Favorite Prospects for the 2026 Draft

[Kaners PPGs]

Who are your favorite 2026 NHL Draft prospects relative to their draft ranking? Which players do you think will outperform their projected selection spot?

 

[Topcheese31]

I don't know if he will outperform but I really like Carels. For a team that needs a Offensive Dmen I would not take him thought but he's so complete, physical, great defensive IQ, good speed, good transition. The only thing that he lack creativity in the offensive zone. So he will probably not play on the PP1 but he will be the more complete defencement in the draft (IMO).

I also like Hemming, I think he will outperform his draft selection. The lack of game played this year will play against him but he will be a big body that can play physical and can complete plays. I personnally prefer him than Belchetz or Verheoff.

 

[koivalev]

Wiggo, Gustafsson, Lagerberg Hoen, Bernat, Peshkov

 

[eklund2chicago]

Nikita Klepov

 

[CaSwItLand]

Alexander Bilecki, if he falls to the second half of the second round, nevermind the 3rd round its a steal.

 

[Le Rosbeef]

Who are your favorite 2026 NHL Draft prospects relative to their draft ranking? Which players do you think will outperform their projected selection spot?

For me it's Vladimir Dravecky.

Fully expect him to dip into the 3rd round or later, but I think he may well have people reevaluating in 12 months time when he's had a chance to be the guy in Guelph... really hoping the Sharks take him at 62. There's a lot to like about his game.

 

[Castle8130]

Viggo Bjorck
Tommy Bleyl
Jaxon Cover


THE HIGH SKILL GUYS

There's something about Hurlbert where every-time I watch him, I come away impressed. He has no significant qualities about him which is also scary.

Klepov, Hermansson, Nordmark, and Cullen are the flashy skill players that are easy to fall for as a highlight watcher. All 4 are impressively skilled with tons of upside. Those are the guys where if they really hit, you say "Why didn't we draft this guy? With those stats and skill it was dumb of us to pass on him"

 

[Kevin Musto]

Smits, Suvanto, Hemming, Ignatavicius, Harrington, Zielinski, Chrenko

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I really have gotten a lot of enjoyment watching Xavier Villeneuve. What an entertaining player. Elite skillset.

Casey Mutryn is also fun to watch. He’s a very physical player and you can just see him finding a role in the NHL.

Albert Smits has been a joy to watch as well. Great maturity in his game. He is a very confident player and I could see him making the NHL next year.

 

[Grinner]

Smits, Hemming

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I like Hextall and Lin. Idk if they’ll be good in the league but my type of player. Smart, involved, puck supporters/play advancers without overdoing it. Hard balance to find.

How can you not love Pugachyov? Again, less about my confidence in his NHL projection or upside and more just a blast of a player.

Not a hot take but love Bjorck & Gustafson. Again less about the NHL projection and more about just appreciating what they are now.

 

[Zarzh]

Smits, Pugachyov

 

[FinPanda]

Smits probably, I don't particularly like the Finns in this draft since there is nothing exciting about them

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Harrington

 

[gary559]

Favorite sleeper pick? Bjorck, but I doubt he's a sleeper anymore. I just like they way he plays.
Favorite value pick? Smits, he will most likely be able to step in this season which is rare for a defenseman.
Favorite to watch for entertainment? McKenna
Most interested in? Klepov and Lin. Both have their question marks for being able to translate to the NHL, but if they do they could be huge risers.

 

[emptyNedder]

Two players who I think should be first rounders, but are 47 and 57 respectively in the consolidated rankings, are Alalauri and Vandenberg.

Both are good skaters (some OHL scouts in Brock's ranking indicated Vandenberg might be at the very top of prospects for skating), both tested well at the combine, and both have already developed defensive commitment.

 

[KAWAIlllI]

I really like Björck if he can work on his skating some more

 

[Dutronc]

Klepov, Villeneuve

 

[BHFAN92]

Carson Carels

 

[frontsfan67]

Ryder Fetterolf

All because he’s a 6’ goalie he’s not highly regarded but was AMAZING this year with Ottawa who I saw play the fronts 13-14 times this year. Won CHL goalie of the year at 17 and is somehow the 11th ranked goalie with Harrison Boettiger rated above him (how?)

 

[Zombotron]

Two players who I think should be first rounders, but are 47 and 57 respectively in the consolidated rankings, are Alalauri and Vandenberg.

Both are good skaters (some OHL scouts in Brock's ranking indicated Vandenberg might be at the very top or prospects for skating), both tested well at the combine, and both have already developed defensive commitment.

Vandenberg is also super young for this draft (a week away from being a '27 draft eligible)

 

[majormajor]

I think Malte Gustafsson is going to be a top pairing D.

Oscar Hemming is going to be awesome.

Gleb Pugachyov is going to be an impact player (literally).

I'd have all three in my top ten.

 

[CaSwItLand]

Ilia Morozov. I'm expecting him to go in the mid or even early teens but if he goes in the 20s as he is listed on a lot of places it will be a steal. He is the one guy I'm praying falls to the Canucks at 24.

Big, Physical, Defensive Centre with underrated Offense and also can skate.

Much better stats than Lawrence in the NCAA while being the same exact same age.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

If they hit, Daxon Rudolph and Tommy Bleyl will be absolute electric factory offensive defensemen. I love both of their potential.

 

[Keke]

Anttoni Uronen
Samu Alalauri
Viggo Björck
Sakari Kostilainen