Dobber Prospects’ 2026 Draft Final Ranking

3.         Viggo Björck, F (5-10, 172 lbs) – Djurgårdens (J20/SHL)

Anni Karvinen – We are huge believers in Viggo Björck. The highly competitive 5-9 centre has continued to prove his doubters wrong by forcing his way into a top line centre role, first in the SHL playoffs and then at the Men’s Worlds. There are still doubts amongst scouts about whether he can stick to the centre position at the NHL level, but we believe firmly in his toolkit. He’s a quick skater with strong balance and a low centre of gravity. He has above average puck skills and a deceptively good shot that he can fire quickly. Above all, he has an incredible hockey sense that he utilizes in all areas of the game. By using subtle and deceptive movements, he can make opposing defenders look foolish: he’ll force you to make a mistake and then immediately punish you with a quick pass or a shot. Undersized players must have special characteristics to make up for their lack of size, and Björck has plenty of them.

4.         Chase Reid, D (6-2, 185 lbs) – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Gordon Munro – The near consensus top ranked defender in this year’s class, Chase Reid is an energetic offensive right-shot defender, possessing good size at 6-2.5 and 190lbs. He is a plus skater who can change directions and throw some deceptive maneuvers to help him win positioning and walk the offensive blueline, keeping possession and helping to push play. He plays the game with great pace and is able to read and react to situations quickly and effectively, making passes to his teammates and using his strong shot to put pucks on net. Some people have genuine concerns with his defensive game but that is not something that concerns me. He uses his skating and stick to disrupt play and his large size to battle for positioning. Not to mention, with the effort he has put into improving his overall game, it feels likely that he will do this in his own end as well.

5.         Keaton Verhoeff, D (6-4, 212 lbs) – North Dakota (NCAA)

Austin Kelly – Having been projected to be a surefire top-five pick, Keaton Verhoeff started sliding a bit off of draft boards after a less than stellar end to his NCAA season, which has put his top-five status in jeopardy. Despite this, he remains one of the draft’s highest upside players. Verhoeff has one of the strongest mixes of upside/floor in this draft, the 6-4 right-shot defenseman clearly mature enough to handle the physical demands of college hockey, all while being a leader on offense in the North Dakota blueline. The question mark for Verhoeff is a struggle to take his NHL-ready frame and pro traits to a higher level, making some wonder if Verhoeff is a finished product. Still, Verhoeff at his best has been one of the draft’s most dynamic and pro-ready players, likely to be a top-four defenseman, with his potential of a #1 defenseman still capable of being reached.

7.       Caleb Malhotra, C (6-2, 183 lbs) – Brantford (OHL)

Gordon Munro – Caleb Malhotra is a late riser in this year’s class, finding himself as one of if not the top ranked centre. His meteoric rise can be attributed to many different factors from his strong two-way abilities, positional importance, to his high end scoring numbers, especially down the stretch and in the playoffs. Defensively, Malhotra plays a sound and structured game with good positioning and reads, blocking passing and shooting lanes with his stick and body. Offensively, Malhotra flashes tons of creativity and is able to make high level passes with a variety of moves in his arsenal. He also uses his mature size and agile skating with quick cuts and directional changes to carry the puck up ice, protecting and pushing through pressure. Some try to discount his game as a product of playing on a strong team but there are many translatable and impactful traits that Malhotra has. 

8.       Carson Carels, D (6-2, 194 lbs) – Prince George (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Carels is a prospect without many serious flaws in his game. He has good size with a thick build which he blends with great skating and high-end physicality. This package of physical tools allows him to thrive in both zones as a junior player logging well over 25 minutes per night. Carels is a talented defender who consistently shuts down plays in his own end and prevents his opponents from entering the offensive zone with control. Carels has some of the best compete level in the draft and will deliver punishing hits along the boards and in open ice. The offensive side of his game is impressive as well, even if it isn’t high-end like some of the other defenders in the draft. Still, he can run a PP at the junior level, get pucks on net, and distribute the puck effectively. Carels picks his spots well and jumps up in the play when the opportunity arises. At his best, Carels could be a very impactful #2 or 3 NHL defenseman on his team.

9.       Alberts Šmits, D (6-4, 205 lbs) – Mikkelin Jukurit (Liiga)

James Connelly – Smits might have the highest floors among all the defensemen in the class. Depending on which team drafts him, he could play in the NHL in his D+1 season. His play at the Olympics for Latvia demonstrated this, and he was arguably their best player against a gold-medal-winning Team USA. Smits’ game is built around his size, skating, and snarl. The physicality with which he approaches the game should translate well to playoff settings and will be valuable in banger fantasy leagues. Smits’ skating is best on display when he activates off the rush to create scoring opportunities. His passing is a plus trait, but he lacks a level of creativity that could limit him to the second power-play unit at the NHL level. Smits has a heavy shot as well, which he is not afraid to release from distance. The biggest question with Smits is how much more room does he have to grow? He may never become a top pair player, but he should at least be able to hold his own on a second pair based on physical traits alone.

10.       Malte Gustafsson, D (6-4, 201 lbs) – HV71 (J20)

Ethan Lindley – Malte Gustafsson is a smooth skating defenseman who combines a long stride with very strong edge work in order to cover a massive amount of ice rather effortlessly. He shows evolution every game in the way that he uses his length and frame to eliminate chances against. When the opportunity presents itself he will deliver a crushing body check, but he understands when to utilize his reach and cut off plays using his stick positioning as well. His sense expands beyond his defensive game, as he’s also shown the ability to rush the puck with a fluid and evasive stride while making quick decisions in motion and at a high pace. He times his activations well and has the poise to hold onto pucks under pressure, which allows his hands and vision to make creative plays in the offensive zone. Gustafsson already has the tools to be a do-it-all defender at the next level with top pairing upside, he just needs to polish his touches and refine his gap control.

11.         Daxon Rudolph, D (6-1, 194 lbs) – Prince Albert (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Rudolph is a smooth moving right-handed defenseman with size and offensive ability that’s always going to get the attention of scouts. He has a good shot and walks the line well to get into better shooting lanes to unleash his shot on net. Rudolph activates at appropriate times and can be a real threat joining the rush both as a passer and as a finisher. His draft year production in the WHL was high-end this year, and it seemed like he was on the ice every other shift logging huge minutes. The concerns with Rudolph are that while he defends well at the junior level, he defends mostly with his athleticism and skating vs. physicality and aggression. If he wants to be as good of a stopper as he is in the WHL at the NHL level, he’ll need to be more assertive on the back-end and develop a much more physical game. The addition of a higher compete level and physical game to his big frame and excellent movement, would go a long way in earning him top-4 minutes at the NHL level. While he’s put up a ton of points at the junior level, I don’t see the same level of dynamic skill that some of the other players in this draft.

12.      Wyatt Cullen, F (6-1, 181 lbs) – NTDP (USHL)

Ryan Ma – Wyatt Cullen remains one of the more intriguing offensive players in the 2026 draft class. A highly intelligent playmaker, he excels at controlling pace through the neutral and offensive zones, using patience and deception to create passing lanes and generate scoring opportunities. His vision consistently stands out, whether he’s operating from the half wall on the power play or attacking off the rush.

In transition, Cullen is comfortable holding onto pucks, evading pressure with cutbacks and changes of pace before finding teammates in advantageous positions. Once established in the offensive zone, he frequently attacks from the middle of the ice, leveraging both his passing ability and a dangerous shot that forces defenders to respect multiple threats.

There are areas for improvement, particularly regarding defensive consistency and engagement away from the puck. At times, he can be overly focused on creating turnovers for transition opportunities rather than maintaining defensive structure. Nevertheless, his combination of playmaking intelligence, puck skill, and offensive creativity gives him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the class.

13.       Elton Hermansson, W (6-1, 181 lbs) – Örebro (J20)

Austin Kelly – Elton Hermansson spent nearly the entire season in the second tier Allsvenskan, putting up an impressive 11 goals and 21 points in 38 games, already being one of MoDo’s leading point getters while playing a physically imposing game. Against his own age group, Hermansson has been solid but not as dominant as you would anticipate for a player already excelling among men. He has all the tools but isn’t always the best at putting his entire toolkit to good use, sometimes needing to take that extra second and plan out what to do next. There’s clear offensive upside and maturity for Hermansson to carve out a top-six NHL role, but he projects closer to a secondary scoring second-line winger. Hermansson should still be a top-20, or even late lottery pick, just based on the potential that comes with him putting everything together.

14.       Oscar Hemming, F (6-4, 196 lbs)

Ryan Ma – Oscar Hemming projects as one of the more translatable forwards in the 2026 draft class. Despite losing significant development time this season due to eligibility complications, he stepped into Boston College’s lineup and quickly established himself as a reliable contributor.

Hemming’s game is built around skating, physicality, defensive reliability, and relentless effort. An explosive skater, he closes space quickly on the forecheck, wins races to loose pucks, and consistently supports play in all three zones. His physical game stands out as well, as he regularly engages along the boards, finishes checks, protects pucks effectively, and extends possessions through strong puck-winning habits.

Offensively, Hemming functions more as a connector than a primary creator. He processes the game well, moves pucks efficiently, and complements skilled teammates through intelligent support play. While he lacks the dynamic puck skill and self-creation ability of some peers, flashes of individual skill suggest there may be additional offensive upside. His combination of pace, competitiveness, defensive value, and hockey sense gives him one of the safer projections among forwards in this class.

15.       Adam Novotny, F (6-1, 205 lbs) – Peterborough (OHL)

Gordon Munro – As a power forward winger, Adam Novotny boasts a sturdy frame, allowing him to blow through contact and carry pucks up ice with confidence. He also finishes his checks and is able to battle for position in all three zones with a strong forecheck and backcheck. He crashes the net hard but has the skill to make plays with the puck, scanning and finding open seams to thread passes through to teammates. On top of his playmaking, Novotny can snipe the puck, picking corners and beating goaltenders clean through his powerful release. On the defensive side, he uses his body to pressure and neutralize opponents, using his stick to steal pucks. Novotny is a great blend of translatable size, power, and energy with the soft skills to make plays, giving him top-six potential.

16.       Oliver Suvanto, C (6-3, 209 lbs) – Tappara (Liiga)

Anni Karvinen – One of the youngest prospects in the draft, the September-born Oliver Suvanto is one of the safer options for an NHL GM. The sturdy Finnish center is a reliable two-way presence, the type every good playoff team has. Equipped with strong sense and an imposing physical profile, Suvanto plays a game that should translate seamlessly to North American ice. While he lacks the dynamic skill some of the top names possess, he plays to his strengths and is one of the best puck protectors of the class. He won’t become a playdriver, but it’s easy to envision him scoring a fair share of greasy goals near the net, where he’s almost immovable. Suvanto brings value in the defensive zone too, reading plays well, which allows him to position himself and strip the puck effectively. Even if the upside is limited, Suvanto is a high floor pick and a great building block for some team for years to come.

17.       Xavier Villeneuve, D (5-11, 157 lbs) – Blaineville-Broisband (QMJHL)

James Connelly – Villeneuve has the highest offensive ceiling among all defensemen in this class. An undersized but supremely skilled and shifty player, Villeneuve made waves in his D-2 as the QMJHL’s defensive rookie of the year and followed it up the next year, winning the QMJHL’s defenseman of the year award. However, this year has been a bit of a letdown for Villeneuve. Heading to Boston University next year, Villeneuve has the opportunity to follow in the Hutson brothers’ footsteps as the next great undersized offensive defenseman out of BU. Villeneuve has been compared to Lane Hutson, and it is not just because he is an offensive defenseman under 6 feet. The level of poise, puck control, playmaking, and ability to evade impossible situations is eerily similar to Hutson’s. Unlike Hutson, Villeneuve needs to improve his defensive engagement and baseline defensive skill level, but his ceiling is so high that if he were to hit it, the defensive game can be overlooked as he brings that much offensively. It is worth noting that Villeneuve struggled with reported hip injuries that visibly limited his dynamism. This issue could plague his developmental years and prevent him from reaching his ceiling.

18.       Ryan Lin, D (5-11, 176 lbs) – Vancouver (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Lin is a very intelligent two-way WHL defenseman. As a defender, he reads plays really well and can break up passes and deny zone entries with good positioning and an effective stick. He’s a slick mover and can walk the line from up top on the PP. Lin will activate in the offensive zone and is a real threat to score. He sees teammates effectively and is a talented passer who can hit his teammates with an accurate pass. The biggest downside with Lin is that he doesn’t have the most desirable physical traits. He’s not a very big defenseman, with good but not great skating, and he’s not a very physical player either. There are concerns that his defense might not translate to the NHL level as he could be overwhelmed with size and speed. Overall, Lin does come with some translatability risks, but he’s a very smart and talented defenseman who could be a bottom pairing player at even strength, but play on one of the two PP units.

19.         Mathis Preston, F (5-11, 176 lbs) – Spokane (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Preston was another player who many outlets had ranked in the top 10-15 at the start of the season. Unfortunately, consistency was an issue for Preston over the course of the year and he didn’t look effective as often as you’d expect for a player with the skill, speed, and hands that he possesses. Part of that was due to an injury and a mid-season trade, but scouts still wanted to see more from Preston this year. When he’s on, he’s a highly dynamic winger who can burn defenders on the outside and then make a move on the goalie to seal the deal. He has a bit of a junior hockey style to his game, which will have to get eased out as he transitions up levels, but he’s worth a pick in the latter part of the 1st round because the upside is so huge for him.

20.       Ethan Belchetz, F (6-5, 227 lbs) – Windsor (OHL)

Gordon Munro – The former first overall pick at the 2024 OHL priority selection, Ethan Belchetz is a bit of a polarizing player. He varies on some boards, being as high as a top 10 pick, possessing many coveted traits. He is a bit of a unicorn at 6’5 and 225lbs, he can be such an overpowering player to opponents. Belchetz has the aggression and engagement to fit into plenty of different roles at the pro level with a solid motor and decent skating, especially for a player of his size. In addition to his fundamentals, he has flashes of high end creativity and vision with the puck on his stick. He oozes a lot of potential upside for an NHL club with the ability as a dual-threat scorer and may take a long runway to put it all together but the ceiling is there.

21.       Alexander Command, C (6-1, 183 lbs) – Örebro (J20)

Ethan Lindley – Alexander Command already understands how to leverage his frame and use his strength to exploit his opponents physically. He plays in straight lines, often chipping the puck behind defenses and letting his power game take control, forcing turnovers with heavy collisions and then quickly moving the puck to scoring areas. He’ll shrug off a couple of defenders like it’s nothing and then drive through the space he’s created or use it to make a strong pass to a teammate. He blends soft hands and clever anticipation with his strength to make him almost impossible to cover around the net. Command’s foot speed could be improved, but he’s shifty enough, makes quick decisions under pressure, moves pucks with pace, and understands his reads so well that he doesn’t need to be very fast. His high skill level, attention to detail, and intense mentality should make him a very reliable middle-six centre at the next level.

22.      llia Morozov, F (6-3, 205 lbs) – Miami (OH) (NCAA)

Jordan Harris – There is so much to like about Ilia Morozov. He’s huge, moves reasonably well, has an excellent compete level, and plays a reliable two-way game. That alone is enough to have a good chance of becoming a bottom 6 F in the NHL. Morozov accelerated his development by going to college one year early, becoming the youngest player in the NCAA (at the time). Morozov joined a weak program in Miami-Ohio which allowed him to play significant minutes at C, but also didn’t provide him with much talent for him to play with. While 20 points in 36 games as a 17-year-old is very impressive, he didn’t display the higher end offensive traits you’d expect of a potential top-six C on an NHL team. Still, Morozov has plenty of time left in his development to develop into a more dynamic scorer, but for now he seems like a safe bet to play as a 3 or 4C in the NHL and play that role highly effectively. If he can develop more of an offensive game then middle-six C is definitely in the picture.

23.      Thomas Bleyl, D (6-0, 170 lbs) – Moncton (QMJHL)

James Connelly – Aside from Caleb Malhotra, Tommy Bleyl is the 2026 class’s biggest riser. He went from playing U18 AAA in his D-1 to the QMJHL’s rookie and defenseman of the year this year. The first thing you will notice when watching Bleyl is his skating, as he is one of, if not the fastest, skaters in the class. At the QMJHL level, he can go end-to-end with relative ease, and with his speed, it is easy to envision him doing the same thing in the NHL. His ability to consistently deliver clean, crisp passes helped him on his way to leading the QMJHL in assists. In the offensive zone, where Bleyl cannot rely on his straight-line speed as much, he tends to make smart plays with the puck, but has a bad habit of flinging pucks on net under pressure at the point. Defensively, there is a lot of room for Bleyl to grow, but he always puts in 100% effort when defending, even if he loses battles. His transition defense is excellent as he can close gaps with his speed, and his stick checks are the strongest aspect of his defense. While he is a bit undersized, Bleyl is a late bloomer who is still growing and could top out over 6 feet tall. He will return to the QMJHL next year before heading to Michigan State after a presumed one-and-done year from Chase Reid. In a class loaded with defensive talent, Bleyl has the potential to be among the best.

24.       Juho Piiparinen, D (6-3, 203 lbs) – Tappara (U20 SM-Sarja)

Anni Karvinen – It’s quite easy to say that Juho Piiparinen is the best Finnish prospect defenseman since Miro Heiskanen. While he’s not in the Heiskanen tier, he has the tools to develop into a solid two-way minute muncher who helps his team by stabilizing the back end. The right shot defender excels at shutting down the opponent by killing plays effectively. He uses his long reach to angle pucks or block shots and delivers crushing hits with regularity. His upside is limited due to his lack of higher end offensive tools, though he’s shown some intriguing flashes that could suggest potential for more. He has a heavy shot, though it’s not accurate enough yet, and good enough four-way mobility to create some offense from the blue line. If he’s able to blend some more offensive finesse into his game and develop his top end speed, we could be looking at a future two-way beast at the NHL level.

25.         Nikita Klepov, F (6-0, 181 lbs) – Saginaw (OHL)

Jordan Harris – After losing elite level players like Michael Misa and Zayne Parekh to the NHL, Saginaw was a lot less potent than in past seasons. Fortunately, the team was still able to make the playoffs almost entirely due to Klepov and 2027 draft eligible Dima Zhilkin. Klepov is a highly talented  and dynamic winger with great hands and puck skills. He has a great wrist shot and can release it in almost no time at all. While he’s not the biggest or fastest player, his size and skating is good enough, especially when you factor in the high-end offensive game he brings. While there’s some risk in Klepov’s projection, he’s one of the few players at this part of the ranking who has higher-end scoring potential. If all goes well, Klepov could be a fixture on PP1 and carve out a role as a top-six scorer.

26.       Jack Hextall, C (6-0, 185 lbs) – Youngstown (USHL)

Ryan Ma – Jack Hextall continued his strong development trajectory this season with Youngstown, building on an already impressive D-1 campaign. While his skating profile is solid rather than dynamic, he consistently keeps pace with play and maximizes his mobility through strong anticipation and relentless effort.

Hextall’s greatest strengths stem from his motor, forechecking pressure, and defensive engagement. He regularly disrupts breakouts, wins puck battles, and uses his long reach effectively to force turnovers and limit offensive opportunities against. His physicality stands out as well, as he consistently competes along the boards, protects pucks through contact, and establishes positioning around the net front.

Offensively, Hextall has shown encouraging growth. He has become more assertive attacking the middle of the ice while continuing to display flashes of skill, creativity, and puck control. There are still questions surrounding his playmaking consistency and decision-making, particularly when attempting high-risk passes. However, the combination of competitiveness, physicality, forechecking impact, and emerging offensive tools gives him a compelling middle-six projection with potential for further growth.

27.       Liam Ruck, W (6-0, 176 lbs) – Medicine Hat (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Name a more exciting duo than Medicine Hat’s twin phenoms, Liam and Markus Ruck. Liam torched the WHL with 45 goals and 59 assists in 68 games. Ruck does so many things well. He’s a natural scorer and should be able to score at the NHL level. He competes well and has a great set of hands. The only negatives for Liam are that he has below average size and his skating is just okay. While the upside could be top-six scoring winger, the physical limitations are very real. It seems like there are a few players every draft in the mold of Liam and Markus, and not all of them end up making it. Fortunately, those who do seem to really hit big. If all goes well, Ruck could be a dynamic scoring winger for years to come, but there is risk here.

28.       JP Hurlbert, F (6-0, 183 lbs) — Kamploops (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Hurlbert was a huge signing for Kamloops this offseason after he defected from the USNTDP, and he did not disappoint. From day one, Hurlbert was the driving force behind the Blazers’ offense, nearly reaching the 100-point mark. He’s got an excellent shot, as evidenced by his 42 goals in 68 games. Hurlbert is also a dynamic playmaker as well. On the PP, Hurlbert takes his game to another level. He’s a threat to score and set-up teammates from the half-wall or drive towards the slot and rip one. The downside with Hurlbert is that he plays a bit of a junior hockey style of game, and you wonder how much he can get away with as he ascends up levels. Hurlbert also isn’t a defensive stalwart, so he’ll need to work on that part of his game as well. Hurlbert will need time to round out his game, but he should be able to be a PP1 option and 2nd line scoring winger at the NHL level if his game translates well.

29.       Gleb Pugachyov, RW (6-3, 198 lbs) – Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)

Zak Egan – Gleb Pugachyov is a high end, straight line skating power forward who finishes every check. He plays a punishing style of hockey that could attract some NHL GMs. Pugachyov excels along the boards and is a pest around the net. While the counting stats might not grab attention, his style of play translated up each level of Russian hockey, from the MHL and VHL to 13 KHL games where he scored a couple of goals. Gleb’s finishing around the net is promising, but he will have to continue to work on his shot if he wants to beat a goalie from distance. His puck skills need development; Pugachyov makes the simple play effectively but struggles with high end passes. There are flashes of one-on-one moves and plays in tight that are promising. Gleb has an intensity to his game that comes out in his skating and physicality that will translate to the NHL.

30.       Casey Mutryn, RW (6-3, 203 lbs) – NTDP (USHL)

Austin Kelly – The NTDP had one of their least productive scoring seasons, which hindered Casey Mutryn being able to put up a more appealing statline than he deserved. Mutryn isn’t the most dynamic forward, but plays a serviceable game with the puck in creating offense off the rush. It’s Mutryn’s defensive game, however, that is the more projectable side of his game. Along with his ability to strip pucks and break up plays to move the offensive back in his team’s favor, Mutryn is also a physical shutdown player who isn’t afraid to play hard, having not looked out of place in matches against collegiate teams. The upside of Mutryn is a bit limited due to a lack of plus tools, with college giving him a chance to show more of his untapped offensive potential, but Mutryn has the reliable all-around skill to impact in an NHL lineup in a middle-six role.

31.       Simas Ignatavicius, C/W (6-3, 201 lbs) – Geneve-Servette (NL)

Ryan Ma – Simas is playing significant minutes in Switzerland’s top league with Genève-Servette, and his usage reflects a clearly defined role at a young age. His game is built on structure, simplicity, and direct execution rather than high-end puck skill or creativity.

In transition, he functions more as a connector than a puck carrier, often relying on safe exits and dump-ins rather than extended neutral-zone possession. When he does handle the puck, he typically moves it quickly to teammates before supporting the play with straight-line speed and off-puck movement to open passing options.

Offensively, his production comes primarily from net-front presence, tips, and shots through traffic. There are occasional flashes of skill in controlled rush situations, but these are not consistent elements of his game. Defensively and away from the puck, Simas is engaged and active, using effort and reach to pressure puck carriers and disrupt passing lanes, though his lateral mobility can be a limiting factor in containment.

Overall, he projects as a structured, role-oriented forward with bottom-six potential, contingent on continued improvements in skating efficiency and puck management.

32.       Ryder Cali, C (6-2, 218 lbs) – North Bay (OHL)

Gordon Munro – Ryder Cali is what I would call a ‘meat and potatoes’ type of player, with plenty of intriguing traits and tendencies. Cali battles hard and has a good motor with a strong forechecking, he is constantly keeping his feet moving and reacting to plays. On top of this, he flashes some playmaking ability and a decent shot but tends to lean pass-first while having the puckskill and creativity to create space and transition up ice well. However, Cali’s biggest strength is his two-way play, he is able to read and break down play very well, cutting off passes and creating turnovers.

33.       Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW (6-2, 190 lbs) – Leksands (U20/SHL)

Ryan Ma – While we’re extremely bullish on JLH, a fully healthy season would likely have brought more first-round consideration for Lagerberg Hoen in public rankings. The 6-2 Leksands forward stands out for his pace, power, and straight-line rush game, using strong strides to attack wide lanes, protect the puck, and generate chances off the rush, including end-to-end sequences and goal-scoring plays.

He also brings a competitive, physical element, consistently engaging on 50/50 pucks and defending with strong effort. His shot is a real weapon, with power and accuracy from range. While his playmaking and decision-making remain works in progress, his skating, motor, and scoring ability give him clear upside as a pace-driven, high-energy forward with intriguing tools at the next level.

34.       Dmitri Borichev, G (6-3, 198 lbs) – Yaroslavl (MHL)

Jean-Francois Rioux – Borichev is the most complete goaltending prospect in this draft class. A powerful, commanding presence in the crease, he combines a large frame with elite athleticism and lower-body explosiveness. His pushes rank among the most powerful in the class. He challenges shooters aggressively, and produces explosive recoveries that often prevent second-chance opportunities. Borichev has the most complete package of this class. His consistency, confidence, and mature crease management make him the favorite to be the first goalie selected in the second round.

35.       Marcus Nordmark, W (6-2, 187 lbs) – Djurgårdens (J20)

Anni Karvinen – In every draft class, there’s a fair amount of “boom or bust” type players, and Marcus Nordmark fits that category like a glove. When on his game, the Swedish winger plays with a swagger, utilizing his plus-level puck handling, shot, and vision. He has the ability to manipulate plays and perform high end passes through multiple seams. The bust part of the player culminates in his low pace and minimal physicality, which doesn’t bode well for an NHL career. He has top-six upside, but there’s still a lot standing between him and a spot in the bright lights.

36.       Adam Valentini, F (5-10, 185 lbs) – Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)

Ryan Ma – Adam Valentini may still be undervalued given his NCAA impact at Michigan and strong play for Canada at the U18s. While not a high-end skill driver, he projects well as a middle-six complementary forward.

He is a highly active, hardworking player who consistently engages on the forecheck, supports defensively with an active stick, and wins pucks through anticipation and effort rather than physical dominance. Offensively, he shows strong puck support habits, flashes of agility in tight areas, and a reliable shot that can beat goalies through traffic or off the rush.

Areas for growth include quicker decision-making under pressure and added strength to improve his effectiveness through contact.

37.       Tobias Trejbal, C (6-4, 196 lbs) – Youngstown (USHL)

Jean-Francois Rioux – Trejbal is a tall, big-bodied goaltender whose movement quality separates him from most large goalie prospects. His hip mobility is excellent, producing a very wide butterfly flare that maximizes lower-net coverage, while his footwork and leg drive are equally impressive. He takes intelligent routes and recovers with dynamic slides, quick get-ups, and sharp T-pushes. His positioning is consistently strong, featuring purposeful adjustments and minimal wasted movement. The physical tools are undeniably high-end and project very well with the pros. The gap at the top of the goalie rankings is small, and he should be selected quickly in the second round.

38.       Adam Goljer, D (6-2, 194 lbs) – Trenčín (Slovakia)

Anni Karvinen – Adam Goljer is an intriguing though raw, right-shot defense prospect. The toolsy Slovak moves well for his 6-2 frame and plays with composure. He has shown flashes of genuine puck-moving upside and is eager to join the offense on the rush. Overall, his game in the defensive zone needs a lot of refinement, but the basis is there: he’s quite consistent in disrupting plays with his active stick and reach. The biggest question with Goljer is his projectability: he doesn’t profile as a high-end puck mover at the NHL level. If he can amp up the physicality in his game, he can open more possibilities for himself.

39.      Niklas Aaram-Olsen, RW/LW (6-1, 187 lbs) – Örebro (U20/SHL))

Ethan Lindley – Niklas Aaram-Olsen is a speedy, shifty, and high energy winger. His effort and compete are never in question, and his nonstop motor is always disruptive in a positive way. During small intervals, when his hands and brain can keep up with his feet, he can look extremely dynamic, especially off the rush; however, those flashes don’t occur very often. He looks like a very reliable bottom-six scoring winger at the next level, with the opportunity to develop into a top-nine forward if he improves his handling and decision making at faster paces.

40.       Brooks Rogowski, C (6-6, 231 lbs) – Oshawa (OHL)

Austin Kelly – A dual-sport athlete, Rogowski’s high level athleticism is well apparent on the ice. The 6-7 centre is a physically imposing forward. Rogowski’s upside shows more potential than his production this past season, that he could be a breakout candidate heading into next year. Rogowski may need some time, a lot of it, to really hit his stride. Rogowski may be the type of player that doesn’t get going until a few years into his career, but becomes a reliable piece on a team’s forward group. There’s clear runway and value in a tall, right-shot centre who can contribute at all three zones of the ice. 

41.       William Håkansson, D (6-4, 216 lbs) – Luleå (SHL)

Anni Karvinen – William Håkansson is a rangy left-shot defenseman who plays a simple game. Breaking into the SHL lineup as a draft eligible defender is always noteworthy, and to add to that, Håkansson has plenty of intriguing tools. With his 6-4 frame, he covers a lot of ice naturally. While he’s not an offensive dynamo by any means, he’s got a booming shot that can provide offense from the point. There are details in his defensive game that need cleaning up, like his gap control, but he projects as a steady and responsible defender at the NHL level.

42.       Nikita Shcherbakov, D (6-5, 187 lbs) – Tolpar/Toros Neftekamsk/Salavat Ufa (MHL/VHL/KHL)

Zak Egan – Shcherbakov has the frame that GMs love for NHL defensemen. He skates well for his size, with great bursts of acceleration in his first three steps that allow him to create separation or close down on opponents. He uses his reach and length well with stick lifts, blocking passing lanes, and pushing opponents to the outside off the rush. He doesn’t have elite skill, though he possesses a heavy wrist shot that could be an effective weapon to help provide offense from the blue line. Defensively, he has good gap control in transition, but he can also get lost in coverages and switches, which he will have to improve on. There are flashes of rush offense, but you’re left wanting more. He played mainly at the VHL level but got a handful of games at the KHL level. Shcherbakov looks like he could be a mobile, puck moving defenseman at the NHL level.

43.       Jaxon Cover, LW (6-1, 185 lbs) – London (OHL)

Gordon Munro – One of the bigger bets on upside in the 2026 NHL Draft, Jaxon Cover has plenty of intriguing tools in his kit despite only picking up ice hockey a few years ago. He is a very raw skill player with soft hands, smooth skating and the ability to transition the puck up ice. Cover is able to utilize his strength to fight through contact, getting to scoring areas. He can open lanes and feed passes to his teammates, helping to drive offence for his team. Cover is willing to try different things with the puck on his stick, something that gives many people optimism that he can be a potential steal for the draft.

44.       Beckett Hamilton, F (5-11, 170 lbs) – Red Deer (WHL)

Jordan Harris – Hamilton burst onto the scene by leading a very weak Red Deer team in scoring by 24 points. He’s an energetic winger who competes at a high level. There is skill to his game, but not top-50 in the draft skill. Another downside is that he’s not the biggest player, which means he’ll have to rely heavily on the tenacity of his game to be effective. Given the way he plays, he should be able to produce some points because players who compete and are around the net like Hamilton will always find opportunities. Overall, Hamilton is a player who coaches will appreciate and could earn a living as an energy winger in the NHL.

45.       Benjamin Macbeath, D (6-2, 187 lbs) – Calgary (WHL)

Jordan Harris – As a 17-year-old rookie in the WHL, Macbeath burst onto the scene with 51 points in 67 games. He was everything for the Hitmen’s blueline playing the most minutes and playing in all situations. What makes Macbeath such an intriguing prospect is that he’s 6’2” and skates very well, not just for his size, but in general. He moves pucks well, defends well enough, and can put up points both as a distributor and as a shooter. He does most things at a reasonable level, but he’s not a standout in any category outside of being a great skater.  Additionally, given his height, he’s quite thin and will need to pack on some muscle. Macbeath is a guy I’d keep an eye on over the next few years. He’s committed to Denver, which is a great development program, and he could really take off in a few years time.

46.       Adam Andersson, C (6-4, 214 lbs) – Leksands (U20)

Ethan Lindley – Adam Andersson has the special ability to affect every facet of play. He’s a big kid who uses his range well to control possession while maneuvering through dense coverage and slipping pucks around defenders in the offensive zone. Andersson combines a high rate of speed with his physicality to torture opponents, especially in the offensive zone, where he’s immovable on the cycle. After his power and speed create the space, his skill starts to pop, with creative passes and subtle misdirection from his eyes and shoulders. He has room to be consistently more competitive and really assert himself, but his foundation already projects as a powerful middle-six centre with strong two-way potential.

47.       Chase Harrington, F (6-1, 194 lbs) – Spokane (WHL)

Jordan Harris – There are a handful of players like Harrington in this year’s draft coming out of the WHL. Harrington is a very tough winger with both size and skill. He’s not elite in any category, and most of his traits are average, but he’s an effective player nonetheless. Similar to a few other WHL players, he was a bit trapped on a weak Spokane team that lost Berkly Catton to the NHL and traded Mathis Preston at the deadline. There might be a bit more to Harrington’s game, but it was a bit difficult for him to showcase it with the lack of talent around him. If all goes well, he could be an effective complimentary depth scorer who’s effective in his own end as well.

48.       Brek Liske, D (6-2, 190 lbs) – Everett (WHL)

Zak Egan – Brek has been one of the more improved players throughout the season. At the beginning of the season I felt like there was a lot that was “loose” in his game. Puck touches, reads with the puck, retrievals, pinches. However, throughout the year Liske continuously improved culminating a great WHL playoff run that ended in a championship and a memorial cup final. By the end of the year, his stride slightly improved and I would now call an average skater for his size. Brek makes decisions quickly and effectively, whether that’s breakout passes, pinching. His offensive ability from the blue line improved as well, where he often receives a pass and makes a move past his man for shooting opportunities as well as jumping in from the blue line off the puck. Defensively he excels defending off the rush but sometimes struggles with in zone and net front defense. Liske does a lot of things well but he seems to be a high floor low ceiling defenseman.

49.       Tomas Chrenko, C (5-11, 172 lbs) – HK Nitra (Slovakia)

Anni Karvinen – Tomas Chrenko is one of the more intriguing forward prospects of the 2026 class. Standing at 5-11, 172 lbs, the Slovakian center is undersized but has genuine top-six upside. He blends plus-level tools creatively to generate offense, manipulating defenders with feints and body angles to create openings. He’s not only an offensive player; he has a good sense that he utilizes in smart positioning on the penalty kill, for example. The concern with him is the physical side of the game: he can get pushed off the puck quite easily, even in European rinks where the space isn’t as tight as on the other side of the pond.

50.       Maddox Dagenais, C (6-4, 196 lbs) – Québec (QMJHL)

James Connelly – Dagenais seems like a surefire bet to make the NHL: a massive frame, a physical game, high-end puck handling and shooting, and NHL bloodlines. At the QMJHL level, he bullies his competition, throwing big hits along the wall with his patented reverse hit. He can stickhandle in a phone booth, and this helps him drive inside play. Dagenais can also beat goaltenders clean with his shot from distance. What holds Dagenais back is his hockey IQ, engagement, and consistency. While his engagement got better over the course of the year, it still leaves a lot to be desired. Dagenais should at least be a bottom-six player who can contribute on the power play, but his ceiling is limited.