Elton Hermansson

July 2026 – Hermansson continued to raise his draft stock during the second half of the 2025-26 season, showcasing the offensive skill and creativity that made him one of Sweden’s more intriguing 2026 draft prospects. The forward displayed strong puck skills, impressive offensive instincts, and a willingness to attack defenders one-on-one. His ability to create space, make plays in tight areas, and generate scoring chances against older competition highlighted his offensive upside.

The biggest area of focus for Hermansson moving forward will be adding consistency away from the puck and continuing to round out his overall game. While his offensive tools are his calling card, improving his defensive awareness and finding ways to impact games when he is not producing will be important. Still, his skill level, hockey sense, and scoring ability give him legitimate top-six potential as he continues his development in Sweden. Jayd Serdy

June 2026 – Hermansson was selected 19th overall by the Kings as the team has to stock the cupboards somewhere. He becomes the teams top prospect already and has a nice top six upside. Pat Quinn

December Rankings – Hermansson shows high-end creativity with the puck, strong puck protection ability and smart shooting instincts. He has the ability to put two or three defenders on his back while shifting his angles and protecting the puck long enough to identify the best option. Hermansson doesn’t shy away from contact and will play through it, though he still leaves a bit to be desired with his 6-1 frame. He also shows effort and intensity defensively, though his hockey sense seems average. Hermansson needs to improve his shift-to-shift consistency and continue to develop his ability to play through his teammates on a more regular basis. Ethan Lindley