Centers
Ondrej Pavel
Versatile centerman who will need to find a pro role to be NHL- and fantasy-relevant
Brad Lambert
A dynamic skater with excellent acceleration and top-end speed, edgework and agility is close to elite. Tough to knock off the puck, can fight through checks, and has elite puck-handling skills and scoring ability. Still, his vision and decision-making as a playmaker are questioned, and he is considered a boom-or-bust prospect with consistency concerns at both ends of the ice. He can potentially be a top-line center with PP1 usage if his all-around game develops. His floor is a bottom-six up-tempo center that can be relied on to kill penalties.
Braeden Cootes
Fast and furious forechecker with a high level of pace and puck skill
Jake O’Brien
Quick-witted playmaker with room to grow into his frame
Ryan Suzuki
Top six playmaking center with all the tools to be a high volume points producer at the NHL level.
Anton Frondell
Centre who boasts a mature, physical game and a booming shot
Caleb Desnoyers
Smart, two-way centre who brings vision, quick hands and physicality
Miroslav Holinka
January 2025 - A breakout player for the Czechs at the World Juniors, Holinka has always been a slippery and creative offensive player, something that may have been unrecognized given Holinka's lower upside. He's adjusted well to NA ice playing in the WHL. He's a strong play maker who's defensive game has grown since moving [...]
Artem Shlaine
An impressively dynamic player for his size, Shlaine is all offence and no defence. He has the puck on his stick often, driving offense himself rather than through his teammates. He has a slim chance of becoming an elite playmaker, but odds are this pick is one to forget.
Vojtech Hradec
A big center (6-4) who plays well defensively, Hradec's offensive performance at the 2025 WJC opened eyes.