2026 NHL draft prospects

[JabbaJabba]

Agree on a lot of the names in Sweden and Finland , but I do think you have missed some of the most intresting players in Sweden, like:

Harry Styf
Ruben Östman
Casper Juustovara Karlsson

and Vertti Svensk from Finland

​

Juustovaara is a great name. Could be translated to "cheese danger".

 

[ijuka]

Juustovaara is a great name. Could be translated to "cheese danger".

If it was "Juustovaara" it would likely not be "cheese danger", but rather "cheese hill".

 

[JabbaJabba]

If it was "Juustovaara" it would likely not be "cheese danger", but rather "cheese hill".

No fun squad is here I see.

Firstly, based on Eliteprospects, his name is Casper Juustovaara Karlsson, so his name actually is "Juustovaara". Secondly, yes I know what "vaara" means in this context, but the translation is more fun if you use the other meaning of the word.

 

[Maverick41]

As a german to German. I think you should check out Daniel Kazimov (2008). Do you know him. What's your opinion on him?

For my part, I Have not really focused enough on him in the few games I watched of this team, to say much about him.
But he is one of three players on that Düsseldorf team that I have on my radar for the 2026 draft, as of now.
Adel Akmhedeev and Kees de Jager are the other two.

I will likely get to see a lot more of them all this coming season and pay more attention to Kazimov.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Has his voice changed yet.

think the proper question is have his balls dropped yet? lol

 

[Thomas Chathoot]

I've been hearing some William Moore talk heating up recently so it's possible right now the top Projected prospect is Moore currently which surprises me.

Moore is also very good, not quite as good as Roobroeck though.
The OHL Draft should be 1. Roobroeck 2. Moore and then guys like Ethan Weir, Jake O' Brien, Quinn Beauchesne, Zander Kechego, Owen Griffin, Brady Martin, Lane Sim and Tyler Hopkins fill in some of the other spots in the draft (should be first round)

 

[Jukurit]

No fun squad is here I see.

Firstly, based on Eliteprospects, his name is Casper Juustovaara Karlsson, so his name actually is "Juustovaara". Secondly, yes I know what "vaara" means in this context, but the translation is more fun if you use the other meaning of the word.

"Cheese Hill" is also a great name.
Casper Cheese Hill Son of Karl. LOL

 

[landy92mack29]

Some promising 08s in Saskatchewan but not on a Yager/Heidt/Catton/McQueen level so see how they look as 2nd years before mentioning them.

Brett Olson hasn't been mentioned yet and will likely be the top 08 western Canadian.

 

[Thomas Chathoot]

A player who I do not think gets enough love is Cullen Potter. He is arguably the best American player this draft (Yes higher then LJ Mooney and Henry Brzustewicz). He has tremendous speed and is very highly skilled with tons of playmaking upside. Could maybe be an elite NHLer one day but will definitely be one of the best USDP players when he arrives there

 

[GermanSpitfire]

A player who I do not think gets enough love is Cullen Potter. He is arguably the best American player this draft (Yes higher then LJ Mooney and Henry Brzustewicz). He has tremendous speed and is very highly skilled with tons of playmaking upside. Could maybe be an elite NHLer one day but will definitely be one of the best USDP players when he arrives there

All those guys are 2025 Eligibles - not 2026.

The only names i've heard spoken of out of the US are Camden Pantekoek, Harrison Boettinger, Van Matin, Drew Travers and Evan Jardine.

But i'm sure i'll be hearing more over the next year.

Some promising 08s in Saskatchewan but not on a Yager/Heidt/Catton/McQueen level so see how they look as 2nd years before mentioning them.

Brett Olson hasn't been mentioned yet and will likely be the top 08 western Canadian.

Keaton Verhoeff is a defender I have heard good things about - however, I have been warned he may just be more physically mature than his age group. Thoughts?

Chase Harrington is a late birthday that has a ton of skill, have also heard good things about Ryan Lin and Jarome's youngest son,

 

[landy92mack29]

All those guys are 2025 Eligibles - not 2026.

The only names i've heard spoken of out of the US are Camden Pantekoek, Harrison Boettinger, Van Matin, Drew Travers and Evan Jardine.

But i'm sure i'll be hearing more over the next year.


Keaton Verhoeff is a defender I have heard good things about - however, I have been warned he may just be more physically mature than his age group. Thoughts?

Chase Harrington is a late birthday that has a ton of skill, have also heard good things about Ryan Lin and Jarome's youngest son,

Just watched 1 game of his but Verhoeff looks like a definite 1st rounder for the bantam draft, likely top 10. Not quite sure how his offense will translate to the next level though so tough to predict pro impact. Size isn't the only reason he domintes though, has skill. See how he looks in his draft year to see how the offense improves. Reminds me of Prokop a bit but hopefully better upside

 

[austin63867]

Some promising 08s in Saskatchewan but not on a Yager/Heidt/Catton/McQueen level so see how they look as 2nd years before mentioning them.

Brett Olson hasn't been mentioned yet and will likely be the top 08 western Canadian.

Yeah Olson will be probably be a high pick in the WHL Draft

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Yeah Olson will be probably be a high pick in the WHL Draft

Olson could even go higher than Kosick.

 

[Thomas Chathoot]

All those guys are 2025 Eligibles - not 2026.

The only names i've heard spoken of out of the US are Camden Pantekoek, Harrison Boettinger, Van Matin, Drew Travers and Evan Jardine.

But i'm sure i'll be hearing more over the next year.


Keaton Verhoeff is a defender I have heard good things about - however, I have been warned he may just be more physically mature than his age group. Thoughts?

Chase Harrington is a late birthday that has a ton of skill, have also heard good things about Ryan Lin and Jarome's youngest son,

yeah youre right. I did get in incorrect. Some guys for this draft those are Logan Hawery who could be a 2024 OHL First Overall pick. He was one of the best players on the 07 Barrie Colts when Hawery is an 08. Could be a very good player. Some other interesting players who will be selected in the same NHL draft are Zachary Nyman, Maximus Crete, Caleb Malhotra, Braidy Wassilyn, Beckham Edwards, Parker Vaughan, Ben Bowen, Alessandro Di Iorio and Quinn Kipfer. All should go high besides maybe Kipfer who should at least go in the second to third if not first round.

Dominic Pajkic is another good defence man who will likely be the best dman on his UNDP Squad when he makes it.

Two swedes that could get drafted are Noah Pettersson Askling and Alfred Persson

Tomas Chrenko and Ivan Matta for Slovakia

Awrelig Fomenko for Germany

Rasmus Rinne for Finland

 

[austin63867]

Olson could even go higher than Kosick.

Yeah I wouldn't be too shocked as Kosick is a bit small. Think he needs to prove his season wasn't a fluke. His stats were close to exceptional but his size is the biggest thing holding him back right now.

yeah youre right. I did get in incorrect. Some guys for this draft those are Logan Hawery who could be a 2024 OHL First Overall pick. He was one of the best players on the 07 Barrie Colts when Hawery is an 08. Could be a very good player. Some other interesting players who will be selected in the same NHL draft are Zachary Nyman, Maximus Crete, Caleb Malhotra, Braidy Wassilyn, Beckham Edwards, Parker Vaughan, Ben Bowen, Alessandro Di Iorio and Quinn Kipfer. All should go high besides maybe Kipfer who should at least go in the second to third if not first round.

Dominic Pajkic is another good defence man who will likely be the best dman on his UNDP Squad when he makes it.

Two swedes that could get drafted are Noah Pettersson Askling and Alfred Persson

Tomas Chrenko and Ivan Matta for Slovakia

Awrelig Fomenko for Germany

Rasmus Rinne for Finland

Tobias Tomik also from Slovakia

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Yeah I wouldn't be too shocked as Kosick is a bit small. Think he needs to prove his season wasn't a fluke. His stats were close to exceptional but his size is the biggest thing holding him back right now.

He's only 13 and his father is 6'0" so I don't think size will be an issue in the long run - it's more he was feeding off some pretty weak teams - An impressive stat line nonetheless.

 

[austin63867]

He's only 13 and his father is 6'0" so I don't think size will be an issue in the long run - it's more he was feeding off some pretty weak teams - An impressive stat line nonetheless.

Yeah, his stat line is a bit deceiving which is why I hope he'll replicate it. You're right about his dad. I don't have him as high as McKenna or Roobroeck just yet unless he does it again.

 

[HknAndn]

No fun squad is here I see.

Firstly, based on Eliteprospects, his name is Casper Juustovaara Karlsson, so his name actually is "Juustovaara". Secondly, yes I know what "vaara" means in this context, but the translation is more fun if you use the other meaning of the word.

I thought it ment "danger" from the Swedish word Fara.... Dangerus Cheese

 

[teravaineSAROS]

I thought it ment "danger" from the Swedish word Fara.... Dangerus Cheese

Vaara can mean danger in Finnish, could be borrowed from the Swedish word actually. It's a Finnish name that translates to Cheese Hill but obviously it's a lot more fun if we go with Cheese Danger

 

[JotAlan]

Viktor Fyodorov is getting a lot of hype on a Russian language youth hockey forum I visit from time to time. At least early on here, he’s seen as potentially the next big Russian star.

What is the website link?

 

[Siludin]

What's the point? To get two out of ten right and bring the thread back up and say how much of a hockey genius you are for scouting them in 7th grade?

Yeah it is you got a problem with that

 

[Thomas Chathoot]

I really love Roobroeck as a player and I think he easily goes first in this upcoming OHL Draft. He had 34-29-63 in 29 games and he is just so skilled as a whole. I think he is on the same level as Michael Misa in terms of talent and Skill. I also firmly believe Hockey Canada didnt give Roobroeck exeptional status because he is a late 07 birth year and he would play in 4 OHL Seasons before getting drafted when most players wh get drafted into the OHL only play 2 Seasons before getting drafted

 

[JapanesePopstar]

Alexandre Monarque from France is looking promising.

 

[Albatros]

It's a Finnish name that translates to Cheese Hill

Or perhaps more likely of Sámi origin and has been adapted from Vuostávárri which would rather mean 'Vastavaara' in Finnish, but its homonym also means 'juusto' and someone translating the name unaware of the etymology could plausibly get the meaning wrong.

 

[Belloco]

This draft is going to be phenomenal. 3 players who could have been ES (Roobroeck, McKenna, Kosick). Rinne who is on higher bases than Laine and Kakko at the same age + the probability of having elite talents in the USA and Russia. More impressive than 2023 3 years ago.