- 1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
- 2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)
- 3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
- 4. Chicago Blackhawks: Chase Reid, RD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
- 5. New York Rangers: Carson Carels, LD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
- 6. Calgary Flames: Alberts Šmits, LD, Jukurit (Liiga)
- 7. Seattle Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
- 8. Winnipeg Jets: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)
- 9. Florida Panthers: Viggo Björck, C/RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
- 10. Nashille Predators: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
- 11. St. Louis Blues: Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara Tampere (Liiga)
- 12. New Jersey Devils: Daxon Rudolph, RD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
- 13. New York Islanders: Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
- 14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 (SHL)
- 15. St. Louis Blues (via DET): Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)
- 16. Washington Capitals: Juho Piiparinen, RD, Tappara (Liiga)
- 17. Los Angeles Kings: Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
- 18. Washington Capitals (via ANA): Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
- 19. Utah Mammoth: William Håkansson, LD, Luleå HF U20 (Nationell)
- 20. San Jose Sharks (via EDM): Adam Goljer, RD, HK Dukla Trencin (Slovak Extraliga)
- 21. Philadelphia Flyers: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)
- 22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- 23. Boston Bruins: Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
- 24. Vancouver Canucks (via MIN): Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
- 25. Seattle Kraken (via TB): Ilia Morozov, C, Miami RedHawks (NCAA)
- 26. New York Rangers (via DAL): Maddox Dagenais, C, Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
- 27. Buffalo Sabres: Ryder Cali, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
- 28. Calgary Flames (via VGK): Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgårdens IF U20 (Nationell)
- 29. Montreal Canadiens: Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW/RW, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
- 30. Carolina Hurricanes: Tommy Bleyl, RD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
- 31. St. Louis Blues (via COL): Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
- 32. Ottawa Senators: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
The countdown for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is now on as teams gear up to select the best talent possible for the future with a new crop of players. Mock drafts are in full swing and it’s no different here at THW.
It has become a yearly tradition and fun experiment here at the website as our own writers put on their thinking caps to play general manager and select the best players that they see fit for their team. Much like in previous years, our team assembled and drafted the first round, followed by a write-up and explanation on the pick. While the Stanley Cup Playoffs are still unfolding with the Finals happening, most of the spots have been set.

This was a fun and exciting mock draft to say the least. From the top-five to the middle part of the draft, there were some surprising selections throughout our draft board. From positional needs to getting the best player overall, our writers once again did a fantastic job. Without further ado, here is how our writer mock draft went down.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
THW Writer: Peter Baracchini
While the first overall pick continues to be a discussion for the Toronto Maple Leafs, selecting Gavin McKenna is the obvious and safe choice. The upside with McKenna is sky high, given the offensive vision, puck skills and deceptiveness and creativity as a playmaker. The McKenna many wanted to see was able to adapt and looked more comfortable in the second half of the season as he finished with the fifth most points in the NCAA with 51. He challenged himself in a tougher league and although it took some time, he found his game.
McKenna can manipulate defenders and get players out of position to open seams easily. He’s dangerous on the perimeter but as soon as there’s space, he can attack the middle, feather passes through traffic or even go in for a quick release. The Maple Leafs lost a skilled playmaker in Mitch Marner and they easily replace that high-end playmaking with McKenna. Putting him alongside a number one centre in Auston Matthews is an ideal situation where he can find him to finish off plays and make life easier for him once again.
2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)
THW Writer: Alex Hutton
Although a large number of predictions have the Sharks taking defenseman Chase Reid here — and I don’t think he’d be a bad or shocking pick — Mike Grier’s drafting history suggests to me that winger Ivar Stenberg is the more likely choice. He’s historically favored best player available over positional need when drafting high, and maintained this inclination in comments immediately after the team won the second pick at the draft lottery in early May. Most boards have Stenberg as the second-best player in the draft behind McKenna. If the Sharks do take a defenseman in the lottery, I think they’re more likely to trade down to do so, and Stenberg will be the selection if they stay at second overall.
Furthermore, while the Sharks certainly have a need for blueliners, it’s worth noting that they need to upgrade their offense too. During the 2025-26 season, they won just two games in which Macklin Celebrini didn’t register a point, suggesting he covered up a lot of their offensive flaws. San Jose needs to build up a better supporting cast around him, and Stenberg’s two-way skill and maturity will be a perfect fit on the wing in their top-six forward group.
3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
THW Writer: Matthew Zator
With McKenna and Stenberg being selected in the expected first and second spots, the Vancouver Canucks grab arguably the top centre in the draft, Caleb Malhotra, at third overall. After dominating in the regular season and most recently, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs, his stock has risen a lot in the last few months. While there have been concerns about drafting him with now that his dad is the head coach, I don’t think it will be an issue. His mature two-way game, character, and most importantly, upside to become a top-line centre are too great to pass up. The Canucks don’t have a lot of high-end talent down the middle in their system, as Braeden Cootes is the only one that is projected to become a top-six player – and probably maxes out as a second-line option. Malhotra on the other hand, has scouts excited with his high floor and even higher ceiling. He should become a key part of the Canucks’ rebuild, and might even be the focal point of it like one of his comparables in Montreal, Nick Suzuki.
4. Chicago Blackhawks: Chase Reid, RD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
THW Writer: Dayton Reimer
The Blackhawks may have the easiest job at the 2026 NHL Draft – just wait to see who remains out of the top four prospects. This time, they walked away with the best defenceman in the class, Chase Reid. He’s a game-breaker from the back end, using excellent speed, skill, and mobility to manipulate the play to his needs, and was a big reason why the Soo Greyhounds upset the London Knights in the OHL Playoffs. He’s also very strong defensively, placing himself in the perfect spot to break up plays and pinching at the perfect time. Adding him to an already developing defence corps will give the Blackhawks an enviable blue line for years to come.

5. New York Rangers: Carson Carels, LD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
THW Writer: Peter Baracchini
The New York Rangers could use a bit of everything in their prospect pool right now. While they could’ve taken a shot at Viggo Bjrock, going for a potential top pairing defenseman remains an option and Carson Carels resembles that player for them. Carels’ offensive production jumped up from 35 points as a rookie to 73, but it’s his overall game that stands out.
Carels is a multi-tool defender that excels in all aspects of the game. He’s confident on the rush and is a fantastic and agile skater on the attack. He can defend rushes very well and plays a steady and in-your-face defensive style of play. He can get into lanes to block shots, has an active stick and isn’t afraid of playing a physical game as well. He’s truly everything you want in a defender. He’s a leader on and off the ice and someone that can anchor your blue line for years to come.
6. Calgary Flames: Alberts Šmits, LD, Jukurit (Liiga)
THW Writer: Lukas Bernasiewicz
Calgary is clearly still trying to rebuild its team for the future and has some very good young pieces that will be a part of its core for many years to come. One of those pieces is Zayne Parekh, who is going to be their stud offensive defenceman for hopefully the next 20 years. But every Batman needs his Robin, and in this case, Parekh needs a steady defence partner that will be able to hold the fort while he goes for a skate and tries to create some offence. I originally thought Carson Carels would be a perfect fit, but SOMEONE decided to ruin my first plan, so I settled for my backup option. Alberts Šmits will still fit in this system; he is a big, solid defenceman who is defensively responsible and will pair up well with Parekh for the future of the Calgary Flames. He may not be the most attractive pick amongst the available defencemen, but he will be one-half of the Flames’ future top pair for the next decade. I think the two will work off each other well and bring the Flames a lot of success.
7. Seattle Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
THW Writer: Mark Scheig
The Kraken have long needed to add a top defenseman to their prospect pool and get that with Keaton Verhoeff dropping to them. His combination of elite size, physicality and two-way play make him a perfect fit for this team. He projects as a top-pairing, mobile defenseman who can move the puck and has the skill and hockey IQ to be a mainstay on the blue line for years to come.
8. Winnipeg Jets: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)
THW Writer: Owen Hillman
The Winnipeg Jets are in no-man’s land, with a few stars but not a lot of depth and an overreliance on Connor Hellebuyck. They’re going to need more contributors, and that’s where Tynan Lawrence comes in. He didn’t have great numbers at Boston University, with just seven points in 18 games, but his intelligence, compete level, and skating could make him a key contributor in Winnipeg right away. He should morph into a second-line center for the Jets, even earning time on the penalty kill and power play unit down the road.
9. Florida Panthers: Viggo Björck, C/RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
THW Writer: Owen Hillman
It feels almost unfair that the Florida Panthers get a player like Viggo Bjorck. Sure, the Panthers could use a right-shot defenseman, but Florida has the luxury to go best player available here. Bjorck is quickly turning heads at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, with his ability to win faceoffs, his speed, and his skill. His vision and play-making would gel with any line on the Panthers, and his relentless motor and compete level will make him another great forward option for Florida.

10. Nashille Predators: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
THW Writer: Owen Hillman
The Nashville Predators need a top prospect on the wings, with Matthew Wood breaking through to the NHL level. With Ethan Belchetz, they get one with a lot of size. Belchetz is a versatile power-forward, which is rare to find in the modern NHL. He plays with great hands, able to maneuver past defencemen and goaltenders alike. He also has a great shot and awesome mobility, and with that frame, it’s hard to take him out of his spot. If he can improve his skating, he’ll be a top-six winger in Nashville in no time.
11. St. Louis Blues: Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara Tampere (Liiga)
THW Writer: Andrew Willis
Oliver Suvanto would be a strong fit for the St. Louis Blues because he plays a smart, reliable two-way game that aligns with the organization’s identity. The Finnish center is known for his strong hockey IQ, positioning, and ability to make quick decisions under pressure. His mobility allows him to move the puck efficiently and contribute to the transition game, an increasingly important trait in today’s NHL. Suvanto also shows poise in his own zone, making him a dependable option against quality competition. The Blues have thrived in the past when they have a center with a strong all-around game, and Suvanto fits that mold well. His work ethic and attention to detail suggest he could develop into a trusted center at the professional level. Suvanto could very be the next Ryan O’Reilly for the Blues.
12. New Jersey Devils: Daxon Rudolph, RD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
THW Writer: Lukas Bernasiewicz
I decided to go with the best player available with this pick and take Daxon Rudolph from the Prince Albert Raiders. Someone who I believe has a lot of great upside and will be a premier defender in the NHL once he becomes a full-time player. The Devils already have good defencemen, but many of them are getting older, and their abilities are tailing off. One player in particular that I feel Rudolph will be able to replace is Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton has two more years left on his contract, and after those expire, Rudolph will most likely be ready to step into that position. Both players are right-handed, both are taller players, and both were seen as offensively gifted once they were drafted. A player like Rudolph could do wonders for the Devils when it comes to replacing the point production that Hamilton will leave behind once his time with New Jersey comes to an end.
13. New York Islanders: Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
THW Writer: Jeremy Schouppe
The New York Islanders obviously made big strides improving their blue line last season after winning the lottery and getting the chance to draft the now Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer. However, they still need to improve that group; specifically, the only right-side defenders the Islanders team have are 33-year-old Scott Mayfield and 31-year-old Ryan Pulock.
That is where Ryan Lin comes in. The right-shot defenseman finished the WHL season with 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) for the Vancouver Giants. He led his team in points and finished third among draft-eligible defensemen across the league.

His NHL ETA may be a little longer than some of the others selected ahead of him in his class, given his undersized five-foot-11 frame. But once the strength matches the others around him, he could develop into a top-four defenseman, with plenty of offensive upside. How exciting would a D-core headlined by Schaefer, Keshawn Aitcheson and Lin be down the road?
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 (SHL)
THW Writer: Mark Scheig
The Blue Jackets have prioritized size in recent drafts and continue that trend with Malte Gustafsson. At 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds, he is a physical presence who can play both a two-way and a shutdown game, something the Blue Jackets really need in their pipeline. He’s already shown he can play with men by the significant minutes he played in the SHL as a 17-year old. While his game isn’t flashy, it’s very effective. Gustafsson projects to be a top-four defenseman who could become a steadying presence on the blue line for years to come.
15. St. Louis Blues (via DET): Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)
THW Writer: Andrew Willis
Oscar Hemming would be an excellent fit for the St. Louis Blues because the organization needs a natural goal scorer to complement its talented playmakers. Standing 6’4″ and weighing nearly 200 pounds, the Finnish winger brings the size and strength needed to thrive in the physical Central Division. His powerful shot is one of his biggest assets and gives him the potential to become a consistent scoring threat at the next level.
Hemming also plays a smart two-way game, allowing him to contribute in all situations. He excels at using his frame to shield defenders and create scoring opportunities around the net. His willingness to battle in high-traffic areas makes him particularly effective at generating rebounds and second-chance chances. With his combination of size, skill, and net-front presence, Hemming’s game appears well-suited for the intensity and physicality of the NHL.
16. Washington Capitals: Juho Piiparinen, RD, Tappara (Liiga)
THW Writer: Chris Babos
The biggest current need in Washington’s prospect system is a talented right-shot defenseman. With some of the top names such as Verhoeff, Lin and Rudolph off the board by the 16th overall selection, the Capitals turn to Europe and select Juho Piiparinen. This 6-foot-1, 200+ pound defenseman is one of the drafts better defensive blueliners who often finds himself in the right position due to fluid skating and solid mobility. Piiparinen could represent a perfect match for a dynamic offensive talent on the left side like Cole Hutson down the road.
17. Los Angeles Kings: Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
THW Writer: Alex Hutton
Between Drew Doughty entering his 19th NHL season and the struggles of Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci this season, the Kings will need to make some upgrades on their blue line soon. While it’s tempting to go for a center here in an effort to find Anze Kopitar’s replacement, their defensive needs and Xavier Villeneuve’s skill might be too intriguing to pass on.
Villeneuve is undersized, but his skating, puckhandling and passing make a huge offensive impact from up top. They wouldn’t play on the same pairing, but his skillset could nicely complement Brandt Clarke, assuming they’re both accompanied by defensive-minded blueliners. The Kings would certainly be taking a risk by drafting Villeneuve, and they’d need to develop his defense. But if he hits, they’d have one of the best offensive tag teams among defensemen in the entire NHL.
18. Washington Capitals (via ANA): Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
THW Writer: Chris Babos
The other critical addition Washington should be looking for at the 2026 NHL Draft is adding talent down the middle. Most of the premier centers are expected to be long gone by the 18th overall pick, but Alexander Command lands with Washington after an impressive draft year. The 6-foot-1 center brings an aggressive attacking mentality that allows for him to find success in the important areas, such as coming away with pucks during board battles and/or finding a speed burst to beat a defender to a loose pucks. Since the Capitals don’t have a pick again until the fourth round after their opening selections, it becomes equally important to grab a center with one of these two first picks (assuming Washington doesn’t make a move up the draft board on June 26).

19. Utah Mammoth: William Håkansson, LD, Luleå HF U20 (Nationell)
THW Writer: Jeremy Schouppe
The Utah Mammoth rebuild might as well be considered complete. They made the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season as the Arizona Coyotes. They also have a surplus of prospects drafted in the first-round picks still developing away from the team.
If anything, the Mammoth’s defence could still use some work, or at least that is the group that will need to get younger first. Ideally, it would be a right-shot blue liner, but those are in short supply in this draft. At six-foot-four and 207 pounds, Bill Armstrong will be salivating in the Mammoth’s war room at having the chance to draft William Håkansson. He is another massive, mobile defender who can move pucks quickly. He projects as a shutdown top-four defenseman that kills penalties.
Just think how intimidating a blue line of Håkansson, Dmitri Simashev (six-foot-four), Maveric Lamoureux (six-foot-six) would be in a couple of seasons, all being first-round picks. This is the type of player Armstrong loves to draft on defence.
20. San Jose Sharks (via EDM): Adam Goljer, RD, HK Dukla Trencin (Slovak Extraliga)
THW Writer: Alex Hutton
After choosing not to go with a right-handed defenseman (or any defenseman) with their first pick, the Sharks get one here. While I could see them packaging this pick with some other pieces in a trade, I think they’ll draft for need if they stay here. They need righty blueliners more than lefties, and Adam Goljer fits the physical mold that San Jose has looked for in their young defensemen. His defense-first mentality should work well with a team that has consistently been among the league leaders in goals allowed in recent seasons.
Goljer’s development curve is relatively long, but so is the Sharks’ path to true title contention. He can be patient, working on his offense and getting ready for the pace of NHL hockey and be ready to serve as a defensive-minded blueliner in due time.
21. Philadelphia Flyers: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)
THW Writer: Justin Giampietro
The Philadelphia Flyers are a centre-needy team, but they’ll be hard-pressed to find one worth drafting at this spot. For this reason, I could see them pivoting to a winger, even if they’re already top-heavy at the position. It’s admittedly unrealistic for Wyatt Cullen to be available here, but he’s just the kind of snag that could really bolster the offence.
Cullen reminds me of a player who Flyers fans have already grown to love: Trevor Zegras. The 17-year-old winger—who has experience down the middle—is one of the most dynamic players this draft class has to offer. He’s a terrific skater, oozes with creativity and deception, has excellent vision, and is a puck-dominant player who seamlessly navigates the ice. Plus, he shows legitimate two-way engagement, which should earn him some brownie points.
There will come a time when Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett age out of their primes. Adding Cullen to the two-headed monster of Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov could extend the Flyers’ Cup window once the veterans start to regress.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
THW Writer: Jordan Orth
While there are were plenty of players that the Penguins could take at 22 who would add plenty to their system, taking the OHL Rookie of the Year, Nikita Klepov, makes too much sense to pass on. Klepov has the skill set to be able to anything on the offensive end, with goal-scoring and great playmaking skills. He also has the defensive mindset to be a strong two-way player. Adding him to an already strong system that includes Rutger McGroarty, Will Horcoff, and Ben Kindel, gives the Penguins a future true two-way playmaker who can be a difference maker whenever he is on the ice.

23. Boston Bruins: Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
THW Writer: Jeremy Schouppe
The Bruins could really use a defenseman in this spot, with most of their higher-regarded prospects being forwards. But, at least in this mock, a ton of those came off the board early and have to pivot to the ‘best player available’. Adam Novotny, a native of Hradec Králové, Czechia, totalled 64 points (34 goals, 31 assists) for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL this season and had three points en route to a silver medal at the World Junior Championship.
He brings good size, a great motor and is a smart hockey player. He doesn’t necessarily have a skill you could argue is the best in the class, but he does a little bit of everything, and does it all very well. The relentless work ethic and willingness to play in the dirty areas of the ice make him feel like the perfect fit for the Bruins. He is projected to go much higher than this when you look at rankings across various publications, including this one. Maybe a bit of a safer pick here, with a higher floor but limited ceiling. But the way Novotny plays and skates, his game should transition seamlessly as he climbs the ranks.
24. Vancouver Canucks (via MIN): Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
THW Writer: Matthew Zator
With their second first-round pick, the Canucks stay at forward, and choose one half of the dynamic Medicine Hat Tiger twins, Liam Ruck. After finishing second behind his brother Markus in the Western Hockey League (WHL) scoring race with 104 points, like Malhotra, his stock has been rising as the season has progressed. The Canucks need more elite goal-scoring talent in their system, and Liam brings that in spades. Combined with his shot, hockey IQ and vision, he could be a 30-goal scorer in his prime, something the Canucks desperately need on the wing in the future. If they can somehow snag Markus with their first pick in the second round at 33rd overall – which was possible at the end of our mock draft – they could have another set of twins capable of dominating the scoresheet like the Sedins did in their heyday.
25. Seattle Kraken (via TB): Ilia Morozov, C, Miami RedHawks (NCAA)
THW Writer: Mark Scheig
With their other first-round pick, the Kraken get a mature two-way in Ilia Morozov that helped Miami (OH) to a big turnaround season with several new players. Despite being one of the youngest players in college hockey, he played big minutes and every important situation as a freshman. At already 6-foot-3 and untapped potential offensively, Morozov projects as a middle-six center who coaches can lean on in the big moments. His willingness to make plays and battle make him a great fit for what the Kraken are trying to build.
26. New York Rangers (via DAL): Maddox Dagenais, C, Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
THW Writer: Lukas Bernasiewicz
The Rangers are in need of help in the middle. With players like Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller clearly taking a step back in recent seasons and not looking like the players they once were, a new and younger player at the centre position is needed for New York. Maddox Dagenais would be a welcome addition to the Rangers franchise. This season he surprised a lot of people with his abilities as he posted a point per game with Quebec and put up 30 goals. He even played a big role for Canada at the U-18 World Championships. He brings size to his game and along with speed and agility. Dagenais also posses a great shot which is always needed at the NHL level. New York should be excited about bringing a player like him into the fold as he will be the future replacement for their top six centre position.

27. Buffalo Sabres: Ryder Cali, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
THW Writer: Jacob Billington
Ryder Cali is projected to go a bit lower than this, but the Buffalo Sabres could make this selection based on raw potential. Cali has some great upside, but even at his floor, he could make for a solid third-line player. With the size and frame that he has, forechecking and physicality are two of his strong suits, and mixed in with his offensive ability, he could learn a lot about his game by spending time around Tage Thompson to find the best ways to polish his game.
As a centre, Cali takes on defensive responsibilities, and he does well with it. For all the same reasons his forechecking is such a great asset, his backchecking is, too. He moves really well for a 17-year-old who is over 200 pounds. He plays with passion, and his team benefits from it every night.
28. Calgary Flames (via VGK): Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgårdens IF U20 (Nationell)
THW Writer: Dayton Reimer
The Flames addressed their biggest need with their first pick, adding the highly-skilled left shot defenceman Smits as a future partner for Zayne Parekh. With their second pick in the first round, they can target a highly-skilled forward, and there’s few who bring more skill at this point in the draft than Marcus Nordmark. He had an incredible Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading the tournament with seven goals and 12 points, and has won three gold medals with Djurgårdens. His defensive game and motor are lacking, but his offensive upside is too great to ignore. Nordmark also spent part of this season with Flames’ prospect Theo Stockselius, which is a nice bonus.
29. Montreal Canadiens: Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW/RW, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
THW Writer: Peter Baracchini
The Montreal Canadiens strong playoff run came to an end, but they still have an abundance of skill in their prospect pool. Why not add a player that can still be skilled but bring a bit of a power forward element with a goal scorer’s touch? That’s where Niklas Aaram-Olsen comes in. Scoring 20 goals and finishing with 40 points in the U20 Nationell, Aram-Olsen brings a heavy game that can power through defenders off the rush, establish an attack and push his way to high danger scoring areas. He has a great release and a lethal one-timer that makes him dangerous from in tight or far out. He can play both wings and as the Canadiens have a number of players on the right wing, he can fill out their left side.
30. Carolina Hurricanes: Tommy Bleyl, RD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
THW Writer: Zach Martin
The reason I went with Tommy Bleyl is that the Carolina Hurricanes are known to draft high-upside defensemen who are mobile and offensively skilled. He is someone who can rack up points, with 13 goals, 68 assists and 81 points in 63 games for Moncton during the 2025-26 season. He even had 22 assists and 28 points in 21 playoff games after a career season in the QMJHL. If there is someone who could translate to a highly skilled, offensively strong defenseman who can score goals and be a playmaker, it’s Bleyl. It also helps that he is right-handed.

31. St. Louis Blues (via COL): Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
THW Writer: Andrew Willis
Ryan Roobroeck would be a strong fit for the St. Louis Blues because he brings the combination of size, skill, and goal-scoring ability that NHL teams covet. The 6’4″ winger has shown a knack for finding open space in the offensive zone and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. His heavy shot and natural finishing ability would complement the playmaking talents already present in the Blues’ prospect pipeline. Roobroeck also uses his frame effectively along the boards and in front of the net, making him difficult for defenders to contain. His willingness to play a physical game fits the identity that St. Louis has traditionally embraced. In addition to his offensive upside, he has demonstrated the work ethic and competitiveness needed to continue developing at the professional level. If he reaches his potential, Roobroeck could become a productive top-six forward who adds both scoring touch and physicality to the Blues’ lineup.
32. Ottawa Senators: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
THW Writer: Dayton Reimer
The Senators may not be picking where they feel they should, but they still manage to come away with a top-20 prospect in Mathis Preston. Injuries limited his effectiveness partway through the season and caused him to miss the WHL Top Prospects Game in February, and he went cold for long stretches, which pushed him down the draft rankings, but he still has the speed and intelligence to be a future top-six winger. He was a point-per-game player with the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants, and he looked much better at the U18 World Juniors in April, where he tied Tynan Lawrence with six points in five games. The Senators don’t have someone like him in their prospect pool, and if he falls this far, they’d be foolish not to grab him.
What do you think of the selections? Who would you take for your favourite team? Have your say in the comment section below.
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