Top 2026 draft D prospects?

[rocketdan9]

Other than Keaton Verhoeff and Xavier Villeneuve, who else should I keep an eye on?

Is Landon DuPont (2027 draft eligible prospect) considered a higher tier talent then say Villeneuve?

 

[macbowes]

Many good defense prospects that are on my watchlist for next year. Standouts include Keaton Verhoeff, Xavier Villeneuve, Ryan Lin, Daxon Rudolph, Chase Reid, Luke Schairer, and Malte Gustafsson.

Here are the dmen that are currently on my 2026 watchlist:

Spoiler: 2026 Defenseman Watchlist [MAY 2025]

POS  NAME                   BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE   TEAM
---------------------------------------------------------------
D    Keaton Verhoeff       2008        WHL      Victoria Royals
D    Ryan Lin              2008        WHL      Vancouver Giants
D    Brek Liske            2008        WHL      Everett Silvertips
D    Daxon Rudolph         2008        WHL      Prince Albert Raiders
D    Carson Carels         2008        WHL      Prince George Cougars
D    Chase Reid            2007        OHL      Soo Greygounds
D    Nick Frasca           2008        OHL      Niagara Ice Dogs
D    Carter Hicks          2008        OHL      Windsor Spitfires
D    Alexander Bilecki     2008        OHL      Kitchener Rangers
D    Xavier Villeneuve     2007        QMJHL    Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
D    Ben Cossette-Ayotte   2008        QMJHL    Val-d'Or Foreurs
D    Zachary Nyman         2008        BCHL     Penticton Vees
D    Nate Yellowaga        2008        BCHL     Brooks Bandits
D    Landon Nycz           2007        USHL     Sioux City Musketeers
D    Callum Croskery       2008        USHL     Chicago Steel
D    Jet Kwajah            2008        USHL     Madison Capitols
D    Logan Lutner          2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    AJ Francisco          2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    Luke Schairer         2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    Alexander Grunin      2008        MHL      Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D    Alexander Morozov     2008        MHL      Ladia Togliatti
D    Juho Piiparinen       2008        U20SM    Tappara
D    Samu Alalauri         2008        U20SM    Pelicans
D    Vladimir Dravecky     2007        J20N     Rogle BK
D    Ola Palme             2008        J20N     Vaxjo Lakers
D    Malte Gustafsson      2008        J20N     HV71
D    Axel Elofsson         2008        J20N     Orebro
D    Dennis Lindberg       2008        J18R     Djurgardens
D    Dominic Pajkic        2008        16UAAA   Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA
D    Cameron Chartrand     2008        16UAAA   Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA

As for Landon DuPont, in my opinion, he's on a completely different level than almost any defense prospect I've ever seen. I think he could be the best prospect since McDavid. He's unbelievable. He would go 1OA this year, and I think many would have him 1OA over McKenna. He's a special talent.

 

[rocketdan9]

As for Landon DuPont, in my opinion, he's on a completely different level than almost any defense prospect I've ever seen. I think he could be the best prospect since McDavid. He's unbelievable. He would go 1OA this year, and I think many would have him 1OA over McKenna. He's a special talent.

Over McKenna? Kind of sounds unbelievable. So in the same realm as Erik Karlssok (at peak)? I will check out more clips.

 

[TheFinnishchamp]

Finland has five interesting defensemen for this draft, with three of them being right shot.

Juho Piiparinen and Samu Alalauri are very potential first round picks with their combination of size, skill and defensive awareness. Max Laatikainen, Vertti Svensk and Eelis Uronen should be middle round picks.

 

[LeProspector]

The big guys are going to be Verhoeff, Rudolph, Charels, Reid, Schairer in my opinion.

 

[Czechboy]

Many good defense prospects that are on my watchlist for next year. Standouts include Keaton Verhoeff, Xavier Villeneuve, Ryan Lin, Daxon Rudolph, Chase Reid, Luke Schairer, and Malte Gustafsson.

Here are the dmen that are currently on my 2026 watchlist:

Spoiler: 2026 Defenseman Watchlist [MAY 2025]

POS  NAME                   BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE   TEAM
---------------------------------------------------------------
D    Keaton Verhoeff       2008        WHL      Victoria Royals
D    Ryan Lin              2008        WHL      Vancouver Giants
D    Brek Liske            2008        WHL      Everett Silvertips
D    Daxon Rudolph         2008        WHL      Prince Albert Raiders
D    Carson Carels         2008        WHL      Prince George Cougars
D    Chase Reid            2007        OHL      Soo Greygounds
D    Nick Frasca           2008        OHL      Niagara Ice Dogs
D    Carter Hicks          2008        OHL      Windsor Spitfires
D    Alexander Bilecki     2008        OHL      Kitchener Rangers
D    Xavier Villeneuve     2007        QMJHL    Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
D    Ben Cossette-Ayotte   2008        QMJHL    Val-d'Or Foreurs
D    Zachary Nyman         2008        BCHL     Penticton Vees
D    Nate Yellowaga        2008        BCHL     Brooks Bandits
D    Landon Nycz           2007        USHL     Sioux City Musketeers
D    Callum Croskery       2008        USHL     Chicago Steel
D    Jet Kwajah            2008        USHL     Madison Capitols
D    Logan Lutner          2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    AJ Francisco          2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    Luke Schairer         2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    Alexander Grunin      2008        MHL      Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D    Alexander Morozov     2008        MHL      Ladia Togliatti
D    Juho Piiparinen       2008        U20SM    Tappara
D    Samu Alalauri         2008        U20SM    Pelicans
D    Vladimir Dravecky     2007        J20N     Rogle BK
D    Ola Palme             2008        J20N     Vaxjo Lakers
D    Malte Gustafsson      2008        J20N     HV71
D    Axel Elofsson         2008        J20N     Orebro
D    Dennis Lindberg       2008        J18R     Djurgardens
D    Dominic Pajkic        2008        16UAAA   Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA
D    Cameron Chartrand     2008        16UAAA   Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA

As for Landon DuPont, in my opinion, he's on a completely different level than almost any defense prospect I've ever seen. I think he could be the best prospect since McDavid. He's unbelievable. He would go 1OA this year, and I think many would have him 1OA over McKenna. He's a special talent.

is it a down year for euros?

 

[macbowes]

is it a down year for euros?

I can't say I've noticed any particular weakness from the Euro region for this draft. I have a similar number of players on my watchlist from Euro-leagues at each position that I normally do. In general, I feel 2025 was a below-average year, so in that sense, I think 2026 could be better for Euros.

 

[frontsfan67]

As for Landon DuPont, in my opinion, he's on a completely different level than almost any defense prospect I've ever seen. I think he could be the best prospect since McDavid. He's unbelievable. He would go 1OA this year, and I think many would have him 1OA over McKenna. He's a special talent.

Ok he’s amazing but let’s not get ahead of ourselves he wouldn’t go ahead of Schaefer or Misa for sure but cool enough that he would be probably a top 5 pick this year.

Mckenna we will see all depends on how big of a leap DuPont takes this year (dy-1)But Mckenna is better than any of the top guys this year and he’s not getting drafted until next year. Not the same level of Schaefer or Misa.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Ok he’s amazing but let’s not get ahead of ourselves he wouldn’t go ahead of Schaefer or Misa for sure but cool enough that he would be probably a top 5 pick this year.

Mckenna we will see all depends on how big of a leap DuPont takes this year (dy-1)But Mckenna is better than any of the top guys this year and he’s not getting drafted until next year. Not the same level of Schaefer or Misa.

You seriously don't think Dupont would go before Schaefer or Misa?

 

[frontsfan67]

You seriously don't think Dupont would go before Schaefer or Misa?

No because I’m not delusional. He will be a better prospect no doubt but you’d have to be stupid to seriously think DuPont is better than both of those guys right now after his 15 year old season. Will he be as early as the end of next year? Potentially but right now absolutely not.

This isn’t even hating on the kid but this is one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve ever seen about a junior hockey player.

He put up 60 points in 64 games. That is not first overall worthy. He would be a first round pick no doubt but it’s laughable to say he’d be first overall with those numbers. He’s not a defensive defenceman- he’s an offensive defenceman putting up less than a ppg in the CHL.

That’s not to say in his draft year he won’t be first overall- he 100% will and will likely double his production in the meantime while getting worlds better defensively but for this year- would have about a snowballs chance in hell.

 

[frontsfan67]

Here are the dmen that are currently on my 2026 watchlist:

D Nick Frasca 2008 OHL Niagara Ice Dogs

Had 1 point in 17 games played for the weakest defensive team by far in the OHL last year

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

No because I’m not delusional. He will be a better prospect no doubt but you’d have to be stupid to seriously think DuPont is better than both of those guys right now after his 15 year old season. Will he be as early as the end of next year? Potentially but right now absolutely not.

This isn’t even hating on the kid but this is one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve ever seen about a junior hockey player.

He put up 60 points in 64 games. That is not first overall worthy. He would be a first round pick no doubt but it’s laughable to say he’d be first overall with those numbers. He’s not a defensive defenceman- he’s an offensive defenceman putting up less than a ppg in the CHL.

That’s not to say in his draft year he won’t be first overall- he 100% will and will likely double his production in the meantime while getting worlds better defensively but for this year- would have about a snowballs chance in hell.

You do realize that the draft is all about projection. While how a player looks like today is certainly important, what is more important is how you see the player long term. Dupont is very likely the next McDavid level prospect. Schaefer is hardly a unanimous 1 OA for his draft. Same is true for Misa.

 

[SI90]

If Schaefer was born 11 days later he would be 2026 draft. Would he still be the #1 defensman in the class?

 

[wetcoast]

If Schaefer was born 11 days later he would be 2026 draft. Would he still be the #1 defensman in the class?

In a word, YES.

 

[LeProspector]

You do realize that the draft is all about projection. While how a player looks like today is certainly important, what is more important is how you see the player long term. Dupont is very likely the next McDavid level prospect. Schaefer is hardly a unanimous 1 OA for his draft. Same is true for Misa.

100% you take McDavid in 2013 10/10 times because of what he projected to be, even if you had to wait a few more years.

And the 2025 class is much worse than the 2013 class was supposed to be at the time.

 

[frontsfan67]

You do realize that the draft is all about projection. While how a player looks like today is certainly important, what is more important is how you see the player long term. Dupont is very likely the next McDavid level prospect. Schaefer is hardly a unanimous 1 OA for his draft. Same is true for Misa.

Compare his skill set to that of Schaefer and Misa right now. Is his superior? The answer is no. Will it be in 2 years when he’s eligible to be drafted? Yes he will likely be better as a junior/ncaa player than Schaefer and Misa will be for the start of their young pro careers.

People said the same about Bedard. He was great too but it’s laughable to say he would’ve went first overall in his dy-2 or dy-1. The same goes for even McDavid and DuPont. From a guy who has watched all 3.

McDavid as great as he was it was debatable about if he would have gone 1OA at the time with guys like Bennett/Ekblad/Reinhart/Draisaitl. That was a really weak draft (even weaker than this year) and Bennett was the projected #1 (but fell to 4 due to draft combine) so I’ll say he would have but the year prior 2013 that was the MacKinnon draft and 0 chance in hell where he was at 15 would he have gone ahead of 17 year old MacKinnon/barkov/drouin etc

If McDavid is the bar and even he wouldn’t have gone 1OA in his dy-2 then why is it such an insane statement to say that DuPont wouldn’t? Not going off future potential 2 years down the road going off current skillset. Compare 15 year old McDavid to 17 year old MacKinnon.

MacKinnon 74 pts in 44 games 32 goals, Q title, M cup etc vs mcdavid 66pts in 63 games

Not even close if they’re in the same draft with those stats who you take.

 

[frontsfan67]

If Schaefer was born 11 days later he would be 2026 draft. Would he still be the #1 defensman in the class?

By far yes

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Picking Schaeffer over Dupont is like picking Eichel over McDavid.

 

[Siignal]

Dupont and McKenna are in a class of their own, Dupont is arguably projecting higher.

If your argument is how good they are now, vs how they project, then you should stop trying to twist the argument to fit your confirmation bias. In previous threads I gave benefit of the doubt because I don't watch the OHL, but this is objectively wrong analysis.

Mcdavid would have gone above mackinnon in his dy-2 because every single person who would have ever made that decision isn't spending too much time on an online forum making bad faith arguments.

 

[Appleyard]

Many good defense prospects that are on my watchlist for next year. Standouts include Keaton Verhoeff, Xavier Villeneuve, Ryan Lin, Daxon Rudolph, Chase Reid, Luke Schairer, and Malte Gustafsson.

Here are the dmen that are currently on my 2026 watchlist:

Spoiler: 2026 Defenseman Watchlist [MAY 2025]

POS  NAME                   BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE   TEAM
---------------------------------------------------------------
D    Keaton Verhoeff       2008        WHL      Victoria Royals
D    Ryan Lin              2008        WHL      Vancouver Giants
D    Brek Liske            2008        WHL      Everett Silvertips
D    Daxon Rudolph         2008        WHL      Prince Albert Raiders
D    Carson Carels         2008        WHL      Prince George Cougars
D    Chase Reid            2007        OHL      Soo Greygounds
D    Nick Frasca           2008        OHL      Niagara Ice Dogs
D    Carter Hicks          2008        OHL      Windsor Spitfires
D    Alexander Bilecki     2008        OHL      Kitchener Rangers
D    Xavier Villeneuve     2007        QMJHL    Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
D    Ben Cossette-Ayotte   2008        QMJHL    Val-d'Or Foreurs
D    Zachary Nyman         2008        BCHL     Penticton Vees
D    Nate Yellowaga        2008        BCHL     Brooks Bandits
D    Landon Nycz           2007        USHL     Sioux City Musketeers
D    Callum Croskery       2008        USHL     Chicago Steel
D    Jet Kwajah            2008        USHL     Madison Capitols
D    Logan Lutner          2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    AJ Francisco          2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    Luke Schairer         2008        NTDP     NTDP17
D    Alexander Grunin      2008        MHL      Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D    Alexander Morozov     2008        MHL      Ladia Togliatti
D    Juho Piiparinen       2008        U20SM    Tappara
D    Samu Alalauri         2008        U20SM    Pelicans
D    Vladimir Dravecky     2007        J20N     Rogle BK
D    Ola Palme             2008        J20N     Vaxjo Lakers
D    Malte Gustafsson      2008        J20N     HV71
D    Axel Elofsson         2008        J20N     Orebro
D    Dennis Lindberg       2008        J18R     Djurgardens
D    Dominic Pajkic        2008        16UAAA   Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U AAA
D    Cameron Chartrand     2008        16UAAA   Bishop Kearney Selects 16U AAA

As for Landon DuPont, in my opinion, he's on a completely different level than almost any defense prospect I've ever seen. I think he could be the best prospect since McDavid. He's unbelievable. He would go 1OA this year, and I think many would have him 1OA over McKenna. He's a special talent.

In terms of Russian based guys I think Yaroslav Fedoseyev, Nikita Shcherbakov, Yaroslav Matyev and Ilya Dolgopolov are also worth keeping an eye on too.

And Nikita Fedotov in North America.

 

[Appleyard]

Axel Elofsson would be the first Swedish Dman off the board in this draft let alone next year...

interesting to see how he progresses in next year. He is only 5'10 which hurts... but talent wise he is a 1st round draft pick for 2026 right now.

 

[BKarchitect]

Axel Elofsson would be the first Swedish Dman off the board in this draft let alone next year...

interesting to see how he progresses in next year. He is only 5'10 which hurts... but talent wise he is a 1st round draft pick for 2026 right now.

What do you think of Gustafsson? More projection than product at this point? The clips I’ve seen of him are pretty salivating from a pure size/movement standpoint. I guess a question would be are his offensive tools translatable as he progresses? His numbers on EP in J20 don’t look like much this year - granted he was very, very young for that level.

 

[wetcoast]

In terms of Russian based guys I think Yaroslav Fedoseyev, Nikita Shcherbakov, Yaroslav Matyev and Ilya Dolgopolov are also worth keeping an eye on too.

Any scouting reports?

And Nikita Fedotov in North America.

Where is he playing for the 25-26 season?

Back in Green Bay USHL?

 

[wetcoast]

Axel Elofsson would be the first Swedish Dman off the board in this draft let alone next year...

So better than Sascha Boumedienne who is probably the top Swedish Dman picked in the 25 draft.

interesting to see how he progresses in next year. He is only 5'10 which hurts... but talent wise he is a 1st round draft pick for 2026 right now.

Some growth will help also a couple of CHL guys in the same boat in Lin and Villeneuve.

 

[Appleyard]

What do you think of Gustafsson? More projection than product at this point? The clips I’ve seen of him are pretty salivating from a pure size/movement standpoint. I guess a question would be are his offensive tools translatable as he progresses? His numbers on EP in J20 don’t look like much this year - granted he was very, very young for that level.

His toolkit is fantastic. Very good skater and is massive. Better offensively than his big brother at the same age and Viggo took the next step offensively and Malte should be easily beyond that. My guess is next year he gets maybe ~0.75 P/GP in J20 and also plays some pro games. I don't know if there is a top pairing Dman in there yet, will probably wait and see for next year, but no doubt he "can" be a 1st round pick if kicks on and right now I would say has a chance to be an NHL 2nd pairing guy down the line... but with his tools? Also wouldnt shock me if kicked on.

Any scouting reports?



Where is he playing for the 25-26 season?

Back in Green Bay USHL?

So better than Sascha Boumedienne who is probably the top Swedish Dman picked in the 25 draft.


Some growth will help also a couple of CHL guys in the same boat in Lin and Villeneuve.

MHL: Chelyabinsk Belye Medvedi at Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy - Neutral Zone - Men's

MHL: Chelyabinsk Belye Medvedi at Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy 4 Players Graded & Evaluated

neutralzone.com

Think this one is harsh on Fedoseyev tbh... but often happens with a one game sample size. Has a nice skillset and was better than probably every 2025 draft Dman in MHL this year sans Limatov.

Nikita Shcherbakov - Scouting Report

Find expert scouting reports for Nikita Shcherbakov, analyzing their skills, performance, and potential, provided by Elite Prospects' scouts and partners

www.eliteprospects.com

Yaroslav Matyev - Scouting Report

Find expert scouting reports for Yaroslav Matyev, analyzing their skills, performance, and potential, provided by Elite Prospects' scouts and partners

www.eliteprospects.com

Fedotov should be back to Green Bay!


I think skillset wise he is better than Boumedienne, who I like... but Sascha is ofc 6'2. If Elofsson gets to 6'0 then sure he will be a 1st rounder... if stays at 5'10 probably wont be.