2026 NHL Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2026 NHL Draft is headlined by Penn State left winger Gavin McKenna. Other players like Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhotra, and Chase Reid could be top players in this 2026 NHL Draft as well.

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

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State A+ Grade
   
   
   Toronto needed to stay in the top 5 to win the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Not only did Toronto stay in the top 5, they won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and will now pick first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Toronto moved up from 5 to 1 after winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   The 2026 NHL Draft is headlined by Gavin McKenna who has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. He will probably play left winger on the Toronto Maple Leafs. I got an 2026 NHL Draft Simulator you can check out as well. This is the first mock draft I've posted since prior to the start of this years NHL season.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna was drafted first overall in the 2022 WHL Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers as Gavin McKenna was the first 14-year-old drafted into the CHL with most players being 16 and some players in the WHL being 15 when they get drafted. Gavin McKenna led the Medicine Hat Tigers to a WHL Championship in his third season in the 2024-2025 WHL Season as the Medicine Hat Tigers were the runner up in the 2025 Memorial Cup after going 3-0 in the round robin before losing the championship to last years runner up the London Knights. Gavin McKenna talked about how the older players on the Medicine Hat Tigers deserved to win the Memorial Cup more than anything, so Gavin McKenna has excellent character and is mature beyond his years. Gavin McKenna is enrolling at Penn State to play college hockey this Fall.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna 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. One thing I wrote in my WHL Draft writeup on McKenna is that he processes the game so fast. That is an understatement as McKenna processes the game at a supersonic rate after seeing him play the last few years with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 155 lb Gavin McKenna had 4 goals, 14 assists, and 18 points in only 16 games in 2022-2023. Gavin McKenna had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. Gavin McKenna had 34 goals, 63 assists, and 97 points in his first full WHL season as a sophomore in 2023-2024. Gavin McKenna had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 points in 5 games in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Gavin McKenna had 41 goals, 88 assists, 129 points, and a +60 +/- ratio in his third and final WHL season in 2024-2025. Gavin McKenna had 9 goals, 29 assists, and 38 points in 19 games averaging 2 points per game during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Gavin McKenna had 15 goals, 36 assists, and 51 points during his freshman season at Penn State getting Penn State to the Regional Semfinals of the 2026 College Hockey Tournament where Penn State lost to Minnesota Duluth in the Round of 16 in 2025-2026.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna is making the transition from the WHL to the NCAA as Gavin McKenna is the first of ten players that played on their teams first line in his plus one draft year with Gavin McKenna having the skill set to translate to a first line player in the NHL. I still believe Gavin McKenna will go first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. That is the type of talent Gavin McKenna is and why he is the top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft with all 15/15 scouting services including us at Draft Utopia having Gavin McKenna as the top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna will be Toronto's first line left winger. He will be on the same line as first line center Auston Matthews, the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft ten years ago provided that Toronto does not trade Matthews and William Nylander, Toronto's 2014 first round pick whose the first line right winger on Toronto to give Toronto a deadly first line of fowards. Matthew Knies Toronto's 2021 second round pick will be the second line left winger, John Tavares will be the second line center, and Taylor Raddysh will be the second line right winger provided he signs his RFA and comes back. Easton Cowan, Toronto's 2023 first round pick could be the third line left winger, Max Domi could be the third line center, and Nick Robertson, Toronto's 2019 second round pick could be the third line right winger. Dakota Joshua will be Toronto's fourth line left winger, Jacob Quillian Toronto's fourth line center is an RFA, and Steven Lorentz is the fourth line right winger. Michael Pezzetta provides insurance if someone gets injured at left winger.
   
   
   
   Toronto has Morgan Reilly, their 2012 first round pick drafted fifth overall and first on their big board in the 2012 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman with Chris Tanev complimenting him. Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson compliment those two on the second line. Brandon Carlo, who Toronto traded two first round picks to the Boston Bruins in 2025 as well as 2027 thanks to Toronto having a top five protected draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with Carlo entering a contract year, and Emil Andrae compliment each other on the third line. Toronto had 9 players injured at the end of the year, and two of those players were defensemen with the other two key players being Auston Matthews and Dakota Joshua.
   
   
   
   Anthony Stolarz took the starting goalie job from Joseph Woll in Toronto, and the former Florida Panthers backup goalie is under contract until 2030. Samuel Ersson is now Toronto's backup goalie with Joseph Woll being traded to Philadelphia. Dennis Hildeby, Toronto's 2022 fourth round pick did so well with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, that he got promoted to backup goalie in the NHL when Stolarz was injured and will now be the backup goalie with Joseph Woll being traded.
   
   
   
2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien) A+ Grade
   
   
   San Jose ended up getting the second pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. San Jose moved up from 9 to 2 following the 2026 NHL Drat Lottery.
   
   
   
   San Jose is reportedly looking at three players with the second pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Those three playrs are Ivar Stenberg the left winger on the Frolunda Indians, Albert Smits a defenseman on Jukurit in Finland, and Carson Carels the defenseman on the Prince George Cougars. Mike Grier said he is taking the best available player at 2 rather than drafting for need. Ivar Stenberg is the one player left in this draft outside of Gavin McKenna that could make the jump to the NHL as early as this season.
   
   
   
   Ivar Stenberg 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. Ivar Stenberg played 25 SHL games in the league once known as Elitserien with 12 games on the third line, 12 games on the second line, and 1 game on the first line making Ivar Stenberg the first NHL prospect outside of the United States or Canada to play on the first line as a 16-year-old since Aleksander Barkov. He also has the best point per game total among Swedes since Henrik Sedin the former Vancouver Canucks first line left winger with Ivar Stenberg being the third player with first line potential in the NHL.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 181 lb Ivar Stenberg had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 25 SHL games with Frolunda HC in 2024-2025. Ivar Stenberg had 11 goals, 22 assists, and 33 points in 2025-2026. Ivar Stenberg helped Frolunda HC get the 2 seed in the 2026 SHL Playoffs before losing to 7 seed Lulea HF in the opening round in with 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in 6 games.
   
   
   
   San Jose would have Ivar Stenberg their 2026 second overall pick, Macklin Celebrini their first overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft, and Will Smith, drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, on the first line of their forward group. Igor Chernyshov their 2024 second round pick,, Michael Misa drafted second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, and Collin Graf is your second line right winger on the second line giving the San Jose Sharks a deadly top 6 group of forwards. Tyler Toffoli is your third line left winger with Alexander Wennberg as your third line center, and Kiefer Sherwood as your third line right winger. Barclay Goodrow would your fourth line left winger, Ty Dellandrea would be your fourth line center, and Phillip Kurashev, whose an RFA this Summer would be your fourth line right winger. San Jose still needs to improve the defense, but passing on McKenna or Stenberg whoever Toronto passes on at 2 does not seem like an option if San Jose wants to draft the best player on their board since either of those players would be the Sharks first line left winger. San Jose still has Quentin Musty their 2023 first round pick in their prospect pool.
   
   
   
   Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic did well at goalie when you consider how bad the San Jose Sharks defensive lines are at the moment. Also, San Jose drafted Joshua Ravensbergen in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, if neither of those stop gaps doesn't work out. Askarov had a 21-20-4 record and had a winning record if we exclude overtime losses from the equation, but his 3.64 GAA in 47 starts screams stop gap goalie for the former 2020 first round pick that was traded from the Nashville Predators to the San Jose Sharks after Jusse Saros got extended by the Nashville Predators. Nedeljkovic went 18-14-4 going .500 posting a 2.87 GAA, but both Askarov and Ndeljkovic had save percentages under .900. Askarov is a RFA in 2027 and a UFA in 2029 while Nedeljkovic is a UFA in 2028. This gives Joshua Ravensbergen ample time to develop, and hopefully its enough to where the defense is good enough in San Jose by the time Ravensbergen is ready for the NHL.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Vancouver had the NHL's worst regular season record. They fell from 1 to 3 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra was drafted eighth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2024 OHL Draft. Kingston would end up trading Caleb Malhotra to the Brantford Bulldogs, who didn'tplay Caleb Malhotra until this season.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra is the son of Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra. His mom Joann played soccer at Victoria and her brother is NBA superstar Steve Nash.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra 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. Caleb Malhotra emerged and took the first line center job from Jake O'Brien who went eighth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. I've heard for a few weeks leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery that Vancouver would take Caleb Malhotra third overall if they failed to secure either of the top two picks in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 182 lb Caleb Malhotra had 29 goals, 55 assists, 84 points, and a +33 +/- ratio in 67 OHL games in 2025-2026. Caleb Malhotra had 13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points, and a +10 +/- ratio in 15 OHL Playoff games taking the Brantford Bulldogs to the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra is going to Boston University this Fall. He will compete with Tynan Lawrence the other center in the 2026 NHL Draft at Boston University to be the first line center there this Fall. He will probably get signed to an NHL contract after his freshman season provided he beats out Tynan Lawrence for that first line center job.
   
   
   
   Drafting Caleb Malhotra gives the Vancouver Canucks long-term stability at center. Vancouver could have Jake DeBrusk as their first line left winger, Elias Petersson, the Vancouver Canucks 2017 first round pick drafted fifth overall, as their first line center, and Brock Boeser, the Vancouver Canucks 2015 first round pick, as their first line right winger. Vancouver could have Liam Ohgren, the Minnesota Wild's 2022 first round pick part of the Quinn Hughes trade as their second line left winger, Marco Rossi who they got from Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes trade as their second line center, and Linus Karlsson as their second line right winger. Vancouver could have Ty Mueller as their third line left winger, Caleb Malhotra as their third line center,and Nils Hoglander, their 2019 second round pick, as their third line right winger. Braden Cootes, their 2025 first round pick could be the eventual fourth line center with Aatu Raty complimenting him as their fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   After trading Quinn Hughes away, Vancouver had Filip Hronek and Zeev Buium, Minnesota's 2024 first round pick as their two first line defensemen. Tom Willander and Marcus Petersson were the two second line defensemen. Kirill Kudryavtsev and Elias Nils Petersson were Vancouver's two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, and Nikia Tolopilo are all under contract at goalie next year. Vancouver is still in a long-term rebuild, but if they draft Caleb Malhotra at 3 they can use 24 on a left winger for the future. Then they can use their day 2 picks in rounds 2-7 on long-term players that will take longer to develop possibly significantly longer to develop than Malhotra and the left winger they draft at 24.
   
   
   
4. Buffalo Sabres: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) A Grade
   
   
   The Chicago Blackhawks had the second worst record, but dropped to 4 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Chicago traded this pick to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Bowen Byram.
   
   
   
   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 right 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 with Alex Tuch getting traded to the Washington Capitals. Buffalo has Jason Zucker as their third line left winger and Konsta Helnius their 2024 first round pick as their third line center. Buffalo will promote Jiri Kulich their 2022 first round pick to replace Peyton Krebs. Buffalo needs fourth line wingers and honestly could use a really good number one first line center.
   
   
   
   The Buffalo Sabres have Rasmus Dahlin and Matias Samuelsson as their two first line defensemen. Buffalo has Owen Power and Owen Zellwegger as their two second line defensemen. Buffalo has Connor Timmins and Zach Metsa as their two third line defensemen. Buffalo has Radim Mrtka last years 2025 first round pick in their prospect pool. Buffalo also needs a long-term defenseman to replace Bowen Byram.
   
   
   
   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.
   
   
   
   Buffalo will go with the best player on their board because improvements are needed everywhere. Fourth line wingers are needed. A defenseman to replace Byram is needed. A true first line center is needed too despite Buffalo having four centers under contract for next season. Buffalo surprised everyone and took Daxon Rudolph giving Buffalo two more defensive prospects in Radim Mrtka and Daxon Rudolph.
   
   
   
   The best player on the board at 4 for the Buffalo Sabres is Daxon Rudolph who went first overall in the 2023 WHL Draft. Daxon Rudolph is heading to Denver this Fall and could be a number one defenseman on the NHL team that drafts him.
   
   
   
   Daxon Rudolph 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. Daxon Rudolph has the traits you want from an NHL defenseman as he plays all three zones at a high level in the offensive zone, defensive zone, and neutral zone. He is the best shot blocker not named Keaton Verhoeff in the 2026 NHL Draft. Daxon Rudolph is the ninth player with experience playing on the first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 202 lb Daxon Rudolph had 7 goals, 34 assists, 41 points, 30 penalty minutes from 15 penalties, and a +13 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Daxon Rudolph had 1 goal, 11 assists, and 12 points in 11 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs averaging 1 assist per game. Daxon Rudolph had 28 goals, 50 assists, 78 points, a +32 +/- ratio, and 13 power play goals with the Prince Albert Raiders in 2025-2026. Daxon Rudolph currently has 9 goals, 14 assists, 23 points, and a +10 +/- ratio. Daxon Rudolph got the Prince Albert Raiders to the 2026 WHL Championship game where they are facing Landon DuPont the top defenseman in the 2027 NHL Draft and the Everett Silvertips.
   
   
   
   
   
5. New York Rangers: Albert Smits, D, Mikkelin Jukurit (SM Liiga) A- Grade
   
   
   New York fell from 3 to 5 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. New York would love to get Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, but know that's unrealistic. The New York Rangers reportedly love Caleb Malhotra too, but with Vancouver having family ties to Malhotra and Chicago having a history of drafting players on the Brantford Bulldogs, I highly doubt he gets to 5. New York is looking at drafting either a left sided defenseman or a right sided defenseman at 5 if the top two left wingers and Malhotra are off the board. The top left sided defenseman on their board is Prince George Cougars defenseman Carson Carels, who I mocked to the New York Rangers in my preseason mock back in August. The two right sided defensemen that the New York Rangers are looking at are Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Chase Reid and Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Daxon Rudolph.
   
   
   
   The New York Rangers have Pavel Dorofeyev as their first line left winger, Mika Zibanejad as their first line center, and Alexis Lafreniere their first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft as their first line right winger. New York has Gabriel Perreault their 2023 first round pick as their second line left winger, Vincent Trocheck as their second line center, and team captain J.T. Miller as their second line right winger. New York has Will Cuylle, their 2020 second round pick as their third line left winger, Noah Laba, their 2022 fourth round pick as a third line center, and Jaroslav Chmelar their 2021 fifth round pick as their third line right winger. New York has Tye Kartye as their fourth line left winger, Adam Edstrom is their 2019 sixth round pick as well as the fourth line center, and Taylor Raddysh as their fourth line right winger in a contract year next season.
   
   
   
   The New York Rangers have Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov as their two first line defensemen on their top line when healthy. Braden Schneider, the New York Rangers 2020 first round pick finally got top line minutes with Adam Fox missing time with injuries and showed he earned a promotion from the third line to the second line making him the number three defenseman on the New York Rangers. Drew Fortescue a 2023 third round pick made the New York Rangers roster late in the regular season and is now the number four defenseman.
   
   
   
   The New York Rangers have Igor Shesterkin their 2014 fourth round pick as their starting goalie. New York also has Dylan Garand their 2020 fourth round pick as their backup goalie.
   
   
   
   New York chose Albert Smits over Chase Reid and Carson Carels. Smits has great size.
   
   
   
   Albert Smits has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Albert Smits does need to develop his shot by improving his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's good on special teams effective on both the power play and as a penalty killer.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 205 lb Albert Smits had 6 goals, 7 assists, 13 points, and a -3 +/- ratio in 38 games in Liiga in 2025-2026. He's under contract with Mikkel Jukurit through the 2027-2028 season. The New York Rangers drafted Albert Smits fifth overall.
   
   
   
   Albert Smits is already the number one defenseman on Mikkel Jukurit. He is the seventh player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
6. Calgary Flames: Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars (WHL) A Grade
   
   
   Calgary fell from 4 to 6 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Calgary looks like a team that needs help everywhere outside of goalie Dustin Wolf as Calgary does not have a 50 point player at forward or defenseman on their entire roster. Jonathan Huberdeau their highest paid player making $10.5 million per year only posted 25 points in 50 games before a season ending injury as Huberdeau has regressed significantly ever since he was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Calgary Flames in the Matthew Tkachuk trade. Matvei Grindin, Calgary's second 2024 first round pick along with Zayne Parekh finally made the NHL and he actually cracked Calgary's second line by the end of the season which is extremely encouraging. Calgary's first line right winger Matthew Coronato their 2020 first round pick led the Flames in points with 45. Mikael Backlund, their captain played all 82 games as the first line center with Morgan Frost complimenting him on the second line matching Backlund's 40 point total with Frost entering the final year of his contract, and Connor Zary, Calgary's 2020 first round pick as their third line center as Zary is an RFA in 2028 when Backlund's contract expires. Calgary traded for Simon Nemec to give them a second first line defenseman to pair with Zayne Parekh.
   
   
   
   Calgary gets a defenseman to push Zayne Parekh and Simon Nemec to be Calgary's number one defenseman. Carson Carels is the pick.
   Carson Carels is someone who ca be a number one defenseman on an NHL team down the road. Carson Carels was drafted fifteenth overall by the Prince George Cougars in the 2023 WHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carson Carels needs to develop his shot with both his wrist shot and his slap shot in terms of shooting power as well as shooting accuracy with both shots, but he's probably the best shot blocking defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of Keaton Verahoeff, Daxon Rudolph, and Chase Reid. Carson Carels did a great job developing his wrist shot power and wrist shot accuracy in his draft year. I still want to see his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy improve, but his ability as a shooter is no longer a question mark like it was heading into this season. Carson Carels improved his ability on the power play as well as his ability on the penalty killing showing the stamina to play on the ice for 31 minutes.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 175 lb Carson Carels had 6 goals, 29 assists, 35 points, 42 penalty minutes, a +22 +/- ratio iin 60 WHL games with the Prince George Cougars in 2024-2025. Carson Carels had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 7 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Carson Carels had 20 goals, 53 assists, 73 points, and a +23 +/- ratio nearly tripling his shots on goal from last season from 82 to 219 in 2025-2026. Carson Carels had 1 goal, 9 assists, 10 points, and a -1 +/- in 10 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels has the floor of a third line defenseman and the ceiling of a first line defenseman. Carson Carels is the fifth different player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft. Carson Carels was a nominee for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Defenseman Of The Year in his draft year while also getting voted alternate captain of the Prince George Cougars.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels will go to the NCAA and play for North Dakota. He could be in the NHL by the end of his freshman season as Carson Carels was the player I mocked to the Rangers in my prseason mock back in August.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Seattle Kraken: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) A+ Grade
   
   
   Chase Reid was the number one defenseman in this draft. The Seattle Kraken got him at 7.
   
   
   
   Chase Reid has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Chase Reid needs to develop his shot with both his wrist shot and his slap shot in terms of shooting power as well as shooting accuracy with both shots, but he's probably the best shot blocking defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of Keaton Verahoeff and Daxon Rudolph. Chase Reid really improved his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy in his draft year which was his weakness coming into this year. He did so well that both Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler of the Athletic now have Chase Reid ahead of Keaton Verhoeff, whose been the consensus top defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft all year as this is three years after Chase Reid fell to the seventh round of the 2023 OHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Chase Reid played on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds third line, second line, and first line. He spent most games on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds second line, but was the number one first line defenseman in the game I watched on Prospect Shifts. Chase Reid has the floor of a third line defenseman and the ceiling of a first line defenseman making Chase Reid the fourth player in the 2026 NHL Draft with first line potential.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 185 Chase Reid had 7 goals, 33 assists, 40 points, 32 penalty minutes, and a +4 +/- ratio in 39 OHL games in 2024-2025. Chase Reid had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Chase Reid had 18 goals, 30 assists, 48 points, a +27 +/- ratio and 8 power play goals on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2025-2026. Chase Reid had 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 10 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs. Chase Reid is going to Michigan State this Fall.
   
   
   
8. Winnipeg Jets: Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien) B+ Grade
   
   
   Winnipeg needed defenseman to give Connor Helleybuyck a shot at winning a Stanley Cup. I will give this a B+ grade though even though he feels like he will be a replacement for Jonathan Toews.
   
   
   
   Viggo Bjorck entered the Fall of 2024 as the favorite to go second overall behind Gavin McKenna in the 2026 NHL Draft. Viggo Bjorck has played on the first line, second line, third line, and fourth line on the Djurgardens Under 20 Team. He also played all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. When Anton Frondell got injured, he took the first line center job from him on the Under 20 Team and did not give it back due to a breakout campaign where he posted 74 points after entering the Fall of 2024 as the number two player behind McKenna, but this top 10 is so stacked that Bjorck plummetted all the way from 2 to 10 occupying the final spot in the top 10 of my first 2026 NHL Mock Draft where I mocked him to Calgary.
   
   
   
   Viggo Bjorck was the third line center on the Sweden Under 20 Team at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Like Ivar Stenberg he got promoted to the top line. Viggo Bjorck has the eye popping production that I wish Frondell showed me in Sweden. He also lacks expereince against men mainly playing against players his own age despite having amazing traits on tape while Frondell has some experience playing older players.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 172 lb Viggo Bjorck had 6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 42 games in 2024-2025. Viggo Bjorck had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 3 games during the 2026 SHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Viggo Bjorck 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. Viggo Bjorck is the sixth player with first line potential and enters his final season with Djurgardens IF next season.
   
   
   
   
   
9. San Jose Sharks: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota A+ Grade
   
   
   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. Daxon Rudolph makes sense here at 9.
   
   
   
   San Jose needed a number one defenseman. They got their man in Keaton Verhoeff.
   
   
   
   Keaton Verhoeff was drafted fourth overall by the Victoria Royals in the 2023 WHL Draft. He spent his freshman season at North Dakota after dominating his plus one draft year. Keaton Verhoeff s the guy I see Winnipeg taking at 8.
   
   
   
   Keaton Verhoeff 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. Keaton Verhoeff can play all three zones the offensive zone, defensive zone, and the neutral zone. He can be an ace on the power play or an enforcer on the penalty killing unit.
   
   
   
   The Victoria Royals GM called him an outstanding person that leads by example. Keaton Verhoeff took the number one defenseman job on the Victoria Royals from team captain Justin Kipkie who moved over to the number two defenseman role on the top line next to Keaton Verhoeff with Keaton Verhoeff demonstrating elite shot blocking as Verhoeff did more in his +1 draft year than last years number one pick Matthew Schaefer and that's not a knock on Schaefer as much as it is praise to Verhoeff and his all around game. Keaton Verhoeff will be a number one defenseman and a first line defenseman for the team that drafts him in the NHL and he's the eighth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 215 lb Keaton Verhoeff was 191 when he entered the WHL, but has added 24 lbs of muscle since entering the WHL three years ago. Keaton Verhoeff only had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and a +0 +/- ratio in 12 games in his rookie season in 2023-2024. Keaton Verhoeff had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Keaton Verhoeff had 21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points, 14 penalty minutes taking only 7 penalies with 0 minutes for fighting, and a +23 +/- ratio as the Victoria Royals number one defenseman in 2024-2025. Keaton Verhoeff had 1 goal, 9 assists, and 10 points in 11 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Keaton Verhoeff had 6 goals, 14 assists, 20 points, a +7 +/- rato, and helped North Dakota record 5 shutouts with two of those shutouts coming in the 2026 College Hockey Men's Tournament with those shutouts guiding North Dakota to the 2026 Frozen Four where they lost to Wisconsin during his freshman season at North Dakota in 2025-2026.
   
   
   
10. Nashville Predators: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP (USHL) B- Grade
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Filip Forsberg as their first line left winger, Ryan O'Reilly as their first line center in a contract year, and Jonathan Marchessault as their first line right winger. Nashville could have Steven Stamkos as their second line left winger, Brady Martin their 2025 first round pick drafted fifth overall as their second line center, and Matthew Wood, Nashville's 2023 first round pick as a second line right winger. Nashville could have Ross Colton as their third line left winger, Ozzy Weisblatt as their third line center in a contract year, and Zachary L'Heureux as their third line right winger. Nashville could have Reid Schaefer as their fourth line left winger, and Joakim Kemell their 2022 first round pick as their fourth line right winger. Ryker Lee, Nashville's third 2025 first round pick is also available.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Roman Josi as their team captain and number one defenseman and Brady Skjei complimenting him on the first line. Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix are the two second line defensemene on Nashville with Perbix in a contract year. Justin Barron can play on a second line or first line, but he's excelled as a third line defenseman and hes an RFA. Ryan Ufko whose also an RFA complments him on the third line. Nashville has Tanner Molendyk their second 2023 first round pick and Cameron Reid their second 2025 first round pick in their prospect pool. Jacomb Rombach, Alex Huang, and Daiel Niemienen are also in the Nashville Predators prospect pool at defenseman.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Juuse Saros, their 2013 fourth round pick as their starting goalie. Justus Annunen is their backup goalie. Jack Ivankovic, their 2025 second round pick is the starting goalie at Michigan.
    
    
    
    Nashville drafts a forward at 10 and they go with Wyatt Cullen. Wyatt Cullen is the son of former Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup winner Matt Cullen. Wyatt Cullen has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger though.
    
    
    
    Wyatt went from a guy that wasn't even on the USNTDP roster at the beginnng of the season who got promoted to team captain of the USNTDP Under 18 Team by the end of the season. He started out at 5-8 146 back in October, but is now 6-1 180.
    
    
    
    Wyatt Cullen 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. Wyatt Cullen has the traits you covet his floor is second line left winger on an AHL team and his ceiling is first line left winger on an NHL team making Cullen a boom or bust pick with his injury history as he was injured multiple times in the season. He is the thirty eighth player with potential or experience on a first line as he played on the top line in the USA VS CHL Prospects Challenge recording 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in a win for USA over the CHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Wyatt Cullen had 16 goals, 29 assists, and 45 points in 40 games on the United States National Under 18 Team in 2025-2026. Wyatt Cullen had 6 goals, 10 assists, and 16 points in 15 USHL games as well in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    
    
11. St. Louis Blues: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University A+ Grade
    
    
    St. Louis remained at 11 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. St. Louis has a well rounded roster for the most part.
    
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues have Dylan Holloway as their first line let winger, Robert Thomas their 2017 first round pick as their first line center, and Jimmy Snuggerud, their 2022 first round pick as their first line right winger. St. Louis has Connor McMichael as their second line left winger whose an RFA, Mason McTavish as their second line center, and Pavel Buchnevich as their second line right winger. Jake Neighbours their 2020 first round pick is their third line left winger and an RFA next season, and Jonathan Drouin is their third line right winger in a contract year next season. St. Louis has Alexei Toropchenko their 2017 fourth round pick as their fourth line left winger, Dalibor Dvorsky the St. Louis Blues 2023 first round pick drafted tenth overall is their fourth line center, and Jonatan Berggren whose an RFA as their fourth line right winger. Even after trading Jordan Kyrou for the sixteenth pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, all that did was move Pavel Buchnevich from left winger to right winger where Kyrou used to play while bumping Jimmy Snuggerud up to the first line.
    
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues have Colton Parayko their 2012 third round pick as their number one defenseman now with Phillip Broberg complimenting him on the first line defense. St. Louis has Cam Fowler and Logan Mailloux as their two second line defensemen. Tyler Tucker is the number five defenseman anchoring the third line with Matthew Kessel whose an RFA complimentng him. Theo Lindstein the St. Louis Blues final 2023 first round pick drafted twenty ninth overall is the number seven defenseman on this roster who will only get promoted from the AHL to the NHL if someone gets traded.
    
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues have Jordan Binnington their 2011 third round pick as their starting goalie in a contract year next season. Joel Hofer, their 2018 fourth round pick isi the backup goalie and is an RFA next season.
    
    
    
    Tynan Lawrence has the speed, explosion, burst, 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. Tynan Lawrence is the tenth player in the 2026 NHL Draft with experience on the first line.
    
    
    
    Tynan Lawrence was a first round pick in the QMJHL Draft. He opted for the USHL over the QMJHL despite going undrafted in the USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 170 lb Tynan Lawrence had 25 goals, 29 assists, 54 points, and a +23 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Tynan Lawrence had 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points, and only 2 penalty minutes in the 2025 USHL Playoffs after taking 49 in the regular season in 14 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs leading the Muskegon Lumberjacks to the 2025 Clarke Cup. Tynan Lawrence missed the beginning of the USHL season, but came back brielfy before enrolling at Boston University early. Tynan Lawrence had 2 goals, 5 assists, and 7 points in 18 games with Boston University as a freshman in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    I think Tynan Lawrence will play his sophomore and junior seasons at Boston University. He will be a line 2 center once again behind Caleb Malhotra before taking on the top line role in 2027-2028. He should be ready for St. Louis by 2028-2029. If he makes the Blues in 2027 he will compete with Dalibor Dvorsky for the third line center job behind Robert Thomas and Mason McTavish.
    
    
    
12. New Jersey Devils: Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK (Elitserien) B Grade
    
    
    New Jersey remained at 12 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. New Jersey has a lot of options to consider at 12.
    
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils have Timo Meier as their first line left winger, Nico Hischier their first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Dawson Mercer, a 2020 first round pick as their first line right winger. New Jersey has Jesper Bratt, a 2016 sixth round pick as their second line left winger, Jack Hughes, their first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft as their second line center, and Connor Brown as their second line right winger. New Jersey has Stefan Noesen, Cody Glass, and Arseny Gritsyuk are the three third line forwards at left winger, center, and right winger. Paul Cotter an RFA is the fourth line left winger, Nick Bjugstad their fourth line center is in a contract year, and Lenni Hameeaho their 2023 second round pick is their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils have Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes, New Jersey's 2021 first round pick drafted fourth overall are the two first line defensemen. New Jersey has Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler are the two second line defensemen with Simon Nemec gone. New Jersey hsas Jonathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon are their two third line defensemen. Anton Silayev, who was one of my favorite defensemen in the 2024 NHL Draft finally signed his entry level contract with the New Jersey Devils and will spend next season developing in the AHL, he should be on the New Jersey Devils roster in the NHL by 2027 at the very latest.
    
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils have Jacob Markstrom as their starting goalie. New Jersey has Jake Allen as a backup goalie. New Jersey also has Nico Daws a 2020 third round pick and Mikhail Yegorov their 2024 second round pick in their prospect pool at goalie.
    
    
    
    New Jersey took a center to stash and develop. Nick Bjugstad and Nico Hischier are in contract years. Cody Glass feels like a stop gap at center as well.
    
    
    
    New Jersey grabs a center to stash and develop. Alexander Command is a center that is raw, but can develop for a few years in Sweden with his contract with Orebro HK running through 2028.
    
    
    
    Alexander Command has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Alexander Command mainly played on the fourth line of Orebro HK in the SHL, but he did play on the first line for Sweden at the World Junior Championships where he averaged a poinnt per game and won a gold medal. He also played on the second line behind Viggo Bjorck on the International Jr. team for Sweden averaging a point per game as well. This is the sixteenth player with experience or potential on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Alexander Command had 17 goals, 27 assists, 44 points, and a +10 +/- ratoi on the Orebro HK Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Alexander Command had 5 goals, 8 assists, and 13 points in 14 games in the Orebro HK Under 20 team in the 2026 Playoffs. Alexander Command had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 6 SHL games.
    
    
    
    Alexander Command's Orebro HK contract in Sweden runs through 2027-2028. That is perfect timing with the New Jersey Devils probably needing another center at that point.
    
    
    
    
    
13. New York Islanders: Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (Elitserien) B Grade
    
    
    New York ended up staying at 13 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. The New York Islanders had an excellent 2025 NHL Draft under their first year GM. Now expectations are a higher.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Emil Heineman as their first line left winger, Bo Horvat as their first line center, and Matthew Barzal their 2015 first round pick as their first line right winger. New York has Callum Richie as their second line left winger, Brayden Schenn as their second line center, and Kyle Palmieri as their second line right winger. New York has Simon Holmstrom their 2019 first round pick is their third line left winger, Jean-Gabriel Pageau as their third line center, and Maxim Shabanov their third line right winger is an RFA. New York has Ondrej Palat as their fourth line left winger, Casey Cizikas as their fourth line center, and Anthony Duclair as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Matthew Schaefer last years number one overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and Ryan Pulock as their two first line defensemen with both guys capaable of being the number one defenseman on this Islanders first line. New York has Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech as their two second line defensemen. New York has Alexande Romanov and Isaiah George a 2022 fourth round pick as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Ilya Sorokin their 2014 third round pick as their starting goalie. New York has Semyon Varlamov as their backup goalie.
    
    
    
    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 twenty second 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.
    
    
    
    I think Kashawn Aitcheson is the replacement to Tony DeAngelo. Malte Gustafsson is the replacement to Adam Pelech whose a 2029 UFA.
    
    
    
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College A+ Grade
    
    
    Columbus ended up picking at 14 in the 2026 NHL Draft following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Columbus does lose some key Free Agents this year.
    
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets have Kirill Marchenko their 2018 second round pick as their first line left winger in a contract year next season before becoming an RFA, Adam Fantilli, their 2023 first round pick drafted third overall as their first line center whose an RFA this summer, and Valeri Nichushkin as their first line right winger. Cole Silinger, their second 2021 first round pick is their second line left winger, he's an RFA this summer too, Sean Monahan as thier second line center, and Conor Garland as their second line right winger. Kent Johnson, their first 2021 first round pick, is their third line left winger, Charlie Coyle your fourth line center becomes the third line center with Columbus Blue Jackets team captain Boone Jenner leaving, and Mathieu Oliver as their their third line right winger. Miles Wood is your fourth line left winger, Luca Del Bel Belluz your 2022 second round pick is your fourth line center, and Isac Lundstrom is your fourth line right winger. They may draft their future fourth line right winger with this pick at 14.
    
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets have Zach Werenski their 2015 first round pick and Dante Fabbro on their first line. Columbus has Denton Mateychuk their second 2022 first round pick that the Blue Jackets ketp and Ivan Provorov are the two second line defensemen. Columbus has Damon Severson now as your number five defenseman anchoring the third line and Jake Christensen compliments him.
    
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets have starting goalie Elvis Merzlikens, their 2014 third round pick in a contract year next season. Jet Greaves their backup goalie is an RFA this Summer.
    
    
    
    Columbus has prospects in their prospect pool like Cayden Lindstrom at center, Jackson Smith at defenseman, Pyotor Andreyanov at goalie, and Evan Gardner their 2024 second round pick at goalie too. Adding a winger to this prospect poolwith first round prospects feels like something Columbus might do.
    
    
    
    Columbus gets a right winger to stash and develop for the future. One guy that has the floor of a third line right winger and the ceiling of a first line right winger is Boston College right winger Oscar Hemming, the younger brother of Dallas Stars 2024 first round pick Emil Hemming.
    
    
    
    Oscar Hemming 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. Oscar Hemming lined up as both a first line left winger and a first line right winger in the final three games for Boston University. Oscar Hemming's hockey sense is his best quality.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 200 lb Oscar Hemming had 1 goal, 7 assists, and 8 points in 19 games with Boston College as a freshman in 2025-2026. Oscar Hemming left Finland to go to Boston College.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Anaheim Ducks: Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks have Chris Kreider as their first line left winger in a contract year next season, Leo Carlsson the second pick in the 2023 NHL Draft is an RFA and the first line center, and Troy Terry a 2015 fifth round pick is the first line right winger under contract until 2030. Anaheim has Alex Killorn as their second line left winger entering the final year of his contract next season, Mikael Granlund as their as their second line center, and Beckett Senecke their third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft as their second line right winger who enters the second year of his rookie deal and is not an RFA until 2028. Anaheim has Frank Vatrano as their third line left winger, Roger McQueen their 2015 first round pick drafted tenth overall as their third line center, and Cutter Gauthier their third line right winger is an RFA this summer. Anaheim has Nikita Nesterenko as their fourth line left winger in a contract year next season, Tim Washe as their fourth line center, and Nathan Gaucher their second 2022 first round pick as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks could have Jackson Lacombe their 2019 second round pick and Owen Zellwegger their 2021 second round pick whose an RFA as their two first line defensemen assuming they only bring back their RFA's and defensemen under contract next season. Pavel Mintyukov their first 2022 first round pick could be the second line defenseman with Tristan Luneau, Anaheim's 2022 second round pick complimenting him. Anaheim could have Drew Hellison and Tyson Hinds whose an RFA as their third line defensemen. Anaheim has three UFA's on defense in Jacob Trouba who played on the first line in the playoffs. John Carlsson, who they traded a first round pick for, and team captain Radko Gudas. Anaheim would like to bring a few of those guys back, but have to prioritize RFA's like Carlsson, Gauthier, Zellwegger, Mintyukov, and Hinds. There's also guys that are 2027 UFA's, that Anaheim may prioritize over those three defensemen too.
    
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks have Lukas Dostal their 2018 third round pick as their starting goalie. Anaheim has Ville Husso is the backup goalie in a contract year. Calle Clang remains the starting goalie on the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim's AHL team. Damian Clara, Anaheim's 2023 second round pick should be the backup goalie to Calle Clang in the AHL next season.
    
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks draft another right winger. Nikita Klepov led the OHL in points as a rookie after the Saginaw Spirit took him in the first round of the CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov 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. Nikita Klepov was born in Deerfield Beach, Florida, but played hockey in Russia before returning to North America to play in the USHL before being drafted by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 180 lb Nikita Klepov had 37 goals, 60 assists, 97 points, a +9 +/- ratio, 13 power play goals, and 240 shots on goal in 67 OHL games in 2025-2026. Nikita Klepov had 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov is the thirteenth player in the 2026 NHL Draft with experience on a first line. New York drafted Victor Eklund as a future first line right winger as Eklund played on the top line with Bo Horvat in the Islanders regular season finale. Calum Ritchie is the second line right winger. Brayden Schenn is the second line left winger. Ondrej Palat is now on the Islanders too.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov is going to Michigan State this Fall. He will play in the NCAA for a year or two. I believe he will be on the New York Islanders in 2028 at the very earliest. I see Klepov going to Michigan State for either two years or one year with a season in the AHL before making the jump to the AHL.
    
    
    
16. St. Louis Blues: Maddox Dagenais, RW, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    St. Louis grabs a right winger to stash and develop. The top forward 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 twenty eighth 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.