Prospect Info: The 2026 NHL Draft First Round Thread - Part 5

[racerjoe]

You don’t think the media presser of JR calling out Hughes a year early of being able to re-sign didn’t create havoc around Hughes and the media since that moment? He was asked every interview and then JR went out again and confirmed it. Thats childish games and created tension between the player and franchise, who would want to play here with that looming over his head even if he signed a 3 or 4 year deal? I don’t love Reid at all but I see the need for a player with his upside and skillset as one of the best in the draft who could become the best player in the draft.

I like Stenberg, Reid and Malhotra the same with a slight edge to Stenberg due to resume in a mens league and maintaining his position throughout the year. The American factor scares me with Reid and the father son factor scares me with Malhotra. Centers and RHD are the 2 best assets you can have league wide but I’d avoid both for Stenberg if available.

I see an opportunity to fill out the roster on the backend with Reid and solidify the Center position with Cootes and Malhotra, I see the most drama around Malhotra and for me after what we just went through as a club that’s a no draft zone for me, so much drama and now a rebuild because of it. We had two number 1 Centers, a Norris top 3 Dman in the game and a Vezina calibre goalie who has proven to be a stud in the playoffs and that’s all gone because of them not liking each other and our media feeding off that.

I mean it seems pretty obvious Hughes was going to leave anyway and this was JR calling it like it was… doesn’t mean he should have said it, but doubt it was a factor.

 

[Icebreakers]

I mean it seems pretty obvious Hughes was going to leave anyway and this was JR calling it like it was… doesn’t mean he should have said it, but doubt it was a factor.

Yeah Hughes made his mind up long time before that. Even if we won he's gone.

 

[Vector]

This is just plain wrong, he became director in 2022. We have one of the most games played in the league from picks in round 3 and later since then.

The Lekk pick was not good in retrospect, and is the exact kind of BPA, high risk/reward pick fans typically clamor for. We have the best tracking dman from the 23 class, and Cootes has progressed well from 25.

They’ve spent 2 picks in the last 4 years in the first two rounds on forwards. While I have my qualms with not graduating guys to the AHL enough, its not even close to a large enough sample for legitimate critique to take away the outstanding results in other areas.

He’s generally ran a good process with his staff, and I’m sure we’ll get some more insight into how they value forwards now that we actually have real draft capital for once.

Yeah, the big issue was how underwhelming last year's draft was after Cootes. I really hope they learned some lessons from that draft but I suspect they'll write it off as too early to judge.

 

[Icebreakers]

Malhotra
Cootes

Down the middle as a prospect duo is terrific for this team.

High character hardworking guys with no ego. They can push Petey to the wing maybe and Rossi can be stop gap until they overtake him.

If you can find a elite C you just plug and play random wingers.

 

[David71]

 

[Bleach Clean]

Why? You prioritize a 3rd OA over a Coach and a rookie one at that at the start of a rebuild from a bottom feeder.

Good chance with all the losing that Manny isn't around when or if it becomes an issue. Or he feels the situation isn't ideal for his son or the parties involved and walks away before you know just how good he is anyway.

I don't think it matters at all anymore. Your looking at a year at BU then a year where he does the Horvat 4/3C thing. By year 3 or 4 if it looks like it's not ideal he can step aside. Even BrindAmour and Cooper didn't have to survive a rebuild.

Focus on building a proper core end of story.

It doesn't matter how good your wings are you simply will never contend without 2-3 pillars down the middle. Cootes is a 2/3 upside. Rossi unless he matures at the defensive end will be playing wing or gone by then. We have nothing in the 1-2 holes

This notion that we can get 2 pillars at C in the next 2-3 drafts would pigeonhole this team to chasing Cs of the very ilk that Malhotra has from likely worse draft slots which means they may not be available.

The notion of a quick fix or fluffing EP40 is a nightmare scenario.

It's a no brainer if he's available. Take Malhotra

It is a no brainer, but recent reports suggest Johnson will complicate things by forgoing Caleb.

It's drama either way imo. If they take him, the room gets awkward. Teammates could resent coach and player. If they pass on him, the market watches him shine elsewhere knowing that fear pushed the decision.

They can save it with Stenberg, maybe. Short of that pick, I don't know...

 

[Icebreakers]

Chi fans are starting to dial in at Caleb with #4. Basically their Toews of this generation as all of Bedard, Frondell and Nazar can go to the wing. If Van passes on him, I think he's going to Chi.

The only player Chi would take over Malhotra is Stenberg, but it's not possible for both to be available at 4. Chi doesn't need another young D. They need stability back there.

 

[Icebreakers]

It is a no brainer, but recent reports suggest Johnson will complicate things by forgoing Caleb.

It's drama either way imo. If they take him, the room gets awkward. Teammates could resent coach and player. If they pass on him, the market watches him shine elsewhere knowing that fear pushed the decision.

They can save it with Stenberg, maybe. Short of that pick, I don't know...

Agree, in a vacuum , Malhotra is the easy and correct pick.

They need his style of player and personality the most.

Reid is not what the team needs. Not even mentioning all the American thing, I don't consider him a better prospect than Buium. Both need #1 pp time. I think Reid is less dynamic than Buium. The fit with that core and no forwards is not a good recipe. We are almost certainly going to trade one of them like Nashville did with Jones or Colorado with Byram.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

I mean it seems pretty obvious Hughes was going to leave anyway and this was JR calling it like it was… doesn’t mean he should have said it, but doubt

I agree it’s not the only reason, spending assets on Lindholm, Zadorov and trading Miller while doubling down on Boeser, Demko, Garland, Petey was extremely stupid moves from management. Now we have traded or trying to trade all of the above re-signed players shows pure incompetence. We had a team that came second in the conference and one win away from the Western conference finals to a full rebuild. Then calling out Hughes the Captain and backbone of the team how he wants to play with his brothers didn’t affect Quinn’s decision at all? He probably did want out and who would blame him but the media circus that followed JR’s comments was 100% a factor in wanting out.

 

[Nuckles]

I think I'm done with my list this year. This is by far the most time I've spent watching draft prospects thanks to the Canucks being unwatchable this season and having some extra picks

PREFACE
This is not a mock draft. I have very differing opinions on a number of guys compared to the consensus based on my viewings, how I value players, and how I think their play will translate to the NHL. I guarantee at least a few of these guys will still be available at the Sharks 2nd pick

Spoiler: 2026 DRAFT LIST

1. Caleb Malhotra - Not a franchise C, not even a surefire 1C. High-end potential is probably a lower-end 1C for now but if he continues his rapid improvement moving forward he could grow beyond that. Needs a year in the NCAA to bulk up, and maybe even an additional/partial year in the AHL before stepping into the NHL full-time.

2. Ivar Stenberg - Should immediately step into the NHL as a top 6 winger and succeed after doing pretty damn well in the SHL, WJC, and World Championship. Has the potential to become a play driving 1st line winger.

3. Chase Reid - Previously had him 1st after watching him in the WJC and OHL in December/January, but then I caught a couple of his playoff games and he didn't look nearly as good. Not sure if he just struggled to get back into a groove after being injured for a month and a half towards the end of the season. Still think he has #1 D potential from his play earlier in the season.

4. Gavin McKenna - Too many red flags. The elite offensive skill is there and he's pretty much guaranteed to be a top 6 forward and major powerplay threat, but a lot is missing as well. He may be an overall liability at even strength for a few years (if not more) and likely struggles to produce at even strength against good defensive teams, especially in the playoffs when every team tightens up defensively and plays more physical. Potential 90-ish point winger with heavy powerplay production.

5. Carson Carels - Good all-around D that has shown steady improvement throughout the season+playoffs. Not fully sold on him having 1D potential but still a high impact and physical potential top pairing D.

6. Daxton Rudolph - I have some concerns about his defensive and physical inconsistency, but the rest of what he brings makes up for it. Potential top pairing D that leans more on the offensive side.

7. Alberts Smits - Has all the tools to be a 1D but will be limited by what's going on between the ears. Might be able to step straight into the NHL next season. Potential 2/3 D

8. Malte Gustafsson - Big, mobile, physical, good at carrying and moving the puck, very good defensively. Won't be a liability in the offensive zone but not much of an asset either. Definitely the lowest offensive upside of all the top D but could see him being the best defensively of the bunch. Potential 2/3 shutdown D

9. Keaton Verhoeff - His skating and some of his defensive play give me pause, but still think he could top out as a #2 D if everything goes well. More likely he ends up a 2nd pair D though

10. Viggo Bjorck - Have some concerns about his lack of size and top speed at the NHL level and on non-international ice. But has obviously shown he can compete against men in the SHL and at the World Championship. Potential top 6 C/RW

-----Buckle up, the consensus goes out the window-----

11. Nikita Klepov - Have been thoroughly impressed in all my viewings. His IQ is what stands out most, but the complete package of what he brings to the table makes him so dangerous. More of a playmaker than a scorer. Has a pretty good motor and plays with a bit of an edge despite his average size. Late June birthday is a plus. Potential 1st line winger.

12. Ilia Morozov - Big two-way C that skates well and competes hard. Like Malhotra, has improved a ton in the past year. By all accounts he has an extremely good work ethic on and off the ice. Posted a bunch of top results at the combine too. Currently lacks the offensive skill to be more than a potential 2C but was driving the play on his line in the NCAA games I watched. August b-day to boot.

13. Simas Ignatavicius - Big, fast, physical, versatile (LW/RW with some C), defensively responsible, good motor, very good shot, pretty good offensive skills. Had some questions about his offensive upside while playing a bottom 6 role in the NL, but then he put up 7 goals and 4 assists in 8 SL games during the Olympic break. Potential top 6 forward

14. Oscar Hemming - The lack of offensive production, especially goalscoring (1 goal in 19 games), is a bit of a concern. But at the end of the day he was still a 17 year old (August b-day) in the NCAA and looked good overall despite all the drama that forced him to miss half the season. His size, skating, physical+defensive play, and playmaking ability could see him become top 6 complementary winger.

15. Alexander Command - Was fairly unimpressed after watching two of his U20 league games earlier in the year, he was playing laid back and without much intensity. Then caught a couple of his playoff games + the U18s and he looked far better. Much more engaged and active in the play at all times, more in line with what basically everyone else was saying about him. Potential 2C

-----Start of a sharp drop-off-----

16. Tomas Chrenko - Not completely sure if he'll be a C in the NHL, and even though he's undersized I think he's capable of doing it. Looked pretty good at the WJC and in the Slovakia men's league games I watched. Still needs to work on his defensive consistency and put on some muscle, but the offensive skill and drive is there. Potential 2C/RW

17. Jakub Vanecek - Despite the weird statline (14g, 21a, -21 in 59 games) on a bad team he impressed me. Good defensive play and positioning with a very active stick, smart offensive reads to jump up in the play/rush, pretty good skating and shot, solid size and puck moving ability. Potential #3 D

18. Wyatt Cullen - Interesting package of speed + skill especially with his recent growth spurt and his early September birthday (one week away from being in next year's draft). However I think people are putting too much stock into his U18 performance. He took advantage of the larger international ice and danced around weak competition. Potential play driving 2nd line winger

19. William Hakansson - Big physical shutdown D that played against men in the SHL and Allsvenskan all season. Needs to be paired with someone who can move the puck. Potential 2nd pairing D

20. Brooks Rogowski - Huge (6'7" 235lbs) two-way C that skates well with a late June birthday. 42 points in 46 games playing on the 2nd line. I've seen enough from him offensively that makes me think there's a chance he makes it as a 2nd liner, though maybe more in a complementary role. Potential middle 6 C/RW

21. Jack Hextall - Just a smart all-around two-way C with decent size (6'0.5" 195lbs) and a pretty good motor. Doesn't dazzle you with skill or speed but does the little things right, and doesn't shy away from physical play. Good playmaking ability, has a knack for finding passes to open areas that a teammate can skate into. Potential middle 6 C/RW

22. Beckett Hamilton - A one man offence generator on a team desperately lacking firepower. Good motor, underrated offensive skills, pretty good skating. On the lighter side (5'11" 174lbs) but willing to engage physically. Not a slouch defensively either. Potential middle 6 C/RW

23. Thomas Vandenberg - Good defensively, good speed+motor, pretty good shot, ok size (6'0" 180lbs), 56.5% on faceoffs, not afraid of going to the net. Put up 25g+25a in 59 OHL games and 4g+3a in 9 playoff games bouncing between the 2nd and 3rd lines all year. Much more of a scorer than a playmaker. One of the youngest players in the draft, early Sept birthday. Potential middle 6 C/LW

24. Adam Novotny - Scoring winger with pro size and speed + decent defensive play. Some concern about his offence falling off towards the end of the season + playoffs. Potential middle 6 winger

25. Ethan Belchetz - The more I watched Belchetz the more I saw things that concerned me. First it was his skating, then his defensive play, then it was his IQ/decision making. His offensive production wasn't too impressive considering his linemates and the ice time he was getting. Obviously his size is a huge plus, but I'm not sure if he'll be able to establish himself in a bottom 6 role if he can't make it as a top 6 winger. Also a little concerned he missed the playoffs the last two years due to injury.

26. Gleb Pugachyov - Big fast wrecking ball of a winger. The lack of MHL production is a red flag, but I've seen enough flashes of skill that makes me think he could be used in a top 6 role. Otherwise an exciting, powerful bottom 6 winger. Funny enough his MHL/VHL/KHL stats are similar to Podkolzin in his draft year.

27. Mathis Preston - Frustrating player. At times he looks like a potential 1st liner, at other times a future AHLer. His offensive production didn't improve much from the previous season. Very top 6 or bust prospect. I WANT TO BELIEVE

28. Tynan Lawrence - Massively disappointing season for a guy who was hyped as a top 5 pick to start the year. His limited offensive upside is very apparent, but there's still value in a 6'1" speedy tenacious centre that can shut down the opposition. Also on the younger side, August birthday having played the entire NCAA season as a 17 year old. Potential 3rd line centre...maybe a small chance he can figure some things out offensively and become a lower-end 2C?

29. Tommy Bleyl - Putting this undersized D (5'11" 170lbs) in the 1st round against my better judgment. Bleyl dominated the QMJHL including the playoffs although it is a weaker league. He needs to put on a lot of muscle, and even then it'll be a very uphill battle to beat the odds for a QMJHL D his size. Really not a fan that he's staying in the Q another year instead of going to the NCAA to bulk up and face tougher competition. Potential top 4 D

30. Brek Liske - After Tarin Smith got injured Liske was moved to the top pairing for most of Everett's failed Memorial Cup run. 24 points in 52 regular season games into 17 points in 18 playoff games. Definitely got a bump playing with Dupont, but Liske is no slouch offensively either (QB'd the 2nd PP unit). Good defensively, good puck moving ability, decent size (6'1" 190lbs), skating is ok but definitely needs to improve his speed + acceleration. Played LD all season + playoffs despite being a right shot so I'm going to assume he's comfortable on RD too. Potential 2nd pair D

31. Markus Ruck - By himself I think he can still become a middle 6 winger, but there are definitely weaknesses to his game that will stand out much more at the pro level (size/strength and to a lesser extent speed). If drafted with his brother he moves up to the early 20s. Unlikely he plays C in the NHL.

32. Liam Ruck - See above

Honourable Mentions
- Niklas Aaram-Olsen: Speedy scoring winger with a pretty good shot and motor
- Ryan Lin: It sucks because it's completely out of his control, but the lack of size is a concern
- Jonas Lagerberg Hoen: Huge wildcard. Missed almost the entire season. Likely 1st round pick had he not gotten injured. Fast scoring winger with size and a pretty good motor. *HOWEVER* it was a knee injury that required surgery, so not sure how much that will impact his speed moving forward. Also his overall skating is clunky.


Before you ask...

Suvanto - Just does not have the offensive ability to be anything remotely close to a top 6 forward. His skating is a major concern for me as well. Don't think he's close to being a lock for a 3rd liner either.

Nordmark - Might be on my DND after his pathetic U18 showing and finding out he's had issues with multiple coaches over the past couple of years. Plenty of talent but probably not worth the headache even with an early 2nd. Also in multiple games he had the puck on an odd man rush, had a clear passing lane to create a high danger scoring chance, and instead threw it on net shortside for an easy save. This happened enough times for me to mention it

Hermansson - Thought he looked pretty bad in the Allsvenskan game I watched, and was very Jekyll and Hyde at the U18s. Have serious doubts about his game working at the NHL level.

Sokolovskii - He's got the size, skating, and snarl, but he left me questioning his defensive IQ/decision making at times. Useless in the offensive zone and mediocre at best at moving the puck. Just don't see top 4 potential from him. Not worth a 1st or early 2nd

Shilov - Zero hustle/motor and defensive issues

Dagenais - Defensive issues. Effort issues. IQ issues. Has all the tools but no toolbox. Doubt he plays C at the pro level.

Villeneuve - Very small and just wasn't that impressed with his play in the weaker QMJHL. Have a very hard time seeing him make it in the NHL.

Hurlbert - A lot of junior hockey points and cherry picking/leaving D zone early that won't fly at the pro level. Defensive effort was bad too.

 

[lawrence]

Despite being their best forward,

He wasn’t their best foward though.

 

[lawrence]

I think I'm done with my list this year. This is by far the most time I've spent watching draft prospects thanks to the Canucks being unwatchable this season and having some extra picks

PREFACE
This is not a mock draft. I have very differing opinions on a number of guys compared to the consensus based on my viewings, how I value players, and how I think their play will translate to the NHL. I guarantee at least a few of these guys will still be available at the Sharks 2nd pick

Spoiler: 2026 DRAFT LIST

1. Caleb Malhotra - Not a franchise C, not even a surefire 1C. High-end potential is probably a lower-end 1C for now but if he continues his rapid improvement moving forward he could grow beyond that. Needs a year in the NCAA to bulk up, and maybe even an additional/partial year in the AHL before stepping into the NHL full-time.

2. Ivar Stenberg - Should immediately step into the NHL as a top 6 winger and succeed after doing pretty damn well in the SHL, WJC, and World Championship. Has the potential to become a play driving 1st line winger.

3. Chase Reid - Previously had him 1st after watching him in the WJC and OHL in December/January, but then I caught a couple of his playoff games and he didn't look nearly as good. Not sure if he just struggled to get back into a groove after being injured for a month and a half towards the end of the season. Still think he has #1 D potential from his play earlier in the season.

4. Gavin McKenna - Too many red flags. The elite offensive skill is there and he's pretty much guaranteed to be a top 6 forward and major powerplay threat, but a lot is missing as well. He may be an overall liability at even strength for a few years (if not more) and likely struggles to produce at even strength against good defensive teams, especially in the playoffs when every team tightens up defensively and plays more physical. Potential 90-ish point winger with heavy powerplay production.

5. Carson Carels - Good all-around D that has shown steady improvement throughout the season+playoffs. Not fully sold on him having 1D potential but still a high impact and physical potential top pairing D.

6. Daxton Rudolph - I have some concerns about his defensive and physical inconsistency, but the rest of what he brings makes up for it. Potential top pairing D that leans more on the offensive side.

7. Alberts Smits - Has all the tools to be a 1D but will be limited by what's going on between the ears. Might be able to step straight into the NHL next season. Potential 2/3 D

8. Malte Gustafsson - Big, mobile, physical, good at carrying and moving the puck, very good defensively. Won't be a liability in the offensive zone but not much of an asset either. Definitely the lowest offensive upside of all the top D but could see him being the best defensively of the bunch. Potential 2/3 shutdown D

9. Keaton Verhoeff - His skating and some of his defensive play give me pause, but still think he could top out as a #2 D if everything goes well. More likely he ends up a 2nd pair D though

10. Viggo Bjorck - Have some concerns about his lack of size and top speed at the NHL level and on non-international ice. But has obviously shown he can compete against men in the SHL and at the World Championship. Potential top 6 C/RW

-----Buckle up, the consensus goes out the window-----k

11. Nikita Klepov - Have been thoroughly impressed in all my viewings. His IQ is what stands out most, but the complete package of what he brings to the table makes him so dangerous. More of a playmaker than a scorer. Has a pretty good motor and plays with a bit of an edge despite his average size. Late June birthday is a plus. Potential 1st line winger.

12. Ilia Morozov - Big two-way C that skates well and competes hard. Like Malhotra, has improved a ton in the past year. By all accounts he has an extremely good work ethic on and off the ice. Posted a bunch of top results at the combine too. Currently lacks the offensive skill to be more than a potential 2C but was driving the play on his line in the NCAA games I watched. August b-day to boot.

13. Simas Ignatavicius - Big, fast, physical, versatile (LW/RW with some C), defensively responsible, good motor, very good shot, pretty good offensive skills. Had some questions about his offensive upside while playing a bottom 6 role in the NL, but then he put up 7 goals and 4 assists in 8 SL games during the Olympic break. Potential top 6 forward

14. Oscar Hemming - The lack of offensive production, especially goalscoring (1 goal in 19 games), is a bit of a concern. But at the end of the day he was still a 17 year old (August b-day) in the NCAA and looked good overall despite all the drama that forced him to miss half the season. His size, skating, physical+defensive play, and playmaking ability could see him become top 6 complementary winger.

15. Alexander Command - Was fairly unimpressed after watching two of his U20 league games earlier in the year, he was playing laid back and without much intensity. Then caught a couple of his playoff games + the U18s and he looked far better. Much more engaged and active in the play at all times, more in line with what basically everyone else was saying about him. Potential 2C

-----Start of a sharp drop-off-----

16. Tomas Chrenko - Not completely sure if he'll be a C in the NHL, and even though he's undersized I think he's capable of doing it. Looked pretty good at the WJC and in the Slovakia men's league games I watched. Still needs to work on his defensive consistency and put on some muscle, but the offensive skill and drive is there. Potential 2C/RW

17. Jakub Vanecek - Despite the weird statline (14g, 21a, -21 in 59 games) on a bad team he impressed me. Good defensive play and positioning with a very active stick, smart offensive reads to jump up in the play/rush, pretty good skating and shot, solid size and puck moving ability. Potential #3 D

18. Wyatt Cullen - Interesting package of speed + skill especially with his recent growth spurt and his early September birthday (one week away from being in next year's draft). However I think people are putting too much stock into his U18 performance. He took advantage of the larger international ice and danced around weak competition. Potential play driving 2nd line winger

19. William Hakansson - Big physical shutdown D that played against men in the SHL and Allsvenskan all season. Needs to be paired with someone who can move the puck. Potential 2nd pairing D

20. Brooks Rogowski - Huge (6'7" 235lbs) two-way C that skates well with a late June birthday. 42 points in 46 games playing on the 2nd line. I've seen enough from him offensively that makes me think there's a chance he makes it as a 2nd liner, though maybe more in a complementary role. Potential middle 6 C/RW

21. Jack Hextall - Just a smart all-around two-way C with decent size (6'0.5" 195lbs) and a pretty good motor. Doesn't dazzle you with skill or speed but does the little things right, and doesn't shy away from physical play. Good playmaking ability, has a knack for finding passes to open areas that a teammate can skate into. Potential middle 6 C/RW

22. Beckett Hamilton - A one man offence generator on a team desperately lacking firepower. Good motor, underrated offensive skills, pretty good skating. On the lighter side (5'11" 174lbs) but willing to engage physically. Not a slouch defensively either. Potential middle 6 C/RW

23. Thomas Vandenberg - Good defensively, good speed+motor, pretty good shot, ok size (6'0" 180lbs), 56.5% on faceoffs, not afraid of going to the net. Put up 25g+25a in 59 OHL games and 4g+3a in 9 playoff games bouncing between the 2nd and 3rd lines all year. Much more of a scorer than a playmaker. One of the youngest players in the draft, early Sept birthday. Potential middle 6 C/LW

24. Adam Novotny - Scoring winger with pro size and speed + decent defensive play. Some concern about his offence falling off towards the end of the season + playoffs. Potential middle 6 winger

25. Ethan Belchetz - The more I watched Belchetz the more I saw things that concerned me. First it was his skating, then his defensive play, then it was his IQ/decision making. His offensive production wasn't too impressive considering his linemates and the ice time he was getting. Obviously his size is a huge plus, but I'm not sure if he'll be able to establish himself in a bottom 6 role if he can't make it as a top 6 winger. Also a little concerned he missed the playoffs the last two years due to injury.

26. Gleb Pugachyov - Big fast wrecking ball of a winger. The lack of MHL production is a red flag, but I've seen enough flashes of skill that makes me think he could be used in a top 6 role. Otherwise an exciting, powerful bottom 6 winger. Funny enough his MHL/VHL/KHL stats are similar to Podkolzin in his draft year.

27. Mathis Preston - Frustrating player. At times he looks like a potential 1st liner, at other times a future AHLer. His offensive production didn't improve much from the previous season. Very top 6 or bust prospect. I WANT TO BELIEVE

28. Tynan Lawrence - Massively disappointing season for a guy who was hyped as a top 5 pick to start the year. His limited offensive upside is very apparent, but there's still value in a 6'1" speedy tenacious centre that can shut down the opposition. Also on the younger side, August birthday having played the entire NCAA season as a 17 year old. Potential 3rd line centre...maybe a small chance he can figure some things out offensively and become a lower-end 2C?

29. Tommy Bleyl - Putting this undersized D (5'11" 170lbs) in the 1st round against my better judgment. Bleyl dominated the QMJHL including the playoffs although it is a weaker league. He needs to put on a lot of muscle, and even then it'll be a very uphill battle to beat the odds for a QMJHL D his size. Really not a fan that he's staying in the Q another year instead of going to the NCAA to bulk up and face tougher competition. Potential top 4 D

30. Brek Liske - After Tarin Smith got injured Liske was moved to the top pairing for most of Everett's failed Memorial Cup run. 24 points in 52 regular season games into 17 points in 18 playoff games. Definitely got a bump playing with Dupont, but Liske is no slouch offensively either (QB'd the 2nd PP unit). Good defensively, good puck moving ability, decent size (6'1" 190lbs), skating is ok but definitely needs to improve his speed + acceleration. Played LD all season + playoffs despite being a right shot so I'm going to assume he's comfortable on RD too. Potential 2nd pair D

31. Markus Ruck - By himself I think he can still become a middle 6 winger, but there are definitely weaknesses to his game that will stand out much more at the pro level (size/strength and to a lesser extent speed). If drafted with his brother he moves up to the early 20s. Unlikely he plays C in the NHL.

32. Liam Ruck - See above

Honourable Mentions
- Niklas Aaram-Olsen: Speedy scoring winger with a pretty good shot and motor
- Ryan Lin: It sucks because it's completely out of his control, but the lack of size is a concern
- Jonas Lagerberg Hoen: Huge wildcard. Missed almost the entire season. Likely 1st round pick had he not gotten injured. Fast scoring winger with size and a pretty good motor. *HOWEVER* it was a knee injury that required surgery, so not sure how much that will impact his speed moving forward. Also his overall skating is clunky.


Before you ask...

Suvanto - Just does not have the offensive ability to be anything remotely close to a top 6 forward. His skating is a major concern for me as well. Don't think he's close to being a lock for a 3rd liner either.

Nordmark - Might be on my DND after his pathetic U18 showing and finding out he's had issues with multiple coaches over the past couple of years. Plenty of talent but probably not worth the headache even with an early 2nd. Also in multiple games he had the puck on an odd man rush, had a clear passing lane to create a high danger scoring chance, and instead threw it on net shortside for an easy save. This happened enough times for me to mention it

Hermansson - Thought he looked pretty bad in the Allsvenskan game I watched, and was very Jekyll and Hyde at the U18s. Have serious doubts about his game working at the NHL level.

Sokolovskii - He's got the size, skating, and snarl, but he left me questioning his defensive IQ/decision making at times. Useless in the offensive zone and mediocre at best at moving the puck. Just don't see top 4 potential from him. Not worth a 1st or early 2nd

Shilov - Zero hustle/motor and defensive issues

Dagenais - Defensive issues. Effort issues. IQ issues. Has all the tools but no toolbox. Doubt he plays C at the pro level.

Villeneuve - Very small and just wasn't that impressed with his play in the weaker QMJHL. Have a very hard time seeing him make it in the NHL.

Hurlbert - A lot of junior hockey points and cherry picking/leaving D zone early that won't fly at the pro level. Defensive effort was bad too.

Daaaaaannnnggg click bait. McKenna at 4

 

[Agent007]

For what it’s worth at bet365 malhorta was -400 yesterday and down to -125 today.

Stenberg is +275 and Reid is +350

Carels is +5000