Draft season hit quickly after the Carolina Hurricanes lifted the Stanley Cup for a second time. A slew of major trades have shaken up the first round from top-to-bottom, creating chaos and uncertainty throughout the draft board. That uncertainty is made worse by a divisive 2026 NHL Draft class, full of upside at the defense and wing positions, while centers and goaltenders could see their stock boosted by a scarce market.
On the other side of those shifts, PHR returns to our annual NHL Mock Draft. Cutting through the fog of moving picks and trades yet to come, how will Friday night’s first round shake out?
That talent should shine in a Maple Leafs lineup now without their primary play-driver: Mitch Marner. Toronto looked to be missing a ringleader all year long, even as forechecker Matthew Knies took another step towards a top-line role. McKenna’s visionary passing and ability to manipulate space is unlike any other in this draft class – and gives Toronto their best bet at reuniting Auston Matthews with a star passer. That will make this pick a confident one, though Toronto has every reason to be entertaining other options with the first choice in a rich top-five.
Stenberg showed an overwhelming ability to control possession and force open play with patience and sharp playmaking. He is a constant threat on the perimeter who can drive play all the way down the ice or slip into a supporting role behind skilled linemates. That should make Stenberg a seamless fit into the Sharks’ top-six, still finding their footing. It could also make him a strong option for the slew of teams vying to acquire this pick from San Jose – a list that includes the Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. No matter who takes the virtual podium after Toronto, it seems Stenberg’s season has placed him a rung above a strong defensive class.
Malhotra was the explosive focal piece of one of the OHL’s top offenses. He controlled play with energy and quick decision-making, two traits that could go far in bringing security to Vancouver’s center depth behind Elias Pettersson. While Vancouver could benefit from multiple options at this pick – or even seize a chance to find security on defense after trading Quinn Hughes – selecting Malhotra would bring a bit of added story.
The title of top draft defenseman has changed hands numerous times throughout the 2025-26 season. It seems to have settled with explosive play-driver Chase Reid, who commands a full-ice offense with strong skating and heads-up playmaking. Reid was a seamless fill-in for Cole Hutson following an injury at the 2026 World Junior Championship and has only continued to offer convincing performances in the year’s second half. He is a one-man breakout and break-in who has caught the eye of multiple teams, leading to a continued buzz over whether or not Buffalo will be the ones making this selection.
Either way, Reid should be the one to break up a streak of forward selections. He offers top-pair and power-play upside, underlined by a strong development path that travels through Michigan State University. A drafting team should feel confident in his ability to continue the breakout performance he put together in his first year of OHL play. For Buffalo, that would mean swapping the left-shot Bowen Byram for a much-needed right-shot defender with scoring upside – unless they find a trade package more worthwhile.
The Rangers arrive in the top five looking for a long-term answer on the left side of their blue line, and they’ll find one of the draft’s highest defensive ceilings in Latvian rearguard Alberts Smits. Smits spent his draft year as an 18-year-old in men’s hockey, logging heavy minutes for Jukurit in Finland’s Liiga before a late-season loan to Red Bull München in the German DEL, where he added six points in 11 playoff games. He was the only 2026-eligible skater at the Milano Cortina Olympics, holding his own for an overmatched Latvian side, a resume that separates him from the junior-aged defenders in his range.
What makes Smits a fascinating bet is his style. He’s a true rover: aggressive with and without the puck, confident driving it into the teeth of a defense, and a strong enough skater to recover when his gambles don’t land. The risk is real, and his game won’t suit every front office. Evaluators who prefer a defender to play a more contained, positionally disciplined role may rank him lower than the tools suggest. But the puck skill and mobility at 6-foot-3 are rare for the position, and a patient Rangers group would be betting on one of the most dynamic offensive defenders in the class.
6. Calgary Flames – Carson Carels (LD) / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Calgary has been closely tied to Swedish center Viggo Bjorck through early draft buzz – but landing another small forward seems misaligned with the team’s recent momentum. Instead, the chance at a top-10 selection brings a chance to finalize their top-four defense, after acquiring Simon Nemec and seeing a surge from Kevin Bahl and Yan Kuznetsov. The never-ending motor of Carson Carels offers the most seamless addition, with the left-shot to pair with offensive defenseman Zayne Parekh.
Carels has solidified a top spot in draft discussions with his control over transition up the ice and movement across blue lines. His style is reminiscent of Charlie McAvoy – a type that could abridge Calgary’s defense next to puck-movers and shutdown defenders. The Flames will also have insight into Keaton Verhoeff, who has connections to the Iginla family, but would need to reorganize their roster to fit another right-shot in. Carels would be a plug-and-play option on the other side of a year at the University of North Dakota.
Other Options: Viggo Bjorck (C), Keaton Verhoeff (RD)
7. Seattle Kraken – Viggo Bjorck (C) / Djugardens IF (SHL)
The slide of Swedish center Viggo Bjorck will end in Seattle on our board. The Kraken have a unique chance to bridge the hard-working playmaker’s rise to the NHL, thanks to the reliability of defensive stalwart Matty Beniers. General manager Jason Botterill has also shown a knack for finding centers in the draft, landing Casey Mittelstadt and Dylan Cozens in his days leading the Sabres.
Bjorck would bring unique upside to a Kraken lineup in need of a spark after a season that began in Sweden’s U20 league and ended in the country’s top center role at the World Championship. He scored 15 points in 42 SHL games along the way, while proving his worth as a bona fide center at the pro level. His 5-foot-9 frame has been commented on throughout the season but Bjorck has won teams over with his compete and ability to fill versatile roles. That potential has many teams interested in moving up for the chippy center, though his potential to be the difference-maker Seattle has been seeking could be too great to pass up.
Other Options: Keaton Verhoeff (RD), Alberts Smits (LD)
8. Winnipeg Jets – Keaton Verhoeff (RD) / North Dakota Fighting Hawks (NCHC, NCAA)
Few prospects entered the season with more first-overall buzz than Keaton Verhoeff, which makes his slide to eighth one of the bigger stories of our mock’s top 10. A right-shot defender with a 6-foot-3, 208-pound frame and real offensive upside is the exact archetype teams chase, and Winnipeg won’t blink at one falling into their lap. Verhoeff followed McKenna’s route out of the WHL, leaving Victoria for North Dakota, and became the youngest player ever to dress for the Fighting Hawks, posting 20 points in roughly 30 games as a 17-year-old while skating top-four minutes against NCHC men. He added a World Junior bronze with Canada along the way.
The hesitation that pushed him down the board is skating. His backward mobility and four-way agility grade out as average-to-clunky, and he was beaten to pucks more often than you’d like in a fast conference. But the tools around it, a near-elite point shot, an active stick, the reach to wipe out plays, are the foundation of a top-pairing defenseman. He draws frequent comparisons to Drew Doughty and Noah Dobson, though those read as aspirational ceilings as much as stylistic matches, and the gap between that ceiling and his floor is the bet Winnipeg would be making. Give him a year or two to develop, ideally back at UND, and the Jets could have a steal.
Other Options: Malte Gustafsson (LD), Ethan Belchetz (LW)
9. San Jose Sharks – Malte Gustafsson (LD) / HV71 (SHL)
After caving to a forward, despite their need on defense, the Sharks will find their respite near the end of the top 10. They have multiple options to fill their need for a puck-mover with power-play upside. Daxon Rudolph would be a tempting option, bringing muscle and a puck-hog ability; but the Sharks could find more certainty in established-pro Malte Gustafsson. The 6-foot-4 defender earned his keep on an HV71 roster that ranked near the bottom of the SHL. He seemed to improve every game, first shining as a strong stick on both blue lines, then developing his ability to battle in the corners and move the puck up ice.
Gustafsson’s skating and puck-handling stand out. He flexed his ability to drive the offense from the blue line in his junior minutes, marked by 12 points in 19 U20 games and five points in six games at the World U18 Championship. Those performances propped up just three assists in 27 SHL games, building up breakout potential in a style that San Jose could trust to grow into a reliable, top-four role.
Other Options: Daxon Rudolph (RD), Wyatt Cullen (LW)
10. Nashville Predators – Ethan Belchetz (LW) / Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
A high selection of center Brady Martin last year underlines Nashville’s desire to bring more bulk to their prospect list. They’ll have a golden chance to complement that pick with the muscular Ethan Belchetz in this year’s class. The 6-foot-5 winger offers plenty of size and strength to build out, complemented by smooth skating and a laser wrist shot. He thrived while flanked by play-drivers in Windsor, allowing Belchetz to focus on an X-factor role once the Spitfires gained the offensive zone. The Predators should be able to offer similar support on the back of prospects like Martin, Cameron Reid, and Yegor Surin.
Belchetz’s size gives him more pro certainty than many of his peers in this range, though low scoring and a collarbone injury may limit his upside. After making six first-round picks in the last three drafts, the Predators could afford to take a chance on certainty – even though they could find higher ceilings with a riskier pick in this spot.
Other Options: Wyatt Cullen (LW), Tynan Lawrence (C)
11. St. Louis Blues – Tynan Lawrence (C) / Boston University Terriers (Hockey East, NCAA)
The St. Louis Blues shouldn’t miss out on their chance at a difference-maker, even if their desire to trade into the top 10 doesn’t come to fruition. Multiple center prospects headline the teens of this year’s class – giving the Blues a chance to address their biggest need: more support down the middle. Tynan Lawrence should provide that in full, offering diligent two-way play and a commanding presence, even where his speed and finesse don’t pop. The 17-year-old was able to carve out a meaningful role at Boston University, despite joining the club partway through the season, amid struggling days.
Lawrence takes control of the puck on his stick. From the blue lines to behind the net, he demands possession and finds seams in the defense. His offensive game is reminiscent of Ryan O’Reilly, who St. Louis will remember fondly as the heartbeat of their 2019 Stanley Cup run. With multiple talented shooters on the flanks, landing a capable distributor with two-way upside could be a perfect fit for the Blues – though the pick would require a show of faith in Lawrence and Dalibor Dvorsky as the Blues’ centers of the future.
Other Options: Malte Gustafsson (LD), Wyatt Cullen (LW)
12. New Jersey Devils – Wyatt Cullen (LW) / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
New Jersey lands one of the draft’s true risers in Wyatt Cullen, the son of three-time Cup champion and longtime NHL center Matt Cullen. A preseason injury cost Wyatt 22 games with the NTDP, but he was the program’s most dangerous forward when healthy, pacing the team at 1.12 points per game with 45 points in 40 games, then finishing third in scoring at the U18 World Championship. A growth spurt that pushed him to 6-foot-1 paired the length with the speed and edge work that always defined his game, and scouts spent the back half of the season watching him climb.
Cullen is an offensive driver who plays at a high tempo, manipulates defenders with deception, and runs the NTDP power play. The knock is strength; he’s still slight, and his contact game is a work in progress, but a year at Minnesota, where his father joins the staff, is a logical runway. He’s been likened to the shifty, undersized creators the program has churned out before, Logan Cooley among them, with the caveat that the comp flatters a player who still has to prove the frame will hold up. For a Devils group that can draft on upside, Cullen’s ceiling as a top-six forward, with a possible center conversion down the line, is worth the swing.
Other Options: Oliver Suvanto (C), Oscar Hemming (RW)
13. New York Islanders – Oliver Suvanto (C) / Tappara Tampere (Liiga)
The center position is expected to be coveted in this draft class, a fact that could work to Oliver Suvanto’s benefit as the New York Islanders assess a wide range of options at the start of the teens. The Islanders are well-set on defense, thanks to the breakout of superstar Matthew Schaefer, and have spent the last few draft classes focused on building out the wings. That should set them up nicely for an early buy on Suvanto, a bulky, two-way center who spent much of his season at the pro flight.
Suvanto showed a lack of speed next to pro competition – but his stickhandling and processing stood strong enough to prop Suvanto up to 11 points in 48 Liiga games this season. He backs a focused and supportive offense with bulky, neutral zone defense. That builds a two-way package that the Islanders could find reliable enough to one day track into a second-line role behind Mathew Barzal.
Other Options: Oscar Hemming (RW), Daxon Rudolph (RD)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets – Oscar Hemming (RW) / Boston College Eagles (Hockey East, NCAA)
Under Don Waddell‘s management, the Blue Jackets have shown off a shrewd eye for buying physically dominant forwards and prospects with sneaky upside. They could land both Finnish winger Oscar Hemming, who moved to a difficult college role on the heels of a dramatic situation, to start the season. Despite the major jump in competition and being the youngest player in college hockey, Hemming found his way into an immediate, top-line impact thanks to his physical dominance and net-front presence.
On the other side of his freshman year, it seems Hemming could offer even more upside in the near future. He was a dynamic playmaker in a big frame during his days in Finland, frequently the one to create plays out of the corners and cause chaos in front of the net. He has a play-driving instinct, though he didn’t get on the puck as much as some scouts hoped for this season. Should those talents come back around, the Blue Jackets could find themselves with yet another heavy forward boasting a nice bit of upside.
Other Options: Alexander Command (C), Nikita Klepov (RW)
15. St. Louis Blues – Daxon Rudolph (RD) / Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
The Blues will be seeking out a defenseman to complement rising prospects Theo Lindstein and Adam Jiricek in the near future. They could find a perfect match in the highly-mobile Daxon Rudolph, who excelled at pushing pucks through the neutral zone and creating offense from the perimeter this season. What Rudolph lacks in grit, he makes up for in pro size – providing the Blues with a frame they can mold over time. The puck-hog defenseman is headed for a major role at the University of Denver next season, which should offer even more chances to stand out on offense. That upside could be alluring to St. Louis as they try to balance out multiple selections on day one.
Other Options: Nikita Klepov (RW), Ilia Morozov (C)
16. St. Louis Blues – Alexander Command (C) / Orebro HK (Sweden U20)
With the promise of a fallen top-10 prospect in Lawrence, the Blues could be in the perfect spot to reel in the high potential of Alexander Command. He was among the draft’s biggest risers, impressing scouts locally and internationally with his overwhelming energy and small-area offense. Command can – command – play as it moves up the ice, using flashy hands and lightning-quick instincts to cut between defenders and work into the slot. He’s a constant scoring threat as a result, and improved his ability to create offense through strong defense as the year went on. While he still has a long way to go before he’s NHL-ready, Command could offer legitimate, top-six upside in a value spot.
Other Options: Nikita Klepov (RW), Ilia Morozov (C)
17. Los Angeles Kings – Nikita Klepov (RW) / Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
The OHL’s leading scorer is all over draft boards as day one rolls around. In the end, the Los Angeles Kings could be perfectly set to bank on other teams’ skepticism. Klepov is explosive when the puck is on his stick – and capable of scoring from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. At the same time, his play away from the puck was largely underwhelming – often dedicated to camping out until his team could push play his way.
On a team already supporting the high-skill of Kevin Fiala, Klepov’s explosive offense could find a perfect home. He will offer second-line upside, and an encouraging bit of uncertainty and upside – all perfect for the Kings to bank on as they search for future sparks.
Other Options: Adam Novotny (RW), Maddox Dagenais (LW/C)
18. Washington Capitals – Tommy Bleyl (RD) / Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
On the heels of parting with franchise legend John Carlson, the Capitals could find a similar puck-mover in late-season breakout star Tommy Bleyl. Bleyl does not offer nearly the same size or strength as Carlson, but he flaunted a dominant, full-ice offense all season long. He caught eyes in the year’s second half, thanks to the boost of physical defense in the postseason. Bleyl is a reliable play-driver who seems set for even better days ahead after growing nearly four inches between ages 16 and 18. He could balance puck-moving talent on the Capitals’ blue line – with Cole Hutson commanding that role on the left-side – though his selection will require Washington to look beyond the remaining center talent.
Other Options: Alexander Command (C), Ilia Morozov (C)
19. Utah Mammoth – Simas Ignatavicius (RW) / Geneve-Servette (NL)
The Utah Mammoth go off-board in our mock draft – landing the pride of Lithuanian hockey on the heels of a standout performance in Switzerland’s top league. Simas Ignatavicius showed off his ability to fill multiple roles on a pro lineup this season, whether it’s driving play in the minor-pros or serving a secondary scoring role at the top flight. Either way, Ignatavicius’s ability to outwork and outsmart his opponents stands clear. He excels in system-based hockey and uses strong hands to stretch play laterally. Both traits could be welcome in a Utah lineup currently lifted by the fast-paced offense of Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and J.J. Peterka.
Ignatavicius would round out that group with a bit of reliable muscle and a unique story. He shone in the same setting that Utah’s scouting staff – formerly under a different logo – visited to land one of their latest draft steals: defenseman J.J. Moser. Should they still have a pulse on Swiss hockey, the Mammoth will be no strangers to the strong and mature style that Ignatavicius brings.
Other Options: Ilia Morozov (C), Maddox Dagenais (LW/C)
20. Buffalo Sabres – Ilia Morozov (C) / Miami University Red Hawks (NCHC, NCAA)
Much like the Sharks, the Sabres will find their positional need later in the draft after caving to pure talent with their top pick. In their case, Buffalo will land a projectable center talent to back the explosive offense brought by Reid. Morozov is a physically strong forward who plays with purpose. He doesn’t shy away from hits or gritty plays in the corners. Through it all, he flaunts just enough playmaking to fit near the top of the lineup – a trait that could grow once the former USHL-scorer finds more footing at the college level.
Morozov is among the youngest in the draft class and fills a bona fide center role. He should be a coveted pick and a nice bit of lineup certainty for a Buffalo team seeking out the final pieces of their next era.
Other Options: Tommy Bleyl (RD), J.P. Hurlbert (RW)
21. Philadelphia Flyers – Maddox Dagenais (LW/C) / Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Philadelphia should have a great chance to extend its run of hard-working, physical forwards selected with first-round picks. Maddox Dagenais is the perennial grinder in this year’s draft, bringing an incredible amount of physical upside to a style built around individual offense. He has a hard shot and quick hands – both traits he uses to quickly turn around the loose pucks he creates on the forecheck. While some have questioned Dagenais’ ability to work off of his teammates and his upside as a center, his game still stands out as moldable and high-potential.
Other Options: Maksim Sokolovskii (LD), J.P. Hurlbert (RW)
22. Pittsburgh Penguins – Ryan Lin (RD) / Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Pittsburgh could seek out a large range of outcomes with its first-round pick; perhaps even trading up to squeeze a bit more upside out of the day. They should still find promise if they stay put, thanks to the league’s general disregard of defensemen under 6 feet. Ryan Lin has caught attention as a high-end talent all year long, bringing full-ice play-driving and stout defense even in a thin frame. He helped carry the Vancouver Giants through an up-and-down season and frequently flashed as a creative scorer from the offensive blue line. Pittsburgh could be a great place for Lin to find his footing at the pro level, under the support of veterans like Kris Letang, whose top-end lineup role should be available by the time Lin makes the pro leagues.
Other Options: J.P. Hulbert (RW), Jack Hextall (LW/C)
23. Boston Bruins – Adam Novotny (LW) / Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Few forwards were as solid as Adam Novotny this year. Carrying a bulky frame and plenty of grit, the Petes winger was a one-man breakout with plenty of punch at the other end. He was hard to knock off of the puck and created fundamental scoring chances seemingly every shift. While not the quickest, Novotny still flashed his ability to stay reliable at high speeds. That could make him a great pairing for top Bruins prospect James Hagens, who spent much of his season playing with the slower and less-dynamic Oscar Hemming. Novotny may not offer as much grit, but he brings plenty of playmaking instead – and could be a value buy if he slips into the 20s.
Other Options: J.P. Hurlbert (RW), Tommy Bleyl (RD)
24. Vancouver Canucks – J.P. Hurlbert (RW) / Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Another club looking for a spark, the Vancouver Canucks could try to bank on the high-end, goal-scoring ability of J.P. Hurlbert. The shifty winger spent much of his year camped behind the defense, waiting to turn loose pucks into explosive drives down the ice. He frequently found ways to cap off scoring chances, either through high-finesse puck-handling or relentless drives to the net. Should Malhotra be their top pick, Vancouver could find the explosive goal-scorer to pair with him, and effectively build out their top-six on offense after years of questions and shifting performances. Hurlbert is headed for a starring role at the University of Michigan, which should only ramp up his development as an offensive star.
Other Options: Ryan Lin (RD), Liam Ruck (RW)
25. Ottawa Senators (via Tampa Bay) – Liam Ruck (RW) / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Ottawa has shown a willingness to bet on skill, and they’ll get a heap of it late in the first with Liam Ruck, the finishing half of Medicine Hat’s record-setting twin act. Ruck finished second in WHL scoring with 104 points (45 goals, 59 assists) in 68 games, trailing only his brother Markus, and earned a spot on the WHL East First All-Star Team. He’s the triggerman of the pair: a high-IQ winger with a quick, accurate release and the anticipation to find soft ice without elite top-end speed. He kills penalties, too, an uncommon two-way wrinkle for a junior 100-point scorer.
The questions are familiar for the type: skating is his weakest tool, and projecting WHL offense to the NHL is never clean. Central Scouting’s Dan Marr floated a Seth Jarvis or Brayden Point kind of outcome, best read as a class of player rather than a promise. For a Ottawa pool short on finishers, Ruck is a sensible bet.
Other Options: Brooks Rogowski (C), Casey Mutryn (RW)
26. New York Rangers – Brooks Rogowski (C) / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Only one team seems right to take the towering and physical center, Brooks Rogowski. His 6-foot-7 frame is one the Rangers will recognize, having already honed Adam Edstrom into an NHL-talent. That will be the path that Rogowski hopes to follow, though his game is more comparable to the free-flow and hard-hitting Elmer Soderblom in Detroit. While much of his impact is rooted in that ability to physically overwhelm opponents, Rogowski has also improved his ability to drive play with the puck on his stick and finish dangerous chances in front of the net. He is an emerging big man who should land in New York’s lap.
Other Options: Casey Mutryn (RW)
27. San Jose Sharks – Jack Hextall (LW/C) / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
After seeking out upside with their top two picks, it seems only reasonable that San Jose would target a highly effective middle-sixer with their final pick. The talented Jack Hextall checks that box, bringing plenty of energy away from the puck while also flexing high-end stickhandling and processing. Hextall has shone with his two-way effort but still seems to have a layer of untapped scoring. He could be a late-bloomer while boasting a floor akin to Erik Haula or Evan Rodrigues – two valuable utility pieces who would round out San Jose’s top-heavy lineup.
Other Options: Casey Mutryn (RW), Tommy Bleyl (RD)
28. Montreal Canadiens – Casey Mutryn (RW) / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
After adding a wave of high-skill prospects through recent drafts, the Canadiens will have the chance to add some true muscle through winger Casey Mutryn. The standout workhorse of this year’s U18 NTDP squad, Mutryn’s biggest impacts come through his physical presence, forecheck, and locker room leadership. He has a pro mentality that carries onto the ice – marked by his willingness to fill multiple roles and ability to step up as a slot scorer when needed. Montreal’s lineup could hold a perfect spot for Mutryn in the middle-six after Brendan Gallagher‘s anticipated departure – perhaps giving the team another Josh Anderson to support their high-octane scorers.
Other Options: Tommy Bleyl (RD), Liam Ruck (RW)
29. St. Louis Blues – Ben MacBeath (LD) / Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
After landing Rudolph earlier in the draft, St. Louis could snag his assumed-partner at Denver before the night ends. Ben MacBeath has not gained the same hype as many of his first-round peers but still commands top attention thanks to his mix of size, puck-handling, and play-driving. MacBeath is a true blue-to-blue defenseman who defends the rush seamlessly and drives breakouts single-handedly. He is reliable on the puck and able to fill as big, or as small, a role as the situation calls for. With the flashy Rudolph in tow, St. Louis could round out their draft class with this pick and make the Pioneers a must-watch club next season.
Other Options: Gleb Pugachyov (LW), Tobias Trejbal (G)
30. Calgary Flames (via Vegas) – Markus Ruck (C) / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Five picks after his brother heads to Ottawa, Markus Ruck lands in Calgary, and the Flames get the playmaking engine of the two. Markus took home the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s top scorer with a league-leading 108 points, 87 of them assists, in 68 games. His assist-per-game rate this season trailed only McKenna among draft-eligible-and-under players this century, a startling line for someone sliding to the end of the first. He’s the distributor to Liam’s finisher, and a defensive presence his coach trusted in tight games and on the penalty kill.
The reason he’s here and not higher is the goal-scoring: just 29 goals across 132 career WHL games, a thin total that raises fair questions about how the offense holds up away from his brother. If the vision and two-way habits carry, though, Calgary is getting a middle-six center with elite passing at a discount.
Other Options: Gleb Pugachyov (LW), Nikita Shcherbakov (LD)
31. Carolina Hurricanes – Nikita Shcherbakov (LD) / Tolpar Ufa (Russia)
A perennial supporter of Russian hockey, the Hurricanes could again be set to win big with their European scouting. Defenseman Nikita Shcherbakov is among the draft’s biggest risers after impressing scouts with his size and mobility at Dan Milstein’s Gold Star Hockey Camp, held annually to showcase Russian draft talent. Shcherbakov has played at all levels of Russian hockey this season – and stood out as a capable blue line defender everywhere he’s gone. He is strong on the puck and quick to make decisions, two assets that make him reliable in hard minutes, even when his skill may be outmatched. For a team that just won the Cup on the back of a high-performing, and deep, blue line, Shcherbakov’s profile could be golden.
Other Options: Gleb Pugachyov (LW), Xavier Villeneuve (LD)
32. Ottawa Senators – Maksim Sokolovskii (LD) / London Knights (OHL)
In their search for the bruisers of every draft class, the Ottawa Senators seem only right to land the 6-foot-7 profile of Maksim Sokolovskii. Playing in his first year of OHL hockey, Sokolovskii’s game grew in bunches. He began the year unable to speak much English, but worked with the London Knights organization to find his footing and improve his chemistry with teammates. By the end of the year, Sokolovskii’s physical presence and active stick were simply overwhelming for opponents. While his skating will need refinement – as would any player his size – Sokolovskii could be a reasonable bet on upside with hopes that he can build on a promising, but quiet, first season in North American juniors.
Other Options: Gleb Pugachyov (LW), William Hakansson (LD)
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Nackstrand-USA TODAY Sports and Timothy Arrick/For the Livingston Daily / USA TODAY NETWORK
