The offensive tactician, McKenna, is a potential franchise altering scoring forward. McKenna finished with 51pts and a 1.46 PointsPerGame. For comparison in the NCAA during their draft year: Adam Fantilli (1.81), Jack Eichel (1.78), and Macklin Celebrini (1.68) are the only current active NHLers above McKenna in this category. Good company to say the least. The deception McKenna plays with screams Nikita Kucherov/ Patrick Kane like play style. He ranked in the top 100th percentile in slot passes per 60. Mckenna posted 129pts in his Draft -1 season playing for MedicineHat (WHL). Not enough people remember he also had 14pts in 7 World Junior games for Canada as a 17yr old playing against 20 year olds. McKenna may go back for his sophomore season with Penn State, or possibly make the jump right to the NHL depending on who drafts him. Every game I watched McKenna he amazed me even more with his ability to thread the needle to teammates. There were multiple defensive plays McKenna made this past season that impressed me quite a bit too. On the flip side, there were a couple plays where McKenna turned the puck over just inside the blueline in the OZ and DZ which resulted in a rush the other way. He will have to learn when to make the safe, simple play and when to make the high risk play at the next level. McKenna is the best offensive player in the draft. His vision, playmaking, and puck handling are his best assets. There is no telling just how much offense he is capable of. I legitimately could envision him putting up 100+ points in the NHL. 

Stenberg is very familiar with pro competition. 25 SHL games before even turning 18. Stenberg dominates offensively. All time in the SHL, during a skater’s draft eligible season only Daniel Sedin (0.84) has a higher pointspergame than Stenberg (0.77). The next four on the list: (Peter Forsberg/ Henrik Sedin/ Kevin Fiala/ Elias Lindholm. At the World Junior stage Stenberg was another skater that performed extremely well as an underaged player. He led Sweden in scoring (7 GP - 4 G / 6 A -10pts) - My player comparison for Stenberg would be a player like Jesper Bratt. Elite offensively with above average defensive play. Could even see him on the penalty kill as a counter threat. Another guy he reminds me of is Marcus Johansson. Stenberg has a high motor with great playmaking ability. On a breakout he made deke around an attacker in the NZ, entered the OZ and slipped the puck to his teammate for the goal. His shooting is accurate and deceptive. He affects the game in every zone. I've seen games where he wins nearly every puck battle. He is never afrais to take the puck to the net. On one goal in the SHL he performed a wrap-around on his backhand side pushing the puck under the goalies pad for the goal. He has such a high compete level, I am not worried about how he will transition into the NHL. I see a 70-80+ point player in Stenberg. I believe he plays in the NHL most of next season. 

Reid has all the tools to become an NHL #1 defenseman. Headed to Michigan State we will see Reid play NCAA hockey relatively soon. He is a smooth, powerful skater, and he has an excellent ability to gap up to opponents and utilize his stick defensively to eliminate plays. This is a guy who can play power-play, penalty kill, you name it. He is calm and composed on breakouts and DZ exits, capable of skating the puck into the OZ through multiple attackers with pressure. He ranked in the 100th percentile in controlled entries into the OZ per 60. I've seen Reid be an extremely effective power-play quarterback. The way he runs the blue-line is special. Reid generates lots of shots from all areas of the OZ. In the game against Sudbury Reid joined the rush creating a 3 on 2. He carried the puck towards the outside, attacking the right shot D, opened his hips towards the middle as if he was going to pass then shot post and in far side. On another play he skated the puck into the OZ then found a breaking teammate towards the net for the primary helper. Reid is always finding teammates in high danger areas and setting up the entry into the OZ.  Reid likes to both carry the puck and distribute in transition. On top of that, he wins his wall battles 90% of the time in the games I tracked. John Carlson type of upside with Reid. Top pair NHL D potential. 

Carels is an easy player to like. He plays a physical style on the back end, while being an elite puck moving D that holds his own defensively. He has an elite hockey IQ which is constantly on display. His accuracy with his shot is among the best in the draft class, especially among defenseman. He has pinpoint accuracy with his wrist shot. He had a nice power-play tally that beat the Americans' goalie glove side from the middle slot. He runs the power-play at just about every level due to his ability to manipulate defenders and distribute the puck exceptionally well. Carels manages to find passing lanes that did not seem possible. He gets pucks through traffic, and generates lots of volume of shots. Carels constantly shadows the play, anticipating where the play his going next. On on sequence, he carried the puck into the OZ, made a pass to the slot, and proceeded to skate right to the net to tap in the rebound. He is always a step ahead due to his hockey sense. Another area I was impressed with was his physicality. He was throwing reverse hits on DZ exits and stepping up with contact in the NZ often. You are getting an all situations guy with Carels. He ranked in the 99th percentile for offensive involvement in the nine games tracked. Capable of playing in just about any scenario. Reminds me a lot of Bowen Byram. Certainly a future top 4 NHL D. North Dakota commit for 2026-27. 

A lot of people will see Bjorck’s size at 5’10” and be turned off drafting him so high. I really question why this is still a debate. We have seen undersized players succeed in the NHL consistently. Bjorck has 1C upside. A full pro season in the SHL where he easily could have had more points than he did. In one SHL game intercepted the puck just inside the blue-line by knocking it down mid air with his stick. Bjorck then took a stride in and wired one past the goalie far side blocker. His hand eye, IQ, and shot all on display in that sequence. On another play he read the play, intercepted the breakout along the boards and made a pass to the slot for a primary assist. He got lots of usage and ice-time playing professionally in Sweden. His international play with Sweden at the World Championships and World Juniors was exceptional as well. He was the 1C for a good Sweden team in a tournament full of NHLers. Bjorck can gain speed quickly and break loose from defenders. In one game for Sweden, Viggo had 4 breakaways, although he was unable to score, he tried beating the goalie with a shot each time. He is great on face-offs, and wins most of his wall battles / lose puck battles. He finds teammates with short yet effective passes, while often using his skating to hold possession while surveying options. I love the motor that Bjorck plays with. Excellent work ethic. He is such a reliable player. He certainly projects as an all situations player. Remind me a bit of Brayden Point at times. 

The top ranked defender on my board for most of the season. There is no area of Smits’ game that concerns me. His skating is at the top of the draft class, along with excellent four way mobility. His shot is another area of strength. Super powerful and accurate. In one game, Smits ripped a wrister from just inside the blue-line which beat the goalie clean high. I also watched him blast a one-timer that also beat the goalie clean. Smits is a physical player who punishes opponents. He engages physically nearly every shift. Whether its net front battles, reverse contact from pressure on the DZ exit or stepping up at the OZ blue-line. There are moments where he puck watches, or loses track of his guy in the DZ occasionally. Although he generally is good at reading the play and knowing where the play is going next. Multiple games in the Liiga that I saw, Smits was actively using his stick to disrupt plays. He also blocked multiple shots in each of the games I saw. Expect him to play on the penalty kill and power-play.  Miro Heiskanen was producing at the same rate as Smits both professionally in the Finnish Liiga and in Finland Junior leagues. I see a very similar path to the NHL for Smits. Both play a very similar two way brand of hockey at similar size and each being a left shot. Although, Smits has a more physical edge to his game than Heiskanen. I believe he could jump into the NHL next season and produce. A top 4 NHL D prospect. 

The son of former NHLer Manny, will likely hear his name called early as arguably the top true centerman in the draft. Malhotra was in the 98th percentile in slot passes/60 and the 97th percentile in controlled exits/60. His frame allows him to play a more physical style, he doesn't chase hits that put him out of position. On one play he made a great reverse hit, drew a retaliatory penalty, proceeded to win the OZ faceoff and scored on the powerplay. He was a monster in the OHL playoffs for Brandford. Impressive jump to the OHL right from the BCHL. 26pts in 44 BCHL games in 2024-25 to 84pts in 67 OHL games. That is quite the jump in production. Now he is headed to Boston University for 2026-27. The upside continues to get higher the more he plays. His playmaking is where he really shines in the OZ. I see a similar style to Ryan Nugent Hopkins or a more physical Josh Norris type of player. Jay Pandolfo coaching Malhotra next season at BU will only continue his development as a 200ft center. 

An impressive freshman season with the Fighting Hawks. Verhoeff could easily be in the running for the Hobey Baker Award next season. He has nearly all the tools. His defensive game is proven. He is great at tying up sticks, and clearing opponents away from his net. Verhoeff was in the 91st percentile in board battles won. He has the booming shot to be a threat as a one time option on the power-play as seen multiple times. He does a good job of funneling pucks towards to net. His first NCAA goal came off an offensive zone face-off win directly to him. he wired a one timer past the St. Thomas goaltender. In the game against Minnesota Duluth he had a clean wrist shot that beat Blackhawks' prospect Adam Gajan under the glove from the tops of the circle. Defensively, Verhoeff has a long reach which gives him a huge range to be able to cover. He isn't overly physical, although that can change as he gets more accustomed to the NCAA with his size. There were some plays where I didn't love his decision making. Especially in transition. Occasionally he was too soft on clearing attempts and mishandled pucks which led to turnovers. To be expected from a true freshman playing big minutes right away. Verhoeff is a two way defender that leans more towards defense. I see more of a #2 D with Verhoeff. Similar to a player like Noah Dobson at the NHL level. He has top pair potential still. 

I’ve gotten to watch Lawrence in person multiple times this season. He was the USHL playoff MVP as a 16yr old for Muskegon. I loved his game at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Canada. I thought he was one of Canada’s best players in that tournament. He was constantly beating guys with his skating. He had a goal where he got the puck along the wall, spun off a defender, cut to the middle between the winger and the D before firing one far side post and in. The offense didn't quite kick in yet at Boston University. I’m not worried. Oftentimes he was driving transitions by skating the puck from the DZ into the OZ, or being a reliable F3 in the OZ. Not to mention BU struggled severely all season to generate offense, despite some good stretches. Hard to fault Lawrence for joining midway through the season. He has proven how reliable he is in his own zone, the ability to win faceoffs, succeed in transition and win board battles. Lawrence was in the 88th percentile for controlled exits per 60. He shadows the play well, nearly always in the right position to jump on lose pucks. I expect the production should follow next season. Could follow a similar path of a player like Dylan Holloway. NHL center capabilities. 

Wyatt Cullen is another son of a former NHLer, Matt Cullen. Headed to Univ Minnesota in the fall. His hands are arguably the best in the draft behind McKenna. He is also one of the best playmakers in the draft. The more I watch Cullen the more I’m convinced he is only scratching the surface of his potential. Interesting to note Cullen has grown signifigantly over the last year or so, over 6 inches. One of the youngest players in the draft, if he was born a week later he would be a 2027 draft eligible. Cullen has all the offensive tools to be a producing top 6 at the NHL level. Cullen has the puck on his stick constantly in the offensive zone, constantly finding teammates in high danger areas. In the CHL v.s USA top prospects game he carried the puck into the OZ attacked two defenders creating a lose puck for his teammate to put in the net. In the same game he had a power-play goal where he collected the puck and dusted it off all in one motion top corner from the middle slot top of the circles. Cullen's hockey sense, puck handling, and playmaking are what makes him such a dangerous player. He was in the 93rd percentile for slot passes per 60. Not sure if he will be a winger or a center at the NHL level. He reminds me of Logan Cooley. 

Rudolph continued to impress me with his play in the WHL playoffs. He finished with 27pts in 19 games. He has such a great shot, he is always funneling pucks towards the net. Multiple times he made accurate back door shot-passes for goals. He moves well, overall thinks the game well. Rudolph made multiple tape to tape bank passes off the boards in transition and in the OZ throughout the season. His shot his his best asset. He had a beautiful power-play goal from the top of the left circle v.s Lethbridge. He beat the Hurricanes' goalie high far glove side. I imagine he will be a point man or shooting option on most team's top power-play unit. He does sacrifice defense for offense at times a bit too much. He was only in the 50th percentile of his board battles won last year, not great for a player of his size. I’d like to see those areas of his game improve. Still a legit top 4 NHL potential defenseman. With the recent news of him headed to Denver in the fall, his development path looks even better. 

Villeneuve is an exciting player to watch. His skill with the puck is unmatched. Very Lane Hutson like the way he controls the play. Easily could be the best offensive defenseman in the draft class. Villeneuve ranked in the 99th percentile for offensive involvement. In the game against Rouyn Noranda he gathered the puck inside the blue-line, escaped one defender, skated towards the middle deked laterally and got the puck through multiple layers of traffic onto a teammate's stick. He did make some rough turnovers and was out-muscled multiple times. I’m not overly worried about his defensive play, more so his physicality and being able to withstand the heavy forecheck at higher levels. For example he was in the 40th percentile for board battles won last season. Something to work on. Allow him to put 10-15lbs of muscle on. He has great escapability tools so it shouldn't be too much of a concern. I’m eager to see his development over the next few seasons starting at Boston University. He has the tools to be a modern day puck moving defender in the NHL. 

Belchetz is a big modern day power forward. He has a powerful shot that beats goalies clean. His creativity and overall offensive sense is pretty high. He isn't an overly smooth skater but he gets the job done. I'd like to see him improve his footspeed moving forward. He throws his weight around, establishing himself physically on the forecheck and wins pucks along the walls. Belchetz had several goals this season that came from pure shooting skill. In the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Canada he made a nice power move to attack the near post before driving inside for the goal. His willing-ness to go to the net and engage contact is what make him stand out. 98th percentile in expected goals per60 last season in the OHL. Headed to Michigan State in the fall. Belchetz has the upside of a 2nd line forward if he is able to hit his full potential. 

Gustafsson is a big, strong, powerful defender. He eliminates opponents by sealing them off along the walls before punishing them physically. He was impressive in the SHL games I watched him in. Playing against men he did not look out of place one bit. His gaps were good, and he used his body well to evade pressure. In the SHL he was staying right with guys, angling them off towards the corner and finishing them off physically. He completed nearly all of his breakouts, although the passes were not super crisp. In the Hlinka Gretzky Cup he had a nice game against Slovakia. He stepped up inside the OZ blue-line to intercept the breakout pass, then stickhandled once and beat the goalie on the blocker side. He can work on his touch with the puck and handling ability. The offensive side is a bit of a work in progress. Gustafsson is able to make simple passes and beat goalies occasionally with his powerful shot. Although he doesn't have the same offesnive X factor as some of the other defenseman in this draft. I see more of a shutdown defenseman like Kaiden Guhle. 

I am extremely high on Lin. He generates speed so well and changes direction laterally which makes him a nightmare to contain. He has above average defensive play. He reads the ice, jumps up when needed, knows when to pinch and can play his off side as a right shot. Lin creates offense by generating shots from the point through traffic and joining the rush as a fourth forward at times. On one goal he jumped into the rush to make it a 3 on 2, trailed the play, received the pass and put it past the American's goalie. He finds sticks of teammates and uses his skating to create space. Lin does an excellent job on the play of controlling the blue-line. He is a threat with his shot from the point, along with his ability to walk to line and create deception. I watched Lin score a shootout gaol beating the Vee's goalie on the blocker side with a quick shot. Lin also found open ice, made himself a passing option, opened up and blasted a one-timer past the Vee's goalie far side. In addition to his elite offensive skill, Lin has a great defensive stick to break up plays. Worth mentioning Lin was also named captain of the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. Committed to Denver, I am even more excited to know he will be coached by David Carle. I think we could see a higher upside version of a player like Jamie Drysdale here with Lin. 

Morozov is a 200ft big two way center. He doesn't skate extremely well, all things considered he can get away with it with his smarts and puck skills. He ranked in the 100th percentile as one of the youngest players in the NCAA. He has the creativity to finish plays, he can win faceoffs, and has an underrated playmaking ability. Could be a real gem in the draft, he kind of jumped up boards out of nowhere after coming to North America last season in the USHL. His first NCAA game, Morozov potted 2 goals. The first he found himself wide open in the middle slot. One touched the puck off the pass and snapped it far blocker side. On the next goal he followed the play as F3, found the open ice in the slot, received the pass and immediately fired it in. The skating needs some work with Morozov, mainly his foot-speed. Although it looked better in the NCAA this season than it did in the USHL the previous season. He had a filithy highlight reel goal vs Lindenwood in 3 on 3 OT. Morozov gained possession in the NZ with speed, attacked the middle of the ice, slipped through all three attackers, held the puck to his backhand, made a fake to his forhand then back to the backhand and slid it in on the breakaway. Morozov's abillity to slip through coverage and find the open ice is what makes him special. He always seems to be in the right position, pucks find him. I see a floor of a 3rd line NHL cener. The upside could much higher given his hockey sense. 

Elton Hermansson has some of the best raw talent in the draft. His handling ability is off the charts, along with his creativity, and natural goal scoring ability. He will need to be an offensive player in my opinion to succeed. I don’t see him in a checking forward / two way forward role. Too many times where he failed to clear the puck in the DZ or simply turned it over on the breakout. He got out-muscled throughout a couple games. He doesnt enage physically enough or win his puck battles enough to soley rely on that to suceed in the NHL. Projectibility is a bit tougher with Hermansson. He has a shooting ability to release from anywhere and shoot around defenders, beating goalies cleanly. The hands on Hermansson are just absurb. The plays he makes with the puck are video game like. I've been impressed with how Hermansson has been able to successfully find his teammates in the OZ. with difficult passes. You never know how guys will translate to the North American game. I’d take the bet with Hermansson’s skill level. Remember when David Pastrnak fell to Boston for similar concerns. 

Dagenais is a modern day power forward. He has a pro caliber shot already, good hands, and an overall translatable game. When I watch Dagenais, I really don’t think the gap between a player like him and Belchetz is very big. I wouldn't be upset with taking Dagenais over Belchetz. Dagenais has a great release, he wins his battles and can play both center and wing. I like the upisde of Dagenais quite a bit. He has the frame, the compete level to turn into a modern day powerforward that can score 20-30 goals. His shooting his his best asset. A deceptive release and a hard, accurate shot that beats goalies consistently. In multiple games I saw, he wired pucks top shelf past the net-minder. In the game against Rimouski he one-timed a slap-shot right off the face-off win bar-down past the Rimouski goalie. On the power-play he is typically positioned along the half-wall. This allows him to be a one-timer option and find teammates back door. His foot-speed could use a bit of work along with his overall agility and skating. Going to the NCAA within the next year or so would certainly help Dagenais develop. 

Adam Novotny should not be this far down my list. He is one of the older players in the draft, not that it matters much. If he had an NCAA commitment I would be higher on him. His play style is a coach's dream. He funnels pucks to the net whenever he can, finishes checks, and goes to the hard areas of the ice. His shot remains one of his best traits. Powerful and accurate. He had a couple goals from ridiculous angles this past season. On one he was near the goal line and ripped one over the goalie's shoulder. Very projectable play style. The physical aspect of Novotny's game makes me nearly certain he can become an NHL power-forward that can score. He plays like a bulldozer that can produce offense. I'm a bit confused why Hemming is above Novotny on most boards. 

Shilov recently swapped his commitment from Boston University to Penn State. Shilov skates with great form, very deep stride with great edgework. His handling and playmaking are two of his best traits. Along with an accurate and deceptive shot. The question mark is his motor. He often coasts through the zone, doesn't always stop on pucks and doesn't engage much physically. He played on a poor Victoriaville team in the Q which could have had some to do with his lack of intensity at times. If he can fix these habits he has legit top 6 NHL forward potential. His skill is off the charts. He makes passes that don't even seem possible. Although that being said he looks effortless out there, which sometimes is a negative. He gets out-battled due to his lack of intensity at times. Shilov's talent level is too high to pass on. I'm confident adding muscle and developing in the NCAA will turn him into an NHL scoring forward. 

Hurlbert will be in an offensive player's dream at Michigan next season playing for Brandon Naurato. He is going to thrive in that system. Hurlbert has high shooting skill, he is an above average skater, and his puck handling is even more impressive. On one goal he came down the left wing side and ripped a shot short side. Hurlbert was a key player in for team CHL in the USA v.s CHL top prospects game. Some off puck work to really round him out as a player would be huge. We could be looking at a potential pointpergame player at the NHL level. Teams would be foolish to let him slip past the mid 1st round. His shot and puck handling skill makes me see Jack Quinn as a similar NHLer. Hurlbert will produce right away at Michigan next season. 

Klepov is an exciting player. He affects the game in all areas. He plays on the penalty kill as an offensive player, showing his responsibility defensively. A true goalscorer that capitalizes on mistakes and is extremely dangerous on the power-play. He wins a lot of battles and has a high motor which I like a lot. His shot is his best tool. He was a lethal weapon for Saginaw on the power-play this season. He can bury one timers, quick snap shots and wrist shots from nearly anywhere. His passes will need to be quicker. Klepov was a part of the top line for USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer. He was one of the best players on the ice throughout the tournament. He had a couple snipes that went top corner and one play he skated around the entire OZ an dished it off to his teammate for the goal. Overall I see a path for Klepov to be a middle 6 scorer in the NHL. Michigan State bound in the fall. 

Alex Command has really jumped up boards the second half of the season. He’s played 6 SHL games since December on top of his J20 Nationell games. A reliable 200ft center that is aggressive, wins puck battles, forechecks hard and has an above average offensive toolset. Command is capable of creating plays and finishing plays in tight. Throughout the U18 tournament with Sweden he was among their best players. Command was winning face-offs, sealing off opponents along the wall and was a hound on pucks. He projects as a middle 6 center that can do it all. The ceiling continues to rise for Command. His shooting and playmaking both stand out. Alex has the hockey sense and the compete level to succeed at the next levels. He could hear his name called in the 1st round. The ceiling continues to rise with Command, the floor remains a 3rd ine two way center. 

Oliver Suvanto has true NHL centerman qualities. He has incredible strength, throws his weight around and constantly engages in netfront battles. His big frame and hockey smarts make him a nice potential 3rd line center. He opens up space for his teammates, often bulldozing his way through opponents. Wins lots of draws. Suvanto lacks great agility and speed, although I’m not concerned. The offensive ceiling is likely capped around 30-40 points max for Suvanto. His offense will mostly come off the cycle, give and go plays, and being a support player rather than a play driver. After watching Jordan Staal will his team to a Stanley Cup, I believe a lot of teams will target Suvanto as a similar player. I'm near certain he becomes a middle 6 center, although I'd lean more towards a 3rd line guy. As one of the youngest players in the entire draft I can understand why other people have him ranked much higher. Personally, I have not seen the offensive skillset on display enough to put him higher. 

Tommy Bleyl will be an interesting player to see where he goes in this draft. He is listed as 6’0”, although he looks smaller. He is a complete player, he breaks up plays with his stick, jumps into the rush as a 4th forward basically and controls retrievals and exits out of the DZ. His lateral mobility makes him impossible to contain. He had several highlight reel plays in the Q this past season. He is always moving and looking for passing lanes. Bleyl has such great skating and handling with the puck to get him out of trouble. Bleyl stood out in the QMJHL top prospects game to me right away.  Another future Michigan State Spartan in 2026-27. 

Mutryn is a great player to have on your team. He plays a physical game, hard on pucks, has a powerful shot and is very projectable. Mutryn does a lot of things well. He generates offense through his north-south style of play. I saw him score a couple goals where he beat the goalie clean with his wrist shot this season. I'm a big fan of the compete level Mutryn brings, along with his grit. In the CHL vs USA top prospects game Mutryn was all over the ice. Throwing hits, making simple yet effective passes and generating shots off the rush. He hits anything in sight. He possesses the skillset needed to be a impactful 3rd line NHLer. Headed to Boston College in the fall to play for Greg Brown. 

Liam Ruck needs no introduction. Just look at his production in the Western League. Liam doesn't get enough credit for being just as good of a playmaker as his brother. He can play any type of game you need him to. Liam is an incredibly smart player. He can excel in a checking game with his IQ and complete skillset, and he thrives with skill players given his tools. I've seen games where Liam takes the face-offs and does considerably well.. Could easily be much higher on my board given the production this past season. He and his brother are looking at the NCAA route, I wonder where they commit to. Recent news confirms the Ruck brothers are staying in Medicine Hat for another season. He and his brother remain a bit of a ways off from the NHL at the moment. The upside is special to imagine. 

Markus Ruck is an elite playmaker, in case you couldn't tell from looking at his stats. Markus is a less physical player than his brother. Both have a great shot and elite playmaking ability with an exceptionally high hockey IQ. This was on full display all season. Consistently performing passes that did not seem possible. On one play Markus held onto the puck on his forehand, skated began skating around the net before making a behind the back pass right onto his brother Liam's stick. Markus was also the beneficiary to multiple nice passes that he was able to bury on one- timers on the power-play. The down side with Markus is his puck battles, lack of physicality and some areas in his defensive game. He is less projectable to the NHL than his brother, although I’m not overly worried given his skillset. Recent news confirms the Ruck brothers are staying in Medicine Hat for another season. 

Mathis Preston is an elite offensive player. His shot remains his best tool, an underrated playmaker as well. His ability to create plays with his passing is something I did not expect to see from him. He very well may have the best shot in the draft. Certainly one of the best. A shifty player, paired with slick hands make him hard to contain. On one sequence on the man advantage, he gained the puck at the point, performed a fake with his edge-work towards the outside then froze the defender and goalie thinking shot, toe dragged it around the defender and finished the play on his backhand. All of Preston's skills were on display here. I’m fairly confident Preston turns into a 20 goal scorer at the very least with his shooting and finishing ability. I’d be even higher on him if I knew he was going the NCAA route. 

The 6’8” defenseman is a tree on skates. We saw how good he was at shutting down Brady Martin in the playoff series against Soo Saint Marie. Imagine having that type of shutdown defender on your team. Maine got a good one, hockey east is going to have to watch out for Sokolovskii. Arguably the most physical player and most punishing to play against in the draft. Sokolovskii was in the 99th percentile in board battles won last season. He showed how hard he is to play against in the playoffs when he was covering Brady Martin. That was a fun battle to watch. He even has some flashes of offense. He pulled off a spin o rama move while keeping the puck on his stick in one game. Plus, the production at the U16 level tells me there is a lot more untapped potential. Just wait until he fully grows into his 6'8"frame. A bit of a project but Sokolovskii is absolutely worth it. 

Hemming had a rough season hockey aside. Lots of international issues regarding his contract with his former Finland team. Ultimately not allowed to play at the U18 Men's Tournament. I’m glad he found a home at Boston College and got to play games this season. I got to watch him in person quite a bit. I've only scouted Hemming this season so I'm not sure how he played last year. His 2.03 pointspergame tells me he did alright and I might be a bit too harsh considering he is a true NCAA freshman. Not a great skater overall, he has a powerful stride that lacks elegance. Plenty to work on with his foot-speed to get quicker. Hemming is a heavy player to play against. He always makes his presence known physically which he will need to continue to be successful. He displayed some nice passes setting up teammates in good areas at times. He looked good net-front and goal-line on the power-play. I'm not sure he drives play enough himself to be a top 6 forward, I see a more clear role as an NHL bottom 6 role. Hemming is a straight line player for the most part. He scans the ice well and recognizes where he needs to be. There is not a ton of offensive flash on display, rather a more pro style power-forward game. He is a near lock in my eyes to be an NHLer. I don't see him exceeding a 3rd line LW at best. 

A wrecking ball on skates. Pugachyov hits nearly anything that moves out there. He is very aware defensively, consistently coming low in the DZ to support plays. He projects as a power-forward, if nothing else Pugachyov easily has the toolset to become a checking bottom 6 forward, although I could see a scenario where the offense continues and he is able to contribute in a middle 6 role. He performed a through the legs deke after a backhand toe drag to himself before dishing it off to his teammate in the slot for the goal. I did not expect to see this type of offensive flash in his game. Looking forward, Pugachyov should adapt very well to the North American game with his physical tools. He has the ability to play with skill and grit which is mandatory in the NHL. I wish I got a chance to watch him play against his peers with Russia internationally. 

Nikita Shcherbakov is a giant on skates at 6’5”. For someone of that size he shouldn't be able to move the way he does. He was agile, shifty, and an overall good skater. He gets pucks on net for tips and deflections. Scherbakov impressed me quite a few times with his lateral mobility at the blue-line. Especially for a player who is 6'5" at his age. He has a long stick and he utilizes it well, eliminating space from opponents. There were some brief moments where he tried to deke his way out of traffic unsuccessfully. Scherbakov will finish his checks, and win his battles all over the ice. He has alll the tools to become a top 4 NHL defenseman. Seven KHL games this season for Shcherbakov. I'm surprised more people don't have him in the 1st round. 

Rogowski is a big, powerful player who goes to the dirty areas. He can certainly improve his skating and his puck handling. Hard to match up against, wins faceoffs, wins puck battles, and drives physical play. Can work on his footwork / agility. When he gets going he is like a train without brakes. The package Rogowski brings is one NHL teams crave. Yet another player headed to Michigan State in the fall. I'd like to see Brooks improve his skating, more specifically his foot-speed and agility. He has shown he can finish plays and even showcased some offensive flare in his game with Oshawa. 

Marcus Nordmark has top-six offensive upside with his puck skill, and creativity. He plays with strong offensive instincts, excellent hands, and a dangerous shot that makes him a constant scoring threat in transition and inside the offensive zone. Nordmark has an excellent ability to create plays through deception and puck control. Nordmark’s game is built around offense but his consistency away from the puck remains the biggest question mark. He can disappear defensively at times and needs to improve his physical engagement, and overall urgency shift-to-shift. When fully engaged, however, he has the talent to take over games offensively. 

Cover grew up without any ice rinks nearby. He started out playing rollerhockey which I can appreciate given I took the same route. Elite inline players typically have high end puck possession and stick skills which is no different for Cover. He handles the puck with such precision, making it look effortless to dance through multiple defenders. He also skates very well for someone who has only been skating on ice for a handful of years. He is elite in transition and projects as a scoring middle 6 forward that will only continue to develop. Throughout the season whenever I tuned in to watch London Cover was impressive. He manages to skate the puck through traffic in transition just about every chance he gets. Cover knows exactly when to make the pass and when to hold onto the puck. It is like Cover has the puck on a string out there. Could be a shoot-out specialist down the road with his deking and creativity. He is someone who is a bit of a unicorn in the draft. Something tells me Cover is only scratching the surface of whats to come. 

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Ryder Cali projects as a future NHL centerman. He wins faceoffs, has great shutdown capabilities, and is strong on pucks. His shot is another area of strength. Frequently Cali was parked in the slot or timed it perfectly to enter the scoring area as the puck came to him. He has room for improvement in the skating department, although the last few games I've seen it has improved a bit. A great hockey sense and some sandpaper to his game. Cali is always battling for pucks and going the ditry work for his line. Recently de-committed from Harvard to join Providence College. I'm nearly certain Cali will be a 3rd line or bottom 6 center at the NHL level.  A player that will be needed to go far in a playoff run. 

Jack Hextall is another player in this draft with NHL pedigree. He plays a well rounded game with grit. I think he is a near sure bet to be an NHL player. He was one of USA's best players in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. Hextall has an underrated offensive package of tools. His shot will ocassionally beat goalies with most of his offense at the next level likely coming from cycle plays and reading the play rather than raw skill. He is a very verstaile player that projects as a middle 6 forward. Headed to Michigan State in the fall. 

Piiparinen is a classic two way defenseman. He blocks shots, breaks up plays well, and jumps into the play from time to time. I see more of a secondary offensive role by shooting pucks for re-directions. Definitely has shutdown defender qualities. Piiparinen's has a high ability to disrupt plays with his stick. In the Hlinka Gretzky Cup he skated the puck into the OZ himself and set up a Finland player in the slot nicely. Piiparinen protects the puck well when carrying it making it hard to steal the puck from him. I see a reliable potential 4th or 5th defenseman guy that can log 15+ minutes a night. I'm not sold that he will produce much offense at the NHL level. 

Ben Macbeath plays a responsible game. He shuts down plays, angles off opponents down the wall on entries, and thinks the game well. He finds simple yet effective plays, not forcing plays that arent there. I'd like to see him work on winning puck battles, and engage more physically to really be successful at the pro level. I like his upside as a possible middle pair defender. He has an impressively accurate wrist shot when he uses it. On several occasions this season he was able to beat the goaltender clean with his shot. Macbeath remains one if the more reliable defenders in the class. I'm high on him overall, if he can add the physical layer he will be a real good top 4 defenseman. 

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Niklas Aram Olsen is a player that has been rising up my board. He has a really impressive shot, he can absolutely wire the puck. He gets lots of shots off, often one-timers on the powerplay and he manages to generate offense for his line time after time. A deceptive release makes him hard to predict where he is shooting. Potential gem in this draft with his skillset. Another area of strength I noticed was his overall pace of play. We could see a top 6-9 scoring forward that notches 20 or more goals at the NHL level. He helped carry Norway at the U18 level. 

The brother of Hobey Baker winner, Max Plante, will be joining his brother at Minnesota Duluth. Imagine a line of Max - Zam and Victor next season in the NCAA. That is going to be intriguing. Plante does nearly everything right, he has high energy, forechecks hard, and can finish plays. Could be a penalty killer. Likely a depth role player that helps your team win. With how well his brothers have done in the NCAA, it is a safe bet to assume Victor is next in line. I personally think he will be a better player than his brother Zam, not Max however. 

Ryan Roobroeck has a super high ceiling, but can he get there is the question. His numbers in his draft -1 season are better than his draft year. He played his way out of being a 1st round pick this season. He won less than half of his board battles, for a 6’4” player that concerns me. His pace and skating need improvement. On the positive side, he has the frame to be a force net front on the PP, he finishes his checks most shifts, and knows how to find shooting lanes. He is a real question mark for me. I have my concerns, although I wouldn't let him slip past the mid 2nd round due to his production. He still has an above average shot with great power behind it. Roobroeck can up his stock by playing a more physical game. Specifically winning more loose pucks, driving the net more, and engaging on the physical side. 

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Valentini is an easy player to like. A swiss army knife in your lineup. I've seen him play both center and wing at Michigan. He plays with lots of energy, can win pucks for his line mates and find them in good areas. I like Valentini as a complimentary offensive player that can fit up and down your lineup if needed. I've seen him win face-offs, kill penalties and play with Michigan's top players. The size will likely turn teams off from taking him too early. He reminds me of a player like Gavin Brindley at times, also a Michigan Wolverine in his career. 

Pantelas is a modern day shot blocking, shutdown defender that also contributes offensively. Although he likely won’t contribute much offense at the pro levels, he projects more as a defensive defenseman. I've seen Pantelas block shots, disrupt plays with his stick and have great gap control. On top of that, he has good stick details, and plays with an edge to his game. Likely a bottom 4 guy in the NHL, someone who can eat minutes, and play the penalty kill. 

Rudolfs Berzkalns is a massive center who plays a physical, defensive minded 200 ft game. He is strong along the walls, strong on his stick, and wins faceoffs. The offensive side will take some work. He had a couple goals where his shot beat the goalie by basically powering it through them. Berzkalns will make himself available in the OZ for one-timers. He also posses the size and willing-ness to attack the net, like he did many times this season. One play he basically forced the puck over the line by pushing it through the goalie's pad. Like many of the larger players in the draft, I'd like Berzkalns to improve his agility and foot-speed. Boston College should make him an even more well rounded player. 

The future Nittany Lion has exciting upside. Mbyui projects the puck well, and has great body positioning for an undersized player which is critical to win battles. I've seen him throw a couple reverse hits that surprised the attacking player. The offensive skill speaks for itself, especially in tight to the net. His quick in tight scoring abilities make him a constant threat around the net. Mbyui also has a great set of hands and he makes simple, smart passes. The energy that he plays with his another plus to his game. Hard to knock off pucks, good stick details. I like Mbyui as a scoring depth piece in your lineup. He doesn't sacrifice defense for offense, size will be his biggest obstacle. 

Brek Liske played on a D pair with future 1st overall pick Landon Dupont in many of the games I watched. He skates well, and plays his off side as a right shot playing the left side. Not an easy thing to do. He is a perfect two way D that moves the puck off his stick quickly and excels defensively. Type of player you pair with an offensive minded guy. I like Liske a lot. 

Fyodorov is one of the most underrated players in the draft. His smarts are on full display every shift. He finds passing lanes, open space, and anticipates the play well. He has excellent edgework and balance which helps him be solid on pucks as an undersized player. He could be the steal of the draft. Can play up and down your lineup as a swiss army knife type of player. Think Noah Ostlund, Marat Khustnutdinov type of player. 

Ignatavacius is the one Lithuanian player in this draft. I could see a scenario where he is a bottom 6 player that can occasionally showcase some skill. Sort of like a Joel Armia type of player. He made a terrific fake to the inside completely beating the pinching defenseman which resulted in a 2 on 1 in this game. His physicality and skillset is enough to warrant a role as a bottom line NHLer. I'm not totally sold if he turns into more than that. 

Fresh off winning the Memorial Cup, Alexander Bilecki remains one of the better puck moving D in this draft class. He lacks the physical side to the game which often leads him to lose puck battles. Aside from that he maintains strong defensive positioning while being the main puck distributor on the Kitchener blue-line. Bilecki's success comes from well timed shots, smart crisp passes, and an above average play reading ability. He showcased his shot by walking into the mid slot between the circles and let one rip glove side. I’d be surprised if he slipped past round 3. With more minutes next year in Kitchener, I'd expect a big increase in production. His ceiling could reach a player like Shayne Gostisbehere. 

Timofei Runtso is a draft re-entry in 2026. He is a later developing player, given he spent his draft year in the NAHL then jumped to the WHL in his draft +1. The production has been impressive right away. The skills are on display, he gets shots on, is able to distribute the puck well, and shows some flashes of more offensive upside. On one play he held onto the puck, faked a drop pass and made a nice move around a defender before getting a shot on. I’m intrigued on the upside with Runtso given he does most things well and is a first year WHL player. 

A steady two way way defender with a booming shot capable of scoring on one timers. I haven't seen much of Alalauri outside his play with Finland internationally. I see a potential NHL defender with his frame and ability to defend. He is off and on in terms of winning his puck battles and some of his decision making. Overall a good package of tools and seeing his committment to Umass makes me very excited for whats to come. 

Nycz jumped into NCAA hockey relatively well. He easily could have played another season in the USHL but he decided to make the jump. Nycz was often on the first pair for UMass this past season. His skating ability makes him a clear target for teams given his frame at 6’3”. He moves extremely well, covers the ice, reads the play and constantly makes the right play. Nycz does a great job of utilizing his stick defensively. A penalty killer at the next level, he can neutralize opponents' top players. I’m really high on Nycz, I could see him as one of the first players to be selected in Round 2. His hockey sense is on full display when watching Nycz. He constantly knows where the play is going which helps him to cut off and eliminate space from opponents as well as get to pucks first. 

Goljer has flown under the radar quite a bit. A right shot defender that is solid in just about all areas of the game. He does a good job of getting pucks through traffic and finding shooting lanes from the point. He moves the puck well, covering his assignments well in most games. Goljer projects a two way middle to bottom pair defender. 

Adam Andersson is a coach’s dream to have. He is a big center-man who dominates along the walls, protects the puck extremely well and throws his body around constantly. He wins face-offs, and kills penalties which he will likely continue to do at higher levels. The production won’t jump out at you, but he is a near lock to be a bottom 6 NHLer. His floor is a Nico Sturm type of player with some upside. When watching Andersson he made several skilled passes to teammates that resulted in goals. Subtle, quick plays are what Andersson thrives on. His ability to protect the puck from pressure is among the best in the draft. He uses his big frame to shield pucks and delay in order to find passing lanes. I'm high on Andersson. 

Berchild has a high motor with a high skillset.. He is extremely skilled, has great hands and offensive capabilities. He is able to create space for he and his teammates with his handling ability. He was the benefiary to a great offensive line with the USNTDP. To be fair Berchild was a huge reason for that. It definitely helps when Wyatt Cullen is on your line for most of the season. He had a few tap in goals that he didn't overly have to work for, compliments of following the play well. I'm sure he develops good habits at Denver this fall. Lots of offensive upside. Berchild's puck handling is where he thrives. His crafty tactics make him a constamt threat with the puck on his stick. 

Steiner is an undersized player but he doesn't play like it. He doesn't have the same strength level as other guys in the draft class. Although his tenacity on pucks and overall willingness to do the dirty work helps him win battles constantly. Steiner may be my favorite player outside of the 1st RD. He ranked in the 99th percentile in offensive involvement and the 98th percentile for board battles won. One of the most unique skillsets in the draft. He has super high energy and is always buzzing around the ice. Steiner had plenty of skilled goals this past season. Often showcasing his wicked release. Steiner was an under-aged player for the Swiss in the World Juniors this past winter. Against Sweden in the World Juniors he scored on a shot so clean that play continued on, until the buzzer signaled that the puck had gone in. I'm very high on Steiner, I see at least a 3rd line player that knows his role on his team. The ceiling I'm convinced could reach a player like Logan Stankoven who also was drafted in the 2nd round. An identical frame and very similar skillset. 

Jonah Sivertson is a physical power forward. He can beat goalies with his powerful shot and adds an element of sandpaper to your lineup. Sivertson typically carries the puck in on the right wing side which allows him to protect the puck towards the outdside away from defenders. From there he either lets a shot fly or will find a passing lane through the middle of the ice. He is in the 98th percentile for expected primary assists per 60. Jonah goes to the dirty areas nearly every shift. He constantly finds himself in good positioning to collect pucks and release them quickly. He had a couple goals where he faked to the backhand in tight and finished the play on his forehand. He can work on his agility, and overall skating stride to be an even more impactful player. Another year in the WHL before heading to St. Cloud State make him a real intriguing prospect. NHL teams are going to be all over him. His ceiling remains a player like Josh Anderson. 

A super underrated skater in this draft. Lagerberg-Hoen played only nine J20 games this past season due to injury on top of 2 SHL games. 16pts in those nine games. He had 27 goals last season in the J20 as a DY-1. His shot is pro ready, he wires snap shots and wristers with a wicked release. I'm very intrigued to see how he develops in the coming seasons. In the games I saw, he was physical, carried play and had some impressive shots. 

Murnieks is arguably the best defensive forward in the draft. His off puck game is outstanding. He is a reliable two way center that shuts down the opposition. Murnieks will need to improve his foot-speed and skating to be as effective at the NHL level. The offensive production is lacking at times. I’m not sure he becomes more than a bottom 6 two way checking forward due to the lack of offense. He ranked in the 6th out of 100 percentile in shots per 60 and the 5th percentile in slot passes per 60. A bit concerning given he was playing in the Q. I did hear reports that he was playing most of this season injured however. If that is the case then it's hard to get a clear image of what Murnieks really could be. His ceiling remains a solid 3rd line NHL center. Boston College bound will help his development. 

Charlie Morrison is a heavy, solid defenseman. He can absolutely throw haymakers, as seen in his two fights this season. A future shutdown defender. He ranked 95th in board battles won. Multiple goals this season where he showed some intriguing skill. On one play he skated the puck from the DZ into the OZ before firing one past the net-minder. He will lead the way in physicality and help on the penalty kill. Certainly worthy of a 2nd or 3rd round selection that can turn into an NHL defenseman. 

A big, rangy defender that played lots of pro games this season. Hakansson slipped down my boards, he isn't an overly impactful player in my eyes. I'd like to see him be more physical and really assert himself in order to really be effective at the higher levels. If he can become a more dominant physical presence I can see him being a solid bottom 4 NHL D. If I had seen more of that I would have him higher. He remains a bit of a mystery to me. 

Schairer has good footwork, gaps well, and utilizes the stretch pass well in transition. His skating is very underrated, he often angles opponents off very well on entry's. There were several plays this past season where Schairer showcased his vision and ability to find forwards in good spots. He was in the 88th percentile for slot passes per 60. Although on the flip side he was in just the 5th percentile in offensive involvement. Projects as a depth or bottom pair guy in my eyes. 

After two years of not hearing his name called, I envision this year is the year for Mackenzie. His shot is such a weapon, he can beat you from deep in the OZ. His quick release is what makes him such a shooting threat. He will have the puck on his stick for a brief second before its suddenly in the back of the net. Mackenzie kills penalties, makes good plays with his stick and isn't shy physically. His all around game is solid, there aren't too many holes in his game. I'm intrigued whats to come for Mackenzie, headed to North Dakota this fall. 

Lincoln Kuehne was one of the youngest players in the NCAA this season at Arizona State. He isn’t going to jump into the play off the rush. Kuehne is a defensive defender. He skates well, although there were times he gave opponents too much ice on his gaps. Something he can work on moving forward. A somewhat physical presence, he’s about average at most things which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I see a future where Kuehne plays NHL games likely as a bottom pair / 7th D. 

I've only been able to watch Vanececk a couple of times. He uses his stick well to kill plays in the neutral zone, although there were a few games that he made some questionable choices in DZ coverage. He got some power-play time which was good to see. Vanecek is not an elite offensive defenseman but he can contribute some. Overall I see a projection to a solid bottom pair NHL D. Worthy of at least a mid round pick. 

Blake Zielinski is one player I’ve had a tough time projecting. He played very well in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup over the summer with team USA. The line of Hextall, Klepov and Zielinski was creating offense every shift. Zielinski does lack transition ability and his overall pace needs some work. He has a great shot which remains his best asset. If all goes well he develops well in the NCAA into a 20 goal scorer. 

Noa Ta’amu is a heavy, mean defender. Listed at 238lbs makes him tied for the second heaviest player in the draft, behind only 7’0” Alex Karmanov. It’s no surprise that Ta’amu’s best trait is his physicality. He punishes opponents with checks and makes it near impossible to win a net-front battle against him. 93rd percentile in board battles won, and 90th percentile in entry prevention. He is not shy to get the gloves off as we saw him in three fights in the WHL. Don’t expect much else but a depth defender that can bring his physical presence and lock down opponents. 

Parker Trottier should be an early to mid round pick no doubt about it. The offensive production won’t jump out from the scoresheet, rather his compete level and grit are his calling cards. Trottier very well may be the hardest working player in the draft. He understands what he needs to do in order for his line to have success. His motor, physicality, and want to win is a rare package. Trottier has showcased his ability to execute plays offensively with his elite hockey sense on full display. Overall I’m nearly certain Trottier turns into a bottom 6 NHLer at least with his compete level. Not to mention he is the grandson of Bryan Trottier. 

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Logan Stuart is a worker bee. He is relentless on the forecheck, he hounds players for the puck. His speed and agility are on another level. Such a critical player to have in your lineup. Certainly has the niche skillset to be a depth NHLer that can play with talent. Similar to Tyler Motte, a high energy role player. Makes him even more valuable that he can take face-offs. He will have to add some physicality and strength to be a lasting NHL player. 

Tomas Chrenko plays a pro style game already. The Slovak forward combines strong skating, quick puck movement, and high-end hockey IQ to drive offense through transition. He consistently supports the puck well, attacks with speed through the neutral zone, and shows strong vision on the power play. Chrenko will have to get stronger this offseason and moving forward to be a lasting NHLer.

Another draft re-entry here with Mullen. Should have been drafted already, he moves the puck extremely well, skates well, has good puck handling and thinks offense most times. Mullen ranked in the 93rd percentile in transition success last season. I like his odds to become a bottom pair puck moving D that could get some power-play time. 

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Galvas plays a lot like a version of Lane Hutson. Not quite that level of play, very similar play style. Both love the puck on their stick to create plays. Amazing stick skills, and he holds his own defensivley just fine. I bet teams are wishing they take drafted him last year. A draft re-entry. 

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Oscar Holmertz is a 200ft two way forward. Holmertz has some nice skill on top of a relatively translatable game to the pro level. His passing in this game was impressive, he found lanes to get the puck through the slot on multiple occasions. His checking and battling is another asset I liked from Holmertz. I see a path towards a bottom 6 NHLer. 

A draft re-entry that should hear his name called this year. Lefebvre impressed me with his powerful shot. He is a two way forward that hits hard and can score. He can fight pretty well as we saw in the Memorial Cup. I would want a player like him in my bottom 6. We will see him at the Univ. of Vermont soon. A draft re-entry this year.

Olsen is a speedy, skilled forward who creates chances for himself with his motor. A high energy player that gets in on the forecheck to disrupt plays and cause chaos. He has crafty hands which make him a threat in tight. Colorado College bound next season. His toolset make him a possible energy bottom 6 forward in an NHL lineup. 

Brayden Klimpke has not gotten the attention he deserves this season. A puck moving defender that holds his own defensively. He battles for pucks well, he moves very fluidly, and his passes are always tape to tape. College will only continue to round out his game when he heads to North Dakota. Certainly possess the traits to be a bottom pair puck moving D. I like Klimpke as a 2nd or 3rd round pick this year. 

Vladimir Dravecky is an offensive minded two way defenseman. I expect Dravecky to have a long pro career, like his father. When I watch Dravecky, his calmness and poise stands out. He doesn't rush plays, he calculates his play and does it looking very smooth. The physical side will need to take a step. He ranked only in the 29th percentile of board battles won. He got action on the penalty kill and power-play for Brantford. Dravecky projects as an NHL defenseman. I see his role as a 5th or 6th defenseman, similar to a Henri Jokujarju type of player. Worthy of a 2nd or 3rd round pick.  

Elofsson will be a mystery to see where he gets drafted come draft day. He comes in under 6’0” which in 2025 would not get you drafted as a defenseman. I don’t suspect this to be the case in 2026. Far too much skill to pass on with the “undersized” defenders this year. Aside from his size there aren't many knocks to his game. He is one of the best skaters in the draft and has some of the best offensive capabilities. He will need to work on his physicality and puck battling abilities. The question will be how does his game translate to North America. His smooth skating and soft hands stand out right away when watching Elofsson. In a perfect world, Elofsson has the ceiling of a player like Erik Karlsson. The likelihood of him reaching that is why he is ranked in the 3rd round. 

Nemec looked good in the pro games I got a chance to watch him in. He also was impressive in the World Juniors for Slovakia as an under age player. He transitioned well to the OHL, producing over a pointpergame. Nemec was in the 99th percentile for offensive involvement. Nemec has great hand eye coordination. He is great at tipping pucks and making plays with his stick. Now he needs to work on his physical play, initiate contact more in order to succeed at the higher levels. Just the 41st percentile in board battles won. The tools are there with Nemec. 

In the games I watched Vandenberg, I was impressed with his puck handling, patience, and overall offensive instincts. His data says otherwise, only scoring above the 50th percentile in 5/20 categories. Only 6 games of data so sometimes it is misrepresented. He was in the 5th percentile out of 100 in board battles won. He has an accurate shot packaged with soft hands and solid passing ability. He was also an impactful layer for Canada at the U18 tournament. For me when I watch Vandenberg I like his skillset, although his style of play is harder to translate to the NHL. The advanced analytics are not in his favor. 

Initially I was not a huge Di Iorio fan. I was not a fan of his lack of pace and I didn't always agree with his decision making. He changed my mind a bit with his play in the CHL vs USA top prospects game. He was winning face-offs, making quick passes to set up teammates and maintained a strong defensive presence. The offensive production is still a concern for me. He was in the 24th percentile in offense involvement in the eight games tracked. In addition to that he was in just the 11th percentile in slot pass success. I do think he can be a depth guy that wins face-offs and kills penalties. I think if he lands in the right spot he has enough offensive tools in tight to finish plays if playing with higher end players. 

A bit of a boom or bust prospect here with Gashilov. He possesses the playmaking skills and vision needed to play at higher levels. Although there are concerns, similar to a player like Evgeni Kuznetsov. He had multiple plays where he completed some tricky passes to teammates in high danger areas. Gashilov has the ability to finish plays himself as seen with several of his goals last season. 

Royston is a big power-forward. He had a more productive DY-1 in Erie than this past since with Owen Sound. His shot can beat goalies clean, and overall he has a very translatable game. He tested among the best in several categories at the NHL combine. I like Royston as a bottom 6 checking forward / power-forward type of player. Not someone that is going to produce more than 20-30 points in my opinion. 

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Harrington should be higher on my list. His shot alone is worthy of a top 75 pick. He beats goalies from deep, in tight, and medium range constantly. The puck seems to find Harrington in the offensive zone which is a testament to his ability to read the play and predict where the play is going. The combination of a goal scoring forward that hits everything is what teams are looking for. The question mark for me is how much does he drive the play himself rather than capitalizing on being in the right position. Either way there is a legit path to him becoming a 3rd line guy. 

Matias Vanhanen came up just short of the Memorial Cup with Everett. His speed and motor were on full display throughout the tournament. He was first on pucks, made hard passes look easy and was shooting the puck much more than earlier in the season. He had an impressive snipe in the WHL playoffs from just inside the circles. I love Vanhanen as a worker bee type player in your bottom 6. A draft re-entry could mean he slips down the board a bit.