Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings

Alexander Appleyard, Gray Matter, Ben Jordan, SpokedZ, Chris Ford, Josh Tessler, Austin Garret, Iván Ortiz, Thomas Gagné, Tom Watson and Dan Haurin combined their draft rankings and put together the official Smaht Scouting 2025 NHL Draft Final Rankings.

#1 – Michael Misa – C/LW – Saginaw

Michael Misa remains our top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. In 65 games this season, Misa registered 62 goals and 134 points for the Saginaw Spirit. When you leave the rink after watching Misa play, you’re guaranteed to have more questions about what he can’t do on the ice vs. what he can do. Misa thinks the game at an elite level. He reads the ice better than any other forward in this class, processing plays before they happen and staying a step ahead of the opposition. His processing speed matches his high pace of play, making him a uniquely special prospect. Much of the attention he’s been receiving this season is around his impressive goal-scoring ability. His wrist shot has a wicked release that generates impressive power under pressure. He can score from distance but is not afraid to battle in dirty areas in front of the net to poke pucks home. He has also been an incredible playmaker this season, driving play and creating offense for his teammates. He beats defenders one-on-one with stickhandling and drives to dangerous areas to create advantages for his teammates. Misa appears to be the most NHL-ready player in this draft class. (SpokedZ)

#2 – Matthew Schaefer – LHD – Erie

Schaefer is considered the most special talent in the 2025 NHL Draft class, standing out as one of the only true game-breaking player available. Despite a shortened season due to mononucleosis and a broken collarbone at the World Juniors, he managed to dominate nearly every opportunity he had, both domestically and internationally. His performances include captaining Canada to gold at the U17s, excelling as an underager at U18 Worlds, and leading the team again at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup — all while playing big minutes and making a clear impact. Scouts have praised his ability to log heavy minutes, create highlight-reel plays, and control the pace of the game from the blue line, even in limited appearances for Erie in the OHL.

What truly elevates Schaefer’s projection is his elite skating — widely regarded as the best among defensemen in his class. He’s fluid, explosive, and mobile in all directions, with exceptional glide, balance, and edge work, allowing him to transport the puck, recover defensively, and influence play across all three zones. He combines that physical toolkit with strong hockey IQ, maturity, and poise, rarely making poor decisions with the puck and showing the ability to lead by example. While he can occasionally overskate gaps or get beat one-on-one, his recovery is effortless, and his defensive stick work and positioning remain sharp. All signs point to Schaefer developing into a top-pair, possibly No. 1 defenseman who can anchor a blue line for years to come. (Chris Ford)

#3 – James Hagens – C – Boston College

While his offensive production was not as elite as some anticipated after such a dominant tenure with the USNTDP, James Hagens played very well in his first season at Boston College. He was still a point-per-game player, registering 11 goals and 37 points in 37 games centering Gabe Perrault and Ryan Leonard. He was also deployed as Team USA’s No.1 center at the World Juniors in Ottawa where we won a gold medal. He led all American forwards in ice time and managed 9 points in 7 games, including a goal in the gold medal game vs. Finland. Hagens’ game is centered around his skating and playmaking abilities. He boasts ridiculous top speed and the puck seemingly just sticks to his blade as he carves through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone. He’s elusive in open ice and nearly impossible to dispossess the puck from. In the offensive zone, Hagens is an elite playmaker who finds teammates with his vision through layers and awareness of spacing and timing. Though he may not be the biggest, he competes hard and is willing to put his nose in dirty areas and get to the net. He also has a strong defensive game that should allow him to stick as a center in the NHL. (SpokedZ)

#4 – Porter Martone – RW – Brampton

Martone entered his draft year with an impressive résumé, having already established himself as a top OHL scorer, international gold medalist, and leader for Team Canada at multiple U18 tournaments. His strong start to the season, including a game-winning goal at the OHL Top Prospects Game, only added to the buzz, and he finished the year with 98 points in 57 games. Martone plays a modern power-forward game, combining size, physicality, and scoring touch — regularly driving the net, finishing checks, and showcasing advanced puck skills for a player his size. He has a deceptive shot, strong hands, and the ability to make plays from below the goal line or in transition, making him a threat both as a shooter and playmaker.

While Martone’s game took a leap this year and he looked dominant in several viewings, some concerns remain about his skating and consistency. His pace can lag, his stride needs refinement, and he can sometimes lose positioning or discipline off the puck. Still, his combination of size, strength, skill, and finishing ability makes him highly attractive to NHL teams, especially those looking for size and scoring on the wing. Though not as dynamic as some peers, his high hockey IQ and offensive instincts suggest he can become a productive NHL power forward if he continues to develop his skating and off-puck play.

#5 – Victor Eklund – LW – Djurgården

Djurgarden will offer him the opportunity next season to test himself in the SHL, where he can continue to showcase his strong performance among professionals, just as he has done this year succesfully. Eklund is a dynamic player with a constantly running motor, always on the move, always active, which makes him a very difficult player to track, and he also creates a lot of uncertainty among opponents. He’s a good skater with an excellent change of direction, and he knows how to use his center of gravity to protect the puck or make himself tough to stop. Offensively, he has a great outside-in move and a quick release on his shot. That uncertainty he generates with his body movement also makes him a valuable weapon on the power play, where he can use it to create passing lanes or take advantage of his quick shot. Eklund is also a player who doesn’t shy away from contact along the boards and uses his body effectively to maintain possession. He has no problem going directly at opponents and playing a physical style. The current questions revolve around whether he’ll be able to translate his direct playing style at the SHL level given his current physical frame. However, I believe this body adaptation will be part of his development process, and he’s already shown that his physical profile doesn’t prevent him from playing and thriving in a physically demanding style of hockey. He’s had a season that gives plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the ceiling of his production. (Iván Ortiz)

#6 – Anton Frondell – C – Djurgården

In our opinion, there may not be a player in this entire class who had a stronger second half to their draft year than Anton Frondell. His HockeyAllsvenskan season ended with historic results, with his 0.86 PPG pace putting him at the second most productive draft year out of that league of all time behind Elias Pettersson and ahead of William Nylander and David Pastrnak. Additionally, a large portion of his production in that league came at 5v5, with his 2.8 5v5 P/60 being higher than a lot of other top prospects in this class such as Lakovic, O’Brien, Carbonneau, Cootes and McQueen produced in their respective CHL leagues this past season. Breaking down his game: Frondell is a hyper-detail oriented player who seldom makes mistakes, makes a lot of small area plays to elevate teammates, and can give his team an advantage offensively with debatably the best shot in the entire class. He isn’t the most dynamic offensive talent, which leads to some questions as to whether or not he’ll be able to drive play on his line at the NHL level, but he does enough thing exceptionally well that he still projects as a top of the lineup talent in our eyes. His ability to successfully pressure and retrieve pucks on the forecheck at a high-end level, his best in the class ability to maintain puck possession on the cycle in the offensive zone, and consistently high motor that he uses to help set up teammates to make up plays are all skillsets that should allow him to help make already great top of the lineup players even better. Lastly, in terms of addressing his underwhelming U18 Worlds performance: we are of the opinion that it was a small enough sample size and there were enough variables at play that it isn’t something we’re ready to hold particularly strongly against him. Having said that, given that those games were some of the only performances that we’ve seen of him down the middle in recent memory paired with some questions about his transition game, that tournament does raise at least some additional questions as to wether or not he is a C or W in the NHL. Regardless, his upside remains the same in our eyes, which is a high-end 200-foot forward who can score a lot of goals. (Dan Haurin)

#7 – Cullen Potter – LW – Arizona State University

Cullen Potter is a well-rounded, high-motor center who played for Arizona State University this past season and represented the United States at the U18 World Championship, where he produced at a point-per-game pace. He brings energy, pace, and responsibility in all three zones, built around high-end speed, smart positioning, and relentless effort.

Off the puck, Potter is an energizer bunny — always moving, quick to reposition, and consistently engaged. His powerful stride and well-timed crossovers allow him to find soft ice, close space, and maintain tight gaps defensively. He’s effective in the low slot, boxing out with physicality, and has a knack for blindsiding attackers who aren’t scanning, often forcing turnovers by skating through sticks and bodies instead of just reaching in. He can barrel in to disrupt plays and nullify breakouts with force.

With the puck, Potter plays with poise and intelligence. He has strong handling skills that allow him to create space under pressure, especially through the middle of the ice. He’s capable of making sharp long-range zone exits, and in the offensive zone, he’ll work the cycle, attack the wing, and deliver passes into the slot — sometimes from the perimeter, sometimes driving deeper in. His shot carries sneaky power, and while his playmaking isn’t flashy, he keeps possession moving with purpose and supports teammates with timely routes.

Defensively, he’s highly engaged and trustworthy, using physicality, awareness, and an active stick to stay in lanes and win puck battles. Potter’s game is built on compete, skating, and smart reads, projecting him as a versatile, reliable middle-six NHL forward. There’s a bit of Frank Nazar in how he blends quickness, awareness, and nonstop motor. (Josh Tessler)

#8 – Lynden Lakovic – F – Moose Jaw

Lakovic is a 6-foot-4 winger known for his impressive skating ability, combining speed, power, and fluidity in a frame that makes him a strong presence in transition and along the boards. He has quick hands, a strong mid-range shot, and the puck skills to beat defenders one-on-one, making him a legitimate offensive threat when he’s engaged. His play improved this season as he became more confident in using his linemates, protecting the puck off the wall, and driving possession in the offensive zone. Before suffering a fractured collarbone midseason, he was on a 13-game point streak and remained productive after returning to a rebuilding Moose Jaw team. He was also a standout at the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge and is widely projected as a mid-first-round pick.

However, Lakovic’s game still has areas that need refinement. Scouts are mixed on his playmaking vision and off-puck awareness, and while he has the tools to be a power forward, his physicality and compete level remain inconsistent. He often plays too much on the perimeter and doesn’t always make full use of his size to dominate inside areas. Additionally, he faced a 17-game suspension during his rookie year for an off-ice conduct issue, though no criminal wrongdoing was found. Despite these concerns, his athleticism, scoring ability, and top-six upside make him a high-ceiling prospect with clear NHL potential if he continues to develop his game and compete level. (Chris Ford)

#9 – Carter Bear – C/LW – Everett

Although a brutal lacerated achillies injury ended his season prematurely shortly after our midterm rankings went out (side note: he appears to be recovering from said injury well ahead of schedule, which is fantastic to hear), the combination of playstyle and upside keep Bear firmly cemented inside of our final top-10. Bear is one of the most physical forwards in this entire class, constantly engaging with his body when there’s a puck battle to be won and getting into the house when the puck is in the offensive zone. He’s not just applying physicality to discomfort the opposition either: he uses all of the minor tips and tricks you’d hope to see a player use in these situations such as quick stick lifts, using his edges to get under opponents, and consistently smart route taking to make it so that he is constantly able to win said battles and make effective plays. He’s more of a goal scorer than a playmaker in my eyes, with a fast release that he’s able to regularly get off both in motion and with difficult passes headed his way without sacrificing power. He lacks the sort of dynamic vision and skills you might hope for in a typical top line winger, but he’s smart enough with his decision making both on the rush and in the cycle that he can still set up linemates for high danger chances when the opportunity is there. Players who can provide a physical edge in their game while being able to produce are a rare and highly sought after commodity in the NHL, and Carter Bear projects to be exactly that at the next level. (Dan Haurin)

#10 – Benjamin Kindel – RW – Calgary

Benjamin Kindel is a 5’10” center who has been a true revelation for the Calgary Hitmen. Kindel led all draft-eligible players out of the WHL this season with 99 points (35G/64A), and he did most of his damage at even strength. Kindel is a smart, versatile forward who is a constant factor in all three zones and across all situations. Calgary relies on him to be a major contributor at even strength, on the powerplay, and on the penalty kill. He’s a quick, elusive player whose meticulous two-way approach to the game makes his offensive production even more impressive. He has a high-end small-area game, hanging onto pucks and drawing pressure before finding teammates with precision through tight lines. Kindel also possesses an impressive wrister release that he’s able to unleash incredibly quickly. He’s shown much more willingness to use it this season, and it’s resulted in a huge uptick in goalscoring. His small stature may require him to move from center to wing at the pro level, but his IQ and versatile skillset shouldn’t diminish his overall impact. (SpokedZ)

#11 – Caleb Desnoyers – C – Moncton

Desnoyers’ extremely strong postseason for the Moncton Wildcats makes him jump 3 spots from our previous rankings. It’s getting harder and harder to justify being more doubtful on him, but his game and ultimately his projection remains rather unchanged from what we’ve always thought about him. In the offensive zone, there really isn’t much to dislike. Desnoyers is an instinctive playmaker with fantastic passing skill and the ability to resist physical pressure remarkably well. There are questions that remain with the translatability of that skill to the next level, where there will be a lot less space and where Desnoyers will probably be shouldered with a much heavier workload. His situation in the QMJHL is extremely favorable too, playing on an overall great team, a Memorial Cup contender, and often being paired with Juraj Pekarcik and Julius Sumpf, two strong forecheckers with good off-puck offensive instincts. This is important to keep in mind when evaluating his projection. To us, it remains easier to see Desnoyers be part of a strong possession-minded line who’ll contribute offensively to a decent, but not top-line level, which reflects his final placement in our rankings. (Thomas Gagné)

#12 – Jake O’Brien – C – Brantford

Jake O’Brien is a reliable, well-rounded center who brings a strong two-way presence and high-end playmaking instincts. He blends size, reach, and poise to maintain possession under pressure, using his length and tight puck control to navigate through traffic in the neutral zone or along the perimeter. O’Brien stands out for his ability to slow the game down, assess his options, and wait for the right opportunity instead of forcing plays — especially in the offensive zone where a mistimed pass could kill a scoring chance.

A pass-first playmaker by nature, O’Brien shows strong vision and patience, consistently making smart reads to set up his teammates — whether it’s a cross-ice zone exit feed, a slip pass from behind the net, or a touch pass into the slot. That said, he recognizes when the shot has to come from him. If defenders take away his options, he’ll take it upon himself to make something happen. His shot from range carries weight and accuracy, aided by a smooth release and effective weight transfer.

Defensively, he’s positionally sound and supports play low in the zone, using an active stick to disrupt rushes and regain possession. He may not be the flashiest player, but he plays a mature, pro-style game built on timing, vision, and responsibility. With continued development, O’Brien projects as a middle-six — and potentially top-six — NHL center who can impact the game at both ends and elevate teammates with his poised, heads-up play. (Josh Tessler)

#13 – Jackson Smith – LHD – Tri-City (WHL)

Jackson Smith finishes his season as part of a dominant Canada U18s team and his WHL season with 13 goals and 57 points over 73 games showing a strong season while being used in all situations on a fairly middling Tri-City Americans roster. However, as much as his usage gave him plenty of time to showcase his incredible dynamism in his skating, and his playmaking ability and physicality, it also served to expose Smith’s flaws, namely his cavalier style of play which often led to glaring mistakes and costly turnovers.

It’s still no question though that Smith is supremely talented and has all the physical tools that a modern defenceman in the NHL requires, it’ll just take time to for whoever drafts him to work on his focus and attention to detail. That said, sometimes it’s better to tame a stallion than to whip a donkey. (Tom Watson)

#14 – Braeden Cootes – C – Seattle

We’ve been higher on Cootes than most since the beginning of the year and with his performance at the U18 World Championships, playing for team Canada, in a much more favorable environment than with his club team, where he exploded for 12 points in 7 games, there really isn’t a reason to move him from this range. A fast, intense and dynamic offensive player, Cootes represents a rare high-upside option outside the obvious top few players of the draft. While it certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea to try him at center (he has the defensive chops to potentially impress coaches in that aspect), Cootes most likely position at the NHL level will be on the wing, where his puck-battle winning skills and flashy arsenal of offensive tools will be able to shine more and where his smaller frame will be a bit less of a factor. With his versatility and the presence of a B-game, Cootes has the traits, like a high pace of play and defensive ability, necessary to be a positive presence in an NHL team’s bottom 6 if the offensive game doesn’t translate as well as we think it could. (Thomas Gagné)

#15 – Cole Reschny – F – Victoria

The longer we’ve watched Cole Reschny in his draft year, the more we’ve became convinced that the primary concerns most people seem to have regarding his projectability won’t be an issue for him. It’s pretty atypical for a forward who is small in stature and not a great skater to find success at the NHL level, but Reschny has shown time and time again that he has a high enough hockey IQ to overcome these limitations. Where some people might look at him and see a player who lacks the separating speed to properly give him the space to make plays against tighter competition, we simply see a player who is able to constantly make difficult passes and set up high danger chances while under intense pressure from the opposition (if anything, we believe this style to be more projectable than players at lower levels who are able to utilize speed and space to their advantage more consistently). Although his tape speaks for itself, his numbers can back him up just as well if needed. Reschny was easily one of the most impressive players in all of the CHL playoffs this season, scoring over 2 points a game and dominating over all 200 feet of the ice. Once his team was eliminated from the WHL playoffs, he immediately stepped into the U18 World championships and made his presence known, playing over 20 minutes in multiple games while scoring at over a point a game and helping to lead Canada to a Gold medal. There may not be many top of the lineup NHL players with Reschny’s profile, but we think he has the skills and the smarts to overcome the odds and be a real impact top six forward in the NHL. (Dan Haurin)

#16 – Bill Zonnon – LW – Rouyn-Noranda

The more and more we get to see this class of players play, for most of them, the more and more we somewhat doubt their game and it’s transferability at the NHL level. This has been far from the case with Zonnon though, where with every viewing, you can envision more and more the role he could eventually play for an NHL team. A fast, physical and consistently involved player in all facets of the game, Zonnon has since the beginning of the scouting process been identified as a potential great bottom 6 option, but he continually flashed more and more of what could be a true play-driving offensive game, always very quickly identifying the next play in the offensive zone and often creating plays himself, on the rush, as well as in cycle offense, being one of the best of the draft class at funnelling pucks from the boards to dangerous areas. It’s unlikely, but there’s a world out there where Zonnon becomes an elite complimentary power forward option that could play up to a team’s first or second line, next to more naturally talented, offensively skilled players. In this class, there are very few players you can afford being that optimistic with and Zonnon, to us, is one of them. (Thomas Gagné)

#17 – Cameron Reid – LHD – Kitchener

Cameron Reid is a mobile, two-way defenseman who projects as a steady second-pairing option at the next level. He’s constantly in motion, adjusting his positioning seamlessly—whether shifting from the low slot to the corner to defend a chip-in or closing quickly along the boards to disrupt possession. He brings a tenacious, puck-hungry presence, frequently whacking at stick blades to force breakups and deny time and space.

Defensively, Reid is engaged and assertive. He maintains solid gap control, defends well below the goal line, and uses his frame and timing to steer attackers into low-danger areas. His active stick and physical edge make him a tough matchup in puck battles along the perimeter.

With the puck, Reid flashes transition potential. He supports the rush when lanes open up, joins the cycle in the offensive zone, and keeps plays alive with timely pinches. He can make clean passes off the wall and quick reads into the slot. That said, under pressure, his decision-making can falter—occasionally defaulting to low-percentage D-to-D or chip plays, and struggling with puck security in tight spaces or under a hard forecheck.

Still, Reid’s foundation of mobility, physicality, and defensive awareness makes him an intriguing prospect. With continued refinement in puck management and poise, he has the tools to develop into a reliable two-zone contributor at the pro level. (Josh Tessler)

#18 – Radim Mrtka – RHD – Seattle

Mrtka is a really effective puck-mover and possession driver on the back-end. Super skilled and mobile, and at 6’6”, the things he can do with the puck are pretty impressive. He reads the ice extremely well, makes smart, calculated and creative plays in all areas, with flashes of some really special stuff. With the puck, he does just about everything you’d want out of a modern defenceman.

His defending on the rush is excellent, he closes gaps very well, has good edgework that lends itself to strong lateral mobility, and he uses his reach effectively. His in-zone defending is a strength as well, his awareness and reading of plays is pretty high-end, but he does lean a bit too much on his reach at times, allowing plays to continue when he should’ve been able to close them out had he not relied purely on it. And I do still find that he lacks some quickness at times offensively, where he reads the play well and times his activation well, but is just a step behind where he needs to be. However, I think those issues are absolutely correctable, with the high-end smarts, puck skills, and mobility, there’s a pretty great ceiling there for Mrtka, as a smart defence-first guy who moves the puck well and facilitates play really effectively in all areas. (Gray Matter)

#19 – Justin Carbonneau – RW – Blainville-Boisbriand

Carbonneau is a rare player in that 10-20 range of the draft who you could say there’s a decent chance he can’t find a long-term spot in an NHL lineup at all. His game, as things stand, has a lot of issues when it comes to potentially translating to the NHL. Carbonneau plays a rather individual style of game, looking to often take on a lot of pressure himself and creating scoring chances for himself rather than looking for the best play available, often involving teammates. That leads to entire games where he’s essentially a non-factor, because if he can’t get going that way, he can’t impact the game in any other way with consistency. Carbonneau remains a palatable option in this range of the draft, because the skill level is really high and his best moments and games are comparable with those of the truly elite players of this draft. With his shot, puck handling quality and confidence to try high-end plays, the boom potential is enormous. (Thomas Gagné)

#20 – Roger McQueen – F – Brandon

McQueen falls to 20 in our final rankings as he only manages to string together 12 appearances in March and April after a serious back injury that kept him out for most of the season, and then another injury that stopped him playing in the final games for the Brandon Wheat Kings.

I’m still optimistic about McQueen due to his size and skillset, however, we lack tangible evidence over a large sample size of what McQueen could bring to the NHL, compared to the prospects ahead of him on this list, which makes him one of the riskier picks in this draft. Pair that too with McQueen being older for his draft class, a lot of key development time has been lost and will need to be made up, especially to improve his skating, where he needs to be quicker off the mark.

That said, he still has perhaps the highest upside of anyone outside of the top four, and his stick skills and offensive instincts are truly dazzling and his ability to dangle in tight makes it likely that they translate to the tighter-checking NHL level. If he can add some serious bulk to his already large frame in the next couple of years, gain a step or two from the dot, then he has a real chance to be successful at the NHL level.

Again, it’s a risk, but one worth taking at 20. (Tom Watson)

#21 – Alexander Zharovsky – C/W – Ufa

It’s good to see Zharovsky getting more love towards the end of the year; I’ve been a big fan of his for a while, and I remain pretty high on him. He’s electrifyingly skilled, and I think on draft day, he pretty quickly becomes one of the most dynamic and creative players left on the board. He brings quick-thinking and creative problem-solving under pressure, with a quick and fluid dynamic range of movement in his handling, impressive playmaking, and a dangerous shot release that he could stand to use more often; and those to me are at a higher level with him than some of the guys higher up on this list, and it’s a skillset I’m willing to bet on pretty high in this draft.

That said, there are reasons for concern. The skating is an issue: he’s not the fastest guy, and he lacks quickness and explosiveness, which is a particular problem given his playstyle of welcoming pressure, considering that he will have a hard time separating from it at higher levels, and even already does at times. And adding to that, he’s lacking strength; he loses puck battles he should win, tries to shield off pressure but just doesn’t have the strength; and adding strength could help out his feet too. As well, his team plays in the Eastern Conference of the MHL, which is…not a good level of competition, to put it mildly. How well will he adapt to ramp-ups in speed and intensity that come with higher levels of play? That’s the big question. Though he did get into some KHL playoff games at the end of the year, and played relatively well, which eased some of my concerns in that respect.

But I see Zharovsky as a long-term project. He has the mentality of a superstar forward, and that’s an extremely enticing quality. Imagine where he could be five years down the road; given time to work on his skating, to work on his strength, to nurture his skill and creativity and just become more and more dangerous; that’s what you’re drafting him for. It’s a risk to put him this high, and the road may be long, but the ceiling is so exciting, and he’s just so much fun to watch, that it’s hard for me to put him much lower. (Gray Matter)

#22 – Logan Hensler – RHD – University of Wisconsin

Despite not having played a single additional game since our midterm rankings, the more we go back and watch Hensler and evaluate his game the more we’re becoming convinced of him as a legitimate first round prospect. Relative to the other defenders in this class, Hensler is arguably the second best skating defender in the whole class behind Schaefer. Although in the past we’ve talked about how he’s seemingly been more reserved to activate on the rush and carry the puck in transition, the more we watch the more we’re convinced this is more of a systemic issue than a player-based issue this past season. Given how effective he is at closing in on defenders on the rush and his above average puck skills, we think that in a different environment Henlser will have the ability to be a much more effective offensive player. In regards to his in-zone offensive upside, Hensler projects as a player capable of playing in key offensive zone situations due to his ability to get pucks to the net quickly when walking the blue line, and his vision to activate down low properly during extended periods of possession in the offensive zone. There’s still a good amount of work to be done in his own end if he’s ever going to be trusted with difficult defensive minutes, and we’re not sure that the hockey sense is high enough for him to ever be a truly high end offensive defenseman, but there’s enough to like here to easily envision a future top-4 NHL defenseman in him. (Dan Haurin)

#23 – Shane Vansaghi – RW – Michigan State University

There are shades of Miles Wood in Shane Vansaghi’s game — a physically mature, high-motor winger who plays with pace and purpose. Vansaghi thrives on the forecheck, consistently using his size, strength, and tenacity to pressure defenders, finish checks, and win battles along the boards. He brings a relentless, grinding presence to every shift, often disrupting puck movement and setting the physical tone early.

He keeps things simple and effective, playing a straight-line, north-south style. Vansaghi chips pucks to space, supports the cycle, and stays engaged below the goal line, helping his team maintain offensive zone time. Defensively, he’s alert and responsible, frequently shoulder-checking to track threats and offering strong wall support on breakouts.

While his offensive ceiling may not be high-end, he’s shown flashes of secondary scoring ability and a willingness to get to the dirty areas. His game already translates well to the NCAA level, and his combination of size, work ethic, and forechecking instincts gives him a strong foundation to carve out a role as a pace-driving, middle-six NHL winger who can be trusted in high-intensity, matchup-heavy situations. (Josh Tessler)

#24 – Blake Fiddler – RHD – Edmonton

If Fiddler’s high-end defensive game at the WHL level translates at a high-end level in the NHL, that will mean we probably should’ve ranked him higher. A strong skater with probably the best overall defensive skillset and current defensive ability of the draft class, Fiddler’s game will make him a player in high demand come draft time. There probably isn’t a single NHL team out there who doesn’t need a 6ft4 right-shot defenseman with potentially significantly above-average defensive acumen. With Fiddler’s gap control, stick-work and ability to quickly and seamlessly transition between skating postures, always staying in phase with attackers, it’s relatively reasonable to think he could become a stabilizing defensive presence on a team’s bottom 4. He’s also developed and improved his first pass and overall breakout poise a decent amount during the year, hinting at more potential as a puck mover. It’s difficult to judge what’s the full extent of Fiddler’s potential and how seamlessly his transition will be to the NHL level. In recent years, defense-first archetypes, like fellow former Oil King Kaiden Guhle, have struggled with that adaptation out the gate, before eventually settling into a role. We’re hopeful Fiddler can a similar role on an NHL team someday. (Thomas Gagné)

#25 – Ivan Ryabkin – C – Muskegon

From the age of 13 years old the man from the banks of the Volga River has been on track to be a future star. He broke records set by Kucherov, Michkov and Demidov. He put his name firmly in the hat for being taken #1 overall and backed that up… until this season that is. This season has been a serious disappointment for Ryabkin. He started poorly in Russia, looking half the player he did last season, struggling to score, and frankly seeming disinterested at times. Over Christmas he looked for a change of scenery, and bolted across the pond for Muskegon in the USHL. Since his move to America he performed far better on ice. 46 points in 41 games in the lowest scoring junior league in North America is nothing to sniff at. Neither is being the 1C on a team that proved to be the best in the USHL this season, raising the Clark Cup a few weeks ago. At times Ryabkin looked unstoppable, for example his five-point game in the USHL semi-finals against Dubuque. However, his draft stock has not rebounded. Why? Despite scoring points, driving play, and showing to be one of the most skilled junior players in North America? Ryabkin still has his issues. He is extremely inconsistent. At times he seems to have little interest in playing a 200-ft game despite on paper being a good defensive player. His discipline is spotty to say the least. And despite the skill and grit he is not super dynamic. However, every team dreams of a hard to play against 1C with an edge who can shoot, pass, cycle a puck and play solid defense. If Ryabkin is there in the 20s? The team that takes a chance on him might end up with a home-run pick. (Alex Appleyard)

#26 – Sascha Boumedienne – LHD – Boston University

Up until a few weeks ago Boumedienne looked likely to go on the second day of the draft. After a fantastic USHL season at age 16 that meant many touted him as a potential top fifteen pick? The Swedish blue-liner entered the NCAA early with the Boston University Terriers last Autumn. To begin it seemed that might have been the wrong decision. He found himself mainly on the bottom pair to start the season, with no power-play time and his game under the microscope. Playing at a level which is a clear jump up from junior hockey his offensive game did not transfer, his small area skating looked in need of work, and from game-to-game he struggled consistency wise. However, as the season went on Boumedienne seemed to figure out how to put his skills to work best in College Hockey, and over the final few weeks of the season was a go-to defenseman for one of the premier programmes in the US, playing 25 minutes a night, and having obviously worked on some of his more glaring flaws over the year. Then came the u-18 WJC. The well-rounded blue-liner looked on a mission to prove the naysayers wrong. 14 points in just seven games was the most for a defenseman in the tournament’s history. His small-area skating did not look to have any issues against his peers either. Now? Boumedienne will almost certainly go inside the first round. The question is simply where. While his absolute upside may still be questioned, Boumedienne seems a safe bet to be a solid NHLer, and if things go well, maybe he can be a #2-3 defenseman. (Alex Appleyard)

#27 – Michal Svrcek – C – Brynäs

Svrcek jumps into our first round, and has jumped quite significantly on my own board. He caught my eye last year, and the more I watch him, the more I’m convinced of the offensive talent he possesses. He’s small, sure, but the skill and playmaking are really great and underrated with him, and the motor and speed that he brings could be the best in this class.

He’s absolutely relentless on the forecheck, on the backcheck, and in most any situation. His off-puck routes are smart and effective, he does a great job of finding open ice in the offensive zone to be an option, and as soon as there’s a loose puck, he’s all over it with so much speed generated in his first steps that few players beat him on retrievals, even with a significant headstart. And he’s been showcasing all of this very well against men at the SHL level, which is a hell of a feat for a draft year player, especially one whom most don’t have ranked in their top two rounds. I see a decent floor there with Svrcek with the intensity that he brings, and I think I underrated his ceiling previously; the offensive skill and playmaking are really promising as well, Svrcek is one of the most exciting players at this point in the draft, and I’d argue much earlier than this. (Gray Matter)

#28 – Brady Martin – C – Sault Ste. Marie

Brady Martin projects as a true 3C at the NHL level—responsible, poised, and capable of contributing at both ends of the ice. He plays a straight-line, control-oriented game, protecting the puck well through the neutral zone and showing the ability to make smart, low-risk plays under pressure. Martin can thread passes into tight seams, especially off the rush, and uses his reach effectively to disrupt plays along the boards and sustain offensive zone pressure.

While his vision and puck protection are assets, he can be prone to overhandling the puck at the offensive blue line, occasionally drawing unnecessary pressure and leading to turnovers. He would benefit from making quicker decisions in those moments—favoring simpler chip-and-chase plays to maintain possession. His pace and lateral quickness are also limiting factors, particularly when pressured or tasked with covering ground defensively.

Martin isn’t a dynamic scorer, and his shot selection often involves forcing pucks through traffic without clear lanes. However, he can still chip in offensively through smart support play and timely distributions.

Defensively, Martin brings strong positional awareness and uses his size and reach to close space, though his recovery speed can sometimes leave him trailing the play in transition. When engaged, he shows the tools to be a reliable matchup option and penalty killer.

If he can add another gear to his skating and improve his pace under pressure, there’s potential for him to move up the lineup. As is, Martin fits the mold of a dependable third-line center—think Lars Eller—with the ability to elevate his role situationally. (Josh Tessler)

#29 – Cameron Schmidt – RW – Vancouver

With 40 goals, 78 points in 61 games played with the Vancouver Giants this year, 29th overall seems about right for the undersized winger. I’m a fan of Schmidt’s ability to rip the puck, his skating speed, especially when transitioning up the ice, and his playmaking ability, that helped his points production remain consistent even after his goal scoring pace fell off a bit during the season.

His height will always be a knock on him but one element of his game I really enjoy is his grit and cockiness. He drives the net hard, shoves players back when he’s shoved and has no problem yapping at the opposing team in scrums. I also look at his nine points in 5 playoff games this year and see a player who’s not dominant, but who will show up in big games, and I think at the end of the first round, teams should be looking for players like Schmidt who bring speed, skill and a potential edge to fill the middle of their line-ups and it’s much more cost effective to draft them than to go out looking for them in free agency. (Tom Watson)

#30 – Ryker Lee – F – Madison

Lee is one of the most skilled players outside of the very top tier of players in this draft class. His playingmaking oozes dynamicism, with Lee constantly using slick stickhandles and fake pivots with his hips to manipulate defenders and open up lanes to get pucks to teammmates. His skating isn’t the best with a bit of a short stride and a lack of agility on his edges, but he moves well enough in the offensive zone and has good enough hands to make space for himself on the rush. His defensive game remains a bit of a weak spot, with him missing coverages in most of my viewings and not being particularly effective at winning puck battles along the walls. That latter issue speaks to another concern some share with Lee, which is his ineffectiveness on the forecheck and at sustaining possesion in the offensive zone. There’s certainly a chance for this to improve over time however, with improved strength and conditioning plus additional development of his technical ability along the walls, it’s easy to envision the potential room for growth in these areas. Given that the skill level is very high here paired with the fact that he’s headed to a strong program at Michigan State University to play next season, Lee remains a 1st rounder in our eyes. (Dan Haurin)

#31 – Malcolm Spence – LW – Erie

Our evaluation of Spence’s game remains unchanged from our last rankings. After a very strong first few games in the OHL playoffs, scoring 6 points in his first 4 games, Spence then was kept off the scoresheet for 4 straight games before scoring a goal and an assist in the last game of his season in a losing effort. A strong, physical winger with some goalscoring pop, Spence just didn’t really improve that much from last year. The safe projection is one of a complimentary player on a team’s bottom 6, with the potential to become a middle 6 option if his game rounds up enough. Right now, he’s a bit of a one-dimensional shooter with flashes of very strong forechecking, but Spence doesn’t have the highest motor for a player of this style and has problems facilitating for teammates. If his pace and pace of play improves, he could become a fan-favorite, hard-working and endearing player who could provide valuable depth offense. His style of play will make an NHL team draft him higher than that though, probably based on the perception that his style of play would be particularly effective in the playoffs. (Thomas Gagné)

#32 – Jakob Ihs-Wozniak – F – Luleå

That he has been rewarded with a bit of SHL playing time this season may be a sign that there’s confidence in his ability to produce at this level for upcoming seasons. However, I believe his presence at this level will depend on the commitment and the intensity he shows when the puck isn’t in his possession. We’re fully aware that with the puck on his stick, he’s among the top ones of the promotion. Let’s not forget he was originally considered the top prospect out of Sweden for this class, so the pure and raw talent is there. He has an effective shot, and he knows when he needs to use the power and when the accuracy. He also can manipulate the opposing defense to generate danger; he does a really good job with the body to create separation and attacking lines. He sees the play where others can’t, and that is a trait that cannot be trained. But he might end up as a one-dimensional player, lacking that extra burst of speed, and showing a tendency to disengage, or rather, to go unnoticed. And that could work against him not only based on Draft. He is one of the players with the widest draft range on my list. Between those who still believe in the high-end talent that once made him a potential top pick and can see a good line combination where Ihs-Wozniak can thrive, and those who have more doubts about his impact on other areas of the game. (Iván Ortiz)

#33 – L.J. Mooney – RW – USNTDP

L.J. Mooney is a skilled, high-paced forward whose game thrives on tempo and intelligent puck movement. Though he’s been deployed at center for a USNTDP squad lacking in playmaking depth, Mooney projects more comfortably as a wing at the NHL level. His limited reach can be a challenge when trying to disrupt possession or stick lift from behind, but he compensates with excellent crossover speed and lateral agility, particularly in transition, where he can weave through lanes and create space.

Mooney demonstrates high-end vision, regularly attempting difficult passes into the slot and along the half-wall. He’s also capable of threading tight seams, including a smart backhand feed from below the red line and saucer passes into dangerous areas. Off the puck, he’s responsible in his own zone—willing to block shots, cover for pinching defensemen, and apply pressure at the point. His puck security in high-traffic areas stands out, and he isn’t shy about using his upper body strength to gain inside leverage on bigger opponents.

While undersized, he reads pressure well and makes quick, decisive plays under duress. His shot selection includes effective use of delays from the perimeter, and he’s been credited with both primary and secondary assists from smart reads and quick puck movement. If Mooney continues to adjust well against higher levels of defensive pressure, there’s a chance he could stick at center. His upside may resemble a Tyler Johnson-type—skilled, competitive, and effective despite size limitations. 

#34 – Cole McKinney – C – USNTDP

Cole McKinney is a high-paced, puck-driving center whose game thrives on speed, creativity, and determination. His explosive stride and sharp crossovers make him a constant transition threat, and he often takes the initiative in pushing play up ice. McKinney plays with a daring edge—he’s willing to take on defensive pressure head-on, even skating into tight coverage to try and make something happen. While that risk can lead to turnovers, it also reflects his confidence and willingness to shoulder offensive responsibility.

With the puck on his stick, McKinney shows strong problem-solving skills, often improvising to extend plays. He’s capable of smart bail-out passes under pressure and isn’t afraid to use the boards or manipulate space to buy time for his linemates. In the offensive zone, he’s usually the one driving possession—moving laterally along the blue line, probing for lanes, and drawing defenders in to open up options elsewhere. Off the puck, he supports well, regularly heading to the backdoor and making himself available as a passing outlet near the net.

Defensively, McKinney is engaged and alert. He shoulder-checks on the backcheck, looks to disrupt plays with stick lifts when trailing the rush, and supports along the boards. His awareness and competitiveness shine in all three zones, and though his game can still benefit from added refinement in decision-making, there’s a strong foundation of pace and hockey sense. McKinney projects as a 3C at the NHL level with potential to elevate his line through his energy, transition skill, and puck-driving mentality. (Josh Tessler)

#35 – Kurban Limatov – LHD – Dynamo Moscow

Oh Kurban Limatov, I still don’t know what to do with this guy; he continues to slip, now out of our first round. As ever, the good with Limatov is really, really good; he’s big and super mobile, and when he gets going with the puck on his stick, not many players are gonna stop him. He’ll activate from the blueline, grab the puck along the boards and spin around the first defender all in one motion, and try to cut to the middle to get a shot off; or rush end-to-end, blow through the neutral zone and rip a dangerous shot on goal; and when he does stuff like that, it’s awesome. But the rest of the time, it’s not so great.

His decision-making all over the ice is questionable at times: making ill-advised passes that result in turnovers; failing to recognise better plays; and running himself into trouble without a plan B. And on top of that, his defensive game is just not very effective right now. He consistently lets players pass way too easily on defensive entries; fails to box out passing options in front of the net; is often overly aggressive and takes himself out of position or just gets caught flat-footed—especially when faced with quicker opponents—and he doesn’t use his body as effectively as he could, and just loses battles that a guy like him should win; and all of these are pretty concerning, especially considering he’s playing in the MHL. The tools are there with Limatov, the talent is undeniable, but hockey is more than that, and he needs to figure out the rest; but man, if he can, he could be something special. (Gray Matter)

#36 – Adam Benák – C – Youngstown

Of every player I’ve personally viewed in this year’s draft class, there isn’t anybody else whose made my opinion of them as a player sway as wildly from a game-to-game basis as Adam Benak. When Benak is playing at his best (specifically, his international viewings have been by far the best I’ve seen him play), he looks like an offensive weapon who can be a top of the lineup NHL producer. His dynamic vision and higher end puck skills thrive when he has time and space to create, showing an ability to regularly manipulate defenders and thread beautiful passes to teammates for high danger chances. He’s also an above average shooter, showing an ability to consistently sneak behind coverage and get a quick release off. The elephant in the room always has been and will remain his size, with Benak sitting at a well below NHL average 5’7 frame. The size concern doesn’t just exist in theory either; when playing in the USHL this past season it very clearly reared it’s head as a significant disadvantage for him. In league play, Benak would often get dominated in puck battles, and against better competition would struggle to get to the dirty areas around the goal in any capacity. More aggresive defenders would also seemingly close gaps against him on the rush and in transition in general much easier than they would others in my viewings of him in the USHL this past season. Any team taking Benak is going to need to have a strong game plan for helping him overcome his issues with physical play that are a result of his size, or else he likely will have a hard time even sticking as an AHL player. If a team is willing to put in the work and he’s able to grow though? The offensive payout could be significant. (Dan Haurin)

#37 – Arvid Drott – RW – Djurgården

There might not be a single player in this draft who I’ve seen make so few mistakes combined with showing flashes of upside quite like Arvid Drott this past season. An above average sized winger, Drott shows a high end understanding of how to create advantages for his teammates every time he steps on the ice. He always has his feet moving and works to assist teammates in puck battles, put himself in position as a passing option that most players his age wouldn’t think to put themselves in, set moving picks for linemates who are carrying the puck, and basically any other minor advantage you could imagine a player creating for their team. Although the majority of his toolkit is average in my viewings, his shot does stand out with his quick release and ability to get enough power to beat Goalie’s clean. Despite being a more detail oriented style of player, I’ve seen Drott show signs of higher dynamic upside in most of the viewings I’ve had of him. When getting the puck in higher danger areas, Drott shows a willingness to attempt to manipulate defenders and Goaltenders before making a decision with the puck, making him more successful in the opportunities he does get than a lot of other wingers I’ve seen in this class. My biggest criticism of Drott up to this point would simply be that he isn’t the most puck dominant player out there, but I suspect a decent amount of that is a result of playing on a loaded Djurgarden team and getting limited minutes with Sweden at the U18 event. Everything I’ve seen from Drott up to this point tells me he has a very good shot at being an effective middle-six winger in the NHL one day. (Dan Haurin)

#38 – Topias Hynninen – C – Jukurit

We were big fans of Hynninen last year, and it was surprising to see him go completely undrafted, after spending his draft year in Liiga without looking out of place at all. This year, he’s gotten a bit quicker, and he has some of what he was missing in his draft year: production; so we hope that it’ll be different this time around. High energy, high pace, aggressive play in all facets of the game, a good off-puck support game, a solid underutilised shot, with sneaky good finishing and playmaking potential that he has yet to fully unlock; there’s a lot to like with Hynninen. I don’t see a super high ceiling with him, but the intensity he brings on both sides of the puck alone could make him a valuable player in the NHL, and if he can find that extra gear on offence that I think he has, then that’s a good bonus. (Gray Matter)

#39 – Pyotr Andreyanov – G – CSKA Moscow

Pyotr Andreyanov is a poised, athletic goaltender with strong technical foundations and a calm presence in the crease. He tracks pucks exceptionally well, even through traffic and screens, and rarely looks rattled when facing sustained pressure. His lateral mobility stands out—he moves efficiently post-to-post and recovers quickly, allowing him to stay square and composed during broken plays.

Andreyanov’s rebound control is generally solid, limiting second-chance opportunities, and he displays a confident glove, particularly on low- and mid-danger shots. His use of the RVH is consistent when sealing off sharp-angle threats, though there’s room to refine when and how he employs it to avoid exposing small gaps. While his positioning is typically strong, occasional lapses in stance or timing on lateral pushes can leave him vulnerable, especially on quick plays around the net.

Overall, Andreyanov blends structure, athleticism, and mental focus in a way that makes him a compelling goaltending prospect. With continued development in his post play and consistency on quick-twitch reads, he projects as a potential starter with long-term upside. (Josh Tessler)

#40 – Nathan Behm – LW – Kamloops

One of the prospects that I thought improved upon my initial viewings to become a projectable NHL prospect; Behm combines a strong north/south game with good skill and intensity that could project to the middle of the lineup if he continues to develop. Hes still working on his edgework and is oftentimes finding himself off-balance and can’t make two hard cuts without stumbling or falling down, but his ability to make an inital move when entering the zone compared to earlier in the year has greatly improved his offensive transition game and thus making him a more productive player in the offensive zone. He has a nice shot from medium distance and is a player who looks to move the puck to dangerous areas of the ice in the offensive zone in a passenger zone. While he was one of the lowest volume passers in my dataset, when he was given the chance to create plays he was highly effective in transition (81% success rate) and started to hit 4-5 shot attempts at even strength to close out the year. I like his upward climb throughout the season and expect growth in his D+2 that would make him a valuable second round pick. (Austin Garret)

#41 – Benjamin Kevan – F – Des Moines

After a somewhat underwhelming end to his USHL season and U18 performance, Kevan slides out of our first round here. Kevan is a player with above average speed and pace who is constantly looking to get the puck on his stick. He is constantly imposing himself on the forecheck, forcing defenders to have to make quick decisions and often creating turnovers. With the puck on his stick, I’ve found him to be much more of a playmaker than a goal scorer, with his first looks usually being to find teammates right around the net front area. On the rush, I’ve found he’s comfortable being the primary puck carrier, although his questionable defensive positioning and route taking means that against higher competition he can struggle to get the puck in the first place, leading to him taking suboptimal paths and defaulting to being a net crasher. He will need to learn to think the game better if he wants to have a career in the NHL, but there are enough tools and puck skills there to make me believe there could be a middle six forward there if he puts it all together. (Dan Haurin)

#42 – Gavin Cornforth – RW – Dubuque

Cornforth is a guy that’s flown under the radar a bit this year. Small, but really skilled and creative with the puck, with an impressive wrist shot on him too. He forechecks well, makes decisions quickly under pressure, and has good vision when it comes to spotting small passing lanes, and he can thread passes through them quickly and consistently. He’s not a particularly explosive skater, which—combined with the lack of size and physical tools—holds him back from being a play driver, but as a complementary skilled winger as the third piece of a line, who forechecks well, supports play well in transition, and can creatively connect plays together in the offensive zone, I could absolutely see a role for him down the road. (Gray Matter)

#43 – Anthony Allain-Samaké – LHD – Sioux City

Allain-Samaké is an extremely long way away from being really anything worth an NHL look, to the point where it’s somewhat surprising to us that he’s going to college after only one season in the USHL where he didn’t score a single goal. Our optimism regarding him is based on his flashes and what he’s shown in his best games. As one of the youngest players in the draft class, the defenseman has struggled with consistency in a sizeable role in his first USHL season, where some games he got dominated physically and couldn’t really keep up, but in other games, while it remained somewhat difficult for him defensively, he shown so much upside offensively, being a deceptive player on the offensive blue line and creatively and projectably finding passing and shooting lanes, providing offense. The UCONN commit is still very much mistake prone and not yet filled into his frame at all though. His NHL ETA is probably further in the future than many of the other players in this range of the draft and there’s a decent chance he isn’t an NHLer at all, but we like the swing a lot. He could become a top 4 defenseman who could work his way onto a powerplay unit as well if enough things go right with his development. (Thomas Gagné)

#44 – Milton Gästrin – C/LW – MoDo

Milton Gastrin is a player who will no doubt attract many NHL teams late in the first round this summer. Serving as captain for this Swedish age group, he always stands out at international events while centering Sweden’s top line. He even registered an eight-point game vs. Switzerland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. Gastrin is a two-way, natural center with solid tools across the board and high a IQ. He has good size, solid enough skating, and a relentless compete level. He isn’t necessarily a dynamic offensive player, but he does have decent skill and a natural shot and release. He also makes plays and creates offense around the net and has an advanced understanding of space and timing. That being said, it’s the translatability of his game that will attract NHL teams to him. He competes for loose pucks and wins battles in dirty areas of the ice. He offers a responsible and reliable game and is remarkably consistent. While there are questions about his upside, it’s reasonable to project him as a middle-six center who can provide complementary offense in the NHL. (SpokedZ)

#45 – Eric Nilson – C – Djurgården

Nilson is a well-rounded player playing a mature game, the ones you always want in your daily basis lineup to have consistency. Versatile and equally effective in both power-play and penalty-kill situations, he’s responsible, and possesses elusive skating with constant movement, circling to find the right place. He isn’t afraid to battle in the tough areas in front of the net, play with the stick, and has a high hockey IQ when it comes to positioning, actions and movement on the ice. Players like him are always well valued because, above all, teams may seek those players who stand out a little bit more in every aspect of the game, and Nilson fits that profile. As happens with many players of his profile, the question is whether he’ll remain a guy who’s just a bit above average in many areas but not a standout in any one of them, or if he can become a player capable of taking on a leading role of the line and be the leading presence during key moments of the game, beyond just being the well-rounded, reliable presence you always have next to you. (Iván Ortiz)

#46 – Conrad Fondrk – C – USNTDP

When he’s on his game, Conrad Fondrk is an incredibly fun player to watch. He’s a highly skilled and dangerous player with the puck on his stick. He possesses a heavy shot capable of beating goaltenders from distance and a speed/skill combination that he can use to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. He’s strong on his skates and is able to protect pucks and drive to the blue paint. He’s also shown good defensive instincts off the puck and potential to be a solid two-way center as he continues to develop. There are questions about consistency and competitiveness at times, however we believe in the talent level and upside enough to keep him ranked early in our second round. (SpokedZ)

#47 – Harry Nansi – C – Owen Sound

Nansi probably has the most statistically uncommon profile of any player in this range of the draft. Production has been hard to come by for him in a depth role in the OHL this season, but being one the youngest players of the draft class, with the flashes of brilliance he’s shown, he still represents a reasonable bet in this range. A decent skater for his size, Nansi’s appeal mostly stems from his moments of brilliance with the puck on his stick mostly on the playmaking side. Always very active in every zone, if Nansi ever makes it, it’ll be in a depth role, where he’ll endear himself to his team and its fans with his relentless style and occasional offensive pop, without ever looking too lost in his own zone either. A very easy player to enjoy watching, even though you’d like him to be a bit more effective physically for a player of this size. (Thomas Gagné)

#48 – Quinn Beauchesne – RHD – Guelph

Beauchesne has been one of the steadiest and most consistent defensemen of this draft class. Rarely spectacular, Beauchesne shines with his handling of pressure, always managing to get rid of the first forechecker before finding a teammate. His first pass, to breakout of his own zone is also among the best of the draft class, always moving the puck very smartly. There isn’t much there in terms of creative offense generation in the offensive zone, but with the way he can move laterally and the poise he displays on the offensive blue line can be impressive in flashes. The upside likely isn’t very high, with there not being too much of a special dimension to his game, something that a coach will throw him over the boards for, but his well-roundedness and puck management skills could be enough to land him on an NHL roster someday. (Thomas Gagné)

#49 – Eddie Genborg – F – Linköping

I must admit that he’s one of my favorite players in this class, and my evaluation of him might currently be a bit higher than the existing consensus around Genborg, but I believe that he is an intriguing talent. He’s a physical player with a high intensity forechecking; he goes after possession from the very first second and has no problem using his body to win puck battles along the boards or to establish position in front of the net, either to pick up loose pucks or to create space for his teammates’ shots. He just wants to hit everything, and I can see a lot of scenarios where fans and coaches will love to have that. Genborg’s motor is always ready for it. He’s a player who knows how to use his tools effectively when attacking. He drives through the middle, whether to create space or gain positioning in dangerous areas. He will not blow you away with his skilled hands, but he knows what he is capable of and exploits it. Doubts arise because his offensive ceiling may be somewhat limited, and perhaps that doesn’t justify selecting him higher in the draft, where teams typically look for more dynamic profiles with greater upside or more complete offensive skill sets. But I genuinely believe that Genborg, when you understand how he produces and the role he can fill in a lineup, has a place. Because that kind of physical edge is always needed. He could be a great complement to energy lines, or alongside more offensive-minded linemates to relieve them of the physical workload. It’s now official that he won’t be returning to Linköping next year, so it’ll be interesting to see what path he chooses and how he develops moving forward. (Iván Ortiz)

#50 – Alexei Medvedev – G – London

Alexei Medvedev is an athletic, technically sound goaltender who plays with calmness, control, and a consistently refined approach in the crease. His rebound management is among the best in this class, regularly directing pucks to low-danger areas and limiting second-chance opportunities. He shows excellent mobility—particularly east-west—and resets quickly, allowing him to stay composed and square through lateral movement and multi-shot sequences.

Medvedev tracks the puck well through traffic, seals off the lower net with precision, and stays collected in high-pressure situations. He combines efficient movement with strong posture, rarely breaking structure even during scrambles around the crease. His puckhandling is another positive element, showing awareness and confidence when aiding in zone exits.

What makes Medvedev especially intriguing is that he’s just five days away from being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Given his age, the polish in his game is notable. He brings a mature, well-rounded toolkit that offers both a high floor and long-term upside. With continued physical development and experience, Medvedev has the potential to grow into a legitimate NHL starter. (Josh Tessler)

#51 – Jack Ivankovic – G – Brampton

Jack Ivankovic is an athletic, competitive goaltender with one of the best gloves in this draft class. Committed to the University of Michigan, Ivankovic brings high-end quickness and explosiveness in the crease, allowing him to cover ground rapidly and move fluidly through his butterfly. He tracks pucks well and shows excellent rebound control—especially off his glove and blocker—often steering pucks into low-danger areas.

His glove hand is a standout tool, capable of robbing shooters clean on medium-danger chances and reacting instantly to cross-slot puck movement. Ivankovic holds strong positioning off the rush and is quick to reset after initial saves, even in scrambles and high-traffic situations. His poise on second-chance efforts—particularly on the penalty kill—reflects his competitive edge and body control.

At times, he plays a bit too aggressively, overextending beyond his crease and leaving space near the posts or under the blocker. While his athleticism often covers for these misreads, refining his angle discipline and depth management will be crucial at the college level and beyond.

Even behind inconsistent defensive support in the OHL, Ivankovic has consistently delivered. With elite reflexes, sharp technical habits, and a calm-but-battling presence in the crease, he profiles as a high-upside goaltender with legitimate long-term NHL starter potential. (Josh Tessler)

#52 – Jack Nesbitt – C – Windsor

It’s not very difficult at all to envision Jack Nesbitt developing into a bottom-six NHL Center later on in his career. The immediate appeal to him when watching him play is his combination of size and skating. Nesbitt stands in at 6’4 with quality skating mechanics and more quickness in his turns and crossovers than you typically see in a player his size (although his foot speed is a bit lacking). Offensively, Nesbitt plays a pretty straight forward game. He is constantly looking to get involved in puck battles and hunts to retrieve every puck he can in the offensive zone, directing every puck he can get either to a teammate nearby or directly to the net. He’s got a quality shot and much better hands than you might expect, occasionally pulling off high skill passes while under pressure. He’s also a quite defensively responsible player, seldom to never finding himself out of position in the defensive zone and using his long reach to poke pucks out of reach of the opposition. His lack of foot speed, mediocre production and lack of dynamic offensive elements in his game mean it’s hard to imagine him playing in a top-6 NHL role in the future, but there’s enough to like there to easily envision him as a future 3C or 4C. (Dan Haurin)

#53 – Kashawn Aitcheson – LHD – Barrie

Kashawn Aitcheson is a physically assertive, north-south defenseman who projects as a reliable second-pairing player at the NHL level. He thrives on physical engagement and brings a competitive edge to every shift, using his size and strength to close gaps, disrupt plays along the boards, and tie up attackers at net front. Aitcheson defends with purpose and isn’t shy about stepping into opponents in open ice or leaning on them below the goal line.

Offensively, he keeps things straightforward but effective. He’s a capable puck-mover who can execute clean zone exits and maintain pressure in the offensive zone. You’ll often see him pinch down to support a teammate in the corner, gain possession, and quickly redistribute to an open man in the slot—demonstrating solid awareness and decision-making in tight areas. While he’s not a dynamic offensive threat, he places pucks into high-traffic areas to create second-chance opportunities and shows the poise to delay or chip pucks into space when under pressure.

His skating allows him to recover when caught deep or out of position, and though there’s still room to grow in his reads and puck decisions under sustained forechecking pressure, he’s shown notable improvement in managing high-speed scenarios in his own end.

With his physical presence, defensive reliability, and improving puck management, Aitcheson brings a style that should translate well to the pro level. He projects as a dependable, hard-minutes defenseman who can bring energy, structure, and a bit of bite to a second or third NHL pairing. (Josh Tessler)

#54 – Luca Romano – C – Kitchener

Luca Romano is a smart, detail-oriented forward who projects as a 3C at the NHL level, bringing a steady presence with flashes of creativity and strong puck distribution. His skating mechanics are solid—he blends powerful crossovers with a strong stride to close gaps and win races to pucks, even when trailing the play. Romano does well to protect the puck with his body, using his shoulder to push off pressure and extend plays below the goal line or along the wall.

Offensively, he thrives when the game is in motion. He looks for give-and-go opportunities off the rush and makes smart passes once he draws defenders in, showing good touch when distributing along the boards or finding teammates in stride for zone exits. While he isn’t a high-volume shooter, he shows patience, often waiting to deliver passes until the target is in an optimal shooting lane. That said, his shot selection can still use work—he tends to fire from low-percentage areas when no other options are available and sometimes forces pucks into traffic.

Romano’s scanning habits are still developing. There are moments where he overlooks better-positioned teammates or misjudges pressure, leading to turnovers or disrupted plays. Defensively, he supports well down low and provides value in transition with smart puck movement, but his reads need continued refinement to elevate his impact.

Overall, Romano brings a reliable, support-style game that complements more dynamic linemates. With continued development in awareness and decision-making, he has the toolkit to carve out a role as a responsible, playmaking third-line center at the NHL level. (Josh Tessler)

#55 – Sean Barnhill – RHD – Dubuque

Barnhill is very much flying under the radar as a dark horse option for any team looking for a defensive stopper at the right-shot defenseman position. Towering at 6ft5 and already pretty filled in at 205 pounds, Barnhill has some of the best combination of tools to potentially excel in a defensive role for an NHL team someday. A very strong skater for his size, to us, Barnhill is worth a look well before players like Jacob Rombach or Mace’o Phillips, two other towering defenseman lacking production playing in the United-States, because Barnhill already displays pro habits, better puck management skills and doesn’t get beat nearly as easily as those other two players. Barnhill stays in phase with his opponents well, often reads the play adequately, before making simple pressure-relieving plays. They’re not the same player, but it’s hard not to be reminded of Mason Lohrei, another sizeable defensman who was passed over entirely as a first-time eligible player, not really having the look of a draftable player at first glance before being picked up by the Bruins as a 19-year-old in the second round. Like with Lohrei, the production doesn’t jump out at you, but if Barnhill can continue to round-out his game, it wouldn’t be the craziest thing to say that he could become something similar. It would be unfair to expect it though. (Thomas Gagné)

#56 – Bruno Osmanis – RW – Björklöven

Considering that the Latvian youngster spent half of the season playing against men in the Hockey Allsvenskan, the Swedish second tier? He is somewhat under the radar in terms of the NHL draft. He has not been ranked top 50 in virtually any major draft list. His name is also rarely mentioned amongst draft sleepers. However, if Osmanis falls into the third round? Whichever NHL team takes him may be getting themselves a steal. Why is that? Well, from his play vs men Osmanis has already established that one day he may have the ability to do a good job in an NHL middle six. Seven points across 30 games in the regular season and play-offs may not seem like anything special, however, when context is applied you start to see what type of impact Osmanis made. Across those 30 games he only once played more than 10 minutes of ice time. Only in 13 of those games did he play more than five minutes. Yet despite getting irregular shifts? He still managed to create opportunities. His game is built around a high-IQ, plus hands, and a high motor. He is also a sneaky good passer who can really skate, and does not neglect his responsibilities in his own zone. Osmanis is also still physically underdeveloped, and in turn may have more room than some other prospects to grow going forward. Furthermore, at the u-20 level he produced at a similar or better rate than players such as Eddie Genborg, Eric Nilson, Milton Gästrin and Arvid Drott, despite being on an inferior, lower scoring team than they were. If you squint hard enough? Maybe Osmanis can be a complimentary middle six NHL winger in a few years. If a team can draft such a profile in the late second round? That is a good pick. (Alex Appleyard)

#57 – Mason Moe – F – Madison

Moe’s played center in every game I’ve watched, centering a line in Madison with Ryker Lee, and they’ve been a fun duo to watch all year. Moe doesn’t have the pace and flashy skill that Lee brings, but he’s a smart, effective 200-foot contributor, still with some offensive pop. He brings a power game, with a strong upper-body and solid protection mechanics; a wicked shot; and moments of impressive passing and playmaking. Without the puck, he’s smart positionally, and plans his routes efficiently with a strong sense of anticipation and timing, which makes him a valuable support player and gives him a strong defensive foundation. There’s a lot to like with Moe; the pace and intensity could be improved for sure, but the rest of the picture is pretty good. The ceiling is questionable, but I think there’s enough there to be a solid contributor, especially if paired with other smart skilled players. (Gray Matter)

#58 – Gustav Hillström – C – Brynäs

Gustav Hillstrom is another Swedish forward in this draft class who possesses many intriguing qualities without having that one elite trait as a separator. He’s a big, two-way center who skates well enough and has good defensive and physical habits. Offensively, he profiles more as a play connector than a play driver, but he does possess enough skill and ability to chip in some complementary offense. He also reads play quite well and has a good understanding of timing and positioning. Overall, Hillstrom plays a very translatable game that should serve him well as a solid bottom-six forward at the next level long term. (SpokedZ)

#59 – Charlie Cerrato – C – Penn State University

A double over-ager heading into this years draft, Cerrato made a huge statement in his rookie NCAA season this year as the second leading scorer on one of the top teams in the league. Cerrato plays a very high tempo game, constantly moving his feet and looking to attack this opposition. His straight line speed is among the fastest I’ve seen from draft eligible players this season, utilizing his skating to put pressure on the opposition and forcing them to make mistakes with the puck. Additionally, his style of play makes him particularly effective both on the rush as a primary puck carrier in transition, as well as on the penalty kill. He does tend to struggle with puck management more than you’d ideally like to see though, often turning pucks over when trying to beat defenders 1-on-1 and while trying to force plays in the offensive zone. Although I think his very north-south style lends itself more to the wing at the next level, he has played a good amount of Center in the past, and his ability to move well in transition means he could be an option at either position at the next level. Given that he’s a bit further along in his development curve than a lot of other players around this spot in the draft, Cerrato could be a great option for a team looking for a prospect who could potentially play professionally sooner rather than later. (Dan Haurin)

#60 – Leo Sundqvist – F – Brynäs

Sundqvist is a player I’ve been interested in for a while, and he’s flown under the radar as the third in a trio of draft eligibles playing up in the SHL for Brynäs this year. I’m surprised though that he seems to have gone so unnoticed, when he seems to pop out of the screen every time I watch that team. He’s small, but I don’t think it matters too much; he’s fast, relentless, an excellent finisher, with an underrated physical side to him. He’s a really effective forechecker, and defensively responsible; his game is a simple but effective one, and he’s everything I’m looking for in a bottom-six player, with some upside to be more if things go really well. (Gray Matter)

#61 – Ludvig Johnson – LHD – Zug

Make no mistake. Ludvig Johnson should have been drafted last year. Even though the Swiss u-20 league is not the best scouted league on earth in terms of the NHL? Johnson was the best first time draft eligible defenseman at that level. It was certainly worth taking a shot on a player like him in the middle rounds. This summer Johnson has ensured that NHL teams simply cannot pass over him again. Over the season he showed himself as a good pro defenseman already, in the National League, which is certainly one of the best five professional leagues on earth. What is more? Johnson arguably outplayed Leon Muggli on the same team, Muggli was a second round pick last summer, and had a solid season himself. What is more? Johnson has a great skill-set for the modern NHL. He is a plus skater, has a great IQ, passes a puck very well, and can defend a blue-line. At times he can make mistakes trying to push play and make things happen, but he is not simply a riverboat gambler. Johnson has an active stick, good defensive positioning and for his frame and age is good on the boards. Given the tools at his disposal? If things go well in his development he might be able to become an NHL #4 one day. (Alex Appleyard)

#62 – Daniil Prokhorov – RW – Dynamo St. Petersburg

Prokhorov is gigantic, really skilled and slick, with a quick and dangerous release on his shot, and he moves pretty well for a guy who’s listed at 6’5”. He has a really enticing and exciting toolbox to work with, but it’s not quite there yet. The passing, playmaking, and intensity need to come a ways, and he’s physical as you might expect, but I find he tends to use his physicality in unproductive ways too often: taking runs at guys without much care for actually getting the puck, and not leveraging his frame to shield off pressure as much as he could. So he has a ways to go, but there’s a ton of runway with him for him to grow and improve, and the combination of skill, size, and finishing ability is a good foundation to build off of. (Gray Matter)

#63 – Joshua Ravensbergen – G – Prince George

A full-right goaltender with intriguing size and flashes of positional discipline, Joshua Ravensbergen shows promise but remains a work in progress. His glove hand is generally reliable on low and medium danger shots, and when squared up, he’s capable of controlled rebounds that steer pucks to safe areas. He displays decent lateral movement and can be quick and nimble in the butterfly, particularly when reacting to high-danger puck movement.

However, Ravensbergen’s overall quickness and tracking consistency raise concerns. He struggles to seal the blocker side, often getting beat high, especially off the rush or on cross-crease plays. His ability to cover the top of the net while in the butterfly is inconsistent, and he tends to leave space on the far side when transitioning laterally. On several occasions, he was late reacting to shots through traffic or redirect attempts at net front, and goals against have stemmed from both rebound control issues and difficulty reading developing plays.

There are glimpses of tactical awareness—such as stance adjustments to bait shooters and solid post integration—but his timing and glove/blocker deployment need refinement. Ravensbergen’s range and size give him a foundational toolkit, but improved reaction speed, positioning under pressure, and puck tracking will be key to unlocking his potential. (Josh Tessler)

#64 – Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen – LHD – University of Michigan

One of the biggest things I look for in a defenseman when projecting them to the NHL is how well they are able to make simple passes under pressure, especially in situations when a defenseman is trying to exit the zone. Rheaume-Mullen is the best defender in this class at completing passes doing so at an 83% success rate and is far-and-away the best player, outside of Schaefer, at doing so to generate a zone exit. I will admit his feet don’t move as fast as I’d like on a backwards gap control to dictate opposing players or pressure them into turnovers, nor is his offensive game agile enough at the blue line to be dangerous as an offensive threat. However, when it comes to making the right play, I can always count on Rheaume-Mullen to do so. With the departures of Ethan Edwards and Jacob Truscott, Rheaume-Mullen could see a bigger share of the power play time and with that his stock could/should rise going into his D+2. (Austin Garret)

#65 – Tomas Pobezal – C – Nitra

It is quite rare for a draft eligible player to excel in a pro league. When they do? They are often nailed on first round picks. However, in Pobezal’s case? He might still be available in the early third round in late June. Why is that? Well, firstly the Slovak pivot is undersized at 5’10. Secondly, the Slovak Extraliga is not what it once was, and is now roughly ECHL level. Finally, despite playing well in all three zones against men… Pobezal does not really have many stand-out tools. In turn? Many think he will ultimately be a “tweener”, a very good AHL or Euro league player who is not offensively gifted enough for an NHL top six, but not defensively strong enough or physical enough for a bottom six. This may well transpire. However, with the NHL shifting increasingly away from defined top sixes, and moving towards at least a top nine, and some teams trying to roll four lines without true “role-players” but guys who can score, drive play, and contribute even without being a defensive stalwart or UFC fighter on skates? There is more chance that Pobezal can one day carve out an NHL role. At the highest level he will kick out to wing. His stand-out trait is his IQ, and he is very good in the high-danger areas around the crease and in the slot. If he can get faster and bulk up a bit? There is potential for him to be a middle sixer winger in the NHL. (Alex Appleyard)

#66 – Matthew Gard – F – Red Deer

In a class where the level of uncertainty is overall very high, even with players widely considered to be first round talents, Gard is likely to be seen as a safer bet than many other options who may have higher upside. The Red Deer Rebel forward boasts an impressive 6ft4 frame and skates really well for that size. The production may seem rather unimpressive, but he played on a poor offensive team, second worst in the WHL in terms of goals scored. His ability to read the ice and see the best option is a weakness as things stand, but he still displayed some moments of individual brilliance, cutting through defenses, looking like a force out there with a rather unique blend of size, puck handling skill and skating ability. Being more consistent and leveraging his tools more often will be the next steps for Gard. Right now, he’s scheduled to play in Red Deer again next year, which will be once again rather challenging. If he can establish himself as the true leader of this team and a more consistent offensive play driver, a role on a bottom 6 of an NHL lineup is possible. (Thomas Gagné)

#67 – William Horcoff – C – USNTDP

William Horcoff took a major leap in the middle of his draft year when he went from playing with the USNDPT to playing for the University of Michigan in the NCAA. After he made the jump, his P/GP actually went up despite making the leap to a harder level of competition, scoring over .5 P/GP in his 18 game NCAA stint. Horcoff is a big, north-south style player who moves quite well for his size. He doesn’t have a ton of dynamic offensive elements to his game and could stand to be a better finisher off the rush, but he still boasts some quick hands and a willingness to go to the dirty areas of the ice in the offensive zone, which should project well to a bottom-six role at the NHL level. Adding to that bottom six projection, in my viewings Horcoff was constantly engaged defensively with sound positioning in his own zone, and was consistently finishing his hits and getting involved as the F1 on the forecheck. Although he isn’t exactly what I’d call a high upside pick, Horcoff could be a nice addition to any prospect pool that’s lacking size and physicality. (Dan Haurin)

#68 – Melvin Novotny – F – Leksand

His recent performances with Sweden, during the time he was on the ice, since he wasn’t among the most used one, somewhat reinforce my position on Novotny. I think he’s a good player who may be flying under the radar for many people because he doesn’t have those flashy, eye-catching skills, but he understands the game. And players who understand the game always win over me, because I find that to be a rare and valuable trait. He strikes me as a smart player, someone who knows how to move well on the ice and maintain awareness of everything happening around him. He uses his body and stick effectively to extend plays and has good instincts both for attacking and passing. He has that ability to make the pass at the exact moment that can put you in a strong offensive position, especially when he receives the puck along the boards on the wing. In terms of skating, maybe his lateral transitions aren’t very fluid, and he lacks that extra burst of speed and explosiveness, but he makes up for it with his excellent spatial awareness. I’d like to see him, in the next steps of his development, get more involved in building plays from the back and be more present offensively. Still, I believe he has the potential to become a solid rotational player, the kind you often find in the middle rounds of the draft. (Iván Ortiz)

#69 – Max Westergard – LW – Frölunda

It is somewhat shocking to me that Westergård has had so little attention over the season so far. Now, that has changed slightly since the WJC-18, where the Finnish speedster stood out as his teams best player, but it is still expected that the man from Tampere will go in the third round at best. But when you watch him play? It is hard not to get excited about what he could be if his development goes well. Westergård plays the game fast and hard. Despite being somewhat undersized he never gives up on a play, is happy to mix it up, and can be a real pest. His forechecking is relentless, he can PK, and for a winger his defensive game is solid. In terms of his offensive game? Despite being 165lbs soaking wet the young Finn plays like a power-forward, but he also has some skill, and can make some beautiful passes and beat players with his hands. He impressed in the SHL play-offs, and at very worst should be “capable” of an NHL cup-of-coffee one day. Did I mention that Westergård is one of the youngest players in this draft, and were he two weeks younger would be 2026 eligible? If he does fall to the third round he could be the type of player that in a few years teams are kicking themselves for passing on. Given his age and physical immaturity, maybe, just maybe he can blossom into a complimentary NHL second liner one day, and with his grit and tenacity, he is certainly not top six or bust. (Alex Appleyard)

#70 – Jack Murtagh – C/LW – USNTDP

On a very underwhelming edition of the USNTDP, Murtagh has an argument to be the first player to hear his name called from that team on draft day. His simple north-south game and high work rate coupled with an above average shot will make him a palatable option for many NHL teams. Murtagh remains a somewhat frustrating player to watch, due to often not reading the ice too well and forcing play too much, seemingly always trying the first thing that’s on his mind, often the simplest play, rather than the best play. In college, learning to use his teammate better will be paramount to his success. Eventually, while he could become a middle 6 NHL scorer with some physicality, there remains a rather large possibility his game doesn’t translate well to the NHL at all. (Thomas Gagné)

#71 – Filip Ekberg – LW – Ottawa

Ekberg’s profile is one that projects pretty simple and yet has a lot of variance to it. His off-puck game and his shot were always a strength of his throughout the season. In the u18s he was given even more opportunity than in the OHL and it became evident how dangerous of a mid-range scorer he could be if you gave him space. However, his skill in transition and pace of play always placed him as a passenger in the OHL and in the u18s. He is not a player that will drive play through the neutral zone. If his pace of play can pick up, then he could end up exceeding his current draft stock. However, I would draft Ekberg right now as a potential middle six passenger who can score and make one-touch passes and see how he develops over the course of the next two seasons. (Austin Garret)

#72 – Petteri Rimpinen – G – Kiekko-Espoo

Rimpinen is another overager who should have been take last year. In fact, to me it was perplexing no team could spare even a seventh-round pick on the Finnish netminder. Afterall, this is a goalie who since he was 14 years old has looked firmly on track for an NHL future. He has always played a level up for his age. He has been the Finnish junior national team starter since u-16 level. .920 sv% for him has been nothing special his whole career, that is just routine. And last year? Rimpinen was arguably the best goalie in the Finnish second tier, Mestis, at 17 years old. The only reason he was not drafted? He is only 6’0. This year though NHL teams surely cannot ignore him again. He put up .933 sv% in the World Juniors back at Christmas, winning goalie of the tournament. But more impressively? He won a starters job in Liiga, putting up .912 sv% over 40 games, and then excelled in the play-offs too with .920 sv%. He was in contention for the best goalie in Liiga THIS season at 18 years old. So how has he done this despite his diminutive stature? He is fast. His positioning is fantastic. His awareness is elite. His technique is high-end already. Small goalies scare NHL teams, but surely every team is regretting not using a late round pick on the Finn last summer. This time out? They won’t make the same mistake again. Rimpinen should be one of the first few goalies off the board, and has real potential to be an NHLer in the near future. (Alex Appleyard)

#73 – Tanner Lam – RW – Kitchener

Tanner Lam is among the most exciting players in this draft class. His skill and what he attempts is jaw dropping, and his success rate in games when he was on was among the best in the class in terms of driving play, creating chances, and being a dual threat in the offensive zone. There were some games where his skill couldn’t break through and he turned the puck over more than I’d like and with his smaller size he lacks high-end pace to project to the NHL. However, I will always bet on players with this much skill and ones that can games that track better than almost anyone in this class. A true sleeper pick in this draft; if Lam hits he could be among the leaders of “best value draft pick” in this class. (Austin Garret)

#74 – Vaclav Nestrasil – RW – Muskegon

Nestrasil skates very well in a north/south game for a player of his size at 6’5. He combines this with very good puck skill when he has at his full pace to weave through the neutral zone to create rush opportunities. He’s best when he’s given space to create offensive chances and when he’s defending going at an opposing player. Nestrasil struggles in the small area game though. His edgework, especially his Gretzky turns, are clunky and he loses too much speed and it takes too much effort for him to pivot back in the opposite direction. He doesn’t stick handle well when forced to pull the puck in and prefers to stay wide, using his length to protect the puck instead of his feet to gain advantages over opposing defenders. He has a long ways to go with his off-puck game in the offensive and defensive zone. He is rarely in a supportive position and instead is thinking more about what will be the most opportune situation if a play breaks down, often times finding himself behind the play defensively or not being an outlet for a teammate who has possession. A lot of tools to work with, but he has a long developmental path to becoming a positive player in the offensive/defensive zone as a professional player. (Austin Garret)

#75 – Henry Brzustewicz – RHD – London

Brzustewicz has a lot of traits as an offensive leaning defenseman that I like. He’s quick to find space off the puck in the offensive zone to move up to take his shot. He shows decent puck skill to be able to dance by an opposing defender at the blue line to move up into the offensive zone and creat odd-man advantages, and is very smart in his exit passes. However, he finds himself out of position too often in the defensive zone and misreads offensive players coming at him at transition too often that his offensive instincts are too often negated by his negative defensive plays. If he’s able to drive players more to the outside on the rush as well as be harder on the puck in the defensive zone then he’ll be worth the second round pick that a team will eventually use on him. (Austin Garret)

#76 – Anthony Cristoforo – RHD – Windsor

Cristoforo is a player who I am quite suprised wasn’t selected during his draft eligible season last year. This season saw him take a significant step forward over his last two seasons, seeing him take the leap as the number one defenseman on one of the top teams in the OHL. He’s an above average skater who uses his feet to regularly close gaps quickly when defending on the rush and activating up in the play with his team in transition offensively. He can get a decent amount of power behind his shots and doesn’t look out of place pulling the trigger on Windsor’s top PowerPlay unit, but most of his production offensively comes from moving pucks up ice in transition and pulling coverage away from teammates and making slick passes in the offensive zone. Defensively, his positioning is okay for the most part, but I’ve found he can struggle to escape forechecking pressure a little bit too easily and struggles to use his body to kill plays in the defensive zone. I think Cristoforo has enough tools and hockey sense to slot into an NHL lineup as a replacement level player one day. (Dan Haurin)

#77 – Jamiro Reber – C/W – HV71

Again, Reber is another player who every single NHL team passed on last season. Why? Size is part of the answer. The speedy, high-intensity center is only 5’10. However, despite being solid in the J20 last season Reber did not blow the doors off offensively, Furthermore, he disappointed in international play, being a passenger at both the WJC-18 and WJC-20. The talent shined at times, but was not consistent enough to make an NHL team take a gamble on him, albeit one probably should have even without hindsight. This time he won’t be left out in the cold. This season the Swiss youngster made the jump to the SHL level and impressed in a league that is roughly AHL equivalent. His game is built around his skating and creativity. He is a plus passer. He sees the ice extremely well. Reber can also PK and is certainly not a top-six or bust type player. Now, he is more likely to be a winger at the highest level, especially as he is poor on the dot (under 40% this season), and definitely needs to get stronger, and while his heart and details is good in terms of defense? Right now he is not a plus defensive player in pro hockey. However, it is easy to see Reber rounding out into an energetic and versatile third line NHLer down the line, one who could be ready to play in a few short years. (Alex Appleyard)

#78 – Vojtech Cihar – LW – Karlovy Vary

Vojtech Cihar is a 6’1” winger who played his entire draft season in Czechia’s top pro league with HC Energie Karlovy Vary. While he didn’t post eye-popping offensive production (4G/5A), he made himself an effective player at even strength and a threat in the bumper position on the powerplay. Cihar is a responsible, two-way forward with good speed and can be utilized in any situation. Offensively, he’s quick and crafty with the puck and can find linemates in dangerous positions. He also has a quick release and has no issue playing through contact. He is a hard worker with good instincts on both sides of the puck and is a real handful on the forecheck. When used higher in the lineup with Czechia at international events, he flashes higher-end offense and puck skills. His IQ and pro experience at such a young age bode well for his development. He projects to be a very useful middle-six forward in the NHL. (SpokedZ)

#79 – Carter Amico – RHD – USNTDP

Amico played very little this season, only appearing in 17 total contexts, amassing 5 points, all assists. His game suggests more offense though, at least in rush situations, where he’s shown an ability to deal with pressure both with his feet and his passing ability. The defensive game is somewhat of a work in progress, as he got beat in front of the net many times this season and seemed to struggle with simpler plays and concepts, sometimes looking like there may be a concern with concentration in the defensive end. Compared to previous years’ big, physical, defensive minded defenders hailing from the USNTDP like E.J Emery, Amico is the one who’s actual defensive impact and potential is the most debatable, but especially compared to Emery, Amico has a certain poise under pressure and better overall skating fluidity. This suggests actual potential as more than just a stay-at-home defenseman. With the right development, he could become a middle-pair two-way defenseman. His game though will need a lot of development to get there, as his game lacks refinement, especially when it comes to generating good looks offensively on a consistent basis. (Thomas Gagné)

#80 – Lasse Boelius – LHD – Ässät

Boelius is our top rated player coming out of Finland this year, and the only Finnish player we have cracking our top-100 this season. Boelius is a talented defenseman who looked like one of the better players in Assat U20 this past season and was Finland’s clear best defender at U18s this year. Earlier in the season, he even had a cup of coffee in Liiga, where although he didn’t really stand out in any way, he didn’t look out of place at all in my eyes. He plays a simple game built around moving pucks quickly and accurately, but still has some higher end puck skills to make plays in the offesnive zone and escape pressure creatively in the defensive zone. When he’s playing at his best, it’s easy to envision an everyday puck moving NHL defenseman in his game who can be trusted playing with higher end offensive players. The two biggest flaws I see in Boelius’ game right now are his skating and his puck management. His skating is below average, with him lacking the foot speed to be effective in retrievals and getting beat in miscellaneous puck races a bit too often. On the puck management side, although I appreciate seeing a young player trying to make net positive plays as often as they can with the puck on their stick, he turns the puck over a bit too often and lacks care a little too much in the defensive zone. Boelius is going to be a development project to a decent extent for whichever team lands him, but the upside is there for him to potentially be a middle pairing defenseman one day if everything breaks right. (Dan Haurin)

#81 – Lev Katzin – C – Guelph

Recently named to the OHL’s all rookie team and putting up over a point per game on one of the weaker teams in the league in Guelph, Lev Katzin has strongly pushed himself into consideration to be a mid round selection in this year’s draft. Katzin is able to impact the game offensively with soft hands around the net, tight puckhandles that allow him to beat defender’s 1-on-1, and a quick, accurate shot. Although his 5’8 frame will stop him from every being a physically imposing player and I’ve seen him get knocked around a bit more than you’d like when considering the value of a smaller player, he doesn’t appear to back away from getting to the dirty areas of the ice and puts in a strong effort whenever he’s involved. If he’s able to get a little bit stronger and work with developmental staff to find ways to compensate for the size difference, I can see a path to him being a future bottom-six NHL forward able to play on a more meat and potatoes style line. (Dan Haurin)

#82 – Haoxi Wang – LHD – Oshawa

One of the biggest wildcards of this draft, the idea of a Wang type player in your lineup would excite anyone. As a 6ft6 defenseman, his skating ability is unbelievable, comparable to top 15 draft pick Anton Silayev from last year’s draft. Making the transition from the OJHL to the OHL midseason, after it was revealed CHL players will now be able to go to college, the Boston University commit struggled to produce. Despite that, his underlying numbers are rather strong, albeit in a great environment on a very competitive Oshawa Generals team. Wang though is still extremely raw, often struggling under pressure and not finding his footing in some games leading to him getting exposed. As he climbs up the ranks, if the game ever gets slower for him and he manages to improve his poise while retaining that willingness that he has to experiment and try more complex plays like give-and-go’s and the offensive blue line, he could become a special player. (Thomas Gagné)

#83 – Dmitri Isayev – LW – Yekaterinburg

Offensively speaking, the talented teen from Togliati is certainly one of the higher-end players who will go outside the top 50 in this summers draft. Isayev is blessed with fantastic hands, a quick and accurate release, and is equally dangerous both in transition and on the cycle. Furthermore, he is a plus skater, leaning more on his exceptional agility that solid speed to create a difference, but nevertheless winning footraces and carving past defensemen on a regular basis. Add in to the equation the fact that he plays the game at a high pace, in an intense manner, and is good at getting to the net while never shying away from contact? Well, there is a lot to be excited about for a player who will probably be available in the fourth, fifth or even sixth round. But why is he set to fall so far? He is just 5’9 is the simple answer, 5’9 and under 150lbs. Nevertheless, could Isayev be the next undersized, sleeper Russian pick to end up a top six NHLer? The odds are probably against him, but if an NHL team is swinging on upside he is a nice bet to take. He was over point-per-game this year on an Avto Yekaterinburg team that played a very conservative game, and can create something out of nothing. Roll a six development wise? Maybe he can become a second liner in the worlds best league down the line. More likely he becomes a good KHL/AHL level scorer, but value wise such a pick is a good one as you get into the third round. (Alex Appleyard)

#84 – Alexander Pershakov – RW – Novosibirsk

This season there was not one single first time draft eligible Russian prospect who outscored Pershakov on a per game basis. 1.15 P/GP is hard to top given the leagues low-scoring nature. Furthermore, no other first time draft eligible played close to as many KHL games as the Siberian winger managed, 22 in total, including seven games in the play-offs. Now yes, he played over 10 minutes only two times, and there were certainly moments where he looked out of place at that level, however, he grew as the year went on and his coach trusted him enough to give him shifts in close play-off games where the results mattered. So why is he not higher on draft boards? Simply put, he is not dynamic, despite being a solid skater, neither is he the type of player who will be a gamebreaker offensively down the line. He is utilitarian in playing style. Pershakov always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and used his skill-set well to create chances, mainly getting into weak areas of ice to unleash his plus shot. But aside from that nothing stands out offensively, his passing and hands are simply “fine”. Defensively though he is strong for his age, and a high-end penalty-killer. The physical tools, IQ, and ability to understand the finer details of the game mean that maybe he can one-day become a solid NHL third liner, even if more likely than not he carves out a career in a KHL middle six. (Alex Appleyard)

#85 – Kristian Epperson – LW – Saginaw

Epperson made the most of his time as Michael Misa’s linemate this year with Saginaw. He was a driver of transition who would look quickly to find Misa in the offensive zone to run the offense. He has quick twitch skill, able to manuever himself in a phone booth to get out of pressure to make a pass, and is great at reading and scanning plays to know what his options are so that his passes and plays are done quickly and proactively. In the time I saw him away from Misa he struggled a lot more than with Misa, and he lacks the abiltity to solve defensive structures through his teammates that he demonstrates with Misa. However, if he is allowed to be a puck mover and a passenger in the offensive zone, then I think he could thrive in his tranistion to the NCAA and eventually to the professional leagues. (Austin Garret)

#86 – Viggo Nordlund – F – Skellefteå

Viggo Nordlund is a 5’9” play-driving winger who boasts tons of skill and playmaking upside. In 40 regular-season games for Skelleftea’s J20 squad this season, he registered 24 goals and 49 points. In 6 playoff games, he scored 6 goals and 12 points. His strong play at the junior level earned him a call-up to Skelleftea’s SHL team for 15 regular-season games and 7 playoff games. Nordlund is a highly skilled puck carrier who can embarrass defenders with a variety of handles and tricks. He is a masterful rush creator, keeping defenders on their toes as he darts up ice. He has top-end speed, but also can control and shift pace to manipulate opponents. He’s willing to try to make plays and passes that most other players are not. He also has a dangerous shot he’s unafraid to use in the offensive zone. The big question with Nordlund is about translatability. While he’s incredibly fun to watch with the puck on his stick and stands out in just about every viewing, he has far too many moments where he coughs up the puck looking off teammates in favor of low-percentage individual skill plays. The lack of size and defensive strengths will likely scare some NHL teams away, as well. That being said, the upside he shows, thanks to his skating, play-driving, and ability to manipulate, is too intriguing to ignore. (SpokedZ)

#87 – Semyon Frolov – G – Togliatti

Almost every draft it seems like teams take Russian goalies in the third round onwards who within a few seasons? Are finding their way to the NHL. Quite frankly over the last ten to fifteen years? It is hard to argue against Russia being THE best nation on earth in terms of goalie development. Afterall, they have arguably four of the best 10 goalies in the NHL right now, as well as some of the best young goalie prospects around the league. Can the young Spartak Moscow goalie be the next in the long line of Russian netminders to be a draft day steal? While his peers Andreyanov and Medvedev are better goalies right now than the Togliatti native is, Frolov has one thing over both of them. Size. While both his compatriots stand at around 6’1? Frolov fits far more with what many NHL front-offices believe to be the type of frame a goalie needs to excel at the highest level. He is 6’3, moves well, and is technically sound. While he does not flash the high-end saves on a regular basis that his two peers do, he rarely lets in a bad goal, with only a handful all season that have crept past him from beyond the circles. He does, however, at times not fully seal the post in close, and his lack of true top-end athleticism might limit his upside to simply a “good” NHL back-up. (Alex Appleyard)

#88 – Alex Huang – RHD – Chicoutimi

Alex Huang is a quietly effective right-shot defenseman whose game is built on structure, mobility, and smart puck movement. Defensively, he maintains strong positioning, uses his stick actively to take away space, and consistently funnels attackers into low-danger areas. He’s quick off his edges and reads play development well—whether it’s stepping up in the neutral zone to force dump-ins or tying up attackers near the blue line to deny clean zone entries. His work behind the goal line and at net front is composed, and he isn’t afraid to leave his coverage to block shots when the opportunity is close and calculated.

In transition, Huang is composed and deliberate. He doesn’t overcomplicate puck movement, often hitting tight passing lanes or using the boards to advance play with precision. He shows vision and poise under pressure, drawing forecheckers in before slipping passes wide or underneath the triangle to initiate the breakout. His distribution from deep in the zone is quick and accurate, and he’s comfortable threading passes through narrow seams to spring teammates in the neutral zone.

Huang projects as a potential third-pairing defenseman with puck-moving upside. He may not flash dynamic offense or overpower with physicality, but his blend of hockey IQ, defensive detail, and efficient puck play makes him a reliable depth option who can support transition and suppress threats. (Josh Tessler)

#89 – Theo Stockselius – F – Djurgården

Theo Stockselius is a player who has been flying under this season. He’s a late-July birthday in a Djurgardens program that seems to produce NHL prospects on the daily. Despite that, he managed to be one of the most productive draft-eligible players in the J20 this season. He’s a good-sized center with a high motor and drive to his game that make him an impactful player up and down the lineup. He boasts high-end skill with inside-attacking habits that allow him to drive play at the J20 level. Stockselius also brings defensive value, too. He is strong along the wall, wins battles down low, and disrupts shot attempts with his stick. His biggest limitation will be skating. He’s not the most explosive or agile mover, but he’s able to think around that limitation. The well-rounded tools and pro makeup should attract plenty of NHL teams early on day 2. (SpokedZ)

#90 – Maxim Agafonov – RHD – Ufa

The stand-out Russian blue-liner in this draft is certainly Dynamo Moscow’s Kurban Limatov… after him, the handful of other draftable young Russian defensemen have had relatively few press columns. However, the other Muscovite blue-liner who has a chance to go top 100 is Maxim Agafonov. Last summer he was traded from the CSKA Moscow system, and landed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, almost 1000 miles east of his home-town. The season that ensued was certainly one that kept his name in NHL draft discussions. 14 points in 35 MHL games might not seem anything special, but bear in mind no first time draft eligible put up over 0.5 P/GP on defense this year in the low scoring league. Furthermore, Agafonov played pretty well in a third pairing role vs men in Russia’s second tier – the VHL – when called upon, icing for 12 games this season at a league that is roughly ECHL equivalent. He has good size, moves pretty well – especially in a straight line – and has a mean streak. Agafonov has also always been a go-to PKer for the national team, and often wears a letter on his jersey. His upside is limited by the fact his hands can let him down, and he struggles with the puck on his stick when not given space to move it up ice, partially due to his hands, and partially due to not having high-end vision. However, his physical playing style, athleticism, and ability to maintain a good gap without losing his aggression at the blue-line means he may be able to carve out a career as a bottom pairing NHLer with time and development. (Alex Appleyard)

#91 – Nathan Quinn – C – Québec

Despite decent production, with 46 points in 54 games, the underlying offensive numbers with Quinn aren’t great, playing 20 minutes a night on a bottom 5 QMJHL team, he’s not generating a ton of scoring chances and that’s also reflects on tape. There’s a lot to like and admire about how Quinn plays though. As one of the youngest players of the draft class, his ability to transport the puck and carry it from the defensive zone to a dangerous offensive position is solid. He’s also one of the best defensive forwards in the draft in our estimation, often being well-positioned and disrupting play. Some coaches will not be open to the idea of an undersized player with only bottom 6 upside, but if the right team picks him and knows how to develop and deploy him, he could become a useful player. (Thomas Gagné)

#92 – William Moore – C – USNTDP

Will Moore was saved by his u18 performance on a line with Cullen Potter in my eyes. Before the u18s, Moore struggled mightily to perform in a puck driving role on the NTDP and needed players like LJ Mooney to drive the offensive possession in order to generate anything. He was fine throughout the season as a one-touch playmaker and is a very good off-puck player given his ability to read plays in both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice. In the u18s I thought he showed a great ability to find space and facilitate play in the offensive zone with Cullen Potter that he warrants a top 3 round pick. However, I don’t think you can depend on Moore to drive transition nor facilitate dangerous chances with inferior linemates. (Austin Garret)

#93 – Artyom Shchuchinov – LHD – Cherepovets

Shchuchinov hails from Nizhny Tagil. This small town right on the boundary of Europe and Asia was at the heart of Russian industrialisation, but its most famous ever product? The T-34 tank. Shchuchinov is not dissimilar to this WW2 icon himself. Not the biggest. Not the strongest. Not the most firepower. But ultimately? Extremely effective despite this, providing versatility, punching above his weight and in the process being extremely effective despite his youth in the world’s second-best league. Last year he went undrafted despite being a full-time KHLer at 17 years old, albeit mainly as a #7 defenseman. This year he found himself surplus to requirements on eventual Gagarin Cup finalists Traktor Chelyabinsk, firstly being sent to the VHL, then moved to Severstal Cherepovets. But his move over New Year brought forth a new confidence in Shchuchinov. Serverstal trusted him with second pairing minutes, and he rewarded them for it. Nine points in just 17 games was an incredible return in a low scoring league for a 19 year old, and while more than half came on the power-play he showed enough to make you think an NHL future might be possible. Now, he simply has to get bigger and stronger, but aside from that he has the makings of a player who might be able to slot in as a #4-5 and run a PP2 if the stars align. He is shifty and agile, a transition demon, who passes a puck with poise and accuracy, and has a sneaky good release. While he can lose his gap at times, he has good anticipation and generally strong DZ positioning. More likely than not? Shchuchinov is simply a good KHL/AHL level defenseman in the future, but there is a pathway to him having an NHL role if things go well. (Alex Appleyard)

#94 – Cooper Simpson – F – Tri-City (USHL)

Cooper Simpson transitioned late in the year to the USHL after a storied career in the Minnesota high school hockey ranks. Simpson has above average pace and puck skill, but the transition to the USHL led him to simplify his game a bit to be more linear in his approach to the offensive zone. He has a nasty wrist shot that he can beat goalies from distance with, and has above average puck skill to be able to carry the puck himself into those areas as well. Some of his high school habits followed him to the USHL though, specifically looking to score himself more than playing through his teammates. He’s going to have to play through his teammates as he develops in order to make it to the professional ranks, but the skill and skating are there. (Austin Garret)

#95 – Reese Hamilton – LHD – Calgary

Reese Hamilton is a steady, defense-first blueliner who plays a conservative, calculated game in his own zone. His positioning is sound, and he consistently uses an active stick to take away space at the defensive zone blue line and shut down lanes to the slot. He’s not shy about engaging physically, delivering timely hip checks along the boards before attackers can reach the perimeter. Hamilton does well reading play developments and taking away both low-danger shooting lanes and inside passing options.

With the puck, he keeps things simple. His outlet passes from deep in the zone are clean and timely, often opting for D-to-D looks or boardside distribution under pressure. He shows awareness in tight areas and isn’t afraid to use narrow lanes when available, particularly when close enough to recover in case of a turnover. At the offensive blue line, he won’t force a play—preferring to regroup if options close off.

However, Hamilton’s skating needs refinement. He occasionally loses his footing when transitioning or rounding the net, and there’s room for improvement in his crossover usage—particularly when pressured, as he struggles to accelerate without them. He also needs to play the puck farther out in front of him when attempting to skate away from stick pressure.

Projecting as a potential 5/6 defenseman at the NHL level, Hamilton offers reliable defensive zone coverage and composed puck decisions, with development in his skating mechanics likely to determine how much further he can elevate his game. (Josh Tessler)

#96 – Luka Radivojevic – RHD – Örebro

The son of 400 game NHL forward Branko, of Coyotes, Flyers and Wild fame, Luka has just as much talent as his father had. However, he lacks one thing in comparison. Size. While his father was 6’2 and 210lbs, Luka stands at just 5’10 and under 170. Were Luka blessed with the same size as his Dad he would be a surefire top 50 pick and a lock for an NHL career. Despite his size, Radivojevic does not fit the stereotype of most undersized defensemen. His game is well-rounded, with a plus IQ being the foundation of his game, that he builds on with crisp passing, great vision, and impressive hands for a blue-liner. He is not overly “showy” but evades pressure extremely well and can dangle when needed. For his size he plays well in the small areas of ice, and is good defensively from a purely technical standpoint when it comes to gap and stick-work, and also plays an intense brand of hockey, even though he is overwhelmed by bigger forwards at times. His skating when up to speed can be impressive, but maybe the biggest thing he has to improve to make it in the NHL is his first step. My guess is that this should come with age and strength, as his agility is good, and his stride sound technically. His play-driving ability is already elite in junior hockey though despite these drawbacks. Radivojevic might never see a game in the NHL, but he should be a very good professional defenseman in the AHL or Europe. And if things break nicely, a team may well get a #4 defenseman who can play PP and PK with a mid-round pick this summer. (Alex Appleyard)

#97 – Everett Baldwin – RHD – St. George’s School (Prep / Rhode Island)

One of the top New England-born players in the 2025 draft class, Providence College commit Everett Baldwin has bounced between St. George’s, the USHL, and the NTDP this season without missing a step. His game holds up across levels thanks to his combination of physicality, mobility, and smart puck movement. Baldwin brings sound defensive positioning and an active stick, regularly closing space in the neutral zone and along the perimeter. He finishes his checks, delivers timely shoulder contact in open ice, and steps up to kill rushes with hip checks when opportunities present themselves.

With the puck, Baldwin is composed and calculated. He leans on D-to-D and boardside passing to escape pressure, but he’s also shown the ability to pivot away from forecheckers, use the wall, and jump into the rush when lanes open. He manipulates defenders at the point, and his shot selection often targets sticks in the slot for redirection opportunities. He earned a primary assist on a point-to-slot connection and has even flashed deceptive handling—slowing the pace to bait pressure before attacking space wide and driving the net.

There’s still room to improve his acceleration mechanics, particularly in transitioning from crossovers to north-south strides, where he can lose balance or momentum. At times, he plays a little too safe under pressure, opting for the easy outlet instead of challenging coverage with his feet or hands.

Baldwin projects as a steady two-way blueliner with physical edge, intelligent puck management, and the skating base to build on at the NCAA level. With continued development at Providence, he could evolve into a dependable bottom-pairing NHL defenseman with penalty kill and transition value. (Josh Tessler)

#98 – Mason West – F – Fargo

I was in the USA Hlinka development camp rinks this past summer texting a bunch of my NCAA and scouting friends frantically trying find out why Mason West wasn’t on anyones preseason scouting lists. He’s big, fluid, and despite the cleare rawness of his game, is a smart student of the game. Mistakes he would make in one game during the Hlinka game would be instantly rectified during my next viewing. This trend continued throughout the season and eventually into the USHL. He’s not the greatest skater nor does he have high-end skill, but what he does have is an ability to adapt to the game and then use his strengths to make an impact. Almost every game I watched of his this season he was best in the third period. If he ends up choosing hockey over going to the NCAA for football, I think there’s a long runway for just how good he can be as a hockey player. (Austin Garret)

#99 – Magomed Sharakanov – LHD – Dynamo Moscow

Hockey is all about entertainment. And if you want entertainment from the blue-line? Look no further than the Dagestani dangler. Imagine a prime Shayne Gostisbehere. Then add on 2 inches and 25lbs, and that is roughly how Sharakanov plays the game. As a late 2004 birthday, this is his third, and final, chance to be drafted to the NHL. When you look at his track record so far it is baffling why he has not been taken already. Almost 0.75 P/GP in the MHL in his draft year, a great season in the VHL last year, and now? At just 20 years old he was top 30 in KHL blue-line scoring this season, outproducing a host of ex-NHLers 5-10 years his senior, with his exploits putting him 7th all-time in terms of production from the blue-line in the KHL at under 21 years old. The way he scores those points can make you drop your jaw at times. How often have you seen a defenseman go up ice and score a Michigan? Go end-to-end and snipe top-corner? Sharakanov has done both just this season in the KHL. He has fantastic hands, a great shot, and can pull off some incredible passes. He also has good speed in a straight line and is not scared to mix it up. What is more, he is a good penalty-killer. The talented defenseman can, however, be an adventure defensively. While he is agile and able to close down opponents quickly, he can be too aggressive and lose position, furthermore he is reactionary instead of anticipatory, and there is a worry than at an even higher level that will be exposed more. His defensive work has improved over the year though, even though he will never be a stalwart. If Sharakanov makes it into the mid-rounds he could be a great value pick. He has work to do, and some coaches will hate how he plays. But the talent is undeniable, and if he lands in a franchise who know how to develop defensemen? Then a team might end up developing an exciting NHL #4 blue-liner within a year or two. (Alex Appleyard)

#100 – Matěj Pekař – C/W – Seattle

A high-energy, north-south winger with a gritty edge, Matěj Pekař plays a hard-nosed, straight-line game that makes him a constant thorn in the side of opponents. Drawing comparisons to Ryan Lomberg, Pekař is a physical forechecker who throws his weight around, delivers heavy hits, and thrives in puck battles below the goal line. When he’s not engaging physically, he plays a tight-checking game in the neutral zone—staying glued to his assignment and using his speed to close quickly on trailing plays, often forcing dump-ins.

Pekař’s game isn’t just about grit. He shows smart situational awareness with the puck—distributing cleanly off the rush, making strong reads out of the defensive zone, and working the half-wall to create chances. He’s capable of handling pressure, using crossovers to navigate traps and using the boards to redirect pucks into space. In transition, he’s aggressive, driving play from deep in the zone and looking to attack. In one notable sequence, he broke through a 2-on-1 trap, entered the offensive zone, and buried a medium danger goal from the outer hashmarks.

While he occasionally tries to do a little too much with the puck—such as a failed windmill attempt in traffic—his effort level, physicality, and puck sense make him an effective depth forward who can chip in offensively and create chaos on every shift.

Pekař projects as a bottom-six energy winger who can kill plays on the forecheck, drive the pace in transition, and bring a physical identity to his line. (Josh Tessler)

Honorable Mentions

Vicent Dejardins – C – Blainville-Boisbriand

Shamar Moses – RW – North Bay

William Belle – F – USNTDP

David Rozsíval – F – Liberec

Bruno Idžan – F – Lincoln

Danila Syosev – F – Omsk

Charlie Tretheway – RHD – USNTDP

Tomas Galvas – LHD – Liberec

Zeb Lindgren – LHD – Skellefteå

Viktor Klingsell – LW – Skellefteå

Julius Sumpf – C – Moncton

Max Psenicka – RHD – Portland

Lucas Beckman – G – Baie-Comeau

The Rankings

Rank	Player	Position	Team
1	Michael Misa	C/LW	Saginaw
2	Matthew Schaefer	LHD	Erie
3	James Hagens	C	Boston College
4	Porter Martone	RW	Brampton
5	Victor Eklund	LW	Djurgården
6	Anton Frondell	C	Djurgården
7	Cullen Potter	LW	Arizona State University
8	Lynden Lakovic	F	Moose Jaw
9	Carter Bear	C/LW	Everett
10	Benjamin Kindel	RW	Calgary
11	Caleb Desnoyers	C	Moncton
12	Jake O’Brien	C	Brantford
13	Jackson Smith	LHD	Tri-City (WHL)
14	Braeden Cootes	C	Seattle
15	Cole Reschny	F	Victoria
16	Bill Zonnon	LW	Rouyn-Noranda
17	Cameron Reid	LHD	Kitchener
18	Radim Mrtka	RHD	Seattle
19	Justin Carbonneau	RW	Blainville-Boisbriand
20	Roger McQueen	F	Brandon
21	Alexander Zharovsky	C/W	Ufa
22	Logan Hensler	RHD	University of Wisconsin
23	Shane Vansaghi	RW	Michigan State University
24	Blake Fiddler	RHD	Edmonton
25	Ivan Ryabkin	C	Muskegon
26	Sascha Boumedienne	LHD	Boston University
27	Michal Svrcek	C	Brynäs
28	Brady Martin	C	Sault Ste. Marie
29	Cameron Schmidt	RW	Vancouver
30	Ryker Lee	F	Madison
31	Malcolm Spence	LW	Erie
32	Jakob Ihs-Wozniak	F	Luleå
33	L.J. Mooney	RW	USNTDP
34	Cole McKinney	C	USNTDP
35	Kurban Limatov	LHD	Dynamo Moscow
36	Adam Benák	C	Youngstown
37	Arvid Drott	RW	Djurgården
38	Topias Hynninen	C	Jukurit
39	Pyotr Andreyanov	G	CSKA Moscow
40	Nathan Behm	LW	Kamloops
41	Benjamin Kevan	F	Des Moines
42	Gavin Cornforth	RW	Dubuque
43	Anthony Allain-Samaké	LHD	Sioux City
44	Milton Gästrin	C/LW	MoDo
45	Eric Nilson	C	Djurgården
46	Conrad Fondrk	C	USNTDP
47	Harry Nansi	C	Owen Sound
48	Quinn Beauchesne	RHD	Guelph
49	Eddie Genborg	F	Linköping
50	Alexei Medvedev	G	London
51	Jack Ivankovic	G	Brampton
52	Jack Nesbitt	C	Windsor
53	Kashawn Aitcheson	LHD	Barrie
54	Luca Romano	C	Kitchener
55	Sean Barnhill	RHD	Dubuque
56	Bruno Osmanis	RW	Björklöven
57	Mason Moe	F	Madison
58	Gustav Hillström	C	Brynäs
59	Charlie Cerrato	C	Penn State
60	Leo Sundqvist	F	Brynäs
61	Ludvig Johnson	LHD	Zug
62	Daniil Prokhorov	RW	Dynamo St. Petersburg
63	Joshua Ravensbergen	G	Prince George
64	Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen	LHD	University of Michigan
65	Tomas Pobezal	C	Nitra
66	Matthew Gard	F	Red Deer
67	William Horcoff	C	USNTDP
68	Melvin Novotny	F	Leksand
69	Max Westergard	LW	Frölunda
70	Jack Murtagh	C/LW	USNTDP
71	Filip Ekberg	LW	Ottawa
72	Petteri Rimpinen	G	Kiekko-Espoo
73	Tanner Lam	RW	Kitchener
74	Vaclav Nestrasil	RW	Muskegon
75	Henry Brzustewicz	RHD	London
76	Anthony Cristoforo	RHD	Windsor
77	Jamiro Reber	C/W	HV71
78	Vojtech Cihar	LW	Karlovy Vary
79	Carter Amico	RHD	USNTDP
80	Lasse Boelius	LHD	Ässät
81	Lev Katzin	C	Guelph
82	Haoxi Wang	LHD	Oshawa
83	Dmitri Isayev	LW	Yekaterinburg
84	Alexander Pershakov	RW	Novosibirsk
85	Kristian Epperson	LW	Saginaw
86	Viggo Nordlund	F	Skellefteå
87	Semyon Frolov	G	Togliatti
88	Alex Huang	RHD	Chicoutimi
89	Theo Stockselius	F	Djurgården
90	Maxim Agafonov	RHD	Ufa
91	Nathan Quinn	C	Quebec
92	William Moore	C	USNTDP
93	Artyom Shchuchinov	LHD	Cherepovets
94	Cooper Simpson	F	Tri-City (USHL)
95	Reese Hamilton	LHD	Calgary
96	Luka Radivojevic	RHD	Örebro
97	Everett Baldwin	RHD	St. George’s School
98	Mason West	F	Fargo
99	Magomed Sharakanov	LHD	Dynamo Moscow
100	Matej Pekar	C/W	Seattle
HM	Vincent Dejardins	C	Blainville-Boisbriand
HM	Shamar Moses	RW	North Bay
HM	William Belle	F	USNTDP
HM	David Rozsíval	F	Liberec
HM	Bruno Idžan	F	Lincoln
HM	Danila Syosev	F	Omsk
HM	Charlie Trethewey	RHD	USNTDP
HM	Tomas Galvas	LHD	Liberec
HM	Zeb Lindgren	LHD	Skellefteå
HM	Viktor Klingsell	LW	Skellefteå
HM	Julius Sumpf	C	Moncton
HM	Max Psenicka	RHD	Portland
HM	Lucas Beckman	G	Baie-Comeau