This piece was written by Austin Garret — you can follow him on BlueSky @Austin716.
As I went to write the bi-weekly post a week and a half ago, I realized that the bulk of the players that I have been excited to watch this year were coming up on their third game for me to scout. For me, the third game is often the biggest milestone a prospect is going to have during the scouting process. By that point in time I have been watching the player for three months and by the time I track the second game it’s often an anchoring point in which I will view the player the rest of the year. It is possible for players to move up and down the rankings for me, but it is rare that they move between tiers after the third game.
There was a lot of movement in the first three months. I once had Leon Kolarik as a possible first round selection and he has slid all the way down to the 5th+ round tier. How does this happen? For most players it’s a combination of lack of viewings before the season began, the potential they showed between the first and second viewings, and where they’re settling in at the third game mark.
Kolarik is a great example of the process I go through. He showed offensive potential in the first game in late September where he was a catalyst in the offensive zone for Matthew Soto. As the year went on he wasn’t playing with Soto anymore and his game never changed nor developed to be an offensive driver. He was good-but-not-great in transition, flashed NHL-level skill but never could produce with the plays he made nor do it on a consistent level, and was a mixed bag in the offensive zone. Couple that with his lack of a 200 foot game, and the risk attached to drafting Kolarik is more of a late round swing who may develop over time, and not of a player on cusp of exploding as an offensive producer.
After the World Juniors I’ll start to write full scouting reports for the players that I feel certain that I have a handle on for the 2026 NHL draft. There are definitely some players out there that I am not confident in my analysis of their potential, and for the bulk of those players I’ll most likely hold out until March/April before writing their reports. Below are some thoughts I have about this class in North America, and what I’m seeing so far.
Players Who Deserve More Respect in the Public Scouting Sphere
JP Hurlbert, C/RW, WHL
JP Hurlbert is a classic case of a player whose impact is being undervalued because he doesn’t play at an ideal pace. He has the right ideas, and his offensive processing consistently outpaces his feet. While his skating reaction time isn’t elite, he mitigates it with very good offensive instincts: he moves into space quickly, identifies plays early, and positions himself to stay involved before defenders can close.
Hurlbert demands the puck. He actively puts himself in spots to get it back, and once it’s on his stick, my goodness, he’s making a play or ripping a shot. He shows a quick first move into space to get shots off, doesn’t hesitate, and plays with an attacker’s mindset. There’s confidence and intent in his game that’s hard to teach.
Defensively, his role is less defined. He tends to float within structure and is clearly offense-first in his reads. The moment a teammate looks like they could spring him, he’s anticipating transition. There are concerns about his defensive effort; some drive-bys, which aren’t fatal on their own, but it’s the immediate turn up ice and the tendency to float back that raises flags. That said, this is more a question of role clarity than awareness as there have been games where he’s more defensively responsible.
Physically, Hurlbert is hard on pucks and remains engaged. He doesn’t shy away from contact and competes in retrievals. He has a good shot that plays at the NHL level. When fatigue sets in, however, his effectiveness drops as he’ll default to dumping pucks rather than extending possessions, and his ability to connect on dangerous passes suffers despite the right ideas remaining intact.
The underlying data reinforces how undervalued he is. Hurlbert sends 28.6% of his passes into dangerous areas of the ice, the highest rate in the North American dataset. He’s involved in 50.6% of his team’s offensive transitions, succeeding on 71.9% of those attempts. In tracked games this season, he posted a 50.8% Corsi, holding his own in shotshare despite being leaned on heavily for offensive creation.
Taken together, this is a high-skill, high-impact offensive player whose processing, creativity, and puck demand are driving play. The concerns–pace, stamina, and defensive consistency– are real, but they’re being weighted too much against his offensive influence and translatable habits.
Hurlbert should be a lock in the lottery and firmly in the top 10. Labeling him a late first-rounder undersells both the data and the eye test. This is a player who creates offense, tilts ice, and will force an offensive role at the NHL level.
Julien Maze, W, WHL
My opinion of Maze does not factor in rumors of off-ice concerns. There is visible body language on the ice that shows too much negative emotion at times, and the fact that he has been traded twice within a calendar year, despite being an effective offensive producer, are legitimate red flags. That said, I do not possess any inside knowledge of what is happening away from the rink, and I’m not going to suppress optimism for what consistently shows up on the ice.
The skill and speed are insane. Maze is a transition monster who drives offense through his feet. He has high-end skating ability with elite start/stop mechanics, instant acceleration, and the ability to get on his horse better than anyone I’ve seen in this class. His feet allow him to create separation on demand and turn broken plays into controlled entries.
Defensively, he engages at opportune moments rather than constantly using anticipation and timing to disrupt plays in transition. However, he lacks physical size on the boards, which limits his effectiveness in board battles and his willingness to initiate contact along the wall. This shows up most clearly in the defensive zone, where fly-bys replace board engagement too often and his engagement needs to increase.
Offensively, Maze’s skill is among the very top of the class. He can generate angles and space in the offensive zone seemingly out of nothing. He does try to do a bit too much at times, forcing plays when simpler options exist, but his creativity still results in tangible production.
One area for growth is his ability to drive inside more consistently. He tends to play on the perimeter and use speed rather than absorbing contact to extend plays. The biggest thing I want to see from him going forward is playing through contact to make a play. If he avoids that element entirely, it’s hard to project him as an NHL offensive player despite the talent level.
Maze demands the puck. He will immediately re-insert himself after fumbling a difficult play, beat defenders with speed, generate a dangerous shot, and then follow with a slot pass. He’s relentless in his offensive attack and never shrinks from involvement. His frustration is noticeable when he isn’t receiving the puck with pace (he chased stretch passes in one game, which wasn’t the case in earlier viewings) but that frustration comes from wanting to drive play with possession.
His hockey sense in transition is elite. He is extremely smart about how to move the puck up ice. He fed a beautiful pass that should have resulted in a scoring chance, made two high-end neutral zone plays under duress that created dangerous rushes, and consistently put teammates in positions to attack with speed.
The data is overwhelming. Maze is the most involved player in transition in the dataset, with a staggering 57.3% involvement rate and an 81.1% success rate; the first player to ever lead the dataset in both usage and effectiveness. He sends 18.2% of his passes into dangerous areas of the ice and ranks in the upper 15% in shot generation off his own stick. By every measurable offensive indicator, he’s a machine.
On skill and talent alone, Maze should be locked into every team’s first round. Size limitations and off-ice uncertainty have pushed him into the shadows of public scouting, but the on-ice impact, especially in transition, is undeniable. This is a high-end offensive driver whose skating, intelligence, and puck demand give him legitimate top-six upside if he commits to playing through contact and improves defensive engagement.
Maddox Dagenais, F, QMJHL
Dagenais is a player whose game pops to the eye-test immediately based on his pace and effort. He plays fast, attacks with intent, and shows very good puck skill through stop/starts and quick moves around defenders. There’s confidence in how he carries the puck, and he’s comfortable holding onto it long enough to create something rather than defaulting to low-impact plays.
Where he’s still developing is in his offensive processing. His vision doesn’t consistently read ahead of the play, and his attack can lack planning in the offensive zone. He’s a good passer in a functional sense, but he struggled to generate truly high-end passes that break structure or consistently create elite chances. The ideas are there, but the execution and anticipation are in development.
Context matters with Dagenais. Linemate Nathan Quinn drove much of the line’s offense for stretches of his qualitative game I scouted, but when Quinn was off the ice, Dagenais became noticeably more present and assertive. He showed an ability to carry play independently rather than relying on a dominant linemate, which leads me to believe there is another level of his offensive development.
One of the most encouraging elements of his game is how he uses his size. He boxes out defenders effectively, shields the puck well, and understands leverage with his net-front goal in the first game I scouted serving as a perfect example. He isn’t overly physical and won’t intimidate opponents with hits, and there are some Bambi moments on his edges where balance and control falter. Still, there’s a lot to work with mechanically, and those issues are correctable.
Dagenais brings consistent effort and legitimate defensive engagement. He tracks back, competes without the puck, and doesn’t cheat for offense. That reliability, combined with his size and pace, raises his floor considerably at the next level.
The data (while not yet complete compared to some of his counterparts) is already pointing toward a much higher valuation. He’s averaging seven shot attempts per game, is involved in 40% of his team’s offensive transitions, and sends over 20% of his passes into dangerous areas of the ice. Those are elite microstats, especially for a player being discussed outside of the first round. The trajectory of the dataset looks far more like a lottery pick than a second round pick.
Dagenais is being undervalued because his game isn’t flashy or fully polished yet, but the underlying indicators are strong. Size, usage, pace, effort level, defensive engagement, and elite shot and transition metrics all point to a player teams should be pounding the table for. He belongs firmly in the mid-teens/early-twenties of the first round and should not be slipping out of Round 1.
Bode Laylin, RHD, USHL
Laylin is a defenseman with good size and decent mobility whose impact is being missed because his offensive game doesn’t fit the traditional “shoot from the point” defenseman profile. He’s not a defender who defaults to throwing pucks from the blue line and hoping for tips, he actively moves up into the zone to take his shot, activates offensively, and is willing to stay down low to extend possessions.
Offensively, Laylin shows decent puck skill and passing ability, but his shot is clearly his weapon. He finds shooting lanes through movement rather than volume and understands how to time his activation to become a scoring threat. That willingness to engage deeper in the zone separates him from more static point players and gives his offense more translatable value.
Defensively, he’s effective in pinches and competitive in battles. He closes well when stepping down the wall and shows confidence engaging physically in contested areas. However, his defensive game has clear risk elements. He does not defend the blue line well and tends to give up too much space, allowing controlled entries that put pressure back on his pairing.
There are also decision-making lapses that need to be addressed. He made two egregious plays in his own zone, one turnover directly in front of the net that resulted in a goal against, and another blocked shot that immediately went the other way for a chance. Those moments stand out because they’re high-impact mistakes rather than volume issues.
The biggest question with Laylin is whether he has enough offense to warrant first-round consideration. He’s not a pure puck-mover or a constant play driver, but he’s effective in the areas he chooses to attack. His activation, shot threat, and willingness to extend plays give him more offensive value than he’s currently credited for.
Laylin belongs firmly in the first-round conversation, even if he isn’t a lock. The effectiveness of his offensive involvement, combined with his size, mobility, and competitive defending, make him more than just a second-round projection. He’s being overlooked almost entirely in the public scouting sphere, but given the value in drafting defensemen who possess lateral agility and smart activation from the back end, I don’t think he’ll stay hidden for long.
Quinn McKenzie, C, OHL
McKenzie brings great pace, good straight-line speed, and relentless hustle, pairing it with strong defensive detail. He’s consistently engaged away from the puck and impacts games as a true two-way forward. Among North American prospects projected in the second round and beyond, he stands out as the best two-way option available, with a motor and competitiveness that translate cleanly to the pro game. He’s a little undersized, but he plays hard and doesn’t shy away from contact or defensive responsibility.
Offensively, there are limitations that are suppressing his public value. He loses pucks too often when stickhandling and will rely on speed rather than puck protection through the middle of the ice. The skill level isn’t fully there yet, but the hockey sense is. He’s very good at facilitating play in the offensive zone and consistently puts pucks into areas that allow plays to develop. His understanding of spacing, timing, and support routes is advanced for his age.
The microstats support the projection: solid involvement, positive impact, and real production despite unfinished tools. McKenzie is the type of player worth betting on as his work rate and thought processing are clearly ahead of his current skill execution, and those are the traits that tend to catch up, not regress. He’s undervalued because he isn’t flashy, but as a second-round pick, he offers reliable NHL projection and real upside once his hands catch up to his brain.
Players That I’m Struggling to see the Hype
Ethan Beltchetz, W, OHL
Ethan Belchetz is a difficult evaluation because the production and offensive-zone presence don’t line up with how little he actually drives play. He’s not very involved in transition and doesn’t have the puck skill or foot speed to consistently beat defenders, especially through the middle of the ice. While he has some skill and a decent shot, his processing speed doesn’t make up for his pace, which leaves him a step behind plays rather than ahead of them. Defensively, he owns a good stick and is smart off the puck, but in the defensive zone anyone intent on going wide can get around him. His stride is cleaner than Klepov’s but Beltchetz’s pace is slower, and given how similarly they play, the comparison is unavoidable. I prefer Klepov’s passing, quicker execution, and off-puck spacing.
Context matters, as Belchetz plays on a big, plodding line with Greentree and Nesbitt that spends a lot of time in the offensive zone. That line buzzes all game and generates a high volume of quality looks, but Belchetz feels more like a passenger than a driver. He fumbles pucks more than you’d like and isn’t initiating much in transition. Off the puck in the offensive zone, he’s good as he finds space, plays net front, gets inside to release his shot, and can make plays when given time. He fed a clean backhand pass for a tap-in chance that just missed in one game, and his shot is legitimately dangerous from close range. He’s physical, but not effectively so as too many of his hits are after the puck is gone from the offensive player and don’t disrupt the play from happening. Ultimately, what he lacks in quality he makes up for in quantity through usage and environment, which is why I don’t think the hype matches the individual impact.
Carson Carels, LHD, WHL
Carson Carels is a defenseman whose reputation currently outweighs his game-to-game impact. He was very inactive and often invisible in multiple viewings, despite having good skill and mobility. Too much of his defensive work consisted of chip-and-outs rather than controlled exits, and he wasn’t engaged enough defending the blue line, allowing entries without resistance. For a player receiving offensive buzz, there simply isn’t enough consistent involvement in transition or activating on the blue line in the offensive zone that drive play.
Offensively, the tools are evident but sporadic. Carels flashes high-end puck-carrying ability and has delivered a few beautiful cross-ice passes that directly led to scoring chances. Those moments show real upside, but they come too infrequently to project him as a power-play quarterback. Instead, his profile fits better as a highly mobile, top-four defenseman who can contribute offense in a pinch, rather than a primary driver. Until the engagement level rises and the flashes become habits, the hype feels ahead of the actual impact.
Jack Hextall, C, USHL
Inconsistency has been the name of the game for Hextall this year. He’ll have a terrible game where his puck skill is sloppy, his passing lacks anticipation, and his skating looks off and clunky throughout. Then he’ll have a game where all of those things dramatically improve, and follow it up with a slight digression. While he remains physical and brings a grinder element, the offensive skill that stood out in prior viewings last year simply hasn’t been there. He struggles to execute with pace, and plays die on his stick far too often for a player expected to drive offense.
That’s what makes Hextall frustrating. At his best, Hextall is a physical, cerebral wizard, someone who can dictate play as much with his brain as with his tools. He can be effective in transition and has shown the ability to control games when his timing and confidence are right. Right now, though, his offensive game isn’t impactful enough. He’s failing to connect on passes, isn’t consistently getting inside to generate shot attempts, and isn’t creating goals off his own stick at a level that I would expect given his consensus ranking. Until that version of his game reappears consistently, the first round projection that I consistently see feels more hopeful than earned.
Lars Steiner, W, QMJHL
Lars Steiner is one of the easiest players in the class to assess because his game is so clearly defined. He’s a relentless pest who plays at 100 mph every shift and is constantly hunting his shot. He owns a wicked release and good puck-handling skill, and he isn’t shy about using them. However, despite playing at the junior level, he doesn’t see the ice well enough to function as a true playmaker, which gives me pause given the environment he’s in.
There’s a lot to like in Steiner’s game, but the limitations are just so clear. He struggles to process under pressure, turns the puck over frequently, and doesn’t consistently move pucks to dangerous areas. He profiles as Cam Schmidt with more physicality: an excellent finisher but not someone you trust to start chain-linked plays. Given his size, he’ll need to become more than just a trigger man to survive as an NHL scoring winger. As much as I enjoy the tools and motor, the lack of play-creation makes it hard to project him beyond a second-round value.
Three Players Not Mentioned I Think Could Move Up
Pierce Mbuyi, W, OHL
Pierce Mbuyi is a hard-nosed, gritty forward whose game gives him a real chance to make a leap despite limited current polish. He plays with good pace, competes every shift, and isn’t afraid of contact or the dirty areas of the ice. While his puck skill is raw and his transition passing is a clear weakness, his shot is legitimately good. As a Day 2 prospect, the appeal is in the foundation with his motor, physicality, and pace are already there, and if even incremental gains come in his puck execution and transition decisions, he has the profile of a player who can climb quickly in value.
Chase Reid, RHD, OHL
Chase Reid is a smart, competitive defenseman who consistently looks to make plays with the puck, using space well and excelling at feeding passes down low and executing quality exit passes. He reads the game effectively, steps up to break up passes, and pinches down the wall with good timing. That said, his skating (foot speed, backwards crossovers, and quick pivots) is a limitation, and his passing under pressure can be inconsistent. He can also be caught off balance when trying to stick check on backwards crossovers. His offensive game is amongst the best in North America, and if he can demonstrate that his defensive game is a smidge better than good at the World Juniors, his stock could soar into the top 5.
Adam Valentini, W, NCAA
Adam Valentini is a smaller player without elite speed, but his skill at the collegiate level stands out enough to put him on the first-round radar. While he’s not currently driving offense consistently, he has the tools to influence play through smart positioning, puck handling, and finishing ability. If he continues to develop his offensive instincts and leverages his skill in scoring situations, there’s a clear path for him to become a top-end contributor, making him a potential first-round pick despite size and pace limitations.
Top 5 Overagers in North America
- Egor Barabanov**, F, OHL
- Ethan MacKenzie**, LHD, WHL
- Masun Fleece*, F, USHL
- Lukas Sawchyn*, RW, WHL
- Malachi McKinnon*, F, USHL
December North America Rankings
