2026 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-32

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 26, 2026.

17. Los Angeles Kings: Ilia Morozov, C, Miami Ohio
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings will have Artemi Panerin as their first line left winger, Quinton Byfield their 2020 first round pick drafted second overall taking over as the first line center with Anze Kopitar retiring, and Adrian Kempe as their first line right winger. Los Angeles has Kevin Fiala as their second line left winger, Alex Laferriere will be their second line center, and Trevor Moore as their second line right winger. Los Angeles has Alex Turcotte their 2019 first round pick is their third line left winger, Samuel Helenius their 2021 second round pick is going to take over as their third line center, and Joel Arima is their third line right winger. Jared Wright their 2022 sixth round pick is their fourth line left winger and Taylor Ward is their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Drew Doughty their second overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft in a contract year next season and their 2021 first round pick Brandt Clarke an RFA on their first line defense. Cody Ceci and Mikey Andersonare their two second line defensemen. Brian Dumoulin and Joel Edmundson are their two third line defenseman.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Darcy Kuemper as their starting goalie in a contract year next season. Anto Forsberg their backup goalie is in a contract year as well. The Kings also have some goalie prospects on the Ontario Reign in the AHL, and they could get called up next season especially Carter George the consensus top goalie drafted in the 2024 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings are going to move Quinton Byfield up from the second line to the first line with Anze Kopitar retiring. One player the Los Angeles Kings may draft here is Miami Ohio center Ilia Morozov as a center feels like the most logical position for the Kings to draft in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Ilia Morozov has the speed, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ilia Morozov has the floor of a third line center and the ceiling of a first line center making him the seventeenth player with the experience and ceiling to play on a top line. With Byfield on the Kings, Morozov will probably be eased into a second line center role which might suit him better.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 205 lb Ilia Morozov had 11 goals, 11 assists, and 22 points as a first line center on the Tri-City Storm in the USHL 2024-2025 as a 16-year-old. Ilia Morozov had 8 goals, 12 assists, and 20 points on Miami Ohio as a freshman in 2025-2026 after beginning the season as the youngest player in Division 1 hockey.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
    
    
18. Washington Capitals: Maddox Dagenais, RW, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
    
    
    Washington got Anaheim's first round pick when they traded their most experienced defender John Carlsson away. One player Washington likes that they could stash for the future is Maddox Dagenais.
    
    
    
    The top foward available is Maddox Dagenais the Quebec Remparts center. Maddox Dagenais was drafted first overall by the Quebec Remparts in the 2024 QMJHL Draft. Maddox Dagenais was originally a center, but he converted to right winger in his NHL Draft year.
    
    
    
    Maddox Dagenais has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, versatility, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Maddox Dagenais has the floor of a third line center on an NHL team and the ceiling of a first line center. He moved to right winger and started out as a second line right winger and got promoted to a first line right winger. Maddox Dagenais is the eighteenth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 196 lb Maddox Dagenais had 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points in 43 QMJHL games in 2024-2025. Maddox Dagenais had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. Maddox Dagenais had 30 goals, 32 assists, 62 points, 10 power play goals, and 4 game-winning-goals in 62 games averaging a point per game in 2025-2026. Maddox Dagenais had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 11 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Maddox Dagenais can return to the QMJHL. He could replace Anthony Beaulivier whose in a contract year as early as next season in 2027.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    
    
19. Utah Mammoth: Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
    
    
    Utah could have Clayton Keller as their first line left winger, Logan Cooley as their first line center, and Dylan Guenther as their first line right winger next season. Utah could have Tij Iginla as their second line left winger, Caleb Desnoyers as their second line center, and Daniil But as their second line right winger. Utah could have JJ Peterka as their third line left winger, Barrett Hayton as their third line center, and Michael Carcone as thier third line right wiger. Utah could have Jack McBain as their fourth line left winger, Nick Schmaltz as their fourth line center, and Brandon Tanev as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Mackenzie Weegar and Mikhail Sergachev the two first line defensemen on the Utah Mammoth are both back with both defensemen under contract through 2030-2031. John Marino and Nate Schmidt, the two second line defensemen on the Utah Mammoth are both back next season. Sean Durzi will be back as the number five defenseman. Dmitri Simashev could take over for Ian Cole as the number six defenseman on this third line next season after being a 2023 first round pick that was drafted sixth overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2023 one year before the franchise moved to Utah.
    
    
    
    Karel Vejmelka will be back as the starting goalie for the Utah Mammoth. Vitek Vanecek is a UFA, but hif he leaves, Utah could bring up Michael Hrabel the goalie that was ddrafted by Arizona in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft as a backup goalie on a rookie deal since Jacob Fowler is already in the NHL now as a backup goalie since Hrabel was drafted ahead of Jacob Fowler. If Utah doesn't re-sign Vanecek and does not want to bring up Hrabel, they could target another goalie while reloading this roster with younger players on rookie deals to replace the UFA's with only $5 million in cap space.
    
    
    
    Utah drafts a player to stash and develop. Adam Novotny was drafted eighth overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Adam Novotny has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger.
    
    
    
    Adam Novotny has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Adam Novotny has the ceiling of a top 15 pick and the floor of a top 20 pick. Adam Novotny is the nineteenth player with experience as well as potenital to be a first line player in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 204 lb Adam Novotny had 34 goals, 31 assists, 65 points, 8 power play goals, 8 game-winning goals, 1 short-handed goal and a 278 goals in his rookie season with the Peterborough Petes in 2025-2026. Adam Novotny had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 6 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Adam Novotny would be a player that Utah develops long-term. Clayton Keller is a UFA in 2028, and I'm guessing that is when Adam Novotny would arrive in the NHL if Clayton Keller didn't get extended when he becomes a UFA. If Utah extends Keller, then he will probably spend a year in the AHL before competing for a spot on Utah in 2029.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Adam Nemec, LW, HK Nitra (Tipos)
    
    
20. San Jose Sharks: Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (Elitserien)
    
    
    San Jose owns the Edmonton Oilers 2026 first round pick. San Jose took a left winger at 2 in Ivar Stenberg. They use this pick to add a defenseman.
    
    
    
    San Jose has Dmitry Orlov and Shakir Mukhamadullin, the New Jersey Devils third 2020 first round pick from the Timo Meier trade as their two first line defensemen. Sam Dickinson, San Jose's second 2024 first round pick who many had going in the top 10 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft will be promoted from the number four defenseman on the second line to the number three defenseman anchoring the second line with Luca Cagnoni their 2023 fifth round pick that I had a second round grade on complimenting him. It's also possible that Sam Dickinson beats out Shakir Mukhamadullin for the number two defenseman spot on the first line in camp next year. John Klingberg is a UFA and Luca Cagonin their 2023 fifth round pick that I had a second round grade on got some limited NHL action as a number six defenseman and looked good, so he might get an opportunity to play on the second line with a strong camp. San Jose needs two more defensemen short-term and two more defensemen long-term if 2025 second round pick Simon Wang pans out. Malte Gustafsson the Swedish defenseman on HV71 has shown he can be a number two defenseman on a first line overseas in Sweden, and with him being a consensus top 16 prospect, he's an obvious choice for the San Jose Sharks at 20.
    
    
    
    Malte Gustafsson has the skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Malte Gustafsson is the twentieth player with experience on a first line or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 201 lb Malte Gustafsson had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 27 SHL games in 2025-2026. Malte Gustafsson had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games during the 2026 SHL Playoffs in the league once known as Elitserien now more commonly referred to as the SHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    
    
21. Philadelphia Flyers: JP Hurlbert, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia could have Tyson Foerster their 2020 first round pick as their first line left winger, Trevor Zegras as their first line center, and Porter Martone their 2025 first round pick as their first line right winger. Philadelphia could have Owen Tippett back at full health as their second line left winger, Christian Dvorak who got some reps at first line center in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as their second line center, and Matvei Michkov their 2023 first round pick as their second line right winger. Denver Barkey, Philadelphia's 2023 third round pick could be their third line left winger, Jett Luchanko, Philadelphia's 2024 first round pick could be their third line center, and Travis Konecny, Philadelphia's 2015 first round pick will remain the third line right winger behind the Philadelphia Flyers young stars at right winger despite being an alternate captain. Philadelphia could have Noah Cates as their fourth line left winger, Sean Couturier, Philadelphia's 2011 first round pick as well as team captain as their fourth line center, and Garnet Hathaway as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Jamie Drysdale and Travis Sanheim back as their two first line defenseman. Oliver Bonk, Philadelphia's second 2023 first round pick is the number three defenseman on the second line with Cam York their 2019 first round pick complimenting him as the number four defensemen on the second line. Philadelphia could have Rasmus Ristolainen if he comes back or David Jiricek if he doesn't as their number five defenseman anchoring the third line with Nick Seeler as their number six defenseman.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Dan Vladar in a contract year at goalie next season. Samuel Ersson the Philadelphia Flyers 2018 fifth round pick is an RFA. Both goalies showed they could be low-end starters and Carson Bjarnason, Philadelphia's 2023 second round pick is already showing promise on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia is in a great spot at 21. JP Hurlbert has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. That versatility is why JP Hurlbert comes off the board here. JP Hurlbert was drafted twentieth overall by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2023 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    JP Hurlbert has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. JP Hurlbert is the twenty first player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the NHL since he was a top line guy at the WHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 182 lb JP Hurlbert had 42 goals, 55 assists, 97 points, 9 power play goals, 4 game-winning goals, 249 shots on goal, 170 face off wins, and a +13 +/- ratio in 68 WHL games in 2025-2026. JP Hurlbert had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 4 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs
    
    
    
    Philadelphia is building an exceptional young core of forwards with Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone headlining that core of young stars. That young core allowed them to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in a playoff series. JP Hurlbert won the Jim Piggot Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie Of The Year and JP Hurlbert is going to Michigan this Fall. All four of Michigan's centers are under contract until 2030. I think JP Herlbert will spend three years at Michigan if the Flyers draft him and will be signed in 2029 spending a year with Lehigh Valley in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL in 2030.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
    
    
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafts their goalie for the future. One goalie that wowed me at the 2025 USHL Fall Classic was Youngstown Phantoms goalie Tobias Trejbal who had a 33 save shutout back in September. When I watched Trejbal at that time he had a sixth round grade, but I knew he was going to be the first goalie drafted in that moment after watching him play in person.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 188 lb Tobias Trejbal went 30-9-3 with a 2.12 goals against average and a .916 save percentage in 42 USHL games in 2025-2026. Tobias Trejbal went 1-2-1 witha 1.66 goals against average and a .896 save percentage in the 2026 USHL Playoffs. Tobias Trejbal was a finalist for 2025-2026 USHL Rookie Of The Year. He was the 2026 USHL Goalie Of The Year just like Jacob Fowler who was the 2023 USHL Goalie Of The Year on the Youngstown Phantoms.
    
    
    
    Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Tobias Trejbal is the best goalie in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and he checks off all ten boxes. I believe he's gonna be an NHL starting goalie and Pittsburgh needs a long-term goalie. Tobias Trejbal is going to play college hockey in the NCAA at the Unversity of Massachusetts.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
    
    
    
    
23. Boston Bruins: William Hakansson, D, Lulea HF (Elitserien)
    
    
    Boston is looking at drafting a defenseman at 23. William Hakansson makes a lot of sense here as he has the upside to develop into a first line defenseman.
    
    
    
    William Hakansson has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. William Hakansson is the twenty second skater with experience or potential to play on a first line. The other player in my first round was Youngstown Phantoms goalie Tobias Trejbal. I had Jacob Fowler at twenty first on my big board in 2023, and I only got Trejbal one spot lower on my 2026 NHL Draft Big Board.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 207 lb William Hakansson had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 22 SHL games in 2025-2026. William Hakansson had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 9 games in the 2026 SHL Playoffs. William Hakanson showed he could execute a wrist shot and slap shot effectively despite not scoring in the SHL. He's great at blocking shots and hitting players by crashing them into the boards which is why some have him and Malte Gustafsson in the defensive defenseman category.
    
    
    
    William Hakansson's contract with Lulea HF runs through 2027-2028. William Hakansson will not be on the NHL team that drafts him until 2028 at the very earliest despite his ceiling.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien)
    
    
24. Vancouver Canucks: Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
    
    
    Vancouver gets their left winger of the future. Ryan Roobroeck has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. That versatility is what makes Ryan Roobroeck a first round pick still even after a down year in his draft year. Ryan Roobroeck was drafted second overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2023 OHL Draft after entering that draft as the favorite to go first overall following the 2022 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Ryan Roobroeck has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ryan Roobroeck began the year as a preseason top 5 pick, but he's now dropped to the back-end of the first round.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 215 lb Ryan Roobroeck had 28 goals, 23 assists, 51 points, and a -34 +/- ratio in 63 OHL games as a rookie on the Niagara IceDogs as a second line center in 2023-2024. Ryan Roobroeck had 41 goals, 46 assists, 87 points, and a -7 +/- ratio in 64 OHL games in 2024-2025. Ryan Roobroeck had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Ryan Roobroeck had 30 goals, 28 assists, 58 points, a +1 +/- ratio, 10 power play goals, 6 game-winning goals, and 2 face off wins after converting from center to left winger full-time in 2025-2026.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
    
    
    
    
25. Seattle Kraken: Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
    
    
    Seattle uses this first round pick on a right winger for depth. Liam Ruck had an excellent season with the Medicine Hat Tigers stepping up after Gavin McKenna left for Penn State.
    
    
    
    Liam Ruck was drafted ninth overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2023 WHL Draft. Liam Ruck also has a twin brother named Markus Ruck that plays center.
    
    
    
    Liam Ruck has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Liam Ruck is the twenty fourth player with experience on a first line or potential to play on the first line in the NHL..
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Liam Ruck had 25 goals, 16 assists, 41 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 51 WHL games with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2024-2025. Liam Ruck had 6 goals, 4 assists, and 10 points in 18 games helping the Medicine Hat Tigers win the WHL during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Liam Ruck had 45 goals, 59 assists, 104 points, 16 power play goals, 3 short-handed goals, 223 shots on goal, and 10 game-winning goals in 2025-2026. Liam Ruck had 8 goals, 4 assists, and 12 points in 14 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
26. New York Rangers: Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
    
    
    New York owns the Dallas Stars 2026 first round pick thanks to the Mikko Rantanen trade. The New York Rangers got the higher of the two Carolina Hurricanes 2026 first round picks.
    
    
    
    Markus Ruck was drafted twenty first overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2023 WHL Draft. Markus Ruck also has a twin brother named Liam Ruck that plays right winger.
    
    
    
    Markus Ruck has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Markus Ruck is the twenty fifth player with experience on a first line or potential to be a top line center in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 167 lb Markus Ruck had 8 goals, 21 assists, 29 points, and a +12 +/- ratio in 62 WHL games in 2024-2025. Markus Ruck had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 14 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs helping the Medicine Hat Tigers win the 2025 WHL Championship. Markus Ruck had 21 goals, 87 assists, 108 points, a +45 +/- ratio, 190 face-off wins, and 132 shots on goal in 2025-2026. Markus Ruck had 4 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points in 15 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra (Tipos)
    
    
    
    
27. Buffalo Sabres: Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
    
    
    The Buffalo Sabres have Zach Benson their 2023 first round pick as their first line left winger, Josh Norris as their first line center, and Tage Thompson as their first line left winger. Buffalo has Josh Doan as their second line left winger, Ryan McLeod as their second line center, and Jack Quinn Buffalo's 2020 first round pick probably gets promoted from third line right winger to second line right winger if Alex Tuch, the Buffalo Sabres second line right winger leaves since Alex Tuch is a UFA. Buffalo has Jason Zucker as their third line left winger and Konsta Helnius their 2024 first round pick as their third line center. Jordan Greenway is back as their fourth line left winger, but becomes a UFA in 2027. Buffalo will promote Jiri Kulich their 2022 first round pick to replace Peyton Krebs. They will try to bring back Alex Tuch, but if they cannot expect Buffalo to reload at right winger in Free Agency.
    
    
    
    The Buffalo Sabres have Rasmus Dahlin and Matias Samuelsson as their two first line defensemen. Buffalo has Owen Power and Bowen Byram as their two second line defensemen. Buffalo has Connor Timmins and Zach Metsa as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the Buffalo Sabres starting goalie. Colten Ellis is the backup goalie. Devon Levi and Topias Leinonen Buffalo's 2022 second round pick are the two AHL goalies in Buffalo's prospect pool.
    
    
    
    The Buffalo Sabres get a left winger that can replace Jordan Greenway down the road. Pierce Mbuyi is the best player available at this point in the first round and he's going to Penn State to replace Gavin McKenna if McKenna goes straight to the NHL.
    
    
    
    Pierce Mbuyi was drafted seventh overall by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2024 OHL Draft. Pierce Mbuyi was a player I wasn't enamored with entering the OHL as I gave the Owen Sound Attack a B+ grade instead of an A+ grade when they drafted him, but he's lived up to the draft hype with a strong rookie season and looks like someone that is a strong bet to get picked in the back end of the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Pierce Mbuyi has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Pierce Mbuyi has the floor of a third line left winger in the NHL and ceiling of a first line left winger in the NHL making Pierce Mbuyi the twenty sixth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 153 lb Pierce Mbuyi had 29 goals, 23 assists, 52 points, 46 penalty minutes, and a +8 +/- ratio in 63 OHL games in 2024-2025. Pierce Mbuyi had 1 goal, 1 assists, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Pierce Mbuyi lined up as a first line left winger in one game recording a hat trick by scoring 3 goals in the first period. Pierce Mbuyi is the only player to do this in the 2026 NHL Draft. Pierce Mbuyi had 32 goals, 43 assists, and 75 points in 68 games with the Owen Sound Attack in 2025-2026. Pierce Mbuyi had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs. Pierce Mbuyi is going to Penn State this Fall and the only thing that you could argue drags him down to the second round is his size. If you look at just what he does on tape and look past the size, I'd argue he's a late first round prospect.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
    
    
28. Montreal Canadiens: Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (SM Liiga)
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens have Juraj Slafkovsky, their first overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft as their first line left winger, Nick Suzuki as their first line center, and Cole Caufield, their 2019 first round pick as their first line right winger. Montreal's top line wingers Slafkovsky and Caufield have the versatility to play either winger role at left winger or right winger. Montreal has Alex Newhook as their second line left winger, Jake Evans as their second line center, and Ivan Demidov who was drafted fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft is their second line right winger. Montreal has Alexander Texier as their third line left winger, Phillip Danault as their third line center in a contract year next season, and Josh Anderson as their third line right winger whose also in a contract year next season. Montreal has Zack Bolduc their fourth line left winger as an RFA, Joseph Veleno their fourth line center is an RFA, but will be a UFA in 2027, and the same can be said with fourth line right winger Kirby Dach whose an RFA this summer before becoming a UFA in 2027.
    
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens have Noah Dobson and Lane Huton their 2022 second round pick that won the Calder last year as their two first line defensemen. Montreal has Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle their 2020 first round pick as their two second line defensemen. Montreal has Jayden Struble and Alexandre Carrier as their two third line defensemen with Carrier in a contract year.
    
    
    
    Montreal has Jakub Dobes as their starting goalie and Jacob Fowler as their backup goalie with both rookie goalies on rookie contracts. I had Montral at 12 in my preseason NHL Mock because I felt like Samuel Montembault would be a disaster as Montreal's starting goalie. Dobes and Fowler my favorite goalie from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft both made the NHL this year and both had excellent rookie years which is why Montreal went from a fringe playoff team in 2024-2025 to a team that made the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. With everyone back, Montreal is my early favorite to win the Eastern Conference in 2027, if Sergei Bobrovsky was a lock to return to Florida you could make an argument for the Florida Panthers as the favorite to win the Eastern Conference next season since Florida won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025 before Aleksander Barkov tore his ACL.
    
    
    
    Montreal drafts the best player on the board at 28. Oliver Suvanto makes a lot of sense here. Michael Hage, Montreal's 2024 first round pick can be a replacement to Phillip Danault in 2027-2028. Oliver Suvanto could be a replacement to Joseph Veleno as the fourth line center on Montreal in 2027-2028 since his contract in Finland is up after next season.
    
    
    
    Oliver Suvanto has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Oliver Suvanto played on all four lines. He was mainly a fourth line and third line center on Tappara, but he was team captain and the first line center for Finland at the Under 18 World Junior Championships. This makes Oliver Suvanto the twenty seventh different player with experience or potential to play on a top line in the 2026 NHL Draft, and I got one goalie in the top twenty two as I stated earlier.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 209 lb Oliver Suvanto had 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 2025-2026. Oliver Suvanto models his game after Aleksander Barkov on the Florida Panthers, he could go as high as 9 to Florida, but the furthest he would fall is the Montreal Canadiens at 28.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Colin Fitzgerald, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
    
    
    
    
29. St. Louis Blues: Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
    
    
    The New York Islanders got this 2026 first round pick from the Colorado Avalanche in the Brock Nelson trade. New York traded this pick to the St. Louis Blues with the condition that the St. Lous Blues would get Colorado's 2026 first round pick if it was outside of the top 10.
    
    
    
    St. Louis is getting a defenseman here. Xavier Villenueve was the number four defenseman playing a complimentary role on the second line of Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defense among their three lines in the QMJHL. Xavier Villenueve was drafted seventh overall by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. He did get promoted to the top line after playing on the second line as a rookie.
    
    
    
    Xavier Villenueve has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Xavier Villenueve has the traits of a first line NHL defenseman on a top defensive line pairing, the experience of a second line defenseman, and the size of a third line defenseman. A player with that kind of skill set could end up all over the place, but even with a down season after being a preseason top 11 pick right outside of the top 10, he still did enough to stay in the first round. This makes Villeneuve the twenty eighth skater with experience or upside to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft through twenty nine picks with one being a goalie.
    
    
    
    The thing is, Xavier Villenueve also won the Emile-Bouchard trophy for the best defenseman in the entire QMJHL despite being undersized. Despite his lack of size he did post 62 points in 61 games and became the first defenseman to win the Emile-Bouchard trophy in his plus one draft year since J.J. Daigenault a defenseman that went tenth overall in the 1984 NHL Draft that was headlined by Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario Lemieux. J.J. Daigenault had a sixteen year NHL career helping the Philadelphia Flyers make a Stanley Cup while also winning a Stanley Cup in Montreal despite the early part of his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, the team that drafted him not working out.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 157 lb Xavier Villenueve was 5-9 139 only adding 11 lbs of muscle since being drafted into the QMJHL two years ago before adding 7 lbs of muscle in his draft year. Xavier Villenueve posted 8 goals, 35 assists, 43 points, 26 penalty minutes, and a -10 +/- ratio as a rookie in 2023-2024. Xavier Villanueve had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 7 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs. Xavier Villenueve posted 12 goals, 50 assists, 62 points, 24 penalty minutes, and a +14 +/- ratio in 61 QMJHL games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in 2024-2025. Xavier Villeneuve did worse in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs with 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in 5 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. Xavier Villenueve had 6 goals, 32 assists, 38 points, and a +7 +/- ratio n 2025-2026. Xavier Villeneuve had 6 goals, 8 assists, and 14 points in 17 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Some NHL teams had Xavier Villeneueve as the second best defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft behind only Keaton Verhoeff in the preseason. Some had him third behind Verhoeff and Ryan Lin in the preseason. Others had him fourth behind Verhoeff, Lin, and Daxon Rudolph. I loved Lane Hutson the player Villeneueve is being compared to, but my gut is telling me Villenueve is a bust. My friend believes I am overthinking this and that I am wrong. St. Louis is stacked with defenseman and they are a team that can role the dice on Xavier Villeneuve with a late first round pick with Adam Nemec and a defenseman that I mocked to the St. Louis Blues at 15 in Ryan Lin.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nils Bartholdsson, RW, Rogle BK (Elitserien)
    
    
30. Calgary Flames: Juho Piiparinen, D, Tappara (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Calgary is back on the clock thanks to owning the Vegas Golden Knights 2026 first round pick. I gave Calgary another defenseman with this pick. Calgary can role the dice on someone if the value is terrfic and the player they take here will not have to worry about first line responsibilities down the road unless Zayne Parekh or Carson Carels, the defenseman that I mocked to Calgary at 6 gets injured.
    
    
    
    Calgary is getting a defenseman here. Juho Piiparinen was the top defenseman in Finland not named Albert Smits and a big part of the Tappara team that won the Liiga league. Oliver Suvanto and Juho Piiparinen were both part of the Tappara team that won Liiga in the league once known as SM Liiga, that I still refer to as SM Liiga in Finland in 2025-2026. Juho Piparinen was also the team captain for the Finland Under 18 Little Lions team.
    
    
    
    Juho Piiparinen has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Juho Piiparinen was mainly a third line guy on Tappara, but he was the number one defenseman on the first line for Finland at this years Under 18 World Junior Championships acting as a quarterback on the power play and penalty killer with his center teammate Oliver Suvanto. This makes Juho Piiparinen the twenty ninth skater in my top thirty with experience or potential to play on a first line. Juho Piiparinen has the floor of a third line defenseman in the NHL and the ceiling of a first line defenseman. This means he will likely be a second line defenseman, but could be a third line guy if he only reaches his floor, or a first line guy if he reaches his potential.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 203 lb Juho Piiparinen had 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 29 games with Tappara in 2025-2026. Juho Piiparinen needs to develop his shot by improving his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. How much improvement he makes in his shot will determine if he's a bottom pairing defender on a third line, a middle pairing defender on a second line, or a top pairing defender on a first line.
    
    
    
    Here is a quote from Juho Piiparinen after being voted team captain of Finland. "I try to handle this task as well as possible. I aim t lead by my own actions. I'm not the loudest guy, but I try to set an example and show the way." With his size and this type of demeanor its hard to see this guy escaping the first round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
31. Carolina Hurricanes: Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have Andrei Svechnikov their 2018 first round pick drafted second overall as their first line left winger, Sebastian Aho a 2017 second round pick as their first line center, and Seth Jarvis their 2020 first round pick as their first line right winger with those three guys all locked up until 2029 when Svechnikov becomes a UFA. Carolina has Taylor Hall as their second line left winger, Logan Stankoven as their second line center, and Jackson Blake as their second line right winger. Carolina has Nikolaj Ehlers as their third line left winger, Jordan Staal their team captain as their third line center with Staal entering a contract year next season, and Jordan Martinook as their third line right winger with Martinook entering a contract year next season. Carolina has William Carrier as their fourth line left winger, Mark Jankowski as their fourth line center, ad Eric Robinson as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have Jaccob Slavin and K'Andre Miller as their two first line defenseman. Sean Walker and Shyne Gostisbehere are their two second line defensemen. Jalen Chatfield and Alexander Nikishin whose an RFA this Summer are their two third line defensemen. Slavin is a good number one defenseman. Miller showed he could handle being promoted from the second line to the first line after signing a contract that keeps both Slavin and Miller locked up until 2033. Carolina had the number one penalty killing unit in the entire NHL this season despite me saying Carolina's defense got worse last offseason after replacing Brett Burns with K'Andre Miller.
    
    
    
    Frederik Anderson their starting goalie for many years is a UFA. Brandon Bussi took the backup goalie job from Pytor Kochetkov their 2019 second round pick got demoted to third string goalie with Bussi locked up long-term and Kochetkov entering the final year of his contract next season. Both Bussi and Kochetkov are under contraxt next season while Anderson is not. Carolina got to the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals this season, so if Frederik Anderson wins a Stanley Cup after being the best goalie in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, its hard not to see Anderson back for one more season with Carolina moving Kochetkov this Summer.
    
    
    
    Carolina could draft a goalie at some point in this draft, but it won't be here. I got Carolina stacking up on defenders. Moncton Wildcats defenseman Tommy Bleyl is a perfect long-term project for Carolina to roll the dice on.
    
    
    
    Tommy Bleyl has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tommy Bleyl is the thirtieth player in the top thirty one with experience to play on a first line on his junior team or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft the other player in the top thirty one is a goalie.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 160 lb Tommy Bleyl had 13 goals, 68 assists, 81 points, a +58 +/- ratio, 195 shots, and 4 power play goals ceasing control of the first line defenseman on the defending 2025 QMJHL Champion Moncton Wildcats in his rookie QMJHL Season in 2025-2026. Tommy Bleyl had 6 goals, 22 assists, 28 points, a +15 +/- ratio, 71 shots, 3 power play goals, and 2 game-winning goals in 21 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs. Moncton returned to the 2026 QMJHL Finals hoping to defend their title, but lost to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the Championship game.
    
    
    
    One of The Prospect Don's friends in a group chat on X said Tommy Bleyl is a dark horse to crack the first round. I agree completely after watching the tape of Tommy Bleyl. He has one more year in the QMJHL and then enrolls at Michigan State in 2027. My guess is Tommy Bleyl will be on Carolina in 2029 when Sean Walker becomes a UFA after two years of development on Michigan State in the NCAA.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
    
    
32. Ottawa Senators: Lavr Gashilov, C, Avotmobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL)
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators were supposed to lose this first round pick for tampering. Instead, the NHL gave them this pick back, but they will pick at 32 in the 2026 NHL Draft and cannot trade the pick.
    
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators have Brady Tkachuk, their 2018 first round pick drafted fourth overall as their first line left winger as well as their team captain with Tkachuk only having two years left on his contract before he becomes a UFA in 2028, Tim Stutzle drafted third overall in the 2020 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Drake Batherson their 2017 fourth round pick as their first line right winger with Drake Batherso entering a contract year next season. Ottawa has Warren Fogele as their second line left winger in a contract year next season, Dylan Cozens is their second line center, and Michael Amadio, Ottawa's third line right winger will get promoted to second line right winger unless second line right winger Claude Giroux, a UFA this Summer, re-signs with Ottawa. Ottawa has Ridly Greig their third 2020 first round pick as well as their late first round pick from the 2020 NHL Draft as a third line left winger, Shane Pinto, their 2019 second round pick as their third line center, and Fabian Zetterlund will get promoted from fourth line right winger to third line right winger if Claude Giroux leaves. Ottawa needs fourth line forwards with left winger Nick Cousins, center Lars Eller, and a fourth line right winger if Claude Giroux leaves.
    
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators have Jake Sanderson, their fifth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman and Thomas Chabot their 2015 first round pick as their number two defenseman complimenting Jake Sanderson on their first line with Chabot under contract until 2028 beore he becomes a UFA. Ottawa has Artem Zub also pronounced Artyom Zub as their number three defenseman anchoring the second line as Zub was an undrafted defenseman that has spent his NHL career with Ottawa despite going undrafted in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft with Tyler Kleven, Ottawa's 2020 second round pick and fourth pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft as the number four defenseman on Ottawa's second line. Carter Yakemchuk, Ottawa's 2024 first round pick finally saw significant minutes on the third line as the number five defensemen, but that may have been due to both Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub being injured before game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs where Carolina swept Ottawa.. Jordan Spence, who filled in for an injured Jake Sanderson is an RFA this summer and the number six defenseman on Ottawa. Nikolas Matinpalo gives you a number seven defenseman for depth too.
    
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators extended starting goalie Linus Ullmark. Leevi Merilainen, Ottawa's 2020 third round pick and the sixth player Ottawa drafted in the 2020 NHL Draft is now the fifth player from Ottawa's 2020 NHL Draft to crack the NHL as he beat out veteran James Reimer for the backup goalie job. This gives Ottawa the flexibility to let James Reimer walk for nothing.
    
    
    
    Ottawa pounds the table for the top Russian in this years draft. Most scouts do not have a Russian player in the first round and this guy is a third round prospect in most scouting services around pick 72. This player blew me away on tape to the point where I moved them into my top 32. That's the type of impact Lavr Gashilov can bring to an NHL team.
    
    
    
    Lavr Gashilov has the skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Lavr Gashilov has the mindset of a defensive center that can be used as a grinder. He is also a great shot blocker. Lavr Gashilov was a first line center and alternate captain on Avotmobilist Yekaterinburg's MHL team. He also won a mind boggling 72 percent of his faceoffs in the MHL this season which is the best of any player in this years 2026 NHL Draft. Lavr Gashilov is the thirty first player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the NHL and through thirty two picks the only pick that wasn't a first line skater was a goalie. His exceptional play defensively also allows an NHL team to plug him into a back six role.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 170 lb Lavr Gashilov had 15 goals, 25 assists, 40 points, a +20 +/- ratio, 12 penalty minutes, and won 69 percent of his faceoffs as a rookie in on Avotmobilist Yekaterinburg's MHL team in 43 games in 2024-2025. Lavr Gashilov had 16 goals, 53 assists 69 points, a +25 +/- ratio, 20 penalty minutes, and won 72 percent of his faceoffs in his second season on Avotmobilist Yekaterinburg's MHL team in 2025-2026. Lavr Gashilov had 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, 6 penalty minutes, and a +2 +/- ratio in 15 games during the 2026 MHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    His captain scored the first goal at left winger in the game I watched, but he scored the second goal, and his right winger scored the third goal in the game I watched. There are people in Russia saying Lavr Gashilov is the next in line to be captain of Avotmobilist Yekaterinburg's MHL team with a possible promotion to the VHL and possibly the KHL next season with next year being his final year under contract with Avotmobilist Yekaterinburg. If an NHL team drafts Lavr Gashilov, they can sign him to an entry-level contract in 2027. Ottawa could make Lavr Gashilov their fourth line center as early as 2027, or they could start him in the AHL on the Belleville Senators and make him earn NHL playing time if they manage to attract a quality Free Agent. Even if Gashilov goes to the AHL for a few years, he should be ready for the NHL by 2030, worst case scenario when both Dylan Cozens, Ottawa's second line center, and Shane Pinto, Ottawa's third line center become UFA's.
    
    
    
    I think Lavr Gashilov could be Ottawa's fourth line center down the road. The Ottawa Senators already got Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto locked up until 2030. They do not have a fourth line center for next season. If Ottawa doesn't like the fourth line center options on the Free Agency market, they can get someone on a one to three year deal and draft Lavr Gashilov with this first round pick to stash and develop.