and clever fakes. Hurlbert’s playmaking is strong, but it’s his shot that makes him a real threat in the offensive zone. After leaving the United States National Team Development Program after just one of the typical two seasons, Hurlbert made his way to the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Despite spending the majority of his first WHL season as a 17-year-old, he was a clear top talent in the league from start to finish. I do expect Hurlbert to be a winger long-term, mostly due to his struggles in the faceoff circle and the fact that his compete level can leave you wanting.

57.  Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Lekkerimäki has had several really tough seasons since his draft year, with multiple injuries/illnesses ruining any momentum he tries to build. Lekkerimäki has made his North American debut with the Canucks’ AHL and NHL squads, showing the skill and killer instinct as a shooter that made him such a high draft pick. He’s a great power play guy, with the curl-and-drag wrister that Connor Bedard popularized as well as a bomb of a one-timer from the left circle. Lekkerimäki has been slowly working on his pace and increasing his top speed, both of which are still areas of growth, and I think he will become a regular in the rebuilding Canucks’ lineup in the 2026-27 season.

56. William Horcoff, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

William Horcoff is a beast of a hockey player. At 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds, this 19-year-old has a lot more skill and a smoother shot than you’d typically expect of a big man. His skating is just okay, but he sees the ice well, with enough skill and IQ to project as a strong NHLer. Horcoff will likely struggle a bit with the pace of professional play at first, since his size and strength advantage in the NCAA gives him more time and space than the pros will ever give him. Regardless, I think there’s a chance he could end up as a good second line center.

55. Elton Hermansson, RW, Los Angeles Kings

Elton Hermansson is a very talented winger with the type of skill set you often see in good offensive top-six wingers in the NHL. His compete and defensive IQ are not strengths, so if the offensive game doesn’t develop fully, then he is unlikely to earn a role outside of the top-six. However, Hermansson’s skill, shot, and playmaking are all strong enough that I think he could carve out a role for himself as an offense-first winger who stars on the power play.

54. Elias Salomonsson, LD, Winnipeg Jets

Elias Salomonsson is a big two-way defenseman who loves to join the rush off the backend and has the mobility and physicality to be a menacing body-checker in the NHL. He’s got a heavy shot from the point, but he doesn’t make a lot of plays with the puck, often opting for his shot or a safe play with a low chance of creating anything dangerous. Salomonsson’s skating makes him a consistent factor defensively, though his decision making on body checks could still use some work as he’s run into discipline issues at just about every level he has played in the past few years including a suspension at the 2024 World Junior Championship.

53. Adam Novotný, LW, Vancouver Canucks

Adam Novotný is a two-way winger with a pro-ready frame and strong skating skill. What stands out when you watch Novotný is his compete level, especially when he forechecks his opponents so incessantly that they might as well just give him the puck when he approaches. Novotný has good skill and hockey sense, and a great shot that should earn him power play minutes throughout his prime as a trigger man. He is a hardworking winger who will play a ton of tough minutes throughout his pro career, especially on the penalty kill.

52. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW, Detroit Red Wings

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (MBN) is a Norwegian winger who is known for his high work ethic and his shot. He isn’t going to produce a ton of highlight reel plays with his skill, but he works harder than just about anyone all over the ice. Brandsegg-Nygård’s best attribute is his shot, which he gets off quickly and powerfully. He didn’t score a ton in a brief NHL stint last season, though his underlying numbers are far better than his counting stats and he was one of the unluckiest finishers in the league. MBN cracked the Red Wings’ opening night lineup last seasonand was excellent in the AHL for the rest of the year. Detroit is in need of players willing to get to the guts of the ice and create offense through grit and power, and MBN has those qualities in spades.

51. Oscar Hemming, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

This ranking requires a fair bit of projection for Oscar Hemming as he only played a total of 25 games last season. Hemming attempted to make his North American debut last Fall before some legal disputes with the his former club in Finland held him off the ice. The issue was eventually smoothed over and Hemming became the youngest player in the NCAA at just 17. He is a great skater for his size (6-foot-4), and uses his big frame to drive his way to the net or create space to get his shot off. I think he could really pop in another full collegiate season as a power forward who could score 20+ at that level.

Prospects #50-41

50. Kashawn Aitcheson, LD, New York Islanders

Kashawn Aitcheson is a very physical and competitive defender, battling hard along the boards and at the net-front. His physical and chippy style earned him a total of 346 penalty minutes in the OHL and that physical edge was very appealing to the Islanders, especially given his strong skating and good grades across his offensive skills. NHL teams will love Aitcheson for the same reason they’ve loved guys like Jacob Trouba over the years. He’s extremely physical, brings his teammates into the fight, and can back it up on both ends of the ice on a nightly basis. Aitcheson should be right at home as a second-pairing guy with two-way, special teams value, especially if his knack for goalscoring at the junior level translates to the pro game.

49. Bradly Nadeau, C, Carolina Hurricanes

Bradly Nadeau had a dominant draft season in the BCHL, with the goals and points accumulating until they were impossible to ignore. He led the league in goals, assists, and points as a 17-year-old. His game translated well to the NCAA, where he scored 46 points in 37 games as a freshman before making the leap to the AHL where he again excelled, scoring 59 goals and 114 points across two seasons. He’s got a wicked shot and the speed to be an absolute terror in transition. I think Nadeau will factor into the Hurricanes’ middle-six forward group in the near future.

48. Nikita Klepov, LW, Anaheim Ducks

Nikita Klepov is an average sized winger who has the skill and slipperiness to end up as a winger in an NHL top-six. It’s common for wingers to be pushed to the outside a bit and become perimeter threats, but Klepov has been successful in and around the net as well as from range. He is on the young end of the 2026 draft class, but his 97 points last season led the entire OHL in scoring. There are some questions about his athleticism and compete level, but his offensive game speaks (loudly) for itself.

47. Braeden Cootes, C, Vancouver Canucks 

Braeden Cootes is a center prospect who earned a ton of admirers following his remarkable performance for Team Canada at the U18s back in 2025 where he captained Canada to a gold medal. He was also Canada’s top scorer in the tourney which was encouraging because it proved what a lot of people already believed which was that his relatively low scoring in the prior WHL season was in part due to the dearth of offensive talent surrounding him. Cootes is a coach’s dream as a hard-worker who never drops his coverage and who forechecks as hard as he can. He looks like a solid middle-six center long-term, and one who makes a ton of smart, simple plays.

46. Carter Bear, LW, Detroit Red Wings

Carter Bear was a major riser in the 2025 Draft, and was one of the WHL’s top scorers before he sustained a skate laceration on his leg that took him out of the final months of his draft year. He’s got good strength for a teenager, making him a bit of a wrecking ball against junior competition. Bear showed that he could drive play and score consistently, with 99 points between the regular season and playoffs in 2025-26. His compete level is his biggest strength in my opinion, carrying the puck into the middle of the ice and causing chaos with his seemingly endless energy. 

45. Cole Reschny, C, Calgary Flames

Cole Reschny is a highly skilled forward who was excellent for the Victoria Royals and the University of North Dakots in back-to-back seasons. Reschny earned significant time on both special teams, and his combination of playmaking and hockey sense make him an effective addition to both. His best trait is his excellent passing, but he also has the kind of edgework that makes him really slippery in open ice, dodging hits and making checkers look silly. Reschny strikes me as one of those players who would have been talked about in the top-10 of the 2025 Draft if he had been just an inch or two taller so I think the Flames made out very well getting him at 18. 

44. Dmitri Simashev, LD, Utah Mammoth

Dmitri Simashev is an excellent defender with a large reach and incredible skating. The way he moves to shut down attackers is very exciting to watch, and makes the projecting quite easy as he makes his way toward the NHL. In the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, Simashev scored 35 points in 40 games despite offense not being his calling card as a prospect. His main strength is his mobility, which makes him a threat in all situations. I expect Simashev will become a strong top-four defender who plays big minutes, especially on the penalty kill.

43. Victor Eklund, RW, New York Islanders

Victor Eklund is a skilled and competitive winger who had a strong, though not exceptional, season in the SHL before scoring 10 points in a nine game AHL tryout at the end of the year. Eklund’s skill and skating are strong traits, but it’s his compete level that makes him a special prospect. There isn’t a puck battle that Eklund won’t give his all to, a race for a free puck that he won’t throw himself into. Eklund is a dog and he’ll be a favorite of Islanders fans and coaches very soon.

42. Alexander Command, C, New Jersey Devils

Alexander Command was one of the 2026 Draft’s biggest risers coming out of the U18 World Championships. He was great for Sweden en-route to a gold medal, rising up the lineup all-tournament long until he was their 1C and one of their most consistent two-way pieces. Command isn’t a high-end offensive player, but he’s strong on pucks, wins lots of battles, and drives play down the middle. I think he will be a good middle-six center in the NHL, and I think his two-way consistency and ability to win face-offs makes him the type of player who could one day earn Selke Trophy votes.

41. Nick Lardis, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Lardis has been one of the best goalscoring prospects in the world over the past two or three seasons, and he finished his junior career with a ridiculous stat line of 82 goals in a combined 72 regular season and playoff games with the Brantford Bulldogs. Lardis’ shot is great, and he can get it off quickly (and powerfully) from a variety of positions which makes him a threat with the puck from anywhere in the offensive zone.

He is also an incredibly quick straight-line skater who can do a lot of damage off the rush. Lardis measures at 5-foot-11 and isn’t a particularly physical player either so he may need to find another dimension or two in his game to earn a full-time spot in Chicago’s top-six forward group. I think Lardis could threaten the 30 goal mark in the NHL next season.

Prospects #40-31

40. Justin Carbonneau, RW, St. Louis Blues

Justin Carbonneau is a powerful winger who dominated the QMJHL in each of the past two seasons with his lightning-fast hands and his ability to change the point of release on his wrist shot at the last moment. While he’s not the most cerebral player, sometimes relying on the playmaking and decision making of teammates, he has the skill and shot to create excellent chances out of thin air. A right-handed sniper is valuable in today’s NHL, and one who scored 97 goals in two QMJHL seasons while filling out an athletic, powerful frame is doubly so. 

39. Calum Ritchie, C, New York Islanders

Calum Ritchie is a great two-way center who projects to be a major piece of the middle-six on Long Island. He’s got great hands to the point that he can maintain possession while stick handling through serious traffic. Ritchie is a coaches dream as a hard worker with great habits and a winning mindset. I think Bo Horvat will be an excellent mentor for Ritchie as he grows into a bigger role as a possible top power play piece in the net front/back door position.

38. Radim Mrtka, RD, Buffalo Sabres

Radim Mrtka is a massive (6-foot-6), right-shot defender who has played huge minutes in all-situations for Czechia internationally and for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. He is a very natural puck carrier and mover in the offensive zone, walking the blueline better than you’d expect for a teenager of his size. From the moment he arrived in North America, Mrtka was a dominant two-way presence in all situations. Mrtka’s defensive potential is sky high given his massive size and strong skating, but his offensive game inspires some confidence as well.

37. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Utah Mammoth

Ethan Belchetz looked like a grown man in the OHL last season, standing at 6-foot-5 and with an incredibly strong frame for an 18-year-old. Belchetz has the size and skating ability to be a bruising presence in the NHL, but a combination of injuries and inconsistency held him back from being a top-10 pick in the 2026 Draft. He’s got a great shot, plenty of skill, and uses his massive body well along the boards to win pucks. If Belchetz can get to his top speed a bit quicker, and find a bit more consistency in his game, then he has a chance to be a top-six power-forward.

36. Jackson Smith, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jackson Smith is a big defender (6-foot-3) who has shown enough offensive skill to establish himself as a high-potential defenseman despite having a defensive game with some warts. He doesn’t project as an elite offensive type, but his offensive tools are still very strong. Smith’s ability to make stretch passes and anticipate routes of his teammates pairs really well with his strong skating and large frame. Smith has shown some clever playmaking from the backend, and has a heavy shot that he can use to cause a bit of havoc in the offensive zone. He could be a second-pairing defenseman with room to grow on both ends of the ice.

35. Konsta Helenius, C/RW, Buffalo Sabres

Konsta Helenius is an excellent playmaker who competes hard and tracks plays really well. Helenius is level-headed under pressure and makes remarkable passes look routine, setting his teammates up for success. He was good for Finland at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championship tournaments, though he wasn’t nearly as dominant as many expected him to be. Helenius’ two-way play against pros as a teenager has been very impressive, especially in transition where he is able to keep up with the pace of play both physically and mentally. He has managed the transition from Liiga to the AHL well, scoring at an excellent rate for a U20 player. Helenius projects as a strong middle-six forward, with potential to end up higher in a lineup if he proves he can handle the pace of the NHL.

34. Anton Silayev, LD, New Jersey Devils

Anton Silayev was the early story of the 2024 Draft, going from an unknown defender in Russia’s junior system the prior year to an elite defensive prospect who was tearing up the KHL. Silayev is 6-foot-7, but he moves like he’s 6-foot-2, and he has shown great defensive play across three full KHL seasons. He has completed the final season of his contract with Torpedo in the KHL, and has been signed by the New Jersey Devils. Silayev’s combination of nearly unmatched length and incredibly smooth skating makes him a true outlier in the hockey world, and one capable of becoming a one-man defensive unit in his prime. He has room to grow offensively for sure, but even if he doesn’t become a consistent offensive presence, Silayev will be a very valuable player in his own end.

33. Malte Gustafsson, LD, New York Islanders

Malte Gustafsson is a big two-way defensive prospect who is a bit raw, but shows the potential to be an excellent top-four defender on a good team. Gustafsson is 6-foot-5, and he uses his reach very well on the defensive side of the puck, putting pressure on attackers and giving himself plenty of time and space to react. He skates really well for his size, making him a consistent puck mover from zone-to-zone. Gustafsson’s offensive tools are good, but he won’t be running a top power play in the NHL anytime soon. His two-way play should make him a great stylistic foil to the Islanders’ young superstar Matthew Schaefer.

32. Brady Martin, C, Nashville Predators

Brady Martin is a highly competitive and physical center prospect who endeared himself to NHL scouts in his draft year through his tenacity and tendency to throw absolutely jaw-stopping hits. Don’t try to put Martin into a box as just a hard worker with minimal skill though, because he has enough skill and finesse with the puck to create good looks for himself and his teammates. Martin has a ton of hallmarks of an excellent do-it-all power forward, battling hard for pucks, making opponents look twice over their shoulders with his physical presence, and creating tons of offense down the middle of the ice, especially near the crease. 

31. Igor Chernyshov, LW, San Jose Sharks

Igor Chernyshov is a strong winger with great size, skating and puck skill. He was great in the MHL during his draft year, even earning himself a five game tryout in the KHL as a 17-year-old. Chernyshov plays a very direct style, charging the net frequently whether he has the puck or not. Chernyshov had a phenomenal start in the AHL last season and looked even more impressive as a running mate next to Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini during a 28-game stint in San Jose. Chernyshov is a smooth skater and creates enough havoc around the net as a crasher that I expect him to be a fixture in San Jose’s top-six for a long time.

Prospects #30-21

30. Tynan Lawrence, C, St. Louis Blues

Tynan Lawrence is a strong two-way center who plays a likeable, reliable game, but he lacks the ability to make the high end plays necessary to project very high in an NHL lineup. There have been brief moments throughout the past two seasons where it looks like he has the offensive juice to become a top-line center, but it seems much more likely that he tops out as a 2C in the NHL, possibly as a Matty Beniers type. Lawrence does a ton of the little things well, from carrying the puck out of his own end, to winning puck battles, to winning face-offs. His projection would improve a ton if his offensive game proves to be more dynamic in the next few years than it has in the past.

29. Roman Kantserov, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Roman Kantserov was drafted on the back of two seasons as a top scoring forward in the MHL, as a highly skilled, though undersized, forward. After he was taken in the second round of the 2023 Draft by the Blackhawks, Kantserov has taken the step up to the KHL where he has quickly developed into a high-end offensive player in one of the world’s strongest pro leagues. His biggest hurdle will be his size, as a 5-foot-9 winger, but he competes well enough that I think he has a chance to be a strong top-six winger regardless. The Blackhawks aren’t in a position to be picky about the size of a player when they bring as much skill to the table as Kantserov so get ready for him to play a big role in Chicago in the 2026-27 season.

28. Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Montreal Canadiens

After he was taken at the start of the second round of the 2025 Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, nobody expected Alexander Zharovsky‘s development to explode like it has. Zharovsky made the leap to the KHL as an 18-year-old last season, scoring 16 goals and 42 points. There were only five other U19 players who scored a single points in the KHL last season, with the next highest scoring player finishing the year with just 4 points. Zharovsky has a ton of one-on-one skill, and a great sense for timing his dekes and cuts. There is room for him to put on muscle, but his lack of strength didn’t hamper him much in the KHL last season. He could be another massive steal for the Canadiens.

27. Wyatt Cullen, LW, Nashville Predators

Wyatt Cullen was always a super skilled wing prospect, but NHL teams were never going to take him particularly seriously due to his size. At the end of the 2024-25 season, Cullen measured at 5-foot-8 in the NTDP, but he finished his draft year at 6-foot-1 according NHL Central Scouting. That kind of growth has made him a legitimate NHL prospect, with his frame finally catching up to the remarkable talent he always possessed. Cullen can challenge defenders one-on-one a bit too often, but he has the skill to pull off ridiculous moves pretty regularly. He didn’t score a ton in his draft year for a player so skilled, but I think he deserves some patience considering the massive physical changes he was dealing with.

26. Jake O’Brien, C, Seattle Kraken

Jake O’Brien is a center prospect with the size, skill, and playmaking ability to become an offense-first top-six forward in the NHL. He has great hockey IQ, especially when it comes to his playmaking, finding teammates easily through traffic or off of no-look plays, though it also shows itself in the routes he takes off the puck, which put him in great position to receive passes or to intercept them. While he already has a pro-sized frame, O’Brien’s June birthday means he was on the younger side for the 2025 Draft class and has a bit of extra runway to put on some muscle.

25. Ryan Lin, RD, San Jose Sharks

Ryan Lin is a product of the modern superstar defensemen in the NHL. Despite being 5-foot-11, Lin was arguably the most well-rounded defender in the 2026 Draft, with all positive aspects of his game stemming from his skating and excellent hockey sense. Sometimes we overrate players based on flashiness, and underrate players who are quietly making things happen. Lin’s game is quiet, efficient, and borderline comfortable. His hockey sense is so advanced that he is often operating on another level than his opponents (or even his teammates), and I think his game will translate really well to the pro game where I think he will be a strong top-four defender for a long time.

24. Carter Yakemchuk, RD, Ottawa Senators

Carter Yakemchuk has an enviable physical makeup as a right-shot defender who already measures at 6-foot-4 (was 6-foot-2 to start his draft year), 207 pounds and he has produced a ton of offense at the junior level. Yakemchuk challenges opposing players one-on-one like a forward, constantly setting himself up for incredible dekes. The problem is, he doesn’t succeed 100% of the time and can put himself in tough positions to recover defensively when things go wrong. He has the length and strength to be a strong defender, but a quicker skating stride would likely help him become a difference maker on the back-end as well. If Yakemchuk can continue to develop his skating and decision making, then he has all the makings of an offensive number one defender.

23. Roger McQueen, C, Anaheim Ducks

Roger McQueen is a 6-foot-5 center with excellent hands and strong skating. He missed nearly all of his draft season, playing a grand total of 20 games, as a result of a nagging back injury that he and his camp believes is behind him. In an NHL landscape where each team is looking for the next Tage Thompson, there were a lot of teams interested in McQueen very early on in the 2025 NHL Draft, but ultimately it was the durability question that saw him slide slightly to 10th overall. As you’d expect of a player his size, McQueen is strong around the net physically, and he has uncommon skill with the puck for a big man. If he reaches anything near his ceiling, then the Ducks have added another excellent forward to their future top-six.

22. Michael Hage, C, Montreal Canadiens

Despite missing nearly all of his draft-1 season to injury, Michael Hage has re-established himself as a high end prospect, and was drafted 21st overall in the 2024 Draft. He has a really well-rounded tool kit as a 6-foot-1 center who skates well, has excellent skill with the puck and created chances at will in the USHL and NCAA over the past two and a half seasons. Hage competes well on defense and through traffic in the offensive zone, bobbing and weaving through checks with ease. He has enough offense to go with his phenomenal skating that Hage projects comfortably as the second line center for Montreal behind Nick Suzuki.

21. Cole Hutson, LD, Washington Capitals

Cole Hutson is an undersized offensive defenseman who skates beautifully and was the most exciting defender at the 2025 World Junior Championship. He looks pretty similar on the ice to his older brother Lane, but Cole is a more physical defender and might not be quite as potent of an offensive force in the NHL. Cole is great at using small fakes and shifts of his edges to evade pressure, opening up new opportunities. He can weave through traffic, seeking out open space to create chances for his teammates, and has real star potential.

Prospects #20-11

20. Berkly Catton, C, Seattle Kraken

Berkly Catton is a highly skilled center prospect with excellent skating and a complete offensive package. Catton isn’t the biggest center at 5-foot-10, but his skating makes him so incredibly elusive that I think he can be an NHL center long term. He works hard to win pucks, and showed improvements defensively throughout his rookie year in Seattle. Catton’s hands and hockey IQ are most on display when he takes the puck into traffic, just to toy with opposing defenders before passing to teammates. He has clear top six potential, and could be the first center drafted by the Kraken to really pop offensively in the NHL.

19. Ilya Protas, LW, Washington Capitals

Ilya Protas is a skilled big man who has dominated at every level he has competed in North America. He was great in his draft season in the USHL, absolutely remarkable in the OHL the next season with 50 goals and 124 points, and he made the jump from junior to the pros look trivial in the American League. Protas’ frame is a clear strength, but his skill as a 6-foot-5 winger is what has really allowed his game to pop. His size lets him protect the puck better than most and he has the one-on-one skill and the playmaking chops to create good looks. Protas’ skating is clearly his biggest weakness, especially when it comes to his top-speed, but I think the rest of his game has come so far that it won’t be a major issue.

18. Sam Dickinson, LD, San Jose Sharks

Sam Dickinson is a big (6-foot-3) two-way defenseman whose skating makes him a strong player on both ends of the ice. Dickinson’s defensive game is strong for someone who was the second youngest defender in the NHL last season (Matthew Schaefer being the youngest), and he began to show the skill and creative playmaking that made him such a high draft pick more and more as the season wore on and his confidence grew.

His rookie year in the NHL was filled with ups and downs, but with the short term additions of Michael Kesselring, Jacob Trouba, and Darnell Nurse on the backend in San Jose, I think Dickinson will be put in an excellent situation to succeed over the next few years. Dickinson could become a defensive stud who chips in 50+ points a year, which would make him a really valuable second or third defender for the Sharks.

17. Gabe Perreault, RW, New York Rangers 

Gabe Perrault continues to look like someone who will be a power play specialist at the next level with great skill and smarts in the offensive zone. He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes, creative dangles and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. Perreault was one of the most creative and intelligent players from the 2023 Draft and he is great at weaving his way out of trouble when defenders collapse around him, either with a pass or his lightning-quick hands.

Perreault scored at an absurd rate in the NCAA, with 108 points in just 73 career games. He was also a huge piece of Team USA’s offense in each of their back-to-back gold medal victories at the World Junior Championship. Perreault had such a terrific start to the 2025-26 season in the AHL that he ended up on the Rangers’ NHL team for the rest of the year.

16. Daxon Rudolph, RD, Buffalo Sabres

Daxon Rudolph was the first surprise of the 2026 Draft, being drafted fourth overall with the pick that the Buffalo Sabres acquired from Chicago in the Bowen Byram trade. As a result, the two players will likely be connected in the public consciousness for a long time. While that’s not a terrible stylistic comparison for Rudolph, I think he plays more like Brandt Clarke or even Evan Bouchard.

Rudolph is a bit of an awkward looking skater, but he gets where he needs to go well enough that it’s not a big concern. He’s got a good mind offensively, and should be a goal scoring threat from the back end as a pro as well. Rudolph projects as a solid power play quarterback, though the top power play is spoken for in Buffalo for the foreseeable future with Rasmus Dahlin holding down the fort.

15. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Utah Mammoth

Caleb Desnoyers is a really well-rounded prospect who impressed for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer before his draft year, with his hardworking style earning him a major role. Desnoyers has been heavily relied upon by the Moncton Wildcats due to his responsible play in all zones and his success in the faceoff dot. I don’t think his skill is elite, but he’s got more than enough skill to produce given his strong hockey sense that allows him to involve himself in plays at just the right moment.

Desnoyers competes hard and will be an effective pro on both sides of the puck. He doesn’t exactly project as an elite point-scoring center in the NHL, but he should be an excellent connective piece down the middle in Utah’s top-six. Besides, the Mammoth already have Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller in their top-six, so Desnoyers won’t need to be a 90 point player to be a very useful piece.

14. Carson Carels, LD, Calgary Flames

Carson Carels didn’t attend the 2026 NHL Draft as he was back on his family’s farm near Cypress River, Manitoba. Are we surprised why they loved him? Aside from him being a farm boy from the Canadian Prairies, Carels was the best two-way defender in his draft class, with a level of strength that far exceeded most of his competition in the WHL. He moves incredibly smoothly, has a heavy slapshot, and controls play well from the offensive blue line. Carels has room to grow as a playmaker, but it’s not an area of concern by any means.

13. Keaton Verhoeff, RD, San Jose Sharks

Keaton Verhoeff is a massive offensive defenseman (6-foot-4) who has the tools to become a great number one defender for the Sharks. His frame and compete level are there, but Verhoeff will need time to adjust to the pace of the NHL, where time and space are harder to come by. While Verhoeff’s defensive game is an area of improvement, the possibility that he becomes a strong defender is tantalizing when paired with his strong offensive game. Verhoeff loves to be involved in play off the blue line, wanting the puck on his stick whenever possible. He projects as a top pairing defender capable of anchoring a top power play unit someday.

12. Viggo Björck, C, Winnipeg Jets

Viggo Björck is a remarkably clever and slippery player, who deserved to go as early in the 2026 Draft as he did despite his diminutive frame (5-foot-9). Björck has tons of skill with the puck, reads the play at a very high level, and works incredibly hard on both ends of the ice. If he was 6-foot-1 he might have been in the first overall conversation, that’s how complete of a toolkit he has at this point. There are obviously going to be questions about his ability to play his normal game against NHL competition at his size, but I think there’s a world in which he becomes at least 80% of what Nick Suzuki is now.

11. Alberts Šmits, LD, New York Rangers

Alberts Šmits has all the tools to become a great first pairing defender in the NHL. Despite being 6-foot-3, Šmits has excellent mobility in his stride. He can be a bit reactive on both ends of the ice, making his reads a little too slowly, but his skating and puck skills make him a formidable foe. While Šmits’ hockey IQ isn’t the best in his own end, he works hard and leverages his large frame quite well, nearly outright bullying opponents 10 years his senior.

Prospects #10-1

10. Anton Frondell, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Anton Frondell is a two-way center who is built for the pro game. His size, shot, and two-way consistency make him a great bet to help steady the top-six forward group for the Chicago Blackhawks in the near future. Frondell racked up points at a remarkable rate for his age in the Swedish Allsvenskan as a draft eligible and was great again in the SHL last season. He made his NHL debut at the end of the 2025-26 season and looked strong, with his ability to protect the puck against bigger and older competition serving him well with the Blackhawks.

9. Caleb Malhotra, C, Vancouver Canucks

Caleb Malhotra is an excellent two way center already, with a very polished defensive game and improving offensive skills. Malhotra is a competitive and detailed defensive player, but don’t be fooled, he projects as a strong scorer at the next level as well.

Malhotra has a knack for big games, looking his best in the OHL playoffs last season where he scored 26 points in just 15 games. How’s that for a defence-first center? He is somewhat comparable to a Nico Hischier, though I wouldn’t put Selke-vote expectations on him before he has even played a game in the NHL.

Speaking of, Caleb Malhotra will soon become a member of a short list of players to be coached by their father in the NHL with Manny Malhotra being named head coach of the Vancouver Canucks starting in the 2026-27 season. Caleb should become a strong top-six center for the Canucks down the line, as the kind of center you win with.

8. James Hagens, C, Boston Bruins

James Hagens is a dynamic skater with a ton of skill, giving him a tool kit that brings to mind recent NTDP stars like Jack Hughes, Logan Cooley, and Will Smith. His edgework is phenomenal, which makes his movements in open ice extremely difficult to anticipate. Hagens uses his edges, as well as subtle fakes, to make defenders miss and burst into space with possession. 

Hagens is an excellent playmaker, drawing eyes and bodies to himself before placing a perfect pass on a teammate’s blade. I think he’s also more physical than he gets credit for, working hard in puck battles and not backing down in scrums after the whistle. Being 5-foot-10 certainly didn’t help Hagens’ draft stock with NHL teams, but I think he’s a skilled enough player who skates so well that it won’t be a hindrance to him when he goes pro.

7. Zayne Parekh, RD, Calgary Flames

Zayne Parekh has been a really fun player to follow throughout his young career, constantly involving himself on offense, pinching in along the boards when needed, and creating a ton of chances for himself and his teammates as a result. For my money, he was the most talented offensive creator on the backend in the 2024 Draft, however, his defensive game leaves a bit to be desired. He is smart enough to anticipate opposing attackers, and can make good checks with his stick, but the physicality is lacking at this point, which has lead to some struggles in puck battles at the NHL level early in his career.

I do think he’s a solid defender when he’s properly engaged, cutting off passes and angling opponents toward the boards, there’s just plenty of room for growth. Parekh is a remarkable talent, with Quinn Hughes-like offensive upside if things go well, but he’s going to need to either level up his physicality, his defensive anticipation, or both, if he wants to be a star in the NHL. 

6. Tij Iginla, C, Utah Mammoth

Tij Iginla was a very pleasant surprise in the WHL during his draft season. After scoring just 18 points with the Seattle Thunderbirds the season before, Iginla flourished with the Kelowna Rockets, scoring an incredible 47 goals as a draft eligible player. His game relies heavily on speed and he’s able to do a ton of damage on the rush at the junior level because of it.

Iginla has an excellent wrist shot as well, but he isn’t the most gifted playmaker or defensive presence just yet. Regardless, he works hard and is often the first guy in on the forecheck. Despite missing a lot of time over the past two seasons, Iginla has showed well whenever he has played and displayed a bit more of the power and strength that project to make him an excellent top-six winger.

5. Chase Reid, RD, Seattle Kraken

Chase Reid is a skilled defenseman who has followed an unconventional and impressive development path so far. After starting the 2024-25 season in the NAHL, Reid made the jump to the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds. He was quite successful against improved competition and decided to spend his draft year with the Greyhounds where he was one of the very best players in the entirety of the OHL.

At 6-foot-2, Reid has the size that NHL teams look for, and while his defensive game has improved since his arrival in the OHL, the real calling card of his game is the offense. Reid never panics, finding ways out of trouble with his remarkably agile skating. He can barely eke his way out of trouble and then follow it up with a beautiful pass to an open teammate, creating offense out of nothing.

Reid has room to grow still, with less than two seasons in a premiere junior hockey environment under his belt. He is set to play for Michigan State where he is likely to be the team’s number one defender, playing big minutes in all situations. With further development physically and mentally, I think Reid will quickly establish himself as the very best defenseman (and probably player overall) that the Kraken have ever drafted.

4. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

Porter Martone is a skilled power forward who dominated the OHL in his draft season. His size and high-end skill made him a handful for junior defenses, and I thought it was a great decision for him to move on to the NCAA last season with Michigan State University. Martone’s size is great and all (6-foot-3), but the real reason it excited scouts is his excellent playmaking, high-end compete level, and his great hands.

In the draft process, Martone compared himself to the Tkachuk brothers, and while I think he’s got a lot of their DNA as a high-skill power forward, he isn’t a pest like the Tkachuks. He battles hard for pucks and doesn’t back down from a challenge, but I’m not quite sure he has that Rat X-Factor to get under opponents’ skin.

Martone developed well in college last season, though nobody his emergence in the NHL coming. Through 19 games split between the regular season and the playoffs, Martone wasn’t just good enough to hang with his Flyers teammates, he was one of the best players they iced on a daily basis. He truly looked like the modern power forward, and I think he could become Philly’s best player as soon as next season.

3. Michael Misa, C, San Jose Sharks

Two years after we saw Connor Bedard going first overall, and three after Shane Wright went fourth overall, another CHL exceptional status player went in the top-5 of the NHL draft with Michael Misa being selected second overall by the Sharks. Misa plays an extremely well rounded game, with a really strong foundation of skills that should make him a great top-six forward in the NHL. Misa is an excellent skater, with the skill and hockey sense to be a great power play asset for San Jose

The biggest question around Misa to start his draft year was if he could really step up offensively and become “the guy” in Saginaw. Well, Misa’s 62 goals and 134 points in 65 OHL games have soundly answered that. Misa’s rookie year in the NHL had its ups and downs (not everyone can be Macklin Celebrini), but I thought he played consistently well for the final few months of the 2025-26 season.

Misa looks like the most likely bet to be San Jose’s second line center of the future, and with a mixture of experienced middle-six wingers like Kiefer Sherwood and Mason Marchment, as well as young up and comers like Ivar Steberg or Will Smith, I think Misa will be in an excellent place to take a step forward next season.

2. Ivar Stenberg, RW, San Jose Sharks

Ivar Stenberg is an electric prospect who had an argument as the top prospect in the 2026 Draft. In the end, went second and landed with an extremely talented young San Jose Sharks team that went so far as to essentially open up his spot in the top six by trading away William Eklund. Stenberg had a remarkable draft year in Sweden’s top professional league, scoring 33 points in 43 games as an 18-year-old.

That doesn’t happen in the SHL, and to see it coming from a 5-foot-11 winger made it all the more surprising. The reasons Stenberg was so successful are many, but a few of the are his ability to maintain possession of the puck through contact, the sheer number of puck battles he wins along the boards, and his skill/shot combo that makes him a legitimate offensive threat on the power play and at even strength.

Stenberg is going to be a top line caliber winger in the NHL in the near future, with the competitiveness to hound opposing puck carriers on the forecheck and the vision to make tough passes under duress. I think his motor and hockey IQ would make Stenberg an excellent fit alongside Macklin Celebrini in San Jose, giving them another foundational piece of their very promising rebuild.

1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

While his position as the top draft prospect in the 2026 Draft was in question for a while last fall, Gavin McKenna‘s performance from the World Junior Championship all the way up until the end of his freshman season in the NCAA was phenomenal and cemented his place at the top of the draft as well as this list. McKenna is an extremely talented winger with the skill and scoring combo to reasonably project as a 90+ point player in the NHL.

Questions regarding compete level and defensive commitment pestered McKenna last season, though I think those were largely exaggerated. While he’s not going to be the perfect one-to-one Mitch Marner replacement as an elite two-way winger, I do think McKenna is competitive enough to be a great top-line player.

McKenna’s combination of hockey IQ, playmaking, and puck skill makes him a nightmare for opponents in transition where he creates a lot of gravity that he excels at taking advantage of. I think Toronto was just about as good of a spot for McKenna as was possible, giving him one of the game’s best goalscorers in Auston Matthews to feed passes to on the top power play unit. McKenna is a prospect I am confident will put up major points throughout his career, the real question is how great will his impact be in other areas of the game.

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Who’s too low? Who’s too high? Who do you think should have made the list? Leave a comment below!