2026 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-32

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

17. Los Angeles Kings: Ilia Morozov, C, Miami Ohio
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings will have Artemi Panerin as their first line left winger, Quinton Byfield their 2020 first round pick drafted second overall taking over as the first line center with Anze Kopitar retiring, and Adrian Kempe as their first line right winger. Los Angeles has Kevin Fiala as their second line left winger, Alex Laferriere will be their second line center, and Trevor Moore as their second line right winger. Los Angeles has Alex Turcotte their 2019 first round pick is their third line left winger, Samuel Helenius their 2021 second round pick is going to take over as their third line center, and Joel Arima is their third line right winger. Jared Wright their 2022 sixth round pick is their fourth line left winger and Taylor Ward is their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Drew Doughty their second overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft in a contract year next season and their 2021 first round pick Brandt Clarke an RFA on their first line defense. Cody Ceci and Mikey Andersonare their two second line defensemen. Brian Dumoulin and Joel Edmundson are their two third line defenseman.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Darcy Kuemper as their starting goalie in a contract year next season. Anto Forsberg their backup goalie is in a contract year as well. The Kings also have some goalie prospects on the Ontario Reign in the AHL, and they could get called up next season especially Carter George the consensus top goalie drafted in the 2024 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings are going to move Quinton Byfield up from the second line to the first line with Anze Kopitar retiring. One player the Los Angeles Kings may draft here is Miami Ohio center Ilia Morozov as a center feels like the most logical position for the Kings to draft in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Ilia Morozov has the speed, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ilia Morozov has the floor of a third line center and the ceiling of a first line center making him the seventeenth player with the experience and ceiling to play on a top line. With Byfield on the Kings, Morozov will probably be eased into a second line center role which might suit him better.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 205 lb Ilia Morozov had 11 goals, 11 assists, and 22 points as a first line center on the Tri-City Storm in the USHL 2024-2025 as a 16-year-old. Ilia Morozov had 8 goals, 12 assists, and 20 points on Miami Ohio as a freshman in 2025-2026 after beginning the season as the youngest player in Division 1 hockey.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
    
    
18. Washington Capitals: Yegor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
    
    
    Washington got Anaheim's first round pick when they traded their most experienced defender John Carlsson away. Washington will have options at 18.
    
    
    
    The Washington Capitals have Aliaksei Protas, their 2019 third round pick taking over for Alexander Ovechkin as their first line left winger, Dylan Strome is their first line center, and Jordan Kyrou is their first line right winger. Washington has Alex Tuch as their second line left winger, Pierre-Luc Dubois as their second line center, and Tom Wilson, Washington's 2012 first round pick as their second line right winger. Washington has Anthony Beaulivier as their third line left winger, Ilya Protas their 2024 third round pick is now the third line center, and Ryan Leonard their 2023 first round pick drafted eighth overall is their third line right winger. Washington has Ethen Frank as their fourth line left winger, Justin Sourdif, a right winger as their fourth line center, and Ivan Miroshnicheko, their 2022 first round pick as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Washington Capitals have Jakob Chychrun and Rasmus Sandin as their two first line defenseman with both of those defensemen showing they can be the number one defensemen. Washington has Matt Roy and Cole Hutson their 2024 second round pick as their two second line defenesmen. Washington has Timothy Liljegren and Martin Fehervary as their two third line defenseman.
    
    
    
    The Washington Capitals have Logan Thompson as their starting goalie. Washington has Charlie Lindgren as their backup goalie.
    
    
    
    There are multiple players Washington loves at the center position in this draft from what I heard. Yegor Shilov also spelled Egor Shilov was drafted third overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. The Russian center had a great rookie season in the QMJHL.
    
    
    
    Yegor Shilov has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Yegor Shilov is the eighteenth player with experience and potential to play on a first line in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Yegor Shilov had 32 goals, 50 assists, 82 points, and a -11 +/- ratio in 63 QMJHL games. Yegor Shilov had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 4 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs. Yegor Shilov is going to Penn State this Fall to be their future center.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    
    
19. Utah Mammoth: Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
    
    
    Utah could have Clayton Keller as their first line left winger, Logan Cooley as their first line center, and Dylan Guenther as their first line right winger next season. Utah could have Tij Iginla as their second line left winger, Caleb Desnoyers as their second line center, and Daniil But as their second line right winger. Utah could have JJ Peterka as their third line left winger, Barrett Hayton as their third line center, and Michael Carcone as thier third line right wiger. Utah could have Jack McBain as their fourth line left winger, Nick Schmaltz as their fourth line center, and Brandon Tanev as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Mackenzie Weegar and Mikhail Sergachev the two first line defensemen on the Utah Mammoth are both back with both defensemen under contract through 2030-2031. John Marino and Nate Schmidt, the two second line defensemen on the Utah Mammoth are both back next season. Sean Durzi will be back as the number five defenseman. Dmitri Simashev could take over for Ian Cole as the number six defenseman on this third line next season after being a 2023 first round pick that was drafted sixth overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2023 one year before the franchise moved to Utah.
    
    
    
    Karel Vejmelka will be back as the starting goalie for the Utah Mammoth. Vitek Vanecek is a UFA, but hif he leaves, Utah could bring up Michael Hrabel the goalie that was ddrafted by Arizona in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft as a backup goalie on a rookie deal since Jacob Fowler is already in the NHL now as a backup goalie since Hrabel was drafted ahead of Jacob Fowler. If Utah doesn't re-sign Vanecek and does not want to bring up Hrabel, they could target another goalie while reloading this roster with younger players on rookie deals to replace the UFA's with only $5 million in cap space.
    
    
    
    Utah drafts a player to stash and develop. Adam Novotny was drafted eighth overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Adam Novotny has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger.
    
    
    
    Adam Novotny has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Adam Novotny has the ceiling of a top 15 pick and the floor of a top 20 pick. Adam Novotny is the nineteenth player with experience as well as potenital to be a first line player in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 204 lb Adam Novotny had 34 goals, 31 assists, 65 points, 8 power play goals, 8 game-winning goals, 1 short-handed goal and a 278 goals in his rookie season with the Peterborough Petes in 2025-2026. Adam Novotny had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 6 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Adam Novotny would be a player that Utah develops long-term. Clayton Keller is a UFA in 2028, and I'm guessing that is when Adam Novotny would arrive in the NHL if Clayton Keller didn't get extended when he becomes a UFA. If Utah extends Keller, then he will probably spend a year in the AHL before competing for a spot on Utah in 2029.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Adam Nemec, LW, HK Nitra (Tipos)
    
    
20. Buffalo Sabres: Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
    
    
    Buffalo uses this first round pick on a right winger to replace Alex Tuch. Liam Ruck had an excellent season with the Medicine Hat Tigers stepping up after Gavin McKenna left for Penn State.
    
    
    
    Liam Ruck was drafted ninth overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2023 WHL Draft. Liam Ruck also has a twin brother named Markus Ruck that plays center.
    
    
    
    Liam Ruck has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Liam Ruck is the twentieth player with experience on a first line or potential to play on the first line in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Liam Ruck had 25 goals, 16 assists, 41 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 51 WHL games with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2024-2025. Liam Ruck had 6 goals, 4 assists, and 10 points in 18 games helping the Medicine Hat Tigers win the WHL during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Liam Ruck had 45 goals, 59 assists, 104 points, 16 power play goals, 3 short-handed goals, 223 shots on goal, and 10 game-winning goals in 2025-2026. Liam Ruck had 8 goals, 4 assists, and 12 points in 14 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    
    
21. Philadelphia Flyers: JP Hurlbert, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia could have Tyson Foerster their 2020 first round pick as their first line left winger, Trevor Zegras as their first line center, and Porter Martone their 2025 first round pick as their first line right winger. Philadelphia could have Owen Tippett back at full health as their second line left winger, Christian Dvorak who got some reps at first line center in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as their second line center, and Matvei Michkov their 2023 first round pick as their second line right winger. Denver Barkey, Philadelphia's 2023 third round pick could be their third line left winger, Jett Luchanko, Philadelphia's 2024 first round pick could be their third line center, and Travis Konecny, Philadelphia's 2015 first round pick will remain the third line right winger behind the Philadelphia Flyers young stars at right winger despite being an alternate captain. Philadelphia could have Noah Cates as their fourth line left winger, Sean Couturier, Philadelphia's 2011 first round pick as well as team captain as their fourth line center, and Garnet Hathaway as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Jamie Drysdale and Travis Sanheim back as their two first line defenseman. Oliver Bonk, Philadelphia's second 2023 first round pick is the number three defenseman on the second line with Cam York their 2019 first round pick complimenting him as the number four defensemen on the second line. Philadelphia has Rasmus Ristolainen in a contract year next season anchoring the third line with Nick Seeler as their number six defenseman. Simon Benoit is the number seven defenseman. David Jiricek is the number eight defenseman, the Columbus Blue Jackets former sixth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Dan Vladar in a contract year at goalie next season, whose set to sign an extention. Joseph Woll is now the Flyers backup goalie. Both goalies showed they could be low-end starters and Carson Bjarnason, Philadelphia's 2023 second round pick is struggling on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL. Philadelphia could draft and stash a goalie after the first two rounds of this draft, but I expect the Flyers to address the first round with a forward and take a defenseman in the second round.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia is in a great spot at 21. JP Hurlbert has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. That versatility is why JP Hurlbert comes off the board here. JP Hurlbert was drafted twentieth overall by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2023 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    JP Hurlbert has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. JP Hurlbert is the twenty first player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the NHL since he was a top line guy at the WHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 182 lb JP Hurlbert had 42 goals, 55 assists, 97 points, 9 power play goals, 4 game-winning goals, 249 shots on goal, 170 face off wins, and a +13 +/- ratio in 68 WHL games in 2025-2026. JP Hurlbert had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 4 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia is building an exceptional young core of forwards with Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone headlining that core of young stars. That young core allowed them to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in a playoff series. JP Hurlbert won the Jim Piggot Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie Of The Year and JP Hurlbert is going to Michigan this Fall. All four of Philadephia's centers are under contract until 2030. I think JP Herlbert will spend three years at Michigan if the Flyers draft him and will be signed in 2029 spending a year with Lehigh Valley in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL in 2030.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
    
    
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Rickard Rakell as their first line left winger under contract until 2028, Sidney Crosby their first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft as their first line center in a contract year next season, and Bryan Rust as their first line right winger under contract until 2028. Pittsburgh has Egor Chinakov as their second line left winger whose an RFA, Evgeni Malkin who was drafted second overall in the 2004 NHL Draft is their second line center in a contract year next season, and Tommy Novak as their second line right winger is also in a contract year next year. Pittsburgh has Elmer Soderblom as their third line left winger whose in a contract year before he becomes an RFA in 2027, Benjamin Kindel, Pittsburgh's eleventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft is their third line center, and Justin Brazeau will be Pittsburgh's third line right winger in a contract year next season. Pittsburgh ahs Connor Dewar as their fourth line left winger, Blake Lizotte as their fourth line center, and Rutger McGroady as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Pittsbugh Penguins have Kris Letang, their 2005 third round pick as their number one defenseman under contract until 2028 with Erik Karlsson complimenting him on the first line, but both Letang and Karlsson can be number one defensemen on Pittsburgh as Erik Karlsson is also in a contract year. Samuel Girard enters a contract year as the number three defenseman on the Pittsburgh Penguins after spending most of his NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche and Ryan Graves compliments Samuel Girard as the number four defenseman on the second line. Pittsburgh has Parker Wotherspoon in a contract year as the number five defenseman. Ilya Solovyov compliments Wotherspoon as the number six defenseman. Pittsburgh also has Caleb Jones and Jack St. Ivany for depth as a number seven and number eight defenseman with eight defensemen under contract next year.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Arturs Silovs as their starting goalie. Joel Blomqvist a 2020 second round pick is an RFA and will likely be the Pittsburgh Penguins backup goalie if they choose to move on from Stuart Skinner whose a UFA.
    
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafts their goalie for the future. One goalie that wowed me at the 2025 USHL Fall Classic was Youngstown Phantoms goalie Tobias Trejbal who had a 33 save shutout back in September. When I watched Trejbal at that time he had a sixth round grade, but I knew he was going to be the first goalie drafted in that moment after watching him play in person.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 188 lb Tobias Trejbal went 30-9-3 with a 2.12 goals against average and a .916 save percentage in 42 USHL games in 2025-2026. Tobias Trejbal went 1-2-1 with a 1.66 goals against average and a .896 save percentage in the 2026 USHL Playoffs. Tobias Trejbal was a finalist for 2025-2026 USHL Rookie Of The Year. He was the 2026 USHL Goalie Of The Year just like Jacob Fowler who was the 2023 USHL Goalie Of The Year on the Youngstown Phantoms.
    
    
    
    Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Tobias Trejbal is the best goalie in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and he checks off all ten boxes. I believe he's gonna be an NHL starting goalie and Pittsburgh needs a long-term goalie. Tobias Trejbal is going to play college hockey in the NCAA at the Unversity of Massachusetts.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
    
    
    
    
23. Boston Bruins: Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (Elitserien)
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Marat Khusnutdinov as their first line left winger in a contract year before he becomes an RFA next season, Pavel Zacha as their first line center in a contract year next season, David Pastrnak their 2014 first round pick under contract untl 2031. Boston has Casey Mittelstadt as their second line left winger in a contract year next season, Elias Lindohlm as their second line center, and Morgan Geekie as their second line right winger. Boston has Alexander Steeves as their third line left winger, Fraser Minten as their third line center, and Michael Eyssimont as their third line right winger in a contract year next season. Boston has Tanner Jeanot as their fourth line left winger, Sean Kuraly as their fourth line center in a contract year, and Mark Kastelic as their fourth line right winger. Boston has James Hagens their 2025 first round pick as a roster scratch as the fifth center on the Boston Bruins, but he got limited minutes in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, so there is a chance he beats out Sean Kuraly for the fourth line center job. Otherwise James Hagens will spend next season with the Providence Bruins before a full-time role in 2027. Boston also has a fifth right winger for depth in Lukas Reichel.
    
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Charlie McAvoy their 2016 first round pick as their number one defenseman and Hampus Lindholm as their number two defenseman on the first line defensive pairing. Boston has Nikita Zadorov as their number three defenseman on the second line with Mason Lohrei a 2020 second round pick as the number four defenseman complimenting Nikita Zadorov on the second line defense. Boston has Henri Jokiharju as their number five defenseman anchoring the third line and Jonathan Aspirot as their number six defenseman. Jordan Harris can be a seventh defenseman, but is an RFA.
    
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Jeremy Swayman their 2017 third round pick as their starting goalie. Boston has Joonas Korpisalo as their backup goalie.
    
    
    
    Boston is looking at drafting a defenseman at 23. Malte Gustafsson makes a lot of sense here as he has the upside to develop into a first line defenseman.
    
    
    
    Malte Gustafsson has the skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Malte Gustafsson is the twenty second player with experience on a first line or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 201 lb Malte Gustafsson had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 27 SHL games in 2025-2026. Malte Gustafsson had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games during the 2026 SHL Playoffs in the league once known as Elitserien now more commonly referred to as the SHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien)
    
    
24. Vancouver Canucks: Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
    
    
    Vancouver gets their left winger of the future. Ryan Roobroeck has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. That versatility is what makes Ryan Roobroeck a first round pick still even after a down year in his draft year. Ryan Roobroeck was drafted second overall by the Niagara IceDogs in the 2023 OHL Draft after entering that draft as the favorite to go first overall over Matthew Schaefer following the 2022 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Ryan Roobroeck has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ryan Roobroeck began the year as a preseason top 5 pick, but he's now dropped to the back-end of the first round, but is still the twenty third player with experience and potential to play on the first .
    
    
    
    The 6-4 215 lb Ryan Roobroeck had 28 goals, 23 assists, 51 points, and a -34 +/- ratio in 63 OHL games as a rookie on the Niagara IceDogs as a second line center in 2023-2024. Ryan Roobroeck had 41 goals, 46 assists, 87 points, and a -7 +/- ratio in 64 OHL games in 2024-2025. Ryan Roobroeck had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Ryan Roobroeck had 30 goals, 28 assists, 58 points, a +1 +/- ratio, 10 power play goals, 6 game-winning goals, and 2 face off wins after converting from center to left winger full-time in 2025-2026.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
    
    
    
    
25. Ottawa Senators: Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators have Warren Foegele as their first line left winger in a contract year, Tim Stutzle drafted third overall in the 2020 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Drake Batherson their 2017 fourth round pick as their first line right winger with Drake Batherson entering a contract year next season. Ottawa has Ridly Greig their third 2020 first round pick as well as their late first round pick from the 2020 NHL Draft as a third line left winger, Dylan Cozens is their second line center, and William Eklund as their second line right winger. Ottawa has Shane Pinto, their 2019 second round pick as their third line center, and Michael Amadio as their third line right winger. Lars Eller is the fourth line center and Fabian Zetterlund is the fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators have Jake Sanderson, their fifth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman and Thomas Chabot their 2015 first round pick as their number two defenseman complimenting Jake Sanderson on their first line with Chabot under contract until 2028 beore he becomes a UFA. Ottawa has Artem Zub also pronounced Artyom Zub as their number three defenseman anchoring the second line as Zub was an undrafted defenseman that has spent his NHL career with Ottawa despite going undrafted in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft with Tyler Kleven, Ottawa's 2020 second round pick and fourth pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft as the number four defenseman on Ottawa's second line. Carter Yakemchuk, Ottawa's 2024 first round pick finally saw significant minutes on the third line as the number five defensemen, but that may have been due to both Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub being injured before game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs where Carolina swept Ottawa.. Jordan Spence, who filled in for an injured Jake Sanderson is an RFA this summer and the number six defenseman on Ottawa. Nikolas Matinpalo gives you a number seven defenseman for depth too.
    
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators extended starting goalie Linus Ullmark. Leevi Merilainen, Ottawa's 2020 third round pick and the sixth player Ottawa drafted in the 2020 NHL Draft is now the fifth player from Ottawa's 2020 NHL Draft to crack the NHL as he beat out veteran James Reimer for the backup goalie job. This gives Ottawa the flexibility to let James Reimer walk for nothing.
    
    
    
    Ottawa uses this first round pick on a let winger for depth. Pierce Mbuyi could take over for Gavin McKenna at Penn State this Fall.
    
    
    
    Pierce Mbuyi was drafted seventh overall by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2024 OHL Draft. Pierce Mbuyi was a player I wasn't enamored with entering the OHL as I gave the Owen Sound Attack a B+ grade instead of an A+ grade when they drafted him, but he's lived up to the draft hype with a strong rookie season and looks like someone that is a strong bet to get picked in the back end of the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Pierce Mbuyi has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Pierce Mbuyi has the floor of a third line left winger in the NHL and ceiling of a first line left winger in the NHL making Pierce Mbuyi the twenty fourth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 153 lb Pierce Mbuyi had 29 goals, 23 assists, 52 points, 46 penalty minutes, and a +8 +/- ratio in 63 OHL games in 2024-2025. Pierce Mbuyi had 1 goal, 1 assists, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Pierce Mbuyi lined up as a first line left winger in one game recording a hat trick by scoring 3 goals in the first period. Pierce Mbuyi is the only player to do this in the 2026 NHL Draft. Pierce Mbuyi had 32 goals, 43 assists, and 75 points in 68 games with the Owen Sound Attack in 2025-2026. Pierce Mbuyi had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs. Pierce Mbuyi is going to Penn State this Fall and the only thing that you could argue drags him down to the second round is his size. If you look at just what he does on tape and look past the size, I'd argue he's a late first round prospect.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
26. New York Rangers: Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
    
    
    New York owns the Dallas Stars 2026 first round pick thanks to the Mikko Rantanen trade. The New York Rangers got the higher of the two Carolina Hurricanes 2026 first round picks.
    
    
    
    Markus Ruck was drafted twenty first overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2023 WHL Draft. Markus Ruck also has a twin brother named Liam Ruck that plays right winger.
    
    
    
    Markus Ruck has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Markus Ruck is the twenty fifth player with experience on a first line or potential to be a top line center in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 167 lb Markus Ruck had 8 goals, 21 assists, 29 points, and a +12 +/- ratio in 62 WHL games in 2024-2025. Markus Ruck had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 14 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs helping the Medicine Hat Tigers win the 2025 WHL Championship. Markus Ruck had 21 goals, 87 assists, 108 points, a +45 +/- ratio, 190 face-off wins, and 132 shots on goal in 2025-2026. Markus Ruck had 4 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points in 15 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra (Tipos)
    
    
    
    
27. San Jose Sharks: William Hakansson, D, Lulea HF (Elitserien)
    
    
    San Jose needs one more long-term defenseman. They get their guy with William Hakansson here.
    
    
    
    William Hakansson has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. William Hakansson is the twenty sixth skater with experience or potential to play on a first line.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 207 lb William Hakansson had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 22 SHL games in 2025-2026. William Hakansson had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 9 games in the 2026 SHL Playoffs. William Hakanson showed he could execute a wrist shot and slap shot effectively despite not scoring in the SHL. He's great at blocking shots and hitting players by crashing them into the boards which is why some have him and Malte Gustafsson in the defensive defenseman category.
    
    
    
    William Hakansson's contract with Lulea HF runs through 2027-2028. William Hakansson will not be on the NHL team that drafts him until 2028 at the very earliest despite his ceiling.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
    
    
28. Montreal Canadiens: Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (SM Liiga)
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens have Juraj Slafkovsky, their first overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft as their first line left winger, Nick Suzuki as their first line center, and Cole Caufield, their 2019 first round pick as their first line right winger. Montreal's top line wingers Slafkovsky and Caufield have the versatility to play either winger role at left winger or right winger. Montreal has Alex Newhook as their second line left winger, Jake Evans as their second line center, and Ivan Demidov who was drafted fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft is their second line right winger. Montreal has Alexander Texier as their third line left winger, Phillip Danault as their third line center in a contract year next season, and Josh Anderson as their third line right winger whose also in a contract year next season. Montreal has Zack Bolduc their fourth line left winger as an RFA, Joseph Veleno their fourth line center is an RFA, but will be a UFA in 2027, and the same can be said with fourth line right winger Kirby Dach whose an RFA this summer before becoming a UFA in 2027.
    
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens have Noah Dobson and Lane Huton their 2022 second round pick that won the Calder last year as their two first line defensemen. Montreal has Mike Matheson and Kaiden Guhle their 2020 first round pick as their two second line defensemen. Montreal has Jayden Struble and Alexandre Carrier as their two third line defensemen with Carrier in a contract year.
    
    
    
    Montreal has Jakub Dobes as their starting goalie and Jacob Fowler as their backup goalie with both rookie goalies on rookie contracts. I had Montral at 12 in my preseason NHL Mock because I felt like Samuel Montembault would be a disaster as Montreal's starting goalie. Dobes and Fowler my favorite goalie from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft both made the NHL this year and both had excellent rookie years which is why Montreal went from a fringe playoff team in 2024-2025 to a team that made the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. With everyone back, Montreal is my early favorite to win the Eastern Conference in 2027, if Sergei Bobrovsky was a lock to return to Florida you could make an argument for the Florida Panthers as the favorite to win the Eastern Conference next season since Florida won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025 before Aleksander Barkov tore his ACL.
    
    
    
    Montreal drafts the best player on the board at 28. Oliver Suvanto makes a lot of sense here. Michael Hage, Montreal's 2024 first round pick can be a replacement to Phillip Danault in 2027-2028. Oliver Suvanto could be a replacement to Joseph Veleno as the fourth line center on Montreal in 2027-2028 since his contract in Finland is up after next season.
    
    
    
    Oliver Suvanto has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Oliver Suvanto played on all four lines. He was mainly a fourth line and third line center on Tappara, but he was team captain and the first line center for Finland at the Under 18 World Junior Championships. This makes Oliver Suvanto the twenty seventh different player with experience or potential to play on a top line in the 2026 NHL Draft, and I got one goalie in the top twenty two as I stated earlier.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 209 lb Oliver Suvanto had 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 2025-2026. Oliver Suvanto models his game after Aleksander Barkov on the Florida Panthers, he could go as high as 9 to Florida, but the furthest he would fall is the Montreal Canadiens at 28.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Colin Fitzgerald, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
    
    
    
    
29. St. Louis Blues: Maddox Dagenais, RW, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
    
    
    The New York Islanders got this 2026 first round pick from the Colorado Avalanche in the Brock Nelson trade. New York traded this pick to the St. Louis Blues with the condition that the St. Lous Blues would get Colorado's 2026 first round pick if it was outside of the top 10. St. Louis drafts another right winger here with Jordan Kyrou gone.
    
    
    
    St. Louis grabs a right winger to stash and develop. The top forward available is Maddox Dagenais the Quebec Remparts center. Maddox Dagenais was drafted first overall by the Quebec Remparts in the 2024 QMJHL Draft. Maddox Dagenais was originally a center, but he converted to right winger in his NHL Draft year.
    
    
    
    Maddox Dagenais has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, versatility, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Maddox Dagenais has the floor of a third line center on an NHL team and the ceiling of a first line center. He moved to right winger and started out as a second line right winger and got promoted to a first line right winger. Maddox Dagenais is the twenty eighth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 196 lb Maddox Dagenais had 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points in 43 QMJHL games in 2024-2025. Maddox Dagenais had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. Maddox Dagenais had 30 goals, 32 assists, 62 points, 10 power play goals, and 4 game-winning-goals in 62 games averaging a point per game in 2025-2026. Maddox Dagenais had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 11 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Nils Bartholdsson, RW, Rogle BK (Elitserien)
    
    
30. Calgary Flames: Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
    
    
    Calgary is back on the clock thanks to owning the Vegas Golden Knights 2026 first round pick. I gave Calgary another defenseman with this pick since I now got Viggo Bjorck going sixth overall.
    
    
    
    Calgary is getting a defenseman here with their second first round pick and a player I mocked to Calgary with the Vegas Golden Knights first round pick back in the preseason. Xavier Villenueve was the number four defenseman playing a complimentary role on the second line of Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defense among their three lines in the QMJHL. Xavier Villenueve was drafted seventh overall by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2023 QMJHL Draft. He did get promoted to the top line after playing on the second line as a rookie.
    
    
    
    Xavier Villenueve has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Xavier Villenueve has the traits of a first line NHL defenseman on a top defensive line pairing, the experience of a second line defenseman, and the size of a third line defenseman. A player with that kind of skill set could end up all over the place, but even with a down season after being a preseason top 11 pick right outside of the top 10, he still did enough to stay in the first round. This makes Villeneuve the twenty ninth skater with experience or upside to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft through thirty picks with one being a goalie.
    
    
    
    The thing is, Xavier Villenueve also won the Emile-Bouchard trophy for the best defenseman in the entire QMJHL despite being undersized. Despite his lack of size he did post 62 points in 61 games and became the first defenseman to win the Emile-Bouchard trophy in his plus one draft year since J.J. Daigenault a defenseman that went tenth overall in the 1984 NHL Draft that was headlined by Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario Lemieux. J.J. Daigenault had a sixteen year NHL career helping the Philadelphia Flyers make a Stanley Cup while also winning a Stanley Cup in Montreal despite the early part of his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, the team that drafted him not working out.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 157 lb Xavier Villenueve was 5-9 139 only adding 11 lbs of muscle since being drafted into the QMJHL two years ago before adding 7 lbs of muscle in his draft year. Xavier Villenueve posted 8 goals, 35 assists, 43 points, 26 penalty minutes, and a -10 +/- ratio as a rookie in 2023-2024. Xavier Villanueve had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 7 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs. Xavier Villenueve posted 12 goals, 50 assists, 62 points, 24 penalty minutes, and a +14 +/- ratio in 61 QMJHL games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in 2024-2025. Xavier Villeneuve did worse in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs with 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in 5 games during the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. Xavier Villenueve had 6 goals, 32 assists, 38 points, and a +7 +/- ratio n 2025-2026. Xavier Villeneuve had 6 goals, 8 assists, and 14 points in 17 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Some NHL teams had Xavier Villeneueve as the second best defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft behind only Keaton Verhoeff in the preseason. Some had him third behind Verhoeff and Ryan Lin in the preseason. Others had him fourth behind Verhoeff, Lin, and Daxon Rudolph. I loved Lane Hutson the player Villeneueve is being compared to, but my gut is telling me Villenueve is a bust. My friend believes I am overthinking this and that I am wrong.
    
    
    
    
    
31. Carolina Hurricanes: Juho Piiparinen, D, Tappara (SM Liiga)
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have Andrei Svechnikov their 2018 first round pick drafted second overall as their first line left winger, Sebastian Aho a 2017 second round pick as their first line center, and Seth Jarvis their 2020 first round pick as their first line right winger with those three guys all locked up until 2029 when Svechnikov becomes a UFA. Carolina has Taylor Hall as their second line left winger, Logan Stankoven as their second line center, and Jackson Blake, their 2021 fourth round pick as their second line right winger. Carolina has Nikolaj Ehlers as their third line left winger, Jordan Staal their team captain as their third line center with Staal entering a contract year next season, and Jordan Martinook as their third line right winger with Martinook entering a contract year next season. Carolina has William Carrier as their fourth line left winger, Mark Jankowski as their fourth line center, ad Eric Robinson as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have Jaccob Slavin and K'Andre Miller as their two first line defenseman. Sean Walker and Shyne Gostisbehere are their two second line defensemen. Jalen Chatfield and Alexander Nikishin whose an RFA this Summer are their two third line defensemen. Slavin is a good number one defenseman. Miller showed he could handle being promoted from the second line to the first line after signing a contract that keeps both Slavin and Miller locked up until 2033. Carolina had the number one penalty killing unit in the entire NHL this season despite me saying Carolina's defense got worse last offseason after replacing Brett Burns with K'Andre Miller.
    
    
    
    Frederik Anderson their starting goalie for many years is a UFA. Brandon Bussi took the backup goalie job from Pytor Kochetkov their 2019 second round pick got demoted to third string goalie with Bussi locked up long-term and Kochetkov entering the final year of his contract next season. Both Bussi and Kochetkov are under contraxt next season while Anderson is not. Brandon Bussi came in for Frederik Anderson and won the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals.
    
    
    
    I got Carolina stacking up on defenders. Juho Piiparinen ends up on Carolina here.
    
    
    
    Juho Piiparinen was the top defenseman in Finland not named Albert Smits and a big part of the Tappara team that won the Liiga league. Oliver Suvanto and Juho Piiparinen were both part of the Tappara team that won Liiga in the league once known as SM Liiga, that I still refer to as SM Liiga in Finland in 2025-2026. Juho Piparinen was also the team captain for the Finland Under 18 Little Lions team.
    
    
    
    Juho Piiparinen has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Juho Piiparinen was mainly a third line guy on Tappara, but he was the number one defenseman on the first line for Finland at this years Under 18 World Junior Championships acting as a quarterback on the power play and penalty killer with his center teammate Oliver Suvanto. This makes Juho Piiparinen the thirtieth skater in my top thirty one with experience or potential to play on a first line. Juho Piiparinen has the floor of a third line defenseman in the NHL and the ceiling of a first line defenseman. This means he will likely be a second line defenseman, but could be a third line guy if he only reaches his floor, or a first line guy if he reaches his potential.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 203 lb Juho Piiparinen had 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 29 games with Tappara in 2025-2026. Juho Piiparinen needs to develop his shot by improving his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. How much improvement he makes in his shot will determine if he's a bottom pairing defender on a third line, a middle pairing defender on a second line, or a top pairing defender on a first line.
    
    
    
    Here is a quote from Juho Piiparinen after being voted team captain of Finland. "I try to handle this task as well as possible. I aim to lead by my own actions. I'm not the loudest guy, but I try to set an example and show the way." With his size and this type of demeanor its hard to see this guy escaping the first round.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
    
    
32. Ottawa Senators: Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators were supposed to lose this first round pick for tampering. Instead, the NHL gave them this pick back, but they will pick at 32 in the 2026 NHL Draft and cannot trade the pick.
    
    
    
    Tommy Bleyl has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tommy Bleyl is the thirty first player in the top thirty two with experience to play on a first line on his junior team or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft the other player in the top thirty two is a goalie.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 160 lb Tommy Bleyl had 13 goals, 68 assists, 81 points, a +58 +/- ratio, 195 shots, and 4 power play goals ceasing control of the first line defenseman on the defending 2025 QMJHL Champion Moncton Wildcats in his rookie QMJHL Season in 2025-2026. Tommy Bleyl had 6 goals, 22 assists, 28 points, a +15 +/- ratio, 71 shots, 3 power play goals, and 2 game-winning goals in 21 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs. Moncton returned to the 2026 QMJHL Finals hoping to defend their title, but lost to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the Championship game.
    
    
    
    One of The Prospect Don's friends in a group chat on X said Tommy Bleyl is a dark horse to crack the first round. I agree completely after watching the tape of Tommy Bleyl. He has one more year in the QMJHL and then enrolls at Michigan State in 2027. My guess is Tommy Bleyl will be on Carolina in 2029 when Sean Walker becomes a UFA after two years of development on Michigan State in the NCAA. Tommy Bleyl was the first player since Dmitri Kulikov to win both QMJHL Player Of The Year and Rookie Of The Year in the QMJHL in the same season.
    
    
    
    Ottawa would have Carter Yakemchuk, Logan Hensler, and now Tommy Bleyl. With that good crop of defensemen prospects, Ottawa will eventually get a stud defenseman down the road if Jake Sanderson wants out like Brady Tkachuk.